I also had problems with WLTX today, I wanted to watch the packers-bears game, we had the giants-bills game on fox here. I figured I could go OTA and switch between cbs and fox but wltx looked like it was on drugs or something. I ended up watching the packers game on fox.

ota and cable showed exactly the same thing.

Other than being a troll, why would you post about a Columbia local that you do not recieve? You bring nothing of vaule to this Columbia thread.:confused:

I guess you have not noticed ncxcstud and I enjoy the banter so skip by the posts, learn how to use the ignore poster button or butt out.

Yeah the same thing was on cable and ota in Florence too. But there fox game was new york giants and buffalo bills and columbia fox had green bay and chicago. both had the same cbs game.

Been Gone. Had an equipment problem on Sunday.

Other than being a troll, why would you post about a Columbia local that you do not recieve? You bring nothing of vaule to this Columbia thread.:confused:

I'll second that and say that I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I guess you have not noticed ncxcstud and I enjoy the banter so skip by the posts, learn how to use the ignore poster button or butt out.

Yeah, real nice. Tell someone who is discussing a topic created specifically for this thread to butt out. However, it's perfectly acceptable for you to ramble on about granny, the roof and your love of cable. :confused:

Been Gone. Had an equipment problem on Sunday.


Please, please , go back to DD 2.0 for all programming. Your stations use of 5 channel stereo for DD 5.1 is so distracting that my family ask "why is it so loud". My answer is "lets watch something on another channel":eek:

I'll second that and say that I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Merry Christmas to you too!


http://www.scrappersguide.com/forums/gallery/data/592/medium/Merry-Christmas.jpg

Greetings,

Terry Wright here. I am the new Chief for WLTX. Having only been here for a few days it will take me a little time to accustom myself to WLTX’s technical plant.

The Chief Engineer (Dan Stalnaker) who originally installed the HD system here did an excellent job and I had always heard that WLTX’s HD was the best in the beginning. So I was somewhat troubled when I heard reports of 5.1 audio issues.

We are expecting several CBS and in-house capital purchases arrived at the station, begining after the first of the year. Any reports of noisy 5.1 audio will most likely disappear with our new receiver and decoder/encoder replacements but tweaking will always be part of the process.

Many of this forum’s participants have state of the art HD/Dolby equipment and are blessed with keen audio/visual senses. Input from these viewers is quite important and is beneficial in maintaining the most pristine signals which is the goal of WLTX. I want to encourage the forum participants to scrutinize, evaluate and report its observations.

For now I will on occasion post to this forum pertinent WLTX notices/updates. Later I would like to participate more in forum discussions. In the meantime please email me with any observed technical problems. Unfortunately I may not be able to respond to all but be assured your observations will be logged and attention given.

FYI… this past weekend we had a HD card failure that caused heavy pixilation during the game until it was replaced by one of our weekend engineers.

Have a happy holiday season and may all your technology from Santa work right out of the box.

Terry Wright
WLTX-TV
Director of Technology & Operations
twright4@wltx.gannett.com

Welcome, Terry, glad to see you are on board!

For now I will on occasion post to this forum pertinent WLTX notices/updates. ..Terry Wright

Welcome Terry-Glad to see you here! Make sure Jim introduces you to the
Lizards Thicket!

Bob Davis
Director of Engineering, Bahakel Communications
WCCB-WOLO-WFXB-WBBJ-WAKA

Welcome, Terry
Thanks for the information and being a participate on the forum.

Welcome Terry! and Merry Christmas to all!

Welcome Terry. Thank you for taking the time to post on this site and bring us all up to date.

Terry, I was very frustrated with the problems you had on Sunday while I was trying to watch the game. I greatly appreciate you coming on here and explaining the situation. Now don't ever let it happen again on game day. Just kidding! :D

I just noticed that the TWCSC guide list The NFL Network game tonight to be on Wis and Wltx. Too bad that it likely will not happen, but interesting to say the least.:p

I just noticed that the TWCSC guide list The NFL Network game tonight to be on Wis and Wltx. Too bad that it likely will not happen, but interesting to say the least.:p

It's been publicly discussed that CBS,NBC, and NFL Net will all carry the game,
you must have been stuck under a rock the last few days? ;)

Once again something I care nothing about, can get OTA free tonite, and still pay extra for..

you must have been stuck under a rock the last few days? ;)

He comes out to snipe. ;)

Looks like Wis wins out tonight. Wltx has the static issue in their audio.

NFL Network looked better than WIS last night :)

that certainly isn't saying much

Hey Guys,

I know this is old, but I'm catching up on Journeyman episodes from my DVR. Every episode goes from HD to SD for the last 10 minutes. Was WIS having problems in November? I recorded them OTA to my HR20

David

Was WIS having problems in November?

i don't think there is any month when WIS wasn't having problems.

Recent updates:
12/31/07

Conducted complete system proof and alignment of NTSC path from CBS Sat receiver to STL/Cable video output DA. (Significantly sharper and brighter network video should be observed on the analog OTA and analog cable channels.)

Re-configured SDI input of DTV Flexicoder. This has greatly reduced the pixilation, edge crawl and “chroma bug” on D19-3. Also this change allows more bandwidth to be allocated to D19-1 for HD/5.1.

Harmonic digital noise that was emanating from a character generator was corrected and could have been a source for the 5.1 digital noises??? We are running only stereo until the above video changes are fully tested.

Forum, please comment on video improvements/changes. Also comment on current stereo audio status.

5.1 will be front burner first of year.

Happy New Year!

Hey Guys,

I know this is old, but I'm catching up on Journeyman episodes from my DVR. Every episode goes from HD to SD for the last 10 minutes. Was WIS having problems in November? I recorded them OTA to my HR20

David

Yes, they were having a lot of problems last month. It's not your DVR :)

Recent updates:
12/31/07

Conducted complete system proof and alignment of NTSC path from CBS Sat receiver to STL/Cable video output DA. (Significantly sharper and brighter network video should be observed on the analog OTA and analog cable channels.)

Re-configured SDI input of DTV Flexicoder. This has greatly reduced the pixilation, edge crawl and “chroma bug” on D19-3. Also this change allows more bandwidth to be allocated to D19-1 for HD/5.1.

Harmonic digital noise that was emanating from a character generator was corrected and could have been a source for the 5.1 digital noises??? We are running only stereo until the above video changes are fully tested.

Forum, please comment on video improvements/changes. Also comment on current stereo audio status.

5.1 will be front burner first of year.

Happy New Year!

Geez, didn't you do anything with that flux capacitor?

Thanks for updating us. It's nice to know someone cares.

Geez, didn't you do anything with that flux capacitor?

Thanks for updating us. It's nice to know someone cares.

It sure is. Thanks alot for updating us and doing everything so quick.

Still getting static audio on Wltx-DT

Anyone else getting freeze frames on the ESPN-HD telecast of the Capital One Bowl (Mich-UFla)?

Gator Bowl looked great on my end. of course, I was at the game and not at home :) GO RED RAIDERS!

Has the WLTX weather radar on 19-2 gone for good, or is it just down temporarily? That subchannel seems to have disappeared completely. It doesn't show up on a channel scan, just 19-1 and 19-3.

I bet most people here will be happy if it's gone for good and the bandwidth goes to 19-1. :)

Cable giants aim to rule HD
Companies increase their offerings in high definition as customers upgrade their TVs
Frank Norton, Staff Writer. The News & Observer

Time Warner Cable and its rivals are in the early stages of a torrid campaign to win the latest battle for America's dens: high-definition programming.

With thousands of new sets installed in the past year, satellite and cable service providers are touting plans to multiply the number of HD channels they offer. Until recently, Time Warner had the edge in the Triangle. Now, armed with new satellites, DirecTV can claim the most high-definition programming.

But Time Warner, the nation's second- largest cable company, is spending $50 million in North Carolina and South Carolina to allow what it says will be an unlimited number of HD channels by the middle of this year. The company does have some ground to make up: Its offering of 26 channels trails DirecTV's lineup of 85.

For its part, DirecTV promises dozens of new HD channels this year. Even AT&T, the phone company, is planning to elbow its way into the fight by spending $350 million in North Carolina to introduce high-definition TV programming.

For consumers, the programming blitz is a win, at least in the short term.

"I don't expect to see much change in monthly fees, but I do expect to see more channels added to the plans," said Alfred Poor, a founder of HDTVProfessor.com.

Time Warner declined to predict how many HD channels it will offer after its new "switched digital" technology is completed. The system will free capacity in Time Warner's network by limiting the broadcast signal to the channel being viewed. The current technology sends all signals for all channels simultaneously, whether they are being viewed or not.

With the upgrade, Time Warner will be able to broadcast as many HD channels as it has agreements to distribute, said Brad Phillips, a spokesman for Time Warner Cable in North Carolina. The company will automatically upgrade all customers by mid-2008 without any change in prices, he said.

"Customers want more HD, and we're doing all we can to provide it," Phillips said.

"I don't expect to see much change in monthly fees, but I do expect to see more channels added to the plans," said Alfred Poor, a founder of HDTVProfessor.com..


He-He.. yea, right..:)

He-He.. yea, right..:)

Still be worth it. Unlimited full bandwidth HD. You know what Granny says. ;)

Recent updates:
12/31/07

We are running only stereo until the above video changes are fully tested.

Forum, please comment on video improvements/changes. Also comment on current stereo audio status.

5.1 will be front burner first of year.

Happy New Year!


Why did WLTX-DT switch back to 5 channel stereo? Was it because the stereo contained static?

Still be worth it. Unlimited full bandwidth HD. You know what Granny says. ;)


Sorry, but unlimited full bandwidth is 1.5gb/s..like we have coming out of our HD cameras. Then there's HD VTR's somewhere in the middle.. Next best is satellite distribution for networks at ~36-40mb/s..THEN there's cable.. Oh, but some of you can't see the good stuff..Granny needs to learn more about HD..;)

I sure hope your TWC stock is doing well.!

Well maximum allowable, minimal compression per channel. How's that? Granny knows SDV is a good thing. :cool:

Yea, TW really needs to get SDV going.. Of course, I welcome AT&T to Bring it on!

Me too! Y'all think I'm so enamored with the fat bastards at TWC but I just see it as the best option right now all things considered.

Why did WLTX-DT switch back to 5 channel stereo? Was it because the stereo contained static?

I suspect the "5 channel stereo" indication is being determined by a setting on your surround sound receiver. It the station is transmitting only stereo as Chief19 says, you can probably have the default fallback decoding be PrologicII, 5 channel strero, direct (straight 2.0 stereo) or perhaps some other options. On our Denon, we have it set to default to PrologicII if the incoming digital audio is not flagged as 5.x.

Mike

Something was up with NBC-HD this morning on TWC at around 7am. It was showing a Weather forecase loop where it was supposed to be the Today show. I always have NBC-SD on in my bedroom in the morning and then turn on NBC-HD on in my living room while I'm in the kitchen...there's always a half-second delay between the two which is not a big deal, but I'm not used to there being totally different programming.

I suspect the "5 channel stereo" indication is being determined by a setting on your surround sound receiver. It the station is transmitting only stereo as Chief19 says, you can probably have the default fallback decoding be PrologicII, 5 channel strero, direct (straight 2.0 stereo) or perhaps some other options. On our Denon, we have it set to default to PrologicII if the incoming digital audio is not flagged as 5.x.

they had switched to 2.0 stereo for a few days last week, and my receiver indicated it as such, but then went back to 5.1 (or as close to 5.1 as WLTX gets). the static is much softer, but still there (at least it was last night which was the last time i tuned in).

Something was up with NBC-HD this morning on TWC at around 7am. It was showing a Weather forecase loop where it was supposed to be the Today show. I always have NBC-SD on in my bedroom in the morning and then turn on NBC-HD on in my living room while I'm in the kitchen...there's always a half-second delay between the two which is not a big deal, but I'm not used to there being totally different programming.

I had the same thing on WIS-DT via OTA this morning.

Thanks for posting so I know I'm not crazy. :)

The funny thing is that it switched at some point because I specifically remember seeing Meredith talking about "Coming up on Today" and then it switched to the weather forecast (maybe for the local forecast) and never switched back. At least not in the next 10-15 minutes at least. This was all a little before and a little after 7am.

can someone with tv background experience tell me why the time, play, quarter etc. has to be displayed 2 inches from the top of the tv screen. most of the networks seem to do this and I just don't get it. Why don't we just go to a 16 x 7 aspect ratio for these football networks.

Because those with SD, 4:3 sets take precedent over us with widescreen HDTVs. There are, after all, more SD sets out there than HD at the moment... It was lower to compensate for overscan on SD tvs... Though, it did seem a lot lower than normal.

Thanks, I should have figured that one out, but it just wouldn't register with me for some reason, and yes it did seem a lot lower than usual last night.

way to go WISTV...

Frozen video at the first commercial break for the NFL playoffs...

Picture is fine on TWC but sound just does not seem to be full frequency range.

Audio seems to dropping a little ,but I just tuned in. Too bad CBS has a game tomorrow.

Anyone else on TWC getting a static 'pick' sound on the FOX telecast? I'm at my in-laws right now, and it's kind of annoying. Don't know if it's their TV or not though...

Perfect video and audio here in Lexington via TWC.

Looks like HD is a no go. The audio is static free.:eek:

Switched to HD video. Audio is unique.

I'm watching the Titans/Chargers game on WLTX OTA and the picture is HD and the sound (5.1) is static free.

Thank you WLTX for fixing the static problem!!

I'm watching the Titans/Chargers game on WLTX OTA and the picture is HD and the sound (5.1) is static free.

Thank you WLTX for fixing the static problem!!


To bad its not DD 5.1. The video is very good.

To bad its not DD 5.1. The video is very good.

Hmmm, I'll have to go downstairs and double check. When I checked it earlier I thought my processor showed "Dolby-D" and "5.1."

Showing DD 5.1 is one thing ,but when the center, FR,FL,RR,and LR play exactly the same auido, then things are not right.

it sounds to me like there is L/R stereo happening, but problem is the center channel blasting through all 5 speakers.

We made some harware and config changes to the 5.1 audio that should improve quality.

CBS is updating hardware soon.

Still getting the same audio from all channels. Never heard anything like it ,except on Wltx-DT.

In case you guys haven't seen it, Dish Network announced that they will be launching HD Locals in Columbia supposedly by the end of Q2 2008:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/120129-dish-expand-hd.html

In case you guys haven't seen it, Dish Network announced that they will be launching HD Locals in Columbia supposedly by the end of Q2 2008:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/120129-dish-expand-hd.html

Maybe by that time Wis-DT will be able to broadcast an entire show in HD, and Wltx-DT will be able to broadcast DD 5.1 correctly.:)

Preach it brother. Amen!

Anyone else having a terrible time with TWC WLTXHD and HGTVHD? Both have been terrible tonight. Picture problems with both as well as some problems with ESPN2HD, though it is not nearly as bad. Called TWC and they did not know anything.

Looks like Wltx-Dt has imploded.

definitely...perfect signal...terrible picture...if you can even call it that...

But, at least we know they are working on it....

EDIT: Lets hope it's fixed by Saturday for the NFL games...

Tonight WLTXHD looks great. Sound a little iffy, but that could just be my house since a couple other channels also have iffy sound. Picture did look good for CSI.

sounded ok for stereo.

WLTX-DT


Please stop the 5 channel stereo.

Kevin -

We know they are working on it and updating their equipment... what would you rather have? 5 channel stereo or just the left and right? EDIT: Of course, I mean 'while they are working on it' not as a final solution.

I'm not being critical, just curious. I think this game does 'look' better than the Packers-Seahawks game though. Just more vibrant color wise...but, the snow might have had a lot to do with that...

left and right , so that PLllx can be applied.

Picture is the best I've seen since the Super Bowl a couple of years ago. Listening in forced stereo is ok, but after the perfect Fox DD 5.1, I feel a little cheated,

It may be my 5.1 setup (it's not the best system, but it does a very good job, Pioneer HTS-GS1 - got it for christmas as a gift :)), but I didn't think the Fox broadcast was all that spectacular...I like the crowd noise to be a little louder, especially in the marquee stadiums like Lambeau. I want to feel the crowds excitement, not a dull murmur, lol.

It seems the video hardware upgrades at WLTX have been very good. I've noticed a considerable drop in the amount of pixelation we usually see on WLTX...

The three best looking games I've ever seen are...

Fiesta Bowl 2006 on FOX
Cowboys-Redskins (last week) on FOX in Jacksonville, FL
Today's CBS game...

I have a fairly large 7.1 setup ,and Fox NFL broadcast in regards to audio works great with my setup. CBS audio is +4 dial norm ,and is way too loud when surfing through HD channels. It really overbearing when WLTX-DT forces center channel audio along with regular surround audio throughout all 7 channels in my setup.

Wow...CBS sounds like it's in a tunnel at the moment...

EDIT: nvm...

FYI

We replaced the main IOT tube in our transmitter earlier this week and was "proofed" by the best transmitter consultant in the southeast.

More power... better signal to noise ratio... better frequency response

Enjoy

Does he know anything about audio?;)

Be nice! WLTX is working on it. Go after our CW station. Where is my HD C-Dub at G!

TWC is now advertising free HD. Can anyone pay TWC 0 dollars a month, plug their cable into their TV and get free HD?

Greetings,

For a while now, I've been experiencing audio dropoouts on my OTA signals. Happens on all networks, and I thought it was my Directv DVR. Yesterday, I split the line, and fed the signal to my HTPC, and taped the 7:00 report on both boxes. Guess what? Audio dropouts, in the exact same spots on both boxes. Video continues on perfectly.

I have a terk HDTVs antenna (looks like the winegard Square Shooter), grounded properly. I added a Radio Shack 15-2507 amp a few months ago (the problem occured before and after the amp was added). My signals on WIS and Wltx are in the 90s, WOLO 80s, and PBS is always at 100.

Any thoughts on what's going on?

Thanks,

David

Sounds like it might be getting too much power. I had the same problem...had an amp on my powered antenna and kept getting dropouts. I removed the amp and my signals have been dropout free ever since...

Try removing the amp and then lowering the level of the powered antenna and see if that works...

TWC is now advertising free HD. Can anyone pay TWC 0 dollars a month, plug their cable into their TV and get free HD?

Yes, but only if you're stealing your neighbor's cable feed ..:D

PBS has a few issues. Black lines on the right side of the video(look like a worn VHS tape) and a very screwed up 5.1 audio settings. Hope they fix it soon.

PBS has a few issues. Black lines on the right side of the video(look like a worn VHS tape) and a very screwed up 5.1 audio settings. Hope they fix it soon.


Can you please clarify the issues you are having with us? Which service are you having problems with; SD or HD? You can contact me directly or on the forum. Thank you.

-Shaun

Can you please clarify the issues you are having with us? Which service are you having problems with; SD or HD? You can contact me directly or on the forum. Thank you.

-Shaun

The video and sound issues happend during the Sunday episode Nature on cable 800 and also viewable on OTA 32-3. The video appears to have a thin black line that appears off and on in the middle right side of the screen that divides the image to the center point only. The audio sounded like two version of the audio playing at the same time with just a slight delay giving it a reverb effect.

Just want to say that WLTX audio is now in 5.1 Dolby and sounding great. No more static type noise. Great going and thanks to the new chief at WLTX

Just want to say that WLTX audio is now in 5.1 Dolby and sounding great. No more static type noise.

yes, the static is gone. but last night i was cruising around all the HD channels showing the State of the Union and it sounded like the center channel is still blasting through all 5 channels on WLTX.

has anyone been getting dropouts on several of the HD channels? MHD, Universal HD,HGTV HD etc? I've been experienceing what seems like bandwith problems for the last week.

has anyone been getting dropouts on several of the HD channels? MHD, Universal HD,HGTV HD etc? I've been experienceing what seems like bandwith problems for the last week.

I have. Been wondering if others have.

has anyone been getting dropouts on several of the HD channels? MHD, Universal HD,HGTV HD etc? I've been experienceing what seems like bandwith problems for the last week.
I just want the HD channels to stay available.

Set the DVR to pick up MaxHD-W at 4AM the other day, only there WAS no MaxHD-W then so no recording. Some days I see a channel already gone just after dark, and HOPE it comes back in time for my recording. Every once in a while, it does.

This may be like the local station HD equipment, where it doesn't pay the bills yet so the money to keep it up 24/7 is still spent on SD, or it could be satellite interference, but with the HD/SD-pair channels I have available, the HD ones are what I WANT to watch...

This may be like the local station HD equipment, where it doesn't pay the bills yet so the money to keep it up 24/7 is still spent on SD, or it could be satellite interference, but with the HD/SD-pair channels I have available, the HD ones are what I WANT to watch...

With TWC, usually its neither, most of the problems cable viewers have like you describe are related to line / distribution issues that can be traced to
specific areas or homes.

With TWC, usually its neither, most of the problems cable viewers have like you describe are related to line / distribution issues that can be traced to specific areas or homes.
But where does the "This channel is unavailable" message come from: my box, the head end, or somewhere in-between?

It's not just blank, it's marked as unavailable...

Don't know if this is appropriate in this forum (I know it's not, so sue me, lol) but I recently got a flyer for Windstream at my home in Lexington (as opposed to my other homes right??? lol) and I'm intrigued not by their DTV, which is Dish Network, or their phone bundle (I don't have a home line) but by there DSL package...$19.99 (for 6 months) for their 6MB down package which is the same as what I get from TWC at the moment (though 26.99 cheaper). Also included is a $5.00 off for 12 months from switching from cable to DSL...

Just wondering what you guys have heard about Windstream internet...

Again... I know it's not 'appropriate' to this forum, but y'all are the more 'techie' people I talk to in the Columbia/Lexington, SC area...so I figured someone should know something about it...right?

if you so wish, you can just Private message me so we don't clutter the board further and get back to the "Why won't my HD channels come in all the time, when I want them to, on TWC?!" :)

EDIT: NVM - I just got off the phone with them and their 19.99 deal only matters if you get their full phone service which is 49.99...and their other deal is only $5.00 cheaper than TWC... Not going to change for that :)

Is anyone having problems with their WIS OTA signal? Mine was out last night, back for a while and now out again (Sunday A.M.). Luckily the Super Bowl is Fox. Thanks for any help.

I just noticed that my WIS OTA is out as well...

To kevinivey

Sorry you are still having problems receiving our audio correctly.
I want to assure you we here at WLTX are consistently vigilant in maintaining technical excellence for our viewers. We do care! To suggest otherwise would normally be insulting to me and my staff. However your perpetual frustration while understandable may stem from something lacking at your particular receive site that needs to be corrected. I do not know the detailed configuration of your HDTV system or your ability to operate it, but we have had very few other complaints since we recently corrected the minor noise issue.
If you will mail (U.S. postal) to WLTX (care of the Chief Engineer) a detailed letter spelling out your observations and complaints we will review and investigate it in detail.

I can vouch for kevinivey. WLTX's sound is just the center channel coming through all the speakers. Doesn't happen with any other station but WLTX so I know my system is setup correctly.

Is this game on any TWC channels in Columbia? Why isn't it on 950? It's also not on 26. It can't be true that we can't see it.

Try channel 4. SUCKS

Wktc-my63

Try channel 4. SUCKS

Thanks. What an absolute joke that we have to watch it on that POS channel!

Don't you just love it when an oligopoly controls what you want and there is little to nothing you can do about it?

Raycom is apparently broadcasting this in HD where available... would be a nice use for 813/814...

This looks awful.

Local station exclusive, and the local doesn't do HD.

ACC Tournament will be in HD on WOLO.

I'm probably the only one lurking on this forum using TVGOS (TV-Guide On Screen) but I'll ask anyway. I havent been receiving TVGOS updates for over two months. I would very much like to know:
1. Is there anyone with TWC currently receiving TVGOS updates?
2. Does anyone (Shaun?) know if our PBS affiliate is still providing the Gemstar info to TWC, or if TWC is still passing it on to subscribers?

Cheers, Jon

WOLO inserts TVGOS. Based on some TWC knowledge I have, they no longer pass the data here, so I suspect the same is for Columbia.

Anyone else experiencing stutters on FSN's HD feed of the Clemson-UNC game? No problems in SD. I thought it might be my directv DVR failing, but none of my other HD channels is showin the problem. Even the SD commercials are acting up on the HD channel.

Anyone else experiencing stutters on FSN's HD feed of the Clemson-UNC game? No problems in SD. I thought it might be my directv DVR failing, but none of my other HD channels is showin the problem. Even the SD commercials are acting up on the HD channel.


No problems here via Dish Network.

Any word on TWC carrying Speed HD? I sure would love to be able to watch the races on Speed in HD.

Any word on TWC carrying Speed HD? I sure would love to be able to watch the races on Speed in HD.
On a similar topic, is there a website out there anywhere keeping track of SD channels and their eventual switch to HD or at least when they would have a HD version available? I'm guessing that only one version of The Food Network (for example) will still be around eventually, but with no real end to analog local stations until, what, 2012, maybe SD will take that long to go away everywhere...

I'm just holding out hope that the Columbia/Charleston Raycom affiliates will discover HD in the near future. Considering My63 doesn't even have a website... I'm not holding my breath.

I wish the ACC and Raycom could work something out with ESPN HD in markets where Raycom's HD feed is not available.

I added the Charlotte market as a secondary market, and I can get 63.1 as a HD channel on Directv. It's going to be nice to have that as an option if there is ever a sporting event in HD on that station.

My WOLO 25.1 is still not coming in great. I spoke with the guys there a few weeks ago and they said they were not running @ 100% right now. Is anyone else had trouble with that signal. FYI, my house is in Lexington.

25.1 was the best signal for me up until that time. Now I get them in at 55% and lower. Even if I adjust my antenna, they never get much higher than that.

Thoughts?

My WOLO 25.1 is still not coming in great. I spoke with the guys there a few weeks ago and they said they were not running @ 100% right now. ?

WOLO has been back at 100% power for over a week now. But we'll take a look and check a few things.

I added the Charlotte market as a secondary market, and I can get 63.1 as a HD channel on Directv. It's going to be nice to have that as an option if there is ever a sporting event in HD on that station.

My WOLO 25.1 is still not coming in great. I spoke with the guys there a few weeks ago and they said they were not running @ 100% right now. Is anyone else had trouble with that signal. FYI, my house is in Lexington.

25.1 was the best signal for me up until that time. Now I get them in at 55% and lower. Even if I adjust my antenna, they never get much higher than that.

Thoughts?

Are you using a rooftop antenna? I get all of them at full strength in Lexington. I didn't know that it is legal to have a out of area network.

I get ABC fine on an indoor antenna and my house is in Lexington as well

According to my HR20-700 I get between 65-80% on all OTA channels...

Of course, my house faces towards the antennas so that might help out a lot ;).

Good job WIS. Switching to SD for the last segment of "Knight Rider".:rolleyes:

I added the Charlotte market as a secondary market, and I can get 63.1 as a HD channel on Directv. It's going to be nice to have that as an option if there is ever a sporting event in HD on that station.

My WOLO 25.1 is still not coming in great. I spoke with the guys there a few weeks ago and they said they were not running @ 100% right now. Is anyone else had trouble with that signal. FYI, my house is in Lexington.

25.1 was the best signal for me up until that time. Now I get them in at 55% and lower. Even if I adjust my antenna, they never get much higher than that.

Thoughts?

63.1 shows up in the Columbia/Lexington, SC zipcodes now. Adding Charlotte as a secondary market didn't 'unlock' it for you...

I re-did my channel search and 63.1 now shows up in the directv listings...

Now, if WKTC will ever go HD, I'd be happy and then might actually watch stuff on it :)

I've got a Direct TV HR-20, get my local HDs OTA. Been setup this way since September.

Over the past few weeks, the picture has been pixelated and really been unwatchable. My pregnant wife is starting to look at me funny when she can't watch American Idol!!!

When I go and look at my signal strength, its listed at 90%.

Go to Menu and Info & Test and check your internal temperature...should be around 120 degrees if it's higher than that, you may have a faulty unit

I haven't watched much OTA TV in many years. However, I just purchased a HDTV but don't have an HD tuner from DirecTV and it may be a while before I get one. So, last night I made one of those homemade bow tie antennas using a 2x4 and 6 coat hangers and it works pretty well. This morning, I've been looking at all the outdoor antennas at Radio Shack and other online stores. Most are UHF/VHF but some are one or the other. My question is which do I need for HDTV? What is the difference? Using a 2x4 and coat hangers, did I make a UHF or VHF antenna?

@ capitalcop,

http://www.antennaweb.org will give you some idea of the antennas that would best work at your location.

All stations but WOLO25 (for the moment) are UHF. I believe after the 'switch' next year WISTV will move to VHF as well.

I use this antenna (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp=&sr=1&origkw=hdtv+antenna&kw=hdtv+antenna&parentPage=search) and I have great success with it.

Every channel through DirecTV and my TVs internal tuner are between 60%-90%.

Currently, I have the antenna plugged directly into the TV. If I don't have a HD satellite receiver and I run my OTA antenna through the satellite receiver will I still get HD to the TV? It would be more convenient to have the antenna go through the satellite box.

I'm still having problems with WACH 57-1 and -2

Upon further checking, my signal strength on these channels is only 25-30 %, when there IS one.

The rest of my channels are at 80-90. Nothing (that I know of) has changed on my setup. We're in Forest Acres, and are using a roof-top antenna. According to Antenna web, I'm 15 miles from their tower. Seems crazy that I'm having such problems with it.

For one, don't bother looking for 57-2. I don't believe it exists anymore...I haven't been able to pick it up in over a year...

CapitalCorp - Yes, you'll still get HD as long as your TV has an internal tuner on it. Of course, without it going to through the satellite receiver you won't get the channels integrated into the receiver interface.

The HR20's come with an OTA tuner in the box, the HR21's do not but DirecTV is coming out with an 'add-on' that will give you the same ability. www.dbstalk.com has more information on it. I believe it's called the AM1 or something like that.

63.1 shows up in the Columbia/Lexington, SC zipcodes now.

I saw 63-1 in my guide. We only watch 63 when they are showing ACC basketball. It seems that the OTA looks better than the D* feed, even though it is SD. I wonder if basketball will look any better.

David

I've been tinkering with my antenna in the last week or so, and I'm having trouble picking up WIS-DT in Sumter. It used to come in pretty well using my little set-top antenna. I get WOLO-DT and WLTX-DT just fine, as well as WACH 57.1 (no 57.2) and the Sumter PBS broadcast. I've tried tuning to 41 for WIS-DT to no avail. I also don't get anything if I tune to 39, and I think that's supposed to be here in Sumter.

Are these stations undergoing some kind of maintenance or low-power operation or do I just need a better antenna? The puzzling thing is that I got WIS-DT until about a week or two ago. It seems there's been some change.

Using Hughes HTL-HD receiver, no DirecTV. Thanks!

Trevor Bauknight
Sumter, SC

or do I just need a better antenna?

That's an old receiver.. but put your address in at www.tvfool.com and see
what you should get.

Thanks Bob...that's a pretty good site. It says I should get:

WRJA-DT (28) - check, maps to 27.1, 27.2 and 27.3
WLTX-DT (17) - check, maps to 19.1, 19.2 and 19.3
WIS-DT (41) - nope
WOLO-DT (8) - check, maps to 25.1, 25.2 and 25.3
WKTC (39) - nope
WACH-DT (48) - check, maps to 57.1

all those are in the green zone, closer than 30 miles...from my location, all the Columbia channels are in a line to the WNW and WRJA is the opposite direction, but very close...if I could get the Columbia WRLK-DT channels by pointing a good antenna that way, I will.

The thing is that I can't figure out why WIS-DT isn't coming in any more, as of about a week or two ago. It used to. And I don't get the WKTC thing on 39 at all.

Trevor

I still can't get WOLO to come in good. (25 - 35%) I am using this antenna. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp=&sr=1&origkw=hdtv+antenna&kw=hdtv+antenna&parentPage=search

I was thinking about putting it upstairs to add some elevation. Also, how much do most of you spread your antennas? Mine seems to work best when they are not extended much at all.

put some tinfoil on the tips of the dipoles. I made little flags out of them.

My dipoles are fully extended and are about 2-3 feet apart...

Also, make sure the 'gain' on the receiver is at 3 and not the default of 1...that'll help boost the signal.

For one, don't bother looking for 57-2. I don't believe it exists anymore...

Right, "TheTube" went bankrupt and disappeared everywhere around New Year 2006.

I'll tell you this, I moved my antenna into an upstairs closet and the signal is through the roof! Every channel except for WOLO is at 90%. WOLO is hanging about 60-70%, but I don't have a single problem with any channels.

Height makes a HUGE difference!

WOLO-TV, Channel 25 (cable 5) will be the exclusive outlet for the ACC Basketball Tournament from RAYCOM SPORTS in HIGH DEFINITION with two exceptions:

HERE IS THE RAYCOM ACC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

ATTN: ALL GAMES OF THE ACC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WILL BE BROADCAST IN HD ON WOLO-TV.

WOLO-TV HAS EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST RIGHTS TO THE ACC TOURNAMENT IN THE COLUMBIA, SC MARKET WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THURSDAY NIGHT.

THEREFORE, ESPN OR ESPN 2 WILL BE BLACKED OUT ON CABLE SYSTEMS AND DIRECT & DISH IN THE COLUMBIA DMA AS FOLLOWS:

Note; ESPN will have alternate tournament games from other parts of the country.

The Thursday schedule is a shared day with ESPN and WKTC Ch. 63 (cable 4).

12-2:30pm ACC 1ST ROUND GAME (WOLO-TV EXCLUSIVE)
2:30-5PM ACC 1ST ROUND GAME (WOLO-TV EXCLUSIVE)
***7-9:30PM ACC GAME ON ESPN OR ESPN 2
***9:30-12AM ACC GAME ON WKTC CH. 63 (CABLE CH. 4)

FRIDAY 3/14/08 ALL 4 GAMES EXCLUSIVELY ON WOLO-TV (ESPN2 BLACKED OUT)
12-2:30PM QUARTER FINAL
2:30-5PM QUARTER FINAL
7-9:30PM QUARTER FINAL
9:30-12AM QUARTER FINAL

SAT. 3/15/08 BOTH SEMI FINAL GAMES EXCLUSIVELY ON WOLO-TV (ESPN BLACKED OUT)
1:30-4PM SEMI FINAL
4-6PM SEMI FINAL


SUN. 3/16/08 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME EXCLUSIVELY ON WOLO-TV (ESPN BLACKED OUT)
12;301PM PRE-GAME

1-3:30PM CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

I saw this elsewhere on AVS Forum and thought some of you might also like this email too. I just emailed her asking her about any new HD channels that we might be getting here in SC. Sure can't hurt. When you call TW customer service, they seem to not even know which ones they have now.

Email Melinda Witmer at TWC Corporate, the SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF PROGRAMMING OFFICER if you want more HD Channels!!!
Melinda.Witmer@twcable.com

I saw this elsewhere on AVS Forum and thought some of you might also like this email too. I just emailed her asking her about any new HD channels that we might be getting here in SC. Sure can't hurt. When you call TW customer service, they seem to not even know which ones they have now.

Email Melinda Witmer at TWC Corporate, the SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF PROGRAMMING OFFICER if you want more HD Channels!!!
Melinda.Witmer@twcable.com


Sent on the 6th


No answer yet. Typical

I was just about to post asking if anybody had heard anything about new HD channels. Seems like a while since we've gotten any new ones. Isn't this supposed to be the year for HD to really take off?

H

Discovery HD, The Learning Channel HD, Animal Planet HD, and The Science Channel HD went live yesterday on TWCSC.

Kewl. Thanks D.

Harold

Cool, thanks for the heads-up, I'll remember to check them out.

Discovery HD, The Learning Channel HD, Animal Planet HD, and The Science Channel HD went live yesterday on TWCSC.

Does anyone know the number of the LCHD? I found the other three at 846 and above.

Granny says use the freakin Guide button.

Granny says use the freakin Guide button.

I did. It said to tell Granny that, unless she has an answer for the question, to mind her own business.

Amen

Great to have some new ones.
Amazes me sometimes what I will watch if in HD lol.

Does anyone know the number of the LCHD? I found the other three at 846 and above.
833 I found this one first, but didn't know about the others till now.

Just a question...because I've seen it first hand...

But, does TWC have any of the same capabilities that DirecTV does to transmit channels to customers? Specifically the ability to have two stations on the 'same' channel number?

For example, on DirecTV, ESPN is channel 206, and so is ESPNHD. NBC is channel 10...so is NBCHD...etc...

Yet, on TWC you get HD channels in the 800 blocks. To me, this is confusing to a lot of customers. My in-laws watch SD stuff all the time because they forget that the HD channel for ESPN is like 840 or something...and instead, just turn to what they are used to at 26 or so. Same goes for the broadcast channels and any other 'dual' SD/HD channels.

I'm not trying to brag on the D* system (I've already done that enough in the past, lol) but it seems that D* really caught on to something there. Especially since their HD receivers DEFAULT to the HD channels...Does TWC have the ability to do this as well?

A nice 'start' to this would be to allow customers to REMOVE channels from the guide they don't want to flip to, thus FORCING customers using the system to get acclimated to the new channel designations...

Just a thought. Glad you guys are getting some more HD finally :O)

They could add all their HD channels to Favorites and cycle through them. Better yet would be a remote with a Media button such as the Harmony which gives direct access to each channel identified. Even with icons if you add them!

Too bad wolo didn't run the Nascar Nationwide race on their subchannels. The ACC tourney looks great, but ...

Too bad wolo didn't run the Nascar Nationwide race on their subchannels. The ACC tourney looks great, but ...

Contractually prohibited by ABC.

I don't understand why ABC is blacking out ESPN, or at least not replacing ESPN w/ the race. It's the same company is it not?

WOLO-TV, Channel 25 (cable 5) will be the exclusive outlet for the ACC Basketball Tournament from RAYCOM SPORTS in HIGH DEFINITION with two exceptions:



Tourney looked great on WOLO, with only two exceptions -- having to switch to SD during the Storm Warnings, and Clemson not winning. :)

Overall, much better than watching it in crap-def on 63.

Thanks WOLO!

David

Tourney looked great on WOLO, with only two exceptions -- having to switch to SD during the Storm Warnings, and Clemson not winning. :) Thanks WOLO! David

You're Welcome.. Agree on the outcome. :( Won't be long tho and we'll have the crawls in HD for you.. the 16:9 widescreen format will allow us to put more words across the screen for your High-Definition reading enyoyment ..:rolleyes:

The ACC tournament looked SOOO much better than what was on CBS...

CBS just seemed blurry and the sound is still terrible :(

I have just started down the conversion to digital. I am starting very slow as I just installed a converter for my Analog set yesterday.

I am located in Florence (west side) and receive Ch. 25 and 19's signal at about 80% with great success. However nothing on Ch. 10's signal (41) Does anyone know if they are at high power? I asked another user in the Darlington area and he's getting no signal either.

Any suggestions (besides move closer or go to cable)?

Thanks

Mitch

Big Mitch -

What antenna are you using? I live further away from the towers than you do and I get signal on all stations by using a $50.00 antenna from Radio Shack...

I have the same antenna you do I think from RS the 49.95 model from a few years ago. BUT its not up very high only about 20 ft.

I figure not enuf signal. I wonder IF they are intentionally dropping the signal strength toward the east, as I've heard there is a station for NBC going on the air soon at Myrtle Beach. They may have to protect that signal from degradation.

Lloyd

I think you are right that the WIS issue might be due to the new WMBF-TV that will be launched this summer. I heard they are already testing it out.

http://www.wmbftv.com/ will be totally digital when it starts 08-08-08. It is also owned by the same company that owns WIS so they probably are being more careful about conflict of signals.

Not only does the CBS sound, sound terrible... (my wife even picked up on it during the games...it sounds like an echo all around us on CBS...) but now my brackets are officially busted....

Thank you Clemson, Vanderbilt, Connecticut, and WLTX....

Also, BigMitch - This is the antenna that I have (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp=&sr=1&origkw=hdtv+antenna&kw=hdtv+antenna&parentPage=search)...the antenna you described sounded like an outdoor antenna....which mine is not.

I wish I get the Augusta CBS feed.

I'm finally abandoning my CableCard and getting a HDDVR this weekend. What box is TW currently handing out? Thought I would download the user guide in advance.

Thanks

looks like the dreaded 'static' of CBS is back during loud noises...at least it was during my recordings of Big Bang Theory and How I met Your Mother... I'll see if it's still there tonight during the Jericho series finale (sniff :() tonight...

I'm finally abandoning my CableCard and getting a HDDVR this weekend. What box is TW currently handing out? Thought I would download the user guide in advance.
I was given the 8300HDC when I swapped out a 8300HD a few months ago.

The 8300HD hadn't been recording reliably with shows just not there the next day, and now the 8300HDC records OK but doesn't let us rewind very often. Once you change channels up then down it seems to comply, but if you jump directly to a channel then watch for 15 minutes it often simply displays the current show without buffering.

I'm planning on another swap soon but I don't know if it'll get me a better one...

I have a 8300HD ,and a 8300HDC. They work exactly the same(correct). They both have eSata external drives hooked to them. Remember that a lot of the HD channels are now switched,and if the tuner gets the ugly "try again later screen", then the recorder will not record anything. I have it happen on Starz-HD on occasion.

I just noticed that SCETV is now showing "Newshour" in HD on their HD subchannel. This caught me by surprise, because it's not listed in their online program guide at scetv.org, nor in my DVR's TV Guide on Screen system. I just happened to notice it while flipping channels.

But, does TWC have any of the same capabilities that DirecTV does to transmit channels to customers? Specifically the ability to have two stations on the 'same' channel number?

For example, on DirecTV, ESPN is channel 206, and so is ESPNHD. NBC is channel 10...so is NBCHD...etc...

Yet, on TWC you get HD channels in the 800 blocks. To me, this is confusing to a lot of customers. My in-laws watch SD stuff all the time because they forget that the HD channel for ESPN is like 840 or something...and instead, just turn to what they are used to at 26 or so. Same goes for the broadcast channels and any other 'dual' SD/HD channels.

I have heard from a TWC engineer that they are moving in that direction to provide a more intelligent tuning device that will be more content focused rather than channel focused. So, as you said, if you want ESPN, you will just tune to the single ESPN channel and the box will intelligently decide if there is an HD feed available for it and if you are watching on an HDTV, then it will use the HD version.

My thought is how do you handle the instances where the non-HD is showing something different than the HD? The most recent example was during the NCAA Tournament, Clemson was on WLTX Analog (9), but not on WLTX-HD (810).

I'm finally abandoning my CableCard and getting a HDDVR this weekend. What box is TW currently handing out? Thought I would download the user guide in advance.

Thanks

Yakatak, what device were you using with the CableCard? Just wondering because I'm a TiVo fan and would like to get an HD TiVo if I can scrape together the money, but I've been told that the CableCard can't tune to any switched channels which would eliminate most of the HD cable channels.

I have heard from a TWC engineer that they are moving in that direction to provide a more intelligent tuning device that will be more content focused rather than channel focused. So, as you said, if you want ESPN, you will just tune to the single ESPN channel and the box will intelligently decide if there is an HD feed available for it and if you are watching on an HDTV, then it will use the HD version.

My thought is how do you handle the instances where the non-HD is showing something different than the HD? The most recent example was during the NCAA Tournament, Clemson was on WLTX Analog (9), but not on WLTX-HD (810).

Also, what happens when the HD channel is pixelating, so you want to watch the HD version (which with TWC up here happens all the time). I swear TWC in SC is so much better than TWC here in Ohio.

well, with DirecTV, even though the box 'defaults' to the HD channel, you can still manually select the SD version of the channel. It isn't gone forever.

Technically on DirecTV there are 2 stations on the same channel. 206 is both ESPN and ESPNHD. If you don't have the SD channel removed from the guide (manually, which I do) you'll go through both version of ESPN to get to the next channel...

does anyone else find the TWC UNC broadcast horrible?

Was anyone else getting random breaks in the signal during the game tonight? My signal was dropping from a steady 95% to %0, then back up and down. It never wanted to hold the signal for me. I have never had any trouble with WLTX's HD signal strength.

I wanted to see if it was only my system acting up. I can't wait for Directv to get our HD locals. I am tired of tuning in OTA!

i dont have OTA but they are passing the same poor signal to Time Warner

times a minute? Mine is horrible, and I don't want to adjust anything because it has been tuned in so well for a long time.

Bad for me as well - didn't notice as much in 1st half, 2nd half is much worse. TWC.

10 times a second!

dont adjust anything

but I didn't want to be way off. It's so bad that I am watching the SD feed. I hope this is fixed before the games tomorrow.

"Channel Not Available"... try again later, or something to that effect...

I get this message periodically on random HD channels - typically in the 83x - 84x range. Anyone else still getting this? TWC claims its not a systemwide problem and must lie in my signal/feed to the house. I don't buy it - my signal is strong, and nothing has changed here since 6 months ago when everything worked properly. I note people referring to the "try again later" bug, I'm thinking it's the same... any solutions?

"Channel Not Available"... try again later, or something to that effect...

I get this message periodically on random HD channels - typically in the 83x - 84x range. Anyone else still getting this? TWC claims its not a systemwide problem and must lie in my signal/feed to the house. I don't buy it - my signal is strong, and nothing has changed here since 6 months ago when everything worked properly. I note people referring to the "try again later" bug, I'm thinking it's the same... any solutions?

SDV=Switched Digital Video. Short answer is too many people watching these HD channels in your area. I used to get it all the time, but actually lately there hardly anytimes that this happens. Sometimes on Starz HD ,but that's random at best.

I wanted to see if it was only my system acting up. I can't wait for Directv to get our HD locals. I am tired of tuning in OTA!

You do know that DirecTv picks up the HD locals via OTA ??

You do know that DirecTv picks up the HD locals via OTA ??

Bob,

That would still be better for me -- their pickup will probably be closer to the towers than my antenna. :) I'm getting a reflected signal, which breaks up in bad weather.

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one having problems. I was planning to hit my roof and adjust my antenna today.

Great thread!

David

"Channel Not Available"... try again later, or something to that effect...

I get this message periodically on random HD channels - typically in the 83x - 84x range. Anyone else still getting this? TWC claims its not a systemwide problem and must lie in my signal/feed to the house. I don't buy it - my signal is strong, and nothing has changed here since 6 months ago when everything worked properly. I note people referring to the "try again later" bug, I'm thinking it's the same... any solutions?

i had that a few months ago. the tech who came out to my house said my signal was perfect, but that others around me were reporting the same problem. it turned out to be a problem in a hub a few blocks away. once they fixed it i haven't seen that message again.

so i tend to agree with TWC, but the problem might not be right at your house. the hardest thing with TWC is getting them to refer a problem from the tech who comes out to your house to the line guys in the bucket trucks. just keep calling them and eventually they will track it down.

. I was planning to hit my roof and adjust my antenna today.David

Good, at least now you won't have to worry about falling off ! :eek:

I do not think Directv offers hd locals in Columbia. I think i read that Dish will offer them shortly.

I do not think Directv offers hd locals in Columbia. I think i read that Dish will offer them shortly.

Dish will, we can't seem to get any answer as to DirecTv. However, if you call and ask, the CSR will tell you it's because the local stations either don't or won't provide HD to them, which is incorrect.

Either way, they both typically recieve HD's OTA except in certain situations.

You do know that DirecTv picks up the HD locals via OTA ??

Yeah, I meant that I hope they get them soon we don't have to use OTA to get them on the directv receiver.

The signal from WLTX seems better today though.

Yakatak, what device were you using with the CableCard? Just wondering because I'm a TiVo fan and would like to get an HD TiVo if I can scrape together the money, but I've been told that the CableCard can't tune to any switched channels which would eliminate most of the HD cable channels.

Time Warner is now supplying 2-way CableCards (Scientific Atlanta), but the host device must be capable of using them. My 2 year old TV wasn't, that's why I swapped for the HD cable box(Did get a 8300HDC). I don't think TIVO is there yet, but I know they are working on it. I actually have an acquaintance who works for SA/Cisco and (claims to have) developed the CableCard. I'll ask.

I do not think Directv offers hd locals in Columbia. I think i read that Dish will offer them shortly.

I think with Dish soon offering the HD stations in Columbia, DirecTV will soon follow. Especially since DirecTV Satellite 11 just went up into the air, which SHOULD allow them to offer tons more HD Local stations which more than likely will include the Columbia, SC DMA...

I still check dbstalk.com every Wednesday hoping that the channels will be green lighted...

As of today, WOLO-DT is carrying The 700 Club in HD for those of you who are home at that time. :)

Time Warner is now supplying 2-way CableCards (Scientific Atlanta), but the host device must be capable of using them. My 2 year old TV wasn't, that's why I swapped for the HD cable box(Did get a 8300HDC). I don't think TIVO is there yet, but I know they are working on it. I actually have an acquaintance who works for SA/Cisco and (claims to have) developed the CableCard. I'll ask.

Cablecards have always been 2-way. The devices they are plugged into lack the hardware to talk back, communicate which channel it is tuned to. Tivo and NCTA were supposed to be working on an external device being referred to as a tuning resolver to overcome this issue. The release of this device is, from my reading, still up in the air but is said to be coming.

No matter which Cablecard you plug into a Tivo now, you will not get SDV channels or On Demands, anything requiring 2-way communication. Cable companies are now issuing Multistream Cablecards. Allows you to use 1 card vs. 2 but doesn't change the capabilities of the Tivo.

The link below is to a Tivo forum. There are several different threads there dealing with TW, SDV, tuning resolver and so on. Considered Tivo at one time but opted to wait and see where all the SDV stuff ends up.


http://www.tivocommunity.com/?

Considered Tivo at one time but opted to wait and see where all the SDV stuff ends up.


Yep, if you like your HD and you use TWC you'd be nuts to buy a Tivo because you'll end up w/about 5 HD channels available.

Harold (Just awaiting that darn dongle...)

This article says Time Warner will have 100 HD by the end of 2008 and 50 by the end of April in New York. Usually whatever they add, we get about the same time as they do so things might look very good here soon too.

http://www.engadgethd.com/tag/TimeWarner/

or

http://www.tvpredictions.com/tw040308.htm

This article says Time Warner will have 100 HD by the end of 2008 and 50 by the end of April in New York. Usually whatever they add, we get about the same time as they do so things might look very good here soon too.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/tw040308.htm

Good article, thanks for sharing.

Here's a breakdown of what they expect in that market:

Free With Digital Service
A&E HD
ABC Family HD
Animal Planet HD
CNN HD
Discovery HD
Disney HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
ESPN NEWS HD
Food Network HD
Fox Business News HD
Fox News HD
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
HD Theater (Discovery)
HGTV HD
History Channel HD
The Learning Channel HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
M HD
MSG HD
MSG+ HD
National Geographic HD
NY1 HD
Science Channel HD
SportsNet New York HD
TBS HD
TNT HD
Toon Disney HD
Travel Channel HD
Universal HD
Versus/Golf HD
WABC HD
WCBS HD
Weather Channel HD
WNBC HD
WNET - Thirteen HD
WNYW Fox HD
WPIX - CW HD
WWOR - My Network HD
YES HD

Free With Sports Packages HD Premium Tier
MLB HD HD Net
NHL HD HD Net Movies
Mojo HD

Free with Premium Services Pay Per View
HBO HD HD PPV
Cinemax HD
SHOWTIME HD
The Movie Channel HD
Starz HD


What I find odd is that, currently, ESPN HD is *not* part of the standard digital package...so are they planning to repeal the charge on that one? I don't see that happening.

Nice list, but I think this is the only thing that would be new to us:

ABC Family HD

Disney HD
ESPN News HD


Fox Business News HD
Fox News HD
Hallmark Movie Channel HD




Toon Disney HD
Travel Channel HD

Nice list, but I think this is the only thing that would be new to us:

ABC Family HD

Disney HD
ESPN News HD


Fox Business News HD
Fox News HD
Hallmark Movie Channel HD




Toon Disney HD
Travel Channel HD
Am looking forward to those new ones. Also super glad that we are in an area that seems to get the channels much faster. I read on the net that lots of Time Warner areas have lots less than we do....."but" I still want more lol.

ABC Family HD
Disney HD
ESPN News HD
Toon Disney HD
Travel Channel HD

These 5 are the only ones I really have any interest in. And, I strongly suspect that ABC Family HD will be mostly "HD" stretch-o-vision much like TBS and TNT.

Time Warner in San Antonio added Hallmark HD this week. Hopefully it will be added here soon.

These 5 are the only ones I really have any interest in. And, I strongly suspect that ABC Family HD will be mostly "HD" stretch-o-vision much like TBS and TNT.

I'm actually surprised by how much HD 'stuff' has been on the Disney channels which were just turned on this past Wednesday on DirecTV.

I wish ALL news channels did what ESPN News does...which is have their HD 'bar' stuff on throughout the day, over every 'show' that comes on...


I eagerly anticipate ABC Family HD as well. As long as Greek is in HD (which it should be since it was when it was aired on ABC awhile back) all be happy :). As that's the only show that I watch on ABC Family :).

...I strongly suspect that ABC Family HD will be mostly "HD" stretch-o-vision much like TBS and TNT.

The wife and I were watching HGTV last night on the SD set in the bedroom and I happened to notice them playing a show in SHRINK-o-vision. It was full screen, but obviously shrunken horizontally to fit all of the wide picture into a 4:3. It looked very strange.

I wish TBS and TNT wouldn't do that. Let me stretch it if I so choose.

I wonder if any of these shows that were shot on film (Seinfeld, etc.) are being redone in HD for syndication (at least for the picture quality even if it wasn't available in 16:9).

anyone getting terrible audio OTA at the moment on ABC? constant static/clicking and no game audio at all...

I'm switching back and forth between the Texas Rangers game and the Mavs/Suns game...and the Mavs/Suns game didn't have any audio problems about a hour ago...

anyone getting terrible audio OTA at the moment on ABC? constant static/clicking and no game audio at all...
...

Omigawd... we caught the dreaded WLTX disease! ;) But seriously, we're looking into it. Have had this happen a few times since ABC/Tandberg sent new software to our network HD receiver.

lol. After switching back a bit more you guys fixed it ;) It's been a good Texas sports day! Mavs beat the Suns and the Rangers are in route to beating the Angels 10-4!!

Also, that was a lot worse than WLTX ;) You guys got the crazy, nasty, virus... WLTX has been like that nagging summer cold that won't go away...you know..the ones where it seems like you're voice is echoing..................................................... ......

Time Warner in San Antonio added Hallmark HD this week. Hopefully it will be added here soon.
Hallmark is my mother's favorite channel lately. It'd be good as long as they don't auto-stretch SD content...

I think you are right that the WIS issue might be due to the new WMBF-TV that will be launched this summer. I heard they are already testing it out.

http://www.wmbftv.com/ will be totally digital when it starts 08-08-08. It is also owned by the same company that owns WIS so they probably are being more careful about conflict of signals.
I am in Fort Mill and have a hard time with WIS-DT as well. I have no problem with WIS Analog so according to FCC final alotments, they will land back on VHF ch 10 in Feb 2009 for their digital so it should pick back up. As far as the future Raycom NBC DT out of MB, I believe it will be on ch 32 and have to be directional to protect from the SCETV channels in Florence and Columbia. The Florence/MB forum has expressed the same issues from Dillon County where analog WIS works great and DT does not. We will see once the analogs are cut off.

Did anyone experience issues with the last 20 minutes or so of Medium on the WIS HD feed via TWC last night? My wife was recording it on our 8300HDC DVR and then started watching the recording before the show ended. For the last 20 minutes of the recording, there was nothing but pixelization and audio dropout. I suspect that my 8300HDC may be having drive issues, but I thought I would ask if anyone else saw a problem before I make the effort to swap the DVR.

My wife was upset that she could not see the last of the show. As it turned out, the DVR is our bedroom just happened to be powered on and tuned to the WIS analog feed the whole time (only the TV was off). I was able to rewind it back and she finished watching the show!

Thanks.

Did anyone experience issues with the last 20 minutes or so of Medium on the WIS HD feed via TWC last night? My wife was recording it on our 8300HDC DVR and then started watching the recording before the show ended. For the last 20 minutes of the recording, there was nothing but pixelization and audio dropout. I suspect that my 8300HDC may be having drive issues, but I thought I would ask if anyone else saw a problem before I make the effort to swap the DVR.

My wife was upset that she could not see the last of the show. As it turned out, the DVR is our bedroom just happened to be powered on and tuned to the WIS analog feed the whole time (only the TV was off). I was able to rewind it back and she finished watching the show!

Thanks.
Was fine here...one of my favorite shows.
If it ever happens again, NBC is getting much better at having the full episodes online to watch. I just checked and last night's is there.

Since it hasn't been stated here yet....

Dish Network now offers Local HD channels in the Columbia, SC market...

Hopefully DirecTV won't be too far behind :).

Wow! That's great news. I hope D* follows suit soon. My OTA is weak on WLTX, and I can't get FOX at all.

Yeah I called Dish about this the other day. I was told that the channels are on the 61.5 sat and would require another dish to receive them. No thanks.

Yeah I called Dish about this the other day. I was told that the channels are on the 61.5 sat and would require another dish to receive them. No thanks.

Wow! That really would stink!

Hey,

I am in N.E. Columbia and have TW cable (road runner internet access, HD DVR,and one other SD DVR box... HBO, HD Tier and Showtime)..... Im paying what I think is an obscene amount for what I have (and for whats on to watch) -- around 150/month.

Im seriously thinking about going with DirectTV and wanted to know a) if they have the Columbia local channels... do they have a lot more HD channels than TW cable does and whether they are stretched or really in 1080 HD. Does weather affect reception and what, generally, kind of trade-offs there are for one considering the move from TWC to DirectTV. I have to keep the roadrunner service for my business, butthe bulk of my bill can be reduced if I switch to DirectTV!

Thanks for any feedback you can provide!!!

You can get most of those answers on their web site. In addition, with sat you have an initial expense, a commitment, multi-room limitations, a big dish, rain fade issues, overly compressed channels. You get more HD channels but you may consider most of them "fringe" channels.

Im seriously thinking about going with DirectTV and wanted to know a) if they have the Columbia local channels... !!!

I think that question was answered several lines back here, a little reading will
go along way towards answering your questions.

You can get most of those answers on their web site. In addition, with sat you have an initial expense, a commitment, multi-room limitations, a big dish, rain fade issues, overly compressed channels. You get more HD channels but you may consider most of them "fringe" channels.

Come on now. I find my Dishnetwork looks fine and have had 0 rain fade issues in the last 18 months. And I don't miss that abomination of a DVR called the 8300HD one iota. As for multi-room, I've got 1 single box, the VIP-622, and it controls two separate TV's (albeit 1 SD and 1 HD) independently.

Back to the topic at hand, both Dish and Directv have the local channels. Dish has the HD locals as well but requires a second dish to see it. I passed on that option since I can get the locals OTA just fine. In the end, I think my bill went down 10/month by switching to Dish and I gained a superior DVR.

Come on now. ... . I passed on that option since I can get the locals OTA just fine. .

You moron..;).. Don't you know you're supposed to PAY for something that's FREE?? :) And get reduced quality in the process?? :D

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/21/AR2008042100851.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

You moron..;).. Don't you know you're supposed to PAY for something that's FREE?? :) And get reduced quality in the process?? :D

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/21/AR2008042100851.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

Oh, I thought he said local channels about which the article says "He found the signals from the major networks and ESPN weren't getting the increased compression." :confused:

As for multi-room, I've got 1 single box, the VIP-622, and it controls two separate TV's

What happens if you have more than two? :eek:


http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Amazing552.jpg

Thanks for the replies. I'll try it and if I dont like I'll prob. just go back to TWSC (man I hope it doesnt come to that). To the 'you can find that answer...' folks -- I was mostly intrested in the overall first hand comments of those that have it, but thanks for chiming in.

What happens if you have more than two? :eek:


http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Amazing552.jpg

Looks like your porch is about to collapse under the weight of those dishes. I guess that explains why you got cable.
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:D

You don't need multiple dishes to get a signal to multiple boxes on DirecTV (or dishnetwork for that matter). My father has 5 rooms hooked up to the single sat dish.

I haven't lost picture on DirecTV in well over a year...which is a much better track record than TWC when I had them (comcast in Newberry was even worse...). Even the massive rain storms we had last month didn't stop the picture from coming in...

DirecTV has the local Columbia, SC channels, just not the HD feeds...yet...

Besides the legacy HD channels (which are soon to move over to the new satellites) there is NO difference (that I can tell of course) between the HD PQ that DirecTV offers and what TWC offers.

Like the Dish DVRs, the DirecTV DVRs are LIGHT YEARS ahead of the SA8300HD...I HATED that DVR...the HR20-700 is sooooooo much better :).

Since it hasn't been stated here yet....

Dish Network now offers Local HD channels in the Columbia, SC market...

Hopefully DirecTV won't be too far behind :).

I just called up Dish to add my locals in HD and you arent going to believe the crap they just told me. Apparantly some retard at Dish put all of these new cities on the 61.5 sattellite which points SE. My current Dish points SW which means we have to get a second dish in order to receive locals in HD. I am currently able to get all my locals with an OTA antenna, except for WOLO for some reason, but they go in an out anytime I have a major appliance running like dishwasher, Microwave, Ice Maker, etc. I am able to get my ABC channels from the Augusta affiliate though.

I guess I'll just keep using my OTA antenna for now. I swear, what morons.

I just called up Dish to add my locals in HD and you arent going to believe the crap they just told me. Apparantly some retard at Dish put all of these new cities on the 61.5 sattellite which points SE. My current Dish points SW which means we have to get a second dish in order to receive locals in HD. I am currently able to get all my locals with an OTA antenna, except for WOLO for some reason, but they go in an out anytime I have a major appliance running like dishwasher, Microwave, Ice Maker, etc. I am able to get my ABC channels from the Augusta affiliate though.

I guess I'll just keep using my OTA antenna for now. I swear, what morons.

Yea, those folks at E are morons.. I mean, any buffoon can finance, build, launch and operate a fleet of satellites servicing the entire country. You may want to do a little research into how they (as well as D and TWC) are capacity constrained and thus make such choices before calling them retards.

And with the proper outdoor VHF capable antenna, you should have no problems with WOLO-DT on VHF CH8. WIS will also be moving to VHF 10 before February, so you'll need a real antenna before then.

Two dishes and an antenna. That oughta do it. ;)

Bob,

Got any inside info on WIS moving date or CW station get their booty on air in the Columbia market?

About 10 minutes of Lost on ABC-HD had already stuttering audio. Stuttering doesn't even describe it, it was just a loud ticking sound that overrode all other audio. At one point the video switched back SD and that fixed the sound problem. Then a few seconds later it reverted back to HD and all was fine. Fortunately, the segment where this occurred had little actual dialogue so I didn't miss much, but dang it was frustrating considering this was a highly anticipated show making it's return from hiatus.

That's an intermittent problem we have been chasing for the last month, and it hasn't occurred that we know of for the last 2 weeks til now. The Operator on duty caught it and switched back to SD to correct the issue.
Things here are in abit of disarray due to the massive rebuild going on. :eek:

bob - I just wanted to pass this along to that operator - Great job. It sucked that the audio (OTA) went haywire during a small portion of Lost last night, but it was fixed relatively quickly (at least 2-3 minutes). A lot better than when it happened during the Mavericks game a few weeks ago ;). The good thing was that it was during a portion that really nothing was said.

Besides that (I think my wife's and my heart stopped during that too btw.....we were going to be pissed!) everything was fine!

That's an intermittent problem we have been chasing for the last month, and it hasn't occurred that we know of for the last 2 weeks til now. The Operator on duty caught it and switched back to SD to correct the issue.
Things here are in abit of disarray due to the massive rebuild going on. :eek:

Thanks for the explanation.

Fortunately, your guy got on it quickly and got it fixed. And, I think overstated the amount of time it was occurring, it was probably a good bit less than the 10 minute span I posted...it just FELT that long at the time because I was afraid it was going to do that all the way til the end. :)

I think WIS cannot change until they give up the analog channel which would be Feb. 17, 2009. As for the CW, they will also change on Feb. 17, 2009, because they currently do not have a digital stream. It will be the same channel they are on now.

Wow! No problems anywhere? This forum seems to have died.
No Wltx sound troubles?
Etc>

Wow! No problems anywhere? This forum seems to have died. No Wltx sound troubles?Etc>

You BigMouth! ;) Now you're gonna jinx us all! :)

Nothing wrong here except for .....
Frustration that I see other TW areas getting lots of new HD and nothing new here.

You should "not" have asked hehe.

No Wltx sound troubles




Wltx continues their unique DD 5.1.(since 08/07) I rarely watch anything on that local anymore.

I was going to switch to D*, but $400 startup for 2 leased HD dvrs is just stupid. I know the startup amount is made up over time, but I rather buy 5 tanks of gas.:rolleyes:

Wltx continues their unique DD 5.1.(since 08/07) I rarely watch anything on that local anymore.

I was going to switch to D*, but $400 startup for 2 leased HD dvrs is just stupid. I know the startup amount is made up over time, but I rather buy 5 tanks of gas.:rolleyes:


Yes, I notice.

Also notice no comments or update from new chief at WLTX and several times the video troubles with switch to SD. There is something going on over there.

I would expect these long term kind of problems from non-networked stations with low budgets-not big time network stations.

Yep, WLTX sound is still terrible...

Still having the same issues as ncxcstud on WLTX sound.

WLTX has to acknowledge that there is a problem with their handling of 5.1 in order to fix it. i guess they figure that dialog coming through all 5 channels means it's working.

somebody there might also consider it a 'feature' that it makes their channel that much louder than other channels.

WLTX has to acknowledge that there is a problem with their handling of 5.1 in order to fix it. i guess they figure that dialog coming through all 5 channels means it's working..

There is an old joke from 25 years ago that comes to mind here:

What's the difference between how a radio engineer and a TV engineer tests audio?

A radio engineer uses a lot of time, effort,and expensive test gear.
A TV engineer simply asks "Can You Hear It??"

Engineering: twright4@wltx.gannett.com
President / General Manager: rodell@wltx.gannett.com


Please help by letting them know that their passage of the CBS DD 5.1 feed is not correct . I do not know why they can't just hook a $99 Surround Sound System up and check what they have been broadcasting for 9 months.:confused:

and their defensive stance that nothing is wrong is just plain arrogant.:mad:


Let us not forget the last post by the Wltx engineer:

To kevinivey

Sorry you are still having problems receiving our audio correctly.
I want to assure you we here at WLTX are consistently vigilant in maintaining technical excellence for our viewers. We do care! To suggest otherwise would normally be insulting to me and my staff. However your perpetual frustration while understandable may stem from something lacking at your particular receive site that needs to be corrected. I do not know the detailed configuration of your HDTV system or your ability to operate it, but we have had very few other complaints since we recently corrected the minor noise issue.
If you will mail (U.S. postal) to WLTX (care of the Chief Engineer) a detailed letter spelling out your observations and complaints we will review and investigate it in detail.


and no, I did not mail anything to them. The tone of his response is a embarrassment to say the least. Looks like he checked out this forum last month, but since we are so few, and it's likely we do not know what we are doing it may not even matter.

Did anyone watch the Today show in HD this morning? Was anyone annoyed and distracted by the weather ticker speeding through the bottom of the screen? I don't know why TV stations think I want to know so much stuff that they have to cram more info into a screen, but I just want to see a nice, clean, unobstructed picture.

If anyone else is annoyed by this, please go to wistv.com and tell them by clicking on ABOUT US.

No, I didn't see that,but last weeks episode of "er" contained a solid black bar slightly up from the bottom for at least 30 minutes.

I saw this on another AVS post. Look at their Time Warner lineup. Wow!

*****************
Currently in Staten Island, we have the following HD channels:

A&E HD
ABC Family HD
Animal Planet HD
CNN HD
Discovery HD
Disney HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
ESPN NEWS HD
Food Network HD
Fox Business News HD
Fox News HD
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
HD Theater
HGTV HD
History Channel HD
The Learning Channel HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
Music: High Definition
MSG HD
MSG+ HD
National Geographic HD
NY1 HD
Planet Green HD (Launching June 11th, 2008)
Science Channel HD
SportsNet New York HD (Get your New York sports here!!!)
TBS HD
TLC HD
TNT HD
Toon Disney HD
Travel Channel HD
Universal HD
Versus/Golf HD
WABC HD
WCBS HD
Weather Channel HD
WNBC HD
WNET - Thirteen HD
WNYW Fox HD
WPIX - CW HD
WWOR – My Network HD
YES HD

Free With Sports Packages-
MLB HD

HDXtra-
HD Net
HD Net Movies
MOJO HD

Free with Premium Services-
HBO HD
Cinemax HD
Showtime HD
The Movie Channel HD
Starz HD

Pay Per View-
HD Movies On Demand

Reason they have such a good HD line up there would probably be that they are located at the uplink area where the HD content is produced thus saves a lot of recieve equipment and makes it much more easy and cost effective to plug right into the system there.


I saw this on another AVS post. Look at their Time Warner lineup. Wow!

*****************
Currently in Staten Island, we have the following HD channels:

A&E HD
ABC Family HD
Animal Planet HD
CNN HD
Discovery HD
Disney HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
ESPN NEWS HD
Food Network HD
Fox Business News HD
Fox News HD
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
HD Theater
HGTV HD
History Channel HD
The Learning Channel HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
Music: High Definition
MSG HD
MSG+ HD
National Geographic HD
NY1 HD
Planet Green HD (Launching June 11th, 2008)
Science Channel HD
SportsNet New York HD (Get your New York sports here!!!)
TBS HD
TLC HD
TNT HD
Toon Disney HD
Travel Channel HD
Universal HD
Versus/Golf HD
WABC HD
WCBS HD
Weather Channel HD
WNBC HD
WNET - Thirteen HD
WNYW Fox HD
WPIX - CW HD
WWOR – My Network HD
YES HD

Free With Sports Packages-
MLB HD

HDXtra-
HD Net
HD Net Movies
MOJO HD

Free with Premium Services-
HBO HD
Cinemax HD
Showtime HD
The Movie Channel HD
Starz HD

Pay Per View-
HD Movies On Demand

Reason they have such a good HD line up there would probably be that they are located at the uplink area where the HD content is produced thus saves a lot of recieve equipment and makes it much more easy and cost effective to plug right into the system there.

Ummmm, Noo...That is not a factor. It doesn't work that way.

I'll go out on a limb and say it has a lot more to do with competition than anything else... and that it's one of the biggest DMAs in the nation...that probably has a lot more to do with it...

Did anyone watch the Today show in HD this morning? Was anyone annoyed and distracted by the weather ticker speeding through the bottom of the screen? I don't know why TV stations think I want to know so much stuff that they have to cram more info into a screen, but I just want to see a nice, clean, unobstructed picture.
My mother said it slowed down later, and today it was readable. Apparently they heard from somebody who counted.

And I'd sure like to see the Sci-Fi Channel in HD, which even Staten Island didn't list. USA in HD would be nice if it's available yet...

I think it does have to do with competition. Until recently, they had less than most Time Warner areas. We had alot more than they had. They just recently got the ones we have. They also now have some that we don't have. We used to be one of the first places to get the new HD stations. Hopefully soon, we will have lots more.