I just got this email from TBTN and it is not pretty:( I don't look for anything soon if ever!


"According to the agreement Time Warner will carry the network
throughout the Big Ten territory, including Ohio and Wisconsin. The
pending agreement will ensure that Time Warner Cable's customers
across these Big Ten states will have access to all Big Ten Network
programming on an expanded basic level of service.

Since the deal happened so quickly Time Warner is working very hard to
get the games up in the core Big Ten markets of Ohio and Wisconsin.
Once that is accomplished, they will evaluate the possibility of
carrying Big Ten programming in other markets.

If you would like the network in your area, continue to contact Time
Warner. Hopefully they will listen if you put the pressure on them.

I hope this helps!

-Big Ten Network"

Do any of you guys use a HD TiVO with your TWC service ??

I'm thinking of getting that new HD TiVO for my wife.

If anyone is doing this, does the Cable Card cost anything extra ??

Thanks for any help.

Do any of you guys use a HD TiVO with your TWC service ??

I'm thinking of getting that new HD TiVO for my wife.

If anyone is doing this, does the Cable Card cost anything extra ??

Thanks for any help.


You will get very few HD channels with a HD Tivo. SDV is used and the current Tivo can not tune the switched HD channels. Yes, they will charge you monthly for 2 Cable Cards, and they will charge you to install them.

Thx Kevin !!

I know a few of us are fed up with WLTX's DD 5.1. Please email them,and post on their website, and maybe we will be taken seriously. They do not answer direct email.:confused:

i have emailed everybody who has an address listed on the website in the past. they don't seem to care. it makes their station seem louder which i bet someone there thinks is a good thing.

Dear Mr. Ivery,

We are sorry you are still having difficulty in receiving our audio properly.

We have confirmed with CBS our 5.1 settings are set per CBS specifications.

We have very few complaints about our 5.1 audio. Generally even when some minor problem occurs we receive several viewers complain. When only one or two complaints arise, these anomalies can often be traced back to the viewer's reception equipment. You may want to have your receiving system checked by a reputable service person. Sometimes the setup on these systems is somewhat confusing and complicated. Be advised CBS audio encoding is not necessarily exactly the same as other networks.

We are in the process of completely replacing our Master Control along with much of the CBS receive systems. As this process proceeds various minor anomalies like you have described may be evident.



How can a station be this out of touch for so long? Heck, they could buy a home theatre in a box for $99 bucks and they could verify what they are broadcasting.
Please if any one gives a damn , email them because it appears that no one does except me. I am at a total loss as to why something like this has continued for over a year.

Maybe our local ABC fellow could pass along a hint that there may be a issue with their audio passage? PLEASE (-:

[I]
Maybe our local ABC fellow could pass along a hint that there may be a issue with their audio passage? PLEASE (-:


Oh,I have enough to do as it is.. Although Jim from WLTX lurks here.

Well I thought I'd update all with my E-Mail campaign.

About 3 weeka ago I sent a nice email to the WLTX chief engineer in which I explained the problem.

Results:

No response. Not even an acknowledgment.

One week ago I sent another one and still not even the courtesy of reply.

What a terrible customer service system.

I will now try going up the ladder as others have done. I am retired, I have the time to pursue some more.

The response to others that there is not a problem is ridiculous. What kind of engineering staff education is responsible. Of course there is a problem, compare your station to others if your equipment doesn't tell you.

OK! I've vented here. :)

Is anyone else here having problems w/the HBO and MAX HD channels last few days? I get the "not available" msg on them, even after a reboot. Also CNNHD a lot these last few days.

Thanks,
Harold

I'm getting it on 940... not even sure what that channel was, but I know it was something HD because it was on my favorites list. The message says "Not Authorized" and has a number to call. This seems to be different than the "typical" SDV issues that have been going on for months. This one is apparently sending a poison pill down to the convertors because all three of mine reboot any time I hit that channel and then switch away! TW has been aware of the issue...

Heath

Coming to TW on 9/12/08 in all SC markets. All of these will be SDV and "free" with digital cable and HD equipment.

1) ESPNU HD - Channel: 952

2) Planet Green HD - Channel: 851

3) History En Espanol - Channel: 177

Guess 1 out of 3 isn't too bad :D

I'm getting it on 940... not even sure what that channel was, but I know it was something HD because it was on my favorites list. The message says "Not Authorized" and has a number to call. This seems to be different than the "typical" SDV issues that have been going on for months. This one is apparently sending a poison pill down to the convertors because all three of mine reboot any time I hit that channel and then switch away! TW has been aware of the issue...

Heath

That's the one that was right above Universal HD and I noticed that it dropped off the Program Guide as well. Was that MojoHD?

Coming to TW on 9/12/08 in all SC markets. All of these will be SDV and "free" with digital cable and HD equipment.

1) ESPNU HD - Channel: 952

2) Planet Green HD - Channel: 851

3) History En Espanol - Channel: 177

Guess 1 out of 3 isn't too bad :D

Where are you seeing this?

I'd be surprised to see ESPNU-HD "free" since neither of the other ESPN HD channels are.

I'd be surprised to see ESPNU-HD "free" since neither of the other ESPN HD channels are.

huh?

Where are you seeing this?

I'd be surprised to see ESPNU-HD "free" since neither of the other ESPN HD channels are.


they is Free according to TWC. Their little hd tier is only 4 channels, 2hdnets , mojo, and uhd.:rolleyes:

My bad. ESPN-HD and ESPN2-HD used to both be part of the "HD Tier" that you had to pay extra for. It looks like they pulled them out of that group now though:

http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/ProgrammingInfo/ChannelLineups/Columbia.pdf

why not tell Terry that you'll get a 'reputable service person' to check out your system if WLTX will pay the bill when the 'reputable service person' says it's their problem.

anyway, an interesting article from Dolby on the technology CBS uses, seems like there's room for error at the station.

http://www.dolby.com/professional/pro_audio_engineering/solutions_digital51.html

In today's State newspaper from Columbia:

Dan Santelle, Time Warner vice-president of programming and product development for the Carolina region, said the company is finishing an agreement to carry the Big Ten Network on the Columbia system.

“We have a lot of transplants from the Big Ten area who live down here,” Santelle said. “There has been much interest shown in us getting the network. We hope to have it on by Oct. 1, if not earlier.”

Santelle said the channel numbers have not yet been selected for the network.


For a person who spent 40 years of his life in the Big Ten Footprint this is great news!:)

In today's State newspaper from Columbia:

Dan Santelle, Time Warner vice-president of programming and product development for the Carolina region, said the company is finishing an agreement to carry the Big Ten Network on the Columbia system.

“We have a lot of transplants from the Big Ten area who live down here,” Santelle said. “There has been much interest shown in us getting the network. We hope to have it on by Oct. 1, if not earlier.”

Santelle said the channel numbers have not yet been selected for the network.


For a person who spent 40 years of his life in the Big Ten Footprint this is great news!:)

Great news! Thanks for the update!

Coming to TW on 9/12/08 in all SC markets. All of these will be SDV and "free" with digital cable and HD equipment.

1) ESPNU HD - Channel: 952

2) Planet Green HD - Channel: 851

3) History En Espanol - Channel: 177

Guess 1 out of 3 isn't too bad :D


Nice to see TWC being proactive instead of reactive.

DirecTv does not offer this channel.

Hopefully DirecTV will soon offer ESPNUHD. They do offer Planet Green HD though.

First words out of my wife's mouth we just flipped the channel to CBS to watch the Carolina game...

"Why does this sound terrible? It didn't sound like this during the other games we watched"

BTW - is everyone else getting the terrible static when the crowd gets 'slightly' loud during the game so far??

adding a little static to their DD 5.1. I'm using a brand new AV receiver. (I thought that I had messed something up)

My bad, I thought it was just during the game when the crowd got loud...

Static is evident during the Liberty Mutual Insurance ad and the following Chik-fil-A ad

I emailed them about it, who knows if i'll get a response though

kevin - correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't CBS have this problem last year? I thought they 'fixed' the static problem...

they would most likely to tell you that it's your problem ,and you should have it checked.

it sounds like they are trying to fix the sound problem.. the sound levels are changing a lot, so who knows....it's probably just wishful thinking though

Just got the response from the WLTX GM:



Kevin.....

We're in the process of installing all new equipment in our master control area. Next week, more of the audio processing equipment will be installed and tested. We'll also be working with CBS to make certain that our setup matched theirs to a T.

Rich

hopefully this time they'll really do what they say they will.

I like how in previous e-mails to you Kevin they said that their system 'is exactly what CBS sends out. Something is wrong with your setup.'

But, now they say they'll be working with CBS to 'make certain' that their system is setup correctly.

hopefully this time they'll really do what they say they will.

I like how in previous e-mails to you Kevin they said that their system 'is exactly what CBS sends out. Something is wrong with your setup.'

But, now they say they'll be working with CBS to 'make certain' that their system is setup correctly.

i started noticing the static sometime last week.

the link to the Dolby article i posted says that CBS sends out Dolby E, which is decoded at local stations and re-encoded to DD 5.1, so there is no way they're just passing what CBS provides. something seems to be misconfigured in the re-encoding process to send the center channel to all channels.

Is the HD on ABC all messed up for anybody else? Half the picture is missing and there's some weird artifacts on the screen. The SD channel looks like a glorified youtube channel to me.

There was apparently a problem with the national ABC HD and SD feeds during the OSU-USC game last night. It was fixed after 4 or 5 minutes.

as if it was even possible, CBS sounds even worse today than it did yesterday....wow. And CBS has the 2 NFL games today as well :(

lucky for me they do not have the Panthers, or the NFC. Wach-Dt and Fox are rock solid as usual.

is it me, or is the static gone?

The video blocks like crazy at times, but if the audio is fixed, that's cool.

EDIT: It's there at times, but no nearly as annoying as before. Seems to only show up with the NFL on CBS logo transitions across the screen.

Yeah, WLTX still has the static. Pretty ridiculous that they can't get that fixed and then blame it on the viewers' equipment.

The video blocks like crazy at times, but if the audio is fixed, that's cool.

EDIT: It's there at times, but no nearly as annoying as before. Seems to only show up with the NFL on CBS logo transitions across the screen.

The video blocking is common with motion graphics. I've noticed it more often with live sports events (most notably with CBS and NBC).

pop - it's common with CBS in our area. NBC is no where near as bad. on Fox it's not even an issue.

I am also getting static on WLTX. I am getting it over TWC. My receiver says the signal is DD 2/0. All of the other networks are clear and my receiver says DD 3/2.1

Hope they get this resolved soon. The static and lack of surround sound is annoying.

Bill

Static on WLTX via OTA all weekend for me. It go so bad that I turned the sound down, I just couldn't stand it any longer. Who is the engineer over there, Mickey Mouse?

Does anyone know if the Raycom ACC games-of-the-week on Fox-HD are supposed to be in HD? I know the Raycom SEC Games on WIS-HD are in HD starting this year, so I thought the ACC game would be as well, but it wasn't this past Saturday unless I was tuning in the SD channel over the air by mistake.

IrmoGamecoq - it wasn't in HD. I watched a bit of the Clemson game as well and I know I was on the HD channel (i've set the SD channel to never show up in D* ;))

IrmoGamecoq - it wasn't in HD. I watched a bit of the Clemson game as well and I know I was on the HD channel (i've set the SD channel to never show up in D* ;))

Okay thanks. I hadn't yet watched an ACC GotW this year and was out at the tailgate tuning it in OTA so I wasn't sure I had the right channel.

Does anyone know if the Raycom ACC games-of-the-week on Fox-HD are supposed to be in HD? I know the Raycom SEC Games on WIS-HD are in HD starting this year, so I thought the ACC game would be as well, but it wasn't this past Saturday unless I was tuning in the SD channel over the air by mistake.

The ACC Football Games-of-the-Week are airing in HD. The Clemson vs. NCSU game was aired in HD on Saturday (at least via WLOS-DT). It's probably an issue with the FOX affiliate not having the equipment purchased, installed and operating in order to air Raycom's Live HD Feed.

Static on WLTX via OTA all weekend for me. It go so bad that I turned the sound down, I just couldn't stand it any longer. Who is the engineer over there, Mickey Mouse?


they have equipment issues ,and they are going get to their equipment replaced. I do not see the point of name calling. There too much of that on avs as is.:)

on Fox it's not even an issue.

Local FOX affiliates have no control over the encoding rate..since FOX uses MPEG splicing, the encoding is all done at TOC in LA, and the HD takes priority over any subchannels. So the picture for the same program is pretty consistent among stations.

they have equipment issues ,and they are going get to their equipment replaced. I do not see the point of name calling. There too much of that on avs as is.:)

Here's hoping their picture quality will improve. Football games look good. But WIS's telecast of Sunday Night Football are superior.

My ranking for PQ (IMO of course) would be...

1. NBC
2. NFLN
3. ESPN
4. CBS
5. FOX
6. ABC

I don't know why, but FOX never quite looks as sharp as NBC, ESPN, or CBS.

they have equipment issues ,and they are going get to their equipment replaced. I do not see the point of name calling. There too much of that on avs as is.:)

they never acknowledged that equipment issues were the cause of their peculiar placement of the center channel through all channels. implying that those of us who have problems with it don't have our equipment set up correctly is insulting considering that a lot of us have been running 5.1 rigs since well before WLTX attempted their dodgy 5.1 implementation.

i hope that they manage to get their new equipment set up correctly, but given their past attitude i'm not holding my breath.

they never acknowledged that equipment issues were the cause of their peculiar placement of the center channel through all channels. Implying that those of us who have problems with it don't have our equipment set up correctly is insulting considering that a lot of us have been running 5.1 rigs since well before wltx attempted their dodgy 5.1 implementation.

I hope that they manage to get their new equipment set up correctly, but given their past attitude i'm not holding my breath.

+1

TWC adds ESPNU HD, about to add Big Ten Network in Columbia, SC
by Darren Murph, posted Sep 16th 2008 at 11:01PM


Not that many (any?) Gamecock games are relegated to ESPNU or anything, but folks in the Columbia region of South Carolina can now tune into ESPNU HD on slot 952. The channel is being arranged beside ESPN HD (950), ESPN2 HD (951) and ESPNews HD (953). Also of note, Dan Santelle, Time Warner vice-president of programming and product development for the Carolina region, has suggested that his company is finalizing an agreement that will bring Big Ten Network to the system, which ought to make the scads of transplants and legions of sports fans in general quite pleased. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

I am currently watching "Criminal Minds" on WLTX HD. I just wanted to confirm Kevin's and Ncxcstud's observation that the center audio channel track is in all of the 5 Dolby surround channels on my HT system as well. There is also static. I notice that the static is only noticeable when there is background music or sound effects. It does not seem to be there when there is only dialog. A question to Terry Wright (WLTX engineer); There was talk earlier that you were replacing some equipment. Do you anticipate that this will fix the problem? If you would like to hear the problem for yourself I invite you to visit my home some evening; just PM me.

Bill

I am currently watching "Criminal Minds" on WLTX HD. I just wanted to confirm Kevin's and Ncxcstud's observation that the center audio channel track is in all of the 5 Dolby surround channels on my HT system as well.
Just for fun, I'll ask: would everyone who uses a Home Theater system agree that mixing the center track into all channels is BAD?

It sounds like somewhere out there, the answer is No...

Bill, (fiteclub)

Please, contact me at the station. I woulld like to invite you to the station for a tour. You may be interested in seeing (and hearing) the new digital infrastructure we will be launching soon. The technology is changing very quickly and we may need some beta testers to supply us with valid feedback.

Thanks

Is anyone else getting bad pixilation on WIS via OTA?

ttodd - what's your signal strength? I haven't watched WIS lately but if you're watching OTA, is your signal strength high and consistent? A low strength will cause 'major pixelation'

I guess the new equipment at Wltx was setup like the old equipment. Sad, indeed.

It jumps between 60s to the 40s. But I have 40s on WOLO and it has a steady picture. WIS seems to be the only one I'm having problems with. And it started about 2-3 weeks ago. All other stations come in fine with the 'occasional' bad picture but nothing like I have been getting from WIS of late. It is practically unwatchable.

ttodd - I don't have any of those problems at all. Perfect steady picture. I get a steady 75-85% in strength (i'm about 27-30 miles from the towers as well).

I guess the new equipment at Wltx was setup like the old equipment. Sad, indeed.

noticed that as well today.

I guess the new equipment at Wltx was setup like the old equipment. Sad, indeed.

Chief19's post from the 18th said the new system was launching "soon." when did it go live?

Chief19's post from the 18th said the new system was launching "soon." when did it go live?


Just got the response from the WLTX GM:



Kevin.....

We're in the process of installing all new equipment in our master control area. Next week, more of the audio processing equipment will be installed and tested. We'll also be working with CBS to make certain that our setup matched theirs to a T.

Rich

Just got the response from the WLTX GM:



Kevin.....

We're in the process of installing all new equipment in our master control area. Next week, more of the audio processing equipment will be installed and tested. We'll also be working with CBS to make certain that our setup matched theirs to a T.

Rich

doesn't say anything about when it goes live.

i'll cut them some slack and figure that maybe installation and testing is taking longer than expected, but if Mr. GM or Chief19 reports that it is in fact launched and it's still the same i'll give up hope.

doesn't say anything about when it goes live.


More speculation. ;)

Yep, center channel is still in all channels on WLTX but at least tonight the static seems to be gone.

Bill

It's Still there in a way. More of occasional poping at much higher volume than a constant hiss now.

Charlotte, NC (September 23, 2008) – Get ready sports fans! Beginning this Thursday, September 25, 2008, more college sports coverage is coming to the Time Warner Cable lineup. The Big Ten Network (BTN) will be available to Time Warner Cable digital converter customers with the Sports & Games Tier. The Big Ten Network will also be available in High Definition. A digital converter is required to receive the channels.

Big Ten Network is a 24-hr channel consisting of primarily of Big Ten Conference sporting events and sports programming, as well as an amount of ancillary programming related to the Big Ten Conference member universities, their students, communities and alumni. Coverage includes live telecasts of football, basketball, baseball and Olympic sports. Universities in the Big Ten Conference are Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern.

The Big Ten Network is available on the following channels:

o S. Carolina – 148(SD); 956(HD)
o Greensboro – 189(SD); 571(HD)
o Charlotte – 136(SD); 288(HD)
+ (Statesville/Iredell – 425(SD); 719(HD)
o Raleigh – 323(SD); 287(HD)
o Wilmington – 135(SD); 954(HD)

I'm guessing this applies to those of us in and around the Columbia area? I'm assuming yes, since I don't think there's anything on channel 956 currently. Will they automatically pick up the overflow channels too? I would hope so...

It looks like I'll have to add the Sports and Games Tier to my bill in order to get the channel. I was hoping it would be a free one.

Good news, though, that it's being added. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

Charlotte, NC (September 23, 2008) – Get ready sports fans! Beginning this Thursday, September 25, 2008, more college sports coverage is coming to the Time Warner Cable lineup. The Big Ten Network (BTN) will be available to Time Warner Cable digital converter customers with the Sports & Games Tier. The Big Ten Network will also be available in High Definition. A digital converter is required to receive the channels.

Big Ten Network is a 24-hr channel consisting of primarily of Big Ten Conference sporting events and sports programming, as well as an amount of ancillary programming related to the Big Ten Conference member universities, their students, communities and alumni. Coverage includes live telecasts of football, basketball, baseball and Olympic sports. Universities in the Big Ten Conference are Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern.

The Big Ten Network is available on the following channels:

o S. Carolina – 148(SD); 956(HD)
o Greensboro – 189(SD); 571(HD)
o Charlotte – 136(SD); 288(HD)
+ (Statesville/Iredell – 425(SD); 719(HD)
o Raleigh – 323(SD); 287(HD)
o Wilmington – 135(SD); 954(HD)

I'm guessing this applies to those of us in and around the Columbia area? I'm assuming yes, since I don't think there's anything on channel 956 currently. Will they automatically pick up the overflow channels too? I would hope so...

It looks like I'll have to add the Sports and Games Tier to my bill in order to get the channel. I was hoping it would be a free one.

Good news, though, that it's being added. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

Yes, i just got an e-mail from TWC South Carolina explaining all what he posted.

Yes, i just got an e-mail from TWC South Carolina explaining all what he posted.

I just got off the phone with TWC to add the sports and games tier. I already subscribe to two other tiers so it was only $1 or so extra a month to add the 3rd tier.

She did confirm that the BTN will appear on channels 148 (SD) and 956 (HD). I asked about the overflow channels and she didn't have any information on that. The email she received didn't mention anything about it, which makes me think these aren't being picked up. They could always use the special events channels (I think they're 813 and 814) when needed.

ncxcstud, does your email have any information on these... or any other important info on the topic? Thanks.

Why does one find it amusing to delete posts after email notification? :confused:

Well I thought I'd update all with my E-Mail campaign.

About 3 weeka ago I sent a nice email to the WLTX chief engineer in which I explained the problem.

Results:

No response. Not even an acknowledgment.

One week ago I sent another one and still not even the courtesy of reply.

What a terrible customer service system.

I will now try going up the ladder as others have done. I am retired, I have the time to pursue some more.

The response to others that there is not a problem is ridiculous. What kind of engineering staff education is responsible. Of course there is a problem, compare your station to others if your equipment doesn't tell you.

OK! I've vented here. :)


I hope all is well with you. You posted that you were going to pursue, but you never posted any followup. Just wondering.

I did email their GM over the weekend and got a short response saying over the next two weeks that their master control was being completely changed out, but no one there has seen the need to change to DD 2.0 while their stuff is changed out. After over a year of broadcasting incorrectly this change out could not come any faster!

I'm sorry I haven't responded again. I did sent another email and asked the same question again and also asked why there wasn't even a response of any kind.

Once again, there was no response. I find this type of ignorance on their part to be wholly unacceptable.

I also find that their response to others that stated the problem is in their equipment is unbelievable.

I have been involved in electronics, for many years and have understood completely that you don't include the center channel data in the surround channels and I can tell when you do.

Opps, there I go, letting off steam and I apologize.

I'm sort of waiting now to see if their in progress fixes, do the job.

If not, I guess I'll try the upper management route.

Another thing that bothers me is that about five years ago WLTX had color problems with the signal they sent TWC and I had both off the air and cable on my tv for comparison. After finally getting to the engineers at TWC (many calls) and them working on it at their site they found that WLTX was sending them a corrupt signal.

Again, after many calls from me and TWC , I finally got an engineer from both places to work with me and the problem was solved. Apparently it was the signal from WLTX to TWC. I worked on this for at least a month of phone calls. I am retired and had the time. I found once you get to the guys at the equipment, they really are good and want to fix it. Getting to them was a big problem.

Ok, that's enough :D

Al

Well, there I go again, letting off steam.

noticed tonight that they are forcing 2 channel stereo within the DD 5.1 passage. At least I change the output of the dvr and change the audio to pcm and use a matrix surround.

IrmoGamecoq - it wasn't in HD. I watched a bit of the Clemson game as well and I know I was on the HD channel (i've set the SD channel to never show up in D* ;))

I must assume that you are getting the locals in HD OTA? I was told that I couldn't get the HD in locals from D*.

nuclear - yes. that's correct. I get the locals OTA, but passed through the D* box. So, I get all the guide info and can record them and view them just as I would if they came directly through D*.

That's what I do too. Works great. Directv just announced additional digital markets, but once again, Columbia is not included. http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3620002

"" but once again, Columbia is not included."'

I am told it's because the low number of subscribers has not provided a return on the investment.

"" but once again, Columbia is not included."'

I am told it's because the low number of subscribers has not provided a return on the investment.

Probably still more than zero with the coming-real-soon-now U-verse. Whatever happened to that? :p

So what happens come February 2009? Do they stop offering Columbia all together?

I guess I need to figure out how to distribute my OTA signal to the other TV's in the house, I'm done waiting for Directv.

So what happens come February 2009? Do they stop offering Columbia all together?.

No, they will be taking the HD feeds and downconverting to feed to their SD subs.They and dish are way behind in that process, which has already happened here. TWC wants to start doing the same ASAP. They do keep telling us they will have Columbia in HD soon tho..

And for the naysayers, we're feeding HD and SD video now to the phone company via fiber both here and in Columbia.

Can anyone recommend a good OTA distribution amp? My antenna currently feeds 1 TV, signal strength is not an issue with 1 TV as all stations are upper 80's to low 90's. I need to distribute the signal to 2 other TV's.

And for the naysayers, we're feeding HD and SD video now to the phone company via fiber both here and in Columbia.

Oh, I guess thought what matters is when it's fed to people. :D

Oh, I guess thought what matters is when it's fed to people. :D

Have you tried Metamucil Gary? ;)

Can anyone recommend a good OTA distribution amp? .


Mark, see the channel master CM3414's over at solidsignal.com.
I use a commercial 4-way amp but it's rather pricey and not sold to the general public.

Have you tried Metamucil Gary? ;)

How many channels does it get?

Mark, see the channel master CM3414's over at solidsignal.com.
I use a commercial 4-way amp but it's rather pricey and not sold to the general public.

Thanks, I'll check it out. I bought my antenna from solidsignal.com last year, great company.

5.1 audio is finally correct on WLTX. it's been a long road...

5.1 audio is finally correct on WLTX. it's been a long road...

Good, just in time for the Dallas Cowboys game tomorrow :)

Almost 14 months since we have had CBS DD 5.1 done correctly. Sounds great! even with the CBS +4 dial norm sound level.

Guess that trip to see the CBS president in NY worked.:rolleyes:

Glad I could be of help:D

I get this all the time, I have had about 20 services calls in the last two years over this issue. A tech guy comes out and sees the problem and goes away! They say there are sending a line tech out and I never know if he showed.

It is usually in the 820 -855 channels sometimes in the digital sports package, a lot in the MLB package. Today I checked the NHL package channel and the screen was there on most of them. Sometimes it will last for a few minutes, sometimes for several hours. I called TWC today about it and it went away while we were talking, but now about 5 hours later it's back again.

I live in the Myrtle Beach area but posted here since the MB board is not too active.

Replacing the box or rebooting does not help. When it happens it is on both HD sets -- one has a DVR box and the other just a HD box.

I can't leave TW since we live in a condo with no exclusive use area to put up a dish.

Any help would be great!! Thanks

sounds like an SDV issue...but I don't have TWC, so I could be wrong...

Though it sounds similar to a lot of problems people are having in the Columbia area.search SDV through this local thread to read up on it...

kjpjr, I live in Florence and I had the same problem last year, They told me my signal was too strong or something to that effect, I thought it was a bunch of bunk and it might have been, said they would send someone out to weaken the signal or something like that, anyway they did something when they came out, never came in the house, and I haven't had the problem since. When he told me that he said some time in the hot weather it will increase the signal strength or something like that, after they did whatever they did I was wandering if it would be to weak in the winter and cause some other problems, but everything has been fine since that day. Your problem sounds just like mine, I was ready to cancel and just use an antenna, but luckily I got someone who must have known what he was doing, and I am sure you have probably noticed the majority of the so called techs know less than you do.

Just FYI

I went to WLTX studios last Thursday upon an invitation by Terry Wright. He wanted to show me all of the changes that they are going thru. They are in the process of upgrading their entire package audio and video processing equipment. I was very satisfied that they are working hard (and spending a lot of money) to provide state-of-the-art audio and video to their viewers. As with any big change, there are going to be problems but I think once everything is switched over, WLTX will have a quality signal. Be assured Terry is aware of the audio issues and believes they will be corrected when the new equipment comes on line. Frankly, it is not his top priority right now. This is not to say that he does not think it is important. Only that of all the problems he is dealing with right now, subtle audio glitches have to be lower on the priority list. (He said that he has only had a handful of complaints over the audio) I hope that I have accurately represented his views as conveyed to me. If not, I apologize and invite Terry to clarify and expand upon them.

One last thing. He said he prefers to be referred to as Goofy not Micky Mouse.

Bill

I get this all the time, I have had about 20 services calls in the last two years over this issue. A tech guy comes out and sees the problem and goes away! They say there are sending a line tech out and I never know if he showed.
I can't say for sure what's up now, but past issues with channel reception have been traced back to a splitter installed to feed both my DVR and a VCR attached to the same set. When I removed the splitter, the DVR worked fine again but eventually I'd put it back to carry on with having a signal for the VCR to use. Since the signal strength problem comes and goes it's hard to tell when to pull it again, but the other night I noticed a bunch of HD channels were 'not available'. The DVR does have messages it puts out on its own about lack of signals, meaning it's not the head-end telling you there's a problem, so if you have a splitter installed consider pulling it out when the channels aren't available and see what happens. Not sure what to do even if you have no splitter, since weak signals don't get fixed very fast...

Thanks for the update, Bill. Sounds like Terry has his hands full with this project. I look forward to enjoying the results of his hard work. And I apologize for the Mickey Mouse comment. It's Goofy from this point forward. :)

Hey, I'm a new user. I live in the Irmo area.
I recently got a converter box and a new, higher-powered antenna.
I'm quite sure that I've got everything hooked up properly, but I can't seem to tune in WOLO (abc). I get all the other stations fine--many of which I had a considerably weaker signal for with analog. In fact, on analog I usually got ABC the clearest.
I know that WOLO is broadcasting on a VHF band and all the others are on UHF, and I guess that might be the problem, but the antenna says that it pulls both in, and since the other channels are so clear, I figure it must be something else. Anybody have some insight?
In general does anybody have any recommendations about how to boost signal reception? My antenna pulls in about 40% strength, and I'd like to see that go up. I know that some stations are not broadcasting digital at full strength while they still broadcast analog; is this true in the Columbia area?
Thanks very much....

Hey, I'm a new user. I live in the Irmo area.....

Welcome Dan..
What exact model antenna are you using? You should have no problem with WOLO-DT in Irmo..we're at full power as well, but recommend an outdoor or attic antenna for best results.

Bear in mind that WIS-DT will be moving back to VHF channel 10, so you will
need a better antenna for two reasons.

more info here:

www.tvfool.com and www.antennaweb.org

Let us know..

Bob,
I'll have to let you know on Monday--
I don't have internet at home and I don't have it memorized. It's an RCA, and the most expensive one they sold in Wal-Mart...
Thanks for the tips.
dan

dan, i live in Lexington, SC and roughly 27 miles from the TV towers...

I use this antenna from Radio Shack. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032204&parentPage=family)

Granted, where I have it setup, my window faces DIRECTLY where it needs to go...I've been using that for almost 2 years now. I've had NO problems with it indoors :)

Watched the Carolina game in HD via Raycom and Wis-DT. No glitches! Look much better than I could had believed.:)

Is the Panthers game today not in HD? Or is it a WACH issue?

Wach issue. The sad part is once they miss the Fox HD network feed they rarely ever get it fixed. The wind has been blowing the last couple days ,and that may have messed things up for them. I called and never got a live person on the phone.:confused:

Wach issue.

Incorrect.

:rolleyes:
So would you be so kind as to give us the correct answer?

I just talked to someone in the news room at WACH who said it should switch to HD at 2:00.

Heath

:rolleyes:
So would you be so kind as to give us the correct answer?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14849427#post14849427

There are solar transit outages today. I suspect that WACH is following the usual instructions given by FOX "to start on the backup feed until the outage passes" and thus no HD until 2pm. We don't follow that advice here, so HD for now until the outage.

Thanks for the clarification guys. Knowing the "why" behind things makes it easier for me to stomach. Solar outages sound much better than "Biff dumped a cup of coffee on..." :)

Heath

Solar outages sound much better than "Biff dumped a cup of coffee on..." :)Heath


You're in the south now. That would be "Bubba" not ""Biff"...:)

You're in the south now. That would be "Bubba" not ""Biff"...:)

He's probably been watching too much Letterman lately (isn't the stage manager named "Biff"?). :D

Didn't want to take a chance on insulting anyone!

Please ,do not quote him either.


He has never added a useful post to this local thread. He doesn't get our local Fox station in Pawleys Island.

The wind comment was a tongue and cheek one.

Add posters who continuously post guesses as fact to your ignore list. :eek:

I can not see you:)

I just talked to someone in the news room at WACH who said it should switch to HD at 2:00.

Heath


Was he the janitor?:eek:

Apparently! Maybe a half time switch? :confused:

You are breaking my heart! :D

http://kampuskings.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/heartbreak.jpg

Looks like we're in HD now... maybe the Panthers can improve in the second half too.

Noticed the switch at halftime. Panthers were not ready to play today.

they used it all last week..............

Agreed.

All,

I'm moving to Sumter, SC, in a couple months and am trying to choose between TWC and Dish Network. What do you guys recommend? I checked the rates through Dish Network and am very tempted to go with them. I guess I've been burned by Cox Cable for the last couple years (constantly rising rates) and am looking towards dish. Let me know what you think!

Casey

Why don't you just do a cost/benefit analysis? Look at the cost of packages that best include the channels you are interested in and factor in any up-front costs and commitments.

Thanks for the tip--I'll have to check it out...

Bob,
I currently have an rca flat 1450 amplified antenna. The reception comes in around 40% or so...oddly enough i still can't tune in ABC though.
ncxc stud gave a tip about a radio shack antenna, perhaps I'll try that...
Thanks,

Bob,
I currently have an rca flat 1450 amplified antenna. The reception comes in around 40% or so...oddly enough i still can't tune in ABC though.
ncxc stud gave a tip about a radio shack antenna, perhaps I'll try that...
Thanks,

I haven't tried that particular RCA unit, but I can tell you just by looking at it that VHF high performance will be compromised.No antenna, depsite fancy design nor cost, whether high or low, can overcome the laws of physics. You can try the one studman mentioned, bear in mind that no antenna is ideal for all situations. Also, moving it slightly in position can make all the difference.
Try the one studman mentioned, we use one of those for WOLO and it works well.

Here, I have a square shooter, and get ALL the locals fine, excpet WTVI(PBS)
which is on VHF 11. Since there are 2 other PBS here, (which is still 1.8 too much) I don;t care about WTVI.

Has anybody else been having trouble w/their SA8300HD box since the wknd? Mine has gone totally whack!

Harold

The box did wig out Sunday night....Blank screen on all but major networks. A reboot fixed it.

Jon

Man, I can't believe this is happening right as the World Series is about to start. And if I have to go get a new box I'm going to lose about 50 movies and tv shows I have recorded.

This settles it. As soon as TWC makes the SDV tuning adapter available I'm getting a TivoHD box. This is absolute BS.

H

No problems at all here in Lexington with either of my 8300hdc.

I climbed in bed Monday night and turned on the TV, began flipping thru TWC..and suddenly the box decides it needs to reboot..10 minutes later I had Tv back..

Just FYI

I went to WLTX studios last Thursday upon an invitation by Terry Wright. He wanted to show me all of the changes that they are going thru. They are in the process of upgrading their entire package audio and video processing equipment.

Their upconverted SD used to be pretty crappy (very soft, with muddy colors), which was one reason I hardly ever watched their local news programs. The other day I happened to tune into their news and was pleasantly surprised by how much better it looks now. This also improves network stuff that's sent out in SD such as the CBS "Early Show." It's now pretty close to WBTV in Charlotte, and better than WSPA in Spartanburg.

[added] And they can now do widescreen "crawls" without having to drop back into SD. I saw one for the SC Lottery results when I was home for lunch yesterday. The program wasn't actually HD, just upconverted SD, but the crawl bar extended across the full 16:9 image and the PQ was unaffected.

Looks like us Tivo CableCard users crippled by SDV can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.
There has been alot of talk lately about the SDV Tuning Adapter, even some reports of it out in the "wild" in a Comcast market.
TWC finally has a page up to pre-order it.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/carolinas/site.faqs/Cable/SwitchedDi

I just noticed this on TWCSC.

Oct. 29, 2008
Bio HD will launch on Digital Cable Channel 852.
Speed HD will launch on Digital Cable Channel 954.

Looks like us Tivo CableCard users crippled by SDV can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.
There has been alot of talk lately about the SDV Tuning Adapter, even some reports of it out in the "wild" in a Comcast market.
TWC finally has a page up to pre-order it.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/carolinas/site.faqs/Cable/SwitchedDi

Can anyone find where to pre-order on the SC TWC website? I ain't getting it.

Thanks,
Harold

http://www.timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter

there was a link for "How do I get the Tuning Adapter?" I clicked that and said to fill out the survey on the above link...

http://www.timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter

there was a link for "How do I get the Tuning Adapter?" I clicked that and said to fill out the survey on the above link...

I don't get a survey when I click on that link. I get a page saying to enter my zip code and when I do it takes me to the SC TWC home page, from which I still cannot find where to sign up for the tuning adapter.

H

I don't get a survey when I click on that link. I get a page saying to enter my zip code and when I do it takes me to the SC TWC home page, from which I still cannot find where to sign up for the tuning adapter.

H

When you get to that point to a search of "sdv", it will give you 3 results, pick the first one, the one with the FAQ. All the info is there.

When you get to that point to a search of "sdv", it will give you 3 results, pick the first one, the one with the FAQ. All the info is there.

Am I going crazy? I've done that. When I click "How do I get a TA?" in the FAQ, it takes me to a link, that link takes me back to the page asking for the zip code in my area. It's circuitous. I still cannot find any place to pre-order the TA in SC.

Harold

I just noticed this on TWCSC.

Oct. 29, 2008
Bio HD will launch on Digital Cable Channel 852.
Speed HD will launch on Digital Cable Channel 954.


From today's State Newspaper that Weather Channel HD is coming as well. No channel number listed.

I'd like USA and CNBC in HD permanently..

Second on the USA HD permanently

Looks like FX HD is coming to TWCSC in the near future. There was a press release from Greensboro, NC that being added to TWC Carolinas. http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/10/27/article/time_warner_cable_adding_11_hd_channels

the columbia press release--

http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=2413&MarketID=144

good catch!

Question for the locals:

Can I pull in the local CBS-DT (WLTX) station with a good UHF antenna? I'll be tailgating near Williams Brice and don't want to fool with the dish. I'll be using a Zenith Silver Sensor antenna and a Vizio HDTV with atsc tuner. What channel am I looking for? Or should i bring the dish? Much thanks in advance..

edit: looks like I am looking for 19.1. Anyone have an opinion what my chances are? Thanks.

You should be fine, but go to
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx and enter this address:


1127 George Rodgers Blvd
Columbia,SC 29208

It will give you Antenna size and Compass Orientation and a street level view to help lock in on all the local siginals.

I use a basic old tv top uhf/vhf antenna, I think it was like ten dollars, I park in the fairgrounds so i have a clear line of sight in pretty much any direction, but I believe you should have no problem no matter where you park. I get all 4 of the networks in HD with no problems. I don't know if you will get abc in HD with just a UHF antenna though if you won't to switch to the game on abc.

Ditto on the fairgrounds tailgating. I pick up all 4 stations just fine with a regular set of rabbit ears. I do place the rabbit ears up on top of our vehicle though.

Ahhhhh. To order the Tuning Adapter:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/Products/Cable/sdv/default.html

I happened to be up lol...could not sleep and noticed that my 8300 did a large update about 4 am today. It seemed to take a long time to get it all installed but I don't see any changes.

Anyone have an idea what was added?

Just got an email from TWC that MGM HD is coming the 20th of this month, to replace MOJO, which is defunct. Lots of good classics in HD, very cool.

H

My Sharp HDTV was replaced under warranty by a Sony KDL-40V4100 which has this annoying habit of fading in the HDMI audio from the 8300HD on some channels several seconds after the picture is showing. Anyone know an audio adjustment to make on the DVR to stop that?...

I had something happen today that was unfortunate. My young nephew was over. He was watching ETV 800. He hit the guide and was able to see the adult titles on the channels above ETV.

I think it is horrible that we can not block even the titles there - or - they move it so Children programming is not next to Adult.

If you are a parent, please consider complaining to TW.

Thank you!

. He hit the guide and was able to see the adult titles on the channels above ETV. !

That should be maskable so they kids don't see "big booty gone wild"
in the guide.. I had that at a friends house this week who is on Charter, at least you can set their box to hide the titles.. tho it still says "Adult Programming". Need a way to be able to hide the channels totally, I didn't have a lot of time to see if you could or to call them. I'll have to look at my TWC box to see what it can do.They can be totally hidden with DirecTv.

That should be maskable so they kids don't see "big booty gone wild"
in the guide.. I had that at a friends house this week who is on Charter, at least you can set their box to hide the titles.. tho it still says "Adult Programming". Need a way to be able to hide the channels totally, I didn't have a lot of time to see if you could or to call them. I'll have to look at my TWC box to see what it can do.They can be totally hidden with DirecTv.

Absolutely one of the best features DirecTV has over TWC. My friends who have TWC want to be able to remove all the SD versions of HD channels and all the On-Demand stuff from their guides... Most of them would switch from TWC in a heartbeat but can't because they live in the Seminary Hillcrest Apartments at LTSS and aren't allowed...

Which means, when my wife and I move their in two years I'm going to have a bucket of cement and my dish on the balcony, haha.

Any reason why TWC can't/won't do it? It looks like it is a major sticking point for some.

Any reason why TWC can't/won't do it? It looks like it is a major sticking point for some.

this has been discussed a lot in the past when Diana was still here. i guess we're still not in the 'foreseeable future'.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=3820803#post3820803

I had something happen today that was unfortunate. My young nephew was over. He was watching ETV 800. He hit the guide and was able to see the adult titles on the channels above ETV.


Don't let him near the Internet!

That should be maskable so they kids don't see "big booty gone wild"
in the guide.. I had that at a friends house this week who is on Charter, at least you can set their box to hide the titles.. tho it still says "Adult Programming". Need a way to be able to hide the channels totally, I didn't have a lot of time to see if you could or to call them. I'll have to look at my TWC box to see what it can do.They can be totally hidden with DirecTv.

Thanks, someone sent me a private message explaining how to find the "block titles". I had totally overlooked that in the settings. Thanks.
He is only 7 so that really concerned me. The option to block titles might be fairly new because I had looked for something similar in the past but could not find it.

you can block channels ,but the guide remains the same.

Kevin, that is what I thought too but I now see an option to Block:Titles too.

It might have been added on that new update on the 6th. I did not notice it til someone sent me a msg to check it out.

Is there anything going on with WIS OTA? My signal strengths have dropped dramatically over the past month. Lots of pixelation and dropped signals. Per Antenna Web, I'm pointed in the correct direction (and its been working fine for a year). All other stations are coming in perfectly.

Nope, no problem here with WIS here and I'm 27.2 miles from the towers.

Nope, no problem here with WIS here and I'm 27.2 miles from the towers.

Well darn. I'm only 15 miles from the towers, so...

The oddest thing is if I disconnect my rooftop antenna and use a set-top - it comes in fine, but some of the other channels lose signal.

Does a diplexer work in reverse? That is, two inputs consolidated into a single output?

Maybe with all the wind lately, your antenna shifted, or there may be a connection issue at the antenna. No problems at all here in Lexington with my ota reception.

Kevin, that is what I thought too but I now see an option to Block:Titles too.

It might have been added on that new update on the 6th. I did not notice it til someone sent me a msg to check it out.

That sounds like something the group here would like to know how to do. Mind sharing the process?

That sounds like something the group here would like to know how to do. Mind sharing the process?

In the general settings area, go to Block: Channels...choose one and then hit A to accept.

Look back at the other options in the general settings and find Block: Titles and change the option from displayed to hidden...then all the channels you block will also have their titles blocked (hidden) in the guide.

Okay, thanks...I'll give that a shot.

I blocked the 4 channels just below 800 in the Guide, but the Hidden setting didn't change their title display...

Perhaps your box did not get the latest upgrade. Am really not sure. Let's see if anyone else sees it too.

I just double checked and I have those channels blocked in the settings and under block: titles...I have it set to Hidden. When I look at the titles in the guide...those channels show up as Title Blocked on all the programs there.

You might want to call TW and have them send the upgrade to your box or a hard hit (I think that is what the techs call it).

Anyone else watching the Carolina - Atlanta game now? Wow, does the main cam look terrible...doesn't even look HD at all...

Just watched the Detroit/Titans game on local CBS (RR cable) at a neighbors house and it looked horrible, close to SD. The picture on my directv (NY feed) looked great. You guys need to start complaining to someone...

I can't seem to find a number for RR cable.

Ahhhhh. To order the Tuning Adapter:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/Products/Cable/sdv/default.html

I have several questions folks:

1) If I get a TiVO with the CableCard are only HD channels currently on SDV ??? IOW if the TV is currently a Standard Def TV will we get all those channels with the TiVO now ??

2) Anyone know when the Tuning Adapter will be available from TWC???

TIA for all help.

My wife likes the DVR but she would LOVE a HD TIVO !!!

-- Cain

I believe your neighbor should call TWC, I watched the first half on Directv at my mothers house, and watched the 2nd half on my tv TWC, and there was absolutely no difference. Detroit/Tennessee

1) If I get a TiVO with the CableCard are only HD channels currently on SDV ??? IOW if the TV is currently a Standard Def TV will we get all those channels with the TiVO now ??

last time i checked there were several SD digital channels that were switched. go to the SDV diagnostic page of the DVR and as you change channels it will indicate whether the channel is broadcast or switched.

AT&T Digital cable in Columbia?

I noticed on the TitanTV website that AT&T is listed as a digital cable provider. It is listed as AT&T U-verse-Columbia. It includes channel line-ups for basic, premium, pay per view.

Has anyone heard of this? Is it available in Irmo, 29063? I currently have Time Warner Cable. Looking for possible alternatives for digital cable.

No one has ever posted here having the service.
https://uverse1.att.com/un/launchAMSS.do?GUID=0FDB944C-9350-45A9-95C1-1E87A9DE08DE&target_action=serviceabilityCheck

I want to add one of those DVR expander hard drives, but TWC told me they have not activated the port on the 8300. Does anybody know if this is true?? If so, is there anyway to get more memory than the SA 8300 comes with??
Thanks.

I want to add one of those DVR expander hard drives, but TWC told me they have not activated the port on the 8300. Does anybody know if this is true?? If so, is there anyway to get more memory than the SA 8300 comes with??
Thanks.

they have been active since the box launched years ago. Best Buy has a 500gb dvr expander($149.99) that is made for the esata setup. I have two dvrs with these dvr harddrive addons. I well over 75 hd recordings on both with 25% more storage. This external drive also is the only one that works with the newest HD tivo.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8477105&st=esata+external+drive&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1185271084416

Is WACH not transmitting HD today?

I'm over at my in-laws for lunch...and their TWC for FOX HD is breaking up bad...wow...its not even watchable....

I want to add one of those DVR expander hard drives, but TWC told me they have not activated the port on the 8300. Does anybody know if this is true?? If so, is there anyway to get more memory than the SA 8300 comes with??
Thanks.I recently bought a Cavalry 1TB ext hd (actually has a WD drive in it, I think) for $129 shipped on buy.com. The price has gone up but it's still a good deal and twice the storage of the DVR Expander. You might want to read the reviews on the site and at Newegg. I've been very pleased, lots and lots of recording space.

http://www.buy.com/prod/cavalry-1tb-hard-drive-dual-interface-usb-2-0-esata-external-hard/q/loc/101/206805237.html

Wach-dt was off the air prior to Today's Panther's game. All I am getting is garbled audio.

I recently bought a Cavalry 1TB ext hd (actually has a WD drive in it, I think) for $129 shipped on buy.com. The price has gone up but it's still a good deal and twice the storage of the DVR Expander. You might want to read the reviews on the site and at Newegg. I've been very pleased, lots and lots of recording space.

http://www.buy.com/prod/cavalry-1tb-hard-drive-dual-interface-usb-2-0-esata-external-hard/q/loc/101/206805237.html

What's the size of the SA8300HD drive? Just wondering what adding 500GB or 1TB would do to recording capacity. Thanks.

What's the size of the SA8300HD drive? Just wondering what adding 500GB or 1TB would do to recording capacity. Thanks.

I think it's 80 gig.

I added the 500 gig to mine (Cavalry 500gig) and gave my friend the 1TB (Cavalry 1TB) drive for an early Christmas present (he records a LOT Of stuff).

His 8300HD was 97% full, after adding the 1TB external box his space was 12% full.

I can't remember what mine changed....I don't really record that much but have a few series that I would have to remember to clean up in case a movie popped up that I wanted. Now I don't even think/worry about it...I've got space.

Wow, that's a big difference. Thanks.

all internal drives in 8300hd are 160gb.

hey all. i've been reading up as much as i can and have a question...

i live in lexington and have a new hdtv with the qam receiver. i did the auto channel set up and have some local hd channels and a few digital channels not local. they look decent of course!

should i still get an antenna for OTA? or is the quality i'm seeing through the line (no digi box) as good as it gets?

also...since i'm going with no box for now, how will i have both the antenna and the line going into the tv? there's only one input!

Reports in the overall Time Warner thread that KC is getting Sci-Fi HD (among others). Sure would like to see that transpire here soon.

Is the sound on NBCHD of poor quality for anyone tonight?

Sounds kind of choppy.

Player2 - yeah, it sounds pretty bad. I noticed it too....reminds me of what WLTX used to be.........

Are we getting these soon ??

http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/12/more-hd-channel.html

Can't seem to find my crystal ball.

I would be nice to get USA, FX, Sci-Fi, and Cartoon Network in HD.

We are already getting the MGMHD channel, but I think that has more to do with Mojo going under.

U-verse receives certificate to provide Cable TV Service to Columbia, SC within a year. (Source: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081207/NEWS01/812070321/1001/NEWS01 (http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081207/NEWS01/812070321/1001/NEWS01))

The only other annouced additions are that Golf and Versus would be split into two channels starting December 8th.

To be honest they need to up their bandwidth allotment in my Lexington area too make SDV work better during primetime.

U-verse is not a option for me ,because of Windstream.

U-verse receives certificate to provide Cable TV Service to Columbia, SC within a year. (Source: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081207/NEWS01/812070321/1001/NEWS01 (http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081207/NEWS01/812070321/1001/NEWS01))Oh man, that is great news! Thanks for the info.

I exchanged my old TWC Scientific Atlanta 8100HD for a new SA 8300HDC and bought a Western 500GB Expander Drive at Best Buy ($160). I went through the set up routine - answered the question on the screen, did I want to reformat, etc and it told me the drive was compatable. Everything seems fine, except - I recorded Numbers in HD on Friday night and when I go to the Recorded List and hit "B" to show the percentage of the hard drive used - it showed 4% - just what I would expect if it was only reading the internal drive. So today I recorded a two hours show in HD - it increased the percentage used by seven percent - just what it would show if it was only using the internal drive.

I am confused - all the on screen stuff coming from the Expander Drive and the SA8300 lead me to belive the extra drive is formatted and working, but the percentage used does not track.

Has anybody else had any experience with this kind of situation?
Thanks

U-verse receives certificate to provide Cable TV Service to Columbia, SC within a year.

While I know the date for Columbia, It's not my place to say when. :cool:
Fiber feeds from WOLO are in and working with no carriage agreement thus far.
However, it has launched here in Charlotte with extremely limited availability, and I have
been trying to get it at my house thus far with no success.:(
Gary will probably p in his pants from joy knowing that his beloved TWC is not yet threathened.:D

While I know the date for Columbia, It's not my place to say when. :cool:


You said when a long time ago - Real Soon Now. http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0011.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-ashamed-smileys.php)

aren't most uverse markets still limited to 1 HD stream per house with 2 starting to roll out in some cities?

TWC sent me a letter the other day announcing the end of my Promtional pricing (after more than 4 years, it hadn't seemed Promotional) but with 6 months of only $10 more per month to go before the full increase hits. Per the rate charts that's like $30/M now and who knows what once the 2009 rates hit.

Seems like an ideal time to at least consider another vendor like AT&T...

TWC sent me a letter the other day announcing the end of my Promtional pricing (after more than 4 years, it hadn't seemed Promotional) but with 6 months of only $10 more per month to go before the full increase hits. Per the rate charts that's like $30/M now and who knows what once the 2009 rates hit.

Seems like an ideal time to at least consider another vendor like AT&T...

I received the exact same letter (service was 4+ years too). I didn't even realize I was paying a "promotional" price.

I exchanged my old TWC Scientific Atlanta 8100HD for a new SA 8300HDC and bought a Western 500GB Expander Drive at Best Buy ($160). I went through the set up routine - answered the question on the screen, did I want to reformat, etc and it told me the drive was compatable. Everything seems fine, except - I recorded Numbers in HD on Friday night and when I go to the Recorded List and hit "B" to show the percentage of the hard drive used - it showed 4% - just what I would expect if it was only reading the internal drive. So today I recorded a two hours show in HD - it increased the percentage used by seven percent - just what it would show if it was only using the internal drive.

I am confused - all the on screen stuff coming from the Expander Drive and the SA8300 lead me to belive the extra drive is formatted and working, but the percentage used does not track.

Has anybody else had any experience with this kind of situation?
Thanks

You might want to try the 8300-specific thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859&page=257

I received the exact same letter (service was 4+ years too). I didn't even realize I was paying a "promotional" price.

That makes 3 of us. I had compared my bill to the prices show on the website a few times and wondered why my services cost less. I knew I got a "promotional" deal in the beginning but I thought after 3 years it would have disappeared.

Agreed that it seems like a good time to compare options, or, at worst, maybe I'll reduce the level of service I have.

Isn't this the company that advertises/advertised "free HD?" Ha!

I knew I got a "promotional" deal in the beginning but I thought after 3 years it would have disappeared.

They used to list the Speed Of Light package on my bill, but discontinued that maybe a year ago, and since things aren't as cheap as they used to be I assumed I was at 'standard' pricing until I just looked.

I guess they'll still give 'package' deals to other folks but once you've had a deal for quite a while they assume you've become addicted and won't just up and quit if they jack up the rates. If I start now, in six months I can have all my email moved to GMail or something and not worry about not having the sc.rr.com address anymore...

i think if you call to discontinue service they will find some other promo package to keep you around, especially after uverse cranks up.

i think if you call to discontinue service they will find some other promo package to keep you around, especially after uverse cranks up.

That's my plan...

Cohbraz: My Dad lives in Newberry, and he installed an antenna so that he could pick up whatever DTV signals he could get. We have the (100 ft. shielded, amped) cable running into the HD monitor, and, upon selecting antenna for the input, we get the "no or weak signal" box on the monitor screen.

Two questions:

Do digital signals make it out to Newberry from Columbia?
Do you still have your AV store here in Newberry?

Thanks in advance, Scott.

what kind of tv is it sks24?

Do digital signals make it out to Newberry from Columbia?

They do, but the strength depends on location. Check out the online coverage maps at tvfool.com (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80) (enter WIS, WLTX, etc. and zoom in on the map). It looks like in most locations around Newberry you need a good roof antenna.

I get the Columbia stations pretty well here in Clinton, but I use a top-of-the-line antenna and pre-amp.

Check your address at www.antennaweb.org, and they will tell you if the signal reaches your area. I plugged in a newberry zip code, and got zilch. You may have better luck plugging in an actual address.

Sent this out to TWC this afternoon.

Why is that TWC Carolinas has not been adding the new HD channels that other TWC division seem to be able to add? FX-HD, USA-HD, SCI FI-HD, and dozens more. Seems like when the Carolinas merged with TWCSC HD channels have stopped being added. TWCSC used to be proactive in trying to get HD channels up as soon as they were allowed. This is not the case anymore ,and I have been looking at switching to a more aggressive HD provider. Is there any reason to hope that TWC Carolinas will catch up with other TWC divisions in regards to HD in the near future?It should would make the annual TWC December price increase a little is easier to swallow.


No comment from Gary is needed.:rolleyes:

Hope you hear something. I would like to see Fox News in HD and USA in HD.

I have been looking at switching to a more aggressive HD provider.

You should make the switch!

You have me blocked, remember? ;)


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r171/Rodimusminor/img47c2a87b57a53.png

checked into ATT Uverse. I can get it at my address, but their Total Home DVR is not ready for prime time yet. They only allow one DVR in the house and you can't control the DVR from other rooms except to play a recorded movie. So no pause live TV nor schedule recordings from other rooms.

checked into ATT Uverse. I can get it at my address, but their Total Home DVR is not ready for prime time yet. They only allow one DVR in the house and you can't control the DVR from other rooms except to play a recorded movie. So no pause live TV nor schedule recordings from other rooms.Hi. I just want to be clear: You live in Columbia and and Uverse is available to you? I ask because I checked and it isn't available where I live yet (near Rosewood dr.)

Hi. I just want to be clear: You live in Columbia and and Uverse is available to you? I ask because I checked and it isn't available where I live yet (near Rosewood dr.)

Yep, I live in West Columbia near 378 and I26 and I can get UVerse TV and Internet. Not the U Voice yet. They did quote a price with tax for:

200 channel package
10 mb down and 1.5 up
and AT&T land line unlimited nationwide with voice mail.

Not sure if I can post price quotes or not on here. If I can I will be glad to.

Yeah, thanks, I'd be interested in pricing if you can, but I'm just interested in the tv, no internet or phone, if you know.

Hopefully they're working their way toward my area.

Yeah, thanks, I'd be interested in pricing if you can, but I'm just interested in the tv, no internet or phone, if you know.

Hopefully they're working their way toward my area.

I am not sure what the price would be without internet. I know that you get the Lite Ver. if you get their packages by default.

Go to their web site and click on start shopping and then type in 29169 zip code. That will get you to the price list.

U200 220 TV channels starts @ 92 a month.

Ok, thanks for the info.

If anyone who's subscribed to Uverse here in Columbia could post about their experiences w/the tv package it would be very interesting & helpful!

I too would be interested in pricing options.

I wonder if they will bundle internet, Cable and cell phone. I really have no need for a home phone.

I am usually not one to jump on a new service right away since they tend to have some kinks to work out and as of right now I am ok with TWC.

I do think that the competition will be a good thing for consumers of both companies. Hopefully they will fight for customers and while I do not see much of a pricing break in store maybe better HD channel options will come our way.

i'm particularly interested in knowing how many HD streams per house uverse will have in columbia. they mention being able to record 4 programs at once with the dvr but nothing about HD.

i talked with a TW csr about the end of the promo pricing. he said it was the Speed of Light package ending. i always thought it was a bundle and not promotional pricing, but whatever. after the $10/month increase in January he estimated i'd see another hike of $13/month in 6 months. at that point i might just say screw it all and just go OTA with my mac mini dvr.

TWC has gotten ridiculous price wise and all benefit I had from a package/special rate is gone. I looked into the Uverse packages and they did not seem that great to me. To get the fancy DVR (which can apparently record 4 channels at once and play back on any television in the house) you have to order at least the U200 package which is $59 a month. They have a package which as stated above is $92 for TV and basic internet (up to 1.5Mbps down and up to 1 Mbps up) which is not terrible, but not great either.

Has anyone looked at the DVTPal DVR by Dish? It allows you to record/pause/etc. OTA feeds with the DVR. I may just say to heck with cable and go OTA, especially if I have the DVR abilities.

(up to 1.5Mbps down

You sure you got that right? That's closer to dial-up than cable, let alone fiber.

You sure you got that right? That's closer to dial-up than cable, let alone fiber.

I was surprised too, but that's what they advertised on the flyer they sent me!

David

You sure you got that right? That's closer to dial-up than cable, let alone fiber.

I copied it while looking at their combo deal. They do offer faster speeds, but you of course have to pay for them and they increase fairly quickly.

Here is the breakdown of their speeds and prices (these are not in the bundles, but separately. All of their bundles have the express listed in the price).

Max 18 - Up to 18.0 Mbps downstream and up to 1.5 Mbps upstream Starting at $65/month

Max - Up to 10.0 Mbps downstream and up to 1.5 Mbps upstream Starting at $55/month

Elite - Up to 6.0 Mbps downstream and up to 1 Mbps upstream Starting at $43/month

Pro - Up to 3.0 Mbps downstream and up to 1 Mbps upstream Starting at $38/month

Express - Up to 1.5 Mbps downstream and up to 1 Mbps upstream Starting at $33/month

Here is the pricing for the television without a bundle involved. The U200 and above include the DVR, the others just a receiver. Also, HD service is $10 more for each. This again is for a la carte and not in a bundle.

U400 Starting at $99/month up to 350 channels including HBO®, Cinemax®, the Sports Package, and the Movie Package

U300 Starting at $79/month up to 290 channels including the Movie Package

U200 Starting at $59/month up to 220 channels with sports, entertainment, and more

U100 Starting at $44/month up to 120 of the most viewed channels

U-family Starting at $44/month up to 70 channels of family focused programming

I just bought a samsung 40" TV and i don't get the local channels. What can I do to pick those up way out in Chapin on the lake?

I just bought a samsung 40" TV and i don't get the local channels. What can I do to pick those up way out in Chapin on the lake?

You'll need a good antenna pointed towards the towers which are out on Screaming Eagle Road.

I'm in Ballentine and use an Antennas Direct C4 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BRXW74?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwatkinsfami-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001BRXW74) that I've got mounted in my attic. It pulls in all the locals no problem from here and I'm kind of down in a lower lying area too. I've also picked up Ch. 7 from Greenville/Spartanburg with it. You might need something a little more powerful out there though if you've got lots of obstructions between you and the antennas.

I just bought a samsung 40" TV and i don't get the local channels. What can I do to pick those up way out in Chapin on the lake?

Plot your address at www.tvfool.com Bear in mind that for optimum reception, you'll need at least an attic mount or outdoor antenna. WOLO-DT,and soon to be WIS-DT..are VHF, so you will need a VHF capable antenna.WOLO and WACH are located out at I-20 / Elgin on Rice Rd.
Let us know how you fare, there are many here that wil help you out.:)

You sure you got that right? That's closer to dial-up than cable, let alone fiber.1.5Mbps is DSL speed. 1Mbps up is faster than anything TWC offers in their consumer packages (TWC max up is 512kbps up on RR Turbo).

Whatever. Who cares about Up?

Whatever. Who cares about Up?Get a Slingbox and you'll be on a never ending quest for the most upload possible...

Or torrents, I guess. But if you're looking primarily at DL they don't look like a bargain to me.

Upload is a big deal and will get even more so. Try backing up files off-site or uploading pics/videos to your own website (all of which I do). It sucks royally with the paltry upload that TWC offers.

Noticed that Wolo-DT is off the air.

1.5Mbps is DSL speed. 1Mbps up is faster than anything TWC offers in their consumer packages (TWC max up is 512kbps up on RR Turbo).


I didn't realise that up speed is that low for rr home users. I have business class rr here at my home ,and my up speed is 2mb. The cost however is $99 a month:eek:

wow, no one else has noticed that Wolo-DT is off the air ota. Cable feed is working, but ota is a not working on my 3 ota tuners. Bob, any time frame for getting this fixed?

Does TWC no longer have the Music Videos On Demand channel? I can't find the darn thing.

wow, no one else has noticed that Wolo-DT is off the air ota. Cable feed is working, but ota is a not working on my 3 ota tuners. Bob, any time frame for getting this fixed?


TWC takes the HD and derives SD feed from WOLO-DT via fiber.
DirecTv and Dish take WOLO-DT off-air to feed their SD subs. DirecTv is fine
here at my house.Our receivers here are also fine. So Good leaving here,
which doen't cover all the bases.
Suggest trying a rescan and let me know. We did have a PSIP crash Saturday night late, but all appears fine. I have limited remote access for now so can't really look at all the chain remotely.

Shakin Dave's TV is fine,but not his Zenith cheesebox which shows us on our native 8.3. So I'm looking into the issue, If I can get ahold of the system there in Columbia will better know. The commerical receivers that we,TWC, and satellite use are much more forgiving than consumer gear.

TWC takes the HD and derives SD feed from WOLO-DT via fiber.
DirecTv and Dish take WOLO-DT off-air to feed their SD subs. DirecTv is fine
here at my house.Our receivers here are also fine. So Good leaving here,
which doen't cover all the bases.
Suggest trying a rescan and let me know. We did have a PSIP crash Saturday night late, but all appears fine. I have limited remote access for now so can't really look at all the chain remotely.

No show on tiVo HD, JVC HD-ila, or my Panasonic Plasma. Rescaned all 3, and nothing ,other than the tiVo sees the channels 25.1, 25.2 ,but no picture (100% signal), the others do not see anything at all.

The tiVo guide shows no programs until the ABC network feed tonight.

Does TWC no longer have the Music Videos On Demand channel? I can't find the darn thing.

channels 891, etc.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx

wow, no one else has noticed that Wolo-DT is off the air ota. Cable feed is working, but ota is a not working on my 3 ota tuners. Bob, any time frame for getting this fixed?

My OTA is working now.

the others do not see anything at all.

Working on it, Have to tread carefully as this system also controls WCCB-DT and WFXB-DT which have the Panthers game on now.

Can't you just sing along with the Sound of Music in SD?

My OTA is working now.

Thanx, How is yours now Kevin?

Thanx, How is yours now Kevin?


Sorry ,but I am watching the Panthers as well. Still, no go on Wolo-DT ota. Tried the panny ,and the jvc. I try the tiVo when the game ends.

Try 8.3 and let me know if you would.

Ok, unless the remuxes there on Shakespeare Road are lying to me, WOLO-DT should be back now. Ya'll let me know. Sorry for the problem, I know watching all those ever popular sunday afternoon infomercials is SD must have ben very painfull. :D

And for the record, it's times like this that a slow upload speed is a royall PIA.
Remote control Java applets just don't function well.