Since starting this thread four years ago, things have changed a bit. I unfortunately don't live in the 'Burgh anymore (thanks U.S. Airways), but someone who does has thoughtfully provided a new update.
There are some new developments here in the 'Burgh, and I thought it might be nice to have one spot to gather everything together.
The Good:
WYTV, the ABC affiliate in Youngstown, is on the air. For everyone on the North side of town who can't get WTAE (and that includes just about everyone), this is awesome news. They're not yet on 24/7, but they've been lighting up the transmitter when ABC has HDTV programming. I've been able to pull it in using my less that perfect attic antenna setup, so a good percentage of us should now get ABC in HDTV and DD 5.1. Can you say Super Bowl?
Also, WQED is playing with their setup. As noted in another thread, they've been multicasting on 13.3, 13.4, 13.5. and 13.6 during the day. The plan is to use the full datastream for PBS HD programming. The demo loop appears to be history already.
KDKA and WPXI continue to put out quality, high-power signals. KDKA should be DD 5.1 sometime next year.
The Bad:
WPGH-DT is up and running of course, but at 480i. No HDTV here anytime soon.
The Ugly:
WTAE is at flea power, and will stay that way for years. Now that I can get WYTV, I really don't care.
WCWB (WB22) is also at flea power. Another Sinclair-owned station pushing the digital transition.
WNPA (UPN19) is currently awaiting FCC approval on a proposal to change the original DTV channel allocation and move the transmitter closer to the city. The application has been at the FCC for a year and a half, but they haven't yet heard anything. Once a construction permit is granted, it will take several months worth of work to get up and running, but Viacom has budgeted the money to make it happen.
There are some new developments here in the 'Burgh, and I thought it might be nice to have one spot to gather everything together.
The Good:
WYTV, the ABC affiliate in Youngstown, is on the air. For everyone on the North side of town who can't get WTAE (and that includes just about everyone), this is awesome news. They're not yet on 24/7, but they've been lighting up the transmitter when ABC has HDTV programming. I've been able to pull it in using my less that perfect attic antenna setup, so a good percentage of us should now get ABC in HDTV and DD 5.1. Can you say Super Bowl?
Also, WQED is playing with their setup. As noted in another thread, they've been multicasting on 13.3, 13.4, 13.5. and 13.6 during the day. The plan is to use the full datastream for PBS HD programming. The demo loop appears to be history already.
KDKA and WPXI continue to put out quality, high-power signals. KDKA should be DD 5.1 sometime next year.
The Bad:
WPGH-DT is up and running of course, but at 480i. No HDTV here anytime soon.
The Ugly:
WTAE is at flea power, and will stay that way for years. Now that I can get WYTV, I really don't care.
WCWB (WB22) is also at flea power. Another Sinclair-owned station pushing the digital transition.
WNPA (UPN19) is currently awaiting FCC approval on a proposal to change the original DTV channel allocation and move the transmitter closer to the city. The application has been at the FCC for a year and a half, but they haven't yet heard anything. Once a construction permit is granted, it will take several months worth of work to get up and running, but Viacom has budgeted the money to make it happen.