Buffalo, NY - HDTV - Page 2

Thats great to hear! I know the CN tower signal is very low power, so I was hoping for a report like yours.

Johnny, do you have Silver Sensors in stock?

Andy K.

Report from Rochester: WIVB-DT HDTV Signal Received! Signal strength "40" on a DTC-100 with a roof-mounted Radio Shack VU-190 antenna. Some intermittent lip-sync problems & signal breakup last night during "King of Queens". Any other Rochester HD viewers pulling this in?

Jeff, the problems with picture breakup were not due to reception. This has been an ongoing issue ever since they started testing. Let's hope they get it solved soon. The sync problem is really disturbing to contend with. I live only about 20 miles from the tower and I'm using the same antenna you have. I also have a RS antenna amp, the two piece kind that mounts on the antenna and plugs into a wall outlet at the other end. I'm not sure whether you would get a stronger signal with a UHF-only antenna, but if you are getting a stable signal, that's great.

HiDefJeff,

You just made my day. As a matter of fact, you may have made more than that.

I was preparing to drive from Rochester to North Tonawanda (my dad's house), take my htpc with me, in order to record CSI this Thursday. I haven't been able to verify the off-air reception of the HiPix card, so this seemed like a good test case.

From what I've heard, the results will be stunning (can anyone confirm that CSI is terrific because they film it with HDTV cameras?), so my next step was to try to find external antenna alternatives to pull it off the air from Buffalo.

Did you experiment with putting the antenna 1) inside the house, or 2) in an attic or garage rafter space?

Thanks in advance,

Ron

Ron-
My antenna is exterior roof-mounted, and I use a rotor for optimum signal reception. Yes, CSI in HD is stunning- it's a lot more visually appealing than your standard sitcom.

I'm told that WIVB-DT is only on the air between 8-11 PM. You;ll get a "weak signal" or equivalent message if you try to test reception at any other time.

Buffalo viewers- What's on Channel 39-04? Is that a WNLO 23 simulcast?

There is no 04. 01 is wnlo, 02 is weather radar, and 03 is HD. Last night it didn't come on until about 8:05 and the first hour was ok. The second hour had lots of breakups, then the third hour was not even in HD. I know this is a new technology, but it's frustrating that they took this long to get on the air and then don't seem to know what they are doing.

Lots!

valpersaud, that's great! What floor are you on?

Hi JohhnyG:

I'm on the 21st floor. I don't know if you remember me. I bought the Silver Sensor about 7 months ago.

Does anyone have additional news on when Buffalo will have other HD feeds (PBS, ABC, etc.)?

Yup, I remember. 21st floor is pretty high up, but it's still impressive that you're getting that much signal strength from so far away!

Well, I'm at my dad's house in NT, and my htpc (with a HiPix) isn't getting a strong enough signal to display. My questions are...

1. Can anyone confirm that CSI is, indeed, broadcasting right now?

2. I read in earlier posts that WIVB is on channel 39-03, correct? My HiPix card doesn't seem able to decode that frequency: it only shows 39-01. Do I have a decoder problem, do I need updated drivers? Can anyone out there please help me or point me in the right direction?

3. I'm using a Radio Shack basic indoor circular loop UHF antenna. It's good enough to bring in some other NTSC analog UHF stations, but the ATSC digital ones don't seem to come in.

4. I did get one blip with a signal strength almost 50 at around 7:45. Did anyone else get that?

Thanks in advance,

Ron

Ron: They screwed it up again last night. CSI didn't come on until about 9:20 and then there were many breakups. When the signal finally stabilized, it was in 4X3 SD. My wife said that The Agency was in ws HD. I don't think they are going to boost sales of HD sets this way! I'm in City of Tonawanda with an outdoor antenna. My signal strength hovers at around 88 to 90, so you should be getting something from NT unless there is a problem. I'm using a Dish 6000.

Several days ago there were a couple of messages speaking about a signal from The CN Tower. Could someone please help me with...

1. What station is on that signal?

2. Is it a standard def or HDTV signal?

3. Any chance I could pick it up from Rochester, NY? It shouldn't be impossible since we are over water the entire way, right?

Thanks,

Ron

Valpersaud,
Where is the next Big Thing located for me to purchase the silver sensors? Where do you buy the set-top receiver to go with the antenna?
Wally

I think the signal on the CN Tower was on 66. I only caught it a couple of times. I think the signal being tested was changed to different formats so sometimes it came in in spurts.

Some of the CN Tower was in High Def and some was in digital (super def.). It had some of the HD demos from HDNet like the history of the Corvette and I think it showed some of the Over Canada footage. One of the earler messages here had a post about it.

I think the signal is/was too weak to pick it up from Rochester. I understood it too be a test from Ryerson University and CityTV, one of the local broadcasters.

Walter Masters:

The Next Big Thing is located in Mississauga, on Dixie Road, just south of Eglinton (beside the BMW dealership). There listed so check Canada411.com of the Yellow Pages.

The set top box I'm using is the RCA DTC-100 (Directv one). I paid about Cdn$1,100 for it about a year ago but it's cheaper now. Let me know if you need one.

What type of antenna is everybody using? I would like to get the Terk 55 or something that is not large. I live in Youngstown and have tried rabbit ears with no luck. Thanks, Steve.

Yes! Got my antenna hooked up yesterday, I have the 5' Long Cylindrical antenna.. don't really remember the name of it! But it is sitting on top of my TV (Soon to go in my ATTIC) and I have a perfect view of 39-2 ! I am about 30-35 miles from WIVB-CBS located in Lockport, NY.

Watched "The Agency" last night, looked amazing. They have a new viewer for most of their shows now. Like watching a movie instead of a TV show... !!!

39-3 (Weather Radar) and 39-4 (WNLO?) both looked pretty nice too... very clear sharp picture. If I try to get Channel 29 (FOX) it comes in very fuzzy, I am amazed that I can pick up the HDTV signal so easily.

HI! CSI in HD is fantastic! ive been watching since last december via bell expressvu satellite. Followed by the agency. nypd blue was often on in HD as well, the guardian, family law. CSI seems to me to look the best, plus its a great show! There is going to be second csi show this fall called CSI MIAMI! I was looking on internet and i noticed rochester stations have already claimed there digital channels, when we will get them who knows.For me i guess im all set for network HD unless they start doing more sporting events in HD. Then i may have to opt for the roof antenna again. You may want to consider the expressvu option, i only pay about $10.00 a month for 40 canada stations and the network HD! NOT A BAD DEAL!.

Okay, I just got a Silver Sensor and wow, it is pretty awesome, gotta sell this other beast of an antenna! Great picture.

Anyway, a question, can anyone confirm that there is no picture before prime time? I caught 60 minutes last night being transmitted on 39-2, but during the day, it seems there is no signal or a weaker signal and I do not pick up anything on 39-2,3,4 ...

You are correct- there is no programming except in prime time. Thurs. CSI didn't show up in ws HD until after the final commercial break. Sat. there was no signal until around 8:20PM. I don't know what the problem at WIVB is, but so far service has been pretty poor. Your stb must map differently from my E6000. I get WNLO on 39-1, weather radar on 39-2 and WIVB HD on 39-3.

Yes, I thought that was odd that it starts at 39-2. I should probably do a rescan and see if it sets em differently.

I am ok with WIVB so far, I mean they are giving us some HD Content at least, where the other networks have squat. Being one of only 2 HD CBS channels in the state, it is okay! As long as they are up and ready for the new fall season and hopefully put a few NFL football games on !!

TheEdge,

Great news to hear that you can pull in WIVB with a Silver Sensor from Lockport. Could you please answer a few of my questions...

1. My dad lives in North Tonawanda, so we are closer to the broadcast antenna than you are in Lockport. I am driving from Rochester so I can confirm that my htpc w/HiPix card can in fact tune and receive over the air. After we confirm that, I'll be asking others on this thread for antenna recommendations. What type of antenna were you previously using?

2. In what ways is the reception better with the Silver Sensor?

3. Is your house on a hill, or are there a lot of trees?

4. What direction are you pointing the antenna?

Thanks in advance.

RIppolito,

1. The antenna was a long tubular one, I can't even remember the name, it works great, but I had to arrange it in such a way that was not as pleasing as I would like, did not want to have to run it to the attic ( I am selling it for $30 !! )

2. Reception is the same, but I can keep the Silver Sensor antenna behind the TV and out of the way without having to run an extra line to the attic.

3. There are no hills, It is somewhat a tree filled area though, I live in the town of Lockport which is pretty suburban even on the borderline rural.

4. I have been able to point the antenna in many ways to keep the signal in, I think I have it set up on a shelf behind the TV about 4' from the floor facing South/ Southwest.

Good Luck

Well, I live in Youngstown and I was able to get the radioshack double bow tie and Woopy! Very nice picture. It only cost me $10 bucks too!
Steve

Can any of you guys explain why tonight's CBS programming on WIVB is not in HD while the commercials for HD are? Doesn't make much sense. Could these be reruns of shows that were filmed before CBS started broadcasting them in HD? That doens't seem likely either.At first I thought someone was forgetting to throw the switch, but that doesn't explain the HD commercials.

I was wondering the same thing!! I thought certain programs (maybe older ones) were on.
Steve.

I took my htpc to N. Tonawanda Monday night, and using a $20 Radio Shack UHF outdoor antenna, with no amplifier, I was able to pick up WIVB with no problems. This verified that my HiPix ATSC tuner was working, which was the prime reason for the experiment. The autoprogramming function detected the three sub-channels; all is well.

Now, on to Rochester, which is where I live. I'd like to try a similar experiment, but in order to do that I need to get on the garage roof to get the antenna up in the air a bit. My favor is this... could someone give me a message when WIVB starts broadcasting tonight so I know there is a signal? If they don't start broadcasting right at 8:00 PM, at least I'll know.

Has anybody already tried this, and what were the results? If I need to go to a larger antenna, does anybody have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

Ron

PS - to all of you who have spoken of how good the picture is in HDTV, you were right.

Ron- I'm not sure what the story is tonight. Nothing is on in HD, but the previous couple of Wed. nights they have had digital sd broadcasts. I will check just before 8 and verify that there is a signal so you will know. Jim

I can receive WIVB-DT with a strong signal and I am northeast of Toronto in the Markham area. On a Spectrum Analyzer it comes in at 32db above the noise floor.

RIppolito- it's just before 8PM. I'm receiving a picture from 39-01 and 39-02 and a blank screen from 39-03, so yes the broadcast IS on tonight. Good luck. I'm sure if you find the right antenna-location combination, you will be successful. Let us know how you make out!

Well, I tried, but I couldn't get anything with that outdoor UHF antenna. I didn't get a chance to get up on the roof, so I'll try again tomorrow from up there.

Ron