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Rockford, IL - HDTV - Page 2

post #31 of 1162
1/22/03 at 8:27am
Last night I had WIFR-DT between 77-85%, this morning it was tough to get in initially, in & out, but at 77%. Guess that's the best it can do for now...
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post #32 of 1162
1/25/03 at 12:50pm
Quote:


Originally posted by VP/Engineering
For those of you monitoring DTV status in Northern Illinois, WIFR-DT CBS in Rockford in now up for equipment testing. It may be on and off over the next couple of weeks but should generally be available. There is a little work to be done to switch to and from the CBS HD feed but that shouldn't take more than a week. Until then you will mostly get the standard programming upconverted to 1080i. Please rescan for channels if your receiver requires it. The actual channel is 41, but it should show up as 23-1 after a rescan since we are sending the TVCT PSIP info.

Thanks for watching and please post any reception reports to this forum.

Getting a 100 SS here in Algonquin. Great picture!

I will be buying an antenna specifically for this station! (as my current one needs to point to chicago)
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post #33 of 1162
2/6/03 at 2:06pm
For those interested in DTV reception of Rockord IL
Stations in DeKalb IL, here is my experience:

Antenna: Winegard Prostar 7015 - 88" 31 Element
mounted 14' from ground level
using RadioShack High_Gain Signal Amplifier


TV: RCA F38310 HDTV

Stations:

WTVO-DT ABC 95%
WIFR-DT CBS 75%
WREX-DT NBC 65%
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post #34 of 1162
2/19/03 at 6:57am
In the last week, I have encountered several problems with
Network and non Network broadcasts from WTVO-DT -
the ABC affiliate in Rockford Illinois.

HD Network broadcasts where transmitted in Standard
Definition even though they have been shown in HD in the past.

Several times when the transmissions where in HD = there was no audio.

The local broadcasts audio is of lower than normal volume.
When I use my surround sound system, dialog is being directed
to the surround sound speakers.

Anyone else having these problems?
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post #35 of 1162
2/19/03 at 1:12pm
Did you check the third post down from the top? I still cant get a signal strength that displays a picture for WREX and they are futher north than some of the stations im getting in the 80 to 100 signal strength range. My antenna faces NW between Rockford and Madison.
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post #36 of 1162
2/20/03 at 7:48am
I could not get WREX either until I added a mast mounted
amplifier. WREX now shows 65% most of the time.
I do have drop outs with WREX but it is quite viewable
most of the time.

As to WTVO, I am hoping the engineer at WTVO belongs to AVS
and reads these posts.

I have called two times and left voice mail
to tell the engineer about the problems.
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post #37 of 1162
2/24/03 at 8:24am
E-Mail I sent to WTVO

-----Original Message-----
From: cmunroe
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 12:29 PM
To: mmcshane@wtvo.com
Subject: HD TV

Do you have an estimated date when you
be able to resume High Definition broadcasting?

-----Reply Message-----

From:mmcshane@wtvo.com
Subject:RE:HD TV

Not at this time,
but expect to be able to
get back as soon as the
parts come from Canada.

Mac
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post #38 of 1162
2/24/03 at 12:12pm
Thanks for the info and keep it coming. I havent checked in the last day or so but WIFR signal went in the crapper last week.
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post #39 of 1162
2/26/03 at 7:48pm
Has anyone else noticed off and on audio problems - drop outs -
from WIFR during network broadcasts.

The problem goes away during local commercials.
This points to a Network feed problem ?!
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post #40 of 1162
3/2/03 at 9:44am
I think I have answered my own question about sound dropouts.
I moved the antenna to give WIFR the strongest signal.
The audio problem seems to have gone away.

This cost me 10% on my WREX signal strength.
The reception on WREX seems to be about the same.

Guess I will need to invest in a rotor for the antenna.

I was able to get Patch Adams in HD last night.
Thanks WTVO.
However the quality of the movie as it came from
ABC left a lot to be desired.
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post #41 of 1162
3/16/03 at 8:36am
Last night - 3/15/03 - the fog rolled in and WREX
"Rolled out" - the signal level dropped to 20%
and my RCA F38310 HDTV could no longer lock
onto the station.

I was still able to watch HDTV from WTVO and
WIFR. The digital picture from WIFR was still strong
and stable even though I could no longer receive
the analog channel - 23.
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post #42 of 1162
3/16/03 at 10:06pm
Today I had the exact opposite with WIFR. Still cant get WREX. I guess i'll have to get a rotor.
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post #43 of 1162
4/3/03 at 7:16pm
I just sent WIFR an e-mail saying I will
be watching CBS programming from WBBM Chicago
on my Directv system. WIFR consistently fails
to send HD from the network and I see no benefit
watching a stretched version of a HD program in
Standard Definition.

Anyone else have an opinion on this issue?!
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post #44 of 1162
4/6/03 at 3:16pm
An e-mail I sent to WTVO.

I would like to thank your station and Engineering staff
for the excellent service you are providing for High Definition
viewers in the greater Rockford area.

In the past, I did not have much of an interest in ABC programming.
I am now a regular viewer of ABC because of the HD service
you are providing.
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post #45 of 1162
4/11/03 at 12:55pm
I agree with you 100% cmunroe, they used to be great with throwing the switch.....they are horrible now. I have sent them numerous e-mails and left voicemails - we missed most of the NCAA tourny in hi-def, the final game was (I left them a voicemail earlier that day), but we did miss the final four in hi-def. I also have sent them e-mails on their logo - which is very annoying - seeing logo on top of logo. The most ironic part of it is, I believe the VP of engineering of WIFR started this thread.

I agree with you on WTVO they are great - they have responded to every e-mail that I have sent them.
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post #46 of 1162
4/12/03 at 2:26pm
I got to see the first two rounds of the Masters
in HD on my Directv channel 198.

I checked in at the beginning of the Masters Saturday - April 12
on WIFR. As expected, NO HD.

I decided not to call this time. Too bad Directv and the USA
network couldn't transmit the entire series !!
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post #47 of 1162
4/12/03 at 2:46pm
Checked back in at 4:30 PM Apr. 12th
for the Masters on WIFR CBS

Someone must have called.
The HD feed is on now.
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post #48 of 1162
4/25/03 at 8:31am
Lately they do not switch to the HD feed most of the time. I do not understand why because they are surely capable of delivering HD. Most of the time I am able to get WISC out of Madison so I switch to that.

Also WREX (NBC) is pretty bad about changing to the HD feed. This is amazing considering how much money they have spent upgrading their equipment but then do not make good use of it.
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post #49 of 1162
4/25/03 at 1:22pm
I would send the ABC station a paper letter (in an envelope and with a stamp) stating, as cmunroe did, that you now watch primetime ABC because of their HD quality issues. The kick is: cc the other stations.

That should wake up some people at the CBS and NBC affiliates.
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post #50 of 1162
4/26/03 at 8:10am
I have noticed in the past week that WREX has
gotten MUCH better.

They dropped the Logo and the wasteful Dopplar
Radar sub channel.

The Jay Leno Show looked Great during the Fleetwood Mac
performances !!!

I am beginning to think WIFR is a lost cause for now.
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post #51 of 1162
4/26/03 at 8:47am
Thread Starter 
Sorry folks, I haven't been checking this board lately. I spoke to the Chief Engineer at WIFR yesterday to find out why the HD programming has not been available lately. As it turns out, they lost their CBS provided HD satellite receiver due to lightning (they think). CBS will send a replacement and as soon as it comes in, the HD programming will resume. I agree, as the guy who spent all of that money to allow HD programming I want to see that we provide the best possible quality to all of our viewers. I can at least assure you that the problem is technical and not due to failing to push the button or any management decision to withhold CBS HD programming.

We'll get it taken care of as soon as we get the replacement receiver, but CBS has not given the station an estimate of the arrival date.

Sorry for the problem and thanks for hanging with us as we sort it out
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post #52 of 1162
4/26/03 at 10:59am
Quote:


Originally posted by VP/Engineering
Sorry folks, I haven't been checking this board lately. I spoke to the Chief Engineer at WIFR yesterday to find out why the HD programming has not been available lately. As it turns out, they lost their CBS provided HD satellite receiver due to lightning (they think). CBS will send a replacement and as soon as it comes in, the HD programming will resume. I agree, as the guy who spent all of that money to allow HD programming I want to see that we provide the best possible quality to all of our viewers. I can at least assure you that the problem is technical and not due to failing to push the button or any management decision to withhold CBS HD programming.

We'll get it taken care of as soon as we get the replacement receiver, but CBS has not given the station an estimate of the arrival date.

Sorry for the problem and thanks for hanging with us as we sort it out

Thanks for the update!

I watched CSI thurdsay and the quality was very poor. Thick bands running through the picture. Hope it all works out soon!
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post #53 of 1162
5/8/03 at 1:42pm
VP/Engineering

Any update on the replacement CBS provided HD satellite receiver?
How about an update every fortnight.
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post #54 of 1162
5/13/03 at 7:32am
Message I sent to WREX-TV last night:

I was sorry to see you are having problems with
the HD feed during the Tonight Show. I was looking
forward seeing Katie Couric in High Definition.

Hope the problem is resolved soon.

WREX-DT Reply:
Sorry, but our HD satellite receiver has bit the dust!

Now two of the three OTA stations I receive can
not transmit in HD - UGH !!!

WREX-DT Reply May 14, 2003:
HD PROGRAMMING HAS BEEN RESTORED!
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post #55 of 1162
5/21/03 at 4:50pm
Has anyone complained to WREX about the fact that their signal strength still sucks? My wife even says when she sees their commercial for them being the 1st digital station in Rockford, that "yeah but your signal sucks" The signal at my house no matter where we point the antenna goes from the 70's to the 20's to the 50's and so on.
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post #56 of 1162
5/22/03 at 11:42am
An e-mail I received from wrex months ago confirmed that
they are not planning to up their power in the near
future. They are waiting for their final channel assignment.

Current power:
Facilities: 643' 55.2 kw (STA)

They have a CP: 633' 1000 kw
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post #57 of 1162
6/3/03 at 3:30pm
WREX believes that repairs to their HD
will be made tomorrow - June 4th.

Also DirecTV is getting HDNET-Movies and
Discovery-HD.

Not a bad days news !!!
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post #58 of 1162
6/4/03 at 2:56pm
now we just need WIFR to get going......and get rid of that logo

i have given up on WQRF (FOX) not sure what is going on with them.
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post #59 of 1162
6/10/03 at 10:27pm
What are the other Rockford stations broadcasting at signal strength wise?
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post #60 of 1162
6/11/03 at 6:24am
Here is where I got my Info.


www.100000watts.com/tv/RFD.html
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