Albany, NY - HDTV - Page 4

Is anyone getting ABC over the air in Albany/Troy/Schenectady area? If so, is it channel 10? Thanks.

As at 10:15pm Fri Oct 24. 1806 on TWC is still showing color bars. We'll have to see if they make a debut on Sunday with the game.

So much for the Jets game in HD....color test pattern still running.

I might be jumping the gun here, but..

If I were a TWC customer, I would definately consider the purchase of a seperate OTA HDTV tuner and an adequate antenna.. for a couple hundred bucks you can enjoy the best of both worlds and not miss out on any HD programming..

You could always sell the equipment after TWC aquires the HD feeds, selling should be easy since the demand will be greater..

I just found this on the WXXA website..

WXXA Digital

Status of WXXA-DT

1- WXXA-TV has applied to the FCC for a change of channel assignment from channel 4 to channel 7 for digital television broadcasting, and the station is currently awaiting the commissions decision on that request.

2- Once that decision has been made public, the station will apply for a construction permit to operate on the chosen channel. That process will take about four months after which construction can begin.

3- The approximate air date for WXXA-DT is March '04.

4- The Fox network has announced that their format of choice for transmission has been changed to 720P which is an accepted HDTV format. WXXA-DT will be able to pass this HDTV signal on to its viewers.

BreakStuff,
I am in exactly this position. I always assumed TWC would pick up the locals as soon as they went online, so I have never looked into OTA tuners. Do you have any recommendations for good tuners and antennas that won't break the bank?

Is anyone having a problem with getting an NBC digital signal OTA??? It's Monday night (October 27th). I am wondering if it's because it's raining outside, but I am getting CBS just fine. Thanks

No, I can't get WNYT (NBC) either. Must be off the air.......

Thats a good question mattalb...

I guess the cheapest way to purchase a tuner would be ebay, or you can purchase a new one at the Walmarts online store for a few bucks more.. I really don't know what tuner works best but theres alot of info in the HDTV hardware forum..

As for antenna's..

I did a little more experimenting with different antenna's to determine if a simple "dipole" antenna would receive the HD signal..the answer is no.. In fact I couldn't get a signal from any omni-directional indoor antenna that didn't have an internal amplifier,including an 8 foot VHF Hi/Lo scanner antenna I dragged into my living room.

Best bet for an antenna would be an outdoor mounted VHF/UHF combo, my antenna is an outdoor roof mounted non-amplified UHF directional and it does a good job considering the HD signals are VHF..

As long as you have a good line of site facing the Heldebergs and live fairly close I would believe those amplified VHF/UHF/HDTV antenna's(found at BB or CC) should work just fine.. In fact I bet that indoor UHF directional bow tie antenna (non-amplified) found at Radio Shack would work for some folks, but your mileage may vary depending on the circumstances..

oh...and WNYT OTA digital is offline tonite..

Thanks. It's too bad that they are offline... I got an indoor antenna at circuit city for $39. It has an amplifier built in. It receives everything that is available in the Albany area. It's an RCA ANT200. I hope this helps.

I emailed WNYT (NBC) asking them why they were off air on Monday, and this is what they emailed me back:

We developed a sudden Microwave path/equipment failure Monday afternoon which left us off the air with our digital transmitter. We will be trying to correct this problem Tuesday.

The color pattern is no longer up on TW 1806. Instead a message.........

Time Warner Program Notice

The digital broadcast of WRGB will be available
on channel 1806 as soon as the station is able to provide it to us.


What the heck is the hold up?!?!?!

So this was done by TWC as a way to direct emails and opinions on the situation towards WRGB?

That's my take at least.

Yes it is

I want to make sure I understand this all correctly. OTA I can get CBS and NBC in HD. I can't get ABC OTA right now but I can get it on TW Cable? I don't have HD right now but I am looking into Cable or DirecTV with an antenna. For now it looks like I would get more with DirecTV and antenna correct? Why is ABC not on OTA? Isn't it usually on OTA before cable?

I don't understand why TW lists CBS as on even when I called but it still isn't.

I would go with DirecTV because I want the Sunday Ticket, I have it now but just a regular box. Thanks for the answers to my questions.

Thanks MasterFX1. I have been a DirecTV custome for 6 years and I am in good standing. They have to like me, every year i get the Sunday Ticket and the NBA leauge pass. I will check into it.

I just need to decide on a TV. I only have room for about a 42". I was thinking LCD but I havent read much good stuff about them. Black levels are not good. I like the plasma but kind of expensive. I don't know.

Still think both are overpriced right now......Just my 2 cents....


http://www.flattvpeople.com/tutorials/lcd-vs-plasma.asp

http://www.plasmaplanet.com/lcd_vrs_plasma.htm

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com.au/lcd_vs_plasma.php

http://www.projectorzone.com/lcdvsdlpwhic.html

While picking up my copy of "Nemo" at CC the other day, I decided to take a look around and see what was new..

Now CC usually seperates the LCD diplays from the plasma's so it's difficult to get a good visual comparison to judge between the two..

Yesterday they had displayed a 30" Sony XBR LCD placed underneath a 42" Sony Plasma and what I thought was a 42" Samsung Plasma.. now the Sony LCD display was much smaller than the larger plasma's, but the picture quality was much more detailed, bright vibrant colors, excellent blacks, overall that little LCD packs a big punch and really outshines the plasma's IMHO.. also packs a big punch in the wallet at $4999 for a 30" display..

BreakStuff,

I am in CC all the time. I have seen the 30" Sony. You are right it looks good but the price is ridiculous. The way that display is situated you have to be right on top of it, so for one you are too close to the 42 plasma. The LCD would look better due to the smaller size I would think. The 30" is good for a bedroom but way too much money.