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Boston, MA - OTA - Page 343

post #10261 of 10530
12/20/11 at 6:17am
They did, reception was reported by many viewers to be much worse or non-existant on VHF, and they abandoned that plan and went back to UHF. It all happened within a very short time frame, if I recall.

Other stations around the country went through the same thing. Apparently the projections by their consultants and engineers about having adequate coverage on VHF didn't jive with reality.
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post #10262 of 10530
12/20/11 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

It went back to 7 for about 4 days before UHF 42 was lit up again.

The switch to UHF happened pretty quick. They simulcasted for a little while then shutdown RF 7.

I had no problem receiving WHDH on either RF 7 or 42 here in southern NH. Moving to UHF was great for us as all the MA stations are now on UHF and NH WMUR and WENH are on VHF. Offset the VHF antenna and now no longer need to use a rotor.
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post #10263 of 10530
12/25/11 at 7:41am
WGBH 44.1 HD continues to zoom non-16:9 ratio programs to fill the 16:9 TV frame resulting in cropped heads and half text loss on the bottom.

I have emailed them in the past (see my earlier posts), and have received a response that they retain the original artistic camera framing of the original program as a rule.

Someone is making the decision that the viewers want their widescreen HDTV filled ALL THE TIME. If the original program has not letterboxed their 4:3 ratio with custom side bars it will be butchered to fill the screen. Selecting a 1:1 pixel mapping confirms that this is the transmitted zoomed signal.

PBS OTA 44.1 has no clue. Possibly their merger with Comcast to add PBS HD to Comcast's programs required this absurd decision.
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post #10264 of 10530
12/25/11 at 9:40am
i just took a peek at 44.1 OTA and saw an ancient julia child "uprezzed" to HD and looking as OAR and as fuzzy as ever....
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post #10265 of 10530
12/25/11 at 10:10am
It appears the programs are hit or miss. Inside Washington was zoomed to fill the screen. Keeping Up Appearences has been zoomed. If Julia Child was given sidebars as a 16:9 1080i ratio there will be no zooming.

It seems when a program has an original 4:3 ratio without side bars included into a 16:9 frame it will be zoomed by default.
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post #10266 of 10530
12/26/11 at 3:44am
ah - yes, dent, that sounds annoying alright.
fwiw, if you have cable internet without video service, you would find lots of local TV channels on the cable, possibly including an SD version of 44.1 as wgbx or wgby. that version may have proper OAR and/or may be zoomable as you wish via your TV or tuner... (Many can zoom SD any which-way, but are stuck in "full" mode with an HD signal.)
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post #10267 of 10530
12/26/11 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dentaudio View Post

WGBH 44.1 HD continues to zoom non-16:9 ratio programs to fill the 16:9 TV frame

Both WGBH and WENH maintain separate HD and SD feeds so they get to control and preserve the video image. I find it curious WGBH would take this tack on the WGBX HD feed.
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post #10268 of 10530
2/4/12 at 5:42pm
I recently watched a couple of movies on 7.2 (This TV) and noticed that when I watch the signal with 1:1 pixel mapping, I can see the dotted lines at the top few pixels of the screen. I think this is digital data for closed captioning. Is this something that the network needs to fix? Is anyone else seeing this?
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post #10269 of 10530
2/8/12 at 1:35pm
I have noticed recently, especially on Channel 4, WBZ-TV that most of the Avidia Bank commercials appear to have a much higher sound output level than other commercials. I have a Sony Dolby 5.1 sound system on my TV and after doing some interesting checks, came up with this observation:

Using my portable sound pressure level meter at a distance of 6 inches from each speaker, I put my sound volume at 25% on the stereo amplifier. I measured the output level in front of each of the 5 speakers at between 97 & 104 dB SPL.

I waited about another 30 minutes and sure enough, another Avidia Bank Commercial came on. This time I switched to 2 channel stereo only. When I measured the level at the same distance from the 2 speakers, I obtained between 98 & 103 dB SPL readings.

The interesting conclusion: It looks like a sneaky way to up the commercial volume for some folks surround sound systems, because you have 5 speakers to produce the louder appearing sound as opposed to folks with just 2 channel stereos. In reality it gives you a
2 ½ times louder volume by using all 5 speakers as opposed to just 2 speakers.

Anyone else notice this?
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post #10270 of 10530
2/12/12 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve6933 View Post

I recently watched a couple of movies on 7.2 (This TV) and noticed that when I watch the signal with 1:1 pixel mapping, I can see the dotted lines at the top few pixels of the screen. I think this is digital data for closed captioning. Is this something that the network needs to fix? Is anyone else seeing this?

I see it lots of places. Technically it is something the network should fix, but I see it on lots of SD programming on HD stations and all the .2 channels in this area.

SMK
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post #10271 of 10530
2/16/12 at 7:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve6933 View Post

I recently watched a couple of movies on 7.2 (This TV) and noticed that when I watch the signal with 1:1 pixel mapping, I can see the dotted lines at the top few pixels of the screen. I think this is digital data for closed captioning. Is this something that the network needs to fix? Is anyone else seeing this?

What you are seeing is signal within the "vertical blanking interval". The VBI signal is a data signal contained within the regions of Line 21 & 22 analog.
A lot of times, when a program is "upconverted" from an older analog tape, the device which does the upconversion, won't mask this, and with the higher resolution, it's much more obvious. Typically what i've seen isn't CC data (Line 21 field 1), but rather time code. Back in the ancient days of analog broadcasting, (wait that was only a couple years ago, right?), anyways, we used to stuff other things in the VBI too, including color bars, test pulses, etc., in the lines below 21.
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post #10272 of 10530
2/16/12 at 7:43pm
Only Channel 42 & 30 are providing PSIP info to do mapping to the Analog equivalent (7 & 4, respectively) channels. ABC 20 & FOX 32 never have. If the Panasonic does mapping of non-PSIP channels (like the newer Hughes/Tosh/Mits does) then it sounds like something giot reset in the advanced programming guide.

Tim

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post #10273 of 10530
2/24/12 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hejiunmasdf79 View Post

Only Channel 42 & 30 are providing PSIP info to do mapping to the Analog equivalent (7 & 4, respectively) channels. ABC 20 & FOX 32 never have. If the Panasonic does mapping of non-PSIP channels (like the newer Hughes/Tosh/Mits does) then it sounds like something giot reset in the advanced programming guide.

Tim[img]http://*********************/huang3.jpg[/img]
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[img]http://*********************/huang4.jpg[/img]

Do you mean WCVB on channel 20 and WFXT on channel 31? (not 32)
I
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post #10274 of 10530
2/24/12 at 11:04pm
Hi All,
Been looking at ditching Comcast and going with Antennas Direct DB4e antenna. I understand this is a UHF antenna only, but it appears there are not many VHF channels to really have to worry about it.
It comes highly recommended from some of the members over at the TVFool forum.

Here is my TVFool report and was wondering if anyone here might recommend something else or has any experience with this antenna.
Ill be trying to locate it inside the house in an unoccupied 3rd floor room with slanted ceilings. If the need requires, i may locate it outside.
TVFool Report

Im going to feed a Homerun HDHR3-US tuner that im itching to pull the trigger on.
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post #10275 of 10530
2/25/12 at 10:42am
too-loud-laugher, you have a good plan there. i am at similar azimuth plus 20 miles from the needham xmitters and use uhf antenna inside attic, plus a winegard uhf preamp. i'm looking for another sort of 8VSB & clear-QAM tuner too, like some sortof hd-homerun...
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post #10276 of 10530
3/15/12 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillBibeau View Post

I have noticed recently, especially on Channel 4, WBZ-TV that most of the Avidia Bank commercials appear to have a much higher sound output level than other commercials. I have a Sony Dolby 5.1 sound system on my TV and after doing some interesting checks, came up with this observation:

Using my portable sound pressure level meter at a distance of 6 inches from each speaker, I put my sound volume at 25% on the stereo amplifier. I measured the output level in front of each of the 5 speakers at between 97 & 104 dB SPL.

I waited about another 30 minutes and sure enough, another Avidia Bank Commercial came on. This time I switched to 2 channel stereo only. When I measured the level at the same distance from the 2 speakers, I obtained between 98 & 103 dB SPL readings.

The interesting conclusion: It looks like a sneaky way to up the commercial volume for some folks surround sound systems, because you have 5 speakers to produce the louder appearing sound as opposed to folks with just 2 channel stereos. In reality it gives you a
2 ½ times louder volume by using all 5 speakers as opposed to just 2 speakers.

Anyone else notice this?

Well, someone at WBZ must be either watching here or they noticed the Avidia Bank commercials were running the surround sound at full bore! The last couple days, they sound normal and only using 2 channel sound for the Avidia Bank commercials, the same level as all others. The spots are the same ones that used to use all 5 surround channels.

I usually listen to the early morning newscast while preparing breakfast between 5:00 and 7:00am from the kitchen which is next to my living room where I have the TV running. When all 5 channels came on, you could easily hear the increase in volume form anywhere in the house, not just adjacent rooms.
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post #10277 of 10530
3/19/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillBibeau View Post

Well, someone at WBZ must be either watching here or they noticed the Avidia Bank commercials were running the surround sound at full bore! The last couple days, they sound normal and only using 2 channel sound for the Avidia Bank commercials, the same level as all others. The spots are the same ones that used to use all 5 surround channels.

I usually listen to the early morning newscast while preparing breakfast between 5:00 and 7:00am from the kitchen which is next to my living room where I have the TV running. When all 5 channels came on, you could easily hear the increase in volume form anywhere in the house, not just adjacent rooms.

Well, I must have spoken too soon. This morning, the first Adidia Bank commercial was the loudest I've heard in some time. It actually caused a picture to vibrate on the wall in the next room. UNREAL!
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post #10278 of 10530
4/4/12 at 6:32pm
Anybody know what's up with channel 56, the CW tonight? It appears to be out on both my FIOS feed and my antenna feed.
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post #10279 of 10530
4/4/12 at 7:22pm
The Ch 56 OTA signal is down at 10 PM, however they are up on Comcast cable in Boston, which most likely has a direct feed.
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post #10280 of 10530
4/4/12 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Channel99 View Post

The Ch 56 OTA signal is down at 10 PM, however they are up on Comcast cable in Boston, which most likely has a direct feed.

I just checked on my FIOS feed again. The SD version of 56 (channel 12 on Burlington / Billerica FIOS) is working, but the HD version (channel 512) still isn't working and the OTA signal still isn't working. Are you getting the SD or HD signal on Comcast? It looks to me as though their HD signal is down.
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post #10281 of 10530
4/4/12 at 10:24pm
On Comcast, both the SD (Ch 10) and HD (Ch 808) feeds are working, as is the TCN subchannel (Ch 291). OTA is still down.
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post #10282 of 10530
4/5/12 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Channel99 View Post

On Comcast, both the SD (Ch 10) and HD (Ch 808) feeds are working, as is the TCN subchannel (Ch 291). OTA is still down.

I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast doesn't have a direct fiber-optic feed the station. At the stations I worked at, the local cable companies all had direct fiber-optic feeds to us.
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post #10283 of 10530
4/5/12 at 3:54pm
From WHDH-7NBC/CW56 Viewer Relations:

Quote:


WLVI is experiencing some disruptions in service due to technical issues. We apologize for the inconvenience and expect to have the signal restored shortly.
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post #10284 of 10530
4/7/12 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillBibeau View Post

I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast doesn't have a direct fiber-optic feed the station. At the stations I worked at, the local cable companies all had direct fiber-optic feeds to us.

They do have one.
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post #10285 of 10530
4/8/12 at 5:15am
It looks like starting April 17, WGBH World will move from channel 44.2 to channel 2.2. I saw the message on 2.2, which used to be the SD feed of the regular WGBH (2.1).
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post #10286 of 10530
4/8/12 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssetta View Post

WGBH World will move from channel 44.2 to channel 2.2.

That is good news. WGBH is much stronger here in Southern NH then WGBX. Once the leaves come out we pretty much lose WGBX for the summer.
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post #10287 of 10530
4/8/12 at 4:54pm
Is WBZ off the air?
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post #10288 of 10530
4/8/12 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick_evans033050 View Post

Is WBZ off the air?

I'm getting nothing for them OTA. On FIOS, I can get their SD feed, but the HD feed is out. Just like WLVI was this past Wednesday evening.
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post #10289 of 10530
4/8/12 at 5:32pm
Is there a problem with channel 44?

I'm seeing the various 44 channels drop on my OTA TV.

Signal seems very weak.
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post #10290 of 10530
4/8/12 at 5:57pm
I see no RF for WBZ (RF 30), WSBK (RF 39), and WGBX (RF 43)

All three are on the Needham tower but so do other Boston stations that are sill on the air.

Nothing on the station's web sites that I noticed.
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