Hartford, CT - OTA - Page 100

Maybe next week they'll give the rest of CT the super package of free HD channels (like Boston MA or Baltimore MD area, don't they get more HD channels [I don't count premium pay/per channels.]).... Plus ESPN2-HD, HDNET1&2, inHD2, DiscoveryHD, Universal HD.

Plus for being loyal Comcast customers a cut in the monthly bill of 5 dollars to be followed by future reductions/reinbusments for our Beta testing of hardware.

The next week we get new bug free HD DVRs with an ultra cool and fast GUI.

*** Ohh sorry about that I must have been day dreaming. ***

Daydreaming? Sounds more like hallucinating.

Well, I guess there's quite a bit of work to be done on the analog side with how much the channel lineup is switching so they decided to use that area as the test area. Not sure how they would have selected one area over another.

Canton/Avon/Burlington (Plainville system) and parts of the Hartford system are next but it's going to be a while, not this month and maybe not next month either.

I don't understand why Comcast doesn't just create an HD tier. I would pay $10-$15/month to have all available HD channels available to me (current channels plus HDNet, HDNet Movies, Universal HD, ESPN2 HD, TNT HD, INHD2, Discovery HD Theater, etc.). Of course, local HD shouldn't be included in this package, those should be available without extra charge.

Jake,

Yep, this is still the case. WNBC- DT out of NYC is the only one I get from DirecTV. WVIT is the only O&O station in CT.

Cox customer here in Meriden. Anyone else have problems with Foxs' sound feed last night? Sound was terrible.

It must have been a network problem because I heard it OTA.

Dont normally watch the local HD feeds, but have noticed that Fox broadcasts an EXTREMELY overscanned image on my TV that does not exist on other channels.

Its really, really overscanned....or zoomed or what have you.

Can someone confirm that the do (or do not) have a problem getting Fox61 (WTIC-DT) over Comcast in CT - channel 306 in the Branford area? Since May I only get a 'channel available shortly' message and no picture/audio. I read here where someone stated there were problems between WTIC and Comcast so I figured I'd wait it out. Finally, after not receiving the all-star game last night I figured it was time to call.

I spoke to a WTIC engineer who wasn't aware of any problems which surprised me since I figured if it was a widespread problem many people would have called. Any one else in the same boat?

I called Comcast and was also told they have not had any reported trouble with WTIC. The Comcast tech suggested I check all my cable connections which didn't make sense to me since I get all the other HD stations and don't see how a connection problem could only effect WTIC. Anyone know if that makes any sense at all?

They zoom sd broadcasts, not the hd ones, a bad idea imho.

No problems here. When I got my first DVR box that would happen on some channels occasionally, haven't had that problem in many months.

Thanks - first cable box? Did you get it replaced?

Yep. Kept resetting and annoying the daylights out of me. Would just shut off in the middle of looking through the guide or whatever. Basically any time I touched a button on the remote I feared it would reset. I remember getting the message at least a couple of times on various HD channels when I had that box as well. It was a refurbished HD box which I traded in for a brand new box. Haven't had either problem since.

The following channels are being DS'd (Digitally Simulcast) in East Hartford, as of 7/14.

2 WFSB (CBS)
3 CN8
4 WVIT (NBC)
6 WTIC (Fox)
8 WTNH (ABC)
9 WCTX (UPN)
10 WHPX (PAX)
11 WTXX (WB)
13 WRDM (Telemundo)
18 WUVN (Univision)
56 CSpan
66 Disney
72 QVC
74 HSN

Like some of you, I also lost sound on ESPN-HD after the Home Run Derby. I got it back the following day. However, at the same time I lost ESPN audio I also lost CPTV-HD on channel 302 and WTXX-DT on channel 307 and have still not gotten either back. Is anybody else experiencing this. (BTW, for a couple of days prior to this CPTV DT pictures was highly pixelated and breaking up.)

It is now a day after I first posted this and I have channels 302 and 307 back but they are both pixelated to the point of being unwatchable.

No issues here with any of the HD channels.

Don,
I live in branford and havent had any issues with WTIC-hd. maybe reset the box???????????????????????

Hi

Sorry if this have been ask and answered, but I did not read all 2990 posts.

This is in regard to Directv HD-Waiver Requests.

I live in Wallingford (06492) in a Condo and an outdoor OTA is not an option.

I received my official response postcard from D*. I already knew that only NBC was granted.

But I received a letter from my local CBS affiliate that went as follows:

Thank you for your interest in seeing more CBS in high definition. With our maximum power transmitter you now get a great signal in Wallingford. As a resident of Connecticut you do not qualify for a waiver. We are delighted that you can watch CBS in high definition on Channel 33-WFSB. We hope you enjoy CBS in high definition.

Sincerely

Program Administrator.

OK a couple of things

My OTA only picks up the signal maybe 5% of the time and never stays clear for more than 20 minutes. So I do not get a great signal in Wallingford.

They mention watching CBS HD on channel 33.
WFSB is channel 3. So as far as I knew the HD was on channel 3.1.
Channel 33 on D* is a "Channel not available"
I know I must be missing something here. Anyone know what this channel 33 is all about? Also, if my OTA does not pick up the signal, shouldn't I be entitled to a waiver?


And in general how have people in Central CT done with D* waivers. Does anybody have East & West Coast National feeds. Either HD or DNS or both or even just East Coast.

This is another question I had in response to the following comment made in another forum:

The whole premise behind these local affiliates denying distant networks (hd or otherwise) is that they want you to watch their stations and their commercials to bolster their advertising revenue. This seems beyond absurd for those of us who haven't seen a commercial in years!

John from Boston


Then I asked:

not to be the least bit facetious, but I am curious as to why the above scenario is allowed with my local Comcast Cable Company.
In my zip code-06492-(central CT) per my cable company allows us to get all the major networks from both New York and Hartford-New Haven. So in that case I was able to watch NY stations all the time and not have to watch local CT advertising.

I realize not all CT cable companies offered both CT & NY stations, but shouldn't it be consistent that our zip code area should receive the same coverage on both the Sat and Cable?

So in my case it is really not the "national feed" that I am inquiring about, it is that we want our NY channels too.

Why would local networks allow this in cable and not D*

Thanks for any comments or information you can share.




Thanks
Mark

WFSB corresponds to a digital channel of 33. The callsign or the viewable channel designation is still the old analog of 3. The .1 and .2 refer to subchannels on the same digital signal of 33. It should be possible to get something of a signal indoors but make sure its of descent quality, possibly amplified and attempting to point north (from Wallingford).

To view the digital channel landscape go to www.antennaweb.org

The new Waiver process is making it impossible for anyone with little to no exceptions to get digital channels over satellite if you live in a proper designated DMA. You are right smack in the middle of the Hartford/New Haven DMA (Demographic Market Area).

Directv will be offering Hartford HD channels more than likely by end of next year or 2007. Stay tuned for those. Hope this helps.

2007-I realize this waiver and HD Sat feeds stuff is confusing and very complicated, but there should be something Directv can do to customers that both, pay for local channels and pay for the HD package.


The following is my OTA setup:

Zenith ZHDTV1Z Silver Sensor

Channel Master CM 7777 Titan2 VHF/UHF Preamplifier with
Power Supply (CM7777)

I was told to hook up as follows:

Mount the preamplifier itself as close to the antenna as possible: the power supply should be close to the TV set. The power supply needs to be plugged into the wall.

Thats what I did.

Nothing but WTNH & WCTX are guarantees at any time. I have studied www.antennaweb.org and attempt to point the SS at the correct spot, but it is always a roll of the dice as to whether or not it will work.

A quick question. I have the OTA in the highest spot and closest to the window as possible. But the SS does face directly into a thin vertical blind. Should that make much of a difference?

I believe there has to be something that Directv can do to accommodate my needs until 2007.

Mark

Mark,
Indoor reception of digital TV is difficult even with strong signals due to multipath. Your best bet is to try to get the cleanest picture (without ghosts and snow) as you can looking at analog channel 30 or 61 and then switch to the Hartford digital channel you want to watch- CBS NBC or FOX. ABC and UPN are near New Haven so a different antenna location may be necessary. John

what I suggest you do is go to Radio shack/Home Depot/Lowes and buy a large uhf/vhf antenna (~$50-60), buy the biggest that will fit. Then mount it in your attic.
I live in Cheshire and have such a setup, it works very well, I dont need to rotate the antenna, and get abc, cbs, nbc, fox, wb. I got the ChannelMaster antenna from Lowes.
I recommend these places because you can easily return antenna if it does not work very well for you, otherwise there is a professional shop up in Hartford, which can get better antennas.
If you were in some fringe area, I would see where you could complain about the reception. Since you are in Wallingford, take matters in your own hands and get the proper OTA setup. Another reason to do this is the fact that pure OTA signal, will always be better than comparable Sat or Cable signal. Reason is very simple - compression. Sat and Cable bandwidth is limited, so in order to stuff a gazillion channels, they compress the feed.

About your setup, you should not need the amp because of your proximity to the towers, did you try removing it and scanning for channels? Make sure that you use good quality rg6 cable for your runs.

Max

Unfortunately the Condo has no attic. Also unfortunately, an outdoor ant of any type is not an option.

You don't think I need an amp for 19 miles?

I'll try removing it later and see what happens.


Thanks
Mark

having no attic is indeed unfortunate, short of cutting up sheetrock inside a closet and making your way up inside the roof, I have no better suggestion.

people have reported that having an amplifier, while being too close to the tower can actually worsen the signal. It tends to overload the tuner. Give it a try and you will see. When I tried the distribution amp at my house, it made no difference.

when you are trying to lock CBS, put you tuner into acquisition mode, then pick up the Silver Sensor and try different directions holding it in your hand, try sideways and upside down.

good luck,
Max

Depending on the specifics of your property the limitation on outdoor TV antennas may be illegal. See http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html for details.

New rules passed by Congress in December 2004 allow for DBS and cable to carry similar signals. The FCC has not yet enacted the rules mandated by Congress. Once the rules are passed, these are the list of stations that DBS may sell to you if they opt to do so.

New Haven County

WFSB, 3, Hartford, CT (formerly WTIC)
WTNH-TV, 8, New Haven, CT (formerly WNHC)
+WTXX, 20, Waterbury, CT
+WVIT, 30, New Britain, CT
+WCTX, 59, New Haven, CT (formerly WBNE)
+WTIC-TV, 61, Hartford, CT
WCBS-TV, 2, New York, NY
WNBC, 4, New York, NY
WNYW, 5, New York, NY (formerly WNEW)
#WABC-TV, 7, New York, NY
#WWOR-TV, 9, New York, NY (formerly WOR)
WPIX, 11, New York, NY

The proposal for new rules are at:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...CC-05-24A1.doc

No wonder the lawyers rule things. A guy just wants to watch TV and here's the complex document you wont understand or have patience to read. I love technology but what are we doing to ourselves?

The FCC is simply trying to put order into two processes that have been abused.

If you rent a home, you can do what you want in the space that you are renting.

If you want to watch distant stations on DBS, there needs to be definable limits on how far is distant.

I can pull in WFSB from 32.7 miles away (I live in the North East Direction) using a Silver Sensor located inside the second floor of my house. But I am not located in a valley or have large objects that block my path.

Considering where you live, my advice is to either get rid of the preamp or turn the adjustable power to a very low setting. Also, RG-59 coax cable is crap and so are the cheap splice connectors that are commonplace. Buy some RG-6 cable if you need an extended run because the built in Silver Sensor cable is quite short.

The Silver Sensor is a very directional antenna. It is great at eliminating multipath interference and it can also USE a multipath signal if an object is blocking your main path to the transmitter.

Because it is very directional, even the slightest adjustment (rotate the tip of the base by 1/4") can make your signal drop from 70% down to 0%.

Adjusting one of these puppies for a weak station can be similar to adjusting a D* satellite dish. Nothing... Nothing... Perfect Signal... OOPS too far, nothing again.

Try adjusting the Silver Sensor in rotation (UP/Down, Left/Right, Tilted or straight). Also move the antenna around a bit, you may find a "sweet spot" at some point inside your condo.

Good Luck.

cbagger01 and everybody

Thanks for the insightful tips. I will not be able to get RG-6 till tomorrow, but I will try the no amp tonight. Got home too late last night.

I will let you know.

Thanks
Mark