Hartford, CT - OTA - Page 206

I don't get a useable signal at all here in the south end of New Britain. Then again, many signals coming from or near Avon Mountain have always given me problems.

TVGOS Update: I installed my outdoor antenna over the weekend and began receiving the digital TV Guide On Screen data OTA to one of my Sony DVRs. Then today, the New Haven Comcast system began passing the data on cable channel 24.1 as well to my other DVR.

So far, neither DVR seems to know exactly what to do with the data. They are TVGOS version 8.xxx machines and the current version is 9.xxx. While they have an ATSC tuner/slicer that will receive the data, they will not set a host channel from digital streams. So, I have to retune to 24.1 every time it changes channels to record something. Also, one unit didn't have a channel grid and won't receive that data via the digital stream. I'm hoping Comcast will purchase and install the equipment to generate the analog VBI, but I won't hold my breath.

cheneyp - What's your TVGOS situation with your Sony DVRs?

I have listings through Sunday for two of my Sonys that already had listing grids.

On the third unit - I had done a reset of the TVGOS system before the digital host was available so I had no grid. I am not getting (as far as I can tell) the digital host over Comcast so I have a pair of rabbit ears receiving Ch 24.1 (45.3) OTA. It gets a crappy signal in the room it's in so it took until yesterday to update to the latest patch (08.06.44) and get the correct clock. Today, lo and behold, I was asked what cable service I had when I pressed the guide button. I now have a grid with "No Listings" but I'm hopeful that they will populate overnight. Host is shown as 0:45-3 which is 24.1.

The unit I have hooked to cable did not have the channel grid. Once I realized that cable was passing the TVGOS data, I "forced" the VBI search for a host channel on 24.1. I left it for a few hours and came back to the channel grid and 24.1 as host, as you did. A few more hours and I have almost all listings for a week with descriptions and ads. The unit even began giving names to the manual recordings I had set up. Now we'll have to wait and see if the host channel sticks.

Good to hear the feedback that the CPTV digital OTAs and CPTV digital CableTV TVGuides are being received and updating.

CPTV confirms that Macrovision is not providing analog updates to the CPTV analog OTA and CPTV analog CableTV feeds.

CableTV operators will pass the CPTV digital TVGuide to their subscribers and as option may (should) also convert it back to analog, on any analog channel if they so chose, for legacy analog TVs/VCRs/etc.

At the moment, CPTV confirms that there is no TVGuide data being re-inserted into the CPTV's Comcast analog CableTV channel 7 or the simultaneous SD digital channel.

I know CPTV is optimizing the resolution on the subchannel but has anyone else noticed a large drop in PQ yesterday? Any movement was very pixelated on my XBR960 last night and it was much better a few days ago.

Hi - I live in Glastonbury in flat area near main street close to East Hartford line.

Right now I just have a Rabbit Ear VHF and UHF Loop in my attic, from which I feed two tv's using an unamplified splitter. Using this mickey mouse approach, and after some fiddling with orientation, I get good reception on the following digital channels:

3.1 CBS WFSB (and other sub ch's)
8.1 ABC WTNH
18.1 WUVN (and other sub ch's)
20.1 CW WFSB (and other sub ch's)
22.1 WWLP
24.1 CPTV WEDH (and other sub ch's)
30.1 NBC WVIT (and other sub ch's)
61.1 FOX WTIC

but poor reception (only ok on clear days) on:
59.1 MYTV WCTX

I'm thinking that if I step up to a better antenna in the attic, instead of the rabbit ear and loop that I currently have there, that I should be able to pick up 59.1 MYTV WCTX better, plus maybe some Springfield digital channels as well.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a fairly cheap VHF/UHF antenna that they have had good success with in an attic? I don't want to use a rotor, so I'd be looking for something that has pretty reasonable multi-directional pickup properties.

I've searched AVS forum and the web but feel somewhat overwhelmed with the multiple options/opinions, so would really appreciate a recommendation from someone who is also local to the Hartford area. PS: I know that the best solution would be a roof mount, but for now I prefer to stick with attic.

Thanks...

Looked OK this morning during Ask This Old House....
What are you expecting HD?

No... I wasn't expecting HD. At the time, the picture was severly pixelated when there was any movement. I know: 1) CPTV frequents this forumn and 2) that they were adjusting picture quality. So I thought it might be helpful to provide a bit of feedback.

WTIC-TV will move out of the "Stilts" Building (One Corporate Center) and into a high definition studio in the newsroom of The Hartford Courant on Broad Street later this year. This is the result of WTIC-TV, WTXX-TV, and The Courant merging into one operation under one roof.

The HD studio is scheduled to be built starting "later this summer", according to the deputy editor of Broadcasting & Cable.com, Michael Malone. WTIC-TV eventually will also start a noon and 6PM newscast.

With Channel 30's news possibly going hi-def in June when they move into their new building, and the newscasts of Channels 61 and 20 going HD maybe by late fall, Channels 3 and 8 might feel the competitive need to follow suit or trump the other stations by going HD before them.

Hello,

CPTV was adjusting the -1 and -2 bit rates during the day time throughout the past week. On a few days, the muxes and or exciters would choke, stopping all services until bit rates were reduced.

Friday, March 27, 2009, was the last day of adjusting the -1 and the -2 bit rates.

CPTV is monitoring both services through out the day, but at this time the current rates appear to be the best compromise.

Thank you for your report.

The CPTV legacy analog equipment downloads were restarted by Macrovision on Monday April 6, 2009.

The analog units for OTA will be operating until June 12, 2009, when analog OTA is anticipated to be be turned off Friday night at 11:59 PM.

The analog unit for the Comcast direct fiber feed will remain in use for as long as Comcast continues to use it in support of their analog tier.

Hi All,

I just finished installing my roof mounted CM 4228HD with 7777 pre-amp in Willimantic, CT, 06226.

WFSB, WTIC, WEDN are all coming in great. However, WVIT is patchy at best. I think I read elsewhere that WVIT is currently having issues with their tower/not running at full power. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks for any clarification, I appreciate your help!

Matt

I don't see that WVIT is any different from normal. Right now I get it at a signal strength of 85. WFSB is 75 and WTIC is 95. I am located in Mystic.
John

As far as I can tell from the FCC website, some of Channel 30's equipment that maintained power to transmit their analog version was damaged last year by a severe thunderstorm, and "pending repair or replacement of the affected equipment, the Station has been forced to reduce analog broadcast operations to approximately 65 percent of authorized power". Their digital transmitting equipment was apparently unaffected.

I have the same antenna and pre-amp as you have (but it is indoors near a window). In East Windsor this afternoon, Sunday, my Samsung tuner rated WVIT-DT at 10 out of 10 bars, the highest rating. Usually, any rating 8 bars or higher means perfect reception for me. Since February, digital Channel 30 normally comes in at 8 bars.

It's possible, but not definite, that sometime after analog shuts off on June 12th, the station might decide to remove the analog antenna at the very top of their tower and replace it with a new digital one. The existing lower-mounted digital antenna could then be used as the emergency back-up. The FCC site indicates that Channel 30's analog antenna is 451 meters above average terrain versus 434 meters for the side-mounted digital antenna. I don't know if that 17 meters difference would result in better reception for some viewers.

Thank you both for the info.

CTDish - I assume you're pulling in the Farmington WVIT tower? (Is there another one?) Mystic is a lot further from Farmington that Willimantic, what kind of set up do you have? (If you don't mind me asking!)

WHNB - I hope the station does replace the old analog antenna after June! From my house I have a clear view of, well a big old hill. I need all the help I can get!

Best,

Matt

I think it would mean a gain in viewership if it were to be atop rather than side-mounted. As for WVIT-DT being on channel 35, do they have to be directional to anybody?

Well, all I can say is WVIT-DT (30) comes in horrible for me as does WTIC-DT (61). Constant pixillation and freezes.
I live on the eastern side almost right next to both antennas within line of sight. Granted I'm using a <$10 set of rabbit ears on the first floor, but it seems to me I should get something better.
Digital channels 3,18,20 and 24 are no problem.
Maybe I'm just too close?

I have that problem with WEDW - too close and my preamp (CM 7777) not helping.

Try off-axis, why not?

I'm assuming that the top mounted antenna is tuned for ch 30- the side-mount is tuned for 35. Possibly after the analog goes dark, they will switch the top mounted antenna to one tuned to ch 35 and maybe use the side-mount for a backup.

I believe that most TV xmit antennas only are useful on the channel that they are tuned for. Wider band ones can be bought but they are likely to have less gain than an equal sized single channel antenna.
John

WVIT would probably have to null somewhat to the northeast because WZMY in Derry , NH has its digital channel on 35, but at only 7 kw its probably not much of an issue.

Interestingly, WVIT is coming in flawlessly tonight. Solid and stable. Any suggestions as to what could be my variable? It's never been this good.

Thanks again!

Matt

Favorable propagation like tropospheric ducting. it will eventually go back to normal.

I haven't been here for months.....just posted this on the antenna thread, but thought I might get some suggestions here.
Over the winter, I got some plans and (don't laugh) built my own attic antenna. I previously had a TV top amplified rabbit ear thing. Well, here in New Haven county,(Oxford-Naugatuck-Middlebury line) I'm surrounded by hills, and frankly, getting in all kinds of stations is not really important, as I don't watch much - just the occasional news program or kids' show, so I don't want a rooftop antenna.

With this new antenna in the attic, I can position it to get WTNH New Haven and Channel 30 in New Britain (which I was never able to get before). If I reposition it, I get WTNH and the PBS Bridgeport station. I'd like to get in PBS, but the Hartford one doesn't seem to show up..Obviously New Britain and New Haven are totally opposite directions.

Question....a)if I get a splitter and attach my TV top antenna to the attic antenna, will I possible get in the PBS station (i.e. do TV top antennas "work" at a greater distance from the TV)? This station was fairly strong when it came in..
b)would it be preferable to attach a splitter to another attic antenna (I don't want to make another one..maybe one of those DB2 ones?)

My other option is to just go up the attic and reposition this one every time I want a specific show. At least I can watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday!
Thanks.
Christina

You could try combining the antennas and it might work but usually all of the stations will get weaker than they had been when received separately. A jointenna can add one channel from a separate antenna with less loss but cost about $35. I would expect WEDH to be stronger than WVIT. Have you tried doing a rescan or manually selecting channel its physical channel of 45? Also for another month analog channel 24 is still on.
John

[

My other option is to just go up the attic and reposition this one every time I want a specific show. At least I can watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday!
Thanks.
Christina[/quote]

Is the attic walk up? If so perhaps you can mount the antenna on a pole and place it near the opening. When you want to turn the antenna just give the pole a twist. Another option is to have the pole extend into a closet below. Same idea, just mark off the direction on the cieling and point.
I have a DB2 on a mast at just about gutter height on a ranch home. I placed the pole near a window. Now I just open the window and turn the pole. (Gloves in winter.) Works fine.

Is the attic walk up? If so perhaps you can mount the antenna on a pole and place it near the opening. When you want to turn the antenna just give the pole a twist. Another option is to have the pole extend into a closet below. Same idea, just mark off the direction on the cieling and point.
I have a DB2 on a mast at just about gutter height on a ranch home. I placed the pole near a window. Now I just open the window and turn the pole. (Gloves in winter.) Works fine.[/quote]

I'm glad to know that other people go through kookiness to get in channels!
Thanks.
Christina

I have built quite a few antennas and almost all the antennas I have are in attics. Not preferred, but if it works ok, why not? My parents' house in Mystic has an attic mounted 4228, which works well enough (depending on the day). In CA, my attic antennas are very reliable.

What kind of antenna did you build? A 4-bay bow-tie build is quite common, but is designed for UHF and may not work well for WTNH.

Farmington vs. New Haven doesn't seem to be very far apart from Oxford (about 50 degrees). However, WTNH is on VHF/10 vs. the UHF Farmington stations. This can work to your advantage, however.

Have a UHF antenna pointed towards Farmington and an upper VHF antenna pointed to New Haven and then combine them with a UVSJ (these are about $4 + shipping):

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=UVSJ

WCTX shares the WNTH tower and is weaker and UHF, so if you want MyN, it may not work out.

Also, I would suggest checking your TV Fool plot and posting it here.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

This can help us determine your prospects for reception from the various sites and whether a pre-amp would be a good idea. It appears that the signals are too strong for a generic Oxford plot, but if hills are a factor, this could change considerably.

Not to worry, kookiness is what makes OTA so much fun.