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Roanoke, VA / Bluefield, WV - HDTV - Page 102

post #3031 of 6054
3/12/08 at 8:40am
Over the last few weeks I have noticed some some sporadic crackling noises during the shows I watch on CBS. The shows I remember it happening on are Jericho and Big Brother. I've seen it on two different TV's, both of which are connected to DirectTV HR20-700 receivers. Anyone else hearing the same problem?
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post #3032 of 6054
3/12/08 at 12:20pm
Yes, I have noticed the same thing only on CBS shows. I thought it was my cable box.
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post #3033 of 6054
3/13/08 at 11:11am
I find the comments regarding OTA receivers very interesting because what you're finding out is not all receivers are the same. I suspected this might be the case and have been wondering if a different, more sensitive receiver just might make it possible for me to pull in Fox 27.

I'm currently using the internal OTA tuner in my Dish vip622. Dish now has a 722 but I can't find out if the OTA tuner is any different or not. I suspect it isn't.

What about it Fred?
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post #3034 of 6054
3/13/08 at 5:58pm
More crackling during Survivor tonight. A couple of times it was quite bad lasting for several seconds, my wife even commented on it. Hope WDBJ can get that figured out.
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post #3035 of 6054
3/13/08 at 8:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrandonH View Post

More crackling during Survivor tonight. A couple of times it was quite bad lasting for several seconds, my wife even commented on it. Hope WDBJ can get that figured out.

Can you enlighten me on this crackling? I apologize, I usually read this forum pretty regular but I have had bronchitis and it has knocked me on my butt for the last 2-3 weeks. I just read tonite some other notes posted in the past few days.

This is the FIRST I have heard of this. Unlike the good ol NTSC where my master control op's monitor off air, you CANNOT do this in ATSC. The MPEG decoding makes the delay just too much to have someone "switch" to.

So where are you all hearing this? Off Air ( HDTV I assume?? ) or Cable??

This is absolutely the first time I have heard this. Give me some details where you all are hearing this if you will.

Tnx
Alan
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post #3036 of 6054
3/14/08 at 5:34am
Sure thing Alan and thanks for looking into this. I was hesitant to even post about the issue at first because I figured if somebody else was having the problem it would have already been reported but I finally decided it couldn't be my equipment since it was only happening on CBS shows and Meinva now confirmed he has seen the same thing. To answer your question, yes I am watching the OTA HD signal, and I have heard it happen in both my HT room which has a 7.1 sound system and on my bedroom TV using just the TV's speakers. I know I first started noticing it about the time the new season of Jericho premiered. It seems to occur most often when there are loud noises, the audio gets distorted and starts crackling almost like if you had a blown speaker only worse, usually this only lasts a second or two at most. I've also noticed it on Big Brother and Survivor. These are the only shows I am currently watching from CBS so I'm not sure if other shows are affected or not. When watching during Survivor last night I heard the crackling mostly out of the left speaker but that is the speaker I was seated closest to so I can't confirm if that was the only channel it was happening on, the next time I hear if happening I'll go back with the DVR and verify if it is happening on all speakers or not.
Thanks again,
BrandonH
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post #3037 of 6054
3/14/08 at 6:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrandonH View Post

Sure thing Alan and thanks for looking into this. I was hesitant to even post about the issue at first because I figured if somebody else was having the problem it would have already been reported but I finally decided it couldn't be my equipment since it was only happening on CBS shows and Meinva now confirmed he has seen the same thing. To answer your question, yes I am watching the OTA HD signal, and I have heard it happen in both my HT room which has a 7.1 sound system and on my bedroom TV using just the TV's speakers. I know I first started noticing it about the time the new season of Jericho premiered. It seems to occur most often when there are loud noises, the audio gets distorted and starts crackling almost like if you had a blown speaker only worse, usually this only lasts a second or two at most. I've also noticed it on Big Brother and Survivor. These are the only shows I am currently watching from CBS so I'm not sure if other shows are affected or not. When watching during Survivor last night I heard the crackling mostly out of the left speaker but that is the speaker I was seated closest to so I can't confirm if that was the only channel it was happening on, the next time I hear if happening I'll go back with the DVR and verify if it is happening on all speakers or not.
Thanks again,
BrandonH

Thanks I will look into this. It really makes it hard for us when the people who work in the control room can't listen to the off air signal. I will ask around and for all that matter it could be CBS in NY. It wouldn't be the first time we have alerted them to an issue.

Alan
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post #3038 of 6054
3/14/08 at 6:12am
Just wanted to add that I am also getting the crackling on 7.1...Usually in loud scenes during Jericho for the past 2 or 3 weeks...I also thought it was either my system or my receiver. I'm on a Comcast DVR in Danville, optical to a Pioneer receiver.
-john
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post #3039 of 6054
3/14/08 at 9:56am
Anyone else having BAD breakups on 7-1 watching the UNC-FSU Game in the ACC tourney over OTA?
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post #3040 of 6054
3/14/08 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtcrusader View Post

Anyone else having BAD breakups on 7-1 watching the UNC-FSU Game in the ACC tourney over OTA?


I have seen no breakups at all.
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post #3041 of 6054
3/14/08 at 12:57pm
I get it on very loud sharp noises, mostly on Jericho. The next time it happens, I'll try to save it and document an exact time for you.
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post #3042 of 6054
3/15/08 at 8:42am
You may want to check out dbstalk.com if you haven't already. The buzz is about a failed launch of a new Echostar satellite on Friday. There is a companion thread "Charlie Chat" that had a lot of optimistic talk about expanded Dish Network local service prior to the launch.

Those of us who were waiting to see which satellite provider would carry Roanoke in HD first will want to note this bad news.
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post #3043 of 6054
3/15/08 at 11:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtso View Post

You may want to check out dbstalk.com if you haven't already. The buzz is about a failed launch of a new Echostar satellite on Friday. There is a companion thread "Charlie Chat" that had a lot of optimistic talk about expanded Dish Network local service prior to the launch.

Those of us who were waiting to see which satellite provider would carry Roanoke in HD first will want to note this bad news.

This is not good news for DISH subs... correct.
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post #3044 of 6054
3/16/08 at 1:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

My parents have bought two Zenith DTT900 boxes. I am extremely impressed with the quality of this receiver, and am planning to replace my HDTV with one, possibly over the summer.

The box is the first I have to show lots of signal for WVIR even when the antenna is aimed at Roanoke. In fact, it's just below a decodable level. It also shows significantly more signal on WDRL-DT, though it still doesn't decode here.

Most impressively, it holds WBRA-DT's signal much better than any other tuner I've used. It's not perfect, as lightning causes it to break up (low-VHF) and when the signal gets weak it breaks up. But signal that would give just a black screen on my HDV420 will display a picture on the DTT900. It mutes any garbled audio, so it's silent while showing it, but it has exceeded my expectations in this area.

Can't wait to get home again and spin the antenna around to see how it does pointed in other directions.

- Trip

Hi Tripp -
I live just outside the town of Altavista and watch the same channels as your parents. I will most likely be purchasing my Zenith DTT900 in Lynchburg because the Wal-Mart in Altavista does not have them. Can you please tell me where your parent got theirs? My red 'credit card' coupons and their brochure state that they are only good for "in-store" purchase at Wal-Mart, RadioShack and Bestbuy.

I only wish that the Zenith DTT900 came with S-Video. I'm not sure that feature would make a difference in this application, but it did make a noticable difference when I connected my Sony DVD player to my Sony 27" Trinitron using it.

May I ask what WDRL-DT and WVIR are? I don't currently receive either of those stations OTA antenna on my analog set. Perhaps, I will once I go digital... I don't know what those stations broadcast.

Regards,
RR
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post #3045 of 6054
3/16/08 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
WDRL used to be the UPN station, now it's Independent and pending sale to Liberty University (owner of WTLU-CA 50). WVIR is NBC29 in Charlottesville, and you likely won't be able to receive it.

My parents bought theirs at Radio Shack in Lynchburg. I don't know which one specifically.

Hope it helps! And make sure you have a good VHF antenna if you like PBS. You'll need it.

- Trip
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post #3046 of 6054
3/16/08 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vstone View Post

I get it on very loud sharp noises, mostly on Jericho. The next time it happens, I'll try to save it and document an exact time for you.

I heard the cracklin' noise again at 8:54 tonight during the start of a commercial during Big Brother.
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post #3047 of 6054
3/17/08 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

WDRL used to be the UPN station, now it's Independent and pending sale to Liberty University (owner of WTLU-CA 50). WVIR is NBC29 in Charlottesville, and you likely won't be able to receive it.

My parents bought theirs at Radio Shack in Lynchburg. I don't know which one specifically.

Hope it helps! And make sure you have a good VHF antenna if you like PBS. You'll need it.

- Trip

Thanks Tripp, it helps. I currently have a Radio Shack VU-110 about 25 feet up aimed west. I get WBRA 15 (analog) pretty well with some snow... After the Feb 2009 change, they will move down to channel 3. Could they go any lower?

I know the antenna guy said:

"The permanent change takes place on February 17, 2009. At that time channels 52-69 will be vacated and reallocated to other uses. Only 37 stations have elected to stay in channels 2-6.

You must consider 02/17/09 when planning an antenna system. Many of your stations will move on that date. Today your DTV stations are probably all UHF. But on 02/17/09 many DTV stations will move to VHF. The VHF-high channels (7-13) are probably the best channels for DTV since VHF-low has interference problems and UHF has tree and valley problems."

But, using the lower (or the lowest of) VHF range means that the larger Yagi is still required.

I will be replacing mine due to age and size and bum rotor with a Winegard or Channel Master, but it would be nice if they start cutting new models of VHF/UHF Yagis for channel 51 instead of channel 69. I'll probably go slightly bigger than what I have now, but not much I hope.
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post #3048 of 6054
3/17/08 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RadicalRik View Post

Thanks Tripp, it helps. I currently have a Radio Shack VU-110 about 25 feet up aimed west. I get WBRA 15 (analog) pretty well with some snow... After the Feb 2009 change, they will move down to channel 3. Could they go any lower?

But, using the lower (or the lowest of) VHF range means that the larger Yagi is still required.

I will be replacing mine due to age and size and bum rotor with a Winegard or Channel Master, but it would be nice if they start cutting new models of VHF/UHF Yagis for channel 51 instead of channel 69. I'll probably go slightly bigger than what I have now, but not much I hope.

WBRA-DT is already on channel 3, so you already get to experience the joy of it. Use analogs 15 and 27 (and to a lesser extent, 38) to gauge how well you'll receive the Roanoke UHFs (WDBJ-18, WSLS-30, WFXR-17, WPXR-36).

Analog 21 is a poor indicator of how your reception of WSET-34 and WJPR-20 will be, but try it anyway. Analog 13 should give you a fair idea of what WSET-DT 13 will be when they move back there in the Summer of 2009.

I don't know that there's much you can use to gauge your reception of WBRA-DT on 3 without just trying a box. I get 7 and 10 from Poor Mountain completely clearly on analog and that doesn't get me WBRA-DT 3 clearly. I suppose you can try for WRKV-CA on 43, but even that's not a good indicator since it comes from a different (but nearby) location.

You most certainly will want to get something big to handle those low-VHF frequencies (channel 3).

I live 79 miles out in Charlotte County. We have a Winegard PR-8800 for UHF, which my dad chose because of decreased wind resistance over the CM 4228.

For VHF, we're using a mid-range Winegard Ghostkiller VHF/UHF combo. We brought that with us when we moved down from New Jersey some years ago. It's not enough, I can tell you that right now. I wish we still had the antenna that was on the roof when we moved here, but it fell off the roof in a thunderstorm and was destroyed.

I hope something in this post helps you out. If you have an antenna up now, why not go pick up a converter box and see how it works out for you as is? If you do, let us know how the signal is and what it detects. I'm especially curious about what WDRL-DT is doing these days (especially if they have any subchannels), and someone in Altavista should be able to receive it without much trouble, since they transmit from Smith Mountain Lake. Magic word there being "should."

- Trip
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post #3049 of 6054
3/17/08 at 12:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

WBRA-DT is already on channel 3, so you already get to experience the joy of it. Use analogs 15 and 27 (and to a lesser extent, 38) to gauge how well you'll receive the Roanoke UHFs (WDBJ-18, WSLS-30, WFXR-17, WPXR-36).

Analog 21 is a poor indicator of how your reception of WSET-34 and WJPR-20 will be, but try it anyway. Analog 13 should give you a fair idea of what WSET-DT 13 will be when they move back there in the Summer of 2009.

I don't know that there's much you can use to gauge your reception of WBRA-DT on 3 without just trying a box. I get 7 and 10 from Poor Mountain completely clearly on analog and that doesn't get me WBRA-DT 3 clearly. I suppose you can try for WRKV-CA on 43, but even that's not a good indicator since it comes from a different (but nearby) location.

You most certainly will want to get something big to handle those low-VHF frequencies (channel 3).

I live 79 miles out in Charlotte County. We have a Winegard PR-8800 for UHF, which my dad chose because of decreased wind resistance over the CM 4228.

For VHF, we're using a mid-range Winegard Ghostkiller VHF/UHF combo. We brought that with us when we moved down from New Jersey some years ago. It's not enough, I can tell you that right now. I wish we still had the antenna that was on the roof when we moved here, but it fell off the roof in a thunderstorm and was destroyed.

I hope something in this post helps you out. If you have an antenna up now, why not go pick up a converter box and see how it works out for you as is? If you do, let us know how the signal is and what it detects. I'm especially curious about what WDRL-DT is doing these days (especially if they have any subchannels), and someone in Altavista should be able to receive it without much trouble, since they transmit from Smith Mountain Lake. Magic word there being "should."

- Trip

Tripp you are a great help.
I actually live in Leesville slightly "down river" of Smith Mountain Lake near the Staunton River below Leesvillle Lake Dam.
My brother already has a Panny-Plasmic TV with a ATSC tuner and they receive every channel except (analog) channel 38 which is the PAX/Ion channel. Even I only receive it in pretty rough shape...and I believe the reason is that I cannot rotate my antenna towards it due to a bum rotor.
They are not connected to my outdoor antenna, but use an amplified Terk or something upstairs. They were used to watching in analog on their old 20" with that antenna and putting up with poor reception, then they got the new TV with the ATSC tuner and all of a sudden they get Hi-Def OTA (even WBRA-15's DT reception) with that nothing of an antenna...except ION 38.

I forgot to ask an important question regarding your parent's converter box: after you hooked it all up...the Zenith DTT900 NOT having a "pass-through" did your parents' TV cease to view all the Roanoke/Lynchburg stations in analog?

That is, they are watching all-digital now and no analog? I got to thinking that if I run down and buy a Zenith DTT900 and not have a pass-through, I'll no longer receive WDBJ 7, WSLS 10, WSET 13 etc... in analog unless I disconnect the box.

If your parents are watching all the stations they were watching before (what I also watch), then going all-digital will be no problem and I won't have to concern myself with needing a unit with a pass-through to watch analog.

I will however, keep all here updated on my reception, antenna upgrade and reception/picture quality.
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post #3050 of 6054
3/17/08 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RadicalRik View Post

I forgot to ask an important question regarding your parent's converter box: after you hooked it all up...the Zenith DTT900 NOT having a "pass-through" did your parents' TV cease to view all the Roanoke/Lynchburg stations in analog?

That is, they are watching all-digital now and no analog? I got to thinking that if I run down and buy a Zenith DTT900 and not have a pass-through, I'll no longer receive WDBJ 7, WSLS 10, WSET 13 etc... in analog unless I disconnect the box.

If your parents are watching all the stations they were watching before (what I also watch), then going all-digital will be no problem and I won't have to concern myself with needing a unit with a pass-through to watch analog.

I will however, keep all here updated on my reception, antenna upgrade and reception/picture quality.

The only channels my dad still watches on analog are PBS: WBRA-15 in Roanoke, and W60BM-60 in Rustburg. This is due to the signal problems with 15, and the fact that 60 will not survive into the digital age, and thus is not operating digitally.

My parents never watched WTLU-CA (50) or W40BM or WRKV-CA (43).

In order to receive them, we installed a splitter and an extra cable (besides the one in the box) so the antenna runs to both the TV and the DTT900, and then composite and RCA audio cables are used to feed the TV from the DTT900.

I'm somewhat surprised at the lack of reception of WPXR, but it's not like there's anything worth watching on that channel anyway. I suppose depending on how far south your brother is, he could be getting into the null in their antenna pattern...

- Trip
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post #3051 of 6054
3/17/08 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

The only channels my dad still watches on analog are PBS: WBRA-15 in Roanoke, and W60BM-60 in Rustburg. This is due to the signal problems with 15, and the fact that 60 will not survive into the digital age, and thus is not operating digitally.

My parents never watched WTLU-CA (50) or W40BM or WRKV-CA (43).

In order to receive them, we installed a splitter and an extra cable (besides the one in the box) so the antenna runs to both the TV and the DTT900, and then composite and RCA audio cables are used to feed the TV from the DTT900.

I'm somewhat surprised at the lack of reception of WPXR, but it's not like there's anything worth watching on that channel anyway. I suppose depending on how far south your brother is, he could be getting into the null in their antenna pattern...

- Trip

We both live in the same house. My brother and wife in the main house and I in a handicap studio apartment built onto the rear of the house.
We are about 25 miles south of Lynchburg down Route 29 and 7 mile from Route 29 off Route 43 towards Bedford on the way to Leesville Lake. I is pretty rolling here, in that we're down hill facing west and east is down hill from us...

WPXR (ION) does sometimes have old movies and mini-series that are watchable when the other channels have nothing.
I do watch WBRA 15, but have never watched W40BM nor WRKV-CA (43) on my antenna in analog. I've never even heard of them. I can't rotate my antenna though.

An interesting way to make the connections for the converter. I can do it that way to my Sony 27" Trinitron. It has the standard F-type antenna connector and the RCA inputs Line-1 in and Line-2 in.

Thanks again for the information.
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post #3052 of 6054
3/17/08 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RadicalRik View Post

WPXR (ION) does sometimes have old movies and mini-series that are watchable when the other channels have nothing.
I do watch WBRA 15, but have never watched W40BM nor WRKV-CA (43) on my antenna in analog. I've never even heard of them. I can't rotate my antenna though.

Thanks again for the information.

True. I think the only time I've watched that channel is when they aired Battlestar Galactica, the old one. Why did they only air that once? I'd have loved to have watched them all.

W40BM is the TBN Religious translator out of Lynchburg. WRKV-CA is near Poor Mountain but in a somewhat different location than the other stations and airs mostly infomercials from what I've seen. Infomercials or an ID slide. It doesn't come in most of the time at my house, and I'm not terribly interested in watching Infomercials anyway, so...

- Trip
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post #3053 of 6054
3/17/08 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

True. I think the only time I've watched that channel is when they aired Battlestar Galactica, the old one. Why did they only air that once? I'd have loved to have watched them all.

W40BM is the TBN Religious translator out of Lynchburg. WRKV-CA is near Poor Mountain but in a somewhat different location than the other stations and airs mostly infomercials from what I've seen. Infomercials or an ID slide. It doesn't come in most of the time at my house, and I'm not terribly interested in watching Infomercials anyway, so...

- Trip

Thanks for the channel clarifcation. WPXR does now have Baywatch

I'm still confused about the analog/digital reception with regards to channel number versus actual frequency.
This is the NTSC Channel alocation:
NTSC | DTV
13 13
21 21
15 3
27 17
7 18
10 38
38 36

The antenna guy says this:
"The determination of permanent DTV channel numbers is complete. The results are at DTV Final Channel Designations. There you will find a list of stations for your city. For each station, the current NTSC channel number is shown, followed by the permanent DTV channel number after 2009.

The permanent change takes place on February 17, 2009. At that time channels 52-69 will be vacated and reallocated to other uses. Only 37 stations have elected to stay in channels 2-6.

You must consider 02/17/09 when planning an antenna system. Many of your stations will move on that date. Today your DTV stations are probably all UHF. But on 02/17/09 many DTV stations will move to VHF. The VHF-high channels (7-13) are probably the best channels for DTV since VHF-low has interference problems and UHF has tree and valley problems."

Regarding the above information, are the channels already broadcasting at those DTV locations? Is WDBJ 7 now already broadcasting at 18? WBRA 15 at 3?

OR, will that move to those locations take place after February 2009?

IF the listed channels are already at present at their DTV location broadcasting OTA digital, then I no longer need analog pass-through to view the channels. I just need the Zenith Box.

I quizzed my brother about what his reception is of the above channels and he says they are crystal clear. My analog 13, 15, 27 & 38 are slightly snowy...38 being the worst. My brother does not know if he is watching the NTSC channels at the DTV frequency. He only knows that WBRA 15 is WBRA 15 on his Panny-Plasma...and WBRA 15.1 and 15.2. If WBRA 15 is already at 3, I'm good to go all digital.

Can you clear this up for me? If the channel number are there already and not moving anywhere after Feb 2009 as the antenna guy says, then I just need a box and a new antenna about the size I know have only with straight elements and made by Channel Master or Winegard. As only channel 13 @ 13 and channel 15 @ 3 will require VHF. The bulk will be in the UHF range.
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post #3054 of 6054
3/17/08 at 5:53pm
Thread Starter 
Yes. This is how they stand now.

WDBJ-DT 18
WSLS-DT 30
WSET-DT 34 moves to 13 during summer 2009.
WBRA-DT 03
WWCW-DT 20 boosts power in February 2009.
WDRL-DT 41 moves to 24 in February 2009.
WFXR-DT 17
WPXR-DT 36

That should answer your questions. The first number is the current digital channel. If there are no notes after, it's done and operating. The notes after it explain what's happening once analog goes away.

- Trip
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post #3055 of 6054
3/17/08 at 7:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

Yes. This is how they stand now.

WDBJ-DT 18
WSLS-DT 30
WSET-DT 34 moves to 13 during summer 2009.
WBRA-DT 03
WWCW-DT 20 boosts power in February 2009.
WDRL-DT 41 moves to 24 in February 2009.
WFXR-DT 17
WPXR-DT 36

That should answer your questions. The first number is the current digital channel. If there are no notes after, it's done and operating. The notes after it explain what's happening once analog goes away.

- Trip


Thanks Tripp, that answered my questions perfectly.

Now, my next move is to 1. purchase a DTA converter box and 2. find the "antenna answers" thread on the forum for the best advice on antennas to repllace to old RS VU-110...
VHF/UHF combo? or separate VHF & UHF antennas with the focus on more UHF and all that.

I think the farthest distance to a transmission antenna towers according to the TVfool wesite locator from my exact location to the was 42 miles which is not too bad. Plus, they're up on top of those Blueridge mountains like Bent Mnt, Apple Orchard Mnt and Poor Mnt...so the base of those antennas before they even start is way up there.

This is going to be good once it's all complete.
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post #3056 of 6054
3/18/08 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 
Will someone please tell me I'm justified in the stroke I think I'm going to have looking at this abomination?

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws....ility_id=15507

It's WDRL and what they want for DT-24. I'll explain it for the less technically-inclined in the morning, when my homework is done.

- Trip
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post #3057 of 6054
3/19/08 at 7:42am
Looks highly directional to the WNW from what I assume is Smith Mountain 597 meters (1955 feet). Apparently they are focusing on the all important Boones Mill market.
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post #3058 of 6054
3/19/08 at 8:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vstone View Post

Looks highly directional to the WNW from what I assume is Smith Mountain 597 meters (1955 feet). Apparently they are focusing on the all important Boones Mill market.

1955'? Maybe above sea level; that doesn't say much. Try 1240' (HAAT). Same as DT-41. Lemme copy and paste what I posted in the technical thread:

What they're trying to do is use their present analog antenna to go digital. This is why they want to silence TV-24 on 05/15/08 (aside from the fact that it doesn't cover anything). You remember what that antenna's pattern looks like; they're proposing to aim 141 kW at Roanoke (which is blocked by mountains) and... 2.49 kW at Danville, 6.76 kW at Lynchburg. I can't receive the signal NOW with the full 43 kW coming at me, and as you'll recall, the station is pending sale to Liberty University in Lynchburg!

EDIT: Correction, they're aiming it directly at Blacksburg, I was just looking at the map. Blacksburg is 100% blocked by Cahas Mountain--WROV is on TOP of Cahas Mountain and can't make it into Blacksburg, and they're a C1-class FM. Roanoke will get roughly 90.2 kW in their direction.

The tower they're using looks like it's at a higher point on Smith Mountain, which doesn't bother me so much as the antenna they plan to use.

- Trip
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post #3059 of 6054
3/21/08 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

My parents just came home from Lynchburg with a Zenith DTT900. I've already hooked it up in the kitchen and am just blown away by the performance.

It detected all the channels (except WDRL, but it's much closer to decoding than any other tuner I've used), and it mostly decodes channel 15 even. It does far better than any other tuner I've tried.

The only problem I have is with channel 13. It's reporting no guide data for channel 13. Is anyone else seeing this? This is the first tuner I've had that supports guide data, so I don't know too much about this.

- Trip

Tripp -

My Sony 27" receives stereo audio from those stations like WDBJ 7, WSLS 10 & WJPR 27...
I've been reading that many of the current offerings of DTA converter boxes, including the Zenith does not output a converted stereo from the digital reception, so the user has to change their TV to mono or get terrible sound. Did you find this the case?
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post #3060 of 6054
3/21/08 at 9:46am
Thread Starter 
Well, I've heard that the RF output will only do mono, but both of the TVs I hooked up have A/V inputs. One was only a mono input, so that one I set to mono in the menu. The other one appears to be handling stereo just fine. I'm sure that if it wasn't, my father the audiophile would have noticed.

And of course, WSET doesn't transmit in stereo on analog, but you probably already know that. =) (I think they do digitally though)

- Trip
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