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Grand Rapids, MI - HDTV - Page 259

post #7741 of 7934
12/28/11 at 9:50am
If all you want is local channels, I believe you don't need to have any sort of package.

I get all the locals (in HD) in the clear without paying anything.

This is obviously if you already have a cable being ran inside your place.
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post #7742 of 7934
1/1/12 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TV8 View Post

WXSP is in HD on WXSP CD channel 15.1 in Grand Rapids, WOLP LD channel 15.3 (RF 41.1) Grand Rapids (transmitter in Middleville), WOMS channel 29.1 in Muskegon, and on most Comcast systems on channel 235.

By the end of the year it will also be in HD on WOHO CD channel 33.1 Holland, WOKZ CD channel 50.1 Kalamazoo and WOBC CD channel 14.1 BAttle Creek.

The end of which year???
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post #7743 of 7934
1/1/12 at 1:30pm
WTF!!! WXMI!!!! Stay with the Lions. And not in SD.
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post #7744 of 7934
1/1/12 at 1:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dominic26 View Post

WTF!!! WXMI!!!! Stay with the Lions. And not in SD.

It's back. But jot before seeing the TD in Crushed widescreeen SD.
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post #7745 of 7934
1/1/12 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dominic26 View Post

It's back. But jot before seeing the TD in Crushed widescreeen SD.

That was vomit inducing seeing standard definition..
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post #7746 of 7934
1/1/12 at 1:51pm
That last network announcement confirms it. Someone is asleep at channel 17.
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post #7747 of 7934
1/2/12 at 7:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin79 View Post

Ok, I have a question for anyone in the GR area with Comcast. I am moving and am going to downgrade my Comcast TV service to just basic cable. I have a Vizio HDTV with a built-in tuner. During the ordering process, it asks me how many TV's I want for
and


The guy I talked to online said I should choose the "Digital Adapter Service". Do I need to select this if I just want to use the tuner in my TV? Do I need to select any of these? There is a $20 one time fee associated with each so if they aren't necessary, I would rather not do them.

The tuning adapter is very slow changing chanels and has no HD capabilities. It does not even have a video out, only RF out. Its purpose was to to duplicate the old analog expanded basic. You will get ESPN, USA, Spike, CNN etc.

Most retransmission agreementrs require the cable system to carry the station unaltered on its most basic tier. Using just the the TV tuner and a Limited Basic cable input you will receive Analog SD, Digital SD and HD versions of all broadcast TV signals. These include broadcast and public service channels such as CSPAN and Government Access. You will also receive a lot of spanish language channels and a lot of shopping channels. All broadcast HD channels will appear as their virtual channel such as 8.1, 41.1 and 15.1, just as they would with an antenna connection. This is true for Charter and Comcast.
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post #7748 of 7934
1/2/12 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rduce View Post

The end of which year???

Our studio and control room upgrade took more of our resources and longer than anticipated. All equipment is in, its just a matter of installing. It will be soon.
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post #7749 of 7934
1/2/12 at 9:47am
Any idea if the FCC allowing cable companies to encrypt basic tier channels affects the local HD rebroadcasts? Or would it only affect channels like TBS, WGN, etc?
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post #7750 of 7934
1/2/12 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by millerbrad View Post

Any idea if the FCC allowing cable companies to encrypt basic tier channels affects the local HD rebroadcasts? Or would it only affect channels like TBS, WGN, etc?

Wow - hadn't heard about that one...

I am also curious whether the cable companies in the area (specifically Charter) are now allowing self-install of cablecards. My understanding is that the FCC has now forced them allow this.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-know-your-rights

Cablecards are a PITA when dealing with Charter in my past experience. They have never shown up with the proper number of cards, and sometimes they show up with a cable box instead.

I am also curious whether they are offering a discount if you are using cablecards - specifically around the first item in the link above. Do they offer a free box with any of their tiers of service? If so, it sounds like you should get a discount if you are using a Tivo (or Tivos).

And it is CRAZY that you can't install them yourself. Most of the time, I have to explain to the technicians what they need to do (which serial and host ID numbers are needed - and how to find them in the menu structure). If I could call in and activate/pair a card, I would be more than happy to pick it up at the local office and avoid a truck roll fee for 5 minutes of work!
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post #7751 of 7934
1/3/12 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiff72 View Post

Wow - hadn't heard about that one...

I am also curious whether the cable companies in the area (specifically Charter) are now allowing self-install of cablecards. My understanding is that the FCC has now forced them allow this.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-know-your-rights

Cablecards are a PITA when dealing with Charter in my past experience. They have never shown up with the proper number of cards, and sometimes they show up with a cable box instead.

I am also curious whether they are offering a discount if you are using cablecards - specifically around the first item in the link above. Do they offer a free box with any of their tiers of service? If so, it sounds like you should get a discount if you are using a Tivo (or Tivos).

And it is CRAZY that you can't install them yourself. Most of the time, I have to explain to the technicians what they need to do (which serial and host ID numbers are needed - and how to find them in the menu structure). If I could call in and activate/pair a card, I would be more than happy to pick it up at the local office and avoid a truck roll fee for 5 minutes of work!

From what I'm aware of, your locals in HD should still be available via ClearQAM. In regards to CableCARDS, we do offer CableCARD Self-Installation and kits can be picked up from your local office. The cost is $2/month for the CableCARD and the tuning adapter is provided for free. Is there anything else we can answer today?

Thanks,
Abby
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post #7752 of 7934
1/3/12 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Umatter2Charter View Post

From what I'm aware of, your locals in HD should still be available via ClearQAM. In regards to CableCARDS, we do offer CableCARD Self-Installation and kits can be picked up from your local office. The cost is $2/month for the CableCARD and the tuning adapter is provided for free. Is there anything else we can answer today?

Thanks,
Abby

Thanks Abby...

Just curious - now that SDV has been implemented in my area, does this mean that the only devices that fully support CableCard are Tivo's? (Since they are the only device that allows the use of a Tuning Adapter?)

Does this mean that a computer with a cablecard-equipped tuner or a TV with a cablecard slot will not support all of the available channels on our subscribed tier? And is there a way to know which channels are affected by this lack of support for the tuning adapter?

Thanks
Jeff
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post #7753 of 7934
1/3/12 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiff72 View Post

Thanks Abby...

Just curious - now that SDV has been implemented in my area, does this mean that the only devices that fully support CableCard are Tivo's? (Since they are the only device that allows the use of a Tuning Adapter?)

No, you can use other devices, and Tivo is NOT the only one that supports a TA.
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiff72 View Post

Does this mean that a computer with a cablecard-equipped tuner or a TV with a cablecard slot will not support all of the available channels on our subscribed tier? And is there a way to know which channels are affected by this lack of support for the tuning adapter?

Thanks
Jeff

I am currently using a silicondust HD Prime and get all channels I am supposed to. There is no limitation unless you use a HTPC frontend other than MCE, then you wont get the copy-once channels. So for me, in SageTV, I dont get the premium channels. If you use MC7, you get everything including premiums.

You wont get VOD/PPV on any cable card device though.

One other thing, Charter will send you a CC (and probably the TA) free of charge via FEDEX 3-day service.

Kirby
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post #7754 of 7934
1/3/12 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spiff72 View Post

Thanks Abby...

Just curious - now that SDV has been implemented in my area, does this mean that the only devices that fully support CableCard are Tivo's? (Since they are the only device that allows the use of a Tuning Adapter?)

Does this mean that a computer with a cablecard-equipped tuner or a TV with a cablecard slot will not support all of the available channels on our subscribed tier? And is there a way to know which channels are affected by this lack of support for the tuning adapter?

Thanks
Jeff

A TV with a CableCARD slot will not support the use of a tuning adapter so if you are curious as to what channels you will not receive, just check this link: http://charter.com/channels/displayChannels.jsp to see what channels are digital. Those will not be decrypted. You may however, use a retail Personal Video Recorder (PVR) device with a CableCARD and the aid of a tuning adapter instead of a TiVo.

Thanks again,
Abby
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post #7755 of 7934
1/3/12 at 1:19pm
Jeff,

Check your PM's for more accurate information.
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post #7756 of 7934
2/8/12 at 2:00pm
Does anyone know if Charter has ION HD or TBS HD in ClearQAM in West Michigan, and if so, what digital channel they're on?

Thanks.

- 2B
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post #7757 of 7934
2/8/12 at 4:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Bunny View Post

Does anyone know if Charter has ION HD or TBS HD in ClearQAM in West Michigan, and if so, what digital channel they're on?

Thanks.

- 2B

Try entering your zip code here: http://www.silicondust.com/support/channels/ and then change the drop down at the top of the screen to "Charter Cable". Did you find what you were looking for?

-Abby
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post #7758 of 7934
2/9/12 at 9:33am
That's weird, I don't get Charter as an option, only Comcast. 49302
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post #7759 of 7934
2/9/12 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Umatter2Charter View Post

Try entering your zip code here: http://www.silicondust.com/support/channels/ and then change the drop down at the top of the screen to "Charter Cable". Did you find what you were looking for?

-Abby

That's actually what I was curious about. I had found the channels on that list and was just having a hard time adding them in.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vando45 View Post

That's weird, I don't get Charter as an option, only Comcast. 49302

Try typing in 49456.

- 2B
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post #7760 of 7934
2/10/12 at 2:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Bunny View Post

That's actually what I was curious about. I had found the channels on that list and was just having a hard time adding them in.

- 2B

Okee dokee. Hopefully you're all set! If you need anything else, feel free to PM us your name, address, and/or phone with any specifics and we'll be happy to take a closer look if necessary.

-Abby
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post #7761 of 7934
2/11/12 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Umatter2Charter View Post

Okee dokee. Hopefully you're all set! If you need anything else, feel free to PM us your name, address, and/or phone with any specifics and we'll be happy to take a closer look if necessary.

-Abby

Actually, I would feel more "okee dokee" if my question were answered, but...

- 2B
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post #7762 of 7934
2/11/12 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Bunny View Post

Actually, I would feel more "okee dokee" if my question were answered, but...

- 2B

Quote:
Originally Posted by Umatter2Charter View Post

Okee dokee. Hopefully you're all set! If you need anything else, feel free to PM us your name, address, and/or phone with any specifics and we'll be happy to take a closer look if necessary.

-Abby

As requested, send Umatter2Charter a PM with your question and provide the details they need.

Silicon Dust is not always accurate, since it's user based and all digital cable systems change QAM channel locations on occasion for maintenance. If they carry ION HD on their systems, it should be in the clear unless a mistake has been made, which can happen especially just after maintenance has been performed. TBS HD is not a local channel so it may not be in the clear, but some cable providers like WOW & Comcast have it in the clear on at least some of their system, I have no idea what Charter's policy is.
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post #7763 of 7934
2/11/12 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Bunny View Post

Does anyone know if Charter has ION HD or TBS HD in ClearQAM in West Michigan, and if so, what digital channel they're on?

Thanks.

- 2B

TBS WAS on 18-1 or 19-1 here in Kalamazoo a few years ago, but since all my tv's have HD boxes on them now I don't know if that still holds true
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post #7764 of 7934
2/11/12 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

As requested, send Umatter2Charter a PM with your question and provide the details they need.

Sounds like a plan. Will do.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Silicon Dust is not always accurate, since it's user based and all digital cable systems change QAM channel locations on occasion for maintenance. If they carry ION HD on their systems, it should be in the clear unless a mistake has been made, which can happen especially just after maintenance has been performed. TBS HD is not a local channel so it may not be in the clear, but some cable providers like WOW & Comcast have it in the clear on at least some of their system, I have no idea what Charter's policy is.

Interesting. I've always wondered how SiliconDust got their lineup. I'll keep my eyes open for the ION network. SiliconDust says it's on 17-1, but I've already got that radar weather network on 17-1. Nevertheless, even if I add it in the "add missing channels" screen, it shows up blank if I click on it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by redwings1914 View Post

TBS WAS on 18-1 or 19-1 here in Kalamazoo a few years ago, but since all my tv's have HD boxes on them now I don't know if that still holds true

Interesting. I tried 18-1 and 19-1 on mine though and got nothing, but it could be a location and "shifting channels over time thing". SiliconDust tells what channel it thinks TBS in HD should be on, but I can't get that to work either.

Thanks for the tip anyway.

- 2B
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post #7765 of 7934
2/17/12 at 3:32pm
I realize I'm probably making a funny but does anyone know if the new owners of WWMT has any plans of doing anything with the CW as far as HD?
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post #7766 of 7934
2/17/12 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamakzie View Post

I realize I'm probably making a funny but does anyone know if the new owners of WWMT has any plans of doing anything with the CW as far as HD?

You would really want to see two HD channels paired together? It doesn't look pretty.
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post #7767 of 7934
2/17/12 at 5:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjallou View Post

You would really want to see two HD channels paired together? It doesn't look pretty.

Nah I mean like a satellite/cable only channel. Or maybe do what WOOD did with WXSP and make a new OTA channel by itself.
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post #7768 of 7934
2/18/12 at 3:54pm
From what I have heard the new owner of WWMT is even cheaper than the previous one...
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post #7769 of 7934
2/19/12 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamakzie View Post

Nah I mean like a satellite/cable only channel. Or maybe do what WOOD did with WXSP and make a new OTA channel by itself.


Is WWMT programming the CW on their subchannel, or are they running the CW+? If it's the latter, then Sinclair would have no reason to program the channel, other than inserting any local commercials & any local promos. Sinclair has to program their CW affiliate in Milwaukee, as it's on the main channel in 1080i HD. The Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo market is the only top 50 market to have CW on a subchannel. Even if CW were made available in HD OTA, the main channel might have to go 720p in order to make it work properly. Even then, dual 720p HD doesn't always look good with MPEG2 (WLS-TV Chicago & WYIN Gary, IN are 2 Chicago area stations doing dual 720p, & looks like crap). I hear WISE-TV's dual HD with NBC on 33.1 still being 1080i & Fox/MNT on 33.2 being 720p. I'm waiting to hear how that works out when 2 sportscasts are on at the same time, & both channels need a lot of bandwidth.
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post #7770 of 7934
2/19/12 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rduce View Post

From what I have heard the new owner of WWMT is even cheaper than the previous one...

From what I've heard they're spending millions upgrading stations for HD master control playout of syndicated content. Also upgrading news to HD at stations not currently doing so. Plus they just bought a bunch of stations......maybe they're broke now....who knows.
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