Norfolk, VA - OTA - Page 219

USA HD is always that way, SyFy HD runs a close second quality wise (in the bad way), other channels are not quite to that extreme, however everything has a sub-par quality to it. Not sharp and crisp like it used to be.

I'm really hoping for the ONT being the problem because I've ruled out everything else on my premises as the cause. If it is something off site, no telling how long it would take for them to figure it out.

For those interested, here is what we are talking about: https://picasaweb.google.com/1174860...S?noredirect=1

There have been a number of comments about the NFL on NBC all season. Isn't the Superbowl on NBC this year?

Yes, it is on NBC this year, but it isn't just the NFL that looks bad IMHO. Anytime there is motion on the screen on any show it looks bad.

Well lets hope that NBC and affiliates decide to do the job correctly for the Superbowl. I only glance at the Today show in the morning and it seems to be ok.

I am still seeing these short video freezes on WAVY. I emailed them again about the issue and got the below reply.

Do any others still see the problem on WAVY via Direct TV or is just me?

I usually watch NBC Nightly News OTA and record ABC News and CBS News via DirecTV. I'll switch it tonight to watch WAVY via DirecTV... All my HDDVRs are HR24-500s...

Same DVR as mine. I am seeing right now during Anderson with Madonna

Im flipping over to WAVY via DirecTV right now...

Anderson? Augh... Madonna AUGH!!!

I think you might be on to something. I'm seeing a quick, subtle picture "stutter" every once in awhile. It doesn't seem to affect the audio at all...

Hey...What else...Dr Oz

Yes, that's a great description of the issue, and exactly what I see. And, you are right, it does not effect the audio.

It will be seen by many during the Super Bowl....I am sure. Just at the exact moment of that perfect catch.

Since this thread (once named the "Broadcast Engineering Thread") may still have an engineer dropping by...and since it is about Tidewater Virgina, where history is cherished, I'm curious about the Driver antenna farm and how it came to be.

Back in the old, old, old days of my youth, I recall that WTAR-TV/3 transmitted from the A-frame self-supporter by its Boush Street facility. Likewise, I remember that WVEC-TV (it was on 15 before moving to 13) transmitted from a rather short guyed tower behind its Pembroke studios and offices in Hampton.

So, here are the questions:

1). Who was the first to build at Driver?

2). Why was that location chosen?

3). Why did each of the three major stations (WTAR-TV, WAVY-TV and WVEC-TV) build their own tower instead of opting for a candelabra?

4). WAVY-TV was one of the latecomers to the market (1957). Did they ever transmit from Portsmouth or was Driver already a reality by the time they came on?

Any other memories from technical types about this interesting (well, at least to me) bit of Virginia broadcast history would be appreciated.

So far today, WAVY is looking good to me. Let's hope it lasts through the game.

I was watching just after 1P and saw major macroblocking during one of NBCs stories...

Still seeing the video studdering on WAVY via Direct TV.
No problem OTA.

Assuming you'll be watching via the antenna???

Ya, I saw it right after I posted. I jinxed it....

Stuttering via Cox QAM as well, the regular motion looks better than previous weeks NFL pregame, we'll see how the game goes.

No stuttering on FiOS, but blocky with any movement. AWFUL. Dunno if it is NBC or WAVY, but it is pitiful.

Ok, I am going to blame NBC and not WAVY. Commercials, except for the NBC Smash promo all look great. Only things looking like garbage are the game and NBC specific commercials.

seeing a lot of issues via D* right now or is this WAVY HD??

the audio stutters sometimes.
seeing random blue lines on the screen.

also there were a few commercials with no audio like the M&M commercial.

Must be a D* issue. Only problem on FiOS is massive pixelation.

I was getting stuttering/no sound and weirdness in the image via DirecTV but it just finally stopped.

Lots of issues in the past 20 minutes or so on DirecTV too. Switched to OTA and all is well so far.

PQ is utter crap OTA and FIOS. same problem as always and it's called 10-2. Seriously you think anyone is watching "soul train" anyway? You can't cut that nonsense us channel off for 4 freaking hours a year?

Ya, I sent them an email a couple weeks ago about PQ and of course heard nothing back. Just left a message on their Facebook wall.

Yep, PQ is definitely not great. At least DirecTV got its act back together.

Fast motion looks bad in game and commercials, major tiling. The Budweiser spot with history headlines from WWII to now looked really bad.

Had to switch from D* to OTA but the bandwidth starved 10-1 was pitiful.

I was disappointed in 10-1 PQ as well.

The only way to get this fixed with the Wavy PQ (macro blocking) and the video studder on Direct TV is to email WAVY

Send this gentleman an email

Add a "dot" between his first and last name and add "at wavy dot com" to the end


Charles Stutsman
WAVY/WVBT
Senior Transmitter Engineer CSTE 8VSB CBNT
300 Wavy Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704