Detroit, MI - HDTV - Page 36

Update on out sync issue. I emailed Ray Thurber from WXYZ. Here's his response.

Yes!

Please watch Commander and Chief tonight and let me know what you think. The
best way is by email. I really appreciate the time you have taken to call &
email. Hopefully we can get ABC to understand this issue

Ray

Ray Thurber
D.O.E.
WXYZ TV
248.827.9465
248.827.9287 Fax

So I guess we'll see. He's definitely helpful. His email address is rthurber@wxyz.com
Hope this helps everyone.

I assume you all know that in early October DIRECTV is rolling out a test of their MPEG-2/4 HD programming and new equipment in the Detroit DMA. The equipment will include the new 5 LNB PLUS antenna dish system and H20 HD STB.

In the beginning we will see FOX WJBK, NBC WDIV, ABC WXYZ, CBS WWJ, and in the future I would expect we will get, PAX WPXD, Ind WADL, UPN, PBS WTVS and WB WDWB. The H20 has an excellent ATSC OTA tuner and integrated APG so adding OH and other distant local channels should be easy to accomplish.

This test is very important as it proves DIRECTV's resources and commitment to add up to 150 more national HD channels as well as HD LIL across the USA.

-Robert

I've heard all over forums about D* starting in Detroit in October but I have heard nothing from D* themselves. Has anyone actually been contacted by D* about when the new HD Local channels will start? Also since I havn't heard anything from D* I'm looking to get an antenna installed on my roof. Any idea on how much something like this should run. I've tried the indoor antennas with little success. I'm in Clarkston so if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it.

Visit www.antennaweb.org to see which antenna will work best for your exact location. When you have completed all of the questions click on "show digital channels only"

For best results mount the OTA antenna at the tallest peak of your house and drop a home run RG6 from the antenna directly into your STB.

I'll post all of the Detroit DMA areas so you can confirm you will be in the first round of upgrades. Actually, no one can guaranty that all Detroit DMA DIRECTV HD existing customers will be upgraded in October, just that the upgrading will begin in October.

-Robert

DETROIT DMA ZIPS BY COUNTY

LAPEER
48003 48412 48416 48421 48428 48435 48438 48444 48446 48455 48461 48462 48464 48727 48744 48760

lIVINGSTON
48116 48130 48137 48169 48178 48189 48353 48418 48430 48451 48836 48843 48872 48892 49285

MACOMB
48005 48015 48021 48026 48041 48043 48044 48045 48047 48048 48062 48065 48066 48080 48081 48082 48089 48091 48092 48093 48094 48236 48306 48310 48312 48313 48314 48315 48316 48317 48367

MONROE
48117 48131 48133 48140 48144 48145 48157 48159 48160 48161 48166 48179 48182 49229 49267 49270 49276

OAKLAND
48009 48017 48025 48030 48034 48067 48069 48070 48071 48072 48073 48075 48076 48083 48084 48098 48165 48167 48178 48220 48237 48301 48302 48304 48306 48307 48309 48320 48322 48323 48324 48326 48327 48328 48329 48331 48334 48335 48336 48340 48341 48342 48346 48348 48350 48356 48357 48359 48360 48362 48363 48367 48370 48371 48374 48375 48377 48380 48381 48382 48383 48386 48390 48393 48430 48439 48442 48462

SANILAC
48097 48401 48416 48419 48422 48426 48427 48450 48453 48454 48456 48465 48466 48469 48471 48472 48475 48726 48741

SAINT CLAIR
48001 48002 48003 48004 48006 48014 48022 48023 48027 48028 48032 48039 48040 48041 48049 48060 48062 48074 48079 48097 48416

WASHTENAW
48103 48104 48105 48108 48109 48118 48130 48137 48158 48160 48167 48170 48176 48178 48189 48191 48197 48198 49236 49240 49285 49287

WAYNE
48075 48101 48111 48120 48122 48124 48125 48126 48127 48128 48134 48135 48138 48141 48146 48150 48152 48154 48164 48167 48170 48173 48174 48179 48180 48183 48184 48185 48187 48188 48192 48195 48198 48201 48202 48203 48204 48205 48206 48207 48208 48209 48210 48211 48212 48213 48214 48215 48216 48217 48218 48219 48221 48223 48224 48225 48226 48227 48228 48229 48230 48234 48235 48236 48238 48239 48240 482

-Robert

I'm a Comcast Royal Oak subscriber and have not been able to get the 6412 becasue of the antiqauted system. I called Comcast today and the woman booked an appointment for installation.

I asked her like five times if it she was sure that it was available and she said it was. So it looks like the ADS upgrade is complete. Can anyone confirm this?

My install date is 10/11 so I have to keep my fingers crossed.

I'm a Comcrap user, live in Northville and use the Canton office for pickup of equipment. Two weeks ago I was told that a service call was required of install of a HD STB.

After talking to a supervisor was told that I could pick up a HD STB and self install, which I did.

Today I inquired about self-install of 6214 DVR - was told not allowed. After talking to a supervisor was informed that both Canton and Royal Oak now allowed self install.

I get a different answer to the same question almost every time I call them.

I too, live in Northville (high neighbor).

I got the HD STB from Comcast three days after it was released. Of course, they didn't allow self-install at that time. They think the customer is too stupid to do the install. In actuality, of course, most consumers (and likely all on this forum) are super genuises compared to the installation people who can't even spell HD.

It was comical as I instructed the installation person on how to hook up the box (which I had never seen before).

I'm glad to know the 6412 is available. I'd just push like crazy to pick it up yourself. That's certainly what I plan to do.

Maybe they could institute an electronic IQ test, that both the installer and the consumer take. Whoever wins gets to do the installation. If the installer does it, you pay him $10.00. If you do it, Comcast pays you $10.00

By the way, although you call it Comcrap, just look at all the posts here about people trying to figure out how to aim their antenna. It seems they spend an inordinate amount of time trying to get their OTA systems working. Meanwhile, COmcast users just enjoy the HD experience. (Not that Comcast doesn't have problems, but certainly reception problems are rare).

Hi Neighbor,

Perhaps I'm just lucky, but I hung an old 7.5 inch UHF loop in my stairwell, aimed it east and receive ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, UPN, WB and PBS - all with >50 strength. Sometimes the PQ is better than Comcast delivers - on Saturday the 17th Comcast had trouble with ABC and NBC during the UofM and MSU foootball games, but my OTA reception was perfect! Don't know what to expect when there's snow on the roof, though.

With a STB, it seems that Comcast displays many of the analog channels (2 thru 73) in "digital" format. Are they just puting the analog signals thru an A/D converter and calling it digital?

Also, I note that on my Sharp LC37D5U, channel 32 (FSD) (which is still delivered analog) looks much, much better when displayed using the in-built tuner than when I use the Comcast STB (using components input cables).

Dave

Cant get ABC (231) or NBC (232) on Comcast Royal Oak. Anyone else?

The Zenith Silver Sensor I ordered was on my doorstep when I got home today. I have Brighthouse digital cable but I wanted to see what I would get with an antenna. I can pick up 14 digital channels with this thing. I now get at least 2 channels in WB and UPN that I don't get on cable.

What is with the, waste of bandwidth, camera (7.2) on top of the building?

While there are a few must haves for me on cable, I can totally understand how someone could get by with just a nice big rooftop antenna these days. The picture of even the SD channels looks great compared to the analog junk on cable. As a matter of fact the SD channels I get OTA look way better then the SD digital cable junk.

Ah, the joy of discovery... all for $19.99 + free shipping.

No sync problem during Lost tonight, but no 5.1 surround, either.

Program volume is really low, too, as compared to commercials, or to other channels.

Yes, during "Invasion" tonight with the volume turned up enought to hear the show, the commercials were ear splitting.

I thought the FCC had rules limiting the volume during commercials, but ABC/WXYZ must be ignoring them.

Also, several times on NBC I've noticed the volume cycling up and down on the Jay Leno show.

Quick question, maybe I missed it but when did WXYZ shift sub channels? I had my TiVo recording House and Supernatural last night and tuned in Commander in Chief on my trusty old RCA dtc-100, punched in 41-1 and got nothing, found it on 41-3, and the other subs moved to 41-4 & 41-5.

No big deal, just curious.

Hoping someone around the Commerce area could help me out. I pull in my OTA channels currently with a roof mounted U-75R UHF antenna from RS. I get FOX (2-1), ABC (7-1), and NBC (4-1) all around a signal strength of 90, the problem child is CBS (62-1) that fluctuates between 0-65. I've messed around with the antenna positioning and can't get a solid signal to save my life. Which seems kind of odd since all the transmitters are only seperated by a few miles and a few degrees. Anyway I was thinking of trying either the Channel Master 3021/4221 4-bay or DB2. Anyone in my area have success with either of these two? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Same in Commerce Twp on Comcast. No 5.1 and the commercials were uncomfortably loud.

Hi, can anyone confirm the Detroit Lions game will be in HD on FOX this weekend? Or provide a link that has the remaining schedule?

Thanks,

Steve

If HD stands for "Hopelessly Deficient," you can count on it for the entire season!

This Sunday's game is, in fact showing up as HD, but beyond this week I don't think it's been published (with the exception of the Sunday Night game and Thanksgiving of course). DirecTV's schedule page usually gets updated at least a week ahead of time, and should give the correct status.

same thing tonight is anyone else having this problem I can't tune in either of these stations.

Not quite.

Comcast likes to do the HD installs, because the 6200 & 6412 require better signal quality than standard cable STB's to work consistently. The only thing they really do is to verify line signal meets HD STB standards. As for the rest, meaning actually hooking it up to a display, you'd be best to do that yourself.

Its been awhile.

Yes, it will be.

Does anyone know what Directv may be offering to existing customers to upgrade to the HD locals, etc?? I know their mpeg-4 dvr will not be out until next year...

All existing DIRECTV HD customers will have their dish upgraded to the new 5 LNB PLUS dish and any HD STBs will be swaped for the new H20 MPEG-2/4 STB. Customers who have a HR10-250 can keep it until the HR20-250 becomes available sometime in Q1-06.

Most new Detroit DMA subscribers will be installed with the new MPEG-2/4 system.

-Robert

What if I don't currently have the HD package? I have the old 2 LNB dish. Any idea what it would cost to upgrade to HD?

The best upgrade deal comes from DIRECTV. I'll post a special phone # and ordering code so you can call the installation department directly. The upgrade cost $49.99, plus $14.99 shipping, plus your local tax.

If you want to do the upgrade yourself, the dish cost $59.99 with free shipping and no tax from most on-line dealers.

-Robert

Anyone know where the 5.1 sound has gone on wxyz 7 yet? Are they doing something to try and correct the lip sync problem or did something else happen?

Thanks Robert,I just resub'd my trusty old RCA Dtc-100 in preparation for the new equipment roll out. Had a heck of a time getting it to accept the programming from D, but after about 20 minutes it took the hit. I guess it had something to do with it being out of the stream for a year or so. I don't know the requirements for the replacement, so I thought I'd be in a better position if I had another HD unit sub'd besides the HD TiVo.

Looked over at Value Electronics but didn't see the new dish listed, is it up on your site yet? I'm planning on doing a self install so I'll need one.

Thanks Matt, but I must tell you that DIRECTV will supply an upgrade your dish at no charge and swap you DTC-100 for the new H20 MPEG-2/4 HD STB at no charge. So you don't need to buy one or do the install upgrade yourself.

For the new 5 LNB antenna dish system and H20 MPEG-2/4 HD STB my company is limited to new customer activations only, we are not taking care of any upgrades at this time.

-Robert

So Robert are you saying that D* will only use D* techs (as opposed to contractors) to put up the 5 LNB dish*)? Is this for Detroit for the test only or will that be true for the next 12 markets as well? (I'm in Atlanta)









*Because I had such a horrendous time getting the H10 to work (4 techs came to my house, 3 contractors & the last, a D* employee) I have to ask. Will getting the 5 LNB dish include all (reasonable) cabling & mutilswitches (if any) as required?