i hate digital tv

[OhioMediaWatch]

WHBF-DT 4 (CBS) Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities market--Davenport, IA/RI/Moline, IL). Formerly on analog 4 1950-2009 (and BTW, WHBF is the oldest downstate Illinois station).

WHBF has a fill-in translator on RF 47...from the FCC website, it looks pretty centrally located.

 

[sdwulfdawg]

Does anyone know where I can get one of those new converter boxes? I'm dropping The Comcast Monopoly for TV. Keeping their internet for now.

I bought a GREAT converter box at Best Buy at a good price...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Coby+-+...+Box/9663904.p?id=1218140711965&skuId=9663904

 

[cd637299]

WHBF-DT 4 (CBS) Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities market--Davenport, IA/RI/Moline, IL). Formerly on analog 4 1950-2009 (and BTW, WHBF is the oldest downstate Illinois station).

WHBF is my DT4 catch, my farthest DTV so far from my home NW of Miami....about 1,200 miles.

cd

 

[Mike Sheridan]

My farthest has only been 170 miles so far.

My question is who well does Digital TV do in rural areas that are far away from the TV transmitters? Better or worse than analog. I would assume worse because a slightly fuzzy analog signal is better than no (or stuttering) digital signal.

People out in the middle of nowhere probably only have satellite since there are areas that cable doesn't reach. Anyone with info on that?

 

[tripinva]

I live in an area without cable service, but the area is relatively flat and the stations, though they are 79 miles from me, are up on Poor Mountain at something like 3700 feet. The reception in analog was very good, so the reception in digital is very good. I've managed to get decent reception with digital in some places where the analog wasn't great, but it often took a bit more antenna effort than most people were willing to put forward. One person at 93 miles could only receive one of the stations that is closer at 67 miles, but when I utilized my Silver Sensor and an amp instead of the straight rabbit ears she had been using, I managed to get all four network stations digitally without too much struggle.

The worst reception area I've been in personally is in the mountains near Crozet, VA. On my spectrum analyzer, I can see lots of signal from WVIR and WHTJ in Charlottesville, but due to multipath reflections, decoding the signals is pretty difficult. In analog, they were riddled with ghosts.

I suspect the bigger issues are out in the mountains, and I don't have a lot of first-hand experience there. I did take calls on June 12, 2009 and there were definitely people who received the analog VHF signals but could not receive the digital UHF signals. Any VHF digitals, though, they received without too much trouble. (The station I worked at retained their UHF pre-transition digital allotment.)

- Trip

 

[brian77]

Something your cable company doesn't want you to know: Do what I did. Pay for internet through your cable provider. Buy a splitter, connect one coax cable to your modem, the other to your TV. You'll get the basic channels (very basic). When I upgraded recently to an HDTV, I also received the digital sub-channels, plus a few more random ones like The Weather Channel and History (in SD).

 

[w9wi]

My farthest has only been 170 miles so far.

I've received South Dakota and Nebraska from my location about 30 miles from Nashville.

My question is who well does Digital TV do in rural areas that are far away from the TV transmitters? Better or worse than analog. I would assume worse because a slightly fuzzy analog signal is better than no (or stuttering) digital signal.

People out in the middle of nowhere probably only have satellite since there are areas that cable doesn't reach. Anyone with info on that?

At my location, 20-30 miles from the towers (depending on which station), better than analog on most channels. Channel 2 (ABC) used to be riddled with noise and interference, both from computers and from other channel 2 stations. (one day I got up & it looked for all the world like Channel 2 had flipped from ABC to Univision. In fact, there was a skip opening in progress and XEFB from Monterrey, Mexico was so strong one could just barely detect the local station under it...)

Channel 4 was usually pretty good in analog but could occasionally suffer from skip. Channel 8 (PBS) tended to be pretty noisy. 58 (CW) wasn't the best, and 28 (Ion) was pretty noisy.

All of these stations are solid in digital, using the same antenna. And that doesn't mention the 14 completely new stations ("subchannels") I get in digital. (admittedly there are only five I ever watch)

I did lose some out-of-market stations that used to deliver a noisy, though occasionally useful, analog signal. Channel 13 in Bowling Green, Kentucky and channel 35 in Madisonville, to name the two I watched most often. Channel 35 didn't bother to build out a full-power digital facility; they're only running 55kw UHF. (vs. 617kw analog)

 

[WPPCProductions]

Hi Guys,this might be a little off topic.I picked up an other portable Sharper Image 7" dtv tv .The same model I got before from B.J's.It works great with the whip.this time around it was on sale for a steal of $39.99 from $89.99 at B.J's.thats the lowest price on a portable dtv set I've seen .Now I have to hook it up with a better antenna to see what I can receive with the set.

 

[JeeperOne]

4. Subs are generally of no value to me (they are mostly Spanish/religious/infomercial or weather loops). The one exception is PBS' World.

THE ONLY three subs that are of interest to me are.....

* Mhz. Networks (KBDI-DT 12.3 & Comcast Channel 252) - I've found myself watching this one somewhat regularly
* Antenna TV (KDVR-DT 31.2 & Comcast Channel 253) - Though the jury is still out on this one
* Universal Sports (KUSA-DT 9.3 & Comcast Channel 250) - Rarely (Read once in a blue moon)

I'd go back to analog in a heartbeat.

And I'll stick to the channels I know

Cheers

 

[JeeperOne]

Something your cable company doesn't want you to know: Do what I did. Pay for internet through your cable provider. Buy a splitter, connect one coax cable to your modem, the other to your TV. You'll get the basic channels (very basic). When I upgraded recently to an HDTV, I also received the digital sub-channels, plus a few more random ones like The Weather Channel and History (in SD).

One problem.

To combat the above (As well as for other reasons), most cable companies put the HD locals on Digital TV (Usually around Channel 650). Therefore by doing the above, you will only get the SD versions of the locals and a select (VERY select) mix of Public Access, Government & regular cable channels (I think TBS is the only one you can get with a very basic subscription now).

So Trip's best bet would likely be to get satellite TV service instead IMO.

Cheers

 

[dave73]

4. Subs are generally of no value to me (they are mostly Spanish/religious/infomercial or weather loops). The one exception is PBS' World.

THE ONLY three subs that are of interest to me are.....

* Mhz. Networks (KBDI-DT 12.3 & Comcast Channel 252) - I've found myself watching this one somewhat regularly
* Antenna TV (KDVR-DT 31.2 & Comcast Channel 253) - Though the jury is still out on this one
* Universal Sports (KUSA-DT 9.3 & Comcast Channel 250) - Rarely (Read once in a blue moon)

I'd go back to analog in a heartbeat.

And I'll stick to the channels I know

Cheers

For me in the Chicago market, the only subchannels I like are:

Livewell Network for select shows (WLS-TV 7.2 & is in HD, which looks horrible)

Antenna TV (WGN-TV 9.2)

WTTW Prime (24 hour primetime programming from PBS & APT, & programmed by WTTW onWTTW 11.2)

Create (WTTW 11.3)

Mhz Worldview for a few news shows (WYC 20.3)

MeTV (WWME-LD 23.1/WCIU 26.3) (preferred the old MeTV over the new MeTV)

MeToo (local MeTV on WCIU 26.4)

U Too (WCIU 26.2 & is the rebroadcast of the most popular shows seen on WCIU 26.1)

Qubo (WCPX 38.2 - Especially now that they have He-Man & She-Ra on Qubo Nightowl)

Ion Life (WCPX 38.3 - ok shows, but really wish they'd purchase more shows overall, especially more than just 1 season of a specific show)

Subchannels I don't like on Chicago TV:

Chicago Nonstop on WMAQ-TV 5.2 (boring shows with the HD channel & both subchannels with not enough bandwidth)

Universal Sports on WMAQ-TV 5.3 (same reason as Nonstop, but also, some sports shows are simply reairings of old Olympic programming)

repeating this one: Livewell Network on WLS-TV 7.2 (most shows are female oriented, but Motion & Advice For Life are ok shows. HD needs to go on ABC O&O stations)

V-Me on WTTW 11.4 (don't understand Spanish)

SD version of WYCC on 20.2

While this one is the main channel, but I hate Ion Television on WCPX 38.1 (lots of recent reruns of CBS shows, but worst of all are all the infomercials they show daily)

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I watch MhZ from time to time, and World.

Here, TWC does have the HD locals on free QAM, though my set downstairs has trouble with two of the more tightly packed RF channels (including the one which carries WOIO/19 CBS in HD). I don't know if that's a TV problem or a signal problem...the signal is pretty strong.

Back to OTA subchannels...here's our local list in Cleveland. All are carried on digital QAM cable, except for those noted:

WKYC/3 (NBC)
- 3.2 - Weather radar (formerly NBC Weather Plus, just radar loops, no forecast video)

WEWS/5 (ABC)
- No subchannels

WJW/8 (Fox)
- 8.2 - Antenna TV

WDLI/17 (TBN O&O)
- 17.2 - Church Channel
- 17.3 - JCTV
- 17.4 - Enlace (Spanish)
- 17.5 - Smile Of A Child
None of the WDLI/TBN subs get cable carriage.

WOIO/19 (CBS)
- 19.2 - WeatherNow (local weather loop, some news)

WVPX/23 (ION)
- 23.2 - qubo
- 23.3 - ION Life
No WVPX/ION subs get cable carriage, though 23.1 is on QAM in HD.

WVIZ/25 (PBS)
- 25.2 - Ohio Channel (state public affairs, WVIZ helps run it)
- 25.3 - World
- 25.4 - Create
- 25.9 - (audio only) Cleveland Sight Center Network radio reading service (not available on all tuners, I get it on my Zenith/Insignia box) Not on cable for obvious reasons.

WUAB/43 (MyNetwork TV)
- 43.2 - This TV

WRLM/47 (TCT religious, new incarnation of former analog WOAC/67)
- 47.2 - TCT HD (different schedule of TCT programming, some studio shows in HD, mostly stretched SD) On TWC's Akron/Canton systems only, SD is on all systems

WNEO/49 (PBS, on WNEO/45 in some parts of Northeast Ohio with simulcast and same subchannel lineup as 45.x)
- 49.2 - "Fusion", combination of local show reairings and ARTS Showcase feed overnight/weekends
- 49.3 - MHz Worldview
- 49.4 - V-me (Spanish)
All WNEO/WEAO subs are on cable/QAM, even in the Cleveland part of the TWC system which does not carry 49.1 in HD. As with Canton-licensed WRLM, only TWC's Akron/Canton systems carry Akron-licensed 49.1 in HD, but the Cleveland systems do carry 49 on the analog side.

WBNX/55 (CW)
- 55.2 - Occasional local programming, mostly in-house religious programming - including station owner Rev. Ernest Angley's own "Ninety & Nine Club" and "Ernest Angley Hour". Other than some E/I and occasional other programming, channel is mostly not programmed, with a "Coming up..." graphic of upcoming program schedule. Not carried on digital/QAM cable at all.

WQHS/61 (Univision O&O)
- No subchannels.

Those close to the Parma (suburban Cleveland) antenna farm can get WCDN/53 (RF 7), an LPTV digital station carrying Daystar religious fare. It used to have Home Shopping Network on 53.2 (from WKOX-LP 65), but didn't last time I was able to get it.

Those in extreme southern parts of the market might get RTV on rebroadcasters of WIVM/52 Canton, which itself will go digital soon on RF 39. IIRC, WIVM is planning some subchannels, but I don't remember what they are, and don't think those subchannels are on the digital rebroadcasters yet.

 

[w9wi]

Something your cable company doesn't want you to know: Do what I did. Pay for internet through your cable provider. Buy a splitter, connect one coax cable to your modem, the other to your TV. You'll get the basic channels (very basic). When I upgraded recently to an HDTV, I also received the digital sub-channels, plus a few more random ones like The Weather Channel and History (in SD).

One problem.

To combat the above (As well as for other reasons), most cable companies put the HD locals on Digital TV (Usually around Channel 650). Therefore by doing the above, you will only get the SD versions of the locals and a select (VERY select) mix of Public Access, Government & regular cable channels (I think TBS is the only one you can get with a very basic subscription now).
...

On at least three different cable systems in three different states and owned by at least two different companies, what Brian suggests *does* work. Here in Nashville you don't get (most of) the subchannels but you do get the local stations' main channels, in HD if they're HD OTA. In the three places I've checked, you only get the locals in digital/HD, not any of the non-OTA channels.

In Milwaukee I saw most of the subchannels. (maybe all of them?, didn't pay that much attention)

 

[tripinva]

So Trip's best bet would likely be to get satellite TV service instead IMO.

??? My best bet for what?

- Trip

 

[JeeperOne]

So Trip's best bet would likely be to get satellite TV service instead IMO.

??? My best bet for what?

To receive HD from where you are out in the middle of nowhere (You did say you lived out in the boondies, didn't you?)

Cheers

 

[tripinva]

I also said reception is good here. I've got CBS/NBC/ABC/PBS/FOX/CW/ION in HD. What more could I want?

- Trip

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

I thought someone had previously posted a thread devoted to listings of DTV subchannels in various markets, but apparently I can't find it if it exists. Anyway, central Illinois (both Peoria/Bloomington and Springfield/Decatur/Champaign) is missing out on a lot of digital subchannel offerings (RTV, Universal Sports, Antenna TV, etc.), and I'm not holding my breath that those markets will see some of those subs (particularly as both of these markets have the misfortune of having stations owned by both Nexstar and Sinclair).

Peoria/Bloomington's digital lineup:

WHOI-19 (19.1 ABC, 19.2 CW)
WEEK-25 (25.1 NBC, 25.2 weather)
WMBD-31 (31.1 CBS, no subs)
WYZZ-43 (43.1 Fox, 43.2 Cool TV)
WTVP-47 (47.1 PBS, 47.2 World, 47.3 Create)
WAOE-59 (59.1 My, no subs)

Plus some parts of the Peoria/Bloomington market can also receive WWTO-35 (35.1 TBN) LaSalle/Chicago. However, when I was visiting family at Christmas I noticed that their four additional TBN subchannels (Enlace, Church Channel, etc.) were off the air. Anyone know what was up with that?

For Springfield city proper (in my case with a bowtie antenna in my apartment placed as high as I can get it, and A/B switch), it isn't much better:

WSEC-14 (Jacksonville/Springfield--rebroadcasters WQEC Quincy and WMEC Macomb) (14.1 PBS, 14.2 World, 14.3 Create)
WAND-17 (Decatur) (17.1 NBC, 17.2 weather)
WICS-20 (Springfield--Sinclair owned) (20.1 ABC- supposed to get CoolTV and Country Network, but no subs yet and I'm not holding my breath, IMO)
WBUI-23 (Decatur) (23.1 CW, 23.2 ThisTV)
WCFN-49 (Springfield, former relay of WCIA-3 Champaign) (49.1 My, 49.2 CBS from WCIA)
WRSP-55 (Springfield) (55.1 Fox, no subs)

Parts of Springfield could also receive WILL-12 Urbana/Champaign (12.1 PBS, 12.2 World, 12.3 Create) OTA, but I haven't been one of those people yet. Occasionally I have picked up WMBD from Peoria and also some St. Louis signals last summer.

On the other hand, the Quad Cities (Davenport, IA/Rock Island-Moline, IL) has a much better DTV lineup than their Peoria and Springfield counterparts:

WHBF-4 (RI) (4.1 CBS, 4.2 RTV--in all its Low-V glory).
KWQC-6 (Davenport) (6.1 NBC, 6.2 weather)
WQAD-8 (Moline) (8.1 ABC, 8.2 weather and possibly Antenna TV soon, 8.3 My)
KLJB-18 (Davenport) (18.1 Fox, 18.2 CW via KGCW Burlington, IA)
WQPT-24 (Moline) (24.1 PBS, 24.2 mHz)
KQIN-36 (Davenport) (36.1 PBS via Iowa Public Television, 36.2 IPTV Learns/PBS Kids, 36.3 IPTV World)

Meanwhile, the digital transition has finally brought the Quincy, IL/Hannibal, MO market with the full Big 4/PBS stable:

KHQA-7 (Hannibal) (7.1 CBS, 7.2 ABC)
WGEM-10 (Quincy) (10.1 NBC, 10.2 CW, 10.3 Fox)
WTJR-16 (Quincy) (16.1 Christian Television Network)
WMEC-22/WQEC-27 (Macomb/Quincy respectively--see my comments above on WSEC) (2x.1 PBS, 2x.2 World, 2x.3 Create)

After posting these listings, I got thinking--is it still reasonably possible in the digital age (albeit with some antenna trickery) in a certain area of western Illinois, particularly around Macomb, IL, to get most stations from these four forementioned markets at the same time (Quad Cities, Peoria, Quincy and at least the Springfield side of Springfield/Decatur/Champaign), as I would have expected to have seen happen in the analog age?

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Something your cable company doesn't want you to know: Do what I did. Pay for internet through your cable provider. Buy a splitter, connect one coax cable to your modem, the other to your TV. You'll get the basic channels (very basic). When I upgraded recently to an HDTV, I also received the digital sub-channels, plus a few more random ones like The Weather Channel and History (in SD).

One problem.

To combat the above (As well as for other reasons), most cable companies put the HD locals on Digital TV (Usually around Channel 650). Therefore by doing the above, you will only get the SD versions of the locals and a select (VERY select) mix of Public Access, Government & regular cable channels (I think TBS is the only one you can get with a very basic subscription now).

So Trip's best bet would likely be to get satellite TV service instead IMO.

Cheers

Aren't they required to put the HD locals on unencrypted QAM?

 

[w9wi]

Aren't they required to put the HD locals on unencrypted QAM?

I don't know of any *requirement* to provide locals in clearQAM. (though it seems most systems *do*.)

There is a requirement to deliver them in *analog*. That requirement sunsets not too far down the calendar.

 

[kenglish]

Aren't they required to put the HD locals on unencrypted QAM?

............There is a requirement to deliver them in *analog*. That requirement sunsets not too far down the calendar.

Thanks to misinformation, plus those little "Digital Cable Converter Boxes" (taped to the back of the TV sets), most folks are still watching in analog. :