Is Anyone Watching DTV in Market 1?

[VeteranPD]

I finally caved in and installed a DTV set top box in my home, so I can check out the terrestrial digital TV world. From a video standpoint, I like it. IMHO the images are sharper, crisper, more color rich that what I get from DISH Network. In fact, after a little watching DTV, you don't want to go back to the satellite. The down side, my coax coming in from the attic antenna is 30 years old with bad connectors, and the signals drop out from time to time. (New antenna system under construction.) These signals are very tempermental. What I don't like is the way the various programming elements change shape. Somtimes it's full screen, sometimes it's letterbox and other times it's a little box. Can someone pick a video format and stay with it?
From a programming standpoint..."ZZZZZZ". Of course this is the technology that is supposed to replace analong terrestrial TV in 2008 (unless they extend the dealine again.) The "extra channels" like 5.2 5.3 etc are really underused. Not not better that those early cable days when "programming" consisted of a clock and a thermometer on the screen. Channels 4 and 7 seem to thing that we have a crying need for "all weather all the time" on a loop. The FOX stations channels 5 and 9 mirror each other on their sub channels...creative. I've got to wonder how long it will take the programming geniuses to convert these sub channels to all infomercials. I wonder if programmer like Turner Classic Movies or Reelz will eventuall be carried on these sub channels. It's a lead pipe cinch that religious broadcasters will clog this up..trying to save my soul if I help support that penchant for fine automobiles, big homes and Brooks Brothers suits.

 

[neo11]

I heard that WPIX is airing some music video station on one of its DTV streams. How is it?

 

[pabsungenis]

The FOX stations channels 5 and 9 mirror each other on their sub channels...creative.

I believe that dates back to the days before WWOR-DT's new antenna was built. It was one of the last to go up after the World Trade Center antenna was lost. Channel 9's digital feed (in standard definition) was available on channel 5.2 since it couldn't be on 9.1.

I've got to wonder how long it will take the programming geniuses to convert these sub channels to all infomercials.

[/quote]

See: every PAX (or whatever they call it this month) station. 4 subchannels: two infomercials, one 3-hour delay, one one pray-for-pay.

 

[azumanga]

See: every PAX (or whatever they call it this month) station. 4 subchannels: two infomercials, one 3-hour delay, one one pray-for-pay.

Until recently, it was like this:
1. The normal "i" station, infomercials and all.
2. "Pax/i" -- the same programming as "i", plus repeats of Pax shows, plus public domain movies and TV shows to replace most of the infomercials.
3. The Pacific "i" feed -- I assume this is the mostly-infomercial version.
4. "Worship" -- the "pay-for-pray" channel.

A couple of weeks ago, "Pax/i" was replaced with a 30-second, silent loop for the new "qubo" children's channel, which will begin in that slot in early 2007.

 

[johnissoevil1976]

I heard that WPIX is airing some music video station on one of its DTV streams. How is it?

That video music station, The Tube, is also available on Digital Cable. It's not too bad, from what I'm seeing.

 

[ansky212]

I finally caved in and installed a DTV set top box in my home, so I can check out the terrestrial digital TV world.

Where did you get the set top box, and how much did it cost? I have had trouble finding one.

 

[hubcity]

I've been getting familiar with NYC digital channels since a friend traded his DirecTV up - he gave me his Panasonic box, which got OTA DTV as well as DirecTV in HD. I'm in Freehold, NJ, so I'm able to get some - but by no means all - NYC signals, but I can also get most Philly signals and, for some strange reason, Channel 69's primary SD signal from Allentown, PA. (Can't seem to get their HD-Net feed in all - or indeed in any of - its HD glory, though.)

The one I'm most excited by is the one I wish I could pull in: WNBC-DT 4.4, which doesn't seem to show up on TitanTV yet. Cablevision carries it now, though, so I check it out every now and again; I've found engaging documentaries that I'd have missed in their normal broadcast hours. It's essentially WNBC behaving as though it were an extremely slick independent channel, even airing an independent producers' showcase. (Some of the promos for that show are even downright snarky, claiming they offer comedy, drama, dramedy, documentaries, docudramas, and "docudramedies".)

I can't get WPIX-DT, either, though I can at least turn to WPHL-DT in Philly to pull in The Tube on 17.2.

Now then: how come I can't get WNBC-DT and WPIX-DT, when I can get WCBS-DT just fine? Where's WNBC-DT broadcasting from these days?

(By the way, all of the above are coming in courtesy a $35 amplified set-top antenna. Seems effective enough for me to justify getting a big ol' Channelmaster grill...)

 

[rch66]

One of the Philly stations, WPVI DT .2, runs 'The View from the Bay' on its digital subchannel, along with WPVI local programming. 'The View from the Bay' is hosted by former 'Good Morning Anchor' weatherman Spencer Christian and an asian woman. It's odd but nice seeing local programming ... out of San Francisco KGO, a sister station. I don't think any other ABC owned stations run local programming, besides local news monday - friday. Does WABC-DT also run this?