Sooo many questions.......

[momv630]

I first have to say that I am completely new at this HDTV stuff and thats why I'm looking to all you professional ppl for help.

We just got a Hitachi 57in HDTV and had it hooked up to Time Warner with a HD box.  Our TV tell us what format each channel is coming through on. We were told (Time Warner) that our HD channels were 4,6,10,12, and Discovery.  Why is it when we tune to Fox 6, it shows we are getting it in 480p format when all the others say 1080i? HD Fox 6 is also the ONLY channel that the sound goes up and down all day long.  We had Time Warner come out about the sound and he installed a new box and left.
Now when we checked it after he left (I know, our falult) we still have up and down sound and no 1080i format. Before the new box was in we were getting Fox6 in 1080i format.  They keep making it worse!!! Cable ppl are coming out ...AGAIN on Friday.  Does anyone have any ideas for me?  I'm getting real tired of these cable guys that think they are "All knowing" and just leave you hanging.:bang:

[Gregg Lengling]

Fox6 uses only 480p enhanced widescreen, not true high def.  In 2004 FOX has said they will implement a HD format.  However for right now all you will get is 480p.  All the other stations are 1080i except for 12 which is 720p, however I do think the box upconverts to 1080i or you set upconverts to 1080i as it may not do native 720p format.

[momv630]

Thanks, why couldn't the cable ppl just say that??

Any answers to the sound problem coming from Fox6 only? It can't be the tv because all the other channels are ok. Does the sound problem have anything to do with a weak signal?

[Gregg Lengling]

It could possibly have to do with the signal level on the cable coming into your house.  Recently I spent the day at my 83 year old mothers house when the installer came to install Charter Pipeline (she only has basic expanded cable...not digital) and the whole level to the condo building was below normal.  He explained that the Modem will work but that because they've got 3 splits in the unit (2 tvs and a modem) that the TV's will be grainy on the upper channels and he was right.  Good installer, and then he put a trouble order in to repair the main feed to the building (not his job or his tools ect...).  

A week later the pictures on the tv's cleared up.  If I remember correctly and he did show me his level box and the readings he got, that the building should've been fed at +10dB and the incoming was only +3.2dB.  And every split reduces the level by 3dB so by the time it got to the one set it was at 0dB and the other set was at -3.2dB.

Just a hunch but you may be right about the incoming levels.

[momv630]

We've got 3 tv's on digital 1 on HDTV and RoadRunner coming in.  Maybe that's too much?? Someone said we need an amplifier. Should I ask them to give us an amplifier when they come?

[Gregg Lengling]

IF the installer is any good he will check the levels and if an amp is required he should install one.  I'm not a cable guy but it makes sense to me....remember you're the customer and if you are not happy you should tell them so and make them do it right so you get what you are paying for.

[momv630]

Thanks for your help.  I'm so glad I found this site.

[Snard]

Just an addendum / note. I finally upgraded my converter to a Pioneer 3510HD yesterday, and with that box, you configure it as to which formats to pass through natively to your TV; any formats you don't specify will be upconverted to 1080i. My Toshiba direct view (in my signature line) will work with all of the formats, so I added them, and now I hear a relay "click" on certain channel changes.

Does DiscoveryHD also transmit in 720p? Because if I change from 512 to 541, the relay doesn't click.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by momv630
Thanks, why couldn't the cable ppl just say that??

Any answers to the sound problem coming from Fox6 only? It can't be the tv because all the other channels are ok. Does the sound problem have anything to do with a weak signal?

Congratulations on your new purchase!

I'd cancel your appointment.  Aside from swapping yet another set top out, field technicians have no control over audio levels...

If you had an SA set top and switched to a Pioneer, that would explain the lack of 1080i being reported on every channel.  The SA box converts everything to 1080i, whereas the Pioneer can passthrough 488, 720 & 1080 natively.

Contrary the conjecture, changing audio levels have nothing to do with RF levels.  In the digital world, low RF levels would totally knock out your picture and sound.

I'd be helpful to know what outputs of the set top are you using?  L & R or AC3?

Does the sound change within the program, or are you concerned with changing levels between programming and commercials?
If you are unhappy with the balance between programs or between programming and commercials, contact 6.  The local programmers are not making any money on HD, nor are there a ton of people watching those feeds, so they get little technical attention IMO.

Don't have an amp installed unless you absolutely have to...  All amps add distortion and are just another point of failure.

If you perused the milwaukeehdtv.org home page, you would have noticed FOX is in 480p.  Not 'all the rest' are 1080i either... WISN is in 720p.

[Tom Snyder]

HD Fox 6 is also the ONLY channel that the sound goes up and down all day long

Y'know, I notice that too... especially during football games... REALLY irritating... I suspect it's some sort of sound leveler in Fox' 6's audio chain.  When there's a sudden loud sound, the volume drops way down, then gradually comes back up.. When I was in radio we had a thing called an Optimod that did the same thing.. required some tweaking to keep the volume steady.

We already know Fox 6's lack of regard and priority for their digital signal... this may be another symptom of that as well....

The local programmers are not making any money on HD

Sorry... that argument is just so much BS... and was debunked HERE

[momv630]

Snard, you hit it on the head!!

:bow:


We have a Pioneer 3510HD and you do have to change the format on this box.  I did it and it works now.  As for the sound, I guess thats just Fox. I'm calling them on Monday and giving them a peace of my mind (for whatever thats worth). What good is all this equiptment if the sound doesn't come in right.!!??!!
Thanks to all for the info.
Momv630

[mhz40]

Originally posted by Tom Snyder
Sorry... that argument is just so much BS... and was debunked HERE

So a broadcaster renovates a 25 year old facility and it's all on the heels of launching HD?  I don't see anywhere in the article that states their investment is being funded by thier newly-launched HD service... or for that matter even driven by it.
This is simply a project that must be done in order to stay competitive in the market and position themselves to take a shot at TMJ for the #1 spot for local news.

[Tom Snyder]

Investment is being funded by thier newly-launched HD service

Never claimed it was... If you'll re-read my post in that thread, what I said was: Not everything a business does directly generates revenue.  HD doesn't. But neither does sprucing up the sales pit, redecorating the sales cubes and putting Oprah banners and Leather sofas in the lobby.  

But they are simply things that good businessmen do when they run a proftable business.  

And excusing a lack of professionalism, technical excellence, or care for any part of their operation because it doesn't directly generate revenue is not.

[Dick Nitelinger]

One of the interesting things about the upgrade project is that they have taken a serious look at their history.

Rich Kirchen ("Uncle Rich" in our WMSE days) failed to mention the fact that in the remodeled lobby is a timeline of WISN-TV. At the top is a timeline which changes from black & white to color, and features the various logos the station used.

Below the timeline are individual cards describing some of the history and programming which took place over the years, including the WTVW logos, Hearst's purchase of the station in 1955, the increase in the height of the present tower, "Uncle Hugo", "Punky and His Pals", "Pops Theater", "Dialing for Dollars", the affiliation switches from ABC to CBS and back again, "Shock Theater" and "Shock Rock" with Tolouse NoNeck, and a bunch of others. Jim Windsor (who came over from WITI) and Thom Schlais asked me if I could dig up the timeframes for "Punky and His Pals" as well as "Pops", which I did.

Facility upgrades (the first one in 25 years - the facility itself was built in the late 50's), upgrading the transmitter, a respect for it's history...sounds pretty good - and pretty aggressive to me.

- Dick  :wave:

http://www.milwaukee-horror-hosts.com

[mhz40]

An on that Tom,  we can both agree...
Based on the quote you pulled from my post, followed by your comment and the link to WISN's big plans, I determined you were providing support for the argument that broadcasters were making a profit on HD.

Happy Thanksgiving all![/b]