CHARTER Communications?

[GADGET71]

I realize this is Milwaukee HDTV, and most posts about local broadcasting has to do with Milwaukee stations.  I respect that, and wish I was close enough to receive those signals at a decent level.  My question has to do with Charter Communications. Which is not specific to Madison, but does handle Cable TV in my area. I purchased the "HDTV package" in November.  They told me that after the 1st of January more channels would become available in HD, I currently only receive HDNET and HDNET Movies.   I was told by the installer that the Milwaukee and Madison Tv markets are competing for their stations to get the HD Feeds in my area.  Until this is resolved, I can't get any locals via cable.   Does anyone know if their issues are getting resolved? And if I can look forward to receiving any locals in HD via cable in the near future?  FWIW I am also 36 miles from Madison and 46 miles from Milwaukee so getting the locals via antenna only provides about a 20 - 50 % signal on the locals in Madison.
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[Kevin Arnold]

Haven't heard anything about Charter in Fort and who they will carry. Traditionally Fort is part of the Madison market so I would be surprised if they go with MKE.  As for the antenna strength, what antenna are you using. From Fort you should have very strong signals from Madison OTA with a simple antenna, perhaps even a Radio Shack Double Bow Tie indoors.

[GADGET71]

Kevin-

As I said I am about 36 miles from Madison, actually I am now living in Jefferson, which should almost be closer than Fort Atkinson.  I am using a samsung OTA receiver.  I midsize Phillips antenna mounted at about 30 feet.   Signal strength is about 20 - 40 % on all stations with Fox 47 and Abc 27 being the best and Cbs 3 and Nbc 15 being the worst.  But can view them with some pixelation at times.  Am I doing something wrong?
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[Gregg Lengling]

Okay are you sure you have the antenna pointed correctly.  The Madison Stations are on the SW side of Mad Town on the Beltline.  The second thing what kind of coax are you using and are you sure it and the connectors are good.  I've seen many installs with good coax but the connectors were installed improperly.

[GADGET71]

Greg-

I am using RG6 cable, 100 feet in length.  I could shorten it slightly but not alot.  The RF connectors are factory installed on the cable, I have not messed with them. Any of your tips would be appreciated to get a better signal.
I also used a compass to get the correct direction based on reading antennaweb.org. I also have manually pivoted the antenna in attempt to get a better signal.
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[Gregg Lengling]

Then I would rule out the cable problem and buy a decent 10 to 12dB preamp...like a Winegard or some other top name.

[John L]

An outdoor antenna would be best to use in Ft. Atkinson.   I can't see how a indoor antenna would pick up anything OTA.  Most stations aren't putting out the same type of power that their analog is putting out.  I am sure when they shut down the analog they will eventually increase the digital transmitters to the max.

The only way I can see getting decent signals from Milwaukee and Madison into your Ft. Atkinson home is Radio Shack's largest antenna meant for fringe areas...even channel master has antennas that cover deep fringes. Also add a rf ant amp to the system...  it should help provide decent results.  Also should put a rotor on it if you wish to get both cities....otherwise without the rotor its only Madison if ant pointed to the west, MKE only if pointed to the east.

-John L.

[Ron Pollitt]

Gadget,
I also have Charter communications here in Fontana.  Do you have channel 784 which is CBS -HD besides HDnet- 770 and HDnet movies- 771?  Frustrating that we don't have more of a selection.

[GADGET71]

Ron-

No I don't get CBS-hd.  I was told I would get that when I signed up along with ABC-HD.  I see Janesville gets CBS, ABC, and NBC all out of Madison in HD.   This just changed in their channel line up recently as I noticed in December they only received CBS-HD.  SO if you get it, I would think you would get the other two very soon. Because of my location I am in both markets according to Charter, and that's why the delay.  I sent a message to charter yesterday, dissatisfied that I only get HDnet and HDnet movies for the additional cost of $6.99 plus tax.  When I was promised oh so much more.  BTW are you doing the off air thing as well, what channels are you getting and how good?  What kind of Receiver, antenna are you using if so?

Gadget71
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[Ron Pollitt]

Gadget,

With my antenna and Rotor I can get the major networks out of Milwaukee depending on weather and signal strength.  Check my signature for equipmen I use.   I would recommend a better UHS C/M Antenna.

Charter did it too me this week.  One week before the Superbowl they delisted my only local channel (CBS-Madison).  I called a service man who said his supervisor said that it was impossible that I had been watching it for the last two months as it was only available up to Janesville.  It was a great dependable picture of CBS programing I was counting on for the game.  Unbelievable this happened now.  Really looking forward to getting ABC, NBC and Fox sometime soon.
Ron

[GADGET71]

Ron-

Talked to my local Charter Comm. Installer on Thursday.  He told me again that the networks and Charter are close to striking a deal for my area from a meeting he had on Thursday, and he was told it could be anywhere between 2 days and 2 weeks for a settlement.  Now I hope this means I will see progress shortly, but no I am not holding my breath.  And I could probably use a larger antenna, but at this point I am waiting to see if it would be worth the investment or if I should hold out for Charter to come through.  BTW I see they are charging now for HD service?
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[Ron Pollitt]

Below is the response I received from Charter after I complained they had "cut off" my HD-CBS service last week (one week before the SuperBowl) that I had been receiving for well over a month.  I pay them $11+ mo. extra for Hdnet and HDmovies (the only HD service they now provide in our area.

"Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

Fontana and other areas served out of Janesville do not receive broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) as part of their HD Lineup.  This is because we do not have permission to broadcast these channels in these areas.  It's actually a little complicated to explain, but these areas all fall within the Chicago DMA, an entirely different market area.

You can't get it "turned back on," as you request, because you never should have been receiving this signal, if that were the case.  You're not paying for broadcast channels and we do not have authority from the broadcaster to transmit Madison broadcast channels in your area.

As for a phone number, we cannot give out local office numbers or direct numbers for any employees.  Local offices are not staffed to handle direct customer calls.  The technical supervisor for this area would not tell you anything different from the information I've shared with you above."


Sounds like it may indeed be awhile before we receive any network channels in HD.  They sure don't want to talk to me.

[GADGET71]

Ron-

Here's the response I got from Charter when I sent an email about when I would receive broadcast channels as they promised..


Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate the opportunity to serve
you.

HDTV is a relatively new product offering from Charter Communications. We released HDTV in the Madison/Janesville area in September 2003. At this time, the number channels offered in HD signal are somewhat limited but the programming provided by these channels is intended to appeal to
a wide range of interests.

As the product is offered to customers in other areas of Wisconsin served by Charter Communications, we hope to expand the programming in the HD channel lineup. Charter is currently in negotiations on a corporate level to carry ESPN HD, for example, but we do not know when that channel or other HD channels, such as DiscoveryHD, will be included in your
HD services. Negotiations with networks can sometimes be a lengthy and complicated process.

As more and more people demand high definition television, and we expand into other areas, we will look to broaden our programming available in high definition. We appreciate your interest.

Thank you for choosing Charter Communications.
Sarah
Customer Care

So I guess we are not alone, sounds like the standard blow off...
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[GADGET71]

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
Then I would rule out the cable problem and buy a decent 10 to 12dB preamp...like a Winegard or some other top name.

Greg- Thanks for the advice, I finally got up on the roof yesterday with the warmer weather.  I picked up a Winegard 8700 preamp and hooked it up.  It more than doubled my signal strength according to my Samsung T151.  Thanks again.
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