CBS on 1-1? Samsung channels start at 2?

[Talos4]

AJA, I don't want to throw more channel numbers at you but,

I use the Sammy 360, after doing the channel scan, the box is more "user friendly".

It maps CBS 58 as "58-1" "58-2" etc.

Same for the other digital channels 6-1, 12-1.

To enter the channel into the remote there is a hyphen button to facilitate changing the channel.

If your going to get serious about this HD thang you might consider looking at the Sammy 360.

It's alot easier to understand.

[dlhoppe]

How does the 360 know to map CBS to 58-1?  I don't believe that is in the PSIP data.

It could be a Directv thing.  I know the Voom box maps it to 58-1 because that is what's pushed out from Voom as part of their program guide. However, when I do a manual scan with the Voom box, it picks it up as 1-1 because of the PSIP data. So I get the same CBS station twice in the guide on my Voom box. 1-1 and 58-1.

[borghe]

it is actually possibly a TMS thing (Tribune Media Services), especially being that Voom, DirecTV, and Zap2it all list 58-1 through 58-5.. zap2it (possibly?) refuses to accept data for 1-1 and 1-2 so reuires them to send it on the other channels. It then sends that mapping info to its customers (DirecTV/Voom).. this is all just a guess, though it sounds reasonable..

[AJA]

ALL,

Back to my original problem and possible solution.

Again, I have the Sammy T351 OTA model for $249.00 with a Terk T44 antenna on my D*TV dish.  I have scanned, rescanned, moved the antenna around the dish, rescan, take off the dish and aim, rescan and I simply get the same channels every time.

4-1 NBC HD
9-1 WGN HD(Chicago)
9-2 WGN SD(Chicago)
10-1 - 10-7 MPTV
12-1 ABC HD
22-1 WVCV SD
24-1 WCGV SD
36-1 MPTV HD
55-1WPXE HD

Never a trace of Fox 6 or CBS 58 on 1-1, 46-1 or 58-1.

dlhoppe you also have a 351 (like me) and are able to get CBS on 46 to map to 1-1?  Can you also get Fox in WB?

I understand that some of you have the sammy 360 and get both FOX and CBS (mapping to 1-1 from 46).  Is this a model issue?  Is this an out of range issue and no other model will help me?

My plan is to take back the 351 and look into the SAM SIRTS360 to use as my D*TV receiver and get OTA HD.  But with NO CBS is NO CSI and with NO FOX is NO Packers!  I really don't want to give D*TV $10 more bucks a month.

I have heard a tone out there about TWC giving D*TV customer a killer deal and equip.  BUT I am not sure if I want to make that change.  I am not asking for your opinion on that.  It is well disputed on many other threads.  

I just want to know if I can get FOX and CBS in Caledonia and if different equipment will make that happen?

I need your expert help in Caledonia please.

[dlhoppe]

AJA,

The Terk antenna may be your problem.  I've read many negative posts and not very many positive ones about those antennas. If I were you, I'd concentrate on your antenna setup and not the receiver. You're only about 20 miles from the towers. With a decent antenna, you should be able to get everything just fine. Do you have a place to install a yagi style antenna outside? I would recommend that if you can do it.

IMO, the 351 is a very good unit and very capable of receiving weak signals. The only problem with it is the DD audio dropouts, but that's a different issue that has no effect on it's ability to receive signals.

As for the different models of Sammy boxes, I only have personal experience with two of them. I have both a 351 and a 151.  The 351 is a tad more capable of picking up the weaker stations than the 151. Before I moved my antenna out of the attic, I was having some troubles locking weak signals with the 151, but the 351 could lock them just fine. I can't say how the 351 might compare to the 360. Maybe someone who is more familiar with the Sammy line can comment on whether the 360 and the 351 have the same OTA tuner.  If they do, then switching to the 360 won't do you a bit of good.

Yes, I get Fox here in West Bend. However, I have a large Winegard antenna on a tower with a rotator. My antenna setup is very capable and it really doesn't matter what tuner I use. My signal strength is very good on all three of my ATSC tuners (151, 351 and Voom box).

[jimbop99]

AJ, I am getting a HD box from D*TV next week Wednesday and I live in Racine County (I-94 and Hwy 20). I have an antenna in my attic and will let you know what, if anything, I recieve OTA. I would give cable a try, just call them up and tell them you are a current D*TV customer and they should make you a nice offer. Leave both D*TV and cable connected at the same time and do a comparison for a week or so.

[dlhoppe]

Why pay for OTA?  For a modest initial investment in a good antenna, you can get OTA for free. Over the long haul, you'll save money AND have better picture quality. Currently, cable and DBS systems compress a bit more than the local OTA broadcasts. That may change eventually, but I wouldn't count on it anytime soon.

[AJA]

Jimbopp99 & dlhoppe

Are you getting your D*TV HD box from D*TV and if so for how much $?  I am in agreement with dlhoppe in getting OTA for free with great PQ.  When more programming goes HD over DBS I think then I will go ahead and pay D*TV the $ for it.  That is why I am thinking of upgrading my 351 to the 360w/D*TV tuner built in.  BUT if you are getting a D*TV HD Box from them for free and it also picks up OTA HD I would go that route.

It is pain in the but constantly switching back and forth between my current Sony SAT-A55 DirecTV Reciever and the Sammy 351 OTA HD Tuner.  I need to switch the channel on the Denon for the Digital audio & switch the Video source on my SONY KF-42WE610 HDTV.  Too much switching back and forth.  If I got a D*TV OTA HD tuner i could have one toslink Digital Audio into my Denon and one DVI input into my TV.

Sounds simple, question is can I get a D*TV HD OTA Tuner for free?  I will spend $299 if I have to, but why if I don't.

dlhoppe, thanks for the antenna feedback.  I was afraid that it might be that.  How much is a yagi style?  Can it go in the garage attic?  Does it require a rotar?  I think it is a bit rediculaous that you need to rotate your antenna in order to tune in certain channels.  If you do require this, is it automatic?  I feel like we have stepped back into the 70's and also require tin foil between the rabbit ears?

jimbopp99, FYI, I live east of 32, North of 4 mile.  Just West of Erie St.

All,  You have been very informative and I give big time Kudos to whomever individual or organization has set this site and forum up.  You cannot get this type of info from the stores out there!  Flanners, maybe, but definately not anyone else.  USERS KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE.

Thanks again.
AJA

[jimbop99]

I made a little call to D*TV and I am getting a HD STB that does have a built in OTA HD tuner and a new oval dish installed for $99. From what I've been reading it will either be the Samsung TS360 or the Hughes box which both sell for $299 at Best Buy. According to antennaweb, all the Milwaukee stations are within 3-4 degrees of each other and you shouldn't need a rotor to pick all of them up but I've also read (I hope I'm right) that channel channel 6 and 58 aren't sending out full power yet. If anyone has better information on this, please let me know. Of course the two stations that you can't get in have all the Sunday football. Keep me informed, as I would like to know of your progress because in one week I'll likely be in your shoes.

[AJA]

JimBopp99,

Yes you are right, you will be in my shoes very soon.  Does your new dish include a OTA antenna?  If it is one like mine (terk T44) that attaches to the outside edge of the dish I would be very interested to find out if you get FOX and CBS.  Everything else comes in beatifully.

I would also be very interested to hear how the tuner switches from DBS to OTA.  Hopefully it is as easy as changing the channel?  Is D*TV going to still provide your locals?  If you can pick them ALL up OTA why would you need them at $5/mo.?  I have until 10/13 to return all of my equip and decide what to do.

What # did you call at D*TV for the HD tuner deal?  did you get any programming out of them to stay.  Rumor has it that they will be very generous to keep your business.

AJA down the road.

[jimbop99]

I could have gotten and antenna installed for $50 more but I already have a 12' VHF/UHF antenna in my attic in which I recieve the Milwaukee locals very well. I am keeping the local channels  during the winter because we have a DirecTivo and it works great for recording shows like Survivor and other Primetime shows I like to watch. I called the retention department (sorry I threw the number away) and they were very nice to deal with. The antenna included in the deal, if you want it, is not a clip on one. I believe it is a standard roof top antenna and I believe it is either a Channel Master or Winegard model. I've done some research on the STB and it appears the local channels come in on the guide and when you choose that particular program it automaticaly switches over to the antenna seamlessly. I'll give you more info when it is installed.

[Talos4]

I would also be very interested to hear how the tuner switches from DBS to OTA. Hopefully it is as easy as changing the channel?

AJ It is that simple, The trick is to pay attention to which channel 12 your're watching.

In my case..  

I have DTV locals for the benefit of my DirecTivo

So, I have the Following:

Channel 12 DTV Local     (Satellite)
Channel 12 Analog OTA using rooftop antenna   (Analog)
Channel 12-1 Digital OTA Again using roof top  (Digital)

The on Screen banner for each channel does label each channel in the upper right hand corner.

Takes a little getting used to but it's not really a problem.

As far the rotor being a pain, Location makes all the difference.

I have my antenna in one place right now to pick up all the stations. Once in while I have to "tweak" the antenna a bit.

When I listen to FM I have to swing the antenna around to the South so I can listen to WDRV 96.9 (97.1) out of Chicago.

I have my Optimum antenna location marked on the rotor control so I know where to put it back.

[dlhoppe]

AJA,

I think a top of the line Winegard is around $150.  You can put an antenna anywhere it will fit. However, it may not perform as well as outside and up higher. Trial and error is the only way to find out.  I had my big Winegard in my attic and I could get everything except Fox.  Since I put it outside on the tower, I get a very reliable signal from Fox. I've never experienced any dropouts of any kind with Fox since.

As for the rotator, if I only wanted stations from a single market, I wouldn't need it.  I installed it because I wanted some options for getting Fox from different markets. I wasn't expecting WITI to be reliable throughout the football season. With the rotator I can also get all of the Green Bay stations (including Fox) and a couple stations from Madison very reliably. I can occasionally get some Chicago stuff depending on the conditions, but I don't count on that.

I hate to always recommend things that cost more money, but if you want to be able to switch between Sat, OTA, DVD, etc., you should look into a remote control that's capable of recording macros. I have the Sony RMAV3000 and it just rocks. I can hit a single button and it'll change the source on the TV, change the source on the Audio receiver and anything else I want it to do. It's fully programmable, extremely flexible and it can learn from other remotes. There are quite a few remotes of similar capability out there. However, at around $105, the Sony is an excellent addition to a HT system. It's got a cool touchpad that lights in the dark too which makes it easy to use when the lights are low at night.

[AJA]

All,

OK this is what is going on.  I picked up a large outdoor antenna and put it in my garage attic.  Milwaukee stations all come in fine except FOX and CBS.  I aim it towards Chicago and get all of the same Milwaukee stations plus a bunch of Chicago stations.  I was able to watch a portion of the Packer Game out of Chicago's FOX station but the signal was coming in and out and I had to go back to D*TV Local.

Tonight I decided to try and get CBS by moving this antenna outside and up @ 12'.  I am getting a 50% signal on CBS 1-1!  But no picture and no sound?  My question is do I need to go higher (up onto the 2nd story) or get a pre-amp?

Help!  I am almost there!

PS my new D*TV HD tuner will be in shortly!

AJA in Caledonia

SONY KF-42WE610 46" HDTV
* Samsung SIR-T351 HD Set Top Box
Sony SAT-A55 DirecTV Receiver
Denon AVR-2800 Receiver
Denon DVD-910
80" Boom Length, 32 Element OTA Antenna (60 mile)

* Soon to be a Sony SAT-HD300 D*TV HD Tuner!

[dlhoppe]

AJA,

The higher, the better. 12' feet isn't very high.  Hold off on the pre-amp.  At 20 miles away, it could cause some problems with WISN overpowering WITI.

Which antenna did you get?  What range?  Do you have someone watching the signal strength on the box while you aim it?