Some "New Guy" Questions

[Stanley Kritzik]

I've been a DirecTV customer for years, and finally took the HD plunge, with a couple of new antennas (OTA and triple LNB) and a brand new HD Tivo.  It's just cranked up, I live in River Hills -- North Shore area -- , and here are my issues; some help, please.

First, my OTA antenna is pointed slightly East of due South, and as I read the antenna maps, that kills me with Fox, on channel 33.  I'd have to point Southwest for them.  Since most every other antenna is near Humbolt and Capitol, is Fox going to move, or make it impossible to get decent reception, or... is there an antenna solution that i don't know about?

Second, my signal strength meter for ch. 61, WVTV, wanders all over the place, the picture freezes, etc.  Is that them, or me?

Third, on mu Tivo, there's a CBS station, I forget which one, where Tivo says things are on 1 &2, but the actual programming is on 2 & 3.  Is that Tivo (and me), or is it the station misbehaving?

Thanks,

Stanley Kritzik

[Gregg Lengling]

First your antenna is pointed correctly.  Fox6 is transmitting from Capitol and Humbolt tower, howeve they are running very low power  with a direct west antenna pattern.  With channel 12's digital at high power on the adjacent channel it causes lots of us problems and aren't able to recieve it.  The good news is that by law they are required to improve this by June 30, 2005.

The HD Tivo problem with the local CBS is well covered in other posts here on the site.  You can use the search function to find it...but the problem appears to be with the local station and their PSIP information.  That one is a pain...but read the other posts and you'll see your not the only one.

Well to the group and hope we can help you out and keep you informed.

[Stanley Kritzik]

Yes, thanks.  The mainline media coverage for HD is very skimpy.  The JournalSentinel's Sunday TV section, for example, totally ignores HD, even though the clock is ticking.

I got the same info. from CH 6 about their antenna (in Estabrook Park) and low power.  It looks as though CH6 is doing the minimum required by law to  keep their franchise and frequency, even though there ought to be a business opportunity if they were more active.

Stan

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by Stanley Kritzik
It looks as though CH6 is doing the minimum required by law to  keep their franchise and frequency, even though there ought to be a business opportunity if they were more active.

Stan

I wonder if there is any economic reward for providing a digital over the air signal these days?  My guess is that providing the digital signal is costing these businesses money, not making them money.  Anybody know for sure?

[John L]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
I wonder if there is any economic reward for providing a digital over the air signal these days?  My guess is that providing the digital signal is costing these businesses money, not making them money.  Anybody know for sure?

In reality, that is correct. It is costing TV stations broadcasting a DTV service.  I mean they are NOT making profit from it YET.  They expect to make a profit by broadcasting in digital once they have over 60% of the viewers watching and receiving their DTV signal.  Chances of that happening will be once they are forced to shut down the analog and people have to buy tuners to keep receiving TV.

-John L.

[The Law]

My guess is that one day, since we are a capitalistic society, the advertisors that drive the broadcasting economy will begin demanding that their products be shown in their full digital glory - thereby providing a little extra driving force behind the global rollout.  The big guns will gladly pay extra to showcase their gleaming schtuff.

Would you rather showcase your gleaming fast, angular new Cadillac in big flashy widescreen, with Led Zeppelin cranked in Dolby Surround - or on a 5-in black and white, grainy, mono little tinny box....

hehe.:rock:

[StarvingForHDTV]

Please don't wreck any more Led Zeppelin songs.

[John L]

I have seen a few commercials already aired in HD.  I'm sure in time we will see more of them.

-John L.