channel 58 on DTV

[scupper]

I apologize in advance for my unsophistication.  this question probably has been addressed before.

Why is ch. 58 not shown in HD on DTV and more importantly, is there anything I can do about it?  

I got DTV in Sept and first noticed the problem then trying to watch Packer games, but most were not on CBS so I lived with it.  Now that March Madness is heating up, I don't think I can take it.  I emailed DTV and asked them and they said to check with 58.  I emailed 58 and first got an answer stating they couldn't divulge contract situations or something to that effect.  when I pressed, they replied only that it should get better after the digital transition.

as a viewer, I only want to be able to tell the uniform number of players, which is not possible now!  is there any way to improve this??  if so, please provide specific details, if possible.  thank you in advance for any help you may offer.

I have a HDTV and DTV HD DVR HR-21, if that matters.

[Tom Snyder]

Been a raging debate here for years. Here are just  a few of the threads:

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7308

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8087

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6441


There are probably more if you do a search.  Here's the ONLY thing can do about it:

Tell us approximately where you live, so we can tell you what kind of antenna you'll need to get CBS58 in HD.

[AA9VI]

Here's what I recommend: Get yourself one of the following:

1) an H20 HD receiver
2) HR20 HD DVR
3) HR21/HR22/HR23  HD DVR WITH an AM21 over the air receiver (most recommended)

The H20/HR20 have built in OTA receivers. The AM21 interfaces with the HR21/HR22/HR23 by USB.  D* is not going to be carrying digital subchannels.  It's smart to get an OTA box just for that reason.  Obviously, the reason you mentioned is another smart reason.  A third reason is that you will get HD channels over the air that you can't get on satellite, like CW,PBS, MY TV, etc. Just bypass the satellite retransmission issue and get a box that will make the OTA interface with your program guide seamless.  

This WILL happen again.  Retransmission of OTA signals on the satellite IS and ALWAYS WILL BE an issue.

BTW, WDJT provides the BEST over the air signal for me in the northern 'burbs of Chicago so I am confident that of you can get the signal with a halfway decent antenna system (system means coax+ preamplifier+ good antenna.)  Heck, if you're close enough, rabbit ears might even work.

[vegasvic]

If there is a big sporting event on CBS you can go to the sportsmix channel and select the game there.  You'll get the 58 HD feed.  And in primetime for other shows you can hit the Active button on the remote.  It brings up the top 5 shows at the time.  If one of those is CBS, select it and you get the 58 HD feed.

I've heard this doesn't work with all receivers but I've been doing it all the time.  I don't watch much on CBS but when I do I can usually get the 58 HD feed.

[troyriley]

OTA is the best way to be viewing CBS 58, or any local broadcast station for that matter. Even if 58 was available in HD on DirecTV, I would still recommend OTA. You'll get the best picture quality, and you'll receive all of the other subchannels available OTA.

[REVM1M]

If there is a big sporting event on CBS you can go to the sportsmix channel and select the game there.  You'll get the 58 HD feed.  And in primetime for other shows you can hit the Active button on the remote.  It brings up the top 5 shows at the time.  If one of those is CBS, select it and you get the 58 HD feed.

I've heard this doesn't work with all receivers but I've been doing it all the time.  I don't watch much on CBS but when I do I can usually get the 58 HD feed.

I have HR21 , and I have using active button for a long time now and it works fine. In order to do this, you need to have your receiver connected to internet.

[vegasvic]

I don't have any of my 3 HD receivers connected to the internet and the Active button works fine and I can select any of the channels.

[NET10]

I've hooked up an antenna to receive CBS58 HD, should WOF and Jeopardy! show up in HD?  All other Primetime programming does.

[gb4fan92]

I've hooked up an antenna to receive CBS58 HD, should WOF and Jeopardy! show up in HD?  All other Primetime programming does.

I don't believe that CH58 has the ability to show these in HD because the in syndication.  Don't know why that causes a problem but thats what I remember reading.

[AndrewP]

OTA is the best way to be viewing CBS 58, or any local broadcast station for that matter. Even if 58 was available in HD on DirecTV, I would still recommend OTA. You'll get the best picture quality, and you'll receive all of the other subchannels available OTA.

I can't find any difference in PQ between DirecTV HD and OTA HD. Subchannels - agree, you will get them if you care about them.
Also DirecTV Mpeg4 HD requires much less space on hard drive comparing to OTA Mpeg2 HD.  I always record from DirecTV HD 4, 6 12 instaed of OTA 4, 6, 12. Channel 58 I watch and record OTA until it will be available.

[steve053]

I can't find any difference in PQ between DirecTV HD and OTA HD. Subchannels - agree, you will get them if you care about them.
Also DirecTV Mpeg4 HD requires much less space on hard drive comparing to OTA Mpeg2 HD.  I always record from DirecTV HD 4, 6 12 instaed of OTA 4, 6, 12. Channel 58 I watch and record OTA until it will be available.

+1 to Andrew

Exactly what I do at home.

[scupper]

thank you all very much.  the tip of going through the Active button works great.  I wish I would have asked sooner!!
GO BADGERS!!  GO WARRIORS!! (sorry, I'm old school!)

[chadwi]

Do you know if I can do this on the HR22?  When I go to active and select CBS, it brings me to the CBSW feed that I'm not signed up for.

[Joel S]

Do you know if I can do this on the HR22?  When I go to active and select CBS, it brings me to the CBSW feed that I'm not signed up for.

This probably happened because the games are regional (at times) and it went to the national feed instead of local, just a guess.

The best solution I have found in general is to add this channel to your Quicktune lineup and then it can be accessed all the time.  You just have to be tuned to 58HD and then add it to Quicktune (HDDVR only).  Now you will always have it regardless of the Active channel or sports mix.  This is also a much easier way to tune to the channel.

[vegasvic]

The quicktune idea is a good one.