Orange block artifacts on TW-HD channels

[sup191]

Has anyone else noticed orange block artifacts showing up on TBSHD and TNTHD ever since TW added the two new HD channels into their lineup?  They usually appear in fast action scenes or on peoples faces after camera changes.  I don't ever remember seeing them until just a couple weeks ago.  Is this a good example of TW borrowing bandwidth from some channels to add others?

Also, I would LOVE to try out a dish, but my current apt. layout doesn't allow me to easily have one installed.  Maybe in a year or so when I move.  Something to look forward to!  


sup191

[Den Mayer]

Up in GBay TWC has had AGC LE problems as out door Temps change.

  Automatic Gain Control of LIne Extenders (System Signal Amplifiers)

  can be 'out of wack' from 1 to 5 amplifiers upstream.

  I've had the problem twice in the Fall where 2 to 6 HD channels

  get 'blocky'.     THe TWC home people can not fix the problem,

  they just see it as errors.    THe TWC boom truck System people

  have fixed it twice for me...       THis Fall/Winter no Probs yet.

[sup191]

That makes sense.  It started to get cold (around freezing temps) about a couple weeks ago - the same time the problems started.  What's the easiest way to get TW to come look at the problem?  Call tech support and hope for the best?  

sup191

[gparris]

Has anyone else noticed orange block artifacts showing up on TBSHD and TNTHD ever since TW added the two new HD channels into their lineup?  They usually appear in fast action scenes or on peoples faces after camera changes.  I don't ever remember seeing them until just a couple weeks ago.  Is this a good example of TW borrowing bandwidth from some channels to add others?

Also, I would LOVE to try out a dish, but my current apt. layout doesn't allow me to easily have one installed.  Maybe in a year or so when I move.  Something to look forward to!  


sup191

No, but my DVR wanted to record a couple TNTHD shows for next week, labeled "new" in the TWC guide ("The Closer" being one of them) and so I deleted the season pass to help keep the others recording.
With the writer's strike going on, its great to keep some recordings done as much as possible.
But I have watched both channels and have not experienced (yet) what you are seeing, sorry.

[sup191]

No, but my DVR wanted to record a couple TNTHD shows for next week, labeled "new" in the TWC guide ("The Closer" being one of them) and so I deleted the season pass to help keep the others recording.
With the writer's strike going on, its great to keep some recordings done as much as possible.
But I have watched both channels and have not experienced (yet) what you are seeing, sorry.

I'm guessing it's a local issue in my area.  I'm going to give TW a call and see if that starts the ball rolling on fixing the problem.  Since I have no other option at this time for HD channels, I'm going to make them work for my monthly payment.  

[gparris]

Checked the TNT(HD) website: The HD DVR settings were correct and I have to re-initiate the season pass.
The showings are new, though I never thought TNT would put out new shows in December outside the "November Sweeps" and the holidays coming.:blush:
As far as any artifacting, I will check again during these recordings.
I never watch either of these two particular HD channels, unless there is something new on them
- or I can DVR these programmes first to escape the avalanche of commercials on these particular channels.:p

[LoadStar]

I'm watching TNT this evening, and I'm seeing the orange artifacts. They're not distracting to me... I have to actually look for them to see them, but they are there.

[sup191]

I'm watching TNT this evening, and I'm seeing the orange artifacts. They're not distracting to me... I have to actually look for them to see them, but they are there.

Where are you located?  I'm in West Milwaukee.  I'm wondering if this is a local problem or not.  My g/f and I are watching TBS-HD right now and they are terrible.  I've seen them on TNT-HD also, but they are less pronounced.  My g/f agrees that TW is getting a call tomorrow.

sup191

[LoadStar]

Where are you located?

I'm in New Berlin.

[RonH]

I have them in Pewaukee... Never noticed them before, but I did on some stretch-o-vision movie on TBSHD this weekend.  Has TBS shown anything in HD at all since the baseball playoffs?

[kevbeck122]

^ I don't think so... it's such a waste.

[sup191]

I have them in Pewaukee... Never noticed them before, but I did on some stretch-o-vision movie on TBSHD this weekend.  Has TBS shown anything in HD at all since the baseball playoffs?

Some of the newer movies and sitcom episodes are shown in HD.  The stretched shows seem to show them the most.  Is it just severely bad compression artifacts?  It's funny it's only the red/orange colors getting artifacts.

[gparris]

Noticed some orange blocking and sparkles in the TNTHD showing of "The Closer" last night, but it seemed as if it went away after the first half hour (or I got used to it).
Of all the HD channels TWC could have added, TBSHD seems to be the worst.
If TWC locally is truly having some bandwidth issues OR it is just slowly adding the balance of the ten HD channels TWC actually offers nationally that we still don't have:
-Why couldn't they shut off TBSHD and deliver National Geographic Channel HD or History HD or similar?
How about a HD channel that actually has HD content?

Of yeah, I forgot, TBSHD is a unit of Time Warner, but then again:
CinemaxHD is too, but I don't see it on TWC Milwaukee, either! :mad:

[sup191]

I'm slowly trying to get my landlord to approve letting me put a dish on the roof of the apt building I'm in.  After putting up with the lack of quality HD on TW ever since I got my HDTV a year and a half ago, I'm close to switching.  (Xmas is a money block ATM)  If I go dish, DTV or DN?  Also, is there any store in the Milwaukee area where I can walk in and see DTV HD in action?  The friends I know that have DTV or DN don't have HDTV's yet.

[gparris]

sup191:
First of all, "DTV" in forums like this one refer to DTV as Digital Television.
D* means Directv
E* means Dishnetwork
So if you are contemplating switching to Directv (D*) the best place to view it is a friend or relative's home that has it attached to a HDTV with a  H20/H21/HR20/HR21 HD box.
Most "Big Box" stores like Circuit City and Best Buy link their HDTVs together with so many repeaters even they tell me that it is not the best for viewing all that D* has to offer in its  best HD presentation, but it has to do with that many displays.
A local store other than these two could conceivably offer D* with a a direct line service to the STB (or much fewer in the line), but I doubt it.
FYI, my brother's new H20 with the new Slimline Dish is amazing for Picture Quality (PQ) and decent DD5.1 audio (Dolby Digital 5.1 surround).
Reception is clear and the HD channel selection is amazing...better than cable for channels cable is still offering in crappy analogue like USA and Sci-Fi, History Channel and National Geographic Channel-all of them are in glorious HD on D*!