Poor reception for some HDTV channels (ABC, PBS)

"Mr_Fixit" wrote in message
...
Explain (again, sorry if I missed it) what you mean by "poor reception" on
some "HDTV channels". Unless you're experiencing pixellation (partial
picture dropout or tearing in little squares), digital reception is either
there 100% or it's not there at all.

You are right. In this case, poor means poorest. The two digital channels
(local ABC and local PBS) will come from 100% to 0% at any instant without
any warning. Meanwhile, all other 100 digital and analog channels are
perfect! Just the two!

On Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:59:32 GMT, "Ar Q"
wrote:


"Alan F" wrote in message
news:[email protected]
You are paying Comcast for the
channels, so have them take a look.


Can't call Comcast. I am only paying for Expanded Basic Cable, not their
expensive Digital Cable. Not that I am cheap, I just don't like to add one
more box next to my TV.

Guess Comcast don't want to run two sets of cables around the city. When I
bought a HDTV, I was surprised to find out my new TV can pick up the digital
channels from major networks and those unscrambled stations (like religious
and shopping channels), even I don't have an external cable box.

Ar Q
For crying out loud GET A BOX!
Thumper

In article . net "Ar Q"
writes:


You are right. In this case, poor means poorest. The two digital channels
(local ABC and local PBS) will come from 100% to 0% at any instant without
any warning. Meanwhile, all other 100 digital and analog channels are
perfect! Just the two!

In which case an amplifier might help as long as you don't go overboard.
With the digital signals it's easy to overdrive the receiver (on the
"good" channels) while trying to nudge up those that are otherwise
marginal. See if you can find either a 10db (not 20db) amplifier or one
with adjustable gain and start with it set as low as possible. Option 3
would be to find a 20db amp and a 10db pad. Start with the pad installed
on the INPUT side of the amplifier (to avoid overdriving the amp). If no
help then move the pad to the output side. If you need any more than 10db
of amplification then a call to the friendly cable company is definitely
in order.

On Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:30:05 GMT Ar Q wrote:
|
| "Alan F" wrote in message
| news:[email protected]
|
|
| What is your zip code and what antenna are you using? Where is the
| antenna located - indoors, upstairs, attic, outdoors on the roof?
|
| It is Camcast Cable in Pittsburgh. No antenna.

WTAE-DT is bad even over here in Wheeling. Maybe they are not up to full
power, yet. Also keep in mind WTAE's tower is southeast of the city, so
it should be better for Wheeling if all else was the same.

WQED-DT is likely to not be up to full power because they will be changing
their digital channel back to 13 when all is done, so they likely will not
want to spend money to bring the channel 38 transmitter up to full power.

Call the stations, ask for engineering, and ask if these conditions are so.

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------|

On Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:11:30 -0400 Thumper wrote:
| On Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:59:32 GMT, "Ar Q"
| wrote:
|
|
|"Alan F" wrote in message
|news:[email protected]
| You are paying Comcast for the
| channels, so have them take a look.
|
|
|Can't call Comcast. I am only paying for Expanded Basic Cable, not their
|expensive Digital Cable. Not that I am cheap, I just don't like to add one
|more box next to my TV.
|
|Guess Comcast don't want to run two sets of cables around the city. When I
|bought a HDTV, I was surprised to find out my new TV can pick up the digital
|channels from major networks and those unscrambled stations (like religious
|and shopping channels), even I don't have an external cable box.
|
|Ar Q
| For crying out loud GET A BOX!

BOXES SUCK (especially Comcast boxes)

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------|

"Captain Midnight" wrote in message
...
"Ar Q" wrote in message
ink.net...
I have only basic cable but I can receive network HDTV. The problem is
that
my HDTV tuner have problems to lock signals from ABC(720p) and
PBS(1080i).
Other stations (CBS, NBC, Fox, CW) are ALWAYS great.

My setup is that I immediately amplify the cable signal once it is in my
house. There are four ports out from the Radio Shack amplifier, I use
them
to feed my HDTV, VCR, DVD recorder and computer. The other three devices
besides the HDTV are using only analog signals. They all work great. On
the
other hand, while watching ABC or PBS program, my HDTV will suddenly
drop
the signals and have a blank screen. The temporary solution is odd. If I
re-arrange how all those cables cross and slightly move around all the
cables from the amplifier, I will get my HDTV back on the screen. But
like
I
am a "giant antenna", if I leave the area and stop touch the cables,
most
likely I will lose the signals again unless I find a "rare good spot".
After
finding a good spot, it may works for days or only 10 minutes.

This is driving me crazy. Does anyone have a good idea what causes the
problem and suggest a solution? Thanks.

Ar Q


I'm using a RS amp and a 4 tap splitter to power 4 devices. Works well.

Sounds like a bad cable or more likely connection. I've had problems in
other situations when the cable center conductor was just long enough to
touch the conductor in the jack but not make good enough contact. Strip
the
cable so the center conductors are long enough and make sure the outside
of
the connectors are crimped tightly to the outside conductor. If that's not
it switch cables or replace.


Shortly after I mentioned it is Comcast in Pittsburgh, the problem corrects
itself without me doing nothing. And now I have enjoyed error-free HD
programs for more than 24 hours.

Ar Q

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:50:41 GMT Ar Q wrote:

| Shortly after I mentioned it is Comcast in Pittsburgh, the problem corrects
| itself without me doing nothing. And now I have enjoyed error-free HD
| programs for more than 24 hours.

Keep us informed as major milestones pass by (1 week, 1 month, 1 year).
Thunderstorms expected tonight and tomorrow. Maybe all the channels will
go out (like they usually do here).

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------|

"Ar Q" wrote in message
ink.net...

Shortly after I mentioned it is Comcast in Pittsburgh, the problem
corrects
itself without me doing nothing. And now I have enjoyed error-free HD
programs for more than 24 hours.

Ar Q


Racer wisdom is that it's better to be lucky than good.