Jacksonville, FL HDTV?

[MrGibbage]

My first post:
I just got my new HD stuff: MITSU WS-55, Hughes DTV receiver, and after reading everything here, today I put up an antenna (in my attic - I need to see what type of battle I will have with my HOA). Anyway, I figured I'd at least get something. Well, tonight I was all set to watch my first OTA HDTV broadcast. (I live in Jacksonville, FL.) I don't think it's working. I get the digital channels for ABC, NBC, and FOX (and a few indy channels), and titantv.com showed that Law and Order tonight should have been HD, but I don't think it was actually HD. So, am I screwed up? Is my stuff not set up correctly? Was it HD and I am just too new to know better? Or is titantv.com wrong and these channels are not actually broadcasting in highdef yet?

[kevinw]

First are you actually receiving programming from your antenna? Were you getting a picture with or without black/gray bars? Is the STB set for widescreen. Set for 1080i? Are you using component outputs. What type of signal strength are you getting? I know some of these are basic questions but it is a process of elimination.

[MrGibbage]

Yes, I am actually receiving programming. The signal isn't that great - I am pretty sure I will have to move the antenna outdoors. Last night, Crossing Jordan was supposed to be HD. But, the picture did have black bars on the sides. The TV was in 1080i mode, and I could stretch it to fill the screen, so I do not think it was a High Def broadcast. I am using the RGB component inputs. The signal strength for NBC is only about 50.

So, am I doing something wrong? Or is my local NBC not broadcasting HD and TitanTV is wrong? I'd love to hear from someone in the Jax area that is doing this.

[MJSievert]

I have a Channel Master 4248 installed in my attic. I receive the following stations in Jacksonville, FL:
WTEV-DT (CBS) 47-1, channel 19 @ 100%
WJXT-DT (Independent) 42-1, channel 42 @ 100%
WAWS-DT (FOX/UPN) 30-1, channel 32 @ 100%
WJWB-DT (WB) 17-1, channel 34 @ 100%
WTLV-DT (NBC) 12-1, channel 13 @ 51%
WTLV-DT2 (ABC) 12-2, channel 13 @ 51%
I believe this is as good as it gets here in Jacksonville. Both NBC and ABC are being broadcast from the same tower at a low KW strength. 51%-58% is as high as you'll probably get.

I receive HD OTA broadcasts on all channels except WAWS-DT (FOX). I watched the Alabama/Auburn game yesterday afternoon-Fantastic! I also watched Smallville (WB) in HD last night. However, Jingle all the Way on ABC was supposed to be in 720p like Beauty and the Beast was last week....it wasn't. I can verify that Crossing Jordan was in HD.

Hope that helps.

[MrGibbage]

Originally posted by MJSievert
I have a Channel Master 4248 installed in my attic. I receive the following stations in Jacksonville, FL:
WTEV-DT (CBS) 47-1, channel 19 @ 100%
WJXT-DT (Independent) 42-1, channel 42 @ 100%
WAWS-DT (FOX/UPN) 30-1, channel 32 @ 100%
WJWB-DT (WB) 17-1, channel 34 @ 100%
WTLV-DT (NBC) 12-1, channel 13 @ 51%
WTLV-DT2 (ABC) 12-2, channel 13 @ 51%
I believe this is as good as it gets here in Jacksonville. Both NBC and ABC are being broadcast from the same tower at a low KW strength. 51%-58% is as high as you'll probably get.

I receive HD OTA broadcasts on all channels except WAWS-DT (FOX). I watched the Alabama/Auburn game yesterday afternoon-Fantastic! I also watched Smallville (WB) in HD last night. However, Jingle all the Way on ABC was supposed to be in 720p like Beauty and the Beast was last week....it wasn't. I can verify that Crossing Jordan was in HD.
Hope that helps.

This is really annoying me. First of all, my wife and I are Auburn grads, and we desperately wanted to watch that game in HD. I get 0 signal strength for CBS. I get at best 50% for NBC and ABC. The only channels I get good are FOX and WB. I have tried the biggest antenna that Radio Shack has in my attic - it's like 120 inches. I have not gotten a signal yet for CBS.

I have my antenna in the attic (single story) pointed to the West-south-west. What part of Jaxonville do you live in? I am at Atlantic and San Pablo, by the intercoastal. Yesterday, I even went so far as to put a smaller, more manageable antenna on top of a six foot stepladder out in my back yard to see if that would make a difference, but it diddn't. I have got to figure this out. Thanks for writing back though. I may have to be on the lookout for that antenna. Where did you get yours?

[MrGibbage]

I just noticed one more thing: The 4248 is only UHF. NBC and ABC are broadcasting on CH 13, a VHF channel. I'm really surprised that you are getting any signal at all for that. I guess since 13 is at the upper edge of VHF, it works.

[57U]

Originally posted by MJSievert Jingle all the Way on ABC was supposed to be in 720p like Beauty and the Beast was last week....it wasn't. Just FYI, Jingle All the Way was 720P and DD5.1 on the ABC Detroit affiliate.

I don't understand why Florida seems to be having all these problems, but you may wish to discuss this with the various affiliates and find out, perhaps using posts from this forum as "backup" for your discussions.

(I was a bit perterbed that "Goldeneye" was shown in 4:3 upconvert on one of the other Detroit HD channels. It wasn't scheduled to be HD, but I'm perturbed anyway because movies should be shown in HD.)

[MrGibbage]

Well, I figured out how to get CBS. I actually get it pretty good, too. I just had to have the box re-scan for my locals. So, here's what I am getting:
WTEV-DT CBS 47-1 & 19-1, 85-95%, very little pixelazation
WJXT-DT IND 42-2 & 42-1, 85-95%, great picture
WAWS-DT FOX/UPN 30-1, 85-95%, great picture
WJXX-DT ABC 25-1, 90-95%, some pixelization
WJWB-DT WB 17-1, 55-75%, great picture
WTLV-DT NBC, ABC 13-1, 13-2, 12-1, 12-2, 51% steady, unwatchable picture

I still think I will try the channel master 4248. Has anyone heard what WTLV's plans are to increase to full power? I really need to see Leno in HD. I hear it is very impressive.

[MJSievert]

Sounds like you have the reception problem fixed. Even at 51% on ABC and NBC, I have a steady picture...and yes, Jay Leno is in HD over the air. I live in East Hampton across from Deerwood. The CM4248 is a big antenna...80 inch boom. Luckily I have a large attic and was able to mount it high in the peak of rafters. I bought it from spectravox.com...excellent site. I bought it on a Sunday and received it on a Tuesday. Shipping was only $16.

For some reason, WTLVDT1&2 (ABC & NBC) is only broadcasting at a very low kw. I can pull in the ABC (25-1) from Orange Park at 100% but in order to get it, I have to have a rotor for the antenna. Right now I'm watching "the Santa Clause" and it appears that WTLV is not sending the 720p signal. Bummer, my son (really I was) looking forward to watching this in 16x9. Guess we'll have to rent the DVD.

[57U]

Originally posted by MJSievert Right now I'm watching "the Santa Clause" and it appears that WTLV is not sending the 720p signal. Bummer, my son (really I was) looking forward to watching this in 16x9. Sorry to have to tell you, but HDABC Detroit is showing "The Santa Claus" in 720P, 16x9, DD5.1.

I guess HDABC Detroit can get it right, but EDFox Detroit can't...

[MJSievert]

Could you add Jacksonville, FL to the HDTV regional discussion forum? Thank you.