bad news on locals in HD

was told today that the waiver process will be totally different in determineing if you can receive locals in HD..in other words if you can even pic up 65% of a digital sig.. you can't get the HD locals..i'm lucky, the only sig in my area is analog..so i qualify..but now i'm trying to see if i can get them from new york until atlanta comes on, the CSR is checking on it for me..also the CSR said CBS has been broadcasting in HD but only a few can get it..but he didn't know why..it looks like only a handful of people will even quailify for the HD locals and they have to really be in a secluded area so says the dish CSR..but they have been wrong many times in the past so don't hold this as i said it, just repeating what dish told me..

I'm just wondering if I even need to get the HD locals through DN. I currently get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB & PBS digital through my UHF antenna. Once I get the new 622 receiver I'll be able to record as well. Since the 622 allows hookup to satellite as well as the OTA, what would be the advantage of getting HD locals through DN? I'm assuming as well that the OTA HD locals is a cleaner signal than what DN would provide, and it's free. Am I right?

One other small question: how do I see what my signal strength is for the OTA channels? Is it a function in one of my tv's menus, or is there some other way to find out?

Mike

Yes, it is the function of the TV.

I have the Samsung LNR-408D and in the Menu section there is the strength meter that shows signal strength for each channel. My antenna hooked up directly to TV.

I'm just wondering if I even need to get the HD locals through DN. I currently get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB & PBS digital through my UHF antenna. Once I get the new 622 receiver I'll be able to record as well. Since the 622 allows hookup to satellite as well as the OTA, what would be the advantage of getting HD locals through DN? I'm assuming as well that the OTA HD locals is a cleaner signal than what DN would provide, and it's free. Am I right?You can only watch/record one OTA channel at a time (on a 942 or 622). With HD locals through DN, you could watch one OTA local and record one DN local, or vice versa, at the same time. I'm looking forward to having that capability.

I think only time will tell if the OTA is "cleaner." FWIW, I think you're probably right about getting better PQ from OTA.

I get CBS HD through Dish Network..and since I get that ..I would think that I'll qualify for the other local HD channels.

I wouldn't bet on that rick. I get CBSHD East, out of NY, and was told (by someone out of CEO Escalations) that I wouldn't get the other NY HD locals. I'm guessing your CBSHD is out of LA... did DN give you waivers for the rest of LA's locals?

I'm in the Philadelphia DMA, so I'm not too concerned about there being a long wait. I'll probably be in the next round of HD locals.

I think only time will tell if the OTA is "cleaner." FWIW, I think you're probably right about getting better PQ from OTA.

I have to say, the best I've ever seen has been OTA. But even locals are not consistent. If all HD channels looked liked the best Dish has to offer, (like HDNet most of the time) including locals, I could live with that too.

I have to say, the best I've ever seen has been OTA. But even locals are not consistent. If all HD channels looked liked the best Dish has to offer, (like HDNet most of the time) including locals, I could live with that too.I agree on all points, daleb.

It might be my imagination, but I do think PQ from my OTA CBS is more than a few notches above the DN CBSHD feed.

I agree on all points, daleb.

It might be my imagination, but I do think PQ from my OTA CBS is more than a few notches above the DN CBSHD feed.
I flipped between the Denver - Pittsburgh AFC Title game, and the difference was like night and day. The CBS OTA feed was much sharper and more vivid, for lack of a better term, than the DISH CBS feed. Not even close.

It didn't used to be that huge of a discrepancy. Could it possibly be downrezzing, along the lines of what they are doing with some of the VOOM channels? :confused:

Actually Dish Network And Directv have tested my area where I live and said I can't get OTA Local HD where I live..so therefore I qualify for Dish Network's HD

Actually Dish Network And Directv have tested my area where I live and said I can't get OTA Local HD where I live..so therefore I qualify for Dish Network's HDThen that would be a "yes" to my question about waivers.

from what i was told it's not if you can or can't get OTA locals in HD..it's even if you can get the OTA locals in digital..if you can dish said you will not get them in HD from them..they use your zip code to determine this..i don't even have a digital signal anywhere close to where i'm at..

I have a waiver for NBC (NY & LA), ABC (NY & LA) and as of today CBS (NY & LA). E* activated CBS-HD (NY) when I called this evening. My question, do you think I can get NBC and ABC in HD... or only with MPEG4? I ask this question as the CSR asked me "Which network do you want in HD?" Well not thinking, I said CBS. I didn't think I had an option because CBS was the only HD network station E* carried. I should have said ALL!

i may be stepping out, but i'm pretty sure you'll have to have mpeg 4..as well i just found out about cbs in HD..but you need 2 dishes to receive this..right??

I have two.

I have CBS HD and CBS LA And CBS NY..And ABC LA And ABC NY...
I have been trying forever to get a waiver approved for NBC NY..been trying for over 2 yrs !
I hope I can get all my locals in HD. I plan to call DN at midnight and have the new package activated...
Did you get the Platimum package? I live in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
If worst comes to worst I might have to get cable tv HD local channels back.

mgregg99,
Since you get all local HD OTA, no need to get DN locals at all.
When you upgrade to MPEG4 via 211 or 622, you simply get the package you want w/o locals and save six bucks.
And according to the CC on the 622, you can record 2 DN and one OTA, - all at the same time.

fred

I'm just wondering if I even need to get the HD locals through DN. I currently get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB & PBS digital through my UHF antenna. Once I get the new 622 receiver I'll be able to record as well. Since the 622 allows hookup to satellite as well as the OTA, what would be the advantage of getting HD locals through DN? I'm assuming as well that the OTA HD locals is a cleaner signal than what DN would provide, and it's free. Am I right?

One other small question: how do I see what my signal strength is for the OTA channels? Is it a function in one of my tv's menus, or is there some other way to find out?

Mike

I have a 942 and my OTA is connected to it. Each time I select one of the OTA digital stations in my area the signal strength appears for a short time at the top of my screen. I assume the same functionality would be available in the 622.

You can only watch/record one OTA channel at a time (on a 942 or 622). With HD locals through DN, you could watch one OTA local and record one DN local, or vice versa, at the same time. I'm looking forward to having that capability.

I think only time will tell if the OTA is "cleaner." FWIW, I think you're probably right about getting better PQ from OTA.

For every station there is a Digital signal and an Analog signal (Ie. 7-00 and 7-01), when pulling them in from an antenna. Wouldn't you still be able to record off of one of these channels and watch the other by using a splitter and running one directly into the TV and the other into the receiver?

Im In Southern Nh (boston Market)
I Do Get Cbs Ny Now On 9483

Will I Get Either Boston Locals Hd Or Antmore Ny Hd
And If So Does Anyone Know When My Area Upgrades
I Have The 211 Upgraded To Hdgold This Am All The New Channels Are There

Thanks

can someone post the NY locals channels in HD..i'm on the phone with alia bubba..and he dosen't have a clue..he can't find the channels to turn them on..and i'm ready to watch my new 211 receiver..please help..

6300 through 6303 on 61.5

Thought they weren't turning on distant locals in HD?

Thought they weren't turning on distant locals in HD?True that... I didn't even look at the OP's location.

thanks allien..got them on..i don't even receive a anaolog signal so i get them..i have been getting NY networks and my locals on dish forever..

don't understand this..they are telling me i need another dish to get the new HD package..i thought all i needed was the dish 1000??help please..still on the phone with dish..

oh well..gotta wait till sat.. for them to come out and install anther dish..at least their is no charge..but yes she verified i will be able to get HD locals..

got my 211 hooked up yesterday, i had already ordered the platinum package with locals, so when they activated it, there they were! no waivers! i was able to pull them in ota, but it was just sitting in the widow next to the tv and constatly had to be adjusted. thank you dish for locals in hd!!! :yippee:

oh well..gotta wait till sat.. for them to come out and install anther dish..at least their is no charge..but yes she verified i will be able to get HD locals..

A week ago I was told that the Atlanta HD locals were probably a month away (March 16th) by Dish Network. So you were told you'd be able to get them Saturday?

i'm getting a distant feed...right now they are just in sd..installer is supposed to be out sat.. morning to install the new dish and turn on new HD package..i never knew their was a difference in the superdish and dish 1000..but i do now..but no, i don't get the channels from atlanta..my locals are in albany..i call the major networks like NBC,FOX,and ABC locals even if i get them from NY..i should just use major networks..i guess..

i think this is BS..but when the dish tech came out today he installed my 1000 and said he had to install another dish to pick up new york networks..then charged me another 99.00 for the second dish..i thought the 1000 did away witht the need for 2 dish's to view NBC,ABC,CBS, and fox in HD..has this company just scamed me??also the signal is only 49..the tech said this was as good as it gets..it's just cloudy here today and the picture is breaking up..i can imagin what will happen once it starts raining..

I'm surprised it works at 49. But then I've never seen one that low.

so what should the signal strength be for the new HD channels.?? i agree i think it should be higher also..but my other sats are at 111..

so what should the signal strength be for the new HD channels.?? i agree i think it should be higher also..but my other sats are at 111..

My 211 signal strength today is.It is different every day..:what:

61.5....102

110.....106

119.....123

I am unfortunate enough to live in the Duluth (MN) DMA and in an area where I cannot even receive the analog CBS signal. I've spoken with Dish, who said since I am in the Duluth DMA, I don't qualify for the CBS waiver, and I need to get it from the local CBS affiliate.

The response from KDLH CBS-3 "we are broadcasting HD and you should be able to receive it". The only problem, I'm over 125 straight line miles away. They then said "we will not waiver because we will loose a viewer". Huh??? I have to take the locals on DISH in order to see them at all. Then it's "the satellite supplier has to request the waiver." This is true for SD only. The customer is required to obtain the waiver for HD.

I've spoken with FCC, who agrees I should have the waiver. Rumor is this spring I will be able to get CBS-HD from NY due to changes in the satellite home viewers act, but no one seems to know for sure.

Anyone have any experience getting CBS without paying $250 to have someone come out and check the local analog signal? (The local repeater is low power due to international treaty with Canada on signals in the border buffer zone. The repeater is less than 1 mile from the Canadian border.)

I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks from up on the border.

each broadcaster is different..i sumitted my waviers about 4 years ago and they are still good..but after 2 days of talking with dish i'm going to wait untill atlanta comes on..i can get CBS from NY in HD but it's not worth it to me to pay 99.00 for another dish and maybe a month later atlanta will be on..so dish is comeing out next week to put my superdish back up..i'll have a 1000 and a superdish..kinda a eyesore in the yard but the tech told me once atlanta comes up i'll be able to get everything on the 1000..but they have been wrong many times before..i'm just glad they are waveing the 99.00 dish fee to put my superdish back up..

Dish supplied and installed the 2nd dish at no charge when I signed up, so that isn't an issue if I can get a waiver.

The Dish installer and the Dish tech told me this is the best signal that I can get .They also commented about other customers who have local HD through them..others are only getting a 40 to 50 signal strenth.Shame on Dish Network !!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: My HD Locals are through satelite 129. It seems that DN was not prepared to give their customers the best quality HD Local channels.Signal strength on My local HD ..Dish Network channels..ranges from 50 to possibly 55 to 57...this is the best signal one can get with DN locals..it SUCKS ! I also have the dish 1000.There is no excuse for DN not giving their customers a better HD Local connection ! What an insult to the customers who made Dish Network as popular as it is today ! Dish should of cared enough about US.
oFF AND ON I get picture pixelation and choppy picture.Similiar problem happened when I had local HD with cable tv.
Go figure !
Since getting the Dish 1000..my signal stength on 119 satelite signal is 93.. and 110 is kind of low..but i thin k they share same signals......129 SUCKS !
the thing is you never know what kind of tech your going to get who comes over ..they are independent contractors who work for Dish network..some are very careing and others could care less.