Ask if Local Channels are in HD

[mxz800]

The only issue I have with the whole HDTV setup is with my Local Networks/Dish Network. Dish sent a guy a few days after the install to inspect the work that was done. I asked him why the Local HD channels didn‘t look as good as the other HD like the History Channel? He said Dish has two channels assigned for each of the local networks but, until a contract is signed with those stations both are the standard signal. So I either wait, or hook up an antenna.

Tim

[jpfrasier]

Finding out if your locals are available in HD is easy. Just go to the Dish website and type in your address on this page:

https://customersupport.dishnetwork....prepAddress.do


My locals are available in HD but I use an OTA antenna also to give me for recording flexibility. Plus the OTA is slightly better in terms of PQ.

[mxz800]

This is what it shows for my area:

PORTLAND, ME ABC-WMTW 8, 7340
PORTLAND, ME CBS-WGME 13, 7341
PORTLAND, ME CW-WPXT 51, 7344
PORTLAND, ME FOX-WPFO 23, 7343
PORTLAND, ME MNT-WPME 35, 7345
PORTLAND, ME NBC-WCSH 6, 7342
PORTLAND, ME PBS-WCBB 10, 7346

For example I can watch ABC channel 8, or 7340 but, both channels are SD, not HD. The Dish Rep who came to my house said they are working on getting the Local Networks to agree ($$$) to allow Dish to send out the HD Signal.

Tim

[jpfrasier]

And this is how it looks if your locals are available in HD from Dish:

DALLAS ABC-WFAA 8 8400
DALLAS ABC-WFAA IN HD 8 6383
DALLAS CBS-KTVT 11 8401
DALLAS CBS-KTVT IN HD 11 6384
DALLAS CW-KDAF 33 8404
DALLAS FOX-KDFW 4 8403
DALLAS FOX-KDFW IN HD 4 6386
DALLAS IND-KTXA 21 8405
DALLAS IND-KLDT 55 8412
DALLAS IND-KMPX 29 8413
DALLAS IND-KTAQ 47 8414
DALLAS ION - KPXD 68 8416
DALLAS MNT-KDFI 27 8407
DALLAS NBC-KXAS 5 8402
DALLAS NBC-KXAS IN HD 5 6385
DALLAS PBS-KERA 13 8406
DALLAS TELEF-KSTR 49 8410
DALLAS TMNDO-KXTX 39 8411
DALLAS IND-KFWD 52 8409
DALLAS UNVSN-KUVN 23 8408

[garys]

Haven't seen Portland ME on any list to be added. Check at antennaweb.org to see if you have a shot at getting them via ota (there would not be any additional charge once you have the equipment if you can get them this way).

[Downeaster]

I believe I saw Portland Me listed in the schedule for 2008 to go
hdtv. This was on the last Charlie Chat. It should cover most of the
country.

[slclem]

I live in the Memphis area (38028) and receive SD local channels from the satellite plus HD locals OTA. I just learned my locals also appear on channels 7165 thru 7171 in SD. Can I take this as an indication Dish is moving forward to providing HD locals on satellite in the Memphis area in the near future?

[garys]

Originally Posted by slclem

I live in the Memphis area (38028) and receive SD local channels from the satellite plus HD locals OTA. I just learned my locals also appear on channels 7165 thru 7171 in SD. Can I take this as an indication Dish is moving forward to providing HD locals on satellite in the Memphis area in the near future?

Cannot tell from what you stated as your locals are located in the 7165-7171 channel range but are mapped down to the low channel number to make it easier for you to find. HD channels are in the 63xx to 65xx range.

[slclem]

Originally Posted by garys

Cannot tell from what you stated as your locals are located in the 7165-7171 channel range but are mapped down to the low channel number to make it easier for you to find. HD channels are in the 63xx to 65xx range.

I see. If I understand what you are saying, my locals are on channels 7165-7171 but were mapped down to 3, 5, 13, 10, 24, 30 to match the local channel numbers. I just never noticed that until yesterday. I have my local channels in HD OTA but sometimes the signal drops for a few seconds so I am interested in Dish providing my local channels in HD on satellite. Do you know of any place I can check for programming updates? Thanks for your help.

[garys]

Originally Posted by slclem

I see. If I understand what you are saying, my locals are on channels 7165-7171 but were mapped down to 3, 5, 13, 10, 24, 30 to match the local channel numbers. I just never noticed that until yesterday. I have my local channels in HD OTA but sometimes the signal drops for a few seconds so I am interested in Dish providing my local channels in HD on satellite. Do you know of any place I can check for programming updates? Thanks for your help.

If you have the local channel package and Dish starts supplying them, the will just appear in your guide, probably without much notice if any at all.

[jim5506]

The channels you have listed are the SD locals for Portland ME and Dallas, TX.

Dish only carries the "Big 4" networks, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX with a very few exceptions.

Nearly all the HD locals are in the 6300 and 6400 channels range.

[jpfrasier]

Originally Posted by jim5506

The channels you have listed are the SD locals for Portland ME and Dallas, TX.

Dish only carries the "Big 4" networks, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX with a very few exceptions.

Nearly all the HD locals are in the 6300 and 6400 channels range.

Actually I listed the Dallas channels because this is what I receive. The opening poster listed the Portland, ME channels upon visiting the Dish website. I was just trying to demonstrate that if you are able to receive your locals in HD the Dish website will specifically say what channels(if any) are available in HD based on your address. This is a good thing to do before anybody orders any satellite service if locals in HD are a big deal to them.

[mxz800]

Well being new to the HD way of life, I had figured that since I saw the locals at the normal channel number, and in the 7xxx number range that when I upgraded to Dish HD Local channels would be HD. I was wrong not like that is a first, so to warn others who have just entered the HD lifestyle I figured I would start this post.

I hate the thought of putting up a roof antenna, the whole fear of heights, plus the cost. If I knew it was going to be a long time before my locals would be in HD on Dish then I might force myself to install an antenna.

Tim

[Vader1025]

Originally Posted by Downeaster

I believe I saw Portland Me listed in the schedule for 2008 to go
hdtv. This was on the last Charlie Chat. It should cover most of the
country.

Where can I see a list of upcoming local HD channels for Dish?

[jim5506]

No list.

They showed a map with green and yellow dots representing current and future (before end of 2008) HD locals.

Try to pin them down on that one!!

Be sure to save the recording as the dots appeared on the screen so we can check to see if the first dot corresponds to the first new HD local that is fired up.