Reception question

Captain Kirk

First - thanks to all of you who participate in the forum. Your info and input have helped me a great deal.

Question about reception
I just got the 34" XBR960. It was another $100 off last week. So, I sprang for it. It is awesome. I connected it to my roof-top antenna I've had since 2001. It is a Winegard Chromstar CA7082. I think it's the predecessor of their current 7082 series antenna which they advertise for HDTV reception. It seems to be pulling in all my Hi-Def channels fine, but I am surprised by this. I was certain that I was going to need at least a pre-amp and possibly a new UHF antenna like the Channel Master model that everyone is crazy about these days. I live 48 miles from the Minneapolis/St. Paul TV towers. The advertised range of my antenna is VHF - 60 miles and UHF - 35 miles. Since DTV signals are UHF, I thought I was going to need more umph, so to speak. I know the mileage numbers sometimes don't mean much. But with my analog TV, reception of UHF channels was marginal. Some came in fairly well, while others presented a descent picture but appeared washed out, and a few others showed half snow most of the time. Is it by nature that DTV signals just get pulled in more easily than analog? I thought it was the other way around. That's why I thought I needed more equipment.

Please help me with my understanding of DTV reception. Am I correct in thinking that you either receive your DTV signal or not, for example it's either tuned in or it is dropped out without any picture or sound. So, if I'm getting a constant signal with no drop-out, am I getting the signal as best as I can, or can a more strongly tuned in reception yeild a better picture. I just want to know because it's not everyday I shell out big bucks for a TV. I just want to get the most out of it.

HD-NFL looks absolutely awesome, no matter if it's coming from ABC, FOX, or CBS. Prime time programming looks great as well, but every once in a while I notice darker backgrounds looking slightly grainy - not bad though - this is really why I'm asking the reception question. Reducing the picture setting seems to cure it, but I don't want to go too far or else I start losing details in shadows and other darker scenes.

Thoughts....suggestions....Thanks for your help!
Captain

Another pleasant surprise - I was expecting red push with this TV, but after using Avia's Home Theater guide DVD, I found that my XBR is de-emphasizing red by -10%. (My Analog 27" Panasonic, which I really like, had bad red push +25%)

John C. Kosick

Welcome aboard captain !
Enjoy the ride...................

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Steve-O

You are correct.....unlike analog TV, with digital it's either there or it isn't......there may be a signal meter thru the TV or STB......you could also wait for some bad weather and see how well the signal holds up.....you can also go to antennaweb.org to make sure your antenna is pointed in the correct direction and you're receiving all the digital signals you can......

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Captain Kirk

I have been to the web site previously and am receiving all channels. However, when I got home today I noticed that the local PBS was not tuning in. We had a cold snap last night, maybe that had something to do with it. All other major channels still coming in fine. Might the PBS station's signal not be as powerful as the others?

I'm not sure how to check signal strength on my XBR, it has built in tuner. Oh well, guess I get to play around some more.

I'm pretty sure I'm pointed right also as the antenna has been tuned in to the stations for the past four years, only on the analog end.

Thanks for the input/

oblioman

Run RG-6 for the best signal. And an amplifier could not hurt at your distance.

Captain Kirk

Found the diagnostic screen on my XBR. PBS channels' signal strength is fluctuating between 32 and 55 and picture is coming in and out. It looks like I need to get around 60 to get a steady signal. Two other channels are about 65 and coming in steady.

All other channels are in the upper 70s to high 80s and CBS is coming in at 98. (hey am I doing the weather now )

RG-6 is currenty running from my splitter in the basement to the TV. I have no idea what is running from the antenna to the splitter. That cable has no markings on it. It was installed with the antenna four years ago. Is there a way to test the cable to find out what kind it is?

Thanks for the help.

maicaw

-sounds like multipath
(interference from a reflection) can you rotate the antenna toward the PBS station to see if it fixes the PBS problem? -sometime the PBS transmitter is lower power or directional compared to the Networks
here's a list of DT stations and their power http://www.mayhewco.com/newfcc.txt
-or this after filling in your long/lat http://www.2150.com/broadcast/defaul...+Stations]View full report

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Captain Kirk

Thanks for the link. The PBS tower is in line with all the rest, but the signal is grossly underpowered compared to the others. That probably solves my PBS mystery.

Thanks again for the help.

tigerbangs

You didn't mention whether or not you are currently using a preamp, but if you are not, and especially if you have split the signal to feed 2 TV sets, you will beneift from installing a preamp like a Winegard AP 8275 or a Channel Master Titan 7777. The installlation of the preamp will give you sufficent signal strength to provide pixelization-free signals in bad weather, and should lock-in the PBS station with which you are having trouble.
If your antenna was installed 4 years ago, I would safely assume that RG-6 cable was used.

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Captain Kirk

Interesting that you made that suggestion. While you were adding to this thread I was actually shopping for the Winegard AP 8275. It is currently installed and brought the PBS stations up to around 90% signal strength. It also greatly improved my analog signals on my 27" Panasonic.

Also good call on the RG-6 on the install. I was able to barely read the lettering on the cable while I was up on the roof, but I could make out enough of it to tell it is indeed RG-6.

This captain is sailing free and clear, (so to speak)

Thanks for the help.

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