Charging for OTA HD Broadcast

[Dudesdad]

Not sure this is the right place to post, but here we go......

BELO (BLC stock market symbol) that is the CBS affiliate in many major cities, including St. Louis metro area, is now charging for its high definition service to the local cable company (Charter). I received the notice in the mail today before turning on the TV and when I did there was a notice that HD CBS was not available. Charter states that they will not carry CBS if they have to increase the fee to the HD subscriber base for an over the air broadcast, hooray for Charter.

So on my S3 TIVO I plugged in the HD TREK amplified antenna, re-ran setup for cable and antenna and now back in business with free CBS (incuding programming information for 2 weeks). Can I say TIVO is the BEST DVR, bar none......

If you have BELO for CBS in your area beware you could be next.

[TydalForce]

I've been seeing similar things here and there... TV stations like FOX and CBS in various areas aren't being carried by some Cable Companies because the Cable Companies refuse to pay money to the station

I don't think that's hit the Philly area (where I am) yet... but I'm ready. Got my antenna, got my HD got my S3!

[Shawn95GT]

I think it's crap that they are charging a premium for HD.

Bottom line: If you want viewers, give them something nice to look at!

The local NBC news now has me as a viewer. Why? They are the only in market local HD news broadcast.

[TydalForce]

it's dumb. the local stations don't lose out on anything, and in fact get MORE viewers because not everyone can get the broadcasts over the air. Plus, bad publicity.

Dear Customer. We can't give you Channel 1 anymore because they want us to pay them now. So we had to drop them from our lineup. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely, Cable Company

[Dudesdad]

I agree it is bad for the publicity. But I can see both sides. Why charge for something that is free. Our CBS station newscasters are like watch an episode of HeeHaw anyway, so no loss if I didn't have OTA.

NFL Network is fighting the same battle with the Cable Giants and we LOSE.

As long as I have OTA (21 channels) for local TV Charter can battle forever, just give me the NFL Network and keep Discovery HD and I will be happy.....

[George Cifranci]

This has been an issue for Time Warner Cable and Sinclair Broadcasting here in Columbus Ohio. Sinclair owns both the ABC and FOX affiliate. Sinclair wants Time Warner Cable Columbus to pay for the HD versions of ABC and FOX. TWC refuses to pay so TWC does not carry the HD versions of ABC and FOX. That was an issue for me for a whole year while I only had the SA 8300HD DVR. I was able to get ABC & FOX HD via my antenna (my Sony SXRD R60XBR1 has a tuner) but of course I couldn't record it.

Thankfully now that I have a TiVo S3 that is no longer an issue and I can record those 2 channels now. In fact I am able to get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS HD channels perfectly with an indoor antenna.

[Dudesdad]

I forgot about the ABC station not being on HD. I just figured it was a Microsoft verses AOL thingy with Paul Allen verses Steve Case.

Now if TIVO would enable that SATA plug on the back I could record even more shows.......

[moscovitzd]

Is there a recommended indoor antenna for OTA? Haven't bought anything yet but I'd like to try one with my S3.

[minckster]

Variants on the Zenith Silver Sensor (http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-ZHDTV1-HDTV-UHF-Digital-Antenna/dp/B00006FXR9/sr=1-3/qid=1167951550/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/105-2300448-3138816?ie=UTF8&s=electronics) are popular and I recommend it. Plus, it's cheap. :up:

[Shawn95GT]

A similarly priced outdoor antenna is the Radio Shack U-75R (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&parentPage=family).

I'm using this one at 24 miles or so from the towers. It works great.

[Bierboy]

The title for this thread is wrong....YOU are not being charged for OTA HD....you can get it FREE with an ANTENNA.

[V7Goose]

I get perfect OTA HD on three TVs using nothing more than standard rabbit ears that I had laying around in the garage. I get about 12 channels great with them in the same position, and one channel pair being broadcast from the Fort Worth area requires me to move the position slightly. Having to move the antenna is a slight PITA, but my point is that you don't need to buy a special HD antenna for OTA broadcast.

[TydalForce]

I have a Zenith Silver Sensor; it's not bad but it wasn't quite good enough for me. I had it hanging in my window, which is *almost* facing the transmitter towers, but I'm surrounded by hills and trees and stuff.

Nothing worse than trying to watch Scrubs and missing the jokes because the signal dropped!

So I picked up a Terk HDTVLP http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HDTVLP and shoved it in the window (yeah, it's kinda weird, but it's not heavy)

Seems to be working quite well. Looks like one of the better indoor antennas available.

But don't go spending money on a fancy antenna until you've tried something cheap like old Rabbit Ears or a paper clip or something :b

[Bierboy]

...So I picked up a Terk HDTVLP http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HDTVLP and shoved it in the window...Geez, I hate when these goofballs market them as "HD" antennas. I used to have respect for Solid Signal, but no more. They, of all people, should know better. :down: :down: :down:

[TydalForce]

In all fairness, I think they have to do it to "stay competitive"... with some crappy manufacturers saying "This is for HD signals" just to sound like something special, the other brands have to say "This does HD" too just so people know it'll work.'

Think about it. If you weren't knowledgable about HDTV or antennas, but you knew that you could get OTA broadcasts, you'd probably go shopping for antennas... and if you saw one that said "HD" and one right next to it that didn't... regardless of any other factors, you'd probably buy the one that said "HD"

[drew2k]

The title for this thread is wrong....YOU are not being charged for OTA HD....you can get it FREE with an ANTENNA.I was counting on someone to post something like this, and I wasn't disappointed.

To the OP: I wonder what will happen next though, when the BELO company stops sending the analog stream of CBS to Charter? I'm assuming the analog version is stil there now, but does Charter currently offer a digital (non-HD) simulcast of CBS?

[Bierboy]

I was counting on someone to post something like this, and I wasn't disappointed...Glad I didn't disappoint... :rolleyes:

Too many people ignore the easiest (and, arguably, highest quality) way to receive HD programming....at no cost.

[hookbill]

Glad I didn't disappoint... :rolleyes:

Too many people ignore the easiest (and, arguably, highest quality) way to receive HD programming....at no cost.

I take issue with the "too many people ignoring" it. In my area it just isn't possible. I have way too many trees, I can't get regular SD in through an antenna. Plus I have hills and all kinds of stuff like that. And there are a whole bunch of us who live in the boondies so to speak. I know from reading in my local area thread in the AVS forum that HD OTA is a problem for many in my area.

[drew2k]

I take issue with the "too many people ignoring" it. In my area it just isn't possible. I have way too many trees, I can't get regular SD in through an antenna. Plus I have hills and all kinds of stuff like that. And there are a whole bunch of us who live in the boondies so to speak. I know from reading in my local area thread in the AVS forum that HD OTA is a problem for many in my area.I live in central Suffolk County, on the south shore of Long Island, and per antennaweb.org it's impossible to get DTV from NYC, only 52 miles away from me. I don't know anyone in my nieghborhood who can get their HD from OTA, but from what I can tell, no one here has tried those big honking antennas either. (Maybe the general thought is if antennaweb shows it's not possible, no one even tries.)

[TydalForce]

It's not always easiest. Depending on what you've got, the "easiest" would likely be to call up the cable company and say "hey, I want HD!" and just replace the cable box (if necessary) and pay the fee.

Some just don't want to mess with antennas. Others maybe can't (basement apartment, for example).

And I think a lot of people just don't realize its an option or are under the impression that it wouldn't work for them because of their experience with analogue broadcasts.

[drew2k]

Glad I didn't disappoint... :rolleyes:

Too many people ignore the easiest (and, arguably, highest quality) way to receive HD programming....at no cost.Glad you're glad! :)

Your statement was factually correct, the tread title wasn't, and it needed to be addressed. If it wasn't you, I would have done it. Someone had to. So why the cynical eye-roll?

[phox_mulder]

The title for this thread is wrong....YOU are not being charged for OTA HD....you can get it FREE with an ANTENNA.

Absolutely correct.
What does OTA stand for? Cable, Satellite, or Over The Air.

You can't get OTA from Cable or Satellite, only from an antenna that is sticking up into the air.

OTA is free, always has been, always will be.
(except for moronic companies like USD TV that put a signal into the air that you can't get without paying for it,
and waste HD bandwidth of legitimate network TV affiliates)


phox

[Bierboy]

....And I think a lot of people just don't realize its an option or are under the impression that it wouldn't work for them because of their experience with analogue broadcasts.I think you've hit the nail....and I agree, it may not be the "easiest", but it's certainly more cost-effective (if you can receive the signals reliably). Everyone has made good points here. But I believe if you asked the "average" person buying an HD capable set how he planned to get his HD content (or what he believes is the ONLY way to get his HD content), he'd more likely than not say cable.

[gwsat]

Arguments between cable companies and the owners of TV network affiliates over HD cable carriage rights have become distressingly common. Both Sinclair Broadcasting, the owner of a bunch of Fox stations, and Hearst-Argyle Television, which owns a number of ABC affiliates, insist on being paid by cable companies for their HD signals. Understandably, most cable companies have refused because the owners of other network affiliates in their markets have imposed no such requirement.

Alas, here in OKC the Fox station is owned by Sinclair and the ABC affiliate by Hearst-Argyle. Thus, Cox OKC can’t carry either Fox’s or ABC’s HD transmissions. It is this problem that was one of the reasons I decided to buy an S3. With an S3 I will be able to have a program guide that lists both cable and OTA programs and a box that has two built in OTA HD tuners. It’s supposed to be here mid-week next week, I can hardly wait. I just need to get the damned thing in hand and configured before the season premier of “24” on the 14th.

[ydkj0022]

Not sure this is the right place to post, but here we go......

BELO (BLC stock market symbol) that is the CBS affiliate in many major cities, including St. Louis metro area, is now charging for its high definition service to the local cable company (Charter). I received the notice in the mail today before turning on the TV and when I did there was a notice that HD CBS was not available. Charter states that they will not carry CBS if they have to increase the fee to the HD subscriber base for an over the air broadcast, hooray for Charter.

So on my S3 TIVO I plugged in the HD TREK amplified antenna, re-ran setup for cable and antenna and now back in business with free CBS (incuding programming information for 2 weeks). Can I say TIVO is the BEST DVR, bar none......

If you have BELO for CBS in your area beware you could be next.

Sinclair, the owner of KDNL ABC 30 has been doing the same thing, but they've been doing it ever since Charter wanted to rebroadcast the station. Since Charter refuses to pay the broadcasters an extra fee to have the HD stations (they already pay to get the SD, or analog, stations) they aren't broadcasting them.

[Dudesdad]

I was counting on someone to post something like this, and I wasn't disappointed.

To the OP: I wonder what will happen next though, when the BELO company stops sending the analog stream of CBS to Charter? I'm assuming the analog version is stil there now, but does Charter currently offer a digital (non-HD) simulcast of CBS?

Ture the OP was missing the ? but it got the intended responses, a discussion of corporate greed at the customers expense again.

Analog is still carried by Charter no true digital broadcast of CBS is offered. They say all channels are digital, but I think different.

I have OTA broadcast of CBS and TIVO supplies the scheduling info, so I didn't loose anything other than having to type in 4->|1 on the remote to get the channel. I just think it is crock that they are charging, or trying to charge, for a free broadcast. I can only assume they are trying to recoup cost for having to go to digital broadcast. The station doesn't even have a 16x9 newscast only the local NBC station does that.

[ScottUrman]

We don't get the CW in HD here on Comcast in the Bay Area, likely because of the same reason. I asked Comcast about it, and the rep said that Comcast didn't want to pay CW for the HD feed.

[DamnedEyez]

I get CW in HD on Comcast in CT...though I did find out I don't get a different station MNT/MyTV9/forget what it's called...something about MyNetworkTV maybe. That, and the local ABC affilliate has a subchannel that broadcasts a constant doppler radar for the state with weatherservice readings. That, and getting the springfield channel 50 miles away, made me rather happy I spent the $25 to toy around with an indoor antenna. Not to mention, I wouldn't have to worry if the cable dropped the HD channels (or went out for a time.)

[Rosenkavalier]

Not sure this is the right place to post, but here we go......

BELO (BLC stock market symbol) that is the CBS affiliate in many major cities, including St. Louis metro area, is now charging for its high definition service to the local cable company (Charter). I received the notice in the mail today before turning on the TV and when I did there was a notice that HD CBS was not available. Charter states that they will not carry CBS if they have to increase the fee to the HD subscriber base for an over the air broadcast, hooray for Charter.

So on my S3 TIVO I plugged in the HD TREK amplified antenna, re-ran setup for cable and antenna and now back in business with free CBS (incuding programming information for 2 weeks). Can I say TIVO is the BEST DVR, bar none......

If you have BELO for CBS in your area beware you could be next.

This is not just a CBS issue...Belo owns the ABC affiliate in the Dallas/Fort Worth market, and Charter here is in the same fight with them now. Charter is in the process of pulling the ABC-HD signal, which some folks have been receiving for quite a while, off of the cable system entirely.

Of course, the rest of us Charter subscribers in the region are still being shafted by lazy/greedy corporate management, who will not upgrade the rest of the area systems for HD (I've been waiting for years now). So this is a theoretical issue for me, even as a Charter subscriber.

[Buran]

Please explain to me how I can use an antenna to restore my HD service with two CableCARDs installed. I don't think I can do it. I also am hearing impaired and require a PERFECT signal so that the closed captioning will display correctly. Shoddy reception (like my parents get at their house) is unacceptable.

[phox_mulder]

Please explain to me how I can use an antenna to restore my HD service with two CableCARDs installed. I don't think I can do it. I also am hearing impaired and require a PERFECT signal so that the closed captioning will display correctly. Shoddy reception (like my parents get at their house) is unacceptable.

There are two inputs on the back of the TiVo.
One for cable, it feeds both cablecards, and one for antenna.

Hook an antenna up, tell the TiVo you now have an antenna, scan for OTA channels, and enjoy.

HD or Digital TV Closed Captioning isn't affected by signal quality like it used to be, if the picture is there, captions will be there (if the program has captions), if it isn't call the station and complain.


phox

[minckster]

Please explain to me how I can use an antenna to restore my HD service with two CableCARDs installed. I don't think I can do it. I also am hearing impaired and require a PERFECT signal so that the closed captioning will display correctly. Shoddy reception (like my parents get at their house) is unacceptable.There are two separate inputs on the back of the S3. Put the cable wire to one and the antenna wire to the other. They're labeled something like "cable" and "antenna" so getting it right will be easy.

Next, you'll want to add the OTA channels to your TiVo guide. Go to Settings -> Channels -> Channel Lineup and press Enter. There will be a message on the bottom of the screen to the effect of, "Press Enter if this is the wrong channel lineup." Answer the TiVo's questions, telling it that you have both cable and antenna. You'll almost certainly have to go through the part of guided setup dealing with channels again. It can't hurt to force another connection to the TiVo service when you're done.

Caveat: I've never had cableCARDs in my TiVo, so I don't know if your cable company will have to re-hit or reauthorize the cards when you change your channel lineup - effectively doing over that part of Guided Setup. Can anyone help us out?

Your Season Passes and Recordings will be unaffected by changing your channel lineup. The new OTA channels will be integrated with your cable channels. So your Guide might have something like rows for: cbl ch 4, ant ch 4-1, ant ch 4-2, cbl ch 5, ....

Now the hard part, placing your antenna for best reception. Go to Settings -> Channels -> Signal Strength - Antenna. And start moving your antenna around. The screen will display a number and emit an annoying sound that varies according to the signal's strength. The latter was very helpful to me, working alone, so I didn't have to be within sight of the TV while moving the antenna.

If your signals come from multiple directions, I've read about people using multiple antennas - each pointed toward a different signal - with a signal splitter in reverse to combine the signals. I don't know how well this really works. Anyone?

My indoor antenna is the Silver Sensor (http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-ZHDTV1-HDTV-UHF-Digital-Antenna/dp/B00006FXR9/sr=1-3/qid=1167951550/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/105-2300448-3138816?ie=UTF8&s=electronics), which is very "directional", i.e., highly sensitive to small changes in placement. I spent hours placing it to get optimal reception. Good luck!

On the digital OTA channels (and all the HD channels will be digital), you either get perfect reception or nothing at all. I suppose this applies to the closed captioning too. Can anyone help us out?

I usually have CC on, but found very rarely that I have to toggle CC1 or DTVCC1 off in order to get the closed captions to display. What I'm saying is, if you know the captions should be there, try turning Standard Captions to None from CC1 or Digital Captions to None from DTVCC1. Otherwise, you can leave them to CC1 and DTVCC1 always, unless you want captions en espanol (CC2, DTVCC2). :)

[DamnedEyez]

Caveat: I've never had cableCARDs in my TiVo, so I don't know if your cable company will have to re-hit or reauthorize the cards when you change your channel lineup - effectively doing over that part of Guided Setup. Can anyone help us out?

Nope, once they're paired you can redo the setups as much as you want (I've even removed and reinserted without issue...though I didn't try swapping, just put them back in the slot they were.)