HD Locals: Cleveland-Akron, OH

[Doug Brott]

Please post broadcast issues with DIRECTV satellite delivered HD Local Channels only

DMA: Cleveland-Akron, OH
Established: 6/28/2006
Rank: 17

HD Locals available in this DMA

ABC - WEWS (5)
CBS - WOIO (19)
NBC - WKYC (3)
FOX - WJW (8)
CW - WBNX (55)
PBS - WVIZ (25)


For instructions, please visit this thread (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=137643)

[talkdj]

Well I would like to start this thread with possible problems with WOIO Ch. 19 in HD. Any one else getting loss of signal and digital distortion with the HD signal on 19-1? Just awful. And that's not any comment on local news programming either.

[kramerboy]

Well I would like to start this thread with possible problems with WOIO Ch. 19 in HD. Any one else getting loss of signal and digital distortion with the HD signal on 19-1? Just awful. And that's not any comment on local news programming either.

Well.... If you are talking about the MPEG4 channel 19 (HD), then yes. If you are talking about the OTA channel 19-1, then no.

I have seen the same distortion that you are experiencing on the Directv provided WOIO 19. Hope they can get these issues worked out soon.

[Newshawk]

Well I would like to start this thread with possible problems with WOIO Ch. 19 in HD. Any one else getting loss of signal and digital distortion with the HD signal on 19-1? Just awful. And that's not any comment on local news programming either.

Please reserve this thread for issues with the DirecTV-delivered HD LiLs for Cleveland-Akron, OH. May I suggest the Cleveland HD OTA channel thread at AVS Forums for discussion of OTA channel issues.

[bighurt]

Channel(s) affected - 19 WOIO
Date - 9/4/08
Time - 8:00 to 9:00 pm
Description of Issue - lots of blocking and stuttering throught the last half of Big Brother

[pennhunter]

Same problem here, I better get the Brown's game the pregame show is stuttering. 09-07-08 12:37pm

[DCSholtis]

Stuttering problem here currently on Channel 3 NBC Cleveland. Slow motion action not sure if it's part of the pre game show or not. Commercials seem fine.

[qprhooligan]

I can't believe they can't get the audio in sync with the video after all this time. The Cleveland CBS station is the worst. Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

[EricG]

Here's the reply I received from CH45/49

Eric,
If everything goes according to plan DirecTV will begin using our HD signal on November
1, 2008. If there are any technical issues that come up that date may be pushed back.
Ultimately DirecTV has to use local HD signal when the analog signals cease next
February.
Thanks for writing.

Don

Don Freeman
Programming
Western Reserve PBS
WNEO/WEAO

[EricG]

Well that didn't happen yet, we'll see.

[pcashmere]

Channel(s) affected - 19 WOIO HD
Date - 12/12/08 & 12/14/08
Time - 8:00pm - 9:00pm & 11:00am to ??
Description of Issue - lots of blocking and stuttering throughout the Sunday (12/14) Tailgate 19 show. Also noticed the same problems Friday night (12/12) during the Frosty the Snowman hour.

[RobertE]

Someone needs to reboot the encoder for WOIO ch 19. Macroblocking and audio worbling has progressively grown worse over the past 2 weeks.

[pennhunter]

The Steelers game was horrible, I couldn't wait to go to work to watch the second half on cable. Lot's of stuttering and skips. 12/14/08

[carnage]

Channel(s) affected - 19 WOIO HD
Date - 12/14/08
Time - 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Description of Issue - Same as everyone else watching 19 lately. Lots of green blocking and audio stuttering throughout the Survivor finale. I thought it was the wind last night slightly adjusting the dish but it does look like it's on 19's side.

[Stuart Sweet]

PBS - WVIZ (25) has been added to the lineup.

[carnage]

PBS - WVIZ (25) has been added to the lineup.

looks good and glad to have it!

[DCSholtis]

looks good and glad to have it!

+1 now all we need is My43 in HD and I'll be set.

[davemayo]

+1 now all we need is My43 in HD and I'll be set.

Is there anything worth watching on 43? Even if it was in HD?

[pcashmere]

The channel 19 pixelation & audio stuttering problems appear to be fixed. Haven't noticed any of the problems this morning.

[EricG]

PBS - WVIZ (25) has been added to the lineup.

Now if we just had PBS - WEAO (49), I would be happy!

[RobertE]

The channel 19 pixelation & audio stuttering problems appear to be fixed. Haven't noticed any of the problems this morning.

Sadly, they are back today 12/21.

Someone please go give the WOIO encoder a good kick.

[DCSholtis]

Agreed. It made an already bad game worse.

[RobertE]

WOIO still getting pixilation and audio burps.

Kick the encoder already. :mad:

[davemayo]

WOIO still getting pixilation and audio burps.

Kick the encoder already. :mad:

Yes, please do something about this. It is very annoying.

[pennhunter]

I can't believe WOIO or Directv haven't addressed the stuttering. It makes me avoid WOIO at this point.

[jterry]

looks good and glad to have it!

Somone please tell me why the HD images, with few exceptions, are letterboxed inside the main 16X9 plasma screen. The only show that is true HD is Lerher.

[carnage]

Somone please tell me why the HD images, with few exceptions, are letterboxed inside the main 16X9 plasma screen. The only show that is true HD is Lerher.

I know that I've watched Nightly Business Report and World World in Full HD. I thought in switching it on the other night there was a Great Performances that wasn't letterboxed either. This would be on WVIZ 25 and not 45/49. I haven't watched much in the past week over the Holidays but I will check tonight.

Do you have the old standard def. PBS on a favorite's list? I can think of some old shows on there that were letter-boxed on a 4:3 screen.

[JDubbs413]

Still having consistant issues with WOIO CBS 19. Ghost Whisperer was almost unwatchable last Friday night. The game Sunday was terribly distorted as well. These issues need to get resolved.

Channel - WOIO CBS 19 HD
Time - All of the Time
Problem - Stuttering and blocking

[jterry]

I know that I've watched Nightly Business Report and World World in Full HD. I thought in switching it on the other night there was a Great Performances that wasn't letterboxed either. This would be on WVIZ 25 and not 45/49. I haven't watched much in the past week over the Holidays but I will check tonight.

Do you have the old standard def. PBS on a favorite's list? I can think of some old shows on there that were letter-boxed on a 4:3 screen.

I just got a new HR22-100. I only have HDs on my favorites list. No old SD. Shows like Nova, This Old House, Amer Experience, etc. that say "Presented In High Definition" are not. They're boxed in the middle. I think I might know the answer...WVIZ has divided their digital channel into four separates. DirecTV picks uo only the main dig channel. The true HD channel (#2) is only on two cable systems.

[pcashmere]

The issues for WOIO still exist! Pixelation, audio stuttering.

[lee278]

Yes, I am in Akron and my channel 19 WOIO is barely watchable do to audio and video constant breakups in the signal. I am about ready to go back to cable.

[JDubbs413]

Yes, I am in Akron and my channel 19 WOIO is barely watchable do to audio and video constant breakups in the signal. I am about ready to go back to cable.

I have actually heard cable is having the same issues from them.

[ohpuckhead]

I have actually heard cable is having the same issues from them.

WOIO tells me it is a DTV problem. DTV says it is WOIO. It's been nonstop for months for me.

[DCSholtis]

WOIO still getting pixilation and audio burps.

Kick the encoder already. :mad:

+1 I'm glad to don't watch WOIO that often except for football. Someone put a boot to that encoder!!!

[JDubbs413]

In my research it is not a DTV problem. But the bottom line is they need to work together to resolve the issue. This should be resolved immediately not over time.

[DCSholtis]

Let's get this out of the way before gametime. Kick the damn encoder!!!

[chorning]

I agree with everyone that the WOIO issue is extremely frustrating. Sometimes it makes the channel nearly unwatchable. I wonder if Anyone at the CBS network would care....

[paule123]

D* is picking up the wrong WEAO PBS channel 49 subchannel. They should be picking up the HD feed on 49-1. Instead they are picking up the SD feed on 49-2. WEAO now appears to have their analog and digital schedules in sync (as does WVIZ) so I don't see why D* can't switch over to the HD subchannel.

BTW I emailed WEAO about this and got this odd reply:


Thank you for your interest in our programming.

DirecTV has to launch another satellite in order to broadcast our HD signal. The most recent news in this regard is that it will be launched for the Cleveland market in summer 2010.

Because digital broadcasting is new to everyone, there's been a steep learning curve. We found out a few weeks ago that we need additional equipment, including another dish, in order to broadcast two separate schedules. We are currently working on this, but I'm not sure when this will happen.

I'm sorry that I don't have better news for you. Please feel free to continue to ask questions.

[EricG]

I've been in contact with the station manager over at WEAO for a few months now, and yes, he's confirmed that D* won't be picking up the HD feed until 2010. That's just insane! That stinks, WEAO has the best OTA HD signal in town. C'mon DirecTV, get moving!

[paule123]

I got a response back from DirecTV about the WEAO HD thing and it was a bolierplate answer completely unrelated to the topic. She thinks I am having problems with my equipment and need to call technical support. :rolleyes:

[paule123]

Well guys, it's all my fault. Look what DirecTV went ahead and did - they are now tuned to WEAO 49-1 instead of 49-2 ... but they are center cutting the 16:9 HD frame chopping off the sides, and we're seeing 4:3 SD. Dumbasses.

[EricG]

What ??

I'm not getting any HD on 49 from DirecTV. You're talking the SD channel, right?

[paule123]

Ok, now I see what's going on. For channel 49 DirecTV only has "CL49" in the guide for WEAO (this was the old analog 49). All the "CL" channels are SD channels. I guess the WEAO guy may be correct, D* needs another satellite to add another whole "49" HD channel.

i.e., WVIZ "CL25" in the guide is the 4:3 SD version for non-HD D* tuners.
"25" is the 16:9 HD version for HD capable D* tuners.

I missed the fact that WEAO only has a "CL49" and not a "49"

It still does not excuse the fact that they apparently switched to a 4:3 center cut of 49-1. I watch The Newshour almost every night at 7pm and last Friday it was properly letterboxed on CL49. Tonight it was centercut on CL49 with graphics cut off the left and right sides.

[carnage]

Channel(s) affected - FSN Ohio HD 660-1
Date - 2/22/09
Time - 8:00 to 10:00 pm
Description of Issue - audio sync is off for the Cavs game. You could hear the "swish" of the basket before the ball would go through the hoop. Hard to pick up at first until they went to a live shot of the sideline reporter and it was very noticeable. I've seen them have audio sync issues on commercials before but not during the live game.

[spoonman]

I'm watching the auction on WVIZ this weekend. The audio and video keeps dropping out.

[EricG]

Watching 662 Sport Time Ohio, Indians @ Blue Jays, 12 inning tied 6-6, they lose the video feed, :(
Missed the Indians pick up 3 to make it 9-6.

[AdamPS]

Does anyone have any idea when (or, more accurately, IF) Channel 43-HD is going to be available? I have sent several emails to them through their website with no response, and any attempts to ask DirecTV just lead me back to the station. And, yes, there are a few things on there that I would like in HD (News, WWE Smackdown, occasional movies).

[DCSholtis]

Does anyone have any idea when (or, more accurately, IF) Channel 43-HD is going to be available? I have sent several emails to them through their website with no response, and any attempts to ask DirecTV just lead me back to the station. And, yes, there are a few things on there that I would like in HD (News, WWE Smackdown, occasional movies).

Getting through to Raycrap...errr Raycom is like pulling teeth. I have tried too without a response.

[RobertE]

Someone please kick the encoder for Fox 8 WJW. Really, really, really bad brrrriiiipppps and when not brriipping, audio is waaaay out of sync.

[EricG]

FOX 8 was annoying. First they dump SkyFox, then this? ;)

[qprhooligan]

Fox 8 was really bad today. A lot of audio sync problems and a lot of audio dropouts. I wonder if this is someway related to the latest firmware upgrade?

[DCSholtis]

Fox 8 was really bad today. A lot of audio sync problems and a lot of audio dropouts. I wonder if this is someway related to the latest firmware upgrade?

Fox 8 is bad again today. I've let D* know through Twitter.

[RobertE]

Fox 8 is bad again today. I've let D* know through Twitter.

It seems like the encoders go about 25-30 days before someone needs to kick them again.

So, it's time to kick them again. :(

OTA Fox8 is fine.

[boufa]

Fox 8 bad again this AM. It was unwatchable last night for the 10pm news.

Does anyone know if this is the HD only problem. I may have to record hells kitchen tonight using the SD feed.

edit: I was on the phone with Directv for a possibly dying DVR, and while I had the guy on the phone I mentioned the issues with Fox 8. He asked me a bunch of questions for an engineering report.

[RobertE]

Tweeted DirecTv letting them know that Fox8 is still unwatchable.

I urge others to do the same to get some more attention drawn to the problem.

[rutgersfan]

Fox 8 was terrible during the 4:00 Philly/Oakland game yesterday. Sound kept stuttering. Last week, it made the Simpsons, FG, and Cleveland Show almost unwatchable!

[EricG]

Fox 8 was terrible during the 4:00 Philly/Oakland game yesterday. Sound kept stuttering. Last week, it made the Simpsons, FG, and Cleveland Show almost unwatchable!

Same here. Kick the darn thing!

[jeffwltrs]

Why the hell isn't FSN OHIO Cavsgame in HD on D*! D* SUCKS!

[DCSholtis]

Why the hell isn't FSN OHIO Cavsgame in HD on D*! D* SUCKS!

Per the cavs Twitter feed:

cavs

For those fans watching tonight's game on FSO, the game will not be in HD due to technical difficulties at the Air Canada Centre.

[davemayo]

That blows.

[RobertE]

Why the hell isn't FSN OHIO Cavsgame in HD on D*! D* SUCKS!

Yet again, someone goes off on a rant about how bad DirecTv is before knowing the details. :rolleyes:

[jeffwltrs]

Maybe they couldn't afford to pay the extra fees being in Canada because of all the money they are paying for the "big log"! I mean the "big weisel" I mean "diesel"!

[DCSholtis]

PDcavsinsider

Fox just lost its HD ability for all you yelling. Something wrong here at Air Canada Centre. Cavs rallying, down 69-68 late 3rd.

Another Twitter update

FS Ohio Facebook update from this AM:

FOX Sports Ohio Cavs fans, unfortunately, there was a catastrophic equipment failure at Air Canada Centre that made us unable to get the HD feed. It had nothing to do with FOX Sports Ohio production and it affected not only the Cavs telecast but also the Toronto Raptors telecast as well.

We certainly regret the issues that plagued our broadcast last night and naturally are very disappointed that this happened on our first game of the season. The Air Canada Centre had never experienced such a massive failure in transmission in their 11 years of existence. The building had been regularly broadcasting HD signals through the month of October with their broadcasts of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey games. Preventative measures were taken, policies were followed and tests were all done prior to our arrival. We were simply the victims of bad timing and a catastrophic equipment failure.

[carnage]

Can anyone confirm if Sportstime Ohio was always in the Choice Xtra package for Cleveland area residents, or if this is a recent change? My parents live in Twinsburg OH so we were looking for ways to scale back on their programming in the offseason. When we checked the Regional sports networks, it shows STO as only being available for Choice Xtra. Just curious as I thought it would be available in Choice like Fox Sports Ohio.

[EricG]

The Cavs Game tonight (Minnesota) is in HD on FSO. yeah.

[EricG]

Can anyone confirm if Sportstime Ohio was always in the Choice Xtra package for Cleveland area residents, or if this is a recent change? My parents live in Twinsburg OH so we were looking for ways to scale back on their programming in the offseason. When we checked the Regional sports networks, it shows STO as only being available for Choice Xtra. Just curious as I thought it would be available in Choice like Fox Sports Ohio.

my folks get STO and FSO with Choice only.

[RobertE]

Fox8 has yet again turned into a lip sync and brrriiiippp mess. :(

Come on guys, enough is enough, fix it for good already. :mad:

[DCSholtis]

Fox8 and WEWS Channel 5 I'm noticing audio dropouts today during the games.

[DCSholtis]

Horrid lip synch problems on WUAB My43 tonight.

[daystrom]

WJW's audio has been really bad for at least me both on Time Warner and DirecTV.

My Kenwood THX receiver plays the 5.1 audio with constant studdering. When WJW inserts a local commercial or news break the audio is fine. As soon as Fox comes back the audio goes back to a studdering mess.

This isn't a D* problem as they are just picking up the faulty audio as WJW sends it out. It seems the Motorola splicer they use to mix local content with Fox content is the problem. Really makes enjoying 24 and Fringe hard.

I have not had any video issues however.

[oldcrooner]

I don't watch WVIZ ch 25 HD via Directv too often but when I do, I notice it is plagued by the "briiiiip" problem in their audio every few moments. Is anybody trying to do anything to correct this?

[kenkraly2004]

I hope soon that Mynetwork TV WUAB channel 43 will be added in HD on Directv soon.

[carnage]

Anyone else having issues with the Lost finale tonight on WEWS Channel 5? Both HD and SD are having pixellation and dropouts.

[spoonman]

Anyone else having issues with the Lost finale tonight on WEWS Channel 5? Both HD and SD are having pixellation and dropouts.

Yes! And can't tell you how pissed I am right now...

[chorning]

Anyone else having issues with the Lost finale tonight on WEWS Channel 5? Both HD and SD are having pixellation and dropouts.

Yes same thing, very bad timing!!!!!!! :mad:

[RobertE]

It's also happening for me OTA straight to the TV, so this is WEWS problem, not DirecTvs.

[boufa]

Channel 5 has said that it will be re-airing Lost on Saturday at 8pm. Of course there is always ABC.com, Hulu and several less ethical ways to see it before then.

It was not a directv problem. Their facebook page was on fire with complaints. They used to be one of the founding fathers of local television. They have since gone down to the gutter and are playing to the dumbest of tv viewers. They cut in and delay shows for 15 minutes or more, any time there is even the slightest bit of lightning. They run "Could your sniffles really be the plague!" news teasers and articles. They are one of the main reasons that local TV is dying, and the only decent shows left on TV are on cable/satellite stations.

[DCSholtis]

Anyone notice that the PQ on Channel 49 is not as sharp as it is on Channel 25 though supposedly D* is now picking up Channel 49's HD feed?

[oldcrooner]

Anyone notice that the PQ on Channel 49 is not as sharp as it is on Channel 25 though supposedly D* is now picking up Channel 49's HD feed?

Channel 49's HD feed is not nearly as good as it could be owing to all the subchannels they have. The same thing is true of channel 44, Cambridge. I wish someone offered a full quality PBS HD signal but unfortunately they all have gone subchannel crazy. :(

[RobertE]

Fox 8 WJW, is a mess tonight. The encoders need another swift kick or two.

[Nateyd]

We live in the eastern most part of Sandusky county (44811) and when we upgraded to HD service in 2009 our locals switched to Toledo from Cleveland. I've talked to customer service numerous times to no avail. They're contending that Sandusky county is Toledo locals. The kicker is that our parents live right next door, a mere 100 yards away, in the same county and they get Cleveland locals and have HD service. We both work in the Cleveland area and that's home to us so we're disparate to get CLE locals back. Anyone have any thoughts?

[DCSholtis]

Yep according to your zip D* does consider your area to have Toledo locals. Not sure if there is anything you can do.http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?assetId=900018

If you put your zip there that will tell you the same unfortunately.

[DCSholtis]

I hope soon that Mynetwork TV WUAB channel 43 will be added in HD on Directv soon.

We all hope that. Appears to be a pipedream.

[Nateyd]

Appreciate the info. Any idea how our parents are able to still get those CLE locals?