[joecap1946]

As you can tell this is my first post. I wanted to know if I can get my Distant Network (CBS) in HD. Both the Atlanta and SF feeds are available in HD.

Also is there any good rule of thumb as to when my remaining locals will be in HD, and where can I locate that information? Panama City Florida is where I get my ABC, NBC and Fox from.

Finally I just wanted to thank all of you for the information you provide on the forum, although this is my first post I have been reading your comments, input and recomendations for some time.

 

[JohnH]

As you can tell this is my first post. I wanted to know if I can get my Distant Network (CBS) in HD. Both the Atlanta and SF feeds are available in HD.

Also is there any good rule of thumb as to when my remaining locals will be in HD, and where can I locate that information? Panama City Florida is where I get my ABC, NBC and Fox from.

Finally I just wanted to thank all of you for the information you provide on the forum, although this is my first post I have been reading your comments, input and recomendations for some time.

While the Atlanta and San Francisco Networks are available in HD they are not available from your Distant Network provider. There is no known time frame or possibility of them becoming available from your Distant Network provider. DiSH Network is forbidden by Court Order from providing Distant Networks. You likely would not qualify even if DiSH Network could carry them.

Your remaining locals in HD is a two-fold problem.
1. Your station has to be providing HD for it to be considered HD.

2. There is not much bandwidth available and the digital transition may bring the rest of your locals in digital, but they may be only in SD for some time as they are currently available.

 

[joecap1946]

While the Atlanta and San Francisco Networks are available in HD they are not available from your Distant Network provider. There is no known time frame or possibility of them becoming available from your Distant Network provider. DiSH Network is forbidden by Court Order from providing Distant Networks. You likely would not qualify even if DiSH Network could carry them.

Your remaining locals in HD is a two-fold problem.
1. Your station has to be providing HD for it to be considered HD.

2. There is not much bandwidth available and the digital transition may bring the rest of your locals in digital, but they may be only in SD for some time as they are currently available.

Thanks for your answer John.
If I'm understanding you, it's going to be awhile before any of my locals are HD. I do live in a small market. But what about other shows broadcast on that channel.eg. NBC out of Panama City broadcasts Law and Order, I know Law and Order is broadcast in HD. Will I not able to receive this broadcast in HD because my local NBC does not??

Sorry for the confusion, but as I mentioned I am new to this. I'm trying learn as I go along.

I thank you in advance

Joe

 

[JohnH]

If your local NBC does not broadcast the program in HD, you will not get it in HD.

Have you tried an Over The Air outdoor antenna to see if you can get those digital channels for free?

 

[joecap1946]

If your local NBC does not broadcast the program in HD, you will not get it in HD.

Have you tried an Over The Air outdoor antenna to see if you can get those digital channels for free?

That will be my next project, I've been to the various web sites locating my distances from my locals. (They are "greek" to me). I want to be sure I get an antenna to insure I can get these channels. I live in a rural area with issues of trees, but the average distance from the locals are 30 miles or so.

Do you think I should wait after 2/2009 to see what happens? Or will this not effect my situation at all. I don't mind installing an antenna if you think it will solve my problem.

Again John, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me. I am lost with all this tech stuff. I just want to insure I am taking full advantage of whats out there.

Thanks

Joe

 

[BattleZone]

At 30 miles, even a small OTA should get you good signal. The question then would be direction: do all the channels you want come from the same angle, or close to the same angle? If so, an OTA is all you need. If you have stations at 90 degree angles from each other, then it gets more difficult, because you'd probably need a rotor to aim the OTA as needed, which means that you won't always get all channels simultaneously, so if you needed to watch different local channels on different TVs, that could be a problem. There are solutions to that too, but, as always, the more complex it is, the more money, time, etc. is required.

 

[joecap1946]

At 30 miles, even a small OTA should get you good signal. The question then would be direction: do all the channels you want come from the same angle, or close to the same angle? If so, an OTA is all you need. If you have stations at 90 degree angles from each other, then it gets more difficult, because you'd probably need a rotor to aim the OTA as needed, which means that you won't always get all channels simultaneously, so if you needed to watch different local channels on different TVs, that could be a problem. There are solutions to that too, but, as always, the more complex it is, the more money, time, etc. is required.

Thanks for response IIP.

I'm going to post my results from TV Fool to have you take a look for me.

My zip is 32465 should you need it.

Thanks

Joe

 

[levibluewa]

A Channel Master 4228 on a rotor will either solve your local station issue or it can't be solved with an antenna.

 

[levibluewa]

I'm assuming that your HDTV has a digital tuner, of course!

 

[JayCeeVee]

DNS is Distant Network Service - DirecTV makes available the SD and HD channels from New York or Los Angeles to people who qualify because they are in an area where there are no DirecTV locals and it's not possible to receive the local network stations OTA using an antenna. It's also possible to receive a waiver from your local network affiliate to allow you to receive the DNS network but waivers are difficult to get. Waivers normally take up to 45 days.

 

[joecap1946]

Thank you all for helping me with my questions.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again

Joe

 

[jimborst]

DNS is Distant Network Service - DirecTV makes available the SD and HD channels from New York or Los Angeles to people who qualify because they are in an area where there are no DirecTV locals and it's not possible to receive the local network stations OTA using an antenna. It's also possible to receive a waiver from your local network affiliate to allow you to receive the DNS network but waivers are difficult to get. Waivers normally take up to 45 days.

But at 30 miles I would think that even Direct wouldn't qualify for distants and as for waivers, I wouldn't expect it either.

 

[jclewter79]

You really never know about that, my CBS and Fox are provided by Dish Network but, still they allow me to have waivers if I so choose. My ABC on the other hand are not located in my DMA therefore are not provided by Dish Network, but they will not allow a waiver. Dumbest thing I ever heard.

 

[shadough]

Directv doesnt do waivers, as I understand it. They used to, but not anymore, except for those who have RV's. You either live in a white area, or you don't get distants. If you already had distants, you were grandfathered. However, there is much discussion if those waivers will stil be valid after the Feb. shut off (Sept 9th for some market in N.C.) Now the HD Distants on D* are being shut off now.....well actually were soppose to be shut off a week or so ago but they are still up for now but everyone has been told they are going away.

 

[BattleZone]

I am 36 miles away from the Sacramento-area antenna farm. I'm using a $10 2-bay UHF antenna mounted on a piece of 1" EMT conduit attached to my chimney. I get everything in digital great (and still will when a few stations move back to VHF-hi), and everything in analog great except channel 3, which is VHF-lo, which my UHF-only antenna doesn't pick up well. There will be no signals broadcast on VHF-lo after 2/19/09 in my area, so this is irrelevant for me.

http://www.summitsource.com/eagle-aspen-dtv2buhf-directv-2-bay-uhf-antenna-hdtv-bowtie-outdoor-roof-top-local-signal-bow-tie-aerial-red-zone-part-dtv2buhf-p-6505.html

Total investment was less than $20. Fortunately, all of the signals come from the same direction, so no rotor was needed, and this little antenna is fine for my range. Folks who need VHF-lo or who are futher away, or have obstructions, will need more antenna, of course.

 

[kstuart]

I think this one is $2, IIRC: