Daniel is correct - the hdtv wonder doesn't decrypt cable channels...

Sigh - once again, no HD on Fox tonight. I'm going to be very disappointed if they don't get it going for tomorrow's Ice Age, since that *isn't* being duplicated on City.

Well, I inquired on the status of 5.1 audio on City - they responded to say that they're considering it, but "there is a cost and we must weigh this against the limited number
of viewers we have".

They also commented that it's "difficult to determine how many true HD viewers there are out there" - I agree, especially since the CRTC isn't interested in truly following the US' lead (as they normally do) and electronics companies STILL figure HD isn't for Canada (did you know that Sony Canada sells special models of their TVs that don't have integrated HDTV tuners or other HD-related frills?)

Hmm, big problems on 32/23 tonight - audio cutting out and picture dropouts every few seconds. No similar problems on 39/4 (which broadcasts the exact same thing).

Well, I guess they solved the issue with sound cutting in and out on 32/23 - by having no sound whatsoever! The issue also moved over to 39/4, so must have been a problem with their reception/processing rather than transmission...

Hey guys, I'd like to join in on your discussion here, but I need to grab myself an antenna first.

I live 5 kms northwest of the Hamilton airport (Lat/Long of about 4314N 7954W). I figure I am about 65 miles from ABC's transmitter in Colden, NY. I'd would like to pick up the Buffalo HD OTA broadcasts (mainly ABC and FOX). I live in 2 storey house within a subdivision and no obstructions to speak of in any direction (other than some nearby houses of course).

What antenna would you recommend for me?

You're actually only about 58 miles away.

A black art with antennas is figuring out what's the *minimum* size that will work. I have no way of figuring that out, so I'll just recommend something that should work without issue: the Channel Master 4228 or 4248.

For just Buffalo you may be able to get away with a 4228 with no rotor, but if you also want Toronto (note I'm not sure if City's directional signal heads your way) you'll probably want a rotor. Although Toronto will eventually get a pile of HD signals coming off the CN Tower, so you'll want to plan for the future.

If the ABC transmitter is located in Colden, NY (which is where I was informed it was), I am a solid 65 (line-of-sight) miles away.

In any event, do you think either one of these antennas would work from inside my attic? Which of the 2 antenna models do you feel is more likely? I am up on the escarpement, so I figure my chances are somewhat improved. I do not wish to get a rotor, nor do I care about the Toronto HD programming.

This message was edited by copter on 12/06/04 22:02 ET.

I'm not going to even hedge a bet on attic installations. I have no experience there, but I've heard that doing so will effectively cut the range of the antenna in half.

The 4228 is rated at further distance, but I've heard that in real life the 4248 is at least as good. However, I have used neither, so I'm not really the best person to make a recommendation between the two.

Thinking of getting OTA HDTV, some questions:

Is there a site that will give me the compass orientation between my location and Grand Island? What is the lat. and long. for the Grand Island broadcast antennas or where can I find this info?

What are my chances of receiving an adeqate Buffalo signal from the Hamilton/Burlington area with a good antenna, say a 4228, that my GPS is telling me would be at an altitute of 70 metres?

I'd say your chances are pretty good. Best I can offer otherwise is the map at the bottom of this page: [Link: remotecentral.com] (it can be enlarged).

A little Googling has yeilded these sites:

[Link: terabeam.com]

[Link: worldatlas.com]

I got this lat. and long. info from a now extinct web site:
WGRZ 2/33 - 42 43' 6"N, 78 33' 47"W
WIVB 3/39 - 42 39' 33"N, 78 37' 33" W
WKBW 7/38 - 42 38' 15"N, 78 37' 12"W
WNED 17/43 and WNLO 23/32 - 43 1' 48"N, 78 55' 15"W
WUTV 29/14 -43 1' 32"N, 78 55' 43"W
WNYO 49/34 - 42 46' 58"N, 78 27'28""W
WPXJ 51/53 - 42 53' 42"N, 78 0' 56"W
WNGS 67 - 42 24' 16"N, 78 39' 53"
CN Tower - 43 38' 33"N, 79 23' 15"W

Paul

kb2umt,
perfect, thanks!

Has anyone tried antennas direct? Looking at their DB8

http://www.antennasdirect.com/