Can't get the DTV signal

[HuggieBear]

Hi I need a little help.

I have a Samsung TX-P2775H 27' HDTV, the HDTV tuner is intergrated no external reciever is needed. I bought a RCA Amplified VHF/HDTV/UHF/FM Antenna, ANT1250, for it when I bought the set a year ago in hopes that there were some off air HD or DT programing in my area. At the time there was none I later found out. I was able to pull in several analog stations though with the antenna. Well this year the NBC station in the area finally switched over to HDTV. They said they are sending out both an HD signal and an analog signal. I am only able to pull in the analog signal though Do I need to get a special anttena just for HD and DTV signals? I have found out that several of the PBS stations I am able to get though the antenna are also sending out dual signals and all I get is the analog.

I have my antenna hooked up to RF input 1, Basic cable is hooked up tp RF input 2, Dishnetwork is hooked up to the SVIDEO, and my DVD is on the Component inputs

All the stations are about 45-50 miles from me if that helps.

[edDV]

Enter your home address into www.antennaweb.org . They will list the analog and digital channels available and include distance to transmitter, direction and recommended antenna type factored by transmitter power and topographic obstructions (hills, etc.).

Small town TV stations often use the minimum power allowed by the FCC to save the enormous power bills. They say why run 500-1000KW for the two guys in town with DTV sets In 2009, the analog transmitters will be shut down and all stations will need to increase DTV power to maximum. Until then, you may need a larger antenna.

PS:

Here is a list of stations close to you. NBC is VHF and the others are UHF 48-75 miles away. You will need a medium size roof top VHF/UHF antenna. Good news is they are in a similar direction (~30 degree separation) so odds are no rotator will be required unless you go too narrow focus on the UHF antenna.



This forum discusses DTV reception in your local area. They will be able to give you all the details.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=364625

PPS:

This link lists KPLC-DT as using only 20KW vs 316KW for their analog station so you can see what you are up against.
http://www.bigcitytvandradio.com/television/louisianatv.txt

[HuggieBear]

Thanks for all the info. I guess I will have to get a larger antenna and find some one to climb on the roof and put it up there as I ain't going on that sucker lol Or wait till 2009 and hope the full power DTV signals are atrong enuff.

[edDV]

Thanks for all the info. I guess I will have to get a larger antenna and find some one to climb on the roof and put it up there as I ain't going on that sucker lol Or wait till 2009 and hope the full power DTV signals are atrong enuff.

20KW may not be enough power to reach you. Before climbimg on that roof, check that AVS forum to see if somebody else in your town has been successful and the type of antenna used.

I was giving you a thorough answer so others can use the same links to find out about their local DTV situation.

[HuggieBear]

Yeah I did go to those links you gave me and I am still in the same boat as to wether or not to get an antenna. The closest city they discussed was Alexandria, LA which is about 45 miles away. Leesville, where I am at is just plain in the middle of nowhere when it comes to HD and DTV signals. So I will either have to invest in a nice antenna or upgrade my Dishnetwork. Thanks for all the great help thought that AVS was some nice reading

[davideck]

Basic cable is hooked up tp RF input 2

Is the HDTV tuner in this set QAM compatible? If so, have you tried scanning your basic cable input in QAM mode? Many providers currently have Hi Def channels on basic cable.

Make sure that there are no splitters in the RF path that are rated only up to 500 Mhz. They may need to be 900 Mhz rated to get all the channels.

[HuggieBear]

Unfortunately Cebridge Cable does not offer HD programing in the Leesville areas only digital cable. And their basic cable s not even offered in digital That is the main reason I went with dishnetwork when I got it several years back because Cebridge suck so badly If and when I get an antenna I will dump Cebridge altogether As for QAM I am not sure this is the first I am hearing of that term

[edDV]

Unfortunately Cebridge Cable does not offer HD programing in the Leesville areas only digital cable. And their basic cable s not even offered in digital That is the main reason I went with dishnetwork when I got it several years back because Cebridge suck so badly If and when I get an antenna I will dump Cebridge altogether As for QAM I am not sure this is the first I am hearing of that term

QAM is the digital modulation scheme used for MPeg2 on cable. Your cable box tunes the SD digital channels (and HD digital MPeg2) using a QAM demodulator. Analog channels are tuned directly and don't need a cable box. Some PC HDTV tuners receive and demodulate QAM as well as ATSC DTV. If your local cable system is upgraded to current state of the art, a QAM capable PC tuner or external DTV tuner can receive the local DTV (SD and HD) channels over cable without the need for a cable box. These local channels are non-blocked per FCC rules.

DirecTV and Dish require you to subscribe to their HD service and get HD equipment before you can get the local SD and HD digital channels.

[HuggieBear]

Ok yeah the tv is QAM compatible, had to reread the manual but like I said Cebridge's basic cable is non digital, they need to get with the times

[davideck]

There could be LOTS of Clear QAM (unencrypted) digital channels coming down your analog basic cable. Try a scan and see...

[TBoneit]

Well as I found out when looking into it, the Dish 622 DVR that records HDTV and SDTV from Dish is available for $199 down and a monthly lease fee, Their tech said that teh HD package equiv to the Top 180 I already have would add $20 a month. Might be worth checking into.

Cheers

Addendum: In my area Central NJ I'd get the NYC locals in HD. I could dump the two 501s and swap in the 622 as it will feed a HDTV and a SDTV with their own remotes and selection as it has two tuners and two separate outputs. Thus in my case I save the $5 a month receiver fee helping to offset the lease fee.

[vhelp]

HuggieBear,

Although I didn't post this tip in my other thread here:

You probably need to utilize a variation in your normal antenna setup.
Here's what you do, if your outdoor antenna is not too large. You can
view my specs below.

Assuming that your HDTV unit has the capability to output it's Signal
Strenth Meter [SSM] (should show numbers, not a bar) you have an advantage.

** Setup your tv and recevier unit with your antenna inside.

** Waring a glove, grab your antenna and slowly rotate it as you observe
your tv showing the SSM values. Higher values mean better chance of Ch
being captured and stored to memory. That's how they work. If you get
any SSM values, but are too low (depending on your unit's capabilities)
though some channels show some SSM values, they may not make it into the
unit's memory. Only those stored in memory will broadcast on your unit.
Also, don't mistake Analog Signals (showing up in your SSM readout) for
an actual HD source. These won't come in on your HD unit.

** It takes a bit of time to fine-tune your stations. All it takes is the
right sweet spot angle to lock in on most channels.

On my Pro Brand (listed below) it has the *best* SSM setup. It can home
in on a signal and instantaniously update it's values as I rotate my antenna.
Mind you, doesn't mean that it will lock in on such channels. Just that it
can show me quickly what is going on as I move (rotate) the antenna.
Bar's are too slow. They don't update instantly. So, you have to play a
bit harder and longer in order to fine-tune in channels.

Also, just because some channels say point your antenna in such and such
direction, doesn't mean that your's has to be pointed at that pricise degree
or angle. Mine is not pointed at it. And, I get some channels I would not
be getting if I pointed it as directed at one of those links. You do have
to account for various obstacles/intrusions, etc.

And, I'm still working at finding the best angle to point my antenna at.
If I could, I would put TWO antenna's in my appt bedroom -- I have the one
in there now -- only to get those other stations in the other direction.
rotators serve well, but if you are in "fringe" areas, they are not always
the best option, though better than turning it yourself
The one in my bedroom.. I don't even know it's in there. haha.. I have it
"sitting" on top of a mountain of empty square boxes -- pretty funny, but it
does serve it's purpose. The things some people will do to get what they
want, right ?

Anyways.

RESOURCES:

SUBJ: HDTV - Adjusting Antenna for better reception



Here's my specs..
** Antenna: Radio Shack brand, VU-75XR VHS/UHF/FM, roof/attic type
-> VU-75XR
** The pie chart states, GREEN and [VHS:75] / [UHF:50] mile range
** HDTV Receiver: by Hisense, USDigital
** HDTV Receiver: Pro Brand, Digital Stream HD3150Plus DTV receiver
** most channel distance from me are 41 miles or less

-vhelp 4067

[HuggieBear]

Yeah my brother told me today that he will pay that $199 lease fee for me for my birthday next month and since I already have the the big dish package the hd will only be 21 bucks more and I will actually pay $1 more on the monthly lease fee as the box I have now is $5 and the hd box is $6 a month. I think he really just wants to see the Steelers lose in HD . Yeah I have been doing and auto scan on the local channels, since I bought the set last year, every so often to see if they have upgraded, but nothing so far. I do not know how my digital meter looks as it has never light up yet Thanks EVERYONE for all the great help. you have just got to love this internet stuff I would have still been lost with out all of y'all's help