The question from Black burst (post 620) is about the wide screen format for our secondary program stream. The OTA channels are the same width for everybody. We allocate the larger share of our available bandwidth to our primary signal (3.1), and the secondary program stream (3.2) uses less bandwidth. So the picture quality of 3.2 is lower than 3.1. The wide screen format is a separate parameter from picture quality. Wide screen format can be set to be high quality (as in 3.1) or lesser quality (as in 3.2). The source device needs to be able to do wide screen format. As the other stations build thier systems, they will invest in new devices capable of wide screen for thier secondary channels . We are fortunate to be able to have some of the newer equipment in place already, so we can do wide screen on that 3.2. It is a good time to point out that digital TV is very clean compared to analog TV. Even the 3.2 program stream looks very good and clean, even though it is a lower resolution picture. This supports the belief that this switch to digital is worth the effort, to provide the best possible picture to the viewer. When a station uses it's available bandwidth to send 4 program streams (like 33.1) they fit it all into the same channel bandwidth as the stations doing two programs. In some cases you can see the low resolution programs, but for the most part they all look good.

FraserR:
The source device needs to be able to do wide screen format. As the other stations build thier systems, they will invest in new devices capable of wide screen for thier secondary channels . We are fortunate to be able to have some of the newer equipment in place already
Thank's for the information. So eventually all sub-channel will be 16:9.

Does WCAX have other project for sub channel. Since WPTZ wheather channel will be remove I guess you will keep your's.

TVGOS:
CBS will (Or does) handle Gemstar TVGOS, do you have any information on this? It is my understanding that WCAX-DT should start to include the TVGOS data before Feb 09? It's very difficult to get information on that, maybe you can get some.

thank's

Kro...what do you know about WPTZ-DT dropping their weather plus secondary channel 14.2
Not that that thing is watchable, It's a visual mess. Unlike WCAX-DT's nice package.

If fact I would say WFFF-DT 43.2 also has a very poor quality image as well. Somebody over their know how to adjsut a black level?

Do you know what WPTZ-DT will replace it with?


Also, back to WFFF-DT. Again last night and this morning. Signal very unstable. Their engineering department needs to get on this forum and talk to us. Whatever they are doing wrong needs to be corrected. From what I understand WFFF-DT is also running the operations of WVNY-DT. And both of those stations are the worst when in comes to receiving their DT signals in Montreal.

what do you know about WPTZ-DT dropping their weather plus secondary channel 14.2

NBC is droping the weather channel. more info (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=93443&highlight=NBC+Weather+channel)

WPTZ may not be dropping their 14-2 wx channel. The NBC network which provides some of the national programming to weather plus affiliates is the one that's closing shop. WPTZ may continue their channel with out the national content.

I used it mostly for the radar and a quick glance for weather. I hope they keep that.

You have an excellent interactive radar in there internet site
www.wptz.com
:)

Environment Canada also has a nice interactive radar.
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/radar/index_e.html?id=QUE

Very true guys, but my TV boots way faster than my computer :)

A little off topic here, anyone notice that Entertainment Tonight in HD really isn't in HD on WCAX-DT (CBS)? I was thinking to myself, they keep saying ET IN HD ET IN HD...I'm like, that's 4:3! Then I found some other threads that other stations are showing ET in HD, just not WCAX. Odd!

Question from KRO post 622,,,TVGOS on CBS is new to me. I've got a call in to affiliate engineering in NY, so we will see if they get back to me.

Question from Yuprules, post 629,,,,ET is produced in HD, as is Dr. Phil. I was on duty the first night of the new season and called down to see what the deal was. They are shows that we record off satellite. Our recording device is not able to record wide screen HD. We have a new recording device on order, so when it arrives we will be able to present these shows in HD. Network shows the play from NY directly to air are in HD, for example Survivor and other prime time shows come from NY in HD and we pass them right through in the manner.

FraserR...having you in this ng is a real blessing! I have learned more about HD in the last few weeks than I've learned in the last couple of years!

Now if only WFFF's engineer would be kind enough to share some insight within this community it would be great! BTW is WCAX 3.1 HD at maximum power? Will they increase beyond Feb. 2009?

Thanks in advance!

Patook

The following TV channels are broadcasting into metro Montréal and the nearby area.

Please do not assume that you can automatically get them all from your specific location. See the helpful discussion links at the bottom of this post.

Digital:
Displayed Channel(s) | Actual Channel(s) | Call Sign | Network | City
2.1 19.1 CBFT-DT SRC Montréal, QC
3.1 22.1 WCAX-DT CBS Burlington, VT
3.2 22.2 WCAX-DT WCAXtra Burlington, VT
5.1 14.1 WPTZ-DT NBC Burlington, VT
5.2 14.2 WPTZ-DT Wthr+ Burlington, VT
6.1 20.1 CBMT-DT CBC Montréal, QC
17.1 27.1 CIVM-DT TQ Montréal, QC
18.1 23.1 WNPI-DT PBS-SD Norwood, NY
18.2 23.2 WNPI-DT THINK Norwood, NY
18.3 23.3 WNPI-DT PBS-HD Norwood, NY
22.1 13.1 WVNY-DT ABC Burlington, VT
22.2 13.2 WVNY-DT ABC Burlington, VT
33.1 32.1 WETK-DT PBS-HD Burlington, VT
33.2 32.2 WETK-DT PBS-SD Burlington, VT
33.3 32.3 WETK-DT CREATE Burlington, VT
33.4 32.4 WETK-DT WORLD Burlington, VT
35.1 42.1 CFJP-DT TQS Montréal, QC
44.1 43.1 WFFF-DT FOX Burlington, VT
44.2 43.2 WFFF-DT CW Burlington, VT
57.1 38.1 WCFE-DT PBS-HD Plattsburgh, NY
57.2 38.2 WCFE-DT PBS-SD Plattsburgh, NY
57.3 38.3 WCFE-DT THINK Plattsburgh, NY
Analogue:
Channel | Call Sign | Network | City
2 CBFT SRC Montréal, QC
6 CBMT CBC Montréal, QC
8 CJOH CTV Cornwall, ON
10 CFTM TVA Montréal, QC
12 CFCF CTV Montréal, QC
17 CIVM TQ Montréal, QC
18 WNPI PBS Norwood, NY
29 CFTU IND Montréal, QC
35 CFJP TQS Montréal, QC
46 CKMI Global Montréal, QC
62 CJNT E! Montréal, QC

Important note: although stations may be listed as broadcasting from the same city, their locations may be quite far apart, possibly requiring re-aim.

Discuss the status of these stations here: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=51210
Discuss your own reception results, problems, solutions, assistance, questions in the various Quebec threads in the Reception Results
sub-forum: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=129
Forum en français: TVHD en OTA a Montréal http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=53819

Monday evening (9pm), seems to be a problem with all the DT stations coming out of Burlington. No picture lock on the following...

WPTZ-DT 14
WFFF-DT 43
WCAX-DT 53

WETK-DT 32 (picture lock, but at half signal strenght)

WCFE-DT 38 (from Plattsburgh, everything normal)

From Laval, I completely lost WFFF Fox 44 on UHF 43 for the last four days and WCAX 3.1 since yesterday

anyone else?

same for me, in MTL, near the mountain
and this morning, also lose PBS, usually strong, but with the weather....:(

Hello
Reception of CBC OTA Digital 20 UHF has dropped to 10-25% today as compared to my usual reception of 70-80%. Usually the signal is very steady and consistent.
However, CBC's Channel 2 or 19 UHF is being received at about the same signal level as usual around 85%.
It appears to be only CBC 6 or 20 UHF that has the problem.
Perhaps there is some maintenance work underway?
I am in the West Island ile Bizard.
Anyone else encounter the same signal drop.

I cannot get my hands on receptions strength right now as my wife is monopolizing the TV, but she looked briefly at all OTA channels we get and all come in right (2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 6.1, 22.1, 33.1, 35.1, 44.1 and 57.1).

Good morning, it is 24 degrees and there is a coating of snow here on top of Mt. Mansfield in Vermont. All the transmitters here are up and working well, 3.1, 5.1, 22.1 are 100%, and 44.1 is almost at 100%. Our 3.1 transmitter log indicates we have been at full power since before the weekend, so any loss in signal strength at your end must be atmospheric or antenna/reciever issues.

Reply to Patook, post 631, our OTA ch 53 is at max power (628 Kw ERP). When we change over to ch 22 in Feb 09, our ERP will be lower, because it takes less power to push a lower signal out there just as far. For example our analog ch 3 gets out there about the same distance and it only has an ERP of about 16Kw according the the little piece of paper on the wall. Clearly it takes a lot more power to push a signal out there at higher frequency.

Follow-up reply to KRO (post 622) about TVGOS. I heard back on the connection between TVGOS and CBS. TVGOS, an interactive TV guide service, is being pitched as a possibility with CBS. My understanding is that they have approached the affiliates, and if enough sign on and invest in the service, then CBS will have TVGOS. It seems like a lot of things have to fall into place first, so even if it happens, it probably won't be right away.

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=9218993

Would be nice if someone could go claiming to be from northern Vermont or New York to complain that WVNY-DT on VHF is unreliable while the UHF ones are all coming in strong.

I saw on other forums that several Vermonters were not getting the signal at all even near Rutland.