El Gran Chico,

I read your post and went back and looked at posts back to 2009 of yours. WNYO has been a running problem for you for quite a while. And now with its additional all-music-video sub-channel it must bother you even more.

Unfortunately, I can't think of any major things for you to try that I'm sure you haven't already thought of, but here are the areas I would trouble-shoot:

Height. You're at approx 11-15 feet. I'm sure you would have gone higher by now if it was practical. So I'll assume your options are limited here.

You're using a TIVO and you own a Sharp Aquos. I guess this means you're using the ATSC tuner built-in to your TIVO. Since you own two ATSC tuners, why not spend two or three days with the TIVO disconnected and just use your TV and observe. Does your reception time for WNYO or WPXJ improve? This strategy probably won't solve your problem since your pre-amp would have likely overcome any tuner-sensitivity issues, but why not try?

Have you ever tried disconnecting your 7778 pre-amp? Why not try it? I'm curious about this.

If I were visiting your house, I would inspect all of your coax cable connectors, the condition of your RG6, the length of cable being used, etc.

Since you already have a rotor for your set-up, if all the other things proved fuitless, I would consider a different antenna such as an Antennas Direct DB8, Channel Master 4228hd, or 91xg. I would investigate first to see which one offers the most gain on rf49 and be mindful of rf23 (ION).

With a properly functioning 7778, you should be able to overcome a lot of problems in the rest of your set-up - unless the 7778 is causing a problem for you on 49. That's why I'd at least try disconnecting your pre-amp.

If all other set-up variables have been checked, then you work from the assumption that you have a problem with the signal strength for rf49 where your antenna is located not being sufficient. The solution there is to go for a higher gain antenna.

I have saved my simplest, silliest, yet perhaps most important trouble-shooting point for last. Re-check your cable connectors nearest your TIVO and TV. I'm talking about the connector screwed into your wall jack and connected to your ATSC tuner. Here's why:

Some time ago, I lost some channels on my basement TV, ION moved from 51 to 23.2, a few channels were missing. I figured out my problem. I had been making my own RG6 cords using my cutting and crimping tool incorrectly. The result was my crimps were not locked-in.

The night before I moved my TV so I could plug in a VGA cable to watch something on the computer on my TV screen. That movement of the TV was enough to pull on the RG6 connector to the point where the signal strength was compromised - notwithstanding the fact that I have an amplifier.

That was a good learning experience for me. I had bought the cable, the connectors, and the tools from Save & Replay. The next time I went by, I had them demonstrate for me one more time how to do it right. Of course, I had been doing it wrong all along. I have now mastered the process of putting a quality end on quality cable properly. I'd be willing to bet that most professional installers would say that a high proportion of reception problems are caused by low-quality connectors or quality connectors poorly put-together. This could very well be your problem. Don't discount this.

Good luck and report back!

Thanks for the reply.

My TV is the Sony KDFE-50A10 http://www.docs.sony.com/release/KDFE42-50A10.pdf

The coax input at the back is cable or VHF/UHF. I doubled checked and yes it's ATSC compliant. So, I will give it a whirl tonight and see how it goes. I suspect my brother made the same error.
Don't forget to RTFM. It's all in there!

RTFM = Read the Friendly Manual

Thank you, TV Lurker. I like this.

Yes, I should have read the manual. I've never hooked up an antenna to an HDTV before actually, and assumed it was easier. I remember those days back in the 60's when my dad used to fiddle around with the antenna for ages. Fun times. And just to get a bad rolling black and white picture.

Yep. It is definitely trickier than it used to be. At least today, though, you get a good payoff - free HDTV.

I've never heard manuals called "friendly" before!;)

Do you think the quality of the ATSC tuner in the TV would make a difference compared to a separate tuner?Your present TV's tuner will be fine for testing. If your results match what everyone else has been getting near you then you are good to go. If certain stations seem to be weaker or problematic compared to our other nearby members' reports then we can look into a variety of details, including your tuner. Not now though. :)

Ok, so here is my update. I hooked the antenna up again. I checked the back of my TV, and there was only 1 coax input as I thought for both antenna and cable. I saw there was an antenna button on my remote, but that didn't work. So, I called up Sony to see what I was doing wrong. And...(drum-roll) I was doing everything right apparently. So, no picture. I can't get one single channel to come through with any clarity whatsoever. The Sony technician said I will never get a good picture in a high rise building because of all the steel everywhere disrupting the TV signals. Also that I'm facing east only compounds the situation. I also noticed that the slightest movement of the coax cable made the picture change a lot. It didn't make it change to be better, just had a strong effect. I thought maybe the cable was bad, so I switched it between my cable box and the TV, and the cable is perfect. So, looks like I'm going to give it up. I have a nice antenna I can't use. What was to be a project to save me money has now had the reverse effect. I'll probably sell the antenna and coax on Kijiji and take my losses. I'm disappointed to say the least. I'm stuck with Rogers.

I would like to know of anyone in a highrise building that can get decent HD quality picture from an antenna in Toronto. My brother can't even get it and he has a direct line of site to CN tower.

Pitman,

What Sony said is nonsense. There is something else wrong. You could get six or seven channels with a safety pin stuck in your cable jack. Keep troubleshooting. We're all here to help you. Tons of people in highrises use OTA. Probably more than people in houses. They have height. There is nothing wrong with the reception at your building.

Try setting your tuner to either CTV or CBC and then move your antenna around until you find a blip... or get an installer

Probably a bad piece of coax cable or a bad connection somewhere. No big deal to figure out, so just be patient and let us know what you've tried as you keep testing.

I tried tuning it while on CBC, but to no avail. My balcony is limited.

Also, if the coax was bad, then it wouldn't have tested perfectly when I switched it between my cable box and the TV.

So, I don't see how anyone could fix this.

It will work. Keep troubleshooting. I question whether a proper channel scan has been performed on your TV. On my two LCD TVs when first hooked up, simply dialing in a station will not work. My two TVs require either a new scan or an add scan to register stations. Or maybe there is no ATSC tuner on your TV. Forget the manual. What is the exact model number printed on your TV?

Pitman,

A friend recently bought a 46" XBR. I couldn't believe how counter-intuitive Sony's menu/TV setup was. Yes, scanning for cable was easy. I remember I had to jump through hoops to get to the AIR/Antenna part of the menu.

If you set up correctly with any antenna, it is not possible to not get at least CBLT-DT with is on 5.1 for CBC HD in Toronto.

If you're that high up and facing the desirable direction, there is no aiming needed - face outside and that's it.

RTFM again (especially Page 72:))

Pitman

I am on the 2nd floor of a 11 floor building facing East (Keele and Shepperd) and I have no problems receiving HD channels.. prob. not as much as most ppl. here but I do get a few,
and on good days I can get a few from Buffalo.
this is what I receive now

5-1
9-1
11-1
17-1
17-2
17-3
23-1
25-1
41-1
44-1
57-1
64-1
66-1
those are all the channels I get with out dropouts

It will work. Keep troubleshooting. I question whether a proper channel scan has been performed on your TV. On my two LCD TVs when first hooked up, simply dialing in a station will not work. My two TVs require either a new scan or an add scan to register stations. Or maybe there is no ATSC tuner on your TV. Forget the manual. What is the exact model number printed on your TV?
HWP, you hit the nail on the head! Thanks. My manual says KDF-E50A10 but my TV is actually KF-E50A10!!! What a scam! I never knew I was being shafted when I bought the TV at the Brick. Anyway, that was years ago. So, yes, there is NO ATSC tuner in the TV because this is the slimmed down model. Neither was there a separate input for antenna in the back of the TV. When I called up the Sony guy, he never said anything about that. He just said, "The ANT button on the remote won't work." but he never said why. He just said I couldn't get any signals from a high rise.

So, as the plot thickens, and the suspense grows, I'm on the hunt for a tuner? Anyone in the GTA have a tuner they're not using? :)

HWP, I owe you a beer for your troubleshooting skills last night!

My only question is given that the TV has only an NTSC tuner in it, should I not have been able to pick up some good analogue stations at least with that antenna? Given the poor quality of what I was getting, should I expect better reception for an ATSC tuner?

NO ATSC tuner in the TV because this is the slimmed down model. Neither was there a separate input for antenna in the back of the TV.

My only question is given that the TV has only an NTSC tuner in it, should I not have been able to pick up some good analogue stations at least with that antenna? Given the poor quality of what I was getting, should I expect better reception for an ATSC tuner?
It is possible to have situations where the analog signal comes in week but the digital signal does come in stable, and vice versa. Different power outputs, RF frequencies, interference, etc.

For example, WNYO before it shutoff its analog signal came in crystal clear for me in Analog but I couldn't get a sniff in Digital. On the flip side, I was never able to get WNYB in analog but their digital signal was typically recievable for me.

You won't know until you try with a tuner. And even then, different tuners have different chips so some may be better in certain sitautions than others. I would say, if you have the ability to return it, don't skimp out on a tuner and pay the extra money for a newer model instead of a cheap-o converter box, it will probably hold a signal better and based on your past posts about wanting a DVR and a Guide, its your best and safest bet. Also try different makes and models.

looking into having an HDTV anteanna installed on our roof and have a few questions.

Here is the TV Fool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcef3b0fc00b007

Generally it looks like quite a number of channels should be available there. They seem to be coming in from 2 main directions, at roughly 90 degrees to each other.

A few questions:
- what is the actual experience with OTA reception in the Queen and Woodbine area? Should I be able to get most of the channels I see in the TV fool report?
- anyone have experience with installers they would recommend?
- do I need 2 antennas, facing both directions, or will one be sufficient?
- most places seem to offer the channel master 4221 antenna. Not exactly the most esthetically pleasing sight. Is there anything that looks better, and still have good reception?

Thanks

Sotavento, welcome to the forum.

Your TV Fool report looks quite hopeful. But a lot depends on your exact location. Are buildings or trees blocking your view to Buffalo?

Based on the TV Fool report, WPXJ (ION) is not looking good. It's worth trying for, but don't hold your breath. WGRZ is also looking like it might be a bit of a finicky station, but it might come in solid.

I think you're all right to start with one antenna if it is a four-bay antenna like the Channel Master 4221hd. Stay away from the clones (read recent posts in this thread for the rationale).

The Channel Master 4221hd may not be the most beautiful thing on the planet, but in my opinion there isn't anything much prettier out there. It doesn't look that bad to me.

I kinda like the look of the 4221HD. Makes me look I'm trying to contact the aliens. :)