THE HD INBOX - SEPTEMBER 2009

Presto, Changeo

Q. I was surprised to see that WCAU Philly was not returning to their original home channel 10 and the FCC created a new channel 9(?). However, I was glad it stayed in the UHF band at (channel) 34 because I haven't made the OTA transition here at home in Elkton, Maryland yet. I still have a Winegard HD-9032 Yagi and their AP-8275 preamp.

Until last night, I've not been able to lock onto WCAU 10-1 and it was weak as in flicking between two-three bars on my Samsung DTB-H260F vs. KYW’s channel 3-1 showing seven bars. Also, my yagi had (to be offset) from 3-1 to the east by 40+ degrees in order to get 10-1 — otherwise nothing. What's more confusing to me is that WCAU-DT used to be way up at UHF 67 and they were as reliable as 3-1 and 6-1 before the transition. I figured (reception) would be better down at UHF channel 34 (i.e. maybe less prone to multipath, rain, fog, leaves, etc.)...?

Furthermore, I see from the FCC coverage map that 10-1's DTV coverage circle widened so I'm even more included than before. And their antenna height got raised by ~60m (343 => 400m) with an increase of over 200kW ERP (480 => 700kW). Lastly, TVFool shows them with the same 45.3dB noise-margin as KYW.

A. There have been scattered reports of reception difficulties on UHF channels following the analog shutdown on June 12. At my home, I find WCAU’s signal on UHF 34 to be even stronger and more stable than they ever were on UHF channel 67, which often fluctuated with high winds and stormy weather.

It’s possible that you may have in-band or co-channel interference problems from other electromagnetic energy emitters. These could be causing your reception problems. IN general, if your antenna is peaked for reception of the Roxborough UHF stations (WPHL-17, WUVP-29, WPPX-31, WPSG-32, WYBE-35, and WTXF-42), then you should be able to pull in WCAU as well as any of the other stations.

The other possibility is that something is caused major multipath on channel 34 and the signal is dropping out due to major out-of-phase signal cancellation. The only way to see that would be with a spectrum analyzer that could show you the actual signal waveform. You may need to shift the position of your antenna on the mast to see if you can’t work around this problem. Try raising or lowering it a few inches to see if that improves reception.

New! Improved! (TV Antennas?)

Q. I read your review of (DTV) antennas with interest, particularly the RCA 1450B and 1500. I thought the 1500 was supposed to be more powerful? I just got the RCA1450B (and it) took me 6 times to re-scan to get all local OTA stations that (the) cheap $18 Radio Shack (antenna) picked up from the get go. However, the signal from the 1450B seems stronger and colors (are) more vivid. (Also, I have) less hiccups, unlike the Radio Shack, which periodically loses signal for a second or two or more, or has static. I used the amplifier. My gripe is that the antenna manufacturers have so many models it is hard to distinguish their differences, if any.

My question is this. I am contemplating getting TiVo. Their station lineup for where I live (Washington, DC within a mile of most of the signal towers) shows loads of other stations than I receive. I am guessing that perhaps they are Baltimore, MD stations, or other Virginia stations. How realistic is it for an antenna to receive them? When folks living in rural areas say they receive signals from 20 to 40 miles away, is that different from us living in cities, where there (are) more obstructions and competing frequencies?

What antenna CAN get these other local stations?

A. First off, you didn’t specify which Radio Shack antenna you were using. Also, I’m not sure why the colors would appear more vividly on the RCA 1405B — digital TV signals are either there, or they aren’t. Only your TV would have any effect on color saturation, not the antenna.

As for the RCA 1450B, I didn’t find it to be particularly effective in receiving any digital TV signals. The thin, low profile design may look nice in your home or on the wall, but from the standpoint of physics and electrical science, makes for a very inefficient antenna — unless possibly you live within a mile or so of the TV transmitters.

To answer your final question, reception of TV signals at 40-mile distances usually means an outdoor antenna is in use. The level of TV signals from that far away is very low through indoor antennas, and usually insufficient to provide reliable reception. A good rule of thumb is to figure on using indoor antennas for reception at distances up to ten miles, although they may need amplifiers if you are in a basement or a concrete canyon. Beyond ten miles, I’d looks at amplified attic antennas, or rooftop or other outdoor antennas for the best results.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Q. You have been mentioned as the most comprehensive DTV converter box tester there is. I must ask why, with my current converter, the RCA DTA 800B1, I get unviewable signal breakup when the weather is changing. Also, when the signal breakup is not totally jerky and pixilated, the audio lags the video by a split second, making television viewing like those old B-Grade Japanese monster movies from the 50’s.

Does the Zenith DTT901 actually lock in stations better than the RCA? I would like to know if the Zenith (LG) products will solve not only the total jerkiness and pixilation, but when it is not jerking, will the audio channel and the video channel be delivered to the three RCA plugs for composite output to my TV in sync? How do I go about finding a good tuner? I cannot seem to find adequate reviews or discussion of this type of jerkiness and breakup.

The breakup is most pronounced on the High VHF PBS channel in our area, broadcasting on channel 8. This is where the video lag with the RCA converter box is the most prominent, especially when watching music concerts etc, the drummers hands and sticks striking the moving cymbals etc. are no where near the sound of the music.

A. A quick check at TVFool.com from the zip code you provided shows a line of sight path over about 12 miles to the antenna farm. That means very high levels of signal at your antenna, and perhaps that is what is causing issues with your RCA converter box. I’ve never tested the 800B1, but I have evaluated its predecessor (no analog TV pass-through) and found it to be a robust, reliable performer.

You also mentioned looking through power lines to see the antenna farm, and I’m wondering if there is any strong impulse or continuous noise that could be causing interference and break-up, as I have suggested in the first letter I received this month. As far as lip sync issues go, it sounds like you only see them on channel 8 (KAET) and that would seem to be a station issue — not a set-top box problem.

Why not try a simple indoor antenna, like the Radio Shack 15-1874? It will cost you all of $12.00, and may fix your reception problems. If not, you can always return it. From the description you gave of your outdoor antennas system, it seems like you may not need so much aluminum on your roof. Let me know how you make out.

Pick A Player, Any Player

Q. I have been coasting through all the latest reviews on universal (Blu-ray) players. To keep it simple, the models are (two of which you have reviewed) the Pioneer Elite BDP-09FD, OPPO’s BDP-83, and the Denon DVD-A1UDCI. I am interested in your pick.

A. Well, I haven’t tested the Denon unit, so it’s between the OPPO and Pioneer. The BPF-09FD is a beautifully engineered player with every possible BD bell and whistle. It also has rock-solid build quality and excellent design. (Plus, you get a free composite video cable with it — ha, ha!)

On the other hand, the BDP-83, although lacking the “Fort Knox” feel of the Pioneer player, is also well engineered and much more substantial than similarly priced players from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic. I couldn’t see much measurable difference in performance with the BDP-83, which employs ABT’s VRS image processor and sells for about ¼ of the price of the Pioneer player.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Q. I Googled "best 55 inch LCD TV" and got a myriad of sites to refer to. One even wanted me to join before they would give out any info! But I did skim through a few sites and read some others, and that's how I found your (site). Why don't they just print a list in price range form and let me decide? They have them at Sam's Club for around $1,100 to $2K, (including) a lot of brands you know and a few not so well known. I just learned (from the Google request) that most of the 55in. LCD (panels) come from only a handful of companies and all the brands buy their screens, boards, whatever. So, my question is, would you send me a short list of 55in. LCD TVs to go look at? Thanks!

A. While it’s true that some manufacturers source their LCD panels from other companies, not everyone does this. Sharp, Samsung, and LG all manufacture LCD panels, and the larger sizes like 55” cuts are home grown. Sharp recently signed a deal to manufacture panels in China, and has also bought smaller panels from Taiwanese manufacturers in the past.

Sony does not manufacture any LCD glass. Until recently, the bulk of their panels came from a joint venture with Samsung in Korea, known as S-LCD. Sony has also done side deals to buy LCD panels from Chinese manufacturers…and according to a Korea Times story from a few weeks ago, is apparently also talking to LG for panels.

Vizio, who held the #1 position in LCD TV sales for Q2 of 2009, does not manufacture LCD panels for their TVs, but buys them from different manufacturers including LG. Mitsubishi’s LCD TVs largely use Sharp panels. As far as I know, Samsung and LG continue to manufacture all of the panel sizes used in their LCD TVs.

I should have a sample of the new 55-inch Vizio LED backlight LCD TV soon for review. This set will retail for about $2,000, making it a very unique value proposition for consumers. That price will also undercut the market that Samsung is trying to build with their new line of LED TVs. Stay tuned!