Updated DirecTV HD Locals Launch Schedule: November->March (And PBS Launches)

[jcrandall]

Here are the launches from this morning:

Boise, ID
All of the Big 4

Fort Smith, AR
All of the Big 4

Macon, GA
All of the Big 4

Sioux Falls, SD
CBS, NBC, ABC (no fox)

Traverse City, MI
NBC, ABC, FOX (no cbs)

Harlingen-Brownsville, TX
All of the Big 4

If you have any problems with your newly launched HD Locals, let us know so DirecTV knows

Also, let us know if you got any extra channels or are missing some.

 

[CEV]

You sure Fox is not included for Sioux Falls? I now have 2 of each channel showing on the guide, including Fox. And each channel of Fox is working. Of course I will not know which is HD until there is a HD show on. Unless there is another way to tell?

 

[Hemi 6.1]

What ever one has black bars on the left and the right is the HD version. Or you can type in your channel number on the remote ,and it will take you to the HD version if available. D* and E* HD DVR's Default to HD first before SD.

 

[SourDLover]

Hopefully El Paso, TX rolls out next week...I'm still baffled since moving from the Northeast that I have no local HD channels

 

[cwbuckley]

I am with you in hoping that HD locals come out next week. I thought that they might launch today. I guess I guessed wrong. Want I really want is more HD national channels like Travel Channel HD.

 

[bookwalk]

Sioux Falls LOCALS

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS--NO FOX????????????

What's the point? FOX broadcasts HD to the local Sioux Falls area--not beyond about 20 miles, though, so, we, 50 miles away cannot get FOX HD anyway anywhere? We can't even get an SD signal.

Why can't we get a waiver so we can get FOX HD DN????

Why don't we have FOX HD? Does DISH have the FOX HD to rebroadcast?

We ought to then get the National FOX HD--how can we get that?

THE SD signal is JUST UNWATCHABLE!

What's the problem anyway?

I called a CSR and she said it was only broadcast in the evening, but I know that I at least should see 1080i resoluton even if the programming I see is not in HD--it's that way with the other 3 networks.

Who can we complain to about this?

 

[jason8705]

Whats up with the muli-switch error on the regular hd recievers on the hd local channels

 

[jcrandall]

Bookwalk - they simply don't have a contract yet with FOX.

Jason - try re-running the satellite setup or rebooting your receiver (or both).

 

[jason8705]

I tried all of that, plus tried setting up reciever with 72.5 not installed, still does same thing only channel that comes in is channel 23 which is pbs. Im a Tech in Watertown, sd. All of my installs did this on the standard hd recievers today, only on the hd locals, all other local channels and hd channels come in fine. Hd dvr's and mp4 dvrs worked just fine. Also had calls from more than a dozed customers all experiencing the samething. Called ISS and they no nothing about it.

 

[mnassour]

Does anyone know how I might find out what transponder the Weslaco-Harlingen-Brownsville locals are on?

 

[bluewater8]

Does anyone know when HD locals channels will launch in Tri-Cities, Washington? They keep telling me by the "end of the year" since 2006!!

 

[jcrandall]

Does anyone know how I might find out what transponder the Weslaco-Harlingen-Brownsville locals are on?

Sd is on sat 119 transponder 23
Hd is on sat 99 transponder 20 (or being tested if not launched yet)

 

[jcrandall]

I tried all of that, plus tried setting up reciever with 72.5 not installed, still does same thing only channel that comes in is channel 23 which is pbs. Im a Tech in Watertown, sd. All of my installs did this on the standard hd recievers today, only on the hd locals, all other local channels and hd channels come in fine. Hd dvr's and mp4 dvrs worked just fine. Also had calls from more than a dozed customers all experiencing the samething. Called ISS and they no nothing about it.

I'm guessing it was a problem on launch day. Has it gotten any better?

 

[CEV]

Sioux Falls LOCALS

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS--NO FOX????????????

What's the point? FOX broadcasts HD to the local Sioux Falls area--not beyond about 20 miles, though, so, we, 50 miles away cannot get FOX HD anyway anywhere? We can't even get an SD signal.

Why can't we get a waiver so we can get FOX HD DN????

Why don't we have FOX HD? Does DISH have the FOX HD to rebroadcast?

We ought to then get the National FOX HD--how can we get that?

THE SD signal is JUST UNWATCHABLE!

What's the problem anyway?

I called a CSR and she said it was only broadcast in the evening, but I know that I at least should see 1080i resoluton even if the programming I see is not in HD--it's that way with the other 3 networks.

Who can we complain to about this?

I feel your pain. It is absolutely ridiculous!! I live in Brookings, where you from? I wrote DirecTV about this again, just as I did earlier in the year when we had to watch the Super Bowl in crappy Fox SD. I also emailed KTTW again as well. There head of engineering, John Bennett, said back then they were in the process of upgrading there equipment so it would have a stronger signal. At that time he said they should have this ready by August or September. I am still not getting a signal, but I can get the other 3. I emailed him again this past Friday and asked about this. I also asked if they are not going to resolve this or get a contract with DirecTV if he could please accept the waiver that DirecTV is sending them on my behalf so I can get an east coast HD feed of Fox. Go to KTTW.com under Contact Us for his email address. I also CC'd the General Manager this time as well. If more people complain, maybe something will get done. I'll reply back when I get a response from them, you do the same.

CEV

 

[CEV]

Bookwalk - they simply don't have a contract yet with FOX.

Do you mean with FOX, or with the local affiliate? I want to be sure I am contacting the correct people.

 

[arxaw]

HD is on sat 99 transponder 20 (or being tested if not launched yet)

Do you have the sat & transponder for Ft. Smith, Arkansas HD? Or a link to a list?

Thanks.

 

[rkr0923]

What about Huntsville, AL 167,000 population. The most Technical city in the U.S.
Dothan, AL 62,000 population
but yet Dothan gets LILHD
WTF!!!

 

[jcrandall]

Do you have the sat & transponder for Ft. Smith, Arkansas HD? Or a link to a list?

Thanks.

It is a sticky in our DirecTV Technical Forum, thanks to poster gct.

Fort Smith is on Sat 99, transponders 16 & 19.

 

[jcrandall]

Do you mean with FOX, or with the local affiliate? I want to be sure I am contacting the correct people.

Local affiliate. The local office may have no knowledge of the negotations though, usually an affiliate is owned by a larger company that does the negotations.

 

[jcrandall]

Planned for next week, either the 19th or 20th:

Des Moines IA
El Paso TX
Fort Wayne IN
La Crosse-Eau Claire WI
Peoria IL
Rockford IL

Obviously things could change up until the actual launch.