Bell TV adds two Calgary HD stations - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Hack&Lube · 06-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Can you guys pick up Global or CTV via HD on Antenna yet?

ken0042 · 06-09-2009, 11:58 AM

I tried with a set of rabbit ears in my west facing bedroom a couple of months ago. Not even close to picking up CTV. Part of the problem was likely the antenna I was trying to use, and it could also have something to do with geography.

Draug · 06-10-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Anyone know what the channel numbers are for these?

CTV was added as channel 900 and Global was added as 899. I just tuned into the local news, and neither are actually broadcast in HD, so these new channels are really a waste of bandwidth. I would wager they have no exclusive HD content on their entire schedule, so all we'll get is failed sim subs!

SunHD was added as channel 897 and CBCHD (Montreal) was added as 896. I dont think these channels will have much in terms of exclusive HD content either, except for maybe some WS HNiC games next season.

MrMastodonFarm · 06-10-2009, 08:54 PM

nm

TurnedTheCorner · 06-10-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draug

CTV was added as channel 900 and Global was added as 899. I just tuned into the local news, and neither are actually broadcast in HD, so these new channels are really a waste of bandwidth. I would wager they have no exclusive HD content on their entire schedule, so all we'll get is failed sim subs!

SunHD was added as channel 897 and CBCHD (Montreal) was added as 896. I dont think these channels will have much in terms of exclusive HD content either, except for maybe some WS HNiC games next season.

I was disappointed the CTV news wasn't in HD, too. Oh well.

Flacker · 06-11-2009, 12:03 PM

I have been using an OTA HD attenna that I built out of a 2X4 and some coat hangers to get CFCN-HD since they started broadcasting. Check out youtube for a video on building your own antenna, works extremely well.

OTA HD is far and away the best HD source as it is uncompressed. Short of Blu-Ray (1080p) media you won't see better HD content. CFCN-HD OTA next to CFCN-HD on my Bell receiver is no comparison. I look forward to City, CBC, and Global all joining the fray in 2010. Sounds like all will share a broadcast tower on Signal Hill (the existing CFCN tower) for all OTA HD stations, giving us a single aim point.

Hockey Night in Canada on OTA HD will be sweet!!

GoFlambe · 06-13-2009, 06:56 PM

CFCN is broadcasting HD OTA now? Nice! Can we get any other signals in the Calgary area, Canadian or American? I must admit, I haven't been following HD in Calgary as closely as I used to, mainly because I got tired of waiting for stations to catch up to stations in Ontario.

And all you need to get at this is an ATSC tuner right? I've been holding off getting an HD set until more OTA content was available in Calgary (otherwise, no point in my opinion; my current set up with digital cable plus Blu-ray and HD DVD suffices for my entertainment needs) but if there's more (free) HD content available now, I might start looking into a new TV.

ken0042 · 06-14-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoFlambe

CFCN is broadcasting HD OTA now? Nice! Can we get any other signals in the Calgary area, Canadian or American? I must admit, I haven't been following HD in Calgary as closely as I used to, mainly because I got tired of waiting for stations to catch up to stations in Ontario.

Sounds like Global is as well. But forget getting any American channels OTA- we are just simply too far. Toronto is ~40km across the lake to Buffalo; a major US city. Calgary is ~300km across hills and mountains to a medium sized US town.

TurnedTheCorner · 06-14-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flacker

I have been using an OTA HD attenna that I built out of a 2X4 and some coat hangers to get CFCN-HD since they started broadcasting. Check out youtube for a video on building your own antenna, works extremely well.

OTA HD is far and away the best HD source as it is uncompressed. Short of Blu-Ray (1080p) media you won't see better HD content. CFCN-HD OTA next to CFCN-HD on my Bell receiver is no comparison. I look forward to City, CBC, and Global all joining the fray in 2010. Sounds like all will share a broadcast tower on Signal Hill (the existing CFCN tower) for all OTA HD stations, giving us a single aim point.

Hockey Night in Canada on OTA HD will be sweet!!

OTA antennas are so ****ing ugly, I'll put up with compressed signals. Isn't Bell switching to the different codec sometime soon to help alleviate some of the compression issues?

I assume CFCN OTA HD is not in the 16:9 aspect either?

WindomURL · 06-24-2009, 11:24 AM

Here's a link to the Digitalhome.ca thread on OTA in the Calgary area.
Currently is a 26 page thread with some very useful information. For example, Global is transmitting from their studios near Barlow and Centre Ave NE, and not from Broadcast Hill. Also, someone reports that CBC Calgary has purchased the equipment but have put it in storage!

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=81023

Edit:
Global's FAQ page Global Calgary Goes HD

cal_guy · 06-24-2009, 04:32 PM

Right now Shaw is sending Global Calgary HD uncompressed (as in same bitrate as over-the-air) so consider watching those shows on Global HD on shaw.

Flacker · 06-25-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

OTA antennas are so ****ing ugly, I'll put up with compressed signals. Isn't Bell switching to the different codec sometime soon to help alleviate some of the compression issues?

I assume CFCN OTA HD is not in the 16:9 aspect either?

My OTA antenna is built inside my wall between the studs, I simply have a coaxial connection to hook the cable up to. Completely invisible. The Antenna's aren't like the old days where you need to mess around with them. When they are pointed correctly they are good to go. Granted the big OTA antennas that people mount on there houses are ugly, but that is simply because they don't know what they are doing. Those large antennas can be pointed and installed in you attic so you don't have to see them.

Any HD content on CFCN OTA HD is 16:9. How would you call a station HD if you only broadcast in 4:3?

Flacker · 06-25-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cal_guy

Right now Shaw is sending Global Calgary HD uncompressed (as in same bitrate as over-the-air) so consider watching those shows on Global HD on shaw.

Or save your money and set up an OTA antenna with an ATSC tuner.

Vulcan · 06-25-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Isn't Bell switching to the different codec sometime soon to help alleviate some of the compression issues?

I assume CFCN OTA HD is not in the 16:9 aspect either?

Bell has completed the switch to 8PSK on most transponders. The few transponders not changed also carry SD stations, so they can't be upgraded at this time. For me the picture looks improved.