Is there any over the air HDTV in Calgary?

[MacFlame]

Globals tower is currently in the NE, CTV's is on broadcast hill. This means that in most cases, your antenna will have to be pointed in two different direction. This will not be the case for much longer however, as global will also be moving to broadcast hill.

As for the cutting out of your signal, your signal strength is probably too low, because this should not be happening.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I've managed to find CFCN @ channel 36. Is there anything else out there? I thought Global was on 41 but I get no signal while CFCN comes in clear as day.

There is another channel in the 30's. It is digital; but not HD. I seem to think it's something like CTS.

[Kipper is King]

My HDTV does not allow for PIP with a signal from HDMI for some reason. I wouldn't mind being able to watch HNIC while playing on my PS3.

So, after extensive reading about HD OTA for five minutes, I created a totally awesome homebrew solution!

I stripped a little wire from an FM antenna hooked up to my stereo, tied it to a coat hanger with tinfoil around it, and then taped a short coaxial cable to the end of the antenna so it could fit on to my TV.

I plugged it in, hung the coathanger on a window , and started scanning for channels...

CFCN and City TV came in with a lot of static. I was able to get the CBC in HD, though and it looks awesome! That's the only channel that is watchable, but I'm happy!

The signal strength sucks, but I just wanted to play around. I've never tried to get OTA TV before. I just love how my antenna is a really hacked together, homemade, cheap one.

Anyone have any tips for cheap, simple ways to get better results?

[Vulcan]

or you can buy something like this although an outdoor antenna is best.

[Draug]

I've been so far behind keeping up that I didnt even realize CBC had OTA HD here in Calgary now.

When I was playing with it back in 2009, the OTA signals had less compression than my Bell did.

I'll have to set that back up for the next time the Flames play on CBC.

[gottabekd]

CBC doesn't broadcast in HD yet. It is a fairly strong analog broadcast.

However, CityTV recently started broadcasting a digital station as well (Ch. 49, mapped to 5-1). I don't think it is HD. But progress!

There are now 3 OTA digital broadcasts in Calgary. CTV in HD, Global in HD, City TV.

[Kipper is King]

^^^ It did seem to be in widescreen. I figured it wasn't HD quality because of how poor my antenna was.

[ken0042]

There is no such thing as "almost" in digital; it either comes in crystal clear or not at all.

The only time you get "almost" you end up with macroblocking; huge squares interupting the signal.

[cmyden]

CBC began testing out the HD broadcast at the end of March.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90

People have been reporting their reception results over at DigitalHome.

Just tried it with a pair of rabbit ears, and CBC 9.1 looks great.

[Bobblehead]

In the far NE of the city I can get Global, City and CBC but not CTV.

I am using one of those self made HD antennas made from wire hangers.

[The Yen Man]

So if I just want CBC for the playoffs, I can just go to Walmart or Superstore and pick up an antenna and plug it into my TV? That sounds pretty cool actually. I cancelled my cable recently because I hardly watch TV.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Just programmed 9-1 and it looks absolutely terrific......no macroblocking at all.

Global, CTV, CityTV and now CBC all in perfect HD. All of my (TV) needs are now met!

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

So if I just want CBC for the playoffs, I can just go to Walmart or Superstore and pick up an antenna and plug it into my TV? That sounds pretty cool actually. I cancelled my cable recently because I hardly watch TV.

Yep, as long as your TV has a built in HDTV tuner and you can get the signal it should work.

Just plug the antenna in and re-scan your channels. CBC comes up as channel 9.1

And over the air HDTV quality is the best out there, since there's less compression than with cable or satellite.

So ironically, the highest picture quality is now available with rabbit ears. Of course, the downside is there's only a few channels.

[gottabekd]

Yep, CBC HD comes in great for me.

Four free HD channels in Calgary now.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

In the far NE of the city I can get Global, City and CBC but not CTV.

CTV-HD seems to be the hardest for me to get in down in the SE. I can even get Global and City without the rabbit ears extended; but CTV requires some creative aiming to be able to pick up.

[CrazyIvan]

Picked up a $29 Phillips HDTV powered antenna from Princess Auto, put it in an upstairs bedroom window, pointed it with a compass and TV Fool and Bob's your uncle we get all 4 HD stations down here in De Winton.

[chalms04]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

Bob's your uncle we get all 4 HD stations down here in De Winton.

Damn parasite communities always leeching off the big city.

[Sr. Mints]

I'm going to try this out tomorrow!

When I was setting up my mom's TV about 3-4 years ago, I discovered a whole bunch of OTA HD channels. An ABC one, a PBS one, and some more, but I forget what. They disappeared after a while, and rescanning couldn't find them. She didn't have an antenna.

I've never tried with my current TV, but if I could get CBC before tomorrow - that would be rad!

[ken0042]

^^ This was in Calgary? Those signals would have to travel over 200 km- impressive.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by ken0042

^^ This was in Calgary? Those signals would have to travel over 200 km- impressive.

Yeah, if it was actually possible to get HDTV signals from Spokane it would pretty insane but I think it would be sporadic. It would be nice to get American channels.