Posted by RadioActive  October 9, 2025 4:11 am | #1 |
It looks like those of us who get TV via an antenna from Buffalo may be off the hook for now – the FCC has released a preliminary report about forcing stations to convert from the current ATSC 1.0 to the new so-called “NextGen 3.0.”
The conversion worries many, because you wouldn’t be able to get stations on most current HDTVs once they do the conversion. But so far, it doesn’t seem like they’re in a hurry to do that, forcing most Americans (and those of us watching on this side of the border) to get a new TV to keep getting the signals.
“The draft notes that the FCC has tentatively concluded that television stations should be allowed to choose when to stop broadcasting via the ATSC 1.0 standard and begin broadcasting exclusively in 3.0.”
The fact they haven’t set a specific date to turn off the old system is a relief. I suspect that those without a direct interest in the new technology won’t be in any rush to make the switch. And whatever they do down south usually (and eventually) ends up becoming the standard up here, as well.
NextGenTV sounds like a great thing, including interactivity. But it could also prevent networks or stations from allowing you to record shows, due to Digital Rights Management, and that could potentially render your DVR useless. It could force us back into the TV stone age, where if you didn’t see a show when it aired, you missed it.
Or you’d have to sign up for a streaming service, many of which are owned by the networks, and they’d be only too happy to get you to sign up and pay for it.
For now, your TV is safe. But that could change as those pushing for the new system continue to have the ear of the FCC down south.
FCC Releases Draft Notice for NextGen TV Rules, ATSC 1.0 Sunset
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Posted by mace October 9, 2025 7:01 am | #2 |
According to the CRTC, 97% of Canadians live within range of at least one OTA signal. In 2015, the CRTC reported that only 8.1% of Canadians receive their television signals via OTA. In 2024, that percentage crept up to 12. Cable/Satellte usage, while decreasing, was still at a significant 44%. Bell and Rogers are not known for wanting to spend, in their view, unnecessary dollars. If forced. Next Gen would come to major Canadian markets, but the rest of the country would see transmitters shut down. Ma Bell and Mr. Rogers must be smiling. You want to watch tv? Our door is open. No tv. You want to stream everything? We can help there too. I also an estimate that OTA viewership in the U.S. is about 20%. I thought it would be higher, but in a sports focussed country, an antenna won't get you ESPN.
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Posted by RadioActive October 9, 2025 7:26 am | #3 |
Equally frightening, at least to me.
The Coming Signal Culling: Is Broadcast TV Next After Radio’s 2025 Decline?
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Posted by RadioActive October 16, 2025 9:45 am | #4 |
Will broadcasters dare try to do this to you again - force all consumers to buy new TVs in order to keep getting their signals? It's the ongoing question surrounding NextGenTV, the so-called 'new' standard for TV that broadcasters are anxious to institute.
Like HDTV before it, it would require anyone who wants to watch broadcast television to buy a new set, unless you're one of the lucky few who already have it built-in to newer models. It sounds exciting - "Next Generation" - who wouldn't want the latest and the greatest? Except other than a supposedly better picture (I'm fine with HD as it stands now) it benefits broadcasters and not viewers.
While it promises interactivity similar to the Internet (including ads targeted directly at specific viewers) the thing I hate about it most is the inclusion of Digital Rights Management or DRM, which would prevent you from recording shows you want to watch later.
"The use of encryption on TV signals for DRM purposes has some severe critics in the online world. Much of their complaint is, why should “Free TV,” as broadcasters often call themselves, need to prevent their signals from being received by their taxpaying audience? They, in theory at least, actually own the air waves, which the FCC licenses them to operate “in the public interest.”
"The anti-encryption advocates also note that the DRM in use actually prevents the development of cheaper devices and external adapters from being available to receive ATSC 3.0 signals.
"For their part, broadcasters and their trade groups claim the DRM encryption is needed to prevent the digital theft of their valuable content."
Yeah, as movie mogul Sam Goldwyn once said, "Include me out."
Is North America ready for NextGen TV?
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Posted by RadioAaron October 16, 2025 10:37 am | #5 |
How many people are actually using DVRs with OTA signals?
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Posted by RadioActive October 16, 2025 11:05 am | #6 |
RadioAaron wrote:
How many people are actually using DVRs with OTA signals?
Well of course, I do and proudly so. But yes, we're a shrinking minority. Frankly, I'd like to be able to get both cable/satellite and over-the-air reception. But free TV has always been free since the first station signed on in the 40s. We need to keep it that way for as long as it lasts.
If you think I would ever pay for the privilege of watching a CTV or Global thanks to NextGen, I have some swamp land for sale near the Brooklyn Bridge.
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Posted by RadioActive October 28, 2025 3:14 pm | #7 |
The FCC has now firmed their rules about the transition to ATSC 3.0, but unlike the HDTV conversion in 2009, they're not forcing it on stations. Going to the new standard will be voluntary, but one thing I don't like is there's no order to force stations to also broadcast in ATSC 1.0 when they go to the newcomer.
(The Channel 49 stations from Buffalo converted a long time ago, but keep their over-the-air old style signals alive by piggybacking on the transmitters of other stations in the market. That would not be necessary under the new regs.)
Anyone who goes all "NextGen"-only runs the risk of losing whatever OTA viewers they have. Not that they likely care all that much about us old fashioned antenna users, whose numbers are shrinking. But the new standard gives them a lot of control about what you can watch or record, depending on what they decide.
And just like HD, no consumer asked for this, but it could be forced on us anyway.
FCC votes to accelerate NextGen TV transition with flexible framework
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Posted by Fitz October 28, 2025 3:58 pm | #8 |
The FCC has now firmed their rules about the transition to ATSC 3.0, but unlike the HDTV conversion in 2009, they're not forcing it on stations. Going to the new standard will be voluntary, but one thing I don't like is there's no order to force stations to also broadcast in ATSC 1.0 when they go to the newcomer.
(The Channel 49 stations from Buffalo converted a long time ago, but keep their over-the-air old style signals alive by piggybacking on the transmitters of other stations in the market. That would not be necessary under the new regs.)
Anyone who goes all "NextGen"-only runs the risk of losing whatever OTA viewers they have. Not that they likely care all that much about us old fashioned antenna users, whose numbers are shrinking. But the new standard gives them a lot of control about what you can watch or record, depending on what they decide.
And just like HD, no consumer asked for this, but it could be forced on us anyway.
FCC votes to accelerate NextGen TV transition with flexible framework
but isn't ATSC 1.0 and even Next Gen essentially for OTA signals. I understand that next gen introduces some new interactive features but the starting point is still OTA even if PVR functions might be curtailed.
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Posted by RadioAaron October 28, 2025 4:36 pm | #9 |
The FCC has now firmed their rules about the transition to ATSC 3.0, but unlike the HDTV conversion in 2009, they're not forcing it on stations. Going to the new standard will be voluntary, but one thing I don't like is there's no order to force stations to also broadcast in ATSC 1.0 when they go to the newcomer.
(The Channel 49 stations from Buffalo converted a long time ago, but keep their over-the-air old style signals alive by piggybacking on the transmitters of other stations in the market. That would not be necessary under the new regs.)
Anyone who goes all "NextGen"-only runs the risk of losing whatever OTA viewers they have. Not that they likely care all that much about us old fashioned antenna users, whose numbers are shrinking. But the new standard gives them a lot of control about what you can watch or record, depending on what they decide.
And just like HD, no consumer asked for this, but it could be forced on us anyway.
FCC votes to accelerate NextGen TV transition with flexible frameworkbut isn't ATSC 1.0 and even Next Gen essentially for OTA signals. I understand that next gen introduces some new interactive features but the starting point is still OTA even if PVR functions might be curtailed.
Yes.
And PVR functions won't be curtailed any more than they are now. They can already do it with existing cable PVRs and very rarely do.
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Posted by RadioActive October 28, 2025 5:17 pm | #10 |
The FCC has now firmed their rules about the transition to ATSC 3.0, but unlike the HDTV conversion in 2009, they're not forcing it on stations. Going to the new standard will be voluntary, but one thing I don't like is there's no order to force stations to also broadcast in ATSC 1.0 when they go to the newcomer.
(The Channel 49 stations from Buffalo converted a long time ago, but keep their over-the-air old style signals alive by piggybacking on the transmitters of other stations in the market. That would not be necessary under the new regs.)
Anyone who goes all "NextGen"-only runs the risk of losing whatever OTA viewers they have. Not that they likely care all that much about us old fashioned antenna users, whose numbers are shrinking. But the new standard gives them a lot of control about what you can watch or record, depending on what they decide.
And just like HD, no consumer asked for this, but it could be forced on us anyway.
FCC votes to accelerate NextGen TV transition with flexible frameworkbut isn't ATSC 1.0 and even Next Gen essentially for OTA signals. I understand that next gen introduces some new interactive features but the starting point is still OTA even if PVR functions might be curtailed.
Yes, as I pointed out, it's for those of us who still prefer to use an antenna. Frankly, our numbers are so small, I can't understand why they're going to the expense to change anything. It can't be cheap. And again I repeat - who asked for this? I just don't see the point of upgrading to a new system almost no one can see. So why do it if it's not going to somehow become more widespread in time?
And yes, those behind the new tech keep stressing its ability to enforce Digital Rights Management, which can potentially prevent recording of shows. Maybe it won't start that way - but it's there waiting, just in case. And I don't trust that they one day won't use it. (My DVR is not a cable box - it records off air digital signals. And it's great. I don't want them to screw with it.)
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Posted by RadioAaron October 28, 2025 5:23 pm | #11 |
And yes, those behind the new tech keep stressing its ability to enforce Digital Rights Management, which can potentially prevent recording of shows. Maybe it won't start that way - but it's there waiting, just in case. And I don't trust that they one day won't use it. (My DVR is not a cable box - it records off air digital signals. And it's great. I don't want them to screw with it.)
Why, if they're not doing it now on 99% of PVRs, would they start when they can get the remaining 1%.
The tech company can tout it all they want, but the networks have shown no interest.
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Posted by RadioActive October 28, 2025 5:51 pm | #12 |
And yes, those behind the new tech keep stressing its ability to enforce Digital Rights Management, which can potentially prevent recording of shows. Maybe it won't start that way - but it's there waiting, just in case. And I don't trust that they one day won't use it. (My DVR is not a cable box - it records off air digital signals. And it's great. I don't want them to screw with it.)
Why, if they're not doing it now on 99% of PVRs, would they start when they can get the remaining 1%.
The tech company can tout it all they want, but the networks have shown no interest.
Forgive me, but I just don't trust them to keep it that way. I'd vastly prefer you be right. But don't give them a power and tell them not to use it. History has shown that usually doesn't work.
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Posted by Fitz October 28, 2025 5:57 pm | #13 |
And yes, those behind the new tech keep stressing its ability to enforce Digital Rights Management, which can potentially prevent recording of shows. Maybe it won't start that way - but it's there waiting, just in case. And I don't trust that they one day won't use it. (My DVR is not a cable box - it records off air digital signals. And it's great. I don't want them to screw with it.)
Why, if they're not doing it now on 99% of PVRs, would they start when they can get the remaining 1%.
The tech company can tout it all they want, but the networks have shown no interest.
So if your fave TV channels convert to Next Gen only you just need an external Next Gen capable tuner/PVR to continue watching. Might not be a bad trade-off considering the new enhancements and external tuners are sometimes better than the built in TV ones. Perhaps next gen stations may be easier to pick up as well. I saw a video by Antenna Man where he states this.
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Posted by RadioActive October 28, 2025 6:02 pm | #14 |
I'm perfectly happy with what I have now without having to buy yet another piece of equipment for not one but two TVs.
Frankly, the way things have been going, I'm bracing for ATSC 5.0, the Next NextGen, which doesn't exist - yet!
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Posted by RadioAaron October 28, 2025 6:21 pm | #15 |
And yes, those behind the new tech keep stressing its ability to enforce Digital Rights Management, which can potentially prevent recording of shows. Maybe it won't start that way - but it's there waiting, just in case. And I don't trust that they one day won't use it. (My DVR is not a cable box - it records off air digital signals. And it's great. I don't want them to screw with it.)
Why, if they're not doing it now on 99% of PVRs, would they start when they can get the remaining 1%.
The tech company can tout it all they want, but the networks have shown no interest.Forgive me, but I just don't trust them to keep it that way. I'd vastly prefer you be right. But don't give them a power and tell them not to use it. History has shown that usually doesn't work.
Sure, they might. But if they do it won't be because of NextGen TV.
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Posted by Fitz October 28, 2025 6:27 pm | #16 |
The FCC has now firmed their rules about the transition to ATSC 3.0, but unlike the HDTV conversion in 2009, they're not forcing it on stations. Going to the new standard will be voluntary, but one thing I don't like is there's no order to force stations to also broadcast in ATSC 1.0 when they go to the newcomer.
(The Channel 49 stations from Buffalo converted a long time ago, but keep their over-the-air old style signals alive by piggybacking on the transmitters of other stations in the market. That would not be necessary under the new regs.)
Anyone who goes all "NextGen"-only runs the risk of losing whatever OTA viewers they have. Not that they likely care all that much about us old fashioned antenna users, whose numbers are shrinking. But the new standard gives them a lot of control about what you can watch or record, depending on what they decide.
And just like HD, no consumer asked for this, but it could be forced on us anyway.
FCC votes to accelerate NextGen TV transition with flexible frameworkbut isn't ATSC 1.0 and even Next Gen essentially for OTA signals. I understand that next gen introduces some new interactive features but the starting point is still OTA even if PVR functions might be curtailed.
Yes, as I pointed out, it's for those of us who still prefer to use an antenna. Frankly, our numbers are so small, I can't understand why they're going to the expense to change anything. It can't be cheap. And again I repeat - who asked for this? I just don't see the point of upgrading to a new system almost no one can see. So why do it if it's not going to somehow become more widespread in time?
And yes, those behind the new tech keep stressing its ability to enforce Digital Rights Management, which can potentially prevent recording of shows. Maybe it won't start that way - but it's there waiting, just in case. And I don't trust that they one day won't use it. (My DVR is not a cable box - it records off air digital signals. And it's great. I don't want them to screw with it.)
What I meant is that next Gen is OTA so :"the risk of losing whatever OTA viewers they have" seems counterproductive to a OTA system upgrade or perhaps you mean that when most stations upgrade to next Gen very few will have the ability to watch and In that case OTA may be phased out but I believe the cord cutting trend has seen a modest uptick in Antenna use.
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Posted by RadioActive October 30, 2025 10:48 pm | #17 |
Another side of this story. Agree or disagree? You decide, but what's suggested here is alarming to antenna users like me. Although I will admit I think the fear factor displayed in this article is somewhat over the top.
ATSC 3.0 is coming: TV antenna users should prepare for chaos
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Posted by Fitz October 31, 2025 8:44 am | #18 |
I occasionally use OTA with a Clearstream Flex indoor antenna and a Homework PVR box which is currently hooked up via the HDMI to a computer monitor for video and the RCA outs to an old boombox for the audio. Am able to receive most of the Buffalo stations and most of the Canadian ones as well except for CHCH. Typically I get from 35 to 40 channels except for tropo when I can get more including some low powered US ones. The strongest stations I get are WNED, Fox and Channel 49 due to antenna placement. All of these come in at a strength of 75 % plus. OTA can be had on the cheap but perhaps my location in north Pickering is in a goldilocks zone.
I rarely watch live and mostly record so I can skip the commercials. The channels I record are Antenna, Comet and Rewind. Antenna and Comet occasionally experienced dropouts but are mostly ok and so I don't see a need for an outdoor antenna.
I won't worry about next gen until I have to and right now I don't think I have to.
I have a question about the RF channels for the Buffalo Next Gen stations. Are they 16.500 etc. ?
Also why is channel 4.1 listed as WIVB and WNLO on Rabbit Ears,
Last edited by Fitz (October 31, 2025 8:44 am)
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Posted by mace November 2, 2025 7:22 am | #19 |
I occasionally use OTA with a Clearstream Flex indoor antenna and a Homework PVR box which is currently hooked up via the HDMI to a computer monitor for video and the RCA outs to an old boombox for the audio. Am able to receive most of the Buffalo stations and most of the Canadian ones as well except for CHCH. Typically I get from 35 to 40 channels except for tropo when I can get more including some low powered US ones. The strongest stations I get are WNED, Fox and Channel 49 due to antenna placement. All of these come in at a strength of 75 % plus. OTA can be had on the cheap but perhaps my location in north Pickering is in a goldilocks zone.
I rarely watch live and mostly record so I can skip the commercials. The channels I record are Antenna, Comet and Rewind. Antenna and Comet occasionally experienced dropouts but are mostly ok and so I don't see a need for an outdoor antenna.
I won't worry about next gen until I have to and right now I don't think I have to.
I have a question about the RF channels for the Buffalo Next Gen stations. Are they 16.500 etc. ?
Also why is channel 4.1 listed as WIVB and WNLO on Rabbit Ears,
You mentioned that 17,29 and 49 are your strongest Buffalo channels. How reliable are 2, 4 and 7 with an indoor antenna? Regarding Rabbit Ears, if I am not mistaken WIVB and WNLO transmit from the same tower in Colden.
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Posted by RadioActive November 2, 2025 7:28 am | #20 |
Yes, WIVB & WNLO are not only on the same tower in Colden, N.Y. (which is why some in Toronto have so much trouble getting their signals) but I believe WNED and WUTV also share a tower.
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Posted by tvguy November 2, 2025 9:34 am | #21 |
WUTV and WNED transmit from two different towers - near to each other on Grand Island. WUTV operates at a much higher power. When the final repack occurred, the company that owned WIVB and WNLO at the time, sold off the WIVB "spectrum" for a small fortune. The two stations "multiplex" their signals on the WNLO transmitter, at Colden, NY. It is not far from the WKBW site. For me, WKBW is much more reliable. WGRZ is in S. Wales NY, a little closer to Toronto, but reception is problematic in mid-town Toronto. An indoor antenna for WGRZ, WKBW and WNLO/WIVB is not possible Downtown, unless you are in a south facing high rise. CH. 29 WUTV and Ch. 49, multiplex on the same RF channel on WUTV's Grand Island transmitter and tower - so they provide a robust signal and possibly indoor reception. The ATSC 3 transmitter which is WNYO RF 16 - is on the WUTV tower. So reception is achievable in Toronto, although it is 575kw, Lower powered than WUTV and a bit more directional. L That transmitter also hosts ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. Last, WPXJ - CH 51 - RF 24, is more stable at my location than Ch. 2, 4, 23. This Ion affiliated station has a tower South East of West Seneca.
Last edited by tvguy (November 2, 2025 9:35 am)
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Posted by Fitz November 2, 2025 9:37 am | #22 |
I occasionally use OTA with a Clearstream Flex indoor antenna and a Homework PVR box which is currently hooked up via the HDMI to a computer monitor for video and the RCA outs to an old boombox for the audio. Am able to receive most of the Buffalo stations and most of the Canadian ones as well except for CHCH. Typically I get from 35 to 40 channels except for tropo when I can get more including some low powered US ones. The strongest stations I get are WNED, Fox and Channel 49 due to antenna placement. All of these come in at a strength of 75 % plus. OTA can be had on the cheap but perhaps my location in north Pickering is in a goldilocks zone.
I rarely watch live and mostly record so I can skip the commercials. The channels I record are Antenna, Comet and Rewind. Antenna and Comet occasionally experienced dropouts but are mostly ok and so I don't see a need for an outdoor antenna.
I won't worry about next gen until I have to and right now I don't think I have to.
I have a question about the RF channels for the Buffalo Next Gen stations. Are they 16.500 etc. ?
Also why is channel 4.1 listed as WIVB and WNLO on Rabbit Ears,You mentioned that 17,29 and 49 are your strongest Buffalo channels. How reliable are 2, 4 and 7 with an indoor antenna? Regarding Rabbit Ears, if I am not mistaken WIVB and WNLO transmit from the same tower in Colden.
Anything above 45 % on the signal meter locks in the picture and WIVB is solid and I don't recall it dropping. Right now it is showing a signal strength of 72 %. WKBW is not quite as strong and does sometimes drop but not that often, Right now it's showing a signal strength of 66 to 68 %. Ironically the two channels I watch the most Antenna and Comet experience the most drop off's and have identical signal strengths which right now is around 62 %. I suspect they are transmitting from the same tower. Antenna is WGRZ 2.2. I manage with that as I record the shows and delete rather than watch if the picture is choppy.
The strong Buffalo stations that always lock in do surprise me though bc, even taking the distance as the crow flies, they are not within the normal range of an indoor antenna. Was nice to have a reliable signal for Fox during the world series. Though I do have the option of an IP box on a different set.
Even if WNLO and WIVB are transmitting from the same tower why do both show as 4.1 on Rabbit Ears. Only WIVB is 4.1. WNLO is 23.1
WNYO at 49.1 is also solid but Comet at 49.3 can sometimes be shaky so they must transmit from different locations,
I got my Clearstream Flex about 6 years ago at either Best Buy or Walmart and that or the Mohu Leaf are good fairly inexpensive indoor antenna but one does have to experiment with antenna placement. Aslo a shame that I can't pull in CHCH.
Also does anyone have an answer to my question about the RF frequencies for the Buffalo Next Gen stations , they all show a different format from the usual on Rabbit Ears. Something like 16.5002, 003 etc, I have read that next gen signals carry further and that's something to keep in mind as a indoor antenna user.
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Posted by RadioActive November 2, 2025 9:44 am | #23 |
WUTV and WNED transmit from two different towers - near to each other on Grand Island. WUTV operates at a much higher power. When the final repack occurred, the company that owned WIVB and WNLO at the time, sold off the WIVB "spectrum" for a small fortune. The two stations "multiplex" their signals on the WNLO transmitter, at Colden, NY. It is not far from the WKBW site. For me, WKBW is much more reliable. WGRZ is in S. Wales NY, a little closer to Toronto, but reception is problematic in mid-town Toronto. An indoor antenna for WGRZ, WKBW and WNLO/WIVB is not possible Downtown, unless you are in a south facing high rise. CH. 29 WUTV and Ch. 49, multiplex on the same RF channel on WUTV's Grand Island transmitter and tower - so they provide a robust signal and possibly indoor reception. The ATSC 3 transmitter which is WNYO RF 16 - is on the WUTV tower. So reception is achievable in Toronto, although it is 575kw, Lower powered than WUTV and a bit more directional. L That transmitter also hosts ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. Last, WPXJ - CH 51 - RF 24, is more stable at my location than Ch. 2, 4, 23. This Ion affiliated station has a tower South East of West Seneca.
Interesting. Around the time of the repack, I spoke to an engineer at WUTV, who told me WNED was piggybacking on their tower and suggested if I experienced improvement on Channel 29, I should expect the same on Channel 17. If that's not true, and I don't doubt you because your info has always been solid, I wonder why he would have said that.
Also, I have recently begun to have issues with WUTV for some reason. Must be interference of another kind, because the signal strength is mostly listed as 100% - but signal quality stubbornly remains at zero. Adjusting the rotor doesn't seem to help much, although the recent rainy weather is a factor.
In my location, near Bathurst & Steeles, WGRZ is always my strongest Buffalo signal.
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Posted by Fitz November 2, 2025 9:52 am | #24 |
WUTV and WNED transmit from two different towers - near to each other on Grand Island. WUTV operates at a much higher power. When the final repack occurred, the company that owned WIVB and WNLO at the time, sold off the WIVB "spectrum" for a small fortune. The two stations "multiplex" their signals on the WNLO transmitter, at Colden, NY. It is not far from the WKBW site. For me, WKBW is much more reliable. WGRZ is in S. Wales NY, a little closer to Toronto, but reception is problematic in mid-town Toronto. An indoor antenna for WGRZ, WKBW and WNLO/WIVB is not possible Downtown, unless you are in a south facing high rise. CH. 29 WUTV and Ch. 49, multiplex on the same RF channel on WUTV's Grand Island transmitter and tower - so they provide a robust signal and possibly indoor reception. The ATSC 3 transmitter which is WNYO RF 16 - is on the WUTV tower. So reception is achievable in Toronto, although it is 575kw, Lower powered than WUTV and a bit more directional. L That transmitter also hosts ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. Last, WPXJ - CH 51 - RF 24, is more stable at my location than Ch. 2, 4, 23. This Ion affiliated station has a tower South East of West Seneca.
I posted my last reply before I saw this Tvguy but ION is also solid and always reliable for me.
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Posted by rk12 November 2, 2025 11:28 am | #25 |
WNYO RF 16 is the Next Gen transmitter. WNYO station and subs are being carried by other big 4 ASTC 1.0 transmitters one station each.WNYO 49.1 is on WUTV transmitter.Comet 49.3 is on WGRZ transmitter.49.4 on WNLO/WIVB transmitter.49.2 on WKBW transmitter.Displayed station number is programable with PSIP data.WNYO Next gen RF 16 is very directional with only about 10KW towards the North.This was required to protect RF 16 for repack for CITY TV Woodstock which decided not to follow the repack framework and stayed on RF 31.
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Posted by Fitz November 2, 2025 12:38 pm | #26 |
WNYO RF 16 is the Next Gen transmitter. WNYO station and subs are being carried by other big 4 ASTC 1.0 transmitters one station each.WNYO 49.1 is on WUTV transmitter.Comet 49.3 is on WGRZ transmitter.49.4 on WNLO/WIVB transmitter.49.2 on WKBW transmitter.Displayed station number is programable with PSIP data.WNYO Next gen RF 16 is very directional with only about 10KW towards the North.This was required to protect RF 16 for repack for CITY TV Woodstock which decided not to follow the repack framework and stayed on RF 31.
ok I think I understand about the rabbit ears duplication of the"display channel" even though on the virtual 4.1 only WVIB is actually displayed.
Are all the Buffalo Next Gen on the same transmitter. That does not bode well for Indoor Antenna use due to the protection for CITY Woodstock.
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Posted by tvguy November 2, 2025 2:33 pm | #27 |
Fitz, CW 23 MyTVnetwork 49, 29 Fox, 4 CBS, 2 NBC and 7 ABC are on the Ch 16 RF ATSC 3 transmitter.
17 PBS, and 51 ION, and the two independents WBBZ 67, and low power WBXZ are not on the ATSC 3 cluster. In theory at some point each of 2, 4, 7, 17, 29, 51 etc might implement their own ATSC 3 transmissions on their own RF facilities, but that might not occur for years. On the AVS Forum Buffalo HDTV there is a lot of griping about reception problems with the Ch 16 ATSC transmissions due to Digital Rights Management encoding and firmware and software problems. ATSC 3 seems to be a mess and broadcasters probably don't care, because off air reception is negliglble.
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Posted by Fitz November 2, 2025 3:46 pm | #28 |
Fitz, CW 23 MyTVnetwork 49, 29 Fox, 4 CBS, 2 NBC and 7 ABC are on the Ch 16 RF ATSC 3 transmitter.
17 PBS, and 51 ION, and the two independents WBBZ 67, and low power WBXZ are not on the ATSC 3 cluster. In theory at some point each of 2, 4, 7, 17, 29, 51 etc might implement their own ATSC 3 transmissions on their own RF facilities, but that might not occur for years. On the AVS Forum Buffalo HDTV there is a lot of griping about reception problems with the Ch 16 ATSC transmissions due to Digital Rights Management encoding and firmware and software problems. ATSC 3 seems to be a mess and broadcasters probably don't care, because off air reception is negliglble.
and ATSC 3 is a negligible within a negligible and so currently ATSC 3 is like HD radio. Nobody cares or has the equipment. Over time that may change as more and more people get TV tuners with next gen capability. That will take time but like vinyl OTA has seen a resurgence of sorts and there's gadets like Tablo which allows you to stream OTA signals from one box to any smart TV or tablet and some other apps. Internet is needed.
Last edited by Fitz (November 2, 2025 3:48 pm)
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Posted by Fitz November 2, 2025 4:39 pm | #29 |
one other thing about Tablo. You can also stream OTA on your phone and I think on the older versions you might be able to do it on the network in addition to wifi. The newest version has a bunch of streaming US networks and I don't think you can stream them away from wifi and I don't think that version is available in Canada.
The service is a combo stream/OTA and someone can confirm if the older versions allow you to stream the content from your box on network cell service. In any case you can definitely do it on your home wifi.
Last edited by Fitz (November 2, 2025 4:44 pm)
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Posted by RadioActive November 2, 2025 4:48 pm | #30 |
I have two Channel Master DVR+ boxes, which record HD off air signals. They are wonderful machines, I've used them for over 10 years - and they've mostly worked flawlessly. It requires you to purchase a separate Seagate hard drive but I bought two with 1TB each and they've never given me any trouble or run out of space.
CM now sells the Tablo only, unfortunately, and they don't make the DVR+ anymore, but they should - they were/are great workhorses and I've never had a more reliable piece of consumer equipment.
I can't recall what it was about the Tablo I didn't like - do you have to pay for the TV listings? - but as long as we're on ATSC 1.0, I'm sticking with these recorders. In the words of Tony the Tiger, "They're great!"
