Cox to offer some new HD channels sometime in early November. What I hear this is the line-up, but subject to change I guess:

Comedy Central
Spike TV
MTV
CMT
VH1
Planet Green
Lifetime
Halmark Movies??? might just be the regular Halmark channel.....

Dish Network has Lifetime. It's another one of those channels that stretches all the SD content. I like watching Frasier at 11pm. Looks terrible on the HD channel.

Jeff

Dish Network has Lifetime. It's another one of those channels that stretches all the SD content. I like watching Frasier at 11pm. Looks terrible on the HD channel.

Jeff

Lifetime is one of the more popular cable channels. Actually all of these are some of the most watched cable channels (except Planet Green).

What a waste. Some many other better choices out there.

So these might not be your favorite channels, but will make alot of Cox's customers happy. My wife will be extremly happy to watch the Hills in HD now.


What are the better choices out there? Please share. And don't say HDNet, as that will probably never happen due to the cost to carry that network.

I was playing with the new antenna and rotor and DTT901 out at the farm northwest of Marysville this evening and I was receiving KAAS 18 very well after sundown. After being in Wichita the past two days it was a bit surreal being six miles from the NE border watching a Wichita commercial. :D I'll have to see how it does in the day time.

I wish the other Wichita stations would put up a big stick north/northwest of Abilene too. My antenna would probably stay aimed southwest. :cool:

What are the better choices out there? Please share. And don't say HDNet, as that will probably never happen due to the cost to carry that network.

In alphabetical order, here are a few of the networks that I'd like to see Cox offer in HD...

ABC Family
AMC
Big Ten Network
Disney Channel
E!
ESPNEWS
ESPNU
FX Network
SPEED
Weather Channel
WGN

And, for those who subscribe to premium networks, all of the Cinemax, HBO, Showtime and Starz!/Encore HD channels available.

Finally, is the Kansas CW (KSCW) ever coming to Cox Cable Ch. 605?

In alphabetical order, here are a few of the networks that I'd like to see Cox offer in HD...

ABC Family
AMC
Big Ten Network
Disney Channel
E!
ESPNEWS
ESPNU
FX Network
SPEED
Weather Channel
WGN

And, for those who subscribe to premium networks, all of the Cinemax, HBO, Showtime and Starz!/Encore HD channels available.

Finally, is the Kansas CW (KSCW) ever coming to Cox Cable Ch. 605?

I would love to see the full lineup of Disney HD offerings e.g. Disney, ABC, ESPN stuff. Give me that and I am a happy camper... for awhile.

Also, do these new HD offerings go to Pittsburg, KS too, since that is currently where I am. Had to go to college sometime. :rolleyes: Either way, I have Cox over here, and it appears to be run by Cox Kansas, all the channels are the same as they are in Wichita, and when I called in for support the person said they were in Wichita. Only problem is my dorm has an old 1Mhz-800Mhz Splitter, so pretty much anything that comes in on Frequency's close or past 800 get cut, which I fear will be most of the channels added int he future.

Cox to offer some new HD channels sometime in early November. What I hear this is the line-up, but subject to change I guess:

Comedy Central
Spike TV
MTV
CMT
VH1
Planet Green
Lifetime
Halmark Movies??? might just be the regular Halmark channel.....

Did you mean some other channel when you said Lifetime? We already have Lifetime HD on channel 638.

In addition to the channels already mentioned, I'd like to see these HD channels:
MSNBC
FSMW
BBCA (due to launch in 2008)
Chiller (feed expected in October 2008)
CSTV

I have to agree, Lifetime is already HD. I watch Army Wives in HD already!

Not the most impressive list of channels, but at least Cox is adding more HD channels. They are WAY too slow for me, but I'm dealing with it instead of switching to DirecTV. I'm a devoted Tivo customer, which means I'm stuck with Cable.

What are the better choices out there? Please share. And don't say HDNet, as that will probably never happen due to the cost to carry that network.

My preferences would be:

FoxNews HD
Weather Channel HD
FX HD
Speed Channel HD
FSN Midwest HD

I was just over browsing the programming forum and found a thread about MOJO. On Demand (MOJO's parent company) has decided to close the channel by the end of the year. Select MOJO shows would then move to In Demand. I wonder what Cox will use to fill MOJOs slot, or will they just decrease their offering by one channel. Also wonder if that will affect the NHL and NBA games that occasionally preempt MOJO?

Does anybody know of a good certified technician who could calibrate my Panasonic PZ800U in the Wichita area? I would like him also to be THX certified besides ISF.

Thanks, Kenny

Several listed on the ISF website:
http://www.imagingscience.com

Let us know, I'm curious now...

Several listed on the ISF website:
http://www.imagingscience.com

Let us know, I'm curios now...

Wow. Best Buy is on the list. I would have never guessed that.

I have to agree, Lifetime is already HD. I watch Army Wives in HD already!

Not the most impressive list of channels, but at least Cox is adding more HD channels. They are WAY too slow for me, but I'm dealing with it instead of switching to DirecTV. I'm a devoted Tivo customer, which means I'm stuck with Cable.

Not too much longer! Read Below!
DIRECTV and TiVo to Launch New HD DIRECTV DVR with TiVo Service
EL SEGUNDO and ALVISO, Calif. — Sept. 3, 2008 — DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR), announced today that they have extended their current agreement, which includes the development, marketing and distribution of a new HD DIRECTV DVR featuring the TiVo Service, as well as the extension of mutual intellectual property arrangements.

Under the terms of the non--exclusive arrangement, DIRECTV and TiVo will work together to develop a version of the TiVo® service for DIRECTV's broadband-enabled HD DVR platform. The product will support the latest TiVo and DIRECTV features and services, including TiVo's Universal Swivel Search and TiVo KidZone. TiVo will develop the new HD DVR for an expected launch in the second half of 2009.

DIRECTV will continue to develop and offer its own portfolio of industry leading set top boxes as primary offerings to both new and existing customers. This new TiVo box will be offered as an alternative choice to those DIRECTV customers who would like to add TiVo to a full line up of DIRECTV services.

"We have had a very successful history with DIRECTV. Together we brought the TiVo experience to millions of DIRECTV customers and now we look forward to launching a next generation product that uses TiVo's latest features to truly showcase DIRECTV's broad selection of high-definition programming — all stitched together with the elegance of TiVo's renowned user experience," said Tom Rogers, TiVo's CEO and president. "This agreement demonstrates our continued embrace of mass distribution opportunities in cooperation with major multichannel operators who recognize the value of giving their customers a choice of compelling user experiences."

Like prior products developed by TiVo and DIRECTV, the new HD offering will be marketed and sold by DIRECTV nationally to its entire customer base as part of its growing portfolio of brand name video offerings. Specific consumer pricing and packaging will be announced in conjunction with DIRECTV's launch of the product.

"As the industry's content and technology leader, DIRECTV has a long-standing reputation for developing innovative, advanced products and services, including our highly successful series of DVRs and HD DVRs," said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. "We will continue to work with TiVo and make this new product available to all new and existing DIRECTV customers who may want to add TiVo on top of our industry leading experience."

DIRECTV and TiVo began their relationship in 2000 with the launch of the first DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service. In April 2006, the companies announced an extension of their commercial and advertising relationship and those commercial and advertising capabilities are further extended, and now include the new HD platform. DIRECTV and TiVo also recently deployed a software update to existing DIRECTV with TiVo boxes, which enables new features like DIRECTV's Remote Booking.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

I don't know if I am the first to notice, or just the first to post this. Anyone else noticed that the commercials KWCH is running promoting the switch to local HD are actually HD? I guess this begs the obvious followup, how soon? If they can produce local spots they must be really close to live broadcasts! Noticed that Dr. Phil and Oprah also now HD.

I don't know if I am the first to notice, or just the first to post this. Anyone else noticed that the commercials KWCH is running promoting the switch to local HD are actually HD? I guess this begs the obvious followup, how soon? If they can produce local spots they must be really close to live broadcasts! Noticed that Dr. Phil and Oprah also now HD.

Grr, I can't believe I am missing all this. Im in Pittsburg and my SlingBox is not working. I have to say, as much as we complain about our local news and the anchors, they are pretty good compared to the Joplin/Pittsburg people. This is very exciting, I will be hauling my HDTV back home during the Winter break, thats for sure.

I don't know if I am the first to notice, or just the first to post this. Anyone else noticed that the commercials KWCH is running promoting the switch to local HD are actually HD? I guess this begs the obvious followup, how soon? If they can produce local spots they must be really close to live broadcasts! Noticed that Dr. Phil and Oprah also now HD.

I just saw a promo last night and I think it will be in about a week. I am thinking Oct. 13th.

I'm going to switch my recording of the news away from KSN to KWCH :(

I've been a Dave Freeman man since he came to town. I'll miss you Dave, but I can't pass up HD news, even if I hate Cindy Close for no particular reason but with the passion of 1000 suns.

KWCH is HD master control as of a couple of weeks ago, D. Phil and Oprah are HD, as well as CBS where available.

KSCW is HD master control for the last few months, and is HD CW, as well as Oprah and Phil.

Commercials are in HD, news in October.

Cheap

I checked in with KWCH last night and it was still in SD, and still barely watchable.

I think I'll just stick with KSN even in painful SD.

What do you mean, "barely watchable"?

What do you mean, "barely watchable"?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/Kwch_anchors.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/Kwch_anchors.png

OK, a picture may mean a thousand words...but I don't have a clue as to what this one means in terms of "barely watchable".

Does anyone here subscribe to Cox local channels only? My wife and I almost never watch cable TV, so I want to just get the very basic package. But I'm wondering if I can keep picking up their unencrypted QAM HD channels, or if those are blocked.

I could do OTA, but I don't really want an antenna by each TV, or to run cable from the attic to each room.

OK, a picture may mean a thousand words...but I don't have a clue as to what this one means in terms of "barely watchable".

What he means is watching the SD feed on the "HD" channel is absolutely dreadful. To be completely honest, it almost looks clearer to watch the SD channel rather than the HD channel. "Barely Watchable" is in no way an understatement.

Does anyone here subscribe to Cox local channels only? My wife and I almost never watch cable TV, so I want to just get the very basic package. But I'm wondering if I can keep picking up their unencrypted QAM HD channels, or if those are blocked.

I could do OTA, but I don't really want an antenna by each TV, or to run cable from the attic to each room.

I used to have the "basic" (locals only) cox package here in Salina. I was able to get the unencrypted QAM channels. Of course, that was only the "local" channels (networks).

Jeff

I used to have the "basic" (locals only) cox package here in Salina. I was able to get the unencrypted QAM channels. Of course, that was only the "local" channels (networks).

Jeff

Thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

Thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

I should have mentioned that I did have COX's "digital gateway" so I could get the HD channels on my HDTV with no tuner as well. I had the motorola set top box. I don't know if this somehow enabled the QAM channels. I do know I was able to receive them because I used a friend's HDTV briefly (mine was in the shop) and it had a QAM tuner.

Jeff

So, you don't like the Anchors?

Someone hit you with a blue stick with "12" written on it?

You mean the newscast is grainy, or the cameras are fuzzy, or you dont like Kansas weather?

Cheap

KWCH is HD master control as of a couple of weeks ago, D. Phil and Oprah are HD, as well as CBS where available.

KSCW is HD master control for the last few months, and is HD CW, as well as Oprah and Phil.

Commercials are in HD, news in October.

Cheap


When you say KSCW is HD... are you talking about only OTA? The last time I looked, Cox didn't have an HD channel for KSCW. I'm eagerly awaiting that to happen... or maybe it did already and I'm just crazy.

EDIT: Nope, checked again last night... still no KSCW-HD channel.

I should have mentioned that I did have COX's "digital gateway" so I could get the HD channels on my HDTV with no tuner as well. I had the motorola set top box. I don't know if this somehow enabled the QAM channels. I do know I was able to receive them because I used a friend's HDTV briefly (mine was in the shop) and it had a QAM tuner.

Jeff

You mean you got the local HD channels right? Cause no way to get the other encrypted HD channels without a box or a cable card.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough for you people:

Cindy Klose should not be allowed within 100 yards of a TV camera and half a mile of a microphone. Kim Setty should just wear the "ME WANT FOOD" shirt from 30Rock. Merrill Teller makes me hope a tornado just comes and kills me. Bruce Haertl at least tries but sometimes I can't see him on TV through all the SMUG. Finally, the real travesty is that Alana Rocha was hit by a drunk driver, not Michael Schwanke.

Increasing the pixels will not increase the quality of KWCH newscasts. I don't care if they are #1 in the ratings. I don't have the most faith in the Kansas masses anyways, and that doesn't help.

Back on topic, as of Oct14th, they are still SD.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough for you people:

Cindy Klose should not be allowed within 100 yards of a TV camera and half a mile of a microphone. Kim Setty should just wear the "ME WANT FOOD" shirt from 30Rock. Merrill Teller makes me hope a tornado just comes and kills me. Bruce Haertl at least tries but sometimes I can't see him on TV through all the SMUG. Finally, the real travesty is that Alana Rocha was hit by a drunk driver, not Michael Schwanke.

Increasing the pixels will not increase the quality of KWCH newscasts. I don't care if they are #1 in the ratings. I don't have the most faith in the Kansas masses anyways, and that doesn't help.

Back on topic, as of Oct14th, they are still SD.

Dude, you went straight from talking about picture/signal quality to the news team stinks without any transition. If you're going to say "barley watchable" in a thread about HDTV, barley watchable means just that.
Now your last post is definitely not very PC, but I must admit I have wondered for years why the station actually seems to recruit people who are either unpleasant to look at or totally incompetent. Only in Kansas.

Thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

You mean you got the local HD channels right? Cause no way to get the other encrypted HD channels without a box or a cable card.

Right. I got the local HD channels without a cable box. No other HD channels were available to me (they are encrypted). With the basic cable level I had, even with the cable box, I only got the local channels in HD (no others).

Jeff

I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough for you people:

Cindy Klose should not be allowed within 100 yards of a TV camera and half a mile of a microphone. Kim Setty should just wear the "ME WANT FOOD" shirt from 30Rock. Merrill Teller makes me hope a tornado just comes and kills me. Bruce Haertl at least tries but sometimes I can't see him on TV through all the SMUG. Finally, the real travesty is that Alana Rocha was hit by a drunk driver, not Michael Schwanke.

Increasing the pixels will not increase the quality of KWCH newscasts. I don't care if they are #1 in the ratings. I don't have the most faith in the Kansas masses anyways, and that doesn't help.

Back on topic, as of Oct14th, they are still SD.

My apologies.

I thought you were talking about the picture, or signal level, or something that this forum discusses.

The news is still SD, being upconverted to 1080i, and being transmitted that way. That should change before the month is over. Some commercials are now in native 1080i, and some syndicated programs are as well.

Maybe you can rig up a Panic switch, to dump the power on your TV system should anyone that displeases you pops up on the screen and ruins your HD Experience.

Cheap

When you say KSCW is HD... are you talking about only OTA? The last time I looked, Cox didn't have an HD channel for KSCW. I'm eagerly awaiting that to happen... or maybe it did already and I'm just crazy.

EDIT: Nope, checked again last night... still no KSCW-HD channel.


CW is 1080i over the air (where content allows). Some syndicated, some commercials, and CW network.

I have no idea what Cox's plans are.

Cheap

Cox to offer some new HD channels sometime in early November. What I hear this is the line-up, but subject to change I guess:

Comedy Central
Spike TV
MTV
CMT
VH1
Planet Green
Lifetime
Halmark Movies??? might just be the regular Halmark channel.....

Ok saw the list of new HD channels and its Spike HD, MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, Planet Green HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, and Nickelodeon HD. So no Comedy Central HD.

Dang, no KSCW-HD?

I didn't mind CW being in SD before, but now they've gotten into the habit of chopping their Widescreen shows, rather than using the standard Pan and Scan or Letterbox techniques. It's subtle, but very annoying. I wonder where the holdup is... is KSCW not able to provide Cox with an HD signal, or is Cox dragging their feet on providing a channel? Either way, I hope this gets resolved soon.

Ok saw the list of new HD channels and its Spike HD, MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, Planet Green HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, and Nickelodeon HD. So no Comedy Central HD.


No Weather Channel HD ?:(

No Weather Channel HD ?:(

More like No Anything Worthwhile HD. Cox seems to be adding all the crap nobody wants to see. Where are the Disney HD offerings? Serioulsy? Nick HD has NOTHING HD on it, at least Weather HD is doing HD Stuff. Most of the other stuff is Stretch-o-Vision HD.

KWCH just announced on the six o'clock news that they will be switching to HD next week.

finally

More like No Anything Worthwhile HD. Cox seems to be adding all the crap nobody wants to see. Where are the Disney HD offerings? Serioulsy? Nick HD has NOTHING HD on it, at least Weather HD is doing HD Stuff. Most of the other stuff is Stretch-o-Vision HD.

Love you all on here. First it's "I just wish Cox would add some HD channels." Now it's "I don't like what you add."

Remember, they can't just say we are adding this channel. They have to have an agreement with the broadcaster to add the channel. That is all about money and what it cost Cox and in the end, you the customer. Cox is making a few other channel changes, which have been announced in ads in the Eagle, so more HD channels will be coming.

Can't wait for Spongebob in HD.

Love you all on here. First it's "I just wish Cox would add some HD channels." Now it's "I don't like what you add."

Remember, they can't just say we are adding this channel. They have to have an agreement with the broadcaster to add the channel. That is all about money and what it cost Cox and in the end, you the customer. Cox is making a few other channel changes, which have been announced in ads in the Eagle, so more HD channels will be coming.

Can't wait for Spongebob in HD.

Thats just the Problem, SpongeBob was not produced in HD. And as far as I know, it still isn't. I have been following most of these channels on DBSForum for awhile now, Nick HD has little to nothing in HD, this is also true of VH1, MTV, CMT, ect. What we want are HD channels that HAVE HD. I have said it before, Cox needs to send out some kind of Survey asking what we all want. Fox News HD, as much as I lothe Fox News, actually had HD, so I rather have that added.

I think we all realize that it costs "Time and Money" to give us more HD. And I am sure this deal with Viacom took awhile, but I can't imagine Disney is that hard to deal with. But, it can't take THAT long, DirecTV doesn't seem to be having trouble with it. And I hate to say it, but, Cox is going to have to break the "HD for Free" thing at some point, or just make it a "Tier."

I don't know why I am even complaining, I am currently in Pittsburg and we probably wont see the new HD here for awhile, and my Cox internet at home is out, so I can't even Sling home to the new channels. :p

I don't know why I am even complaining, I am currently in Pittsburg and we probably wont see the new HD here for awhile, and my Cox internet at home is out, so I can't even Sling home to the new channels. :p

Actually you should see the same HD channels at the sametime they are added in the Wichita market, since Cox has completed their system upgrade. Pittsburg was one of the first systems to be completed.

I think we all realize that it costs "Time and Money" to give us more HD. And I am sure this deal with Viacom took awhile, but I can't imagine Disney is that hard to deal with. But, it can't take THAT long, DirecTV doesn't seem to be having trouble with it. And I hate to say it, but, Cox is going to have to break the "HD for Free" thing at some point, or just make it a "Tier."

That's the point, Direct charges for their HD service, Cox doesn't. If Cox ever starts charging for HD service, I can already see all the post.......

That's the point, Direct charges for their HD service, Cox doesn't. If Cox ever starts charging for HD service, I can already see all the post.......

Kindly remind me what the charges on my bill entitled "Digital Gateway" and "Digital Converter" are for. IMHO they add up to an $11.75 charge for HD, no matter how COX tries to hide them.

Why is MOJO being dropped?
I do not know if I can live without the cultural icon of "Three Sheets". It bothers me that a channel that is nearly 100% HD is being dropped for some that are about 100% not (HD). :mad:

Kindly remind me what the charges on my bill entitled "Digital Gateway" and "Digital Converter" are for. IMHO they add up to an $11.75 charge for HD, no matter how COX tries to hide them.

Exactly. No one can claim that Cox is giving away free HD.

Free HD would be paying for standard cable and getting HD channels for every SD channel that has one, without any other equipment or charges.

Why is MOJO being dropped?
I do not know if I can live without the cultural icon of "Three Sheets". It bothers me that a channel that is nearly 100% HD is being dropped for some that are about 100% not (HD). :mad:

MOJO isn't being dropped. They are going off the air. No longer going to be a channel.

Thanks for the info, I remained bummed. Zane Lamprey, and Three Sheets was my weekly dose of international savoire faire.

Kindly remind me what the charges on my bill entitled "Digital Gateway" and "Digital Converter" are for. IMHO they add up to an $11.75 charge for HD, no matter how COX tries to hide them.

Not one cable provider gives you a digital converter for free. Not Comcast, Time Warner, ATT or either Dish company. ATT is $5 for each box and both Dish Companies are the same.

Digital Gateway gives you the digital guide, OnDEMAND, PPV access and music choice channels.

Now I do think you can get that stuff removed from your box and not be charged the Digital Gateway fee. But getting a cust rep who knows that and can get that done for you, well McCain has better chance being elected this year.

I know, all of you never use the guide and never do OnDemand, so you could care less about that stuff.

Another reason I dumped them all and went OTA. No problems since and everything I already watch is there.

KWCH appears to have some new crawler graphics, at least, I think they are new. Not sure why they are so high up though. Its practically in the middle of the screen on the HD feed, I figured that was because they cropped the SD feed, but even on the SD feed, its up pretty high. KSN had the same problem when they changed their crawler graphics. Not sure why they want it in the middle of the screen. :D

I noticed while watching the Weather Channel HD during some of the hurricane coverage that they easily covered the lower 1/3 of the screen with a big red or blue solid graphic with the field reporter's name at the top of it. It was a huge waste of HD picture.

re:crawler graphics

Sometimes you will find that graphics on HD channels look odd, because they have to be placed in such a way that they are still in the "safe title area" on Analog sets, or in 4:3.

I'm sure there is plenty of fine-tuning going on.

Cheap

Which local news broadcasts does KWCH have in HD, and are they widescreen or 4:3? I've got Cox, and this morning when I looked at their AM broadcast it was in 4:3.

AFAIK they have not yet gone to HD. They have been advertising that their local news (undefined as to which broadcasts) will go HD in October. I did not expect them to wait until end of October but the end is now rapidly approaching and still no switchover to HD.

Can anyone explain why KPTS widescreen HD programming on COX cable is not broadcast in fullscreen? I frequently watch the PBS Newshour. When the Newshour first switched to HD it took up my whole screen but now there is a blank border all around the widescreen presentation, this effectively reduces my widescreen size. No other channels exhibit this property and I am wondering what's going on. I am curious to know if it is only related to COX or if it also happens on KPTS OTA broadcasts, I am too far from the KPTS tower to get them OTA.

re:crawler graphics

Sometimes you will find that graphics on HD channels look odd, because they have to be placed in such a way that they are still in the "safe title area" on Analog sets, or in 4:3.

I'm sure there is plenty of fine-tuning going on.

Cheap

See, I understand that, and that is what I figured... until I switched to the SD feed and it was very high on the screen still. I'm not saying that that is the final look, it just amazes me that it starts THAT high, I mean, it was covering the CBS logo.

I just turned on the noon news on KWCH and it is in HD. Weather graphics and field shots are still not full HD, but studio shots are!!! Maybe CheapEngineer will be able to give us some insight as to when more of the news will be converted.

Yup, It's here.

I don't know the date for field news in 16:9 yet - sorry. New cameras, new graphics (obviously). Live shots will probably stay SD for a while as well. How's it look?

Cheap

finally in HD! the five o' clock was, but only the in studio shots, none of the weather or other graphics/video were in HD, but at least there arnt black bars(now they are blue)

KWCH should rename the 6 o'clock show, "Eyewitness news at 5:58" since it always starts way early. My DVR even starts one minute early, and they are still always already in the middle of a story.

Jeff

I am liking what I am seeing! Haven't yet been able to see the clarity, as I am watching it through a Slingbox, but even with a blurry picture the colors look sharper and such. Really digging the new graphics package too, although there appears to be some bugs. Questions though, 12's colors always were pretty much Blue and Yellow, looks like that are going for a Blue and Red look, also, whats the deal with weather, it appears to be filmed in HD,but the maps and stuff are still 4:3, are they going to be upgraded to 16:9 or what?

Now the million dollar (literally) question, who is next? :D

Who's next? Who's first? This first attempt is quite a joke. What is actually HD, three or four stuido cameras and that's it? Not one field report, not the weather maps, not even world series highlights that came from an HD source.

Sure, the studio shots look great, but is that all we get? Considering how long they promoted the switch to HD, I expected more.

Jeff

Who's next? Who's first? This first attempt is quite a joke. What is actually HD, three or four stuido cameras and that's it? Not one field report, not the weather maps, not even world series highlights that came from an HD source.

Sure, the studio shots look great, but is that all we get? Considering how long they promoted the switch to HD, I expected more.

Jeff

Field Shots in HD is a huge step, and even bigger for a local station. And when you look at Wichita's markets, the affiliate count is amazing, there are easily 30-50 possibly even 100's of cameras that are used across the state of Kansas. Look at CNN, even their Field Shots are not in HD. I would imagine HD weather Maps and HD highlights in HD will be coming soon, but don't expect field shots in HD for some time, I am not sure of the logistics, but that would require updating the vans and stuff to HD as well. KWCH has done the hardest step, thats to get the back end HD capable, now they just build from that foundation.

Few commercials and few syndicated programs are in HD yet. *None* of the Networks offer HD news packages to affiliates yet, nor do any of the other news services that provide regional news to TV stations. I hope to see HD weather graphics in the upcoming months, but changing weather graphics systems are always a time consuming and expensive proposition, HD or not.

The co$t of converting field gear to HD (hell, even just 16:9) I can't quick calculate in my head - there are so many systems connected to that requiring total replacement. But at some point it will get done.

I can't comment on promotion, but converting to HD has been an alarmingly expensive, complex, long process. It's difficult enough to make it work on budget, even a generous one. I'd hate to be involved in doing this with a company pinching pennies.

I'm sorry you're disappointed. I think it looks better all over, even the SD parts, because all the analog is gone from the system.

Cheap

Can anyone explain why KPTS widescreen HD programming on COX cable is not broadcast in fullscreen? I frequently watch the PBS Newshour. When the Newshour first switched to HD it took up my whole screen but now there is a blank border all around the widescreen presentation, this effectively reduces my widescreen size. No other channels exhibit this property and I am wondering what's going on. I am curious to know if it is only related to COX or if it also happens on KPTS OTA broadcasts, I am too far from the KPTS tower to get them OTA.

It is the same for Cox and OTA. I can also answer the full screen question because I'm the one who set this up. Because KPTS utilizes the same signal for both analog and digital transmissions we are frankly compromising to make them both function "best" for a few more months until analog is turned off. The bottom line for that is simply the cost to purchase enough equipment to handle each separately. As you know, we are a non-profit and as such there is never enough money to do everything we'd like. We have to be efficient with what we have to work with. That's the bad news. The good news is that it is temporary. You can expect changes to that after the first of the year.
And yes, earlier we did have full wide screen on. The difference is the failure of a key piece of equipment that was no longer supported by the manufacturer so repair was not possible. That forced us to move ahead of schedule with some other equipment changes and that brings us to this compromise. Sorry about that, but it seems to be life sometimes.

You know, I think that if the local networks were as upfront with what's going on as Dave just was, everyone would be happy. A lot of the tension is just wondering what's going on. When KWCH announces a switch to HD News, and only a small part is actually switched, people start feeling like they were fed another dose of marketing hype. If KWCH had explained that this was going to be a phased-in approach, and that what we're seeing now is only phase one, then people would be a LOT more understanding.

Now, along those same lines, I'd love to know what's up with KSCW. What's the hold up with getting their HD channel up on Cox? Is it Cox dragging their feet? Is it KSCW not able to supply an HD feed? Is it just that the two entities are fighting over price? What gives? And if this absolutely isn't going to get resolved soon, then how about going back to letterbox format on the CW broadcasts? The chopped widescreen format (not pan&scan mind you... they're just chopping the sides) is sooooo annoying!

Now, along those same lines, I'd love to know what's up with KSCW. What's the hold up with getting their HD channel up on Cox? Is it Cox dragging their feet? Is it KSCW not able to supply an HD feed?

Here in Salina, we still don't even have KMTW HD on COX. Not that there's much on there, but what's the hold up? Checking COX channel lineup on their website, they list separate listings for after November 18th. MyTV and CW still missing from Salina's lineup on that too.

http://www.cox.com/kansas/cable/lineup.asp
http://www.cox.com/Gocox/cable/lineup.asp

So, what is this magic date, November 18th?

Jeff

Thanks for the info Dave. I appreciate you taking the time to let your viewers know what is going on. I was glad to hear that this is temporary and I will look forward to having my screen filled in 2009. I support KPTS and hope that others will too.

I for one think KWCH looks awesome now! Their entire broadcast is now digital meaning no more gaffs with forgetting to "flip the switch" after commercials to get the HD signal back on... something we must still cope with on the other local stations. Weather warnings and other announcements can now be overlayed with all programming, meaning no more forced SD to get us information, or a static message teling us to turn to the analog channel to read something. I frankly am shocked at some of the comments complaining about field reports and weather maps still being SD. Even with the SD that is left, the static/grain is gone and the picture is greatly improved as a result. What did you want, Rome to be built in a day? Hell, KCTV5 in Kansas City (a much larger market) just finally went HD a few weeks ago too. Kudos to Channel 12 for getting it done for Wichita first!

Is there a way to manually record a show on the Cox DVR? There seems to be a recurring problem due to some shows running 1 minute over an hour. For example, last week my wife had two shows set to record from 9 to 10. no problem. I wanted to record a show from 8 to 9, but because cox listed it as 8 to 9:01, the box wouldn't let me record it (since I would have had 3 channels recording from 9 to 9:01. is there a way around this? that last minute never seems to be anything but commercials and "stay tuned for next week" anyway.

Is there a way to manually record a show on the Cox DVR? There seems to be a recurring problem due to some shows running 1 minute over an hour. For example, last week my wife had two shows set to record from 9 to 10. no problem. I wanted to record a show from 8 to 9, but because cox listed it as 8 to 9:01, the box wouldn't let me record it (since I would have had 3 channels recording from 9 to 9:01. is there a way around this? that last minute never seems to be anything but commercials and "stay tuned for next week" anyway.

Tivo's handle this very easily.

Is there a way to manually record a show on the Cox DVR? There seems to be a recurring problem due to some shows running 1 minute over an hour. For example, last week my wife had two shows set to record from 9 to 10. no problem. I wanted to record a show from 8 to 9, but because cox listed it as 8 to 9:01, the box wouldn't let me record it (since I would have had 3 channels recording from 9 to 9:01. is there a way around this? that last minute never seems to be anything but commercials and "stay tuned for next week" anyway.

Hmmm.....yea, could be a problem. If you already have something set to record, you can go to the recording and hit select, then go to 'recording options' and then change the start and stop times. You will have to do this before you can set up the "3rd" recording.

When you set something up as a 'series recording' you can make these changes when setting that series up.

you can set up a manual recording. i don't remember exactly how to do it but i think you hit menu or settings on the remote and then select set up manual recording.

...meaning no more gaffs with forgetting to "flip the switch" after commercials to get the HD signal back on... something we must still cope with on the other local stations.

I have never seen another Wichita "local" station "forget to flip the switch". Only KWCH, and they used to do it all the time. Maybe that's just me.

Now I don't know if it was KWCH or CBS, but at the start of the new prime time season, the audio was screwed up to where the rear channels came through the front channels and the front (dialog) channels could not be heard or could barely be heard on several different shows. CBS / KWCH used to screw this up on NFL games regularly. Now several season premieres were screwed up this way. Why don't any of the other local stations (or networks) seem to have this problem? And why can't KWCH / CBS figure it out and fix it once and for all?!?

Jeff

You must not watch the Today show. I rarely get to see the HD graphics on Al Roker's weather, as KSN routinely switches to SD as soon as he comes on. Other times we see several minutes of generic shots of the NBC studios with music in the background instead of local material when the engineers even forget that there is a digital channel.

You must not watch the Today show. I rarely get to see the HD graphics on Al Roker's weather, as KSN routinely switches to SD as soon as he comes on. Other times we see several minutes of generic shots of the NBC studios with music in the background instead of local material when the engineers even forget that there is a digital channel.

I don't watch the Today Show, but I occasionally watch GMA. Often they switch the weather to SD 15 or 30 seconds early preparing for the local spots. They always switch back to HD immediately. I asked someone at KAKE about this, and they said for technical reasons with preview monitors, blah, blah, blah, they had to do this.

This was not the original posts point. It specifically said forgetting to switch to HD. This is just a timing problem. Maybe KSN has bigger problems with Today. If so, I apologize.

Jeff

I remember watching the Today show years ago, back when Mark wasn't crazy fat. Anyways, they left the video feed in New York and caught Al picking his nose. The audio feed was in Wichita, but it cut back to New York right as Mark was getting upset that they goofed it up (thinking NONE of it was on the air).

Anyways, I watched Friday's 10pm news cast on Chan 12 HD. I agree that it looks good. I'm surprised the Weather stuff wasn't in HD as I think that is the best reason in this area to go HD. I'm sure it will since weather is their bread and butter. Even then, Meril could stand in the blue bar area and I got to see more of the map so all and all, it wasn't bad.

The camera on Bruce for sports was zoomed in WAY too tight. I remember reading about this when news casts first went HD. I would assume KWCH is focus grouping and adjusting as they go.

Now, on Sunday, I watched Fox in HD on Cox for the first time in a long time. The football game seemed horribly compressed. I mean the picture looked downright awful. The macro blocking made me thing it was 1998 again and I was watching something from Real Media.

I have never seen another Wichita "local" station "forget to flip the switch". Only KWCH, and they used to do it all the time. Maybe that's just me.

KAKE has been horrid on the weekends at times lately. I have been watching NASCAR when entire segments after commercials are left stuck in crappy looking SD. It goes on for minutes until the next commercial break, where they usually realize "oops" and fix it. This has happened at least 5 times in the last month.

KSN like mentioned above has issues in the morning with The Today Show and switching for local weather. I remember either a Saturday/Sunday morning they didn't switch back to the NBC feed at all and we were left staring at the weather set for 10-15 minutes. A few weeks ago they left the national HD feed on after the NBC Nightly News and for 2-3 minutes into the 6:00 news we were watching Brian Williams again before someone noticed and quickly swapped.

Yeah the others screw up a lot too. :D

Hi... can someone explain what this means? I subscribe to Cox internet, but am able to still view some SD and HD channels in the 93-94 and 114 range. Recently had my TV search for new channels and now they're showing Nat Geo on 104-12 and a static screen on 102-6 that says HTMJ-HD is having tech difficulties, please tune to ch 6 for standard def.

I'm a newbie - what am I seeing here and why am I getting these channels when I don't subscribe to any cox channels - just internet?

Also, a family member is getting fox in HD, somewhere around 115-3 I think. For some reason my TV can't get that channel.

thoughts?

KSN like mentioned above has issues in the morning with The Today Show and switching for local weather. I remember either a Saturday/Sunday morning they didn't switch back to the NBC feed at all and we were left staring at the weather set for 10-15 minutes. A few weeks ago they left the national HD feed on after the NBC Nightly News and for 2-3 minutes into the 6:00 news we were watching Brian Williams again before someone noticed and quickly swapped.


I stand corrected. It does seem like the other channels have problems too, more on weekends, than not. Must be interns running the places then!

But is this a swapping issue more than an HD switch issue? What happens on the analog version of KSN when this happens?

Jeff

Hi... can someone explain what this means? I subscribe to Cox internet, but am able to still view some SD and HD channels in the 93-94 and 114 range. Recently had my TV search for new channels and now they're showing Nat Geo on 104-12 and a static screen on 102-6 that says HTMJ-HD is having tech difficulties, please tune to ch 6 for standard def.

I'm a newbie - what am I seeing here and why am I getting these channels when I don't subscribe to any cox channels - just internet?

Also, a family member is getting fox in HD, somewhere around 115-3 I think. For some reason my TV can't get that channel.

thoughts?


I believe you are getting those over the air and your TVs internal turner is picking them up on those stations. My FP TV in the kitchen gets these chanels too.

Hi... can someone explain what this means? I subscribe to Cox internet, but am able to still view some SD and HD channels in the 93-94 and 114 range. Recently had my TV search for new channels and now they're showing Nat Geo on 104-12 and a static screen on 102-6 that says HTMJ-HD is having tech difficulties, please tune to ch 6 for standard def.

I'm a newbie - what am I seeing here and why am I getting these channels when I don't subscribe to any cox channels - just internet?

Also, a family member is getting fox in HD, somewhere around 115-3 I think. For some reason my TV can't get that channel.

thoughts?

Cause the filter Cox uses only blocks the frequancy from ch 2 to 100. So anything over 650.00Mhz isn't blocked and if its unencrypted digital, and your TV is digital ready/QAM, you will pick up those channels.

Anyone watch KWCH election coverage last night? The layout of info was terrible. The part on the bottom was huge, and the part with Cindy and Roger was so small, when they posted results, it was hard to read (bond issue).

I stand corrected. It does seem like the other channels have problems too, more on weekends, than not. Must be interns running the places then!

But is this a swapping issue more than an HD switch issue? What happens on the analog version of KSN when this happens?

Jeff

The times I have noticed this on Ch 603, I have checked back to ch 3 and they are running local cut ins. We can all hope when Feb 17th rolls around and they only have one feed to worry about, this problem will go away. All though I must admit, when this happens, the exterior shots of Rockafeller Center in HD are impressive!

KSN just had 5 minutes of unwatchable NBC Nightly News... when it started we had test bars but audio, they then cut to the SD feed but kept repeatedly trying to fix it for the next 5 minutes which made for black screens and silence. Yep changed the channel.

Yeah KWCH seems uncertain of how to best fill the HD screen as best as possible. It sucks they have to still program for SD and keep everything centered for that. I think they should use the full HD screen and just start putting SD in a letterbox when needed like the networks do for some primetime programs.

Do any other Wichitans out there have Cox Digital, use a cablecard, and use a built-in DVR to record programs using the TV Guide On Screen interface?

Over the last two weeks, I've been having issues recording LOST episodes from SCIFI HD, which run 6-7, 7-8,8-9 and 9-10. Two weeks in a row the 8:00 episode didn't record; so I programmed it in manually; this week, I got the 6:00 (programmed using TVGOS), and 8:00 (programmed manually), but missed 7 and 9 (both programmed using TVGOS). I also had a problem a couple of weeks ago with Pushing Daisies not recording (programmed with TVGOS).

Yesterday I got home to a note hanging on my front door indicating Cox was doing service in my area for the next couple of days, and requesting pet-free access to my backyard. I called the number on the hanger, but they had no info on what was going on. Anyone know what Cox is doing as a service or an upgrade in NE Wichita?

Yesterday I got home to a note hanging on my front door indicating Cox was doing service in my area for the next couple of days, and requesting pet-free access to my backyard. I called the number on the hanger, but they had no info on what was going on. Anyone know what Cox is doing as a service or an upgrade in NE Wichita?

probably just doing some work on the lines in the area.

Yesterday I got home to a note hanging on my front door indicating Cox was doing service in my area for the next couple of days, and requesting pet-free access to my backyard. I called the number on the hanger, but they had no info on what was going on. Anyone know what Cox is doing as a service or an upgrade in NE Wichita?

Its pretty typical of things to happen and when you call they have no idea what you are talking about. Do you have one of those Breakout pedestals in your backyard? We have one in our back yard and got one of those door hangers simply because the neighbor was getting a new cable line run and they needed to tie it in.

Digital Gateway gives you the digital guide, OnDEMAND, PPV access and music choice channels.

[snip]

I know, all of you never use the guide and never do OnDemand, so you could care less about that stuff.

I assume that last sentence was meant to be sarcastic (but perhaps I assume too much!), but I never use the digital guide since I have (and love) TiVo, have never ordered PPV, and find the on-demand interface painfully slow and awkward.

I don't mind the digital gateway fee, but being forced to rent a HDTV box keeps me from taking advantage of Cox's "free" HD service. If I could buy a box and not be in thrall, I would do in an instant.

I assume that last sentence was meant to be sarcastic (but perhaps I assume too much!), but I never use the digital guide since I have (and love) TiVo, have never ordered PPV, and find the on-demand interface painfully slow and awkward.

I don't mind the digital gateway fee, but being forced to rent a HDTV box keeps me from taking advantage of Cox's "free" HD service. If I could buy a box and not be in thrall, I would do in an instant.

"Free" HD would be sending out the HD Channels as Clear QAM channels. The Cable companies want to have you (pardon my french) by the balls. CableCARD and TiVo's would not exist if the FCC hadn't stepped in and said it was unfair for consumers not to have choice. It's just like the start of the telephone, you HAD to have a Bell telephone to work on the Bell network. :rolleyes:

Of all the HD channels that Cox added today, only 3 are full HD:
646 GRNHD
647 LMNHD
648 HMCHD

All the others are only showing SD shows, but maybe they'll have some HD show later. At least none of them are stretching the picture.

Now that Cox has changed some of the channel assignments (at least in the Basic and Expanded tiers), does anyone know how long it will be before the TV Guide Onscreen System catches up and reassigns channels? (This doesn't refer to the TV Guide channel, but to the TVGOS that is used in cable-card TVs to facilitate searching for programs and scheduling recordings on built-in DVRs).

Could someone explain to me why it was important to add 5 new supposedly HD channels that have no true HD content? It would seem that Cox could use those channels for some true HD material that I would be willing to watch. Good HD content is available out there for Cox to carry now. Wait until the music channels have HD to add them to the HD lineup, especially since that content is available on Palladia. Also, when will be be able to get the CW in HD?

Could someone explain to me why it was important to add 5 new supposedly HD channels that have no true HD content? It would seem that Cox could use those channels for some true HD material that I would be willing to watch. Good HD content is available out there for Cox to carry now. Wait until the music channels have HD to add them to the HD lineup, especially since that content is available on Palladia. Also, when will be be able to get the CW in HD?

Window dressing.

Could someone explain to me why it was important to add 5 new supposedly HD channels that have no true HD content? It would seem that Cox could use those channels for some true HD material that I would be willing to watch. Good HD content is available out there for Cox to carry now. Wait until the music channels have HD to add them to the HD lineup, especially since that content is available on Palladia. Also, when will be be able to get the CW in HD?

I'm just speculating right here, but I'm guessing it has to do with the whole, if you wants this channel, you must carry these channels too.

Well, two comments:

1. While you may not watch channels like MTV, VH1, or CMT, they are immensely popular in certain demographics, so I'm sure that they were channels that Cox desperately wanted to add. Even if the channels don't show much in HD, Cox being able to say that they carry them in HD has huge marketing value.

2. As for the others... I'm sure that money has to do with it. Cox wants HD channels, period. If, for whatever budget they have, they can either afford 5 HD channels that 90% of the people will watch, or 50 that 10% will watch, which do you think they'll pick? Being able to say "We have 50 channels in HD" sounds and looks a lot better than "We have 5 channels in HD," even if NOBODY watches the other 45. In a 30-second spot, they're not going to go into detail on WHICH channels they have, and I guarantee that if Cox did, then their competitors certainly wouldn't. It's marketing, and finance. The idea is to get as many channels as possible for X dollars, and the only way to do that is to get 1 channel that customers are screaming for, and fill in with 9 channels that they can get for virtually nothing. So, they essentially blow their entire budget on 1 channel, but get to say that they added 10.

Can anyone tell me how much HD recording time, and how much SD recording capacity, the current Cox HD DVR boxes have? Even though my CableCard is still working great, I occasionally get frustrated by having only one digital tuner so I can't record one digital channel while watching another using my TV's built-in equipment.

Can anyone tell me how much HD recording time, and how much SD recording capacity, the current Cox HD DVR boxes have? Even though my CableCard is still working great, I occasionally get frustrated by having only one digital tuner so I can't record one digital channel while watching another using my TV's built-in equipment.

I believe the newest box that Cox is using is the DCH-3416 or DCH-6416 (depending on whether they've gone fully digital in your area yet). Either of these boxes has a 160GB drive, so that's about 20 hours of full 1080i HD programming, and around 80-120 hours of SD programming (depending on whether it's analog or digital).

I believe the newest box that Cox is using is the DCH-3416 or DCH-6416 (depending on whether they've gone fully digital in your area yet). Either of these boxes has a 160GB drive, so that's about 20 hours of full 1080i HD programming, and around 80-120 hours of SD programming (depending on whether it's analog or digital).

If you are like most, the 160gb Cox DVR drive will fill up very quickly. If you need more, look at Tivo. I have a Tivo with a 500gb internal and a 750gb external that just plugs in the back of the Tivo unit. Total is 1.25tb (1,250 gb). You can buy Tivo's now with a 1tb internal drive.

If you are like most, the 160gb Cox DVR drive will fill up very quickly. If you need more, look at Tivo. I have a Tivo with a 500gb internal and a 750gb external that just plugs in the back of the Tivo unit. Total is 1.25tb (1,250 gb). You can buy Tivo's now with a 1tb internal drive.

Aren't there issues with the CableCard not getting all of the channels that the Cox-owned boxes are getting? I thought about a Tivo, but I certainly don't want to lose out on channels, especially the HD channels.

Aren't there issues with the CableCard not getting all of the channels that the Cox-owned boxes are getting? I thought about a Tivo, but I certainly don't want to lose out on channels, especially the HD channels.


No. I get all the HD channels a Cox DVR gets.

As far as I know, all you lose out on with a cablecard is the loss of the "interactive" aspects like "OnDemand"; and use of the Cox program guide (but my TV has a service from TV Guide).

I have a Tv with built-in DVR, and the TV Guide ON Screen system. Lately it has failed to record programs I had scheduled with TVGOS; now it has also failed to record a couple of manually scheduled recordings. This feature may also be managed by TVGOS. Anyone else in Wichita with similar equipment having similar problems?

I noticed that the split of VS and Golf has resulted in VS showing up full time on channel 650, while golf is full time on 632. Also, over on the programming forum, there was a press release from Cox announcing that they have signed a national agreement to add the Fox Business Channel HD starting January 1st on 60 per cent of their systems. The announcement specifically says that Wichita will be one of the markets carrying the channel.

I noticed that the split of VS and Golf has resulted in VS showing up full time on channel 650, while golf is full time on 632. Also, over on the programming forum, there was a press release from Cox announcing that they have signed a national agreement to add the Fox Business Channel HD starting January 1st on 60 per cent of their systems. The announcement specifically says that Wichita will be one of the markets carrying the channel.

Not sure if Fox Business will be in HD, as I have only seen it listed as a regular channel not HD. Also Cox Wichita is adding the MLB Channel too.

And yes, Verus HD and Golf HD have split now.

Hey, KSCableGuy... ANY word yet on KSCW coming to Cox in HD? Any clue what the hold-up is, since they've been broadcasting OTA in HD for some time now?

I remember reading several articles when Fox first announced the Fox Business Channel. They made a big deal pointing out that it would only be available in HD.

I got a flyer in the mail from Cox yesterday indicating that on-screen caller ID starts "next week", but I couldn't tell if that really meant next week, or this week. Also, does anyone know why the listings on Cox for SciFi do not correspond to actual programming (e.g., SciFi apparently moved Lost reruns to the middle of the afternoon instead of Monday evenings, but the paper and my TVGOS still showed it as being Monday evening)?

As far as the caller ID, I called Cox last night and they told me it is to be activated today Dec. 17.

Fox Business won't be HD.

New HD channels:
AMC HD
FOX News HD
Cartoon HD
Speed HD
FX HD

Dec 30th is when they start. Also MLB TV starts that day, but not HD.

Fox Business won't be HD.

New HD channels:
AMC HD
FOX News HD
Cartoon HD
Speed HD
FX HD

Dec 30th is when they start. Also MLB TV starts that day, but not HD.

Any word on Weather Channel HD?

As far as the caller ID, I called Cox last night and they told me it is to be activated today Dec. 17.

Does that caller id info show up on recorded videos like some of the earlier versions did.

My son just became a Cox digital TV subscriber today to take advantage of his new HD TV, but can't get most of the channels. He seems to get all of the broadcast channels (601, 603, 604, etc.), and a few random other HD channels (Science HD, Lifetime Movies), but not ones he wants (621, 634). When I turned on my TV, I saw I wasn't getting some of those at first; later, they came in . Was there some interruption of service?

My son just became a Cox digital TV subscriber today to take advantage of his new HD TV, but can't get most of the channels. He seems to get all of the broadcast channels (601, 603, 604, etc.), and a few random other HD channels (Science HD, Lifetime Movies), but not ones he wants (621, 634). When I turned on my TV, I saw I wasn't getting some of those at first; later, they came in . Was there some interruption of service?

It took a day the first time I plugged in my HD DVR to get everything.

Just call customer service and see what those yahoos have to say.

Fox Business won't be HD.

New HD channels:
AMC HD
FOX News HD
Cartoon HD
Speed HD
FX HD

Dec 30th is when they start. Also MLB TV starts that day, but not HD.

Really, none of the Disney HD stuff yet? Still? This is getting kinda old.

I have a technical question. I have a 2-yr-old LG plasma with 1366X788 resolution. It is an HDTV, obviously. The broadcast specs for HD are for both 1080i and 720p; i.e., broadcast content with either type of resolution is HD, and my TV accepts both types of signals. Likewise, Cox cable sends HD signals as 1080i for most channels (Discovery HD Theatre, SciFiHD), and 720p for some (ESPN and ESPN2 HD) according to the information my TV shows me on these channels. My son has a "full HD" TV he just bought, capable of 1080p.

We were discussing how the original HDTVs handle the diversity of HD signals. If I have a plasma screen with 788 lines, and the source is in 1080i, does my TV show me 720i for that image, or 720p? In other words, if my TV receives a 1080i signal, does it just delete the extraneous lines it can't show but continue to interlace, or does it both delete the lines and then transform the signal from interlaced to progressive?

I have a technical question. I have a 2-yr-old LG plasma with 1366X788 resolution. It is an HDTV, obviously. The broadcast specs for HD are for both 1080i and 720p; i.e., broadcast content with either type of resolution is HD, and my TV accepts both types of signals. Likewise, Cox cable sends HD signals as 1080i for most channels (Discovery HD Theatre, SciFiHD), and 720p for some (ESPN and ESPN2 HD) according to the information my TV shows me on these channels. My son has a "full HD" TV he just bought, capable of 1080p.

We were discussing how the original HDTVs handle the diversity of HD signals. If I have a plasma screen with 788 lines, and the source is in 1080i, does my TV show me 720i for that image, or 720p? In other words, if my TV receives a 1080i signal, does it just delete the extraneous lines it can't show but continue to interlace, or does it both delete the lines and then transform the signal from interlaced to progressive?


To the best of my knowledge, all HDTVs have a native resolution. I would imagine that your TV, since it is 720P, will convert all 1080I to 720P for display. The only 1080P source material right now is BlueRay DVD, and a few channels of 1080P material on satellite, which would also be converted to 720P by your TV.

But for source material that is 1080i, that means that there are two "frames" in succession, the first with odd-numbered lines the second with even-numbered lines. If my TV has a native resolution of 720p, do I get a series of frames that are basically 540 lines progressively scanned, or does the tv take two frames, put the odds and evens back together into a single frame, and then basically downconvert from 1080 lines to 720 lines? I'm not sure it matters--I like what I'm getting either way; but I'm curious.

But for source material that is 1080i, that means that there are two "frames" in succession, the first with odd-numbered lines the second with even-numbered lines. If my TV has a native resolution of 720p, do I get a series of frames that are basically 540 lines progressively scanned, or does the tv take two frames, put the odds and evens back together into a single frame, and then basically downconvert from 1080 lines to 720 lines? I'm not sure it matters--I like what I'm getting either way; but I'm curious.

If your TV has progressive scan capabilities, it will have a circuit designed to deinterlace SDTV or other interlaced signals. However, it isn't entirely accurate to say that it "puts the odds and evens back together".

If the original source of the signal comes from film, then each frame was originally converted into your "odd" and "even" scan for broadcasting (sort of), and because of this, the best method is to put the odds and evens back together as you said. The deinterlacing circuit will be designed to recognize this, and will use this method accordingly. I said "sort of" there, because even here, it's not entirely accurate. Remember, film is 24fps, while NTSC video (TV in the Americas and Japan) is 30fps, so there's a process called "Telecine" that splits the frames, but it isn't QUITE the odd/even split that I simplistically refer to here. If you're interested in how that works, google "Telecine."

However, if the original source was NOT film, but was in fact created through interlace scanning, then there would be a slight time-difference between those odd and even scans. While it's only a fraction of a second, with motion video, it would be enough to be noticeable, so instead a deinterlace circuit will typically use the existing scans and "fill in" the blanks based on available data.

In other words, it GENERATES those missing lines from scratch, based on the information in the surrounding lines. So, on the "odd scan," it will generate the missing even scans based on the information contained in those odd scans. On the "even scan" it will fill in the odds using the same method. The actual algorithm used will vary from company to company, which is why some manufacturers' TV pictures will look better than others after the conversion.

When upconverting or downconverting the resolution, the deinterlacing is done first, then the result is upscaled or downscaled accordingly using more manufacturer-specific algorithms.

By the way, since most DVD content is interlaced, a progressive scan DVD player does the same thing, so the actual deinterlacing (and, in fact, scaling) may happen there, rather than in the TV. This is why, when you have a Progressive-Scan TV, it sometimes actually looks better to turn off the progressive scan circuit on your DVD. If the deinterlacing circuit of your TV is far superior than that of your DVD player, then having it perform the deinterlacing, rather than the DVD player, can result in a better picture. This is even more true with scaling. Some DVD upconverters produce an absolutely horrid picture, while others are amazing (Same goes for DVRs and cable boxes that deinterlace/scale). The TVs that can upconvert tend to be better at it, but that's not always true either, so you just have to try it both ways and go with what looks better to you.

Thanks for the technical info on deinterlacing. Speaking very simplistically, it sounds like my TV will take each 540 line image from a 1080i source, turn it to progressive, then "upconvert" to 720, then. That's what I thought.

If you are a Cox subscriber they have a Yule Log Free on Demand, with crackling noise and Christmas music, all in HD with 5.1 sound! Check it out.

Merry Christmas.

Fox Business won't be HD.

New HD channels:
AMC HD
FOX News HD
Cartoon HD
Speed HD
FX HD

Dec 30th is when they start. Also MLB TV starts that day, but not HD.
I was looking at the channel lineup from the Cox web page and the Wichita lineup from December 17th shows channel 605 as Fox News HD. So it looks like KSCW won't be getting that channel for HD. It also shows channel 651 as FX HD and 253 as Fox Business. I still can't get these new channels yet though. Maybe they'll be set up later today.

Well that sucks, although they could always move Fox News HD to another channel if/when KSCW HD ever comes online.

I heard the other day that the reason KSCW HD isn't available on Cox is because the new owners of KSCW want Cox to pay an additional fee for the right to carry the HD signal, and Cox refuses. Don't know how true that is, but it certainly sounds plausible. Maybe having Fox News HD take the 605 slot is Cox's way of making a point.

KSCW always seems to be treated as the black-sheep of the Wichita broadcast stations, but they have a number of high-rated shows. Schurz Communications, the owners, just don't seem to really take KSCW seriously. It's sad, really.

Well that sucks, although they could always move Fox News HD to another channel if/when KSCW HD ever comes online.

I heard the other day that the reason KSCW HD isn't available on Cox is because the new owners of KSCW want Cox to pay an additional fee for the right to carry the HD signal, and Cox refuses. Don't know how true that is, but it certainly sounds plausible. Maybe having Fox News HD take the 605 slot is Cox's way of making a point.

KSCW always seems to be treated as the black-sheep of the Wichita broadcast stations, but they have a number of high-rated shows. Schurz Communications, the owners, just don't seem to really take KSCW seriously. It's sad, really.


High-rated shows? Which ones would that be? They have no top 20 shows and over rating for the season is 1.4.

NBC: 4.7
CBS: 7.2
ABC: 6.2
FOX: 4.7

Yes, if a local broadcaster is asking for money to allow Cox to have them on the line-up, Cox won't do it. Look at the WIBW issue earlier this year in Topeka.

High-rated shows? Which ones would that be? They have no top 20 shows and over rating for the season is 1.4.

NBC: 4.7
CBS: 7.2
ABC: 6.2
FOX: 4.7

Yes, if a local broadcaster is asking for money to allow Cox to have them on the line-up, Cox won't do it. Look at the WIBW issue earlier this year in Topeka.

At least KSCW has shows in HD to offer. It doesn't matter if the shows are rated highly or not, they are in HD. Half of the "HD" Channels Cox has added recently have no HD content, and if they do its maybe once a month. I rather have Cox spend money on adding channels that currently have HD, and hold off on the channels that don't until they have some decent HD content.

As for channel numbering, I wish Cox would just renumber the entire 600 line up. I would use the 12-612 as an example. Leave open Channels 601 through like 670 and just tag on a 6 to all the channels that are HD simulcasts of SD channels. Throw the HD only stuff in the 680-699 range. It seems like it would be easier on people. I know it would help me. for example, Nick is 46, so Nick HD should be 646, that way any time I go to an HD TV, I just know to type in the channel with a 6 before it.

Or even better, do what D* does, make the HD channel a -1 channel, so KWCH HD would be 12-1, I don't know if the way the Cable system is set up allows for that though. Somehow tie the HD channel to the SD one though. It amazes, and sickens me every time I go to somebody's house that has an HD TV with a Cox DVR, yet watches the SD channel because they don't know about the HD channels or "Already knows the current channels and doesn't want to learn new ones." I was at a friends house for Christmas and around 10 I noticed that her parents were watching Channel 12, yes, the actual Channel 12, on their 60 inch flat screen TV. I said "go to channel 612" They were floored.

High-rated shows? Which ones would that be?

Several shows (America's Top Model, Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, and 90201) do well enough in the ratings to carry the network (although, I admit, I watch only a couple of those shows, and can't stand the rest).

Don't get me wrong. I know that the CW's ratings are rarely (never?) higher than the big four, but my point was that Schurz Communications paid a lot of money for KSCW, and you'd think with that expense, they'd want to try to make money with it. As it is, it seems like it's just another place to advertise the KWCH News, and possibly carry rerun and preempted CBS fare. To me, that doesn't seem like a good value for the price paid.

On another note... I agree with Squid7085 that it's a joke to add an HD channel that doesn't show anything in HD, and stretching a 4:3 picture into 16:9 doesn't count, either. In fact, I wish they'd just stop that practice altogether. It drives me insane to switch to a HD channel, only to get a stretched version of the SD channel. Do they really think that's what we want? Does anyone really PREFER stretched content?

[QUOTE=jctiii;15422143]Several shows (America's Top Model, Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, and 90201) do well enough in the ratings to carry the network (although, I admit, I watch only a couple of those shows, and can't stand the rest).

Don't get me wrong. I know that the CW's ratings are rarely (never?) higher than the big four, but my point was that Schurz Communications paid a lot of money for KSCW, and you'd think with that expense, they'd want to try to make money with it. As it is, it seems like it's just another place to advertise the KWCH News, and possibly carry rerun and preempted CBS fare. To me, that doesn't seem like a good value for the price paid./QUOTE]

What makes you think they aren't making money on it?

It's an Indy - barely worse off than being a Fox station. Programming (especially high-rated programming) costs serious $$$, and usually requires multi-year contracts. Indy stations (everywhere *I've* worked) are traditional "bottom feeders". They cater to people who want to watch Something Else (a comedy when all the others are running news, News when all the others are busy pushing their multi-million dollar Cops-and-Robbers Drama). Attached to the hip of a "big network" station they make a good combo.

Look at what Fox affiliates does with their local MyNetwork station - you sell one as the "mainline" buy and the other as the "budget" buy. The CW here does 2 hours of a morning news show in 1080i, reruns Dr. Phil & Oprah in 1080i, and passes every HD program it's network provides. In 5.1, without "I forgot the switch", or "we have to go into SD for weather warnings".

How many stations here, Big-Network or otherwise, manage that?

'Course, I'm biased.

Cheap

Hi all - anyone wanna take a stab at this?

60" Sony LCD, TivoHD w/M-Card, connected by HDMI

Lately, I've noticed TravelHD's crawl (especially today with that new crawl about losing channels in Time Warner networks) is about 95% off the bottom of my screen. The bug is still there where you'd expect it, but the crawl is barely even visible. Switching over to Espn2HD, the crawl is perfect and where I'd expect it. I switched to PBS, and while I could see the logo, it looks like there's another graphic line below the logo that is also about %95 off screen.

I can't change aspect or zoom in and out with my TV while on an HD channel, so I'm at a loss as to why parts of the pictures of certain channels are off screen.

Anyone else seen that, or if you're checking this forum at 8:02 Wednesday night instead of boozing up it somewhere, check TravelHD for me and see how it looks to you.....

On another note... I agree with Squid7085 that it's a joke to add an HD channel that doesn't show anything in HD, and stretching a 4:3 picture into 16:9 doesn't count, either. In fact, I wish they'd just stop that practice altogether. It drives me insane to switch to a HD channel, only to get a stretched version of the SD channel. Do they really think that's what we want? Does anyone really PREFER stretched content?

This all comes down to the owners of these stations saying if you want Channel A, you must take Channel B,C,and D too. So enough people ask for A, that Cox also adds B,C, and D to the line-up.

Also, if I remeber right, just a 6 months ago people on here were saying how many more HD channels DirecTV has over Cox, and Cox not having the same channels was a joke. Well most of those stations are the ones Cox has now added that you are all saying Cox never should have added, cause it's not HD all the time.

Is it just me or does it seem as tho Cox has INCREASED bandwidth? I feel like I'm seeing MUCH better HD in the last week or so...

Also, I know most folks here probably don't watch MTV but I find it odd to see high-def offerings from on-demands freezone HD of a certain TV show, but yet it never airs on MTVHD in HD. Odd ya?

Also, if I remeber right, just a 6 months ago people on here were saying how many more HD channels DirecTV has over Cox, and Cox not having the same channels was a joke. Well most of those stations are the ones Cox has now added that you are all saying Cox never should have added, cause it's not HD all the time.

Just to be clear, I was simply agreeing that it was funny to add HD channels that have no HD content. I never said that they SHOULDN'T be added... I think that was someone else.

However, my complaint isn't with Cox. It's with the channels (or should I say engineers?) that decide that since they have no HD content, they'll make up for it by stretching their SD content to the 16:9 format, or worse yet, zoom in to the 4:3 content to minimize the black bars at the sides, but as a result cutting off the top and bottom (which is probably what Filtyc was talking about). I wish they'd just abolish this practice. Look, everyone who buys a 16:9 television knows that a 4:3 standard picture won't fill up the screen. For those who can't stand the black bars, every widescreen TV has the option to zoom and/or stretch the picture. We don't need the broadcasters making the decision for us. Just broadcast the picture as it was meant to be shown, and let the PEOPLE decide how they want to deal with those black bars, okay?

Oh i agree that it stupid to release a 'HD' channel and have 1 to 3 hours of HD programing per day.

Oh i agree that it stupid to release a 'HD' channel and have 1 to 3 hours of HD programing per day.

Chicken and the egg...

Why do HD programing if you don't have an HD channel?

Why do an HD channel if you don't have HD programing?

Even when ESPN did their huge HD switch over w/ sportscenter and all of that, they still have quite a few events in SD and before that only select sporting events were in HD.

So I don't mind that only 1-2 Food network shows are in HD. They will come along, in time.

Is anyone else dependent on TV Guide On Screen for running a built-in DVR in Wichita? I have Cox, and am pleased they are adding new HD channels (which will, presumably, have more HD content some day). But there is a huge lag between Cox adding the channels, and TVGOS adjusting their channel lineup. Is anyone knowledgeable about how to get TVGOS to update info?

Is anyone else dependent on TV Guide On Screen for running a built-in DVR in Wichita? I have Cox, and am pleased they are adding new HD channels (which will, presumably, have more HD content some day). But there is a huge lag between Cox adding the channels, and TVGOS adjusting their channel lineup. Is anyone knowledgeable about how to get TVGOS to update info?

Might try to get ahold of the TvGuide and see if they can update the info. Cause I'm pretty sure Cox just passes the info along to them and then its up to TVG to do the update. Cox does use TVG for Channel 97, so they should know about the added channels.

Might try to get ahold of the TvGuide and see if they can update the info. Cause I'm pretty sure Cox just passes the info along to them and then its up to TVG to do the update. Cox does use TVG for Channel 97, so they should know about the added channels.

I finally heard back from TVGOS today via email, requesting more detailed info (zip code, type of TV, and most importantly, the missing channels). I'll get that to them via email tonight or tomorrow and see what happens.

Hi all - anyone wanna take a stab at this?

60" Sony LCD, TivoHD w/M-Card, connected by HDMI

Lately, I've noticed TravelHD's crawl (especially today with that new crawl about losing channels in Time Warner networks) is about 95% off the bottom of my screen. The bug is still there where you'd expect it, but the crawl is barely even visible. Switching over to Espn2HD, the crawl is perfect and where I'd expect it. I switched to PBS, and while I could see the logo, it looks like there's another graphic line below the logo that is also about %95 off screen.

I can't change aspect or zoom in and out with my TV while on an HD channel, so I'm at a loss as to why parts of the pictures of certain channels are off screen.

Anyone else seen that, or if you're checking this forum at 8:02 Wednesday night instead of boozing up it somewhere, check TravelHD for me and see how it looks to you.....

Thanks, I didn't know either......

Status report on the TVG issue discussed above: Although I provided the info to TVGOS, their system still doesn't show the newer HD channels. Also, at least as of this evening, if I tune to the newest HD channels (e.g. 640, Cartoon Network HD), my TV displays in the upper right corner the channel number, but no info on what the channel is. On the more established channels (e.g. SciFi), I get not only the channel number but also the identifier (and, for nearly all of them, TVGOS has info).

I have a CableCard; I am curious--for those of you with Cox digital boxes, when you change channels do you get a display on screen as to channel number and ID (eg. 634--SciFi HD); and if so, do you get it for the newest HD channels?

Status report on the TVG issue discussed above: Although I provided the info to TVGOS, their system still doesn't show the newer HD channels. Also, at least as of this evening, if I tune to the newest HD channels (e.g. 640, Cartoon Network HD), my TV displays in the upper right corner the channel number, but no info on what the channel is. On the more established channels (e.g. SciFi), I get not only the channel number but also the identifier (and, for nearly all of them, TVGOS has info).

I have a CableCard; I am curious--for those of you with Cox digital boxes, when you change channels do you get a display on screen as to channel number and ID (eg. 634--SciFi HD); and if so, do you get it for the newest HD channels?

Yes, we do. As far as I understand it, the "Guide Data" that the Cox boxes use comes directly from Cox. So obviously, they are in control of it. So as soon as they add the channel, they can update the guide date. The TV Guide thing relies on Cox telling them the channel lineup and then TV Guide putting it in. Which is why it takes awhile.

Squid--if you have the Cox box, do you currently get thecannel name displayed onscreen when you tune to the newewst channels? i am curious to learn if the display is different for cblecard customers.

Squid--if you have the Cox box, do you currently get thecannel name displayed onscreen when you tune to the newewst channels? i am curious to learn if the display is different for cblecard customers.

I have three Cox boxes, a Tivo Series 3 and a Pioneer plasma with a cable card.

Yes, the Cox boxes display the channel info as soon as the channels are added. However, the cable card often only shows just the channel # when they are first added. The channel/network name usually appears later. The Tivo usually lags getting the new channel/guide info by a few days.

Squid--if you have the Cox box, do you currently get thecannel name displayed onscreen when you tune to the newewst channels? i am curious to learn if the display is different for cblecard customers.

Yes, there was even an instance when the Channel name and number was on the Guide before I could even access the channel. :eek:

Has anyone had luck in getting responses to emails sent to the KAKE-TV engineering dept.?
On more than one occasion, I've tried to get details about their station, but these guys don't answer.
It would be interesting to know if the people working there are a bunch of jerks, or if it's corporate policy to strictly limit the emails that are answered.
I had chance to meet chief engineer Dale Morrell years ago, and he seemed like a nice guy, but I wonder if that organization hasn't changed a lot.

My mom is hard of hearing and had issues with KAKE's closed captioning. It wasn't synched up on most of their prime time shows. She called 2-3 times with no return call. And the emails I sent with 'return' receipt was NEVER answered and the read receipt I got said " person deleted the email without reading". We were working the CC issue through COX too and at least received responses for a few weeks....but finally no more returned emails from cox either. BUT fortunately this issue has been corrected. This was just an issue on 601 and 603. I beleive channel 3 responed.....so KAKE must not care about PR with their customers.

Is anyone seeing 49-1, KGPT-LD? It's SD, airing RTN (classic programming).

- Trip

.....so KAKE must not care about PR with their customers.

Are you just now realizing this? ;)

Closed captioning is a BIG BIG issue that has so far been damn near impossible to deal with easily. I haven't found a mfgr yet that has it all handled, and am actively working with one right now to solve our troubles (beta software/drivers).

Give 'em a break on the CC problems, just give 'em hell for not admitting it.

Closed Captioning is the last forgotten issue with SD/HD programming ("Closed Captioning? Oh yea - I dunno how we're gonna do that"), and it's not because the broadcasters don't want to fix it - it's because no one has the solution yet.

Cheap

I am very pleased to report that TVGOS responded to my email inquiry about the newer HD channels on Cox; they are now available in TVGOS listings (with just a couple of exceptions). On my TV, in my TVGOS setup, they were turned "off", so I did have to turn them "on" to be recognized in my TVGuide function and to download the programming data.

Did I see Cable Channel 22 was moving from KAKE to KSN? An even better reason not to watch it.

Did I see Cable Channel 22 was moving from KAKE to KSN? An even better reason not to watch it.

Makes me wonder if it is going to be anymore uselful. Honestly, something big would happen and it wouldn't end up on 22 for 4-5 days. I want true up to date news channel. Accident on Kellogg? I want a channel I can flip to that will tell me that before I leave.

Makes me wonder if it is going to be anymore uselful. Honestly, something big would happen and it wouldn't end up on 22 for 4-5 days. I want true up to date news channel. Accident on Kellogg? I want a channel I can flip to that will tell me that before I leave.

Yea, that isn't going to happen in this market. It is way too expensive to have any kind of "Action" news team that would be able to cover something like that quick enough to matter.

It cracks me up when something happens at 9:30 and you get a 30 second blurb before Leno starts that basically is something like "Bad stuff happened, tune in tomorrow morning because we don't know wtf. Enjoy Leno..."

Closed captioning is a BIG BIG issue that has so far been damn near impossible to deal with easily. I haven't found a mfgr yet that has it all handled, and am actively working with one right now to solve our troubles (beta software/drivers).

Give 'em a break on the CC problems, just give 'em hell for not admitting it.

Closed Captioning is the last forgotten issue with SD/HD programming ("Closed Captioning? Oh yea - I dunno how we're gonna do that"), and it's not because the broadcasters don't want to fix it - it's because no one has the solution yet.

Cheap

Anyone using Quest's hardware / software doesn't have that worry.

Makes me wonder if it is going to be anymore uselful. Honestly, something big would happen and it wouldn't end up on 22 for 4-5 days. I want true up to date news channel. Accident on Kellogg? I want a channel I can flip to that will tell me that before I leave.

Makes me wonder if it should be renamed Wichita 22. It used to be a joint venture between KAKE and WIBW. If it's just KSN doing it, will the cover anything outside of Wichita? We have enough stations that cover Wichita almost exclusively.

Jeff

Makes me wonder if it should be renamed Wichita 22. It used to be a joint venture between KAKE and WIBW. If it's just KSN doing it, will the cover anything outside of Wichita? We have enough stations that cover Wichita almost exclusively.

Jeff

I agree with you. Storms move into Wichita from the south or west, it is wall to wall coverage, but the minute Wichita is out of the storm, back to regular programming. Radio is the same way. We to the east (Butler Co.) would like the same attention as Kingman County.

Is anyone on antenna experiencing problems with the Channel 8 group? I noticed that when they turned off the analog signal, I haven't been able to pick them up since.

Whatever KSN has been doing lately with their weather warnings/school closures/DTV transition crawler has been awful. It is 2 large full lines that squishes the picture up and makes it very weird to watch.

Closed captioning is a BIG BIG issue that has so far been damn near impossible to deal with easily. I haven't found a mfgr yet that has it all handled, and am actively working with one right now to solve our troubles (beta software/drivers).

Give 'em a break on the CC problems, just give 'em hell for not admitting it.

Closed Captioning is the last forgotten issue with SD/HD programming ("Closed Captioning? Oh yea - I dunno how we're gonna do that"), and it's not because the broadcasters don't want to fix it - it's because no one has the solution yet.

Cheap

I agree that Closed Captioning is an issue that is difficult to solve when problems arise. Many variables involved.

What type of connection. Composite, Component, HDMI. Does the CC work on OTA, Does it work on the Digital/Analog channel?

Does it work on the HD channels. I supplied COX and KAKE when the problem occured, what show, how the DVR was hooked up. How long
the delay...etc.etc..Anything I could do to help trouble shoot THEIR problem.

In my mom's case it did NOT work on the HD channels on 601(ABC-KAKE) and 603(NBC-KSN). This was just the shows right after
the writers strike. Things were fine until then. HD Channels 604(Fox) and 612(KWCH-CBS) were ALWAYS okay. The analog or digital
equivalent of 601/603...the CC was fine.And OTA HD was fine. So that was telling me that COX CABLE and 601/603 HD CC was
being converted differently than channel 604/612. Or....maybe they used a different CC company for their shows. I don't know
a thing about how the software works.....I just know how my system and my mom's system was hooked up to the DVR.

ANyway....just starting this new season.....the HD 601/603 the CC is in synch.(not delayed 10 secs. or missing dialog)...so
hopefully it will stay that way. My mom DID say that KAKE digital/analog equivalent channel was NOW out of synch. Maybe the fix
was they couldn't do both.

Once again I understand this problem was/is a difficult one to solve. ALL KAKE would have had to do was just return the "Please call
me phone messages" or return an email to me....just saying "YES"...they know there is a problem and they are doing everything they
can to try and get it corrected. So my REAL complaint is KAKE ignoring the calls and emails. That is the bad PR I was talking about.

Most people don't understand how important CC is to some. I'm sure this CC problem affected MANY more people than the stations
knew since....most people just 'live with it' hoping it will be fixed.

Okay....enough said...I've rambled on enough....

Thanks everyone for the posts.

DRC

Earlier today, I noticed for the first time that the post-transition KPTS-DT on physical and virtual channel 8 was on the air for test purposes, we obviously can expect more of the same in the days to come before it stays on permanently beginning on 02-18-09.

Who knows what's coming at this point.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/house-will-try-again-to-delay-digital-tv-transition/?scp=1&sq=digital%20tv%20delay&st=Search

I'm talking about at the TV station end - I have no idea what the cable companies are using.

Makes me wonder if it should be renamed Wichita 22. It used to be a joint venture between KAKE and WIBW. If it's just KSN doing it, will the cover anything outside of Wichita? We have enough stations that cover Wichita almost exclusively.

Jeff

Are you serious? I want a Channel that is JUST Wichita. All the local stations cover stuff outside the Metro too much. I don't see why they can't do a Kansas 22 that is regional.

It appears the the new 22 has launched, not exactly sure what has changed. All it seems is that they mirrored it and made the graphics less than stellar. And it is actually nice to see some talented News Anchors. I get Kansas 22 out here in Pittsburg, KS and the anchors here are, wow.

In other news, anybody want to take a guess on when and who will be the next station to go to HD? My money is on KSN. :-)

Cox Kansas New HD Channels

March 13:
E!
MLB
Comedy Central

April 2009
Fox Business
Bio HD

Enjoy...sorry no Weather Channel still...maybe some year...

Are you serious? I want a Channel that is JUST Wichita. All the local stations cover stuff outside the Metro too much. I don't see why they can't do a Kansas 22 that is regional.

Of course I am serious! The Wichita stations' DMA covers most of the western 2/3s of Kansas. I think we get plenty of "metro" coverage, considering.

Jeff

Of course I am serious! The Wichita stations' DMA covers most of the western 2/3s of Kansas. I think we get plenty of "metro" coverage, considering.

Jeff

Exactly, KSN, KAKE, KWCH, they are obligated to cover their entire market (Something I think should change.) But My point was that we should have a channel that is JUST the Metro. 22 Has generally been that station. I was just referencing to the fact that somebody said the local stations rarely cover outside the Metro, which I would respectfully disagree with.

Cox Kansas New HD Channels

March 13:
E!
MLB
Comedy Central

April 2009
Fox Business
Bio HD

Enjoy...sorry no Weather Channel still...maybe some year...

Still none of the Disney stuff? ESPNews, ABC Family and Disney Channel? Thats what I am STILL waiting for. Although Comedy HD is what I watch 50% of the time, so that makes me happy.

All I care about is FSN-HD by next college football season.

Make it happen Cox.

All I care about is FSN-HD by next college football season.

Make it happen Cox.


Ditto.

Double Ditto

Booooooo! We want our Weather Channel in HD already! :confused:

In case anyone was curious (like me), here's a table of all the local broadcast channels and their analog shutoff dates:

DMA CITY ST NETWORK CALLSIGN NITE LITE PRE 2/17 ON 2/17 LICENSEE
WICHITA - HUTCHINSON, KS WICHITA KS ABC KAKE-TV X GRAY TELEVISION LICENSEE, LLC
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS HUTCHINSON KS CBS KWCH-TV Y X SUNFLOWER BROADCASTING, INC.
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS WICHITA KS CW KSCW Y X SUNFLOWER BROADCASTING, INC.
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS WICHITA KS FOX KSAS-TV N X NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS HUTCHINSON KS MYTV KMTW N X MERCURY BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS WICHITA KS NBC KSNW NVT WICHITA LICENSEE, LLC
WICHITA - HUTCHINSON, KS HUTCHINSON KS PBS KPTS X KANSAS PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, INC.

It looks like everyone but NBC/KSN will be digital-only by February 17th.

Source: FCC.gov (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-221A5.pdf)

Cox Kansas New HD Channels

March 13:
E!
MLB
Comedy Central

April 2009
Fox Business
Bio HD

Enjoy...sorry no Weather Channel still...maybe some year...

I noticed this morning that E!, MLB and Comedy Central HD were up and running on Cox Wichita, so guess we got it a bit early.

I too would love to see the Weather Channel and also ESPN NEWs HD. I moved to Wichita from Lawrence and must say I miss the HD line-up on Sunflower cable. Cox is getting there slowly but surely it seems ...

In case anyone was curious (like me), here's a table of all the local broadcast channels and their analog shutoff dates:

DMA CITY ST NETWORK CALLSIGN NITE LITE PRE 2/17 ON 2/17 LICENSEE
WICHITA - HUTCHINSON, KS WICHITA KS ABC KAKE-TV X GRAY TELEVISION LICENSEE, LLC
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS HUTCHINSON KS CBS KWCH-TV Y X SUNFLOWER BROADCASTING, INC.
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS WICHITA KS CW KSCW Y X SUNFLOWER BROADCASTING, INC.
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS WICHITA KS FOX KSAS-TV N X NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS HUTCHINSON KS MYTV KMTW N X MERCURY BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.
WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS WICHITA KS NBC KSNW NVT WICHITA LICENSEE, LLC
WICHITA - HUTCHINSON, KS HUTCHINSON KS PBS KPTS X KANSAS PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, INC.

It looks like everyone but NBC/KSN will be digital-only by February 17th.

Source: FCC.gov (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-221A5.pdf)

Good, that bill delaying the turn off was so stupid. Its nice to see the Wichita area is ready to move forward. Unfortunately, I go to a school in a place that is even further behind than Wichita.

So, are CBS, ABC, and PBS switching back to their VHF channels (for digital) on the 17th then?

I saw some report that suggested those people with digital converters scan for channels regularly; my impression is that channels may drift around as broadcasters decide which part of the spectrum they're going to settle on.

Cox Kansas New HD Channels

March 13:
E!
MLB
Comedy Central

April 2009
Fox Business
Bio HD

Enjoy...sorry no Weather Channel still...maybe some year...

I already have those first 3. Watched MLB last night.

And if I read the law correctly, one station has to stay on analog if all the others make the switch on time, so I think KSN is basically forced to keep the analog signal up.

And if I read the law correctly, one station has to stay on analog if all the others make the switch on time, so I think KSN is basically forced to keep the analog signal up.

Thats not a lawsuit waiting to happen or anything.

I picked up the Terk HDTVi to replace my Silver Sensor clone UHF only antenna. I'll report back as to how well it works. It does pick up analog 10 and 12 pretty good, far better than the SS clone does.

So is anyone receiving PBS now in Wichita (8.1, 8.2, or 8.3)?? They were supposed to switch over to VHF channel 8 today, but I'm getting nothing (worked fine yesterday when they were still on UHF 29).

Thanks.

So is anyone receiving PBS now in Wichita (8.1, 8.2, or 8.3)?? They were supposed to switch over to VHF channel 8 today, but I'm getting nothing (worked fine yesterday when they were still on UHF 29).

Thanks.

I rescanned my OTA channels on my DirecTv H20, and saw 8.1, 8.2, & 8.3 (with a different call sign KPTS-D1... or something similar). The channels did not show up in the DirecTv guide info, so I could not tune to the PBS channels.

I rescanned my OTA channels on my DirecTv H20, and saw 8.1, 8.2, & 8.3 (with a different call sign KPTS-D1... or something similar). The channels did not show up in the DirecTv guide info, so I could not tune to the PBS channels.

Thanks for the feedback. Are you still using the 8-bay bow-tie you mentioned previously,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=9089451&postcount=1503

Or something else?

I was just surfing the HD channels and noticed that KPTS HD is now on channel 613. They have Sesame Street in HD right now.

Thanks for the feedback. Are you still using the 8-bay bow-tie you mentioned previously,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=9089451&postcount=1503

Or something else?

Same antenna.

My mother (in Newton) has a couple of Zenith DTT 901 converter boxes. Can anyone tell me if that box automatically finds channels that have moved, or will she have to rescan? I'm planning to call her tonight to walk her through it if necessary. Thanks for your help!

My mother (in Newton) has a couple of Zenith DTT 901 converter boxes. Can anyone tell me if that box automatically finds channels that have moved, or will she have to rescan? I'm planning to call her tonight to walk her through it if necessary. Thanks for your help!

I assume a rescan would be necessary, but I don't have a converter box, so I can't say for sure.

My mother (in Newton) has a couple of Zenith DTT 901 converter boxes. Can anyone tell me if that box automatically finds channels that have moved, or will she have to rescan? I'm planning to call her tonight to walk her through it if necessary. Thanks for your help!

A rescan will be necessary and then delete the old UHF channel set out of the list. I just did one of mine this evening as KOLN from Lincoln, NE cutover last night. The EZ Add added KOLN on 10 but I had to manually delete the "extra" 10.1 and 10.2 (old RF 25) that were left in the list.

FYI, channels 10.1 and 12.1 are working this morning using the Terk HDTVi antenna (I'm on the southeast side of Wichita). It appears just 8.1 does not work, which I can live without.

Yesterday I cleared my OTA setup, rescanned for channels, and downloaded new guide info on all three of my DirecTV boxes. KPTS and its sub-channels @ it's new VHF 8 frequency assignment comes in at 48% signal strength (according to my STB's). The result is a pixelated mess. The frequency falls into the VHF High Band, and I thought my antenna was going to be ok for this. I'll repeat the above tonight to see if any other channels will be effected (possibly KAKE, KSNW, and KWCH). Of course I get these through my DirecTV feed, but I would rather get them OTA.

I noticed this morning that data a week or so in the future is no longer showing up on my TV Guide On Screen (I have an LG tv with built-in TVGOS service, which receives programming data from a data stream that is to piggy back on the CBS Digital signal). Are there any other cable customers with such a setup, and is your data intact?

Yesterday I cleared my OTA setup, rescanned for channels, and downloaded new guide info on all three of my DirecTV boxes. KPTS and its sub-channels @ it's new VHF 8 frequency assignment comes in at 48% signal strength (according to my STB's). The result is a pixelated mess. The frequency falls into the VHF High Band, and I thought my antenna was going to be ok for this. I'll repeat the above tonight to see if any other channels will be effected (possibly KAKE, KSNW, and KWCH). Of course I get these through my DirecTV feed, but I would rather get them OTA.

BTW, I think channel 12 is still on UHF 19. Windows Media Center was still working on 12 this morning without updating/rescanning/etc... Channel 10 was out until I manually updated.

Also, KSN is not moving to VHF, they're staying on UHF 45.

Anybody else not getting 8-1, 8-2, or 8-3 for PBS? I was getting them until they switched. Any suggestions on a good antenna for the Goddard area? I had a Phillips indoor antenna that was doing the job. I'd rather not have to put up an outdoor antenna. Thanks in advance.

Anybody else not getting 8-1, 8-2, or 8-3 for PBS? I was getting them until they switched. Any suggestions on a good antenna for the Goddard area? I had a Phillips indoor antenna that was doing the job. I'd rather not have to put up an outdoor antenna. Thanks in advance.

So is the Phillips VHF and UHF? i.e. has rabbit ears?

I found this site that shows how to optimize rabbit ears. Definitely helps to get the correct length and orient them horizontally. My signal increased on 10.1 and I'm marginally getting 8.1 now (using the Terk HDTVi).

http://www.kyes.com/antenna/rabbitear.html

Also, I did a search on this forum looking for a better antenna, but mainly found a HUGE # of people that are now struggling to get VHF.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/search.php?searchid=12465883

Thanks for the links. My phillips antenna is a VHF and UHF. I tinkered with it and was finally able to get PBS to register a signal. After some more tinkering I was able to get the three PBS channels up to 60%.

I'm having trouble with KAKE (10.1). Since the transition I can't get it with my DirecTV HR-20 receiver. Oddly, I was getting it on my TV, but, I ran the channel scan and now my TV (Samsung Plasma) can't even find it. I can't manually tune it either. I had 90% signal strength before. Now I can't get anything. I thought it was the DirecTV receiver, but now that my TV can't find it during a channel scan, I have no idea what's going on. Any ideas?

Reset OTA first, then rescan your channels. That way you'll get the new guide info as well.

Reset OTA first, then rescan your channels. That way you'll get the new guide info as well.

I re-did the initial setup, reset and did the initial setup and reset the receiver, reset and did the initial setup. Still can't get a signal. The tuner on the TV is now the oddest thing.

I re-did the initial setup, reset and did the initial setup and reset the receiver, reset and did the initial setup. Still can't get a signal. The tuner on the TV is now the oddest thing.

You're probably having the same problem as many other people. You were getting them fine on their UHF channel, but now that they're really on VHF 10, your antenna isn't cutting it.

You're probably having the same problem as many other people. You were getting them fine on their UHF channel, but now that they're really on VHF 10, your antenna isn't cutting it.

This makes sense. I also don't (and didn't) get KPTS and KWCH is the weakest signal. I guess when KAKE said I passed their DTV test they didn't also move to VHF? And I'm also guessing that they continued to broadcast in UHF past 2/17? I was definitely getting KAKE yesterday. I regret not checking if I was getting it today before running the channel scan on my TV.

This makes sense. I also don't (and didn't) get KPTS and KWCH is the weakest signal. I guess when KAKE said I passed their DTV test they didn't also move to VHF? And I'm also guessing that they continued to broadcast in UHF past 2/17? I was definitely getting KAKE yesterday. I regret not checking if I was getting it today before running the channel scan on my TV.

Oh, I misunderstood. No, KAKE has been on VHF 10 since the 18th.

Until Feb 16th I was receiving KPTS digital over their uhf signal. However, when they switched to vhf I lost it. I maintained all of the other channels, including ABC which is also vhf.

My main antenna is a Terrestrial Digital DB4 (http://www.terrestrial-digital.com/DB4.html), mounted in the attic. The DB4 is an excellent UHF antenna and will also pull in most high-band vhf, but got absolutely zero signal for channel 8. I did a little research and determined that simple pair of "rabbit ears" optimized for channel 8 may do the trick; rather than buying another uhf/vhf antenna. So, last night I set my $10 Radio Shack rabbit ears at full horizontal with the poles extended to a total width of 31" (http://www.kyes.com/antenna/rabbitear.html#wavetable), and mounted them perpendicular to the signal tower. I mounted the ears as high as I could in my attic and ran a 10ft coax lead to a Radio Shack uhf/vhf combiner (also connected to the DB4).

Check the channel 8 signal and it was pegged at a steady 70/71 out of 100, good enough for a perfect picture. I am 31 miles, due south of the tower. As an added benefit my signal for ABC improved 10+ points.

Anyway hope this helps any of you who lost KPTS when they switched to vhf. The fix was easy for me, good luck to you.

Anyone know if Cox has any plans to offer tru2way cards any time in the future?

Anyone know if Cox has any plans to offer tru2way cards any time in the future?


Is there even a device out there that uses this technology? Last I heard some companies have stuff in the works, but not in stores anywhere.

Is there even a device out there that uses this technology? Last I heard some companies have stuff in the works, but not in stores anywhere.

Panasonic has a couple TVs out with it now (in select areas). Don't know beyond that...

Does anyone have a complete ( mostly ) list of Cox's clear qam channels? I'm trying to straighten out my qam tuner tv card and I have scanned and found several, but no music channels or Noggin. Noggin is on channel 106 with digital cable, I get it on other sets with a cable box and a cablecard. I am getting the HD versions of the network channels but not much else.

Is anyone else picking up more qam channels?

JB

Regarding Cox's clear qam--when I first got my digital TV a couple of years ago, I recall being surprised at all the digital content on clear qam--all kind of randomly placed. then, a few months ago, I had reason to check on clear qam with Cox again, and other than a few odd things (like multiple occurrences of some channel I'd never heard of, I think in Spanish), it was mostly just the digital feed from the broadcast stations. I think the music channels were on a couple of years ago, but they weren't when I last checked; I think the NASA channel was available; but very little else. so it wouldn't surprise me at this stage, if all you are finding are digital channels from the local broadcasters, that might be about all there is on clear qam.

Regarding Cox's clear qam--when I first got my digital TV a couple of years ago, I recall being surprised at all the digital content on clear qam--all kind of randomly placed. then, a few months ago, I had reason to check on clear qam with Cox again, and other than a few odd things (like multiple occurrences of some channel I'd never heard of, I think in Spanish), it was mostly just the digital feed from the broadcast stations. I think the music channels were on a couple of years ago, but they weren't when I last checked; I think the NASA channel was available; but very little else. so it wouldn't surprise me at this stage, if all you are finding are digital channels from the local broadcasters, that might be about all there is on clear qam.

The only other one besides NASA is NATGEO.

Does anyone have a complete ( mostly ) list of Cox's clear qam channels? I'm trying to straighten out my qam tuner tv card and I have scanned and found several, but no music channels or Noggin. Noggin is on channel 106 with digital cable, I get it on other sets with a cable box and a cablecard. I am getting the HD versions of the network channels but not much else.

Is anyone else picking up more qam channels?

JB


Here is what I get in Salina:

COX Salina QAM Channels

116.10 Fox Kansas
116.3 myTV
115.2 KAKE HD
115.1 KSNW HD
114.6 KWCH Weather
114.5 KWCH HD
114.4 KPTS Create
114.3 KPTS
114.2 NASA
114.1 KPTS Hutch/Wichita
104.12 National Geographic
98 Hallmark
97 TV Guide
94.6 Weather Channel SD
93.10 WIBW SD
93.9 KWCH SD
93.8 KAKE SD
92.11 KSNW SD
92.10 KMBC SD
92.9 KPTS
92.8 myTV
91.11 CW (Wichita)
91.10 Fox Kansas
91.9 PBS Smoky Hills

Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the input guys! I successfully dialed in my QAM tuner this past weekend and like everyone thought, all I found were the local digitals with NASA and NatGeo. I was hoping for music channels and a few others, oh well. At least there was a digital version of the Weather Channel, now hoping we get WC in HD soon!

I forgot a few others, all the KPTS channels inclucing Create and KSAS. I couldn't get those with my antenna OTA so thats a plus.

LSS (long story short) – On Sat. 2/28 I took the plunge signup for switching from Cox to AT&T U-verse. On Fri. 3/13 the install went fairly smooth about 6 hours, for 7 TV’s (3 of them HD), 1-Desk, 1-laptop. Promptly returned all my Cox eqt. Then later that night, when I found out I could not get 2-HD feeds, only 1. Call tech support and stated I needed to talk to Sales-Dept.

Next day went back to my local AT&T store (21st & Maize), talked to the same sales-person, that spoke with tech-support. I’m too far away to get 2-HD feeds/streams. Ohhh I was so pissed, upon signing-up I double confirmed that I would getting 2 HD-feeds. The install tech never once mention only having 1 HD, had I known I was only set for 1 – I would have stopped the install right that second.

Plus they (tech-support) could not get a distance read on my modem. Later that afternoon, I find out I have a dead battery on a brand UPS for the modem they installed. So for the weekend I had no services (TV, Internet, phone) at all.

Tomorrow Monday 3/16, tech is suppose to be out to fix the battery. And I’m having my wife double confirm – that 2 HD feeds is not possible.

With Cox I paid more, but I had 3 HD boxes and 1 or 2 w/ recording services, and I believe the HD picture was better.

Any advice, suggestions etc. ??

~JimG, Peed off on the West side.

LSS (long story short) – On Sat. 2/28 I took the plunge signup for switching from Cox to AT&T U-verse. On Fri. 3/13 the install went fairly smooth about 6 hours, for 7 TV’s (3 of them HD), 1-Desk, 1-laptop.

Sorry, I don't have a suggestion for you, other than what you're already probably thinking, that if U-Verse can't give you 2 HD feeds, that you'll switch back to Cox.

However, I do have a question. I thought that with U-Verse you paid a surcharge per connection. With all those hookups, how much extra were you paying per month? With all that, it was still cheaper than Cox?

Whenever I'd looked at Satellite, I found it to be cheaper until you got to a certain number of TVs, at which point that surcharge took the price higher. I'm curious to see what you were paying for all those feeds, plus 2 HD feeds.

You might also check the Uverse discussion board to see if others in Wichita are having similar issues. It can be found, if you don't already have the link, at:

http://utalk.att.com/

I've been waiting for Uverse to hit my neighborhood, and am surprised it isn't available to me yet, so I'm quite interested in learning about your experience.

Sorry, I don't have a suggestion for you, other than what you're already probably thinking, that if U-Verse can't give you 2 HD feeds, that you'll switch back to Cox.

However, I do have a question. I thought that with U-Verse you paid a surcharge per connection. With all those hookups, how much extra were you paying per month? With all that, it was still cheaper than Cox?

Whenever I'd looked at Satellite, I found it to be cheaper until you got to a certain number of TVs, at which point that surcharge took the price higher. I'm curious to see what you were paying for all those feeds, plus 2 HD feeds.

Well I'm not 100% certain how my bill will turn out. With COX all you needed was a coax connection to hook up a new extra TV. With U-verse you gotta have a receiver (its very small), and each one is $7 per month.

LSS (long story short) – On Sat. 2/28 I took the plunge signup for switching from Cox to AT&T U-verse. On Fri. 3/13 the install went fairly smooth about 6 hours, for 7 TV’s (3 of them HD), 1-Desk, 1-laptop. Promptly returned all my Cox eqt. Then later that night, when I found out I could not get 2-HD feeds, only 1. Call tech support and stated I needed to talk to Sales-Dept.

Next day went back to my local AT&T store (21st & Maize), talked to the same sales-person, that spoke with tech-support. I’m too far away to get 2-HD feeds/streams. Ohhh I was so pissed, upon signing-up I double confirmed that I would getting 2 HD-feeds. The install tech never once mention only having 1 HD, had I known I was only set for 1 – I would have stopped the install right that second.

Plus they (tech-support) could not get a distance read on my modem. Later that afternoon, I find out I have a dead battery on a brand UPS for the modem they installed. So for the weekend I had no services (TV, Internet, phone) at all.

Tomorrow Monday 3/16, tech is suppose to be out to fix the battery. And I’m having my wife double confirm – that 2 HD feeds is not possible.

With Cox I paid more, but I had 3 HD boxes and 1 or 2 w/ recording services, and I believe the HD picture was better.

Any advice, suggestions etc. ??

~JimG, Peed off on the West side.

Those of you who might be interested in my U-verse adventure, Update -- I knew making the switch on Fri. 3/13 might not be a good idea !!

* Due to a bad battery on an installed UPS, we had NO (phone, Net, TV)services this w/e (uhggg). As the tech-guy did not leave behind a alternate plug to bypass the UPS and go straight into house-power.

* Per AT&T source (Billy), I/we should be getting a 2nd HD feed mid-April timeframe. Yaaa!!

* Per AT&T field tech. (Julie), update later this year, should to be able to setup to record from any set-top in the house (great). As it is right now you can that from the TV where your DVR resides or via Internet. Also Caller-ID via TV is coming.

* I have not been able to get the same answer on how much storage time is on the DVR. I've gotten (1) 130-hours/HD, (2) 20 HD & 130 SD, (3) 40 hours (4) Unlimted cuz it IP driven. So I have no idea how much record I actually have.

* Note: you can manage your home recording via the AT&T Web Remote Access, this work real great & is a very cool feature.

* You suppose to also be able to do the same via phone, but I have not played with that one.

* I really like being able to record on 1 DVR, & view from any TV -- this was one of my main reasons for jumping to U-verse. Watch HD movies in the basement HT, catch up on new/shows during my lunch hour etc etc.

* I'm working on getting some monetary compensation for my troubles. Making the switch to AT&T on bad 2-HD feed info.

** For now I will stick with the AT&T setup -- see how it all works out. Tons of channels choices!!!

** I may have to investigate a SlingBox for when I'm traveling ;o) Dang I love new technology (sometimes).

~JimG.

I've been waiting for Uverse to hit my neighborhood, and am surprised it isn't available to me yet, so I'm quite interested in learning about your experience.

uverse has slowed it roll out in wichita per some info I have been told...not sure how true that is though....

Well I'm not 100% certain how my bill will turn out. With COX all you needed was a coax connection to hook up a new extra TV. With U-verse you gotta have a receiver (its very small), and each one is $7 per month.

$7 per TV seems high. Looks like for ATT internet and TV I would have to pay $164 and this is for just one TV, so for the other 4 I have in the house would add another $28 at least (I would need three HD boxes). So for a total of $192 (min) per month. With Cox I'm paying before taxes $170 per month. That $7 per TV is a killer.

Sorry, tried to make this easy to read...these are points from above post...


* Per AT&T source (Billy), I/we should be getting a 2nd HD feed mid-April timeframe. Yaaa!! Cox can do as many HD streams as you want for a house

* Per AT&T field tech. (Julie), update later this year, should to be able to setup to record from any set-top in the house (great). As it is right now you can that from the TV where your DVR resides or via Internet. Also Caller-ID via TV is coming. Note: you can manage your home recording via the AT&T Web Remote Access, this work real great & is a very cool feature.
*You suppose to also be able to do the same via phone, but I have not played with that one.
*I really like being able to record on 1 DVR, & view from any TV -- this was one of my main reasons for jumping to U-verse. Watch HD movies in the basement HT, catch up on new/shows during my lunch hour etc etc. Cox already has Caller-ID on TV. Cox is suppose to introduce multi-room DVR by the end of this year. And as you said at the bottom, Sling Box can do this already, and works great.

* I have not been able to get the same answer on how much storage time is on the DVR. I've gotten (1) 130-hours/HD, (2) 20 HD & 130 SD, (3) 40 hours (4) Unlimted cuz it IP driven. So I have no idea how much record I actually have. Seems like no one can ever answer this question when it comes to DVR's. My question to everyone, how does TiVo advertise hours compare to actuall hours?


I like the menu interface I have seen so far on uverse, looks way more user friendly. And if it was here were I lived, I would try it out for a month or so, to see if I liked it, as I try all new Tech stuff out it seems. I know how people will take this post, but so be it. :)

I noticed these new HD channels are now available on Cox.

Biography HD channel 622
Fox Business HD channel 652

I just got a new Sony 46 inch TV and was surprised that the scan I did when first turning on picked up digital stations. I only get Cox Limited and Expanded Service.

During the scan I picked up around 20 digital channels, some even 16:9 1080I, they seem to be a digital version of the analog channel??? Such as CBS ABC NBC PBS etc.

No I haven't hooked up anything illegal, no digital box from Cox either. I have an older Sanyo digital TV and on it's scan it only gets stuff up to channel 99 and no digital channels at all.

I just got a new Sony 46 inch TV and was surprised that the scan I did when first turning on picked up digital stations. I only get Cox Limited and Expanded Service.

During the scan I picked up around 20 digital channels, some even 16:9 1080I, they seem to be a digital version of the analog channel??? Such as CBS ABC NBC PBS etc.

No I haven't hooked up anything illegal, no digital box from Cox either. I have an older Sanyo digital TV and on it's scan it only gets stuff up to channel 99 and no digital channels at all.

If you look at previous posts, you will see a whole list of clear QAM channels. And yes, COX knows these are there.

I just got a new Sony 46 inch TV and was surprised that the scan I did when first turning on picked up digital stations. I only get Cox Limited and Expanded Service.

During the scan I picked up around 20 digital channels, some even 16:9 1080I, they seem to be a digital version of the analog channel??? Such as CBS ABC NBC PBS etc.

No I haven't hooked up anything illegal, no digital box from Cox either. I have an older Sanyo digital TV and on it's scan it only gets stuff up to channel 99 and no digital channels at all.


Your new Sony has a QAM tuner which will receive the network digital channels COX is required to transmit in the clear. Older digital sets often did not include a QAM tuner and as such can only receive the analong channels Cox is providing on 2-99.

Both your sets can receive the digital HD channels via their over-the-air tuner built in the TV. This requires an external antenna.

See my previous post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16000535&postcount=2718) for a listing of digital channels you can receive with your QAM tuner.

Thanks for the replies, I now get what is going on.

....which will receive the network digital channels COX is required to transmit in the clear.

Actually I pretty sure there isn't a FCC rules saying Cox has to broadcast these channels in the clear. I know this has been brought up before and no one can ever point to the FCC rule.

Actually I pretty sure there isn't a FCC rules saying Cox has to broadcast these channels in the clear. I know this has been brought up before and no one can ever point to the FCC rule.

You mean 47CFR76.56(d)?

(d) Availability of signals. (1) Local commercial television
stations carried in fulfillment of the requirements of this section
shall be provided to every subscriber of a cable system. Such signals
shall be viewable via cable on all television receivers of a subscriber
which are connected to a cable system by a cable operator or for which a
cable operator provides a connection.

EDIT: I think this is the applicable rule. It's what I found in the 5 minutes of searching I did, anyway.

- Trip

I like the sounds of this: http://www.multichannel.com/article/190439-Cox_Gasses_Up_Next_Generation_Guide.php

Cox will layer in a wide range of interactive apps with NDS's help, including: caller ID and e-mail on the TV, news, sports, weather, games, movie listings, a "mosaic" view of multiple channels, horoscopes, lottery results and customer-care services.

The IPG also will provide remote DVR programming via Web or mobile phone.

You mean 47CFR76.56(d)?



EDIT: I think this is the applicable rule. It's what I found in the 5 minutes of searching I did, anyway.

- Trip

Cox covers this rule by their Limited Cable package. This doesn't mean they have to offer the HD signal, just a signal of the local station.

I like the sounds of this: http://www.multichannel.com/article/190439-Cox_Gasses_Up_Next_Generation_Guide.php

Cox will layer in a wide range of interactive apps with NDS's help, including: caller ID and e-mail on the TV, news, sports, weather, games, movie listings, a "mosaic" view of multiple channels, horoscopes, lottery results and customer-care services.

The IPG also will provide remote DVR programming via Web or mobile phone.

Sounds great! But they mention it'll first be rolled out on new cable boxes; hopefully I'll be able to swap mine out as soon as the new ones are available.

This is such a radical change from their current system, so I'd be surprised if they rolled it out to everybody this summer. My guess is that Cox will first test this in a small market before they deploy it everywhere.

Here's hoping we see this in Wichita soon!

Sounds great! But they mention it'll first be rolled out on new cable boxes; hopefully I'll be able to swap mine out as soon as the new ones are available.

This is such a radical change from their current system, so I'd be surprised if they rolled it out to everybody this summer. My guess is that Cox will first test this in a small market before they deploy it everywhere.

Here's hoping we see this in Wichita soon!

This is the first public media reports I have heard of this. I was told last year that Cox was going to roll this out here sometime in the late 3Q/4Q of 2009. This new interface will make their OnDemand service more user friendly and eaiser to access. Now I wonder what these new boxes will look like???

Cox covers this rule by their Limited Cable package. This doesn't mean they have to offer the HD signal, just a signal of the local station.

I believe you are mistaken. Only small cable operators with 2,500 or fewer subscribers, have an activated channel capacity of 552MHz or less, and don't affiliate with a big cable operator, are exempt from the FCC digital HD must-carry provisions.

Sorry, tried to make this easy to read...these are points from above post...


[COLOR="Red"]
I like the menu interface I have seen so far on uverse, looks way more user friendly. And if it was here were I lived, I would try it out for a month or so, to see if I liked it, as I try all new Tech stuff out it seems. I know how people will take this post, but so be it. :)

That is my huge beef with the Cox Digital boxes. Everything is implemented so badly. Even the Caller ID, it should be a notification, but not take up so much space. Ideally a small transparent drawer would slide out for 5 seconds with the name and number and then disappear. The Guide should be optimized for a Widescreen display, ect. All the other options may have their problems, but they have all got the UI down much better than Cox has. U-Verse has been the first to give us the "Interactive TV" things that have been the "Future" for the past 10 years. We won't talk about how well it actually works though. :D

Edit:
I like the sounds of this: http://www.multichannel.com/article/190439-Cox_Gasses_Up_Next_Generation_Guide.php

Cox will layer in a wide range of interactive apps with NDS's help, including: caller ID and e-mail on the TV, news, sports, weather, games, movie listings, a "mosaic" view of multiple channels, horoscopes, lottery results and customer-care services.

The IPG also will provide remote DVR programming via Web or mobile phone.

Well, I'll be. It's about time! Haha. I still think they should just get Apple or Sony design it. Has anybody seen the UI on Sony's new TV's? Thats how a STB needs to run.

I believe you are mistaken. Only small cable operators with 2,500 or fewer subscribers, have an activated channel capacity of 552MHz or less, and don't affiliate with a big cable operator, are exempt from the FCC digital HD must-carry provisions.

Rule isn't the clearest really. Seems like cable providers have to provide an analog signal or the equipment to downgrade the digital signal to analog, but they can charge a rental fee. Second they must provide the HDTV feed, but not the sub-channels. But it doesn't say this has to be done in clear QAM. As I take it, since the FCC is allowing them to charge a rental fee to just the analog local stations, they can charge a rental fee to decrypt the HDTV feed.

Don't get me wrong, I highly doubt Cox ever takes the local HD's off, as it's a good marketing strategy to get people to look into the whole HD package.

Well after almost 2 weeks on AT&T U-verse, I have to say the setup it is fairly livable. Once I get that 2nd HD feed I will be a happy camper. I like being able to watch recorded shows in any room, and all channels available on all sets. VOD (video on demand), is light years better than Cox. Cox is definetly behind the times, in several areas. I may need to relocate the DVR box, to the most used set to better manage the recordings.

My only complaint was the NCAA BB feed (both HD & SD) looked like crap this last w/e. I heard several people on Dish & Cox mention the same, I think it is a CBS issue.

I will be purchasing a couple of Digital OTA boxes, to see if I can live with just the local channels on two lightly used sets.

~JimG.

Thanks for the update on Uverse. I'm looking forward to its availability in my area, although I'm not sure the pricing is as competitive as it was a year ago. Keep us posted.

VOD (video on demand), is light years better than Cox. Cox is definetly behind the times, in several areas.
~JimG.

Explain why you feel this way? Just saying it doesn't help us on here understand what you mean. Thanks.

Explain why you feel this way? Just saying it doesn't help us on here understand what you mean. Thanks.

Sorry didn't mean to be so general & vague. First off, U-verse access is lighting fast compared to Cox, Cox seem to take forever to load, & get to a category. Graphics, tabs all just seem much easier to navigate on U-verse. Over the years I kept trying to use Cox VOD, but always ended up being frustrated, find it all a bit too cumbersome.

Again being able to use the Web to manage your recordings (setup, delete) is very handy.

~JimG.

<> Updated: 3/27 -- U-verse has VOD in HD, I don't believe Cox does (someone correct me if I'm wrong). You can browse thru VOD while still listening to your current show. With COX you were either in VOD or standard channels. Selection is greater on AT&T too.

<> HD offerings COX had 1 HBO-HD, U-verse there are 14-HD & 14-digital (non-hd) HBO's, plus all the others. Not to mention the other Showtime, Cinemax, Starz. Tons more sport channels, FSN etc. There are over 100 HD choices, 450++ channels.

<> No I don't work for AT&T, just happy to have another choice besides $$$ COX $$$.

<> Pay-Per-View is available in HD, for a mere $10 more, where Cox was charging the same price for SD as with AT&T in HD.

<> Cox Internet connections seem to always drop/disconnect during the night. AT&T so far has been solid. Phone service would also disconnect every 6-8 weeks, causing the home security alarm to go off in the middle of the night.

<> Just got my first bill, I'm estimating that I will be about $35 less per month than COX (hopefully that will last). That is with 7 TV's with set-tops, so I can watch HD on all 7 (only 3 are HD ready).

<> Right now my biggest beef is only getting 1 HD feed, instead of two (promised). But I'm working around that by setting up my HD records overnight & during the daytimes whenever possible. SD channels appear to be better on a lot of channels, local can be weak at times.

Has anyone gotten the channel 8 group working OTA east of Wichita (Augusta)? I've had some knee problems fixed and hadn't been able to post since February. When KPTS went totally digital, I had great reception for 2 days and the mid-February, saw the Smokey Hills stations out of Salina and then nothing since. I get everything else pretty clearly, although I think I need to raise my antenna higher. Channel 10 gets pixelated once in a while.

KWCH's weather graphics have been in HD for about a month. It was a bit rough at the beginning, but I think they are finally getting the new system figured out. What does everyone think?

KWCH's weather graphics have been in HD for about a month. It was a bit rough at the beginning, but I think they are finally getting the new system figured out. What does everyone think?
Hi Gabe, Love the new HD graphics...wow. Large, Bright, and Stunning. The only comment I have is, everyone now does it, but why do they put so much emphasis on showing the high resolution map backgrounds of geography (Satellite View). To me I think it adds noise and distracts the eye. Why do we need to see all those different color gradations for elevation, etc...it just bugs the crap out of me. What ever happened to showing the map backgrounds with cities and roads. In your case however, it is very nice how you can show the radar in 3D like mode, slightly elevated above the ground and very nice. Keep up the great work!

Until Feb 16th I was receiving KPTS digital over their uhf signal. However, when they switched to vhf I lost it. I maintained all of the other channels, including ABC which is also vhf.

My main antenna is a Terrestrial Digital DB4 (http://www.terrestrial-digital.com/DB4.html), mounted in the attic. The DB4 is an excellent UHF antenna and will also pull in most high-band vhf, but got absolutely zero signal for channel 8. I did a little research and determined that simple pair of "rabbit ears" optimized for channel 8 may do the trick; rather than buying another uhf/vhf antenna. So, last night I set my $10 Radio Shack rabbit ears at full horizontal with the poles extended to a total width of 31" (http://www.kyes.com/antenna/rabbitear.html#wavetable), and mounted them perpendicular to the signal tower. I mounted the ears as high as I could in my attic and ran a 10ft coax lead to a Radio Shack uhf/vhf combiner (also connected to the DB4).

Check the channel 8 signal and it was pegged at a steady 70/71 out of 100, good enough for a perfect picture. I am 31 miles, due south of the tower. As an added benefit my signal for ABC improved 10+ points.

Anyway hope this helps any of you who lost KPTS when they switched to vhf. The fix was easy for me, good luck to you.


Unfettered, you might give this a shot. KPTS and KAKE are both transmitting on VHF which some UHF focused antennas have trouble with. I had the same problem you did, but my solution above resolved it. I'm on the outskirts of west Wichita, however, so you've likely got a little more of a distance issue than I had.

Coming in late May: Weather Channel HD, plus 5 other HD channels. Enjoy.

Coming in late May: Weather Channel HD, plus 5 other HD channels. Enjoy.

They better be the rest of the Disney HD offerings. Those are honestly the only ones left that I can think of.

"they better be"?

Or what?

They better be the rest of the Disney HD offerings. Those are honestly the only ones left that I can think of.
Just looking at some other cities that have HD channels through Cox, there's BET HD, IFC HD, WGN HD, and WE HD.

Also Cox has added FSRHD again, the Fox Sports Royals channel, on 656, which is, I guess, a seasonal thing.

Also Cox has added FSRHD again, the Fox Sports Royals channel, on 656, which is, I guess, a seasonal thing.


I really wish that FSRHD becomes a full-time FSNHD and broadcast some Big 12 games in HD, especially since the Big 12 network will be broadcasting games in HD this fall....

I really wish that FSRHD becomes a full-time FSNHD and broadcast some Big 12 games in HD, especially since the Big 12 network will be broadcasting games in HD this fall....

I will murder Cox if this isn't the case.

:cool:

Some other HD channels I'd like to see:

KSCW HD
HD Net
ESPNU HD
PPV HD
and the other HBO channels (HBO2E HD, HBOS HD, HBOS HD, etc)

Some other HD channels I'd like to see:

KSCW HD
HD Net
ESPNU HD
PPV HD
and the other HBO channels (HBO2E HD, HBOS HD, HBOS HD, etc)

PPV HD??? Go to ONDemand and it's all there.
HD Net, probably will never happen due to how much they charge for operators to cary the station.
KSCW HD, I think the paperwork is being worked on if I remember right from my friend. It was a late night, that's why I can't remember the other HD stations Cox is adding.

Cox Omaha will add Fox News HD, MLB Network HD, Speed HD, E! HD, Cartoon Network HD Disney Channel HD, ABC Family HD, & FX HD on April 30th. I think the only channels we don't have out of that mix is Speed HD and Disney Channel HD. Correct me if I'm wrong. When we get Disney I will drop my extended cable and with the money I save add digital boxes on the rest of my tvs. My sister would throw a fit otherwise.

Cox Omaha will add Fox News HD, MLB Network HD, Speed HD, E! HD, Cartoon Network HD Disney Channel HD, ABC Family HD, & FX HD on April 30th. I think the only channels we don't have out of that mix is Speed HD and Disney Channel HD. Correct me if I'm wrong. When we get Disney I will drop my extended cable and with the money I save add digital boxes on the rest of my tvs. My sister would throw a fit otherwise.

Here in ICT we have all of them except ABC Family HD and Disney Channel HD. Personally, I would like to see KSCW HD, WGN HD and We HD (My wife and I got hooked on Bridezillas - damn those b***hes are fun-knee!!!!)

Unfettered, you might give this a shot. KPTS and KAKE are both transmitting on VHF which some UHF focused antennas have trouble with. I had the same problem you did, but my solution above resolved it. I'm on the outskirts of west Wichita, however, so you've likely got a little more of a distance issue than I had.


I had a bit of from Smokey Hills Public TV right before they went to the new digital transmitter.

"they better be"?

Or what?

I will murder Cox if this isn't the case.

:cool:

What he said! :D

Here in ICT we have all of them except ABC Family HD and Disney Channel HD. Personally, I would like to see KSCW HD, WGN HD and We HD (My wife and I got hooked on Bridezillas - damn those b***hes are fun-knee!!!!)

Exactly, ABC Family HD, Disney Channel HD, Toon Disney HD (Now Disney XD HD) and ESPNU HD. The Disney Channels. ;)