My understanding is, new HD Channels that are currently offered in SD or analog, will be considered simulcast HD. Simulcast HD channels will become part of the tier that the SD/Analog channel is a part of.

If it is not simulcast and appears in HD only (like HDNet), then it is part of the HD tier.

--Duckman

That'll be pretty cool if this is true. I don't want HDNet but I wouldn't mind Discovery, TBS, et al in HD.

I'm probably misreading it though ;)

Just got word from a Mediacom employee that the HD tier will not be expanded. I guess that means they're all going to be on expanded basic. I like that idea because then I don't have to upgrade to the tier, but I suppose that means rates will go up again?

The way it was explained to me in their billing system....they reduced my HD Tier from $9.95 to $6.95 starting Jan 1. They increased my expanded basic by $3.00. So...the cost to me is $0, but, they reduced the HD Tier so they can justify the removal of any Simulcast network. Because the simulcast networks were moved to expanded basic...well...they increased that rate accordingly.

So...I guess...your rates went up if you were not getting the HD Tier.

--Duckman

I live in the Twin Cities - and reading this thread, I decided to call Mediacom to see if they are going to add the channels to my system as well as Des Moines. The CSR told me that ALL of Mediacom is going to get this update by the end of the month....not one specific area.

I also went to the Mediacom corporate site to check the channel line-up. After inputting my zip code I received the message:

"We are sorry. A channel line-up is not yet available for your community. Please check back at a later date."

I input a Des Moines zip code, picked Des Moines (I went to Drake University...GO BULLDOGS), then Polk, both had the same message. I wonder if they are updating the site with the new channel line-up???

I guess we'll see...I have had good news given to me by Mediacom CSR's before...only to be disappointed.



--Duckman


I saw the exact same thing and came here to see if anyone knew more. Fingers crossed for more HD channels from Mediacom ASAP.

If these channels really are deployed soon, it would sure be nice to get a pair of CableCARDs for my TiVo HD without having to upgrade my subscription to include digital cable and the HD tier.

That is, if they're going to add it to the family cable tier that I already have, it would be great to make the TiVo aware of them.

Everybody calls in to Mediacom...everyday. Until they give us a straight answer.

I did notice that ONE HD channel was added last week 841.

I'm calling them now.

Discovery HD Theater on 841 has been around awhile.

I talked with a CSR today because I was upset that I don't even get my locals in HD and I have the HD box. She said they only shows one local available in my area ( I'm getting two :rolleyes:), and there are no plans on them adding ABC or Fox to my HD lineup anytime soon due to headend issues. She also said there might be two new HD channels coming soon, didn't know which ones though. Nice! I'm so frustrated with this company. I'm about as close as you can get to switching to sat.

Called... CSR said she'll check and hung up on me. Love the service.
:mad:

Called... CSR said she'll check and hung up on me. Love the service.
:mad:

Are you sure she didn't say she would call you back?

Yeah, right. As if in the history of civilization any customer service rep has ever followed through on a promise to call a customer back. I don't think those people even have number buttons on their phones. :D

Either way, same result: no information for you.

Using OTA reception of HD channel 8 for New England / Chargers AFC Championship game, I noticed a pronounced stutter effect (like frames were being lost). HD commercials looked fine. Anyone else experience this?

I'm using a Winegard SS-1000 and several tuners on my HTPC and had no reception problems with the game. You guys considering the switch to satellite should do so. I did months ago and have been happy ever since.

Also, HTPC enthusiasts should take note that DirecTV has released some flyers at the CES show in Vegas regarding their HDPC-20 tuner (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1375844). I'm hoping it'll be a better solution than CableCARD.

Hello all. Thanks in advance. Noob question alert.

Just bought a 46-inch Sharp Aquos 64U. Plugged in a $25 antenna, and the local channels in HD are fantastic... except for 13.1, the local NBC affiliate. The picture there is great, but the sound is terrible.

A clicking noise that makes it unwatchable.

I've tried every angle and setup, but it always ends the same — No NBC in HD for me.

What I'm wondering is, this can't be a TV problem, right? Every other channel comes in correctly. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong and not realizing it? Any help or suggestions are much appreciated.

thanks.

It could be a TV problem, but I am not sure why. One thing about your problem that is interesting is that NBC (13.1) is the quietest of all the channels. Do you have to turn your set up a lot to get the audio to a suitable level, or is this clicking happening at the same volume level as you use for the other channels? Otherwise I would try checking your signal level and then perhaps try changing your antenna placement to see if anything makes it come in better. Last resort is to try a different TV with your antenna signal to see if it has the same problem. I have never seen (or heard) this problem myself, so maybe someone else has some other suggestions.

It's definitely happening at the same volume level as I watch the other channels. Like I said, the picture itself is perfect. It's only the sound.

I've tried two different antennas, with the same result. I've also tried moving the antenna around a bit. And the TV says I'm getting near full-strength reception (as good as any of the other local channels).

If possible, and if you can stand it, try determining when it's making the sound. For example, does it only make the noise when in NBC HD, or does it also carry over to the local commercials or local shows? That may also help narrow down whatever problem your TV may be having with the stream.

So assuming that it makes that noise throughout any broadcast on that channel, HD or not, is that a tell-tale sign of anything?

Found this in another forum site. SL = Storm Lake.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19206276&BRD=1304&PAG=461&dept_id=180495&rfi=6

So assuming that it makes that noise throughout any broadcast on that channel, HD or not, is that a tell-tale sign of anything?It may help their engineers figure out what part of their system is causing it, if it is in fact their problem. Most DT stations can only switch between two things -- their network's HD, and the equipment which "upconverts" their analog (that is, until equipment gets upgraded as it inevitably will). If it's happening on one or the other, then something is wrong with one or the other of those inputs. If that noise is happening on everything, NBC HD or not, it's probably happening down the road from the switcher.

newtohighdef,

I compared the streams of 8.1 and 13.1 to check for any audio differences just a bit ago. Now, granted the difference is that 8.1 was in network programming, and 13.1 was syndicated (Montel), but both were in 2/0 mode (stereo). I didn't hear the clicking on 13.1 either here on the stream analyzer or on my TV in the living room. The only difference I can actually tell between the two is the dialog normalization values of -27dB for 13.1 and -31 for 8.1. That is what contributes a fairly large amount to the apparent difference in audio levels between stations.

For ideas to try... I'm assuming you're just listening using the TV's built in speakers. Do you happen to have a home theater setup that you can send the audio out to? You might try both (if possible) the stereo out and the digital outs of the TV to see if there is any difference there.

Thanks at least someone is getting a little bit of info.

Has anyone else noticed that KDSM 17.1 signal dies everytime the weather is bad (snow, cold, etc). They seem to of been off and on for almost a week now.

I am able to get all of the DSM locals in HD with my OTA Trek connected to my DirectV HR20-700, with the exception of 17.1, 17.2

:confused:

Has anyone else noticed that KDSM 17.1 signal dies everytime the weather is bad (snow, cold, etc). They seem to of been off and on for almost a week now.

I am able to get all of the DSM locals in HD with my OTA Trek connected to my DirectV HR20-700, with the exception of 17.1, 17.2

:confused:

I've had several glitches & dropouts in my OTA TiVo recordings of American Idol these past several days. The signal has never died completely for me, but I'm fairly close to the transmitter site (9-10 miles).

I've had several glitches & dropouts in my OTA TiVo recordings of American Idol these past several days. The signal has never died completely for me, but I'm fairly close to the transmitter site (9-10 miles).

Same here. AI was pretty OK last night, but Tues. night we lost about the last 10 mins. of the show.

I agree with the flitches and dropouts, since I am able to notice them with my MediaCom connection, which I still receive as part of my Internet service. However, the signal is still Zero in strength through OTA out here in WDM.

I don't know what has changed but for the moment I am now receiving channel 5-1 fine. It has been months since it last came in this well and watching the bowl games in standard definition sucked. With Lost coming back next week, I was dreading climbing up into the attic and moving the antenna around, fearing I could mess up the other channels. At least for now after 20 minutes of having the ABC morning news on, so far so good. Just thought I would share :)

Hello all. Thanks in advance. Noob question alert.

Just bought a 46-inch Sharp Aquos 64U. Plugged in a $25 antenna, and the local channels in HD are fantastic... except for 13.1, the local NBC affiliate. The picture there is great, but the sound is terrible.

A clicking noise that makes it unwatchable.

I've tried every angle and setup, but it always ends the same — No NBC in HD for me.

What I'm wondering is, this can't be a TV problem, right? Every other channel comes in correctly. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong and not realizing it? Any help or suggestions are much appreciated.

thanks.

This is the 3rd Aquos that I have heard having the problem with 13.1 (Myself, Slyk on page 96, and now you).

Slyk is a friend of mine and he discovered that when using optical out to a stereo, the audio works fine. He also claims that he has gotten it to work switching back and forth from 13.1 to another channel, but I think he was just trying to make me sit there for hours flipping back and forth:)

I wrote Sharp detailing my problem and they told me to call in to a tech, but I have been lazy since 13 looks pretty good. That needs to go on my to-do list!

I can contribute to this discussion...this is all regarding my D64U tv (42") set up in Huxley with OTA HD.

My 13.1 was "choppy" from day one while using the TV's built-in speakers. The picture was perfect, with digital signal strength from 70-94 out of 100. The audio would cut in and out a couple times per second or so. It was not something you could stand while watching the channel...had to switch to SD.

Then I bought a Yamaha digital sound bar. Now I output sound to this using the optical out. I had become accustomed to not watching 13.1, so it took me a couple weeks to figure out that 13.1 worked...but not always.

I got it to work by switching from analog to digital while the sound was outputted to the sound bar. Eventually I figured out that if I switched back and forth enough it would "work normally" on the digital station, 13.1. Now I notice that every time I turn on the TV and I switch to 13.1, the sound does not work AT ALL the first time I go to the station. If I switch to a different station and come back it almost always works the second time. Occasionally I will have to switch from analog 13 to 13.1 in order to get the sound to work correctly.

For me it's not such a big deal...but there's definitely something funky with the TV. Occasionally I've also noticed an issue with 5.1 or 8.1, but rarely. I am now using a $7 set of rabbit ears, but that's only because I got no relief after trying $20, $30, and $70 antennas from Best Buy with no improvement on 13.1 (all other digital channels come in perfectly all the time).

Someone at channel 13 should at least be interested in why this would affect them. It is not like this is a very rare and unpopular TV. If this problems remains they may want to figure it out and get in touch with Sharp (if Sharp is the culprit) sooner rather than later. If it is like any of the other issues like this it could turn out to be a problem with a chipset that Sharp is using that will also be used in other TVs and eventually have some firmware fix. It would just be nice for engineers who know what they're doing to get on this problem sooner rather than wait for it to affect more people.

I emailed 13 at the same time I emailed Sharp...I am still waiting for a reply (approx 3 months+). Good thing I stopped holding my breath...

Well it has finally warmed up and not I am receiving 17.1 OTA again. No surprise to me, since this seems to be a pattern for KDSM 17.1. The weather turns bad, and the signal disappears. It warms up and the signal comes back.

I have e-mailed KDSM before about the correlation of signal loss and the weather, however I have yet to hear back from them after 2 1/2 months of waiting.

I spoke too soon on 5-1. The morning it was coming in must have been helped by the atmosphere or something as now it is gone again. Guess this means a trip to the attic and another attempt at aiming the antenna soon..........

I'd be delighted if MediaCom could actually deliver a hi-def box to me. I've been waiting since mid-September. I can't get a satellite connection so it's particularly frustrating.
Anybody on mediacom's high def box wait list actually received one recently. When I call about it now I'm "assured" they have started receiving them and are installing them. Just curious if they are still vaporware.

I spoke too soon on 5-1. The morning it was coming in must have been helped by the atmosphere or something as now it is gone again. Guess this means a trip to the attic and another attempt at aiming the antenna soon..........

I'm having all kinds of problems with 5 and 5.1.

Even on the sat feed for 5....video dropouts every 30sec or so. OTA is no different.

I'm having all kinds of problems with 5 and 5.1.

Even on the sat feed for 5....video dropouts every 30sec or so. OTA is no different.

I've had similar issues with 5 and 5.1.

Anybody on mediacom's high def box wait list actually received one recently. When I call about it now I'm "assured" they have started receiving them and are installing them. Just curious if they are still vaporware.

I can confirm that after three months of waiting I finally got one in the first week of January.

Now, if the rumored added channels show up...

Did you guys get new HD channels today?

835 TNTHD
836 TBSHD
837 CNNHD

I live in Southern MN and these showed up but I lost 832 FSNHD. Mediacom can't do anything right.

Update Mediacom Fixed 832 FSNHD at 9:10PM 1-2 hours after I first called.

I have them showing up also....my DVR does not show their designations, although, I know through other posts and articles that they are indeed TNT, TBS, and CNN.

I also lost 832. Hope that gets fixed

I wonder what markets are getting these new channels? Nothing is showing up here in NE Iowa on my DVR.

I have them showing up also....my DVR does not show their designations, although, I know through other posts and articles that they are indeed TNT, TBS, and CNN.

I also lost 832. Hope that gets fixed

My 832 is working now 9:20PM.

Mine is on now too. Thanks for the heads up WhatHappend....

They are on in DES MIONES now too.
Joe

Too bad these aren't clear QAM additions. :p

Does anyone know what channel 832 is going to be? Will it also be a Fox Sports Net HD like 832 is in Minnesota? Right now it just shows as reserved, but no channel designation.

A little FYI for you central IA 'Clone fans. More TV stations should do this. I think it's great. :)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19911556-IA-ISU-Vs-Texas-AM-Basketball-Game

http://www.woi-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4089736

AMES, Iowa – Because Tuesday’s Iowa State-Texas A&M basketball game directly conflicts with ABC network Super Tuesday primary election night coverage, WOI-TV channel 5 in Central Iowa will split its schedule to accommodate viewers who want to watch either the game or election coverage.

The game will only be shown on the analog WOI signal. ABC’s Super Tuesday coverage will air on WOI’s digital/HD signal. All Central Iowa Mediacom cable subscribers will be able to watch the game on WOI channel 5. Other cable company subscribers who receive WOI’s analog signal will also be able to see the ISU-Texas A&M game on WOI.

Dish Network and DirecTV subscribers will not be able to watch the game because WOI provides those networks with its digital/HD signal. Satellite dish subscribers would have to shut down their satellite or use a separate television with a “rabbit ears” antenna to watch the game on channel 5.

KFXA-Fox in Cedar Rapids/Waterloo will also carry the game and will be broadcasted on both its analog and digital/HD channels. The game is also offered on the ESPN Full Court package

So for those of us relying on OTA to get the Super Bowl in HD...we're essentially held hostage by the weather? I don't like the sound of that.

My TiVo HD says 832 is Fox Sports HD

So is there no clear QAM Fox HD Channel with Mediacom anymore? I used to get it, but it got lost during the Sinclair-Mediacom fiasco.

If I want to watch the Superbowl in HD, it's gotta be HD right?

So is there no clear QAM Fox HD Channel with Mediacom anymore? I used to get it, but it got lost during the Sinclair-Mediacom fiasco.

If I want to watch the Superbowl in HD, it's gotta be HD right?

My Fox QAM frequency is 95.4 in Urbandale. Works just fine on both of my TVs at that frequency.

I don't think there was a Fox HD before the Sinclair-Mediacom fiasco. It was only after the settlement that the HD channel was available through Mediacom.

It won't show up in channel scans with some/most TVs, but here in Ames it is also 95-4 QAM unencrypted.

My Fox QAM frequency is 95.4 in Urbandale. Works just fine on both of my TVs at that frequency.

I don't think there was a Fox HD before the Sinclair-Mediacom fiasco. It was only after the settlement that the HD channel was available through Mediacom.

Correct.

So for those of us relying on OTA to get the Super Bowl in HD...we're essentially held hostage by the weather? I don't like the sound of that.
I have yet to have any issues with my OTA signal and I am 56 miles from the tower. I LOVE my OTA signal, best picture by far.

Here in Ankeny i'm loving the new

835-TNT HD
836-TBS HD
837-CNN HD (well, not so much)

Just noticed them today, haven't been home in a while.

But curious, as it appears Minnesota had the channel before we did,
channel 832 .. currently seeing the colorbars - will that be ABC Family HD? That's currently what channel 32 is here in Ankeny, although I know the numbers don't always coincide with the analog numbers (817 = channel 6 [Fox] in HD)

Anywho, Stealth in HD is pretty wicked, even if the movie sucks.

- Joe from Ankeny.

Update - after reading back, maybe its Fox Sports Net HD?

Also, with anyone owning a DCT3416-I (160GB hdd without the ports on the front) HD-DVR .. did they notice channel One turn back into the "video on demand" channel?
A few months back the channel was removed from my guide and less than a month ago it reappeared.

832 is going to be a sports RSN from what I understand. A Fox Sports Net of some sort.

Has anyone else here been having problems picking up 8.1/8.2 with OTA? I can get all other channels just fine. I used to have no problems at all with KCCI until Friday. Now it seems like I can't get a watchable signal at all.

Nothing has changed with my antenna setup. I've tried hooking up the antenna to both my HR-20 and directly to my TV and I get the same results...great reception on every channel except 8.1 and 8.2. I've also tried several other smaller antennas that I had sitting in the closet with the same results. I'm on the south side of Des Moines.

Channel 832 has been Fox Sports Net North in the Twin Cities for a little over a year now. FSN does not broadcast their non HD content on the HD channel because they do not have the bandwidth to do so yet. So...you will see color bars the vast majority of the time.

Last year, fewer than 40 of the Twins games were broadcast in HD, only a handful of Wild and Timberwolves games were broadcast in HD, and every now and then, a Big 12 Football game was on in HD.

I have heard that Fox has done a terrific job in upgrading their bandwidth, and beginning with this Twins season, they will be able to broadcast more of their content in HD. My understanding is that almost all of the Twins home games will be broadcast in HD this year.

That being said...if you did not have a Fox Regional Sports network in HD until this point, don't feel like you have missed out on too much. The coverage has been too spotty to call it an HD channel.

--Duckman

Never mind...

About an hour after posting this, everything seems like it's back to normal. I guess whatever was causing the problem seems to be fixed now.

Has anyone else here been having problems picking up 8.1/8.2 with OTA? I can get all other channels just fine. I used to have no problems at all with KCCI until Friday. Now it seems like I can't get a watchable signal at all.

Nothing has changed with my antenna setup. I've tried hooking up the antenna to both my HR-20 and directly to my TV and I get the same results...great reception on every channel except 8.1 and 8.2. I've also tried several other smaller antennas that I had sitting in the closet with the same results. I'm on the south side of Des Moines.

Jon & others,

Beginning sometime Friday evening we've been experiencing intermittent data loss and high error rates that have been causing some receivers to burp on the signal. Some work was done Saturday early afternoon, but I saw it was still doing odd things last night. It doesn't seem to be a signal/reception problem for users, so I'd sit tight with things and we'll keep troubleshooting. I'll try to keep updating when I can, but today is my Friday so I won't be back around work until Wednesday.

Hah, well, I'll check when I get in to work and see if things were fixed and knocked back into place. :cool:

Sorry for all the posts, but we've switched over to the "B" side of the transmitter and the problems seem to have alleviated themselves. We'll stay there until we find out what's going on with Exciter A.

I'm glad to see mediacom adding hd channels but why don't the channel lineup additions show on their website TV guide? I have cablecards in a tivo series 3 and I have submitted the lineup changes to tivo but it will take awhile before my tivo guides will show the new channels.

I'd like to be able to see the program lineups for these channels so I could at least know what is on or set my tivo to do a manual recording if I am interested in a program. I suppose that I could go to each channels web guide but that's a lot of effort.

Sorry for all the posts, but we've switched over to the "B" side of the transmitter and the problems seem to have alleviated themselves. We'll stay there until we find out what's going on with Exciter A.

Thanks for the updates kc0bsn. I haven't seen any problems here since late morning.

I'm glad to see mediacom adding hd channels but why don't the channel lineup additions show on their website TV guide? I have cablecards in a tivo series 3 and I have submitted the lineup changes to tivo but it will take awhile before my tivo guides will show the new channels.

I'd like to be able to see the program lineups for these channels so I could at least know what is on or set my tivo to do a manual recording if I am interested in a program. I suppose that I could go to each channels web guide but that's a lot of effort.


Mediacom updated the HDTV page: http://www.mediacomcc.com/cable_hdtv.html

The new channels TNTHD, TBSHD, CNNHD are just the same content as the SD versions. If you are wondering about FSNHD that is only showing something about 1-2 times per week.

Sorry for all the posts, but we've switched over to the "B" side of the transmitter and the problems seem to have alleviated themselves. We'll stay there until we find out what's going on with Exciter A.

Okay, I switched my antenna feeds back around and my weakest tuner is now working as it did before. I get occasional skips on it, but that was usual for it. Thanks for the info kc0bsn

DirecTV news - looks like CR-WLoo got their HD channels before Des Moines!!

They should be receiving CBS, FOX and NBC but are still in negotiations with ABC...

DirecTV news - looks like CR-WLoo got their HD channels before Des Moines!!

They should be receiving CBS, FOX and NBC but are still in negotiations with ABC...

Yep they sure did. That was the last thing I was waiting for before ditching Mediacom. Installation is coming the 19th. So long crappy cable..

DirecTV news - looks like CR-WLoo got their HD channels before Des Moines!!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Bah, you're in Ankeny! Put up a foot-long indoor antenna and you'll be fine. :D Works for me!

I'm glad the weather was good tonight because I would have been awfully mad if WOI dropped out of HD during a fantastic Lost episode to run those stupid school announcement crawls.

Ahh the greatest thing about having an OTA antenna is never worrying about when the satellite companies will broadcast the locals in HD, even when they do they cannot compare to the PQ I get now...

Bah, you're in Ankeny! Put up a foot-long indoor antenna and you'll be fine. :D Works for me!

I'm glad the weather was good tonight because I would have been awfully mad if WOI dropped out of HD during a fantastic Lost episode to run those stupid school announcement crawls.

Oh yeah, I've got the antenna, would just rather not even deal with it. I just want it all to be perfect! :D

I just purchased a new 37 in LCD flat panel. When watching OTA HD broadcasts of hockey and basketball, I noticed the picture brightness flickering/auto adjusting sometimes. This doesn't occur when watching other programming. Just wondering if this is an issue with the broadcast or with my tv. It seems to be more than just the flash from cameras. Have others seen this?

Only happens to Hawk fans.

JK, it sounds like it is your TV. This can sometimes be turned off if it annoys you. Look for things such as dynamic contrast or dynamic backlight controls and adjust them to low or off if you can.

Thanks, you were right. The default picture settings have a few auto adjusting features that were automatically enabled. Looks like the camera flashes from indoor sporting events caused this feature to adjust the picture. After I setup one of the custom picture profiles and manually turned this off, the problem went away.

So not only did CR/WLoo get their locals in HD before des moines, but they also got it before Omaha who just got theirs yesterday!

Maybe this is good news and all the attention in Iowa/NE means we'll get our HD locals soon!! (not that OTA doesn't work decently for me, but I'd rather not have to mess with my antenna once a week because my signal decides to fade...)

(not that OTA doesn't work decently for me, but I'd rather not have to mess with my antenna once a week because my signal decides to fade...)
I use OTA in Fort Dodge and never have any issues. By far the best PQ.

I use OTA in Fort Dodge and never have any issues. By far the best PQ.

Do you have an external antenna? I just have a cheap set of rabbit ears behind my set. I could probably go spend a little more on a nicer antenna, but I have to stick with something in the house (I think we're already breaking the condos bylaws by having a satellite dish, but all the units have satellite so no one really cares)

Do you have an external antenna? I just have a cheap set of rabbit ears behind my set. I could probably go spend a little more on a nicer antenna, but I have to stick with something in the house (I think we're already breaking the condos bylaws by having a satellite dish, but all the units have satellite so no one really cares)
Ahhh, yes I invested in a Wineguard rooftop antenna with both VHF and UHF so it is futureproof.

I saw this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13131651#post13131651)in the Hot of the Press Thread about how Everybody Loves Raymond would soon be joining Two and a Half Men as the second off-net sitcom to be available to stations in HD.

Do any Des Moines locals run syndicated programming in HD? Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune are produced in HD, but they're not shown that way here, right? I haven't looked at Jeopardy, but Wheel is surely not in HD despite my TiVo's guide data saying that it is.

I would be shocked if KDSM started running their Raymond reruns in HD.

Ahhh, yes I invested in a Wineguard rooftop antenna with both VHF and UHF so it is futureproof.
A bit of good info like a Model # on that antenna (and any amp) would be a nice addition for people looking to get into HDTV OTA reception. Thanks for any info.

Do you have an external antenna? I just have a cheap set of rabbit ears behind my set. I could probably go spend a little more on a nicer antenna, but I have to stick with something in the house (I think we're already breaking the condos bylaws by having a satellite dish, but all the units have satellite so no one really cares)

BTW, it is illegal for them to prevent you from putting up an OTA antenna outside. It does need to be on your property and not overhang someone else's, but they can't say "no antennas". It is the same ruling the FCC made that allows the mini sat dishes to exist, and likely why they don't go after people with the dishes because they know they will lose that battle. I know an outdoor antenna is an eyesore to some, but the law is the law, and they cannot tell you no as long as you follow the letter of the law. Just do some searching on one of the stickies at the beginning the thread and you'll quickly find reference to it.

Okay, save yourself any trouble:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

I wish local productions were HD. State wrestling finals would be so much easier to watch all three matches with the split screens.

Yeah, I certainly wasn't impressed with the production of the wrestling tourney either. Too much wasted space on the screen not being used... and far too small fonts being used on the scores of the non-featured matches. (I almost wanted to grab a magnifying glass to try and read the screen. My other option was using the D* local and using the crop feature... but that made most of the font unreadable blobs on the screen.) Nor did Farm Bureau really need to take up the top 1/4 of the screen all the time.
Too bad IPTV wasn't able to hold onto the contract. At least they _TRY_ to be HDTV friendly with their productions.

denyart - thanks for the info - but I'd rather just be able to receive local HD via satellite rather than spend more money on an external antenna (not to mention getting up on my steeply pitched roof to install it and run cable to my living room or paying someone to do it.)

My small antenna will get me by until that point.

I just saw a trailer touting that WHO-TV news will be broadcasting a segment in HD tomorrow (Monday 2/18/08) on the 10PM newscast. Anyone got any leads on what it might be? My web-searches have turned up bubkus... and 13's website isn't cooperating for me. (As usual... no wonder I'm a loyal KCCI follower! :D)

I miss the days when stations didn't show closings/cancellations nonstop. Thanks NBC for not airing any of the Gladiators finals, and probably not Knight Rider, in HD. I watched something else.

Yeah, they aired a few opening minutes of KR in HD, then stepped back down to SD. I don't understand why they feel the need to do that - if we wanted to see the cancellations, we could flip over to the analog side.

Well, through the first hour of Knight Rider, it was at most 50% HD because of the stupid text crawls. I even called to complain.

Like you said Jason, people can switch to the analog side if they need to see those, or look online, or watch the newscast later. At most, they should run one cycle of the alphabet once or twice an hour.

I also saw the promo for WHO's 10PM Monday newscast. A little vague on what they're going to do...a segment in HD? A peek at a new news set equipped for HD? Okay, I'll bite. TiVo set.

Fear not. We will continue to remain the backwater berg that we are for the foreseeable future. :D

:D

If our local stations' newscasts all looked as good as KCCI, I wouldn't complain too much. For being SD, theirs is gorgeous. WHO's always seems darker and less sharp than it should be. KDSM's 9:00 news looks like a YouTube video in comparison to KCCI, despite all of the above being SD. I haven't checked out WOI's lately.

Right now I'd settle for a station that could record/rebroadcast HD programs.

I'm dying to see Wheel Of Fortune in HD. Especially now that I saw a glimpse in an HD car commercial this weekend.

So I'm guessing that this is a direct streaming feed that WHO will be showing tonight and not anything produced locally. (Unless they somehow partnered with IPTV or some cable outlet. Mediacom? HA! Yeah, right.)

Some Guy from WHO-TV was on WHO Radio this morning discussing the segment for tonight's newscast.

Based on his comments, don't expect anything permanent soon. It sounds like they're using this as part of a "test" for future HD, one of a few within their ownership's station group. He indicated full HD could either come "next year or sooner", but was rather vague.

Fear not. We will continue to remain the backwater berg that we are for the foreseeable future. :D
Well, we basically had a segment comprised mostly of HD local outdoor shots: panoramic stuff, etc.

However, Bachman & Kiernan were in HD from the main news set. So why not do it more often? Let's get on with it already! :D Maybe they had to pre-record it or something.

I forgot it was on.

As of 2:10 am CST Tuesday:

- KDSM (Fox) is already transmitting on their final channel at their final power, and they plan to keep analog 17 going until the transition date. It appears they are the only Central Iowa station not moving or flash-cutting.

- KDIN (IPTV) will be moving back to channel 11. It appears they will be converting their existing channel 11 transmitter from analog to digital. They say the manufacturer claims the conversion should take "a minimal amount of time," and they hope to have the antenna and transmission line work done by fall of '08, but they also say they may ask permission to continue using channel 50 temporarily after the transition date so as not to shut off the analog too early. (Source is here (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=618292).)

- WHO (NBC) will be moving back to channel 13. Like KDIN, they plan to use their analog antenna for their post-transition DT. Current plan is to apply for the construction permit next month, order the equipment in June, begin re-tooling the channel 13 transmitter in January, shut off the TV 13 and DT 19 transmitters on 2-17-09, and operate on DT 13 forevermore beginning 2-18-09. (Source is here (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=617924).)

The feed for KDIN and WHO will be going through a combiner, so they will need to coordinate with each other.

That appears to be it from Central Iowa for now. More as it develops ...

Well, we basically had a segment comprised mostly of HD local outdoor shots: panoramic stuff, etc.

However, Bachman & Kiernan were in HD from the main news set. So why not do it more often? Let's get on with it already! :D Maybe they had to pre-record it or something.

It was pretty cool. Nice of them to tease us though :D

Indeed it was a tease. It was sure a good looking one though.

From what I'd heard they were borrowing an HD camera from another station in their ownership group. I have a feeling the outside and studio shot were with the same camera. Not sure how they altered their air playout line, though, when I worked there a few years ago the master control switcher wasn't HD capable, but maybe the new owners got them an upgrade... also not sure if their MC people are located here now again or not.

Not sure how they altered their air playout line, though, when I worked there a few years ago the master control switcher wasn't HD capable

I bet it was a downstream switch right at their HD encoder. There was a flash-frame back to SD up-convert at the end of the segment before they switched to the commercial break. I hardly ever watch 10pm news, but I watched last night because I really was curious to see if it was "live". I'm pretty sure it was pre-recorded. I watched their scripts on the desk. Erin's stack of scripts got smaller and changed color during the HD segment, then went back the way they were before in the weather segment (her hair moved, too :D). I suspect they were probably just simulcasting off an HD-VTR. But, I was impressed at their graphics, which were HD (or at least were wide-screen), and they had motion. That took some effort, pre-recorded or not!

The HD piece occupied one whole segment between commercial breaks, (that is, we didn't see the anchors in SD first introducing the piece) and there is the notion here that it was all prerecorded, including the desk shot.

So what went on the air on the analog side during this segment? Did they do that live like normal with normal news stories while the prerecorded HD segment only aired on WHO-DT? The segment would have seemed kind of silly on analog sets.

The animation & graphics showing the CNet web site was pretty nice looking. Kind of funny having Bachman rattling off specific HDTV models.

I noticed the switch back to SD just as the HD desk shot faded out for the commercial break. That made for a jarring A/B comparison upon TiVo playback.

I have always been able to pick up FOX-HD on 95.4 through Mediacom. It isn't working today, but I am able to pick up 817 through my Mediacom box. Does anyone know if Fox has changed QAM frequencies, or if it is just having some issues at the moment?

I have always been able to pick up FOX-HD on 95.4 through Mediacom. It isn't working today, but I am able to pick up 817 through my Mediacom box. Does anyone know if Fox has changed QAM frequencies, or if it is just having some issues at the moment?

Upon reading your message, I did a fresh scan on my TV. I found KDSM on 86-4.

(I don't have a Mediacom cable box, not that it matters for this.)

Ankenyclone, you're not alone. My TV actually says "Scrambled" for 95-4. Normally if the HD channel goes out temporarily I get "No Signal." Think Mediacom really is scrambling this? (A a scheme to push more people to their digital package? After all the Sinclair drama of losing it last year, not a good move!)

Edited at 7:25
Okay, now when I punch in 95-4 my tuner bounces down to 95-2 which says "Scrambled." So maybe that's what I saw earlier in my post above. It's like it's not even there now, like if I punch in a pay-per-view channel that's not in use at the moment. Strange, since usually I'll at least get "No Signal."

Anyone with Mediacom's HD package getting it? (I assume your HD version comes in on 95-4, right?)

Edited at 7:32
Okay, never mind. Todd, your post hadn't shown up when I started typing my original post, and apparently I didn't read "up" before editing either. ;) I can get it on 86-4 too, so thanks for the info! (And my apologies to Mediacom for the conspiracy theory - must be in "Big Business=Big Bad" mode today!)

Yeah, actually, KDSM has been clear QAM on both 95-4 and 86-4 for a couple weeks now. I wondered if they were preparing to move it. I just tried to pull in 95-4 and it now bounces me down to 95-2 like yours, Bidness.

The FCC just posted the transition status forms for KCWI (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1232704&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=51502) and KDMI (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1232387&Service=DT&Form_id=387&Facility_id=78915).

Both stations still need some work -- including antenna and transmitter work, plus each station will need a digital modulator and mask filter -- before they'll be ready to go after 2-17-09.

KCWI is flash-cutting to digital on 23; KDMI is moving from channel 56 to 31, which is currently occupied by KCCI-DT.

And now EVERY major full-power station in the Des Moines market is accounted for, so here's a full roundup. This is a summary based on transition status report forms in the FCC database:

KCCI (CBS): needs no tower work, but will need to convert one of the two cabinets of its analog channel 8 transmitter to digital. Analog 8 continues until deadline but possibly at reduced power.

KCWI (CW, analog-only): Needs to adjust or install transmitter and install a digital modulator and mask filter. Analog continues until deadline after which it will flash-cut to digital on channel 23. Work on some parts of the digital facility, however, could begin as early as this summer, and it looks like they're shooting for December.

KDIN (IPTV): will convert channel 11 transmitter on older tower from analog to digital; hopes to have antenna and transmission line work done by fall; may ask for permission to temporarily stay on channel 50 past 2-17-09 to avoid interruption of service.

KDMI (MyNetwork SD/CW HD, digital-only): Timeline submitted calls for construction to begin on channel 31 facility by fall with completion of the last part (antenna installation) by next Feb. 1.

KDSM (Fox): analog continues until deadline; already operating its authorized DT facilities.

KFPX (Ion, analog-only): will stay analog until 2-17-09. However, will drop to half-power in August so it can ship parts to another station to help them with the transition, while a Pennsylvania station, in turn, ships parts to KFPX. Analog will stay half-power "for the duration of the transition."

WHO (NBC): will convert channel 13 transmitter on older tower from analog to digital with re-tooling to begin by January 2009, but apparently no early end to analog.

WOI (ABC): needs new transmitter and construction permit. Plans to get transmitter buildings ready by early fall, install new transmitter by October, test into a "dummy load" in November, test it for air in December, and have it good to go 2-17-09. Analog stays on until deadline.

Did anyone else attend the Brad Paisley concert last night at Wells Fargo Arena? By my count there were about 67 46-50" HDTVs hung above the stage, and a big 20' HD screen in the middle. What really was amazing was what appeard to be some type of 3D HD when he did the duet with Allison Krause. It looked like she was standing right there. Half the audience was screaming when it came on, thinking it was really her in the building.

There are people who would actually spend money to see Brad Paisley? Huh.

;)

Anybody experiencing lower power than normal out of 8.1 and 8.2? All others are coming in okay, but I can't get a picture on those. It's been like this since this morning. Thanks.

Anybody experiencing lower power than normal out of 8.1 and 8.2? All others are coming in okay, but I can't get a picture on those. It's been like this since this morning. Thanks.

No sorry, still 100% and I am in Fort Dodge.

Does KDMI broadcast very weakly, or at all?

I'm in Ames, using a standard pair of rabbit ears and I can pull in all the majors fine -- FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, and PBS, but nothing from KDMI.

Does KDMI broadcast very weakly, or at all?

I'm in Ames, using a standard pair of rabbit ears and I can pull in all the majors fine -- FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, and PBS, but nothing from KDMI.
I get them around 70% here in Fort Dodge so you should be able to pull them in in my opinion.

Actually, there is a known issue with KDMI in Ames. This particular area has a probelm with reception and so much so that KDMI engineers looked into at one time. I had a few emails about this from someone ot KDMI. The end result (afaik) was that they couldn't figure out why it has signal problems here in Ames. I imagine they may have decided to just wait and see if things get any better after the switchover. I am not sure if anything is actually going to change for them on the switchover though. FWIW, I have been able to get them from time to time, and the signal level is usually good when I get them, but it is not consistent. It seems like perhaps we are getting a corrupt/multipath-like signal here all the time. It would be great if enough people from Ames got toether and perhaps got them to look back into the problem (if they aren't already) and maybe it could get fixed. Otherwise I will have to hope that Mediacom adds the signal to their digital unencrypted lineup.

Actually, there is a known issue with KDMI in Ames. This particular area has a probelm with reception and so much so that KDMI engineers looked into at one time. I had a few emails about this from someone ot KDMI. The end result (afaik) was that they couldn't figure out why it has signal problems here in Ames. I imagine they may have decided to just wait and see if things get any better after the switchover. I am not sure if anything is actually going to change for them on the switchover though. FWIW, I have been able to get them from time to time, and the signal level is usually good when I get them, but it is not consistent. It seems like perhaps we are getting a corrupt/multipath-like signal here all the time. It would be great if enough people from Ames got toether and perhaps got them to look back into the problem (if they aren't already) and maybe it could get fixed. Otherwise I will have to hope that Mediacom adds the signal to their digital unencrypted lineup.
Bummer, thankfully I never watch this channel :)

After looking, it looks like KCWI and KDMI are making substantial changes according to the info dline was nice enough to put together from the fcc website and other locations. I can only hope that after february 17 of next year these stations will come in better in Ames (especially the CW, my wife would like that;))

Mediacom is switching to SDV for more HD content.

Source: EngadgetHD

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/02...ks-to-add-mor/
Joe

Des Moines better not be an early market.

Actually, there is a known issue with KDMI in Ames. This particular area has a probelm with reception and so much so that KDMI engineers looked into at one time. I had a few emails about this from someone ot KDMI. The end result (afaik) was that they couldn't figure out why it has signal problems here in Ames. I imagine they may have decided to just wait and see if things get any better after the switchover. I am not sure if anything is actually going to change for them on the switchover though. FWIW, I have been able to get them from time to time, and the signal level is usually good when I get them, but it is not consistent. It seems like perhaps we are getting a corrupt/multipath-like signal here all the time. It would be great if enough people from Ames got toether and perhaps got them to look back into the problem (if they aren't already) and maybe it could get fixed. Otherwise I will have to hope that Mediacom adds the signal to their digital unencrypted lineup.

Yeah, that's what I wondered if their signal was down... because I have gotten it on occasion -- and very strong too, and now I'm getting 0%. Either very strong or not at all seems to be the order of the day. Thanks for the info, I'll hope the changeover helps.

Any updates on when DirecTV is going to get local HD channels in DSM?

Any updates on when DirecTV is going to get local HD channels in DSM?

Nothing. Announced that we would have them by the end of 06, but we're still waiting. Email to them about a month or two ago revealed that they still have no updates and for whatever reason can't tell what the holdup is.

Any updates on when DirecTV is going to get local HD channels in DSM?
No idea but I am willing to bet the PQ will not be as good as the OTA I get now...

As I found out last night, one (perhaps the only) drawback to having OTA locals with DirecTV is that you're not able to remotely schedule recordings.

I went to record something from dinner last night on my phone, and was unable to set it to record to the HD local, the SD was the only option :(

If the PQ of mpeg4 locals is even 90% of OTA it'll be worth it to me so I don't have to play around with my antenna depending on what channel I want to watch (just have rabbit ears), don't have to listen to my GF whine when her soap operas cut out or don't record and gain the ability to schedule a recording via the net/my phone.

As I found out last night, one (perhaps the only) drawback to having OTA locals with DirecTV is that you're not able to remotely schedule recordings.

I went to record something from dinner last night on my phone, and was unable to set it to record to the HD local, the SD was the only option :(

If the PQ of mpeg4 locals is even 90% of OTA it'll be worth it to me so I don't have to play around with my antenna depending on what channel I want to watch (just have rabbit ears), don't have to listen to my GF whine when her soap operas cut out or don't record and gain the ability to schedule a recording via the net/my phone.
Hmmm I have no trouble recording content OTA but I am with Dish Network...

I hear ya rabbit ears suck. I mounted a Windguard VHF/UHF combo on my roof so I am ready for the switch in 09. Good luck!

Hey jswerve, model number of the antenna please. Sorry if you already posted it. Thanks

Hey jswerve, model number of the antenna please. Sorry if you already posted it. Thanks
HD7082P

Here's the LINK (http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=4563)
Pulling in NBC and CBS @ 100%, Fox @ 85 %, and ABC @ 90% 60 miles from the towers :)

Any updates on when DirecTV is going to get local HD channels in DSM?

They have a new bird going up March 17th which is suppose to get a bunch of markets their HD locals.

I live between Vinton and Shellsburg and so far I get all the Des Moines/Ames stations with the exception of WOI, can't get a signal lock on them. I show that their antenna power at this time is only 100 KW, not much compared to the other local stations. Has anyone in the Des Moine area heard if they will be increasing power?

I beleive that info is old. They have been broadcasting at full power for some time now. I think antennaweb still has the old power level. Back when it was that low you couldn't get them without being able to see the tower (almost kidding). They are still one of the more troublesome stations in terms of reception, but you should be able to get them. Right now they are high up in the UHF range, and a lot of antennas are a little weak in their gain at that extreme. I get them with a SilverSensor-type antenna in my attic. I know others who get them as well.

Your right , the FCC site has them at 1000 kw on channel 59. Still no lock, they must have some type of an antenna issue, mybe it will clear up. My location is 91 miles from the tower field that most of the stations appear to use. I'll just have to swing around to Davenport to pickup another ABC station.

Your right , the FCC site has them at 1000 kw on channel 59. Still no lock, they must have some type of an antenna issue, mybe it will clear up. My location is 91 miles from the tower field that most of the stations appear to use. I'll just have to swing around to Davenport to pickup another ABC station.
Not sure what antenna setup you are using but here is a great link for a Deep Fringe setup (over 60 miles away from the tower). LINK (http://www.highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=14818)

My antenna setup is much larger than the deep fringe setup, you could say mind is deep deep deep fringe. Heres is my setup....

Channel Master Model 4251 UHF 7ft Para-Scope (was most powerful UHF on market - no longer made)
Channel Master Double Boom Model 3617B VHF
Channel Master Super Titan 2 mast mounted preamplifiers Model 7475 UHF
Channel Master Super Titan 2 mast mounted preamplifiers Model 7476 VHF/FM
Ham II Rotor
35 FT Tower with top 10ft pole double walled
7.5 FT C-Band system with 4dtv

This UHF antenna is so sensitive that at 91 miles being off by 5 degrees and I'll lose signal, this morning watching KCCI and getting a signal strength of 84 when on target. Well, WOI finally came in but can only get a 46 signal lock. May be a problem with the Magnavox converter or still their antenna.

My antenna setup is much larger than the deep fringe setup, you could say mind is deep deep deep fringe. Heres is my setup....

Channel Master Model 4251 UHF 7ft Para-Scope (was most powerful UHF on market - no longer made)
Channel Master Double Boom Model 3617B VHF
Channel Master Super Titan 2 mast mounted preamplifiers Model 7475 UHF
Channel Master Super Titan 2 mast mounted preamplifiers Model 7476 VHF/FM
Ham II Rotor
35 FT Tower with top 10ft pole double walled
7.5 FT C-Band system with 4dtv

This UHF antenna is so sensitive that at 91 miles being off by 5 degrees and I'll lose signal, this morning watching KCCI and getting a signal strength of 84 when on target. Well, WOI finally came in but can only get a 46 signal lock. May be a problem with the Magnavox converter or still their antenna.
LOL...WOW!!!! I did not even need a preamp but I am only about 56 miles from the towers, clear line of sight. All of the towers are on the same azimuth as well so no rotor needed. Man you must have some serious cash in that setup!

Here's a picture of my tower setup.

Here's a picture of my tower setup.
Holy Moly!

LOL...WOW!!!! I did not even need a preamp but I am only about 56 miles from the towers, clear line of sight. All of the towers are on the same azimuth as well so no rotor needed. Man you must have some serious cash in that setup!

I purchased everything at dealer cost over the years when I lived in Indiana and I have installed it at 4 different houses over the last 20 years, hopefully this will be the last one, getting tired of climbing tower and digging hole 4'x6' for tower base, let alone taking it down. Last year got tired of Directv pricing and weather issues so installed a C-band antenna, no trouble with weather dropout. Here in Cedar Rapids when bad weather comes in they kill programing for most of the night..talk forever about weather ...thats the main reason for rotor and having this size system. I can go to Des Moines or Davenport to watch programs and this makes the wife happy, except when I move antenna while she watching a show.

I purchased every thing at dealer cost over the years when I lived in Indiana and I have installed it at 4 different houses over the last 20 years, hopefully this will be the last one, getting tired of climbing tower and digging hole 4'x6' for tower base, let alone taking it down. Last year got tired of Directv pricing and weather issues so installed a C-band antenna, no trouble with weather dropout. Here in Cedar Rapids when bad weather comes in they kill programing for most of the night..talk forever about weather ...thats the main reason for rotor and having this size system. I can go to Des Moines or Davenport to watch programs and this makes the wife happy, except when I move antenna while she watching a show.
Very nice. Don't know much about C Band antennas though.

Hmmm I have no trouble recording content OTA but I am with Dish Network...

I hear ya rabbit ears suck. I mounted a Windguard VHF/UHF combo on my roof so I am ready for the switch in 09. Good luck!

I don't have trouble recording OTA if I initiate the request from my remote or STB - I was talking about recording via remote scheduling (from a computer or my phone)

Yes, I agree. Very nice deeeeeeeep fringe setup. I was wondering when you said you had such tight aim requirements, did you know that channel 5 is using a tower slightly off from the others? If you go to antennaweb.org and put in Alleman and 50007 you will see what I mean. The big mess of transmitters is for 11.1, 13.1, 17.1, 23.1, 31.1, I think. It has 5.1 misprinted as being there as well. It is actually on a different tower, I believe. In any case it may be that your antenna is just a smidge off for 5-1 in their current location......but if you get 5's analog signal okay you should be golden this time next year when they are using their regular VHF 5 transmitter in the regular location.

I hope it doesn't screw things up when our locals move their DTV signals to VHF.

I know it will screw me up...I have a UHF only antenna. I guess we'll have some more tweaking when the time comes. I don't think it would do much good to try and plan for it, but I suppose I should at least get some kind of VHF antenna. The good thing is most of the stations that are switching to VHF are going to use the tower that they currently use for analog, so maybe that will help with getting our antennas ready ahead of time.

Yes, I agree. Very nice deeeeeeeep fringe setup. I was wondering when you said you had such tight aim requirements, did you know that channel 5 is using a tower slightly off from the others? If you go to antennaweb.org and put in Alleman and 50007 you will see what I mean. The big mess of transmitters is for 11.1, 13.1, 17.1, 23.1, 31.1, I think. It has 5.1 misprinted as being there as well. It is actually on a different tower, I believe. In any case it may be that your antenna is just a smidge off for 5-1 in their current location......but if you get 5's analog signal okay you should be golden this time next year when they are using their regular VHF 5 transmitter in the regular location.
I've found that the FCC site has everything about the stations, I use the TV Query option which has more info than antennaweb site. For whatever reason
KCCI has the best signal of any of the Des Moines stations and its tower is on the southwest side of Alleman and they all transmit at 1000 KW. Also, I've been told my site is the highest point in Benton county.
WHO tower is 602.6 meter, KCCI tower is 560, both non-directional antennas

Anyone have trouble with channels 8,11 and 13? I couldn't get their digital feed at all when I checked yesterday. The only one I could get was 8-2 weather. I still can't get them today, but I have been avoiding fiddling with my antenna. It has worked for over 2 years, and I hope it is just the stations' problems instead of mine. For right now all I can see is WOI-DT, KCCI-DT2, KDSM-DT.

Anyone have trouble with channels 8,11 and 13? I couldn't get their digital feed at all when I checked yesterday. The only one I could get was 8-2 weather. I still can't get them today, but I have been avoiding fiddling with my antenna. It has worked for over 2 years, and I hope it is just the stations' problems instead of mine. For right now all I can see is WOI-DT, KCCI-DT2, KDSM-DT.

Is this on Media Center? If so try adapting the notes here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13373004&postcount=4855
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13393009&postcount=5813

Not sure if that's your problem or not, but it wouldn't surprise me. I've seen it popping up all over the place.

- Trip

yes, that's it. I am working up an ATSCprefs f. I will throw it up here when I am finished if anyone is interested.

yes, that's it. I am working up an ATSCprefs f. I will throw it up here when I am finished if anyone is interested.

That would be much appreciated (with some basic instructions)... I'm having some major problems as well. Argg!

THANKS!

Well, it half-a$$ed works. I couldn't figure out KDIN exactly. The basic instructions, coutesy of Trip in VA (Thanks Trip!) were laid out here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13393009&postcount=5813). Instead of making an ATSCprefs file, you can unzip mine and place it into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome\EPG\prefs\ folder. You may have to enable viewing of hidden folders to get there. Then go and add digital tv channel 22 (deleteme) in the media centrer interface. This just forces media center to look at the new atscprefs file. You then may want to remove that and also remove it from your guide. Some of the channels may come in funny, but this should be a good starting point. The obvious way of doing KDIN just doesn't seem to work for me. It shows up, but as a subchannel to 23 (1232 or 3 or something) now instead of 1111. I have 1111 in my channel listing, but that one must still be pointing at VHF channel 11 instead of UHF channel 50.

Guys,

Sorry to go OT for a sec, but I thought I'd sort of 'spam' this thread to see if there was any interest in getting a few of us Iowa HT guys together. Obviously, there are quite a few central Iowans here, so I thought some of you might be interested.

Last fall, a few of us got an Iowa HT meet thread spun up. One small meet occurred and another is in the works. Right now, almost everybody participating in the thread is from up north, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids area, or Iowa City. There are hardly any Des Moines metro guys - only a couple of us. We central IA guys need to even things out a little. ;)

I've even kicked around the idea of see if there was enough interest in some sort of a central IA club, or perhaps that's already in the works and we just don't know about it...

Regardless, check out the thread and if you're interested, subscribe to it so you know if anything HT-related is going on in your own back yard!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=871474

To keep the OTA thread on-topic, we should probably take any further discussion regarding this post over to the IA meet thread or feel free to PM me.

Now, back to the regularly scheduled programming... :)

Thanks,
SC

I see chanell 11 has 3 digital stations on tonight
Joe

Yeah, it looks like they've added a -3 subchannel and are simulcasting their analog signal on it. (Granted, I get IPTV from the Waterloo and Iowa City transmitters, but they all carry the same programming as KDIN in Des Moines.)

IPTV doesn't seem to mention this change on their web site, so we'll have to wait and see if it continues. My guess is they fear all those folks who switch to digital are wondering where their plain-old IPTV programming is, as opposed to IPTV Digital and IPTV Plus which are on different schedules and do not carry such shows as the British comedies or Iowa Press.

Yeah, it looks like they've added a -3 subchannel and are simulcasting their analog signal on it.

So in terms of bandwidth, should we be disappointed that we have our first central Iowa station running 1 HD + 2 subchannels?

So in terms of bandwidth, should we be disappointed that we have our first central Iowa station running 1 HD + 2 subchannels?
It appears to be new to central Iowa, but not to Iowa. Our NBC station in Waterloo at one point carried both Weather Plus and The Tube, the latter of which went out of business last year. The 2004 Olympics from Greece aired in HD before those channels came into being, and I don't remember them being much better than what they're putting out right now. But that may say more about NBC than it does about having two subchannels. I don't know for sure.

The encoder used makes a difference, too. I noticed that there's about a 5 second delay between analog 12 and digital 12-3, vs. about 2 seconds for the other stations in town. So IPTV may be doing some extra processing to save bandwidth before putting it out. Again, I don't know for sure.

I do know that it was kind of a bummer when they took regular IPTV off subchannel -2, forcing me to go back to analog to watch the regular schedule. I suspect there must have been other viewers who felt the same way after they went digital. Plus, it's only 11 months before they won't be able to do that.

Well, hopefully D* will get their hind-ends in gear and get this added soon to my available channels. I tried re-scanning today and wasn't given the -3 option yet.
(And my Television's tuner doesn't pick up channels off the antenna as well as the tuner in the H20. It's like the H20 has a signal boost somehow.

So in terms of bandwidth, should we be disappointed that we have our first central Iowa station running 1 HD + 2 subchannels?

Watched the nature program on this morning around 11am on 11-1. Granted I was watching on a 37" at 720P... but the picture quality looked top-notch as usual.

[.



I do know that it was kind of a bummer when they took regular IPTV off subchannel -2, forcing me to go back to analog to watch the regular schedule. I suspect there must have been other viewers who felt the same way after they went digital. Plus, it's only 11 months before they won't be able to do that.[/QUOTE]


I am a member of IPTV and pay my membership every year and i called them last year and told them i was unhappy to go back watching their horrible analog signal. They say they listen,but they don't. Their regular programming should be the highest priority not the least
Joe

Thanks to everyone who posted information regarding the 'lost' channels in MCE. I never would have figured this out without reading here. I happened to change my UHF only antenna out for a UHF/VHF last week and I was really having a headache trying to figure out my reception problems. I was just getting ready to go switch back to the UHF only antenna today, which would not have solved my problem. Then I REALLY would have been mad! :mad: Thanks again!

Looks like they've flip-flopped the recent 11.2/11.3 arrangement. I see tonight that 11.2 is now carrying the SD equivalent of analog 11, which we'd been seeing on newly-available 11.3 for a few days lately.

11.3 is now "IPTV Digital" that had been on 11.2 for many months. Of course, 11.1 remains as the HD channel.

This means that, for now, my TiVo guide data will only be correct for 11.1. 11.2 has guide data but is no longer IPTV Digital, and 11.3 is unknown to TiVo, even though one can see it's equivalent to 11.

(I see vBulletin insists on de-capitalizing KDIN in my thread title.)

Scanning for channels tonight with my H20, I finally got 11-3 locked in... but my question is, I'm also getting a 95% signal, and a channel 19-20 popped up on my guide as well.
Any idea if this is just a fluke, and if so, why is it broadcasting at 95% signal strength?

To get DirecTV to add the Iowa Public TV sub channel #3 you need to contact Iowa public TV and ask them to call DirecTV so they can add it to the channel mapping.

DirecTV or IPTV also need to call Tribune so they can add the guide data for it. Tribune does all of DirecTVs guide data.

The contact for IPTV Digital is Jennifer. She helped add the sub # 2 data before.

Her email is jennifer.konfrst @iptv.org

(remove the spaces after her last name and the @)

I will request the same for Council Bluffs Iowas IPTV. Same problem here.

I see Mediacom has channel 11 on 999 on my digital box
Joe

To get DirecTV to add the Iowa Public TV sub channel #3 you need to contact Iowa public TV and ask them to call DirecTV so they can add it to the channel mapping.


Hmm... all I had to do was the following:
[Menu button], SETTINGS, SETUP, Sat & Ant, Angenna Setup, Scan for Channels.

That's what added 11-3, and also that 19-20.
Yes, you're right about it not having guide data correct, but 11-3 did show up as "KDINSD2" for the Call-sign.

No biggie... I'm guessing we're all used to seeing KDMIDT for 56-1, KDMIDT2 for 23-1, and KDMIDT3 for 34-1 in our D* Guides.

(Patiently waiting for D* to add ESPNewsHD)

Hmm... all I had to do was the following:
[Menu button], SETTINGS, SETUP, Sat & Ant, Angenna Setup, Scan for Channels.

That's what added 11-3, and also that 19-20.
Yes, you're right about it not having guide data correct, but 11-3 did show up as "KDINSD2" for the Call-sign.

No biggie... I'm guessing we're all used to seeing KDMIDT for 56-1, KDMIDT2 for 23-1, and KDMIDT3 for 34-1 in our D* Guides.

(Patiently waiting for D* to add ESPNewsHD)

I'm guessing you don't have an HR-20.

I'm guessing you don't have an HR-20.

You're right, I don't have a D* DVR. I just have an H-20 and a Panasonic DVD-R/DVD-RAM recorder that I use like a DVR. As much as I'd like to upgrade to a DVR now, I still like being on the old Total Choice package and the old price yet for it. It's how I'm justifying paying the $5 for the HD Extra Pack.

You're right, I don't have a D* DVR. I just have an H-20 and a Panasonic DVD-R/DVD-RAM recorder that I use like a DVR. As much as I'd like to upgrade to a DVR now, I still like being on the old Total Choice package and the old price yet for it. It's how I'm justifying paying the $5 for the HD Extra Pack.

I just mentioned it because the HR-20 doesn't have an OTA scan function like the H-20...so 11-2 has the wrong guide data and I can't even watch 11-3 unless I just use the TV tuner instead of the HR-20.

The Upper Midwest broadcasting blog Northpine.com (http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/index.html) is reporting that WOI-DT has signed on to carry the Retro Television Network on a subchannel. Two of its sister stations, KLKN in Lincoln and WHBF in the Quad Cities, are also planning to carry the subchannel as part of a deal between the network and the Citadel Communications chain.

The press release from Equity Media Holdings, which owns RTN, is here (http://ir.emdaholdings.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=302847).

RTN is already on the air on KWWL in Waterloo as part of a deal with the Quincy Newspapers broadcast group. It currently carries programming until about midnight, and shows I've seen on the channel include Little House on the Prairie, The Nanny, Cannon, The Fugitive, Quincy M.E., 21 Jump Street, Get Smart, and others.

I just mentioned it because the HR-20 doesn't have an OTA scan function like the H-20...so 11-2 has the wrong guide data and I can't even watch 11-3 unless I just use the TV tuner instead of the HR-20.

Yeah, they have the guide data corrected now for 11-2, but all 11-3 shows yet is "Regular Programming".

Guess I'll have to get the schedule off IPTV's website for awhile.

I hear NebraskaPTV runs 4 channels total... (They also run PBS-Sprout the kids' channel.) Anyone aware if IPTV might do the same? Although it seems like overkill since most of us with dishes receive that channel anyway. Kind of like how I could care less about getting KPFX because if ION on the rare occasion runs something I want to see I just view it off the sat feed anyway.

Anyone know where I can get expert installation of a rooftop antenna in Des Moines? Thank you.

What a surprise today, I went down and turned on my box to find that Mediacom has added WGN-HD. They also added KCWI-HD.

Anyone have an idea what QAM channel they are on, and if they are in the clear? Thanks

What a surprise today, I went down and turned on my box to find that Mediacom has added WGN-HD. They also added KCWI-HD.

MediaCom added something before D*???
Crap, they must be expecting a blizzard in Death Valley today too.
:D

Anyone have an idea what QAM channel they are on, and if they are in the clear? Thanks

I am getting WGN-HD in the clear on 86.2.

Hello! I'm glad some Iowa people started this thread! I have been having decent success with receiving HD channels in the Des Moines area. I have a Sony 34" XBR960. I'm using a Terk antenna HD-TVA I believe.
Anyway. I still have quite a bit of problems with receiving in Des Moines. I actually was starting to wonder if the tuner on the Sony was a problem, however I believe it may be my location. A friend told me that there is some problems in Des Moines with HD reception that you can actually receive better outside of Des Moines as the stations are lower than the surrounding area? Not sure if this is true. Any suggestions would be very welcome! Thanks again!

A friend told me that there is some problems in Des Moines with HD reception that you can actually receive better outside of Des Moines as the stations are lower than the surrounding area?

THSS, all of the Des Moines-area DTV transmission towers are at Alleman, IA (mid-way between Des Moines and Ames). Some areas of Des Moines are down in the river valleys a bit, which can sometimes make reception a bit more challenging, but not at all prohibitive. The principles involved in getting decent digital reception are pretty much the same as getting good analog reception. All the channels are in the same TV band that has been around for decades, and the antenna itself doesn't care if the channel modulation is analog or digital. For now, it's UHF reception that counts for digital. After 2/17/09, it will be a combination of VHF and UHF stations again.

As you aim your antenna, try to go for the clearest line-of-sight as possible toward Alleman. Also, don't go overboard on the amplification. Sometimes some amplification is needed with an indoor antenna, in order to compensate for the loss of signal and reflections you get when the antenna is indoors, but sometimes the amplification is too much, and swamps the receiver input. The north suburbs are the worst for that. High-gain antennas and unnecessary amplification can really kill reception in places like Ankeny and Johnston, close to the Alleman towers. Try that antenna both with and without the external amplifier module. And, if all else fails, nothing beats an outdoor (or maybe attic-mounted) antenna. These whiz-bang little indoor "HDTV" antennas the stores sell are nothing special. They're just jumped-up cleverly-branded rabbit ears. The good old UHF/VHF roof-top yagi is still the most reliable way to go, if you have the space.

Did anyone but me have channel 23-1 and 23-2 for a couple hrs. on 4-14-08
Joe

Upgrade on Directv HR20-700 today makes channel 11-3 available.

I noticed 11-3 on my HR20-100 yesterday evening, not sure if it was related to the update they pushed out to the boxes yesterday or if it just got added to the guide data around the same time...

Probably a coincidence because my HR20-100 did not update and it is there also.

Well, it appears WOI-DT's post-transition operation will be getting a bit of a power bump.

They were originally allotted 3.9 kW on Channel 5. In this application (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1242054&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=8661) -- listed as "granted" earlier this week -- the station sought to boost that power to 8.2 kW, though from a slightly lower spot.

I finally have correct guide data now for all KDIN channels on my H20.
Now hopefully they won't switch them around again. I don't feel like waiting another month to get the guide corrected again.
Now, let's bring on 5.2!
:)

Actually, there is a known issue with KDMI in Ames. This particular area has a probelm with reception and so much so that KDMI engineers looked into at one time. I had a few emails about this from someone ot KDMI. The end result (afaik) was that they couldn't figure out why it has signal problems here in Ames. I imagine they may have decided to just wait and see if things get any better after the switchover. I am not sure if anything is actually going to change for them on the switchover though. FWIW, I have been able to get them from time to time, and the signal level is usually good when I get them, but it is not consistent. It seems like perhaps we are getting a corrupt/multipath-like signal here all the time. It would be great if enough people from Ames got toether and perhaps got them to look back into the problem (if they aren't already) and maybe it could get fixed. Otherwise I will have to hope that Mediacom adds the signal to their digital unencrypted lineup.

I discovered something odd. My HDHomeRun can't pick up anything on
channel 56 usually. However, this weekend we got our converter box
coupons and picked up two NS-DXA1 boxes. These boxes pick up
23-1, 34-1 and 56-1 perfectly, although the signal is a bit less than
the other channels. I was scared the lack of analog pass-though could
be an issue and we'd loose easy reception of KCWI. Now if only
I could get digital recordings ...

Is the contact info i saw in this forum for the KCWI/KDMI
tech person still valid?

Well, we know the KCWI problem should be fairly short-lived since analog channel 23 will be flash-cutting to digital on channel 23 after 2-17-09. Hopefully that will end the subchannel arrangement with 56. Religious channel 34, licensed to Ames, is also planning to flash-cut to digital on that same date. That should leave My 56 as the only trouble channel.

I wish I knew what the problem was. The place I stay when I visit Ames has two DT receivers, both of which seem to get every station including WOI-DT on channel 59 -- yet they tend to choke on 56-1 and its 23-1 and 34-1 subchannels.

And KDMI is going to move to channel 31, current home of KCCI.

I know some tuners do choke on arrangements like that, where the subchannels map to different major channels. I attend college in Charlottesville, Virginia and there's a situation very similar going on here. I have one tuner, personally, that acts like the station doesn't even exist.

- Trip

I am getting WGN-HD in the clear on 86.2.

I haven't been able to get WGN-HD on 86-2 for several days now. Has mediacom decided to put it somewhere else?


Ron

same here no luck so far. I did get to watch one Cubbie game in HD.

On another subject, I was on the WHO-TV website to check out central Iowa news, and I noticed that down the page was a graphic with "13NEWS in HDTV" on it.

I seriously doubt they're actually doing the news in HD yet, beyond the little test segment you may have seen recently; otherwise this thread would be flooded with posts about the picture quality and whether Erin Kiernan looks good in 1080i. Also, clicking on the link doesn't really yield anything about the local news.

Maybe it's just the promotion department going slightly off course ... but if they do go HD soon, I'd be interested.

I can't find the HD news thing. But I've been hearing on the radio, and I think on the news this morning about 13-2? I haven't rescanned in a while, but is 13-2 back up? It's probably been up for a while and I just haven't noticed. :D

I can't find the HD news thing. But I've been hearing on the radio, and I think on the news this morning about 13-2? I haven't rescanned in a while, but is 13-2 back up? It's probably been up for a while and I just haven't noticed. :D

I just noticed that 13-2 is now showing NBC Weather Plus.

I just noticed that 13-2 is now showing NBC Weather Plus.

And KCCI has nothing to worry about either. What I've watched of it, Iowa's Weather Plus is a big time minus.

Not enough radar for me either. (Which again is ok...I can't stand Mega Doppler. Their maps make it tough to pinpoint locations very well...and it's even worse when they don't have the county grid turned on.)

Is it common that a tv tuner will pull in 13-2 and a HR20 will not...same antenna, same spot?

I have an HR10-250 and HR20-700. The HR10 picks up 13-2, but I just tried again today and HR20 does not pick it up. Hard to know if its a D* issue or local. I'd guess it is something to do with HR20 software not yet updated with the updated local signals.

Is it common that a tv tuner will pull in 13-2 and a HR20 will not...same antenna, same spot?

The HR20 can't scan for OTA channels, so it gets it's channel information from a database provided by Tribune Media Services. In order to get 13-2 on the HR20, WHO has to update the data they send to Tribune...then Tribune passes this on to DirecTV.

The HR10 can scan for channels, so it can get 13-2.

When 11-3 went live, it took about a month for it to show up on the HR20.

The H20 scans for over the air channels right? At least it says it does in the menu????

It "scans" for the channels that are in the Tribune database for the zip code you enter - it doesn't do a true OTA scan for any channels it can pick up (if that were the case I'd have 13-2 but not 5-1)

Pleasant good evening. I'm a recent Mediacom HD subscriber (poor me, I know) in DSM, and I'm wondering if I'm the only one with KCWI HD (809) issues? I'm not even sure if it's the channel or the DVR, but pixelazation, dropout, freezes, etc happen with very regular frequency, if the show saves at all. I've missed several DVRd shows due to this and have had to go download Smallville twice now. I'm assuming calling customer service will get the issue nowhere and that it's something all customers are dealing with?

Does anyone happen to know how much it costs to have a cable patched by Mediacom? I was lucky enough to find out the sucker tree that was growing in the corner of my fence (starting to lean the fence over) was hiding 2 of my neighbors coax cables. I have only lived at my house for 1 year, and didn't know the cable was there (or not buried for that matter). I didn't figure this out until my wife overheard one on the phone while looking in the corner of our yard. Luckily he was a nice guy, but was somewhat annoyed with Mediacom, because they came today and patched the other neighbor's cable, but not his, even when he also had a call in and the cable was laying out and obviously broken. Live and learn....

I'm just trying to estimate the cost so I don't have a heart attack when the bill comes :-/

I think tonight was the first time I'd seen weather graphics on screen during HD programming on KCCI without them having to drop back to SD. A big thumbs up for them having the equipment to do that! Can any of the other locals do that yet?

Does anyone happen to know how much it costs to have a cable patched by Mediacom? I was lucky enough to find out the sucker tree that was growing in the corner of my fence (starting to lean the fence over) was hiding 2 of my neighbors coax cables. I have only lived at my house for 1 year, and didn't know the cable was there (or not buried for that matter). I didn't figure this out until my wife overheard one on the phone while looking in the corner of our yard. Luckily he was a nice guy, but was somewhat annoyed with Mediacom, because they came today and patched the other neighbor's cable, but not his, even when he also had a call in and the cable was laying out and obviously broken. Live and learn....

I'm just trying to estimate the cost so I don't have a heart attack when the bill comes :-/

It should not cost anybody anything.
Joe

Anybody watch Channel 13 10:00 news last night? They had a small section of HD. Andy Fales? did a piece on little league baseball. Can't tell you what the story was about, but it was HD!

Maybe they are hinting about HD news??

It "scans" for the channels that are in the Tribune database for the zip code you enter - it doesn't do a true OTA scan for any channels it can pick up (if that were the case I'd have 13-2 but not 5-1)

I'd still like to know why my H20 is still telling me that there is a 19-20 broadcasting a 90%-ish signal.

Far as I know, mine acts like it adds new channels whenever I've done a new scan.

For what it's worth, National Public Radio has filed a petition (http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6519894593) asking the FCC to reconsider assigning any television stations to channels 5 or 6 after the transition. That's according to a post by AVS member afiggatt in the "upcoming final DTV Table of Allotments" sticky thread.

If adopted, it could affect WOI-DT's plans to operate its DTV on channel 5 after February 17, 2009. It could also affect more than 20 other stations.

Not surprisingly, the ABC network -- which owns a future DT channel 6 in Philadelphia -- has filed an opposing response (http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6520010496).

I'm guessing that, at this late date, the NPR petition is going to fail ... but the FCC may need to take a further look depending on how the use of these channels works in actual practice.

Why in the heck is my H20 picking up 13-2 and my HR20 is NOT? If both receivers scan the Tribune database and not over the air then both should pull it in.

I'm guessing that, at this late date, the NPR petition is going to fail ... but the FCC may need to take a further look depending on how the use of these channels works in actual practice.

Agreed. I believe that in the end, the FCC will vacate channels 2-4 at the very least. Especially channel 4, which only has two stations on it post-transition (WDKY-DT Danville/Lexington KY and WHBF-DT in the Quad Cities). Those channels are just terrible, and most can be relocated to upper VHF, those that can't will find homes on UHF. At the very least, most can find homes on 5 or 6.

Hopefully most stations will move elsewhere on their own, without waiting for the FCC to force them off, but who knows.

- Trip

On the one hand, I have to thank WOI for not interrupting Lost tonight for weather studio stuff. On the other, I didn't appreciate the last 70 or 80 minutes being entirely in standard definition while the graphics ran at the bottom.

They said they're rebroadcasting Lost at 12:05am, so I'm recording that, too, but I'll be shocked if that's in HD.

Come on, WOI...let's get that HD overlay equipment!:(

Did anyone catch the WHO News tonight at 6? The highlights from the Principal Charity Classic were HD. There was even a little logo in the corner that was like 13HDTV or something. I hope they are getting closer to breaking the HD seal for news in Des Moines.

Agreed. I believe that in the end, the FCC will vacate channels 2-4 at the very least. Especially channel 4, which only has two stations on it post-transition (WDKY-DT Danville/Lexington KY and WHBF-DT in the Quad Cities). Those channels are just terrible, and most can be relocated to upper VHF, those that can't will find homes on UHF. At the very least, most can find homes on 5 or 6.

Hopefully most stations will move elsewhere on their own, without waiting for the FCC to force them off, but who knows.

- TripI hope not to be too concerned about 5. When I lived in Ames, about 15 miles from the tower, it usually wasn't too bad unless (warning: this reference may date me a little bit) I had a TRS-80 computer on in the same room.

I agree, though, about anything lower. Analog channel 2 out here looks no better than it looked when I got it via "skip" from Ames, even with a fully outstretched set of rabbit ears.

Probably nothing new to you guys, but I just went from Mediacom to Directv and notcied a significant decrease in HD PQ.

I didn't realize how good the HD from Mediacom was untill I made the switch.

Probably nothing new to you guys, but I just went from Mediacom to Directv and notcied a significant decrease in HD PQ.

I didn't realize how good the HD from Mediacom was untill I made the switch.

Thanks....I've always disliked mediacom and wondered about switching, but don't want to lose any picture quality.

M

Why in the heck is my H20 picking up 13-2 and my HR20 is NOT? If both receivers scan the Tribune database and not over the air then both should pull it in.

Because the H20 does scan OTA.

It "scans" for the channels that are in the Tribune database for the zip code you enter - it doesn't do a true OTA scan for any channels it can pick up (if that were the case I'd have 13-2 but not 5-1)


Then this previous statement is inaccurate???

Then this previous statement is inaccurate???

That statement applies to the HR20, but not the H20.

The H20 can scan OTA.

The HR20 cannot scan OTA.

Thank you for the correct info.

It's nice to see WHO-DT making an effort to broadcast some local news in HD. However, their last couple of attempts have been pathetic. Sunday night on Sports Sound Off the HD segment started and abruptly ended in about five seconds. The sportscasters were caught off guard that they were suddenly back on the air. Monday night the news was late because of the Stanley Cup Finals. When they cut to the segment about flooding in Ames the 13 HDTV logo flashed up on the screen and just stayed there silent for about 5.5 minutes. The segment finally started and then ended a few seconds later. The 13 HDTV logo came back up for a couple more minutes and then cut to commercials. What gives? It'll be cool once they get it working though!

Thanks....I've always disliked mediacom and wondered about switching, but don't want to lose any picture quality.

M


It would be nice if there was a happy medium for MediaCom, like maybe adding another dozen channels in HD.

I do admit though the channels they have (with the exception of TBS often, but not always) are in true HD.

This is pretty off-topic, but I've been wondering:

Why does KCCI's SD content look SO MUCH better than any other station? What is it that they are doing that the other stations aren't? As far as I'm concerned, KCCI's newscasts could even pass as HD if you're not looking close enough.

That statement applies to the HR20, but not the H20.

The H20 can scan OTA.

The HR20 cannot scan OTA.

Sorry I was being confusing - this is what I meant.

I just moved over to the Des Moines area from Cedar Rapids and am getting things set up. On the topic of KCCI, what is the deal with their OTA signal and incompatibility with a DirecTV H20 and HR20-100? The signal drops constantly and is always "looking for signal". When plugged directly into the TV using the tuner, it seems to work pretty well. I have confirmed this to be a problem with a friend of mine's HR20-700, also.

Talked to DirecTV and evidently, this is a known problem and the two are in a whizzing match pointing fingers at each other. None of the other channels exhibit this issue, so it has to be something goofy with their signal.

Thoughts, anyone?

HDA

Hmmm... not sure. I don't seem to have a problem on my HR20-100. All OTAs work really well for me.

Anyone having an issues with WOI's (channel 5) audio on their digital channel?

I wasn't able to get consistent recepetion on their digital channel with my little antenna and so I just watched the SD channel. Well the NBA finals were enough to get me to play around with my antenna enough to get pretty good reception now.

However I only got sound during the game, and on some HD commercials. Some HD commercials and all SD commercials had no sound.

I don't watch ABC that often, so I've not been able to test if this is affecting anything else besides the local news, which also doesn't have sound.

Any ideas?

HDA - regarding the signal quality of channel 8 on the HR-20 vs your TV tuner. My TV is the same way, I had read somewhere that the tuner in the TV is "better" than the one in the directv STB, so therefore the signal is stronger.

I don't have a lot of issues with KCCI, once I get the signal dialed in I usually just have a slight signal blip here and there.

HDA-

I have the same issue with my H20. WHO pulling in 100 signal meter, KCCI flashes in and out and freezes constantly. I think WHO's signal is consistently the strongest followed way behind by KCCI and WOI not far behind KCCI.

UPDATE:

Quite a few stations have filed to modify their construction permits, including these stations from central Iowa:

- WHO seeks (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1251293&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=66221) to bump up its maximum ERP from 29 kW to 36.5 kW on post-transition channel 13. This will add a few miles to its range and could bring Atlantic further into the fold.

- KDIN's application (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1248721&Service=DT&Form_id=340&Facility_id=29102) seeks a boost from 19.8 kW to 22.5 kW on post-transition channel 11.

- KCCI filed an application (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1249872&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=33710) last Tuesday seeking a boost from 23 kW to 28.3 kW on post-transition channel 8.

Hopefully these changes will make reception a little easier, if approved.

EDIT: Almost forgot:

- KFPX, the ion station, seeks (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1251532&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=81509) to move its transmitter from the Baxter area to Alleman and transmit a 1 MW ERP directional signal from there.

Did you miss the CP that KFPX wants? 2001' 1000 kW DA, from the same tower site as everyone else. See the map here:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1251532.html

- Trip

UPDATE:

In an effort to ensure that you'll say, "I see" (sorry, couldn't resist even though that slogan was from a few years back), WOI has put in (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1248991&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=8661) for another power boost.

The station -- originally allotted only 3.91 kW for its post-transition channel 5, but now allowed to use 8.2 kW -- now seeks to use 11.5 kW.

(Special thanks to AVS member sebenste for first bringing this up in the Davenport-Quad Cities thread.)

On the topic of KCCI, what is the deal with their OTA signal and incompatibility with a DirecTV H20 and HR20-100?....
....Talked to DirecTV and evidently, this is a known problem and the two are in a whizzing match pointing fingers at each other. None of the other channels exhibit this issue, so it has to be something goofy with their signal.
HDA

Well, for what it's worth, here's a thought from the Assistant Chief Engineer at KCCI. I answer almost all of our reception-problem e-mail and telephone inquiries about digital reception. And, to date, I have never identified any pattern of difficulty with our DTV signal and any model of DirecTV receiver. In fact, I am a DirecTV subscriber myself at home. I have an HR20-100, an HR20-700, an older Samsung SIR-TS360, and I've had an HR10 in the past. Not a one of them has had a problem receiving KCCI-DT on their OTA antenna inputs, or any other of the HD locals for that matter. All of them have been plugged into an extremely ordinary VHF/UHF yagi antenna hanging in my attic a few miles west of downtown Des Moines. It's a passive antenna with no amplifiers that is split out to at least half a dozen different receivers.

I don't know who you talked to at DirecTV, and I would be surprised at that piece of fiction, if I had not already heard of even taller tales from their out-of-state customer service operators who know nothing technically, and whose job it is to answer your questions quickly and get you off the phone. Their customer service has been prone to such fables as, "KCCI isn't broadcasting in HD yet", "KCCI has not given us permission to feed their HD signal to your receiver," and other made-up excuses for not yet having launched HD local-into-local via satellite service in the Des Moines market after years of delays. I've heard it all. I'd be mad at D*TV's customer service, if I didn't know that the other satellite and cable companies can be just as bad or worse.

Anyway, here's my shot at a more real-world answer for you: the pattern of getting WHO the strongest suggests that your antenna may be doing a better job of receiving lower UHF channels than higher ones. WHO broadcasts their DTV on channel 19. WOI broadcasts on channel 59. KCCI is in the middle, on channel 31. I'm not certain about WOI's DTV output power right now, but I know that both KCCI-DT and WHO-DT are both at maximum legal power output on their interim digital channels. (Post-transition, we are all returning to our traditional VHF channels, once those channels are no longer tied up carrying our analog signals). All local DTV channels are transmitting from the towers at Alleman, IA.

Another thing to look out for is over-amplification with RF signal amplifiers and "powered" antennas, especially if you live here in the metro area, and even more-so if you live in the north metro. We've got viewers picking up our DTV signal from 70, 80, even 90 miles out from Alleman. A signal intended to go out that far can swamp the receiver input on a receiver closer to the towers, if it's amplified too much coming in from the antenna. This has always been the case with analog, too, but digital receivers are more sensitive to the problem. So, it's not unusual for me to field calls from viewers who are really getting KCCI-DT very strongly, but whenever they tune to channel 8-1 or 8-2, their receiver starts flaking out, and they mistakenly think it's because the signal is weak. Even the signal meters on the receivers can be rather poor at accurately showing that problem.

The hardest thing for us to troubleshoot over the phone or the internet, though, is the vagaries of indoor antennas. If a pair of rabbit ears with a UHF loop works for you, fine, but when they don't it gets very hard to logically explain why one channel works when the antenna is twisted this way, another does when twisted that way, and you get St. Louis stations when the dog rolls over. The principles of TV reception are pretty much the same with digital and analog. Digital just makes the symptoms harder to see. There's almost no receiver-specific issue that can't be overcome with a good, wisely chosen, and properly set up antenna.

For more advice on KCCI and digital TV, please feel free to visit my longer FAQ document that our webmaster has done his best to hide at kcci.com (http://www.kcci.com/download/2008/0110/15023211.pdf). :D

Wow, what a reply from the "Assistant Chief Engineer at KCCI" and quite the welcome to Des Moines. Although maybe not what was intended, I took your response rather personally.

I did not talk to some "customer service person" at DirecTV that wanted to get me off the phone quickly, I talked to a engineer colleague of mine at DirecTV. I called to bitch at him about the fact that HD locals were not available to the Des Moines market, yet, mentioned the OTA reception issues with my H20 and HR20 and wanted to know what the hell the deal was. This is evidently a well documented problem with KCCI's digital channels.

Without giving away what I do for a living, I have degrees in communications and computer engineering and have been in the industry for 20 years. Although I knew most of what you presented, I appreciated the technical information provided in your message, but did not really appreciate the tone - it was incredibly defensive.

I guess we just live with it - the digital transition in this market is going to be a hoot.

HDA

Not to embroil things any further, but it is not just signal strength or weakness that can complicate this matter. Some tuners (especially computer card based ones that I have direct experience with) have a hard time dealing with signals if there are any errors in them. This was evident when WOI went off the air for an extended period of time to most computer tuners and some TV-based tuners. It turned out to be something set wrong that was (for lack of a better word) "confusing" then tuners. I believe they were accidentally transmitting their station as 59 instead of 5, and the tuners were only looking for the stream tagged as channel 5. This was finally caught and fixed. I for one have seen problems once in a while with KCCI, but it is certainly one of the more reliable ones for me personally. One thing that could be of issue is whether the DirecTV tuners have some issue with multipath. Many people use yagi style antennas which aren't going to have such a problem with MP due to the high directional gain. Others in a local reception situation may be inclined to use less directional antennas which may pick up more multipath signals. Multipath would give the classic high signal meter but sporadic dropouts and bad "reception" that some may be seeing. I for one know that multipath abilities of tuners vary a significant amount. In my past experience I have subjectively tested over 10 different tuners at 3 different locations north of Alleman. The only point to this would be that it could just be you, the receiving person, but I certainly hope the station takes their customer base seriously and makes sure it is not them also.

Wow, what a reply from the "Assistant Chief Engineer at KCCI" and quite the welcome to Des Moines. Although maybe not what was intended, I took your response rather personally.

HDAntenna, I apologize if you found my response defensive. I meant no offense to you personally. If there's any ire in my statements, it's directed strictly at DirecTV and their pattern of providing inaccurate information, particularly about the HD local-into-local issue that you say you were complaining about yourself. And, though I have greater inherent respect for your contact at DirecTV now that I know it was an engineer and not a customer service operator, his information remains incorrect. If there is any documented pattern of incompatibility between KCCI-DT's OTA signal and the HR20 series receivers, it has never been shared with us. Neither I nor anybody else here at KCCI has ever been contacted by any technical representative from DirecTV. Therefore, it's even more uninformed on that engineer's part to say that there has been a whizzing match between us and DirecTV about the performance of that receiver. It's pretty hard for two-sided finger-pointing to exist about an issue that hasn't been known, or a debate that has never happened. That's why your note was a complete surprise to me, especially when I use that exact same model of receiver with no OTA reception problems whatsoever.

If you can overcome my unintended personal offense, and take a fresh look at it as a probable antenna reception issue, I think you will have a much greater chance at satisfaction.

Yeah, thought it looked nice. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

Speaking of 13 ... this may not be HD, but it's a significant development nonetheless: The Des Moines Register (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/BUSINESS/80709050/1001/NEWS) is reporting that WHO-TV will take over studio production of KDSM's Fox 17 News at Nine beginning in September, and expand the show to an hour. Fox News at Nine had been anchored at KDSM's sister Sinclair station KGAN in Cedar Rapids, with reporters in Des Moines.

Speaking of 13 ... this may not be HD, but it's a significant development nonetheless: The Des Moines Register (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/BUSINESS/80709050/1001/NEWS) is reporting that WHO-TV will take over studio production of KDSM's Fox 17 News at Nine beginning in September, and expand the show to an hour. Fox News at Nine had been anchored at KDSM's sister Sinclair station KGAN in Cedar Rapids, with reporters in Des Moines.

Yep, in fact they just announced it on tonight's Fox News at Nine.

HDAntenna, I apologize if you found my response defensive. I meant no offense to you personally. If there's any ire in my statements, it's directed strictly at DirecTV and their pattern of providing inaccurate information, particularly about the HD local-into-local issue that you say you were complaining about yourself. And, though I have greater inherent respect for your contact at DirecTV now that I know it was an engineer and not a customer service operator, his information remains incorrect. If there is any documented pattern of incompatibility between KCCI-DT's OTA signal and the HR20 series receivers, it has never been shared with us. Neither I nor anybody else here at KCCI has ever been contacted by any technical representative from DirecTV. Therefore, it's even more uninformed on that engineer's part to say that there has been a whizzing match between us and DirecTV about the performance of that receiver. It's pretty hard for two-sided finger-pointing to exist about an issue that hasn't been known, or a debate that has never happened. That's why your note was a complete surprise to me, especially when I use that exact same model of receiver with no OTA reception problems whatsoever.

If you can overcome my unintended personal offense, and take a fresh look at it as a probable antenna reception issue, I think you will have a much greater chance at satisfaction.

Coincidence?

Nothing has changed with my antenna or equipment, but, the reception problems with KCCI seem to have subsided. Did something get tweaked at KCCI? or Did DirecTV's July 9th updates do it?

Hm.....

Speaking of 13 ... this may not be HD, but it's a significant development nonetheless: The Des Moines Register (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/BUSINESS/80709050/1001/NEWS) is reporting that WHO-TV will take over studio production of KDSM's Fox 17 News at Nine beginning in September, and expand the show to an hour. Fox News at Nine had been anchored at KDSM's sister Sinclair station KGAN in Cedar Rapids, with reporters in Des Moines.

Thank goodness...KGAN's news stinks. Let's hope WHO can make a 9 o'clock newscast that is worthwhile and concentrates on Central Iowa.

Interesting thought: WHO seems to be playing with HD news - suppose that also goes for their production of FOX News at Nine?

HDA

Interesting thought: WHO seems to be playing with HD news - suppose that also goes for their production of FOX News at Nine?

HDAMy guess is, it'd be more likely than it would if KGAN were still doing it, but it depends ... it would still have to go through KDSM master control, which means WHO would have to link it to them -- by microwave, fiber, whatever -- in HD, and KDSM's HD switcher would have to be able to accomodate the extra input from WHO. Plus, WHO's network is 1080i while KDSM's is 720p, so there may be some cross-conversion. I don't pretend to know what KDSM has but I suspect that if they worked with WHO they could pass an HD signal from 13 if they really wanted to.

More interesting news: Cityview's (http://www.dmcityview.com) cover story is all about the DT transition, and hints that WHO may be moving toward being able to broadcast Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune in HD. On the other hand, the paper's "Civic Skinny" suggests that the nine people who work in KDSM's newsroom will lose their jobs after TV13 takes over their news.

Thankfully, the bit about Jeopardy! and Wheel -- unlike Civic Skinny -- has an actual named source, TV13 GM Dale Woods.

Glad to see WHO wants to be able to provide syndicated shows like Wheel and J! in HD.

Too bad KDSM can't do that with Everybody Loves Raymond or Two and a Half Men, which I believe are also syndicated in HD. Keep in mind that they're the station who could never be bothered to broadcast in stereo for the last 20 YEARS or so while everyone else did.:rolleyes:

Ugh...who writes these articles about DTV in the media? Quoting Cityview:

"WHO-TV/DT isn’t the only local station working to provide area residents with picture-perfect news. WOI, FOX, PBS and KCCI do as well. KCCI currently broadcasts its DTV on channel 8.1, but will have DTV on Channel 8 once the switch is made."

Okay, "FOX" and "PBS" aren't local stations per se; they're networks with local affiliates. It would have been more appropriate to mention KDSM and KDIN along with WHO and KCCI if one is referring to our "local stations."

And why single out KCCI as broadcasting on 8.1, but moving to Channel 8 after the switch is made? This confuses RF channels with virtual channels. That KCCI is eventually moving from RF channel 31 to channel 8 is largely irrelevant, especially given the shallow scope of the article, as KCCI-DT will still appear as 8.1 just as it does now despite the frequency change that won't really be noticeable to end users.

I'm guessing it's probably because KCCI may have given them more information than the reporter could deal with. Every station the reporter mentioned is changing physical DT channels except KDSM, so KCCI is hardly special.

There was also a sidebar (at least on the website) comparing an HDTV with a tube TV, which is also incorrect -- there are tube HDTV's out there (I have one at the place where I stay in Ames), and the "burn-in" hazard varies with the type of set. I assume the guy has heard horror stories about plasma sets, especially early ones.

The reporter is probably on general assignment, and sometimes that means writing about something you're just learning about for the first time. Sometimes it's hard to get all the technical details completely right.

Transition note: WOI has filed a new report (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1256464&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=8661) with the FCC, essentially telling the agency its transition progress is on schedule.

In the report, WOI says it has ordered its Channel 5 digital transmitter and is scheduled to install it this October, with dummy-load testing scheduled for November and air testing in December. Until then, the station will spend August and September getting the transmitter building at Alleman ready for the new DT rig.

EDIT: Also, KEFB -- an analog-only religious station licensed to Ames on Channel 34 -- filed a similar form (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1256628&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=82619), telling the FCC they will shut down on February 16 and come back up as a digital-only station after a new modulator and mask filter are installed. They believe the transmitter and feed line will not need to be replaced, just the modulator.

I'm a bit concerned with WOI reverting to 5 VHF in February. When I checked their power level (proposed), unless I misread it, they are going to be running very low power.

Is this information correct, and what are people expecting out of VHF-5 from WOI,l when it makes the change?

Well, for what it's worth, here's a thought from the Assistant Chief Engineer at KCCI. I answer almost all of our reception-problem e-mail and telephone inquiries about digital reception. And, to date, I have never identified any pattern of difficulty with our DTV signal and any model of DirecTV receiver.

For more advice on KCCI and digital TV, please feel free to visit my longer FAQ document that our webmaster has done his best to hide at kcci.com (http://www.kcci.com/download/2008/0110/15023211.pdf). :D

Much good info snipped. There is NOTHING wrong with KCCI's signal. There are some significant issues with the OTA tuner built in to the HR20-700,l HR20-100. I can't speak for the H20. To put it mildly, the HR20 OTA integrated tuners have "issues". They are very, very picky, and particularly vulnerable to multi-path.

I did a lot of testing wtih the HR20-700 and after hours of playing around with an impedance meter, calibrated attenuator and low noise preamp I was able to get the HR20-700 to match the internal tuner of my Samsung HL-R5667W HDTV. Mind you, the Sammy did this with no adjustments...the HR20 required some fancy footwork to get it to the same level as the Sammy.

Things I had to do:

1. Adjust the gain distribution of my system using a low noise preamp and and variable attenuator (started with a precision step attenuator and worked my way back).

2. Adjust feedline lengths to present an impedance at the HR20 that it was happy with. (varied with each channel of course!)

After playing with the gain/splits/line lengths for about 4 hours, I arrived at a "magic" group of settings that gave me the same readings on the HR20-700 that I was seeing on the Sammy.

That's the good news/bad news on the HR20-700 (100 is the same OTA tuner).

The really good news is the HR21 with no tuner has a companion AM21 add on tuner that is totally different (and considerably better) than the tuners in the HR20. I could put any length line, and no gain distribution adjustments on the AM21 and it performs perfectly.

If you are stuck with the HR20, then you may have to do some playing to get all channels, or to get them all at a low bit-error-rate (which is what the signal meters in the HR series are measuring...they are NOT measuring signal strength at all).

If you get the HR21 and AM21, you will have to much less (or no) fussing around.

I'm currently using the HR20-700, HR21-200/AM21, HR20-100 and an H21-200 (upstairs bedroom...no OTA built in ...but ....I can't say anything more at this time:))

I'm a bit concerned with WOI reverting to 5 VHF in February. When I checked their power level (proposed), unless I misread it, they are going to be running very low power.

Is this information correct, and what are people expecting out of VHF-5 from WOI,l when it makes the change?
I am also very worried about the ability to receive WOI-DT when it goes back to 5 and runs at the new lower power. Besides the fact that I need to get a different antenna to pull in VHF, I am most dissappointed in the choice to go back to 5 since most VHF-UHF combo antennas that receive stations down to 5 are quite large. If they would have picked a higher frequency we could have used the new smaller 7-up style antennas that are likely to flood the market since most stations are abandoning 2 through 6.

Suggestions on where to buy the AM21?? I assume it's not available at any local stores in central Iowa?

Thanks.

Suggestions on where to buy the AM21?? I assume it's not available at any local stores in central Iowa?

Thanks.

Go to Directv...call them, you may be able to work a deal and get it for less than the listed price of 59 bucks if you have an HR21 and tell them you don't get locals in HD yet.

.
I'm currently using the HR20-700, HR21-200/AM21, HR20-100 and an H21-200 (upstairs bedroom...no OTA built in ...but ....I can't say anything more at this time:))

Hasan,

Am I reading between the lines correctly, are you somehow getting LIL for Des Moines, or is there some form of MRV going on :)

Hasan,

Am I reading between the lines correctly, are you somehow getting LIL for Des Moines, or is there some form of MRV going on :)

No on both. What I am not free to discuss is in reference to the AM21 ...and no more guessing, as I can't answer. Suffice it to say it is a good thing, not a bad thing. Beyond that I can't elaborate.:)

Be patient, I won't hold my water any longer than I am required to.

ABC 5 UPDATE:

The FCC has granted WOI's latest request (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1248991&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=8661) for a power bump, this time to 11.5 kW, according to the commission's online database. WOI was initially allotted 3.91 kW on its post-transition Channel 5 and was more recently approved to put out 8.2 kW before today's action.

More transition updates: KCCI, WHO, KFPX, KCWI, KDMI

Five Des Moines-area stations have filed transition updates with the FCC.

- KCCI still plans to convert one of its Channel 8 transmitter cabinets from analog to digital sometime in mid-January so that it's ready to go February 17 on post-transition Channel 8. This shouldn't affect the current KCCI-DT on Channel 31, but power to analog Channel 8 may be reduced.

- WHO also plans to begin reconfiguring its Channel 13 to digital in January and begin testing then. No word on what this means for analog 13, but it shouldn't affect WHO's current DT on 19 until they shut it off on Feb. 17.

- KFPX says very little, just that they need to "adjust or install antenna." They don't mention that the "adjustment" they'd like to make is to move their transmitter from near Baxter to Alleman.

- KCWI is expected to start the process of getting 23 ready to "flash-cut" to DT by the beginning of February.

- KDMI hopes to have its equipment ready to go on Channel 31 by February as well, though they'll probably need to coordinate with KCCI if they want to test it beforehand.

Hi all. I've been away for a couple weeks. Glad to see HDantenna's HR20 started working. Sorry that I can't claim we fixed it with any sort of back-room tweak. Wish we could! But we can't customize our signal for any one of hundreds of makes and models of receivers out there, any more than DirecTV can customize their receivers for any one of the hundreds of small-market TV stations their boxes have to pick up.

On a personal note, I will try to reign in my editorial comments a bit in the future, but if I err, if you folks could give me the benefit of the doubt by reading "emoticon-resistant dry humor" in place of "snippy", I would be much in your debt. I mostly visit this forum off the clock, so am less inclined to tread on politically-correct eggshells while here. And I admit I have more of a knack with electronics than with people. OK, enough girl talk.

I thought I might comment on concerns expressed about reduced power levels when we and the other stations move our digital signals down onto VHF. What's at play here is that it takes different amounts of power to get the same amount of coverage on different channels. All broadcasters have to abide by strict limitations placed upon their power output levels. Those power regulations are set so that we cover a certain size geographic area, and no more, and that we interfere with adjacent channels in adjacent markets by no more than a fraction of a percent. The FCC expects us to cover a certain defined area. To cover our defined area, our channel 8 analog transmitter runs at 316kw. Our digital power level is designed to "replicate" the coverage area of our analog channel 8 signal as closely as possible, though an exact match is impossible. To accomplish that on the temporary UHF channel 31 that we were assigned for the transition period, it requires that we broadcast channel 31 at one megawatt to achieve the same coverage area! If we were at a still-higher UHF channel, it would require even more power. The electric meters at Alleman spin very fast these days.

When we cut off analog next February 17th, and move our digital down to channel 8, our licensed power will drop back down again. In fact, it will drop down lower than it's ever been. That's because--when compared across the SAME channel--digital signals require less power than analog to travel the same distance. Most of the power pumped out of an analog transmitter is actually going toward producing the big sync pulses that keep the video and color information locked together and timed correctly for display on the TV screen. All a digital transmitter has to put out is a steady uniform square wave. That's a big savings in power efficiency. So, our licensed power after we go digital on VHF channel 8 will be just 28kw. If that sounds like low power, well, 28 thousand watts is still a pretty damn big light bulb. Also, keep in mind that all these power levels work logarithmically. Just accomplishing a few decibels of difference in field strength can mean doubling or halving transmitter power. Would we like to put digital on channel 8 with 316kw? Our sales department would love it! But I'm afraid stations on channels 7, 8, and 9 in adjacent states would take issue with that! :)

Anyway, that's the reason for these skimpy-looking power levels that are coming across the FCC application files these days, and that's the reason that they're all different from channel to channel. Our effective coverage area should remain the same...at least that's what a lot of engineers at a higher pay grade than me are saying. Having said all that, I'm still just as curious as everyone else to see how digital VHF ends up panning out in the real world! And, I suspect that the stations that plan to run channel 5 and 6 transmitters really are going to have a harder time overcoming environmental interference. Nationwide, WOI is not alone in their plans to do digital on channel 5, but there's not many in that boat, and almost all of the channel 2, 3, and 4 stations are planning to stay UHF instead. I like digital TV, and I really hope it does end up bringing about improved over-the-air reception for most people. But there's a good reason our promotion department doesn't let me write their copy!

I recently started having reception problems with the KCCI-HD signal. I have been sing the same set-up for over three years and have never had any issues with the signal from KCCI. All other stations still give good signal. KCCI has recently degraded from a 99% to a peak of 55-60% and sometimes drops completely. My first thought was possible tree interference but that should affect all of my signals. I am using a channel master dual bowtie on my roof. I guess if no one else reports any problems I will have to make a trip up there to check things out.

Looks like 13-2 has finally made it into the HR-20 guide.

Yet ANOTHER HD report on WHO tonight.

JUST PULL THE TRIGGER ALREADY!!! :pIf there was a trigger that would magically make everything on TV13 turn HD and give them a new weapon in the battle against the TV8 juggernaut, don't you'd think they'd have used it by now? :D

If there was a trigger that would magically make everything on TV13 turn HD and give them a new weapon in the battle against the TV8 juggernaut, don't you'd think they'd have used it by now? :D

Maybe if they can't pull the trigger yet to go to HD, they could at least make their SD not look like it's being viewed through a cheesecloth. :p

KCCI seems to me to have the best local-origination SD image quality by a comfortable margin among the local newscasts.

I recently started having reception problems with the KCCI-HD signal. I have been sing the same set-up for over three years and have never had any issues with the signal from KCCI. All other stations still give good signal. KCCI has recently degraded from a 99% to a peak of 55-60% and sometimes drops completely. My first thought was possible tree interference but that should affect all of my signals. I am using a channel master dual bowtie on my roof. I guess if no one else reports any problems I will have to make a trip up there to check things out.

Yep - the problems are back - KCCI was unwatchable last night on my HR-20.

Maybe if they can't pull the trigger yet to go to HD, they could at least make their SD not look like it's being viewed through a cheesecloth. :p

KCCI seems to me to have the best local-origination SD image quality by a comfortable margin among the local newscasts.

KCCI's SD quality is better, but their newscasts are awful. I cannot believe they are #1 in this market. </my opinion>

From what I hear through the grapevine, WHO is planning a switch to HD news during the fall sweeps. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I have a rooftop antenna for my local HD channels and I can't get anything in now. SAT is working fine where I can watch the SD version of locals. I can also watch SD versions off my antenna.....but 8.1, 8.2(weather) 13.1, 17.1, and 5.1 are "no signal"

I checked connections....all looks good. Tried the indoor antenna......same deal.....nothing.

Has the transmitter towers been hit in the bad storms up north of town today? Anyone else having trouble?

Who is it that pumps out of, what town is it, Allmen? I think they got hit bad but not sure.

I was watching KCCI on my analog TV in the kitchen when the storms hit and they said that their digital signal was knocked out by the storm.

I assume that is the case with the other stations.