Des Moines, IA - HDTV [Text View] - Page 14

herky92

07-28-08, 11:42 AM

I know this has been promised before, but a DirecTV press release issued today shows Des Moines as one of 44 markets to receive HD locals by the end of 2008.

http://dtv.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=324647

------------------------------------------------------------------

With Launch of 44 New HD Markets More Than 88 Percent of U.S.
Television Homes Will Have Access to Local HD Channels from DIRECTV

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jul 28, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to strengthen its HD presence with the addition of 44 new HD local channel markets. By the end of 2008, DIRECTV will provide local HD broadcast channels in 121 cities, representing more than 88 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECTV will begin the rollout of the new HD local markets in August and continue through the end of the year. The new markets include:

-- Augusta, Ga.
-- Harrisonburg, Va.
-- Bangor, Maine
-- La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wis.
-- Baton Rouge, La.
-- Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.
-- Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
-- Lincoln-Hastings, Neb.
-- Boise, Idaho -- Macon, Ga.
-- Burlington, Vt.-Plattsburgh, N.Y.
-- Mobile AL-Pensacola, Fla.
-- Butte-Bozeman, Mont.
-- Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C.
-- Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Ill.
-- Norfolk-Newport News, Va.
-- Charleston, S.C.
-- Palm Springs, Calif.
-- Chattanooga, Tenn.
-- Peoria-Bloomington, Ill.
-- Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colo.
-- Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
-- Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo.
-- Rockford, Ill.
-- Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island, Ill., Moline, Ill.
-- Rochester, N.Y.
-- Dayton, Ohio
-- Savannah, Ga.
-- Des Moines-Ames, Iowa
-- Sioux Falls, S.D
-- Dothan, Ala.
-- South Bend-Elkhart, Ind.
-- El Paso, Texas
-- Springfield-Holyoke, Mass.
-- Evansville, Ind.
-- Syracuse, N.Y.
-- Fort Smith, Ark.
-- Tallahassee, Fla.
-- Fort Wayne, Ind.
-- Toledo, Ohio
-- Greenville-New Bern-Washington,NC
-- Traverse City-Cadillac, Mich.
-- Harlingen-Brownsville, Texas
-- Youngstown, Ohio

"With the rollout of 44 new HD local markets, DIRECTV continues to strengthen its position as the leading provider of quality HD programming among cable and satellite competitors nationwide," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "Our DIRECTV 11 satellite has recently begun operations and significantly expands our capacity for more national and local HD channels. And as we have with the SuperFan(R) service for MLB EXTRA INNINGS(R) and NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and our multi-screen coverage of US Open golf, we will continue to use HD to enhance our unique interactive services to provide our customers with more of what they want and expect from us - the best television experience available."

DIRECTV will deliver HD programming from the primary broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC - where available and authorized, to customers who subscribe to any TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package that offers local channels. DIRECTV HD customers will continue to pay only a $9.99 access fee, allowing them to receive DIRECTV's premier HD technology and all channels broadcast in HD that are tied to their particular base programming package.

Customers should visit directv.com to learn more about the full complement of DIRECTV's HD programming lineup including existing channels, new channels, details on equipment required for the new DIRECTV HD services and updates on when the new markets will launch.

With the DIRECTV 11 satellite just introduced to the fleet and the launch of the DIRECTV 12 satellite next year, DIRECTV will have the capacity to deliver 200 national HD channels and 1,500 local HD and digital channels in addition to new advanced programming services for customers nationwide.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ : DTV - News), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 95 national HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed all national cable companies for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc.
Robert Mercer, 310-964-4683
or
Darris Gringeri, 212-462-5136

Copyright Business Wire 2008

News Provided by COMTEX

renstyle

07-28-08, 12:45 PM

scooter2002

07-28-08, 01:13 PM

Direct TV also announced they'll be bumping up to 130 HD channels soon.

I wonder when MediaCom will be reaching "20" HD channels?

It's really frustrating not have exposure to the satellite feed, and being stuck with what I've got for more than $100 a month.

kanderna

07-28-08, 07:27 PM

Incredible. From "by the end of the year" in October 2006 to now. Sort of pumped about that. Of course, I was pumped the first time too.

hasan

07-29-08, 02:32 AM

Hello all,

I've just moved into a new home here in Boone, and am finally able to put up the antenna rig I want and "do it right the first time".

Reception from Alleman is all I'm looking for at this time. Our home is 2 stories, on the north side of Boone. If I had a 60' tower, I'd have line-sight to the tower tops, right now surrounded by large bushy Maple trees.

Even with a 10' extension on top of my house all I can hope to get is maybe 30-35' height. I have a nice Winegard UHF only antenna which will work for the current digital signals.

I'm wanting to get the antenna orientation correct and working with digital signals so that once my VHF/UHF antenna comes in I'll be ready for transition in February.

Has anybody out this far (considered fringe surburban by antennaweb) needed a preamp due to weak signals from a long length of coax? My run is probably going to be 50-60', and I'd like to install a decent prepamp on the mast.

Since we are fairly close, and there isn't much for non-tree interference between my home and the towers, I wasn't sure how much work is overkill for decent digital signals.

I"m 3 miles north of Ogden with a medium sized channel master vhf/uhf combo on the peak of a two story roof (gable mount). I get the following signals:

WOI-TV 95%
KCCI-TV 100%
IPTV 100%
WHO-TV 100%
Fox (17-1) 85%
CW (23-1) 85%)
CH 34-1 80%
CH 56-1 80%

I have 40' of RG-6 coming from the antenna to a Channel Master CM-7777 combo vhf/uhf low noise antenna preamp that I'm using as a distribution amp. I'm splitting my signal 6 times (after the preamp, of course)

Keep in mind WOI is going low power VHF in February on Channel 5 RF. KCCI is going from Ch 31 UHF to Ch 8 VHF.

Pointing from Boone, you should be about 140 degrees (SouthEast is 135 deg).

If I were starting from scratch, I'd go with a bigger antenna than I'm using, based on WOI....I think KCCI will be fine.

If you're not down in a hole, you should do fine, as I can receive all the major networks with a low noise preamped UHF loop in our upstairs bedroom. (of course this is subject to break up if I walk i front of it.)

Let me know if you need more help.

renstyle

07-29-08, 12:48 PM

I"m 3 miles north of Ogden with a medium sized channel master vhf/uhf combo on the peak of a two story roof (gable mount). I get the following signals:

WOI-TV 95%
KCCI-TV 100%
IPTV 100%
WHO-TV 100%
Fox (17-1) 85%
CW (23-1) 85%)
CH 34-1 80%
CH 56-1 80%

I have 40' of RG-6 coming from the antenna to a Channel Master CM-7777 combo vhf/uhf low noise antenna preamp that I'm using as a distribution amp. I'm splitting my signal 6 times (after the preamp, of course)

Keep in mind WOI is going low power VHF in February on Channel 5 RF. KCCI is going from Ch 31 UHF to Ch 8 VHF.

Pointing from Boone, you should be about 140 degrees (SouthEast is 135 deg).

If I were starting from scratch, I'd go with a bigger antenna than I'm using, based on WOI....I think KCCI will be fine.

If you're not down in a hole, you should do fine, as I can receive all the major networks with a low noise preamped UHF loop in our upstairs bedroom. (of course this is subject to break up if I walk i front of it.)

Let me know if you need more help.

Your preamp is not mounted on mast? Does that mean your concern is more of signal loss due to many devices rather than loss from the cable run by itself?

Can you impart some of your experiences with and without the preamp, especially if you had tested with one or two outputs? I'm only planning on hooking one TV along with my mythbox's ATSC card. My cable run will be at least 50'. I wasn't sure if a preamp could be detrimental to the signal being "only" 22 miles from the towers or not. Then again, I wasn't sure if it was overkill either.

It is too bad WOI wasn't able (or didn't want) to get a better placement on the UHF band, it would have been nice to only need a "7-up" antenna. :)

renstyle

07-29-08, 12:52 PM

to go along with my previous post (sorry for not editing), does anybody have recommendations on antenna orientation?

Specifically, when using a compass, what is the mean deviation for our latitude (Boone is 42.07 degrees N)? I'll keep googling but I figured couldn't hurt to ask if somebody already has it figured out. :)

EDIT: I found what I was looking for, courtesy of NOAA:

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/declination.shtml

I didn't even need to calculate my own Latitude and Longitude, my zip code took care of it (gave me more accurate numbers than I had before too)!

It's moving W at 7' per year, so for my location "TRUE NORTH" with match a compass heading in 15 years, 8 months, and 14 days...

Looks like Boone is 1,50' E declination, which I assume means that I'll need to subtract<?> this much to my 138-141 range for the Alleman towers. So instead of 138-141 I'll need to look for 135-138 roughly.

Heh, the more I look at this, I wonder how much difference it would make, being 20+ miles out.

hasan

07-29-08, 03:58 PM

Your preamp is not mounted on mast? Does that mean your concern is more of signal loss due to many devices rather than loss from the cable run by itself?

Can you impart some of your experiences with and without the preamp, especially if you had tested with one or two outputs? I'm only planning on hooking one TV along with my mythbox's ATSC card. My cable run will be at least 50'. I wasn't sure if a preamp could be detrimental to the signal being "only" 22 miles from the towers or not. Then again, I wasn't sure if it was overkill either.

It is too bad WOI wasn't able (or didn't want) to get a better placement on the UHF band, it would have been nice to only need a "7-up" antenna. :)

The preamp is NOT mounted on the mast because it is not needed. With only 40' of feedline and a good antenna, all I needed to do was make up for splitter losses in the house. I use an antenna preamp because of the vastly superior noise figure (and consequent sensitivity), and resistance to overload as compared to the typical "distribution" amplifiers which are much higher noise figure and very wide band. (vulnerable to out of TV band interference).

In my prior post I said use 135 degrees, you must have missed it (aiming). The 3 dB beamwidth of any antenna you purchase is very likely to exceed 40 degrees! (that means you can be 40 degrees off pointed before you lose half your signal). So, point it at 135 and you will be well within the highest gain region of the forward lobe of the antenna. Even the longest and very best UHF only antennas have a 3 dB beamwidth of 15 degrees...and you won't be going UHF only as you need a UHF/VHF combo antenna. All of these will have 3 dB beamwidths (even the very largest) of greater than 25 degrees.

Google TVfool for a more precise indication of actual received signal levels at your location.

hasan

07-29-08, 04:03 PM

to go along with my previous post (sorry for not editing), does anybody have recommendations on antenna orientation?

Heh, the more I look at this, I wonder how much difference it would make, being 20+ miles out.

None.:)

Go here and you will get a predictive model of just what actual strength you will see from your local stations:

http://www.tvfool.com/

Lemme know if you need more info.

(or stop in and see me at the Boone Wal-Mart ...I'm there 7-4 on most Sat/Sun in the electronics section.)

hasan

07-29-08, 04:45 PM

Since the question was asked, I thought I would post some predictive data for my location 3 miles north of Ogden with a rooftop antenna. Note that the predictive model says I have LOS (line-of-site) to the Alleman Tower Complex, at a distance of approximately 24 miles, bearing 127 degrees.

Station Pre-2009 Post Feb 17, 2009

5-1 -88* -49.9 (all values in dBm, less negative is stronger)

17-1 -52 -52

8-1 -47.6 -52.9

11-1 -49 -54.8

13-1 -48.8 -53.3

* Probably based on on an erroneously low power level on record.

Interpretation:

The most important value to pay attention to is the "Rx(dBm)" value since that is roughly how much signal you have to work with. Higher values represent stronger signals, but note that the values are negative because of the units being used. There are a lot of factors that affect each situation differently, but in VERY ROUGH TERMS, signals above about -70 dBm should be strong enough to receive with an indoor antenna, signals above about -90 dBm should be strong enough to receive with an attic antenna, and signals above about -110 dBm should be strong enough to receive with a rooftop antenna. These are only estimates and your particular situation may be significantly better or worse than indicated. Your mileage may vary.

Summary:

KCCI, KDIN and WHO will all be approximately 5 dB weaker after the Feb 2009 transition. Given worst case they are all at least 17 dB stronger than what is required (-70 dBm) for an indoor antenna to at least "work", there is nothing to be concerned about except, they are all going from UHF to VHF, meaning you will need a VHF antenna to receive these stations after Feb 17, 2009.

The pleasant surprise is that according to this predictive model, my concern for WOI is unwarranted in that it will be among the stronger stations at -49.9 dBm. (dBm = decibels referenced to a milliwatt, "-" indicating below a milliwat

Conclusion:

As long as you have a VHF/UHF combo antenna in my area, one can expect good signals across the board after the transition. (sans multi-path considerations, see following post)

Go to http://www.tvfool.com and enter your own data for a customized analysis of your specific location and channels of interest.
I hope this info is useful to someone.:)

hasan

07-29-08, 04:52 PM

With stations that migrate from UHF to VHF there may be increased problems with multi-path because of the lower gain antennas on the lower frequencies. Lower gain = wider pattern. Wider pattern = increased vulnerability to reflections/multi-path.

Multi-path really tears up digital TV reception, depending on the resistance of any given digital tuner to multi-path (some are quite poor).

So, even if the previously posted strong signal levels are correct, we still might have a few problems caused by multi-path, whose only solution is a higher gain (more discriminating) antenna.

renstyle

07-30-08, 09:36 AM

The preamp is NOT mounted on the mast because it is not needed. With only 40' of feedline and a good antenna, all I needed to do was make up for splitter losses in the house. I use an antenna preamp because of the vastly superior noise figure (and consequent sensitivity), and resistance to overload as compared to the typical "distribution" amplifiers which are much higher noise figure and very wide band. (vulnerable to out of TV band interference).

In my prior post I said use 135 degrees, you must have missed it (aiming). The 3 dB beamwidth of any antenna you purchase is very likely to exceed 40 degrees! (that means you can be 40 degrees off pointed before you lose half your signal). So, point it at 135 and you will be well within the highest gain region of the forward lobe of the antenna. Even the longest and very best UHF only antennas have a 3 dB beamwidth of 15 degrees...and you won't be going UHF only as you need a UHF/VHF combo antenna. All of these will have 3 dB beamwidths (even the very largest) of greater than 25 degrees.

Google TVfool for a more precise indication of actual received signal levels at your location.

Thanks for the reply on the preamp. The main reason I was concerned about the signal path and beamwidth is due to my experiences with a large old 70's VHF antenna out on the farm (Carroll, IA). Was sitting on a rotator and it was very fickle about where it was pointed. The extra dB gained from proper positioning made alot of difference, expecially when trying to pull in the Omaha and Sioux City stations. This has made me overly cautious about proper orientation, and I thought the 1-5 degrees of leeway could be an issue.

I did see the 140 degrees suggestion (with 135 being SE), and wanted to make sure I had the most "exact" numbers from which to fudge my install. With KDIN being way up on channel 50 for the fall, I wanted to make sure I had the strongest signal I could get. It's great to know that the installation is much more forgiving in our area due to antenna proximity and the relatively flat landscape.

renstyle

07-30-08, 10:49 AM

hasan

07-30-08, 12:14 PM

This is purely for conversation, but does anybody know why the Azimuth numbers for antenna orientation are slightly different for Antennaweb.org and the actual FCC data?

Most of the Alleman towers sit 138-140 degrees from my location per Antennaweb, but the FCC data shows most at 141.58-144.51 degrees?

Again, this is just for the sake of conversation, since the previous posts have shown me that this small level of error should not affect reception. Just curious if anybody knew why the figures were different.

The latitude and longitude figures used at the FCC website are the figures generated by my address at Antennaweb, 42,4' / 93,52'.

Make sure that the calculation engine takes in to consideration the format of the entered data (or you do it for you). Many require decimal minutes/sec and failing to do so will introduce errors.

You might try TVfool.com and see what it gives you for a bearing...with the additional benefit of showing you predicted signal levels, per my prior posts.

renstyle

07-30-08, 02:39 PM

Make sure that the calculation engine takes in to consideration the format of the entered data (or you do it for you). Many require decimal minutes/sec and failing to do so will introduce errors.

You might try TVfool.com and see what it gives you for a bearing...with the additional benefit of showing you predicted signal levels, per my prior posts.

I see what you mean, tvfool.com has the magnetic azimuth matching antenna web. The actual topographical azimuth is 2-3 degrees higher.

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these rather mundane questions for us all hasan. I'll try not to get out of line! :)

BigJ52

07-30-08, 08:52 PM

ankenyclone

07-30-08, 09:23 PM

Looks like Mediacom has added USA HD on Ch. 838 in Des Moines. Looks good, but I don't know what they show on that channel that is of any HD value.

hasan

07-31-08, 12:57 AM

I see what you mean, tvfool.com has the magnetic azimuth matching antenna web. The actual topographical azimuth is 2-3 degrees higher.

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these rather mundane questions for us all hasan. I'll try not to get out of line! :)

It's really my pleasure, I have enjoyed OTA-HD since it's inception, and of course, my amateur radio interests have included antenna design/modeling and rf propagation, especially in the vhf/uhf region, including satellite work. Lots of fun, and I enjoy discussing/learning/helping as time permits.

SnakeEyes

07-31-08, 03:14 AM

Looks like Mediacom has added USA HD on Ch. 838 in Des Moines. Looks good, but I don't know what they show on that channel that is of any HD value.

My guess is Law and Order: CI/SVU, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, and WWE Raw.

kc0bsn

07-31-08, 03:26 AM

Don't forget Monk & Psych! :D

djbrettb

07-31-08, 02:01 PM

Too bad we can't get anything good like Discovery HD. Even if they are out of bandwidth, they could get rid of stretch-o-vision TBS HD and replace that :)

techtvman

08-01-08, 02:25 PM

what are you guys using for OTA outdoor/attic antenna reception in the Altoona area

im needing a big boost from the location that my indoor terk HDTV antenna offers me

JonSamuels

08-01-08, 03:03 PM

Looks like Mediacom has added USA HD on Ch. 838 in Des Moines. Looks good, but I don't know what they show on that channel that is of any HD value.

The Olympics! :)

iowahawkeye

08-01-08, 03:22 PM

The four stations are ABC affiliate WOI-TV Des Moines Iowa; ABC affiliate KCAU-TV Sioux City, Iowa; ABC affiliate KLKN-TV Lincoln, Neb.; and CBS affiliate WHBF-TV in the Quad Cities.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6583689.html

Krunchie

08-15-08, 07:14 PM

I see KCCI's breaking in the HD too. THey aired a fair report on the 6pm news just now. PQ looked decent, but not as good as WHO's. Also, the chyron graphics looked very pixelated and stretched. They were also unable to show their "bug" at the same time, instead using a stretched "KCCI-HD" chyron keyed in the upper left hand corner. Far from impressive, but glad to know they're not just going to let WHO take all the thunder in the HD wars!

ankenyclone

08-22-08, 09:24 PM

Krunchie

08-26-08, 04:36 PM

Finally, Mediacom and Big 10 Network reach a deal (according to sources close to the situation). I'm not a Hawkeye fan, but I still enjoy watching games from that conference due to the early start times. No word yet on the addition of the HD channel, but I would have to assume that would be part of any deal.

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/SPORTS/27671286/1001/NEWS

I'll be curious to see then if MediaCom will be able to include all the alternates or if everyone will be forced to watch one single game... seeing as on D* I have slots available for 2 (was originally 3) alternate time slot broadcasts.

dline

08-27-08, 08:16 PM

MORE INFO: Obviously there's been no "official" announcement yet on BTN/Mediacom, but Cedar Rapids Gazette sportswriter Scott Dochterman still thinks we'll get it by the Maine game, according to his blog on www.gazetteonline.com.

dline

08-28-08, 03:39 PM

UPDATE: Mediacom announces for the first time it will carry Big Ten Network

Press release:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=98270&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1191808&highlight=

According to Mediacom's announcement, the channel will launch in phases, and will ultimately include the HD version and on-demand content. Whether the HD will launch in time for Iowa's season opener against Maine this weekend is unclear. "Mediacom customers will be notified when the network becomes available in their community," the company says in its press release.

But Gazette Online's homepage suggests -- at least in eastern Iowa -- that this weekend's game will air on the Connections Channel, which as far as I know has no HD equivalent. The Des Moines Register's website doesn't really say anything as far as placement.
_________________

EDIT: After I posted, AVS member iowahawkeye brought up an Iowa City Press-Citizen article (http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080828/HAWKS/80828006/1079). Among other things, it suggests that Mediacom probably won't be able to give BTN its own channel in time for this weekend's game. So that first game will probably be on the Connections Channel, and I suspect HD won't be available quite yet.

jobedo

08-30-08, 08:11 PM

WOI 5.2 on the air now
Joe

hasan

09-01-08, 10:01 AM

I noticed that yesterday...what it its purpose?

ToddR

09-01-08, 12:54 PM

I looked in for the first time a little while ago and it was showing the same thing as 5.1. What's this...another subchannel as useless as 17.2? :confused: :rolleyes:

n0rvx

09-01-08, 02:52 PM

I don't understand either Hasan. Unless they are working the bugs out of the studio portion of their digital system in preparation for the transition in Feb. I think it doesn't take a lot more power on their UHF channel and they do have the available bandwidth on it. Then all they have to do in Feb. is shut down the SD station and switchover to their VHF digital transmitter, and they are back on the air on VHF Ch 5 digitally. Then they can shut down their UHF transmitter and save lots of electricity. The UHF is running 300,000 to 600,000 watts. They'll get the same coverage on VHF with 8,000 to 15,000 watts. Or maybe not. I just read the next reply.

Ron

Trip in VA

09-01-08, 05:17 PM

5-2 will be picking up RTN sometime soon. www.rtnville.com

- Trip

hasan

09-02-08, 11:07 AM

5-2 will be picking up RTN sometime soon. www.rtnville.com

- Trip

There are some very good but very old shows listed on RTN website...I guess that's the "retro". It appears it will be an SD channel. I hope its video is better than either 34-1 or 56-1, in both cases the PQ is just awful. Maybe I'm just HD spoiled.:)

jake the ssnake

09-02-08, 08:34 PM

Is anyone else still having problems with 5.1/5.2? My signal fluctuates in the 60's then goes to 0 off and on :mad:

jobedo

09-03-08, 05:16 PM

MEDIACOM added BIG TEN on channel 59 today
Joe

denyart

09-03-08, 09:05 PM

well, here in Ames it is still RFDTV on 59. I found this page to be useful
http://www.mediacomcable.com/bigten/search.php
it looks like you can stick a zipcode in and see what channel to get Big Ten Network on.

fireshoes

09-03-08, 09:24 PM

Has anyone had issues with receiving the local HD from Mediacom using a QAM tuner? I don't have cable myself, but a couple people brought it up at work today.

Jmacshriver

09-07-08, 12:41 AM

Has anyone had issues with receiving the local HD from Mediacom using a QAM tuner? I don't have cable myself, but a couple people brought it up at work today.
Yes I have problems. I don't get all the channels I believe I should. I still use over the air to get all my local digital channels.

bluejayrock

09-07-08, 05:00 PM

Yes I have problems. I don't get all the channels I believe I should. I still use over the air to get all my local digital channels.

As of now *3:49 PM Sunday* here is what I can get on the QAM in Downtown Des Moines:

KCCI 8.1 and 8.2 (also on 114.4 and 114.6)
WHO 13.1 (also on 114.2) and Weather Plus on 95.6
KDSM on 86.4
KCWI on 95.4
IPTV primary on 115.2
WOI on 115.4
City of Des Moines on 113.1
Des Moines Public Schools on 113.3
CSPAN on 99.256 and 101.256

At one point last night I was getting the HBO channels as well, but not today.

dline

09-08-08, 03:36 AM

Update on ABC5/Dish

In case you missed it, it looks like Citadel Communications has reached a deal to put ABC5 (WOI-TV) back on Dish. No word if the deal includes the WOI-DT/HD channel when HD locals are introduced in Des Moines ...

http://www.woi-tv.com/global/story.asp?S=8959522

ToddR

09-08-08, 12:24 PM

L.T.

09-08-08, 02:23 PM

dline

09-08-08, 09:14 PM

Are any of the Des Moines locals currently carrying syndicated stuff in HD? For example, not that I watch Oprah, but I've read that her program has gone to HD production. Likewise for reruns that are supposedly available in HD, such as Everybody Loves Raymond and 2.5 Men.Nobody I know of, though WHO's boss told Cityview recently that they're hoping to get Jeopardy and Wheel in HD, perhaps this fall. Supposedly KCCI was able to air an HD special which arrived on tape recently, but I'm not sure where they are on getting what they need to record HD shows from satellite, play them back and switch to and from commercials.

khasha

09-09-08, 09:54 AM

Is anyone else still having problems with 5.1/5.2? My signal fluctuates in the 60's then goes to 0 off and on :mad:

I don't know who running the show over there at that station but their digital signal is really lousy, somedays I can get them and others nothing. Channels 8.1 and 13.1 both come in at 60+ all the time. If I want to watch them I have to switch to analog signal.

hasan

09-11-08, 12:03 PM

Looking to finally get rid of Mediacom and go with satellite. Is one better than the other? If I go with, say, Direct, is there a particular receiver that I should ask for? Does anyone have a company that they have had good luck with as far as installation? Thank you in advance to anyone that answers my newbie questions!

Looking to get the most out of my HD tv. Only have regular cable now but receive locals and a couple others in HD now. Wanting to be able to watch more sports in HD.

DirecTV, frequently abbreviated D*, is a very good way to go, especially if you like sports. I've been with them since 1994, and I do private beta testing for them. I have several receivers and other pieces of equipment that I am helping evaluate (that are not on the market yet). Their HD offerings are outstanding, and being able to record OTA in HD is terrific as well.

You can't really "order" a specific receiver/DVR. I'm assuming you are going to get an HD-DVR. In that case, you are most likely to get an HR21-xxx model, although it is remotely possible you will get an HR20-xxx.

If you get an HR21-xxx (last 3 numbers are different according the who manufactured the unit, but they are identical), and want OTA, you will need to add an AM21 to your order. That is an external high def OTA tuner that matches the HR21 form factor and color, and simply plugs in the USB port of the HR21. The tuner is EXCELLENT! Since you live in an area with no HD locals available from D* (until late November), I think you can get them to give it to you at no charge. When you place your order, emphasize that you need OTA capabilities...that they are absolutely essential, and if they fail to provide the AM21, it's a deal breaker. The add-on tuner (AM21) is normally $50.00, and it is very easy to get them to credit the cost to your account or just simply provide it free in the first place.

If you get an HR20-xxx, the OTA tuner is built in, although its tuner is not as good as the one in the AM21 add-on. With a decent antenna, both work fine, and in both cases the guide info for both sat and ota are fully integrated and seamless. I get all the HD OTA channels on my H series box and an AM21 with nothing more than a good set of pre-amped rabbit ears with UHF plate, and I live 3 miles north of Ogden. The antenna is available at Wal-mart: Philips 50 dB gain, 4 dB NF preamp, all Silver in color, square plate plus rabbit ears. (29 bucks). If you get this antenna, leave the telescoping whips fully collapsed, as all HD stations are currently on UHF. Set the gain to a max of 3 or 4, preferably 3 (3 lights lit), square plate perpendicular to the earth and broadside to the Alleman tower complex. Check with me further for additional details or help. You should get 5-1, 8-1, 8-2, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 13-1, 13-2, 17-1, 17-2. You may also get 23-1, 34-1 and 56-1, depending on your location. Notice that 5-2 is not listed...D* has to add this station to their database. The HR series does not scan for stations, it runs from a database. If the database is wrong, or hasn't been updated, you can't get that station with either the HR20 or HR21/AM21 combo. Sooner or later, they get it updated, or you call the local station engineer and they will contact Tribune Media (maintainer of the database for D*), and tell them to get off their butt and fix the info.

Talk to me privately about the Cutting Edge testing program. If you want to participate, you can get new firmware with the latest and greatest features for your box every Friday night (virtually). Of course, it is "beta", so there can/will be bugs. I've been in the CE program for over two years and have enjoyed it immensely. Its purpose is to test and provide feedback...not simply to get the latest and greatest features.

(I don't work for D*...just a happy customer and inveterate experimenter).

Feel free to contact me any time for help/questions.

ankenyclone

09-12-08, 03:31 PM

I stopped at the Best Buy this afternoon to browse the selection for a potential HDTV purchase. I noticed a demo on the wall with two Samsung LCDs side by side trying to communicate the importance of an ISF calibration to their customers. I noted an interesting sign hanging between both of the sets in the demo area. It read:

"An ISF calibration provided by our geek squad improves performance and also saves you $150 in energy per year on average."

Having even a little knowledge of energy costs, I knew this $150 had to be incorrect, so I asked the sales guy where they came up with that figure. He had a stack of literature that proved this to be the case. The first words out of his mouth made me suspect - "The State of California did a study...". They had shortened down a 50 page report into a couple page flyer. The main focus of their literature was the following paragraph:

"Proper ISF calibration saves significant energy, produces superior picture quality, and extends the life of the TV. On average, an ISF calibrated TV provides 183 kWh/yr saving per set and equates to $153 per year in saving per TV."

I have no idea on whether or not 183 kWh savings is legit, but for the purpose of the remainder of this comment, I'll assume it is.

I told him this paragraph exactly proved my point, but he didn't understand. I asked him what a kWh of energy costs, to which he had no idea. I told him in this area, about 8.5 cents. I told him I would round up to a dime to make the math easier, meaning a that the 183 kWh was worth less than $20 annually, a far cry from the $150 they were advertising. He said he was sorry if the sign offended me, but they were sticking by their literature.

I asked to speak to a manager, who also had no idea on energy costs. If they are going to post such a bold claim - especially in light of the "green movements" in today's society - don't you think the manager would at least understand the math behind the claim? Apparently this is not the case.

In any regard, I was talked to like I was a complete moron - after all, they had the paragraph right there in black and white! He said that he would call their corporate office and discuss, but I doubt that is going to happen. I mean I know the margins on these items are getting squeezed, but to resort to complete untruths - that is not the kind of company I want to do business with.

nicholasmcgrew

09-12-08, 04:11 PM

I stopped at the Best Buy . . .geek squad . . .complete untruths

Cliff notes. :D ;)

To quote Homer Simpson, "People can come up with statistics to prove anything. Forty percent of all people know that."

My math adds up like your math. I suppose if you had 7 or 8 TV's his numbers *could* be right . . . :rolleyes:

ToddR

09-12-08, 04:38 PM

We got the pitch about energy savings last weekend, too, while buying a set for my mother (Ames Best Buy). There is no way one could get that much energy cost savings out of the calibration at central Iowa electricity rates!

I still let her purchase the calibration, though, because I've heard good things on AVS and elsewhere about having it done, and the price wasn't too bad to spend on her "main" TV. Half the battle to me, though, is just toning down the settings out of the box so that everything isn't so overly bright. He tried to get her to calibrate the sister TV (same Sony model, but in a different size) she bought for the bedroom last month, but wasn't going to give her the 150 promo price, so we passed on that one. On my own TV, though, I've only messed with DVD Essentials and Avia.

Hell, he was starting to convince her (on a solo visit before I was with her) that she needed a Blu-ray player despite the fact that Mom barely knows a standard DVD from a hole in the ground, much less Blu-ray. No thanks, the $40 progressive she already has (and uses every few months, it seems) will work fine.:rolleyes: Typical Best Buy crap...the same place where I had an insistent idiot blue shirt argue that I needed an amplified $70 antenna for HD despite my home being about 9 miles from the Alleman sticks.

bluejayrock

09-12-08, 05:33 PM

Cliff notes. :D ;)

To quote Homer Simpson, "People can come up with statistics to prove anything. Forty percent of all people know that."

My math adds up like your math. I suppose if you had 7 or 8 TV's his numbers *could* be right . . . :rolleyes:

There are 3 kinds of lies: Lies, Dang lies, and Statistics.

denyart

09-12-08, 07:53 PM

Also, I am pretty sure the ISF would sue the crap out them if these geek squad guys are not ISF trained. I find it hard to belive they are actually using ISF trained techs, but it would be good for video quality everywhere if that were the case. Also with new technologies (plasma, LCD, LCoS/SXRD/HDiLA, LCD) there is less energy to save over the old CRT standard. Don't get me wrong, there is money to save, but the energy reduction for all of the aforementioned (except perhaps plasma) is marginal at most. Does anyone know an ISF tech who could look into whether these are true ISF calibrations they are carrying out?

herrjj1

09-15-08, 01:49 PM

Puerca

09-15-08, 02:12 PM

Same issue here. I tried a reset of the unit and that seemed to help but did not correct the problem.

kanderna

09-15-08, 02:22 PM

No problems on our side, of course I'm pretty close to the towers.

L.T.

09-16-08, 10:50 AM

Thank you for responding hasan. I think I will check with Quest as i could bundle the Direct with internet also.

hasan

09-16-08, 10:55 AM

I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing issues with 13-1 when receiving the signal through DirecTV's built in OTA tuner on the HR20 receiver? For the last few weeks I have not been able to get a steady signal on 13-1. The signal constantly goes in and out and the picture is barely watchable. When I look at the signal meter it seems that the signal jumps from the 90's to 0 and then back again.

If I run the coaxial directly to the my TV's built in tuner the signal seems to be fine and will hold steady around 90%. Is my receiver defective or is there something else that I need to look for. Thanks for any help.

The variations in signal (dramatic) you are reporting is an indication of multi-path (ghosting in the analog world). The HR20 is particularly vulnerable to multi-path. The AM21 separate tuner that comes for the HR21 series is much better in dealing with multi-path.

You can also get this symptom with too much gain ahead of the HR20. If you are using a preamp or distribution amp, cut its gain down, or take it out entirely.

As far as eliminating multi-path, you can change the direction of your antenna to deliberately off point, thus canceling the offending reflection, or you can get a higher gain antenna that does a better job of discriminating against multi-path. For a short term solution (this will not work after Feb 17, when 5, 8, and 13 go back to VHF from their current UHF assignment), you can get a Radio Shack U-75, UHF corner reflector/yagi. It should do a very good job of rejecting off axis signals. Last time I looked they were only 25 bucks...and have a boom length of only 44", so they could work in a closet or attic quite easily.

Knowing I'm going to need both VHF and UHF, however, I would probably get the largest Channel Master combo VHF/UHF antenna (SolidSignal.com), that would fit in my attic while pointed in the right direction. Well, that's not quite true...if it were me, I put up a good medium sized CM outside antenna on a mast and do it right in the first place. I have two CM antennas up here. The one on the garage is a large Channel Master (CM), about 11 feet long. My main viewing setup has the medium sized CM up 28' as previously stated. Unless you have aesthetic limitations, the best thing is to put up an outside antenna of traditional design. There is no free lunch. I don't hae aesthetic issues, as I find all antennas beautiful.

Let us know how things turn out. I have the HR20-700, HR20-100 and HR21-200/AM21 DVRs and have done extensive OTA testing on them. It took me 4 hours of adjustment of the Antenna/Feedline Length/Attenuation and Gain Distribution of my low noise preamp to get the HR20 OTA tuner to perform as well as the tuner built in to my Samsung HDTV (HL-R5667W).

I now have superb OTA performance on all my D* OTA tuners. I'm using a medium sized CM antenna on the roof (about 25'), 3 miles north of Ogden, and all my signals are quite strong, with acceptable levels of variation (less than 10% worst case, typically 2%) I'm about 28 miles from the towers.

L.T.

09-19-08, 04:02 PM

Spoke with DirectTV. They stated that locals are available in my area (50315) and that I would be recieving either a HR21 or HR22 receiver and that I would not need the AM21. Unfortunately they can't install untill 10-7 so I guess I will have to wait and see.

denyart

09-19-08, 05:01 PM

Yes, locals are available, but not HD locals. They need to give you an AM21 to get HD locals as of right now. Not sure when the HD locals will be coming, but its not there yet.

djbrettb

09-21-08, 07:29 PM

Why is 60 Minutes not in HD on KCCI? I read that it was supposed to premiere in HD tonight, and I even saw an "HD | 5.1" logo in the corner at the beginning. But my receiver is not picking up DD5.1 and it's still in SD on my TV.

Please tell me this isn't KCCI's mistake!

WinstonWolfe

09-21-08, 10:33 PM

An installer was going door to door yesterday drumming up business for DirecTV. Told him I was already a subscriber, then asked him if he knew anything about local HD. He said it is scheduled for October 15. For what it's worth...

kanderna

09-21-08, 10:47 PM

ankenyclone

09-22-08, 04:54 PM

I noted today at 3 pm on KCCI CBS that Dr. Phil was in HD. Does this mean that KCCI is able to time-shift syndicated HD content? Any idea when this will be available on WHO NBC, so we can get Jeopardy and WOF in HD as well?

Boulder_GP

09-22-08, 07:02 PM

The variations in signal (dramatic) you are reporting is an indication of multi-path (ghosting in the analog world). The HR20 is particularly vulnerable to multi-path. The AM21 separate tuner that comes for the HR21 series is much better in dealing with multi-path.

You can also get this symptom with too much gain ahead of the HR20. If you are using a preamp or distribution amp, cut its gain down, or take it out entirely.

As far as eliminating multi-path, you can change the direction of your antenna to deliberately off point, thus canceling the offending reflection, or you can get a higher gain antenna that does a better job of discriminating against multi-path. For a short term solution (this will not work after Feb 17, when 5, 8, and 13 go back to VHF from their current UHF assignment), you can get a Radio Shack U-75, UHF corner reflector/yagi. It should do a very good job of rejecting off axis signals. Last time I looked they were only 25 bucks...and have a boom length of only 44", so they could work in a closet or attic quite easily.

Knowing I'm going to need both VHF and UHF, however, I would probably get the largest Channel Master combo VHF/UHF antenna (SolidSignal.com), that would fit in my attic while pointed in the right direction. Well, that's not quite true...if it were me, I put up a good medium sized CM outside antenna on a mast and do it right in the first place. I have two CM antennas up here. The one on the garage is a large Channel Master (CM), about 11 feet long. My main viewing setup has the medium sized CM up 28' as previously stated. Unless you have aesthetic limitations, the best thing is to put up an outside antenna of traditional design. There is no free lunch. I don't hae aesthetic issues, as I find all antennas beautiful.

Let us know how things turn out. I have the HR20-700, HR20-100 and HR21-200/AM21 DVRs and have done extensive OTA testing on them. It took me 4 hours of adjustment of the Antenna/Feedline Length/Attenuation and Gain Distribution of my low noise preamp to get the HR20 OTA tuner to perform as well as the tuner built in to my Samsung HDTV (HL-R5667W).

I now have superb OTA performance on all my D* OTA tuners. I'm using a medium sized CM antenna on the roof (about 25'), 3 miles north of Ogden, and all my signals are quite strong, with acceptable levels of variation (less than 10% worst case, typically 2%) I'm about 28 miles from the towers.

I've noticed the same over the last few days on 13-1. Multiple TV's, different antennas. Nothing in my setup has changed - antennas haven't moved, gain has not been increased or decreased, etc. Normally I'd think multipath as well, but maybe something else is happening lately?

denyart

09-22-08, 08:06 PM

a number of years ago one of the stations (i think it was woi) had a similar signal condition that turned out to be caused by a problem in their transmission line (aka the "cable") that sends the signal up the tower to the transmitter element. Not sure if this is anything similar, but I have seen breakups and stutters on 13.1 while watching Sunday night football. Perhaps they have something to look at?

ToddR

09-22-08, 11:29 PM

I had lots of pixellation in my TiVo HD recording of Heroes tonight. I saw none of this during Saturday Night Live.

Easy-E

09-22-08, 11:51 PM

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. I've been driving myself nuts trying to get it to tune in 13-1. I just checked my HR20-700 and 13-1 is at 100% yet still is skipping. It recorded 1:58:00 of the two hours of Heroes. I've also been having problems with 23-1 in the past week whereas before I have not had problems even when the signal was in the 70s. By the way, I still have the HR10-250 and it also is having the same problem. I have two antenna's attached to a diplexer to both receivers. It really helps with the multi-path issues with both receivers.

I a side note, my HR10 has been acting up. It records a local station but when when I try to record two recordings back to back local, it records only one when attempting both...and then it completely knocks out the 70-79 band. I have to reboot to gain that back. Not sure what is going on...

djbrettb

09-22-08, 11:53 PM

Getting the 13-1 issue on Mediacom as well. I really hope this is fixed before Thursday night!

kanderna

09-23-08, 12:31 AM

Yep. Same here. Just in time for the new season!

Jswerve

09-23-08, 08:40 AM

djbrettb

09-23-08, 01:14 PM

Sent an e-mail to Brad Olk, chief engineer at WHO. He promptly replied with this:

"Brett,

We discovered the problem on Friday and did quite a bit of trouble shooting. Our belief right now is that we have a problem with the receiver on the link between the studio and the transmitter site. We have a spare unit coming from the factory and will know as soon as it gets here. The other possibility is that we are getting interference on that microwave link from another source. That is going to be a bit more difficult to find and we are also working on that. If you would like to post this on the site you may."

Glad to know they are aware and working on it!

kanderna

09-23-08, 01:21 PM

Great! Thanks for the update Brett.

Patriot12

09-23-08, 03:45 PM

I, too, am experiencing pixelization on 13-01. I have Dish Network with the VIP 622 and a 100% signal strength. I just emailed WHO and am waiting for a reply.

This seems to be an issue no matter who the satellite provider.

Me too. It's been that way on Sunday Night football two games now. And it doesn't matter if I watch through the Dish DVR or straight from my TV's tuner. I also don't believe much in that Multi Path crap, because I never had a problem before, and I haven't moved my antenna.

Snagelpuss

09-25-08, 11:54 AM

HI all, I have been getting all the OTA HD stations for a few years now. Just in the last week I have been having a problem with 13.1 pixalating some and even losing signal. It will just drop off for five seconds or so and come right back, also will freeze and garble sound for a second or so every few minutes. I have no problem with 8.1, 5.1, 17.1 etc...

Anyone else experience any problems in the last week or so?

Thanks.

nicholasmcgrew

09-25-08, 12:03 PM

Snagelpuss

09-25-08, 02:42 PM

You may want to read the previous 10 or so posts. :D

You are right, I did browse the top of the previous page but didn't go down far enough to see the 13.1 issue being discussed.

Glad to know I am not alone and that WHO seems to be aware of the problem.

Thanks!

cyclonedave

09-25-08, 08:18 PM

Wow, this is annoying trying to WHO tonight.

kanderna

09-25-08, 09:08 PM

Wow, this is annoying trying to WHO tonight.

Yep. Had to roll analog tonight. :( Shame for series opener night.

djbrettb

09-25-08, 09:45 PM

I agree! Watching SD right now. At least it's broadcast in 16:9 :-\

n691665x

09-26-08, 11:24 AM

It looks like E* finally has Des Moines on it's 'coming soon' list for HD locals:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/programming/locals/channels/index.shtml

techtvman

09-27-08, 07:50 PM

is anyone getting ch 23.1 CW, OTA, i cant seem to pull that one in, everything else is fine, 5.1 8.x 11.x 13.x 17.1 34.1 56.1

kc0bsn

09-27-08, 07:54 PM

If you're getting 34.1 & 56.1 you should also get 23.1, they're all part of the same transmission stream.

denyart

09-27-08, 08:01 PM

One thing you could try if you can get 34.1 and 56.1, but not 23.1 is to look for "other" channels such as 56.2 or 56.3. If the tuner has not found 23.1 properly yet it may be looking in the wrong place. Once tuned to the "56.2" or "56.3" channel it should see the virtual channel info and properly assign it as 23.1. There were issues with this before, but it doesn't happen very often.

techtvman

09-27-08, 08:23 PM

i wanted to make sure 23.1 isnt offline

IgnoringMyWife

09-27-08, 11:48 PM

Anyone else having problems with 13.1 reception? (I'm in Johnston)

kanderna

09-28-08, 12:11 AM

Anyone else having problems with 13.1 reception? (I'm in Johnston)

No problems with reception here in Ankeny. But they are still having the frequent pixelation issues that we've been talking about over the past couple pages if that's what you're referring to.

IgnoringMyWife

09-28-08, 01:36 PM

No problems with reception here in Ankeny. But they are still having the frequent pixelation issues that we've been talking about over the past couple pages if that's what you're referring to.

Yeah, that's what I was referring too. Thanks.

Easy-E

09-28-08, 02:46 PM

Any word from WHO when they will fix the issue?

techtvman

09-28-08, 04:16 PM

my issue is solved, i can get 23.1 now, found out dtv has 2 23.1 in their guide one is KDMI and one is KCWI i was using the KCWI which doesnt work switched it to KDMI and all is well

on a side note is anyone using digital tuners in mediacenter and getting correct guide information, i entered my zip for it to download the guide data for the channels it had, but i had to add some that it didnt get, and i want the correct guide information for those channels but it doesnt seem to have the correct ones, just wondering if anyone else out there is having the same issue

denyart

09-28-08, 06:03 PM

One way to get "correct " ATSC guide data is to install the OEM TV Pack. Another was I have had some success with was to tell Media Center I had Digital Cable during setup. I then removed all of the digital channels from the Guide lineup. Now I went into the settings to add listings to a channel and pointed channels such as PBS-HD (1111) at the digital cable channel for KDINDT. This got the correct guide info for that. 1112 worked as just a copy of regular analog KDIN, and there was nothing for 1113. KCCI has a wethernow channel lineup in digital cable territory (channel 247 I believe), but that is not that exciting. Otherwise most of them can be found with this method.

poboy

09-28-08, 08:25 PM

Grrrrrr....13.1 is absolutely BRUTAL to watch right now. There must not be as many OTA DTV viewers as I thought or they would have fixed this by now.

dlbeck

09-28-08, 08:25 PM

I live in Altoona and 13.1 gives me the most trouble. Bummer since most my favorite shows are on NBC.

Where is you antenna?

cyclonedave

09-28-08, 08:42 PM

jostrander

09-28-08, 09:06 PM

Grrrrrr....13.1 is absolutely BRUTAL to watch right now. There must not be as many OTA DTV viewers as I thought or they would have fixed this by now.

Its also occuring on Mediacom.

Sawasdeecf

09-28-08, 09:49 PM

I have been having problems with not only 13.1, but also 17.1 and 5.1. Last night I had to watch the Neb vs. VT game in analog and tonight 5.1 is still totally out.

I have spoken to a few friends out here in WDM, and they are also experience problems with the lack of or pixing of signals on all local HD, with the exception of 8.1, which seems fine.

Are all the locals sitting on the same transmittor, or code has someone decided to setup some microwave tower to disrupt the locals.

Easy-E

09-28-08, 11:22 PM

I've recorded 5.1, 8.1, 17.1, 23.1 with no problems all day today. 13.1 is the only problem.

denyart

09-29-08, 12:46 AM

Well, I have not checked everything, but 13.1 and 17.1 have been a bit off for me. 13.1 is pretty bad with a lot of pixel breakup. 17.1 just seems to stutter a little and lose audio once in a while. 8.1 and 11.1 were fine in limited viewing. Also 5.1 was fine for part of the race today, but that was very limited viewing during commercial breaks on other programs. The only station that was so bad as to make me switch back to an analog signall was 13. The amount of pixel breakup was beyond watchable for my tastes.

techtvman

09-29-08, 09:28 AM

techtvman

09-29-08, 09:29 AM

I live in Altoona and 13.1 gives me the most trouble. Bummer since most my favorite shows are on NBC.

Where is you antenna?

haha i also live in altoona :)

hasan

09-29-08, 09:42 AM

Keep in mind the breakups/pixellation on 13.1 now are a result of station trouble, so don't get two things confused. (weak signal and station trouble).

The Bears/Eagles game last night was just horrendous. It is hard to believe that they (WHO) would let that kind of thing continue on a national broadcast of NFL football. Not once in the entire broadcast did I see WHO own up to the problem. There should have been a periodic crawl telling viewers it was their problem. If they did it, I didn't see it. I used to think that WOI was the only bush league operation in central Iowa.:)

kanderna

09-29-08, 10:15 AM

I just emailed Brad at WHO to see if he had an update, and got this response:

We discovered a problem a week ago Friday and did quite a bit of trouble shooting. Our belief right now is that we have a problem with the receiver on the link between the studio and the transmitter site. We have a spare unit coming from the factory and will know as soon as it gets here. The other possibility is that we are getting interference on that microwave link from another source. That is going to be a bit more difficult to find and we are also working on that.

With the exception of "a week ago," sounds a bit familiar, eh? :rolleyes:

kanderna

09-29-08, 12:31 PM

A follow-up from Brad... great news! :D

I am very happy to report that parts arrived this morning from the factory and we have fixed the digitizing issues with channels 13.1 and 13.2. We appreciate your patience with our equipment problems for the last week.

techtvman

09-29-08, 12:51 PM

yay just in time for the premier of Chuck!

nicholasmcgrew

09-29-08, 12:51 PM

Excellent! :golf clap:

djbrettb

09-29-08, 04:17 PM

Took them long enough ;) But yeah, glad they fixed it in time for Chuck!

djbrettb

09-29-08, 07:51 PM

What's going on with WHO-DT right now? The picture is completely frozen.

kanderna

09-29-08, 08:43 PM

What's going on with WHO-DT right now? The picture is completely frozen.

Not sure if you're still seeing it, but mine appears to be ok.

djbrettb

09-29-08, 08:47 PM

Nah, it seemed to fix itself right before Chuck started. It must have been an issue with the recorded Wheel of Fortune episode.

denyart

09-29-08, 09:04 PM

Just for fun. QAM unencrypted for Ames:
WOI-DT-5.1-115.2
KCCI-DT-8.1-114.2, remaps itself to 8.1 on my set
KCCI-DT2-8.2-not sure, but remaps itself to 8.2
KDIN-HD-11.1-115.1
WHO-DT-13.1-not sure, but remaps itself to 13.1
WHO-DT2-13.2-95.3
KDSM-DT-17.1-86.2
KCWI-DT-23.1-95.2

djbrettb

10-03-08, 04:56 PM

You know what? I think Dr. Phil looks WORSE in HD than it did when KCCI was airing it in SD. It's not nearly as sharp. Also, why is KCCI stretching SD content now?! :(

djbrettb

10-03-08, 07:33 PM

Never mind. It seems their newscasts are still 4:3, but during the HD syndicated shows, all SD commercials and promos were stretched.

redhawk

10-05-08, 11:54 AM

denyart

10-05-08, 01:11 PM

If you have Mediacom HD do you need a HD receiver? I have two friends with conflicting views. One has a HD tv and has a Mediacom with one HD receiver. He says Mediacom is short on recivers and will only let him have one. My other friend say she has 5 HD tvs hooked up to Mediacom Hd with no recivers. Does he only think he is getting HD. Neither one has a antenna. Thanks for any help.

Yes, you need an HD receiver (or a cablecard and HDTV that can use one) to get all of the HD channels. You can get some without if your set has a QAM tuner built in. In Ames that "HD" lineup includes the following local digital TV station feeds:
WOI-DT-5.1-115.2
KCCI-DT-8.1-114.2, remaps itself to 8.1 on my set
KDIN-HD-11.1-115.1
WHO-DT-13.1-not sure, but remaps itself to 13.1
KDSM-DT-17.1-86.2
KCWI-DT-23.1-95.2
So you can watch these channel without a HD box from Mediacom. You need the box for HBO-HD, Discovery-HD, ESPN-HD, and others.

mrphilby

10-06-08, 02:28 PM

Looks like DirecTV has once again scheduled the Des Moines/Ames area for HD locals, this time in November of 2008!! http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3620002

I realize some of you don't care cause you have excellant antenna reception - but for those of us who would prefer to have our local and "cable" programming all from one source in HD hopefully they meet the timeframe and we have local HD sometime next month!

djbrettb

10-06-08, 02:46 PM

That's good to hear. WOI sometimes doesn't pick up very well at my parents' house, so that'll be nice for them.

kob83

10-06-08, 08:19 PM

I have a puzzle i cannot solve. i recently moved to Johnston from Carroll. While in Carroll I required a large roof mounted antenna to pull in locals in digital. I assumed that in Johnston i would just need a tiny inside antenna, but i cannot consistently pull in any channels. I occasionally get 13, but no others. I'm running everything through a DISH VIP722 as my TV does not have a digital tuner. I mounted an antenna outside the house (towards the ground i admit) and still only 13. What gives, my dad lives 30 miles away and gets reception fine. Any ideas or experience would be welcomed.

djbrettb

10-06-08, 09:46 PM

You might just be in a dead spot, but I think it is your antenna setup. Can you give us a bit more information? Perhaps a picture of the outdoor mounted antenna?

kob83

10-06-08, 11:00 PM

I've taken everything back down. Thinking maybe I'm so close to the towers, that i need to get things higher (my house sits somewhat low in the neighborhood). I may try to get a line ran into the attic to get the antenna higher.

djbrettb

10-07-08, 07:26 PM

Did anyone else notice Jeopardy was in HD today? How long has it been like this? I'm guessing WHO saw KCCI had HD syndication working, so they jumped into gear :-P

Also, there was a very nice looking HD segment on WHO's 6pm news. The switch wasn't too bad either! Not nearly as bad as I've seen in the past.

hasan

10-08-08, 09:39 AM

NBC Weather Plus is shutting down. Not that this is a big programming issue, but since I saw it on dbstalk.com, I thought I'd let people know:

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/10/nbc_shutting_down_weather_plus.php

I like having a local weather OTA channel, so I hope 8.2 hangs in there. I didn't much see the need for two of them (8.2/13.2), but I do appreciate having one.

I wonder what WHO will do with 13.2....we couldn't be so lucky that they would return the full bandwidth to 13.1, could we?:)

airgas1998

10-10-08, 04:51 PM

why are the local newscast still shot in 4:3..i hate black bars.....

airgas1998

10-10-08, 04:53 PM

iowegian3

10-11-08, 12:39 AM

why are the local newscast still shot in 4:3..i hate black bars.....

If it isn't shot in 16:9, at least they don't subject us to chubby cheeks!:)

dline

10-11-08, 03:11 PM

Did anyone else notice Jeopardy was in HD today? How long has it been like this? I'm guessing WHO saw KCCI had HD syndication working, so they jumped into gear :-P
I don't think it was exactly a "me, too" thing, though. 13's GM told Cityview back in July that they were moving in that direction.

Krunchie

10-13-08, 09:18 PM

i noticed wheel of fortune in hd last night,it was really nice....

You got that right. Wheel and Jeopardy look so niiiiiccceeee now! There's details I never saw before. Like the image of the wheel glossed into the players scoreboards. And the numbers shine. THANK YOU WHO-TV for giving me some AWESOME eye candy and making one of my favorite shows even better!
Okay, need to chill now. One, two, three, four....

JonSamuels

10-16-08, 04:46 PM

So if KCCI can show Dr. Phil and Oprah in HD, why don't they show their late-night Saturday shows like Monk and Cold Case in HD as well?

Jswerve

10-16-08, 06:01 PM

So if KCCI can show Dr. Phil and Oprah in HD, why don't they show their late-night Saturday shows like Monk and Cold Case in HD as well?

They are a bit stretchy looking...

JonSamuels

10-16-08, 07:24 PM

They are a bit stretchy looking...

Not sure I understand your point, or what that has to do with why they don't show these programs in HD. I've never actually watched an episode of Dr. Phil or Oprah (nor do I care to :D) so I wouldn't know whether or not they look stretchy.

kc0bsn

10-16-08, 09:25 PM

They're recording the 16:9 anamorphic so that it airs normal on 8.1, but then when the local spots air they're stretched. So in reality, it's actually the 16:9 SD version of Oprah & Dr. Phil.

JonSamuels

10-16-08, 11:24 PM

They're recording the 16:9 anamorphic so that it airs normal on 8.1, but then when the local spots air they're stretched. So in reality, it's actually the 16:9 SD version of Oprah & Dr. Phil.

OK...that makes a little more sense.

Also sort of helps explain why those late-night weekend shows aren't being shown in HD yet...with the afternoon shows actually being 16:9 SD.

Thanks for the info!

djbrettb

10-17-08, 12:31 AM

sjwk

10-17-08, 05:45 PM

I am receiving 13.1 with an outside antenna. I am using digital audio output coax connection on HDTV to route 5.1 sound to my yamaha home theater receiver. I am having a lot of trouble with the audio cutting out on channel 13.1 even though I am showing almost 100 percent signal. I have no trouble on 5.1, 8.1, 11.1 or 17.1

A couple of weeks ago I contacted the engineer (Brad) from WHO tv13 and he said that they were having trouble on their end, but that they were going to get some repair parts and it should be fixed. I have seen previous on this thread that it WAS fixed, but still my audio issue remains.

Is anybody else having this problem or is it something wrong with my equipment? I can't believe that this would be the case as all of the other local HDTV over the air channels give me great sound.

Can anyone here shed some light on this for me?

Thanks in advance.

djbrettb

10-17-08, 07:10 PM

Hmm, how often does it happen? I actually have issues with audio on WHO sometimes as well, but it's nothing major. Maybe one dropout per hour, at most.

sjwk

10-17-08, 08:20 PM

Hmm, how often does it happen? I actually have issues with audio on WHO sometimes as well, but it's nothing major. Maybe one dropout per hour, at most.

It happens several times per minute, but only on channel 13.1

Blake1547

10-19-08, 07:50 PM

C5Cyrus

10-19-08, 08:22 PM

DirectTv is turning on local HD channels November 8th. I'd sit tight if I were you. If you want to put up an antenna, you can do so and get great local HD. What you need depends on where you are. I'm in a low area of WDM, and needed to put my antenna on the roof to get a good signal. Mine is a Winegard.. can't recall the model #.

Krunchie

10-19-08, 10:42 PM

Hello, I have DirecTV and a Vizio HD tv. I am trying to figure out how to get 5,8,13 and Fox in HD but obviously it is not an option because DirecTV doesn't offer local channels in HD. I have heard all I need to do is get an HD antenna and this will solve my problem. Can anybody help me and let me know if 1. this is true 2. is there a certain type/brand of antenna that I should buy? Thanks for your help

I'm guessing they stuck you with either an H21 or HR21...meaning you'll have to use the tv's tuner for OTA HD locally.

I'm wondering, since I have an H20, if when they switch on the locals, if I'll have a choice if I want OTA or satellite, or if they're going to code something to block the OTA tuner in my receiver. (Which I hope not... I like having the OTA in bad weather... or in the case where the PQ of the sat feed would be inferior.)

hasan

10-20-08, 09:26 AM

I'm guessing they stuck you with either an H21 or HR21...meaning you'll have to use the tv's tuner for OTA HD locally.

I'm wondering, since I have an H20, if when they switch on the locals, if I'll have a choice if I want OTA or satellite, or if they're going to code something to block the OTA tuner in my receiver. (Which I hope not... I like having the OTA in bad weather... or in the case where the PQ of the sat feed would be inferior.)

You will have a choice. I've never seen D* turn off OTA in markets where the hd signal is available both OTA and Sat....and this is the way the HD-DVR's work as well, including those that work with the AM21 external OTA tuner (for the HR21)

jstiefel

10-20-08, 09:19 PM

Does anyone have trouble with WOI dropping out on a regular basis? I usually have about 85% signal (others are about a 90% & I never have a drop unless it is storming).

fireshoes

10-22-08, 03:45 PM

n0rvx

10-22-08, 03:58 PM

According to the uplink report on satguys, Dish turned on Des Moines HD locals today! Not up on my guide yet, but I am excited that I won't have to fight for reception during Sunday Night Football anymore. ABC (5150), CBS (5151), NBC (5152), and FOX (5153). No PBS or CW it looks like.

You may not have noticed that they are on sat 61.5. If you don't already have a dish pointing to 61.5 one will be required. I called dish and that is what I was told. I have a spare in my garage. I'll have to get it up.
Also W0I, KCCI, WHO, KDSM are MPEG4 HD while on the listing I saw KCWI and KDIN are MPEG4 SD. I hope the SD was a typo. I hope they get them on a western sat soon. Probably won't be until after next launch though.

Edit
I just checked with a neighbor who, because of trees has a dish pointed at 61.5. He gets WOI 5-00, KCCI 8-00, WHO 13-00, AND KDSM 17-00 in HD via Dish Network. He doesn't get KCWI 23 OR KDIN 11 in hd via Dish.
My dish is pointed at 129 Sat so I don't get the local HD.

Ron

fireshoes

10-22-08, 07:30 PM

Yeah, I saw that after I posted. *grumbles about needing a new dish* Ha! Oh well, better than my antenna always dropping out!

Krunchie

10-25-08, 03:41 PM

n0rvx

10-25-08, 07:54 PM

Yeah, I saw that after I posted. *grumbles about needing a new dish* Ha! Oh well, better than my antenna always dropping out!

I put my spare dish 500 antenna on the roof of my garage today and pointed it at 61.5. I now have CH's 5, 8, 13, and 17 in HD via Dish. I might have to tweak it a little tomorrow, it is dark now. I only have 25 for signal strength. I aligned with a satelite finder meter. It looks good but if I can get better strength I'll try it.

Ron

dline

10-28-08, 01:25 PM

Saturday football note:

WOI will broadcast BOTH the Iowa-Illinois AND ISU-Oklahoma State games Saturday at 2:30pm, with the Iowa game on WOI-DT 5.1 and ISU on DT 5.2. KCRG and KCAU will do likewise in the Cedar Rapids and Sioux City markets respectively.

Normally this isn't done, but with ABC having both games it's a special case.

Sources: http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081027/SPORTS/710279926/1008/sports , http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081028/SPORTS020602/810280360 .

n0rvx

10-28-08, 03:58 PM

I put my spare dish 500 antenna on the roof of my garage today and pointed it at 61.5. I now have CH's 5, 8, 13, and 17 in HD via Dish. I might have to tweak it a little tomorrow, it is dark now. I only have 25 for signal strength. I aligned with a satelite finder meter. It looks good but if I can get better strength I'll try it.

Ron

I realigned my 61.5 dish today, 10-28-08. I now have a signal strength of 62 on local hd channels. I have worked in electronics for over 40 years and have installed and aligned several dishes, including C band. I have helped freinds move their dishes to a new location. I would recommend that everyone have dish install the new dish. It was a son of a gun. Especially if you can get a CSR to give you installation for free even with new contract.

Ron

Edit:
I just checked my HD channels. I selected ALL HD with guide button. Then starting with ch 105, USA I pushed info button twice to see what Sat I'm on. I then went up one channel at a time checking SAT. I found that all of my HD channels are coming from SAT locations 61.5 and 110. I'm not getting any HD from Sat 129. I have the top 250 or 300 or 350, What ever the one with the most channels is called now. I also have HBO and Cinemax. I checked all HD channels from 105 to 400 and most of them were coming from 61.5. The rest were from 110. Check switch, MENU, 6, 1, 1, CHECK SWITCH shows reception is verified for SAT locations 110, 119, 129, and 61.5. Strange!!!!!

Ron

EDIT:
I just checked signal strengths (menu 6 1 1) on SAT locations 61.5, 110, 119, and 129. Strengths on 61.5 are much higher than 129. That might be why I'm getting HD from 61.5 instead of 129. 37 to 66 compared to 30 to 47 on 129.

Ron

UPDATE: IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS SINCE PREVIOUS EDIT. I AM NOW GETTING HD CHANNELS ON 129. ONLY LOCAL HD ON 61.5. I DISCONNECTED SAT 129'S INPUT ON MY DP44 SWITCH AND RAN CHECK SWITCH, MENU, 6 1,1, CHECK SWITCH, TEST. I THEN LET THE VIP 722 DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM GUIDE AND AM NOW GETTING MY HD ON 61.5.

RON

hasan

11-04-08, 08:59 AM

Scanning for off-air channels today... My H20 locked in on channel 50-22. It has no picture but is broadcasting a test tone. Any idea who owns this and if it might be leading to a new sub-channel? (My H20 is still locking in on 19-20 also btw... but it's silent)

I've seen that as well when messing around with the setup of a few HDTVs. It will be interesting to see who and what it is. It seemed to have a decent signal in Boone, with nothing more than a low-noise uhf plate antenna.

jobedo

11-04-08, 10:15 AM

5.2 is blank today and according to http://titantvguide.titantv.com/apg/basic.aspx?siteid=49858 they will begin RTN Programming on DEC. 1
Joe

djbrettb

11-05-08, 12:32 AM

Noticed KCCI has the local election results at the bottom of the screen in HD tonight, with a little "8HD" logo. Is this a sign of something coming soon? :)

tommygun_00

11-05-08, 10:19 AM

Any ideas what number the HD locals will be? Want to add it to my favorites now if possible? Also, will DTV contact their HD customers in DSM about the changes?

hasan

11-05-08, 10:42 AM

Any ideas what number the HD locals will be? Want to add it to my favorites now if possible? Also, will DTV contact their HD customers in DSM about the changes?

You can't add a channel to favorites until it appears in the guide. The channels will be the standard "-" numbers with different highlighting to differentiate them from the OTA channels of the same number, if I recall correctly.

I don't think there will be any "real time" contact about the channel additions. they are scheduled to light up 6:00 a.m. Nov. 8th.

You can find out what is actually happening by visiting dbstalk.com:

http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=125

This url should take you to the programming and services forum area, and there has always been a posting on the first page of this forum when new areas of the country are turned on for HD locals.

JonSamuels

11-05-08, 11:10 AM

they are scheduled to light up 6:00 a.m. Nov. 8th.

I believe you are getting confused from the D* page where it says "Nov. 08." They mean Nov. 2008 - not Nov. 8.

No specific date has been given. Nov. 8 is a Saturday and D* has never turned on locals on a Saturday.

Several markets are scheduled for Nov. 6, but Des Moines is not one of them.

n691665x

11-06-08, 09:17 AM

E* came out and installed a new dish (no cost) that points at their 61.5 sat yesterday so I can now watch Des Moines locals in HD over the dish! Best part is being able to record 2 locals in HD using the DVR, now. There is no additional programming cost either, as I already subscribed to both the local channels and HD programming.

sbormann@hotmail

11-07-08, 08:48 PM

what all did you do to get this ? dishn' it up?

E* came out and installed a new dish (no cost) that points at their 61.5 sat yesterday so I can now watch Des Moines locals in HD over the dish! Best part is being able to record 2 locals in HD using the DVR, now. There is no additional programming cost either, as I already subscribed to both the local channels and HD programming.

n691665x

11-11-08, 08:49 AM

Not much... I just called Dish Network and told them that I already subscribed to Des Moines locals and had an HD package, so I wanted a dish to point at their 61.5. Right off the bat they said it would be $60 install fee for the dish, but when I challenged them they immediately waived the fee. FYI - The installer put tin foil over my 129 LNB to block it from receiving HD channels, so I get them all from 61.5 now.

what all did you do to get this ? dishn' it up?

hasan

11-11-08, 07:43 PM

I believe you are getting confused from the D* page where it says "Nov. 08." They mean Nov. 2008 - not Nov. 8.

No specific date has been given. Nov. 8 is a Saturday and D* has never turned on locals on a Saturday.

Several markets are scheduled for Nov. 6, but Des Moines is not one of them.

You're right, I read it too quickly. We can hope for this week.

JonSamuels

11-12-08, 01:43 PM

You're right, I read it too quickly. We can hope for this week.

Looks like Nov. 19.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1877924&#post1877924

hasan

11-12-08, 03:10 PM

Looks like Nov. 19.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1877924&#post1877924

Yep, I saw the same thing earlier today. Since I get all the channels very nicely via OTA, it is not that big a deal for me...but I have several friends who have been borderline desperate to have it happen.

Courtesy of dbstalk.com:

November 19th is the next one

Tentatively scheduled

El Paso
Des Moines
Rockford
Fort Wayne
La Crosse-Eau Claire
Peoria

Posted by a very reliable source (Sixto).

sjwk

11-13-08, 05:28 PM

I am looking for sombody that receives 13.1 over the air (with antenna) and then usues digital output of tv to go to a home theater system that decodes sound to a true 5.1 sound system. I am doing this but I have a lot of trouble with the audio cutting out on channel 13.1 and 13.2. Every other station that I watch works beautifully. (5.1, 8.1, 8.2
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 17.1 etc) I should note that 13.1 and 13.2 video is flawless. This makes no sense to me. Brad (channel 13's engineer has been no help to me.) Can anybody shed some light on this. I have a Antennas Direct DB4 antenna and my tv shows nearly 100 percent signal. Because every other channel works perfect I don't believe that I have a problem with any of my equipment.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

djbrettb

11-13-08, 07:38 PM

Krunchie

11-13-08, 10:49 PM

My only beef with WHO is their audio levels being far quieter than the other stations OTA. Otherwise I've had no audio problems with them (as far as sound cutting out) with my 5.1 receiver. I just have to have it cranked to hear the station.

sjwk

11-13-08, 10:53 PM

I have no problems with 13.1's audio. I do weekly captures of The Office, and each of them is tested with MPEG2Repair before being archived. Last week's capture, for example, shows 0 audio frames and 0 video frames as corrupt. There is absolutely no problem with WHO's signal at the moment.

OK if indeed this is true does anybody have any suggestions. My tv is 1.5 year old mitsubishi wd-52631. If I listen to audio through tv speakers only there is no problem. Problem shows up when trying to listen through yamaha AV receiver. (dolby digital 5.1) Again this does not show up on any other channel. I don't think it is a distance problem. I live in Urbandale and I think transmission is from the same tower as channel 11.1 which works fine. I wonder if the signal is too strong possibly which causes my problems?

djbrettb

11-13-08, 11:01 PM

Does it work when you connect your STB *directly* to the receiver? Or, are you using the TV's internal ATSC tuner?

hasan

11-14-08, 09:43 AM

denyart

11-14-08, 11:25 AM

OK if indeed this is true does anybody have any suggestions. My tv is 1.5 year old mitsubishi wd-52631. If I listen to audio through tv speakers only there is no problem. Problem shows up when trying to listen through yamaha AV receiver. (dolby digital 5.1) Again this does not show up on any other channel. I don't think it is a distance problem. I live in Urbandale and I think transmission is from the same tower as channel 11.1 which works fine. I wonder if the signal is too strong possibly which causes my problems?Too much signal could be clipping the TV's tuner input stage, but one would expect the audio AND video to get corrupted at that point. Multipath would probably do the same, so the fact that you only have an affliction with the audio is tricky to understand. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try either an attenuator pad or a 4-way splitter in the line to reduce the signal 7 or more dB and see what happens. One thing that I always question when someone says the problem is with 13.1 only is that their signal has the lowest overall volume level for mormal prgramming of any of the networks (IMO). Perhaps this has something to do with it?

sjwk

11-14-08, 05:44 PM

Does it work when you connect your STB *directly* to the receiver? Or, are you using the TV's internal ATSC tuner?

I am usuing the TV's internal tuner and usuing digital audio output from tv to imput into my yamaha A/V receiver. What do you mean by STB?

djbrettb

11-15-08, 06:37 AM

STB = set-top box.

Boulder_GP

11-19-08, 08:59 AM

DirecTV turned on our 5, 8, 13 and 17 HD locals this morning!

kanderna

11-19-08, 09:25 AM

DirecTV turned on our 5, 8, 13 and 17 HD locals this morning!

Outstanding. Wish I would've checked before I left. I checked about 12:30 this morning and they weren't up yet.

scott72

11-19-08, 09:30 AM

Congrats guys/gals..Welcome to the HD local club..:)

hasan

11-19-08, 10:36 AM

DirecTV turned on our 5, 8, 13 and 17 HD locals this morning!

Yes, and since I get all stations OTA-HD, I can still watch/record PBS. I wonder how long the PBS delay to HD-LIL is going to be. (no one knows...that was rhetorical...it has been discussed to death on dbstalk.com)

black95fiveoh

11-20-08, 09:14 PM

Well the day has finally come, the Des Moines locals have launched...Problem is, I seem to now have an issue even greater than not getting locals in HD and curious how many others are experiencing the same issue... I have the HR20 receiver w/ the 5LNB Multi Sat dish and have found that a couple of friends w/ the same setup are having the issue I am having. The issue is the majority of the channels now, including the new local HD's, fade in and out and sometimes go completely black but still have sound. You can then turn the channel and turn it back and the picture will reappear. The rest of the channels glich in and out similar to when they do during bad weather, only problem is we have been getting good weather in DM. I am unable to watch any of my channels without being completely interupted by an inconsistent signal...I have just resorted to my only option, watching my ota antenna which has been the only thing that seems to be reliable b/c dtv sure hasn't been over the years... Upon calling directv, at no suprise at all, they were no help and just wanted me to pay for a technician to come out. Since I am fairly confident that this is more a widespread issue and not just contained to myself, I am trying to see if others have been experiencing the same issue before I pay for a tech to come out. I have spoke to atleast 2 others in the metro area that have been having the same issue...If this is the case, then directv should have to abosorb the cost to come out and reset everyone's dish that have been impacted by the launching of a new satellite... If anyone else is experiencing this, let me know... If this is the joy of getting local HD's then they can have them back, my TERK ota antenna works just fine...

kanderna

11-20-08, 11:07 PM

I haven't seen it on any of my HR20s, but I'll keep a closer eye on them to verify

Boulder_GP

11-21-08, 09:02 AM

I have 3 HR20's and I have not seen the issue. I have seen some brief pixelization on the locals lasting mo more than a second, but nothing yet like the issues you are describing.

hasan

11-21-08, 09:54 AM

I have 3 HR20's and I have not seen the issue. I have seen some brief pixelization on the locals lasting mo more than a second, but nothing yet like the issues you are describing.

No blackouts here, but Ch 5 is not very clean...frequent pixellation. All the other channels that are currently available are normal (HD-LIL). I have to laugh at the comments others have made about WOI bringing up the rear as usual. From what I watched yesterday, it is unrecordable...i.e., not worth a recording. I'm seeing some of the same thing on 5-1 OTA...but not as severe. Signals are quite strong, so that isn't an issue. (on both sat and OTA).

black95fiveoh

11-21-08, 10:30 AM

Dang... Good to hear that you aren't experiencing the same issues, this morning I wasnt even able to watch Foxnews at all and the majority of the channels cut in and out constantly... I am on the southside of DM and a friend of mine in Waukee is experiencing the same issues so I figured it would be more widespread than isolated to just us... I suppose the dish could have been moved by the wind we have received but I don't see how that could be the case since it hasn't been that windy here...And it's just kind of ironic he is having the same issues.. The screen will go from a gray to a full black w/ no picture but still have sound.. he is having the same issue.. Anyone have any ideas?

kanderna

11-21-08, 12:44 PM

black95fiveoh

11-21-08, 01:12 PM

I know you mentioned inconsistent signal, but that may have been more of a generalization. How's the actual signal strength (number on the meter)? Look OK/consistent?

And you said this was ALL channels, right? Not just the locals?

Ill have to check the signal strength when i get home but it is on all channels, not just the locals.... its just kind of strange that it started doing it when the locals were added in hd

kanderna

11-21-08, 02:00 PM

Yeah, definitely bizarre considering you know others in the same boat. Let us know, and we'll do what we can to help troubleshoot.

hasan

11-21-08, 07:00 PM

Last night channel 17 (HD-LIL) from D* was black...nothing available. This is the first time I've seen any problems on any channels other than WOI.

black95fiveoh

11-22-08, 09:48 AM

So last night I didn't have much time really to check the signal strength but on our bedroom tv we just have a standard def receiver and it works w/ no problems at all....That is even more puzzling to me why the HR20 wouldn't get a consistent signal but all of our other standard def boxes get a perfect signal.... Does that right a bell at all?

black95fiveoh

11-22-08, 09:49 AM

black95fiveoh

11-23-08, 11:04 AM

Seems to be working now...Strange, not sure what was up but all is good now....

scooter2002

11-23-08, 01:37 PM

cad

11-25-08, 04:26 PM

I am thinking that the quality of HD should better OTA than D*, any thoughts?

BTW I also had pixalation on 5 D* kind of like I use to get from 5.1 early or when the weather was marginal

Cad

djbrettb

11-26-08, 11:05 AM

I am thinking that the quality of HD should better OTA than D*, any thoughts?

BTW I also had pixalation on 5 D* kind of like I use to get from 5.1 early or when the weather was marginal

Cad

Of course OTA is going to be better. Any time you re-encode an already compressed signal, you lose quality. I saw it at my parents' house over the weekend, though. Quality is actually not too bad over D*, but I could still definitely notice a difference when switching to the OTA signal.

gutwrencher

11-29-08, 11:37 PM

No blackouts here, but Ch 5 is not very clean...frequent pixellation. All the other channels that are currently available are normal (HD-LIL). I have to laugh at the comments others have made about WOI bringing up the rear as usual. From what I watched yesterday, it is unrecordable...i.e., not worth a recording. I'm seeing some of the same thing on 5-1 OTA...but not as severe. Signals are quite strong, so that isn't an issue. (on both sat and OTA).

Thank you. I agree.....5 is not worth recording. I tried with "Life On Mars" and it was impossible to watch and enjoy. YES....same on OTA....very sad.

Anyway, it's been a while since I was here but I'm happy the locals are flying!

I'm still having issues with my Direct TV service....same problem for the past year but at some point during the floods of '08....I gave up on letting them try to fix. Now that I'm getting a new HDTV for christmas....the problem has grown un-acceptable for me...again. Anyone else have this problem?

ONLY on HDNetMovies....78. At least 3 or 4 times during a movie, the sound drops out, stutters or sputters...then returns. Very similar to an old 8 track or cassette tape that has drop outs because of constant play. Other times it sounds like Max Headroom(remember him?). Again, this is ONLY on HDNetMovies....which I love. Why would this happen on only that channel and nobody else seems to have the problem. Direct never found the problem...after 8 visits. I did something I usually never do....I accepted the problem like an idiot. Any ideas?

Sorry, I know this is for local info....but I trust a few of my "local" friends here and have been helped before.

bluejayrock

11-30-08, 02:44 PM

For the last month, like clockwork KDSM doesn't give us a hi-def signal at the beginning of the NFL game. If it is like the other Sundays it will kick in about 1:30 or 2 p.m.

Of course, there's no one at the station to call and inform them -- and since it keeps happening they appear not to give a damn.

I've noticed that as well, though this week we got the HD from the start. My theory is that it's been because of limitations of the Fox equipment, too many games not enough HD transponders. There are less games this week, so they have the space available.

SnakeEyes

11-30-08, 08:01 PM

I noticed this happening with NASCAR races when FOX had them

jobedo

12-01-08, 03:11 PM

WOI 5.2 is now showing RTN programming and MEDIACOM has WIOD2 on channel 245
Joe

Krunchie

12-01-08, 05:54 PM

WOI 5.2 is now showing RTN programming and MEDIACOM has WIOD2 on channel 245
Joe

Good programming... but the channel bug in the lower left is too honkin' huge.

jobedo

12-01-08, 06:47 PM

Good programming... but the channel bug in the lower left is too honkin' huge.

I agree
Joe

SnakeEyes

12-02-08, 02:25 PM

Anyone know when Mediacom is putting something in place of MojoHD and what it will be?

bluejayrock

12-02-08, 05:54 PM

Good programming... but the channel bug in the lower left is too honkin' huge.

Yeah, sometimes it actually covers the beginning of the phone numbers in the commercials.

djbrettb

12-03-08, 08:43 AM

Anyone know when Mediacom is putting something in place of MojoHD and what it will be?

I was just thinking the same thing. Mojo has been off for two days now, and nothing has been put in its place yet. Come on, Mediacom!

Krunchie

12-03-08, 09:36 PM

Yeah, sometimes it actually covers the beginning of the phone numbers in the commercials.

Good thing they have no local sponsors. Hopefully they'll either shrink it or make it more transparent.

dline

12-04-08, 03:19 PM

Update: WHO, KFPX

The FCC has granted WHO-DT's maximization request (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) for 36.5 kW ERP on channel 13 after 2-17-09.

Similar requests from KCCI (28.3 kW on channel 8) and WOI (11.5 kW on channel 5) were granted earlier this year.

KFPX's boost proposal (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) -- which would also move its transmitter from northwest Jasper County to Alleman -- remains pending at this time.

Also, in case you haven't been reading the programming forum or sites like northpine.com, KFPX owner Ion has also applied to "share time" with another entity, Urban Television, LLC. Under the arrangement (.pdf link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=703065)), Urban Television would start up a new "station" using part of KFPX's channel 39. They are trying to convince the FCC to consider Urban's new station "must-carry" for cable and satellite.

bluejayrock

12-04-08, 10:04 PM

dline

12-05-08, 04:04 AM

I was just channel surfing, and I noticed that KCWI-DT is showing up on regular Mediacom at channel 23.1, the same way that KCCI and WHO show up at their actual channel locations. I've also noticed that MC has added Weather Plus at 13.2.I think it was on digital cable channel 246 before.

Doesn't matter much, though, unless WHO has something local to replace it with when NBC shuts it down.

djbrettb

12-05-08, 02:09 PM

I thought they were all being replaced with Universal Sports or something like that?

dline

12-05-08, 03:05 PM

I thought they were all being replaced with Universal Sports or something like that?Universal Sports has been mentioned as a possibility in some circles for some Weather Plus stations, but it's up to the local station to either choose a service, develop their own (as one of our stations did with "Local 9.2"), or just drop it. The NBC station where I currently live is mulling its options but hasn't settled on anything yet.

SnakeEyes

12-05-08, 11:31 PM

Anon post on DSL Reports says:

In Des Moines, IA on or around 12/10/08 the following HD channels will be added

SciFi HD ch 839
A&E HD ch 847
History HD ch 848

SnakeEyes

12-06-08, 08:28 PM

Anyone know what kind of audio the Iowa vs Iowa St meet on IPTV is supposed to have?

This is pretty cool to see in HD.

Krunchie

12-06-08, 11:58 PM

Anyone know what kind of audio the Iowa vs Iowa St meet on IPTV is supposed to have?

This is pretty cool to see in HD.

Lovely how they billed it as their own exclusively... yet everything pointed to the Big Ten Network. So just who was using who's equipment?
Really looked good though. (And how about them Hawks?!?)

SnakeEyes

12-07-08, 01:37 AM

Yeah I noticed that too. Was wondering what the arrangements were. My guess is Big Ten Network isn't offering up their HD resources for college wrestling and there was a deal there which gives BTN some HD programming later (they aired it on SDD with rebroadcasts later too). But what do I know.

Hawks looked great tonight. It's cool to see this rivalry have greater meaning again with #1 vs #2 again. Helps to have two recent greats coaching for the school they wrestled for. I love the smack talk. Don't see that in other sports :)

bluejayrock

12-07-08, 01:13 PM

bluejayrock

12-07-08, 01:16 PM

Lovely how they billed it as their own exclusively... yet everything pointed to the Big Ten Network. So just who was using who's equipment?
Really looked good though. (And how about them Hawks?!?)

It was IPTV's exclusive, because they were the only ones providing live coverage, the BTN broadcast was SDD immediately after.

dline

12-10-08, 06:37 PM

IN THE NEWS: KCCI cuts 6 positions

KCCI story: http://www.kcci.com/station/18247642/detail.html

Des Moines Register story: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081210/BUSINESS/81210025/1001/NEWS

scooter2002

12-10-08, 07:02 PM

And on 12/10 MediaCom did actually add 3 HD channels as rumored. Not the first three I would have picked to be added, but at least it is some progress.

djbrettb

12-13-08, 06:26 AM

Sadly, probably the last new HD channels we'll see until 2010. :(

gutwrencher

12-14-08, 07:09 PM

Getting herky jerky stutter video on Fox 17 through Direct TV. Fine when OTA. Any information on what's going on?

paulrbeers

12-15-08, 08:25 PM

Anyone else missing Fox via Clear QAM from Mediacom in Des Moines (okay I'm actually in Ankeny)? I watched football yesterday and now tonight it is no where to be found.....

N/M appears to be working now....Grrrrr...

dline

12-16-08, 07:37 PM

Good thing they [WOI-DT 5.2, or "RTN-5"] have no local sponsors. Hopefully they'll either shrink it or make it more transparent.I was just visiting Ames and noticed how huge it was Monday night. I also noticed they were running what appeared to be a raw national feed, whereas the breaks are more customized in the KWWL version we get out here on DT 7.3. Examples include the mass station ID list near the top of the hour and all the references to Eastern time in the promos. KWWL has its own KWWL-only ID and all times in its promos are Central.

Apparently this morning, WOI gained the capability to add its own ID and promos to 5.2, and the episode of Ironside which aired this morning was bugless.

gutwrencher

12-17-08, 07:26 PM

Sorry I'm posting again folks, but thought I'd give it one last shot. I just can't believe that this may be the 2nd problem that only I have!

So, OTA KDSM HD is fine. *D KDSM standard....fine. But *D KDSM HD is constant stuttering video, hiccuping video and impossible to watch. Anyone else....or is it really just me? I wonder why no other *D locals is doing that?

Krunchie

12-17-08, 07:49 PM

Bubba91

12-17-08, 08:30 PM

Ok i have been trying to figure this out but not sure. So got 2 questions.

1. I live in Carroll, and am looking at getting a DB8 or a nice channelmaster antenna for the house cuz all i got is dish. I want to get the locals from des moines with sub channels is there a good antenna for about 70 miles?

2. Will Dish or Direct TV going to have the sub channels too? The main reason for the sub channles is that nice weather channel so i can get an idea of the weather at 4 AM.

Thanks,

nicholasmcgrew

12-18-08, 08:53 AM

Wow. Watching Wheel HD on 13 tonight was... just...
Breathtakingly amazing YouTube quality jerky video, all sorts of pixilation, macroblocking, and audio dropouts. Just what in the world are they recording off satellite with? Some Pentium II with no hard-drive space and a dial-up modem? C'mon.

I didn't watch last night, but it seemed like for the first few months, at about 6:48 or so, it would 'jerk' like that for maybe a minute, then the video would go super speed, as almost to catch up. But I haven't noticed this in recent week or 2. But then it seems like this week, it's been SD anyway, i'm assuming weather alert anticipation?

I'm watching Mediacom QAM, FWIW. :)

bluejayrock

12-18-08, 10:01 PM

I was just visiting Ames and noticed how huge it was Monday night. I also noticed they were running what appeared to be a raw national feed, whereas the breaks are more customized in the KWWL version we get out here on DT 7.3. Examples include the mass station ID list near the top of the hour and all the references to Eastern time in the promos. KWWL has its own KWWL-only ID and all times in its promos are Central.

Apparently this morning, WOI gained the capability to add its own ID and promos to 5.2, and the episode of Ironside which aired this morning was bugless.

If you watch 5.2 as much as I have the last few days, you'll see that they've also added local "time capsules" instead of the national "retromercials." So far I've seen commercials for Bob Allen Motors and Foreman & Clark, a short segment from the 1950's dance show "Seventeen", and 80's sports sgements about Iowa preparing to play Washington in the Rose Bowl and Iowa State's basketball team in training. Personally, I'm hoping they throw in something from The Magic Window sometime.

Krunchie

12-19-08, 12:26 AM

I didn't watch last night, but it seemed like for the first few months, at about 6:48 or so, it would 'jerk' like that for maybe a minute, then the video would go super speed, as almost to catch up. But I haven't noticed this in recent week or 2. But then it seems like this week, it's been SD anyway, i'm assuming weather alert anticipation?

I'm watching Mediacom QAM, FWIW. :)

Yeah, that's what it normally does. But on this night, it did that throughout the entire program. :(
(OTA. Even though I have D*... I still prefer to watch my locals off the antenna yet. I only watch the sat feed if I'm having trouble pulling in a signal off air.)

dline

12-19-08, 04:09 AM

If you watch 5.2 as much as I have the last few days, you'll see that they've also added local "time capsules" instead of the national "retromercials." So far I've seen commercials for Bob Allen Motors and Foreman & Clark, a short segment from the 1950's dance show "Seventeen", and 80's sports sgements about Iowa preparing to play Washington in the Rose Bowl and Iowa State's basketball team in training. Personally, I'm hoping they throw in something from The Magic Window sometime.Interesting. Maybe our RTN affiliate should do that. I would love to see some old local commercials.

As for The Magic Window, yes, you do risk opening some old wounds -- its host was there 'til the end and was one of the 20 people let go by the station's current owners the instant they took over from ISU. But then again, it has been nearly 15 years since the sale (man, do I feel old saying that!), and the show is a fairly important part of the station's history.

iowegian3

12-19-08, 07:11 PM

As for The Magic Window, yes, you do risk opening some old wounds -- its host was there 'til the end and was one of the 20 people let go by the station's current owners the instant they took over from ISU. But then again, it has been nearly 15 years since the sale (man, do I feel old saying that!), and the show is a fairly important part of the station's history.

Old wounds indeed! The forced sale of WOI-TV, engineered by interests and alumni of my alma mater, the University of Iowa, should never have happened IMO. But then, that's water over the dam. Another worthless observation: ISU should have taken WOI totally educational back in the early 50's so it could avoided a Frankenstein existence. (and it would be the oldest public TV station in the country right now.)

Anyway, ISU Library archives has posted a number of old WOI-TV kinescopes on YouTube, such as Magic Window, Seventeen and others. Wish those old commercials were on YouTube.

bluejayrock

12-19-08, 08:24 PM

Old wounds indeed! The forced sale of WOI-TV, engineered by interests and alumni of my alma mater, the University of Iowa, should never have happened IMO. But then, that's water over the dam. Another worthless observation: ISU should have taken WOI totally educational back in the early 50's so it could avoided a Frankenstein existence. (and it would be the oldest public TV station in the country right now.)

Anyway, ISU Library archives has posted a number of old WOI-TV kinescopes on YouTube, such as Magic Window, Seventeen and others. Wish those old commercials were on YouTube.

The Bob Allen one is one of those classic "Anything can happen on live TV" moments. The spokesman is talking about free snow tires, and as he's getting out of the car he closes the door on his microphone cord.

bluejayrock

12-21-08, 03:00 PM

I just did a digital rescan here at work, and RTN 5.2 is showing up through the QAM.

techtvman

12-23-08, 12:09 PM

did anyone catch cold case this sunday, i have the am21 ota tuner on a hr-21 directv hd dvr and am getting a good signal strength of around 98% on ch 8.1 but during the flash back scenes of the show, where its wider than 16/9 the picture was breaking up at an annoying rate, then when it would go back to the main part of the show it would be fine, now ive seen this before on cold case, so im curious if anyone else saw this issue as well

also does any one get strange picture tearing when a program goes from HD to SD on any of the OTA channels on the AM21 if you have directv hd with that ota tuner

Trip in VA

12-23-08, 12:14 PM

dline

12-23-08, 03:17 PM

Just an FYI, Pappas wants to buy the DTV facilities from WHO-DT outright instead of building out their own. For this reason, they want their KDMI-DT's post-transition channel changed from 31 to 19. We'll see how quickly the FCC moves on this.

- TripI don't see anything on this yet in my FCC database searches, but I can understand why they'd want to. Essentially they wouldn't have to build much of anything new and can keep all their operations on the same tower, the newest and northernmost one in the Alleman cluster. (WHO, as I've said before, says it's leaving that stick and going back to its original tower for its Channel 13 digital operation.)

Not having to build a new Channel 31 facility is even more important for Pappas considering its financial situation. In fact, KDMI has actually filed for an extension of time to build its post-transition facilities (link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1285339&Service=DT&Form_id=337&Facility_id=78915)) due to "severe financial hardship." The details are confidential.

But that's an extension beyond February 17, folks, and that alone suggests trouble if they want to keep the station on the air.

Since they're currently on 56 and can't legally stay on that channel after February 17, this could force KDMI off the air for a time, if not forever.

bluejayrock

12-23-08, 04:02 PM

I don't see anything on this yet in my FCC database searches, but I can understand why they'd want to. Essentially they wouldn't have to build much of anything new and can keep all their operations on the same tower, the newest and northernmost one in the Alleman cluster. (WHO, as I've said before, says it's leaving that stick and going back to its original tower for its Channel 13 digital operation.)

Not having to build a new Channel 31 facility is even more important for Pappas considering its financial situation. In fact, KDMI has actually filed for an extension of time to build its post-transition facilities (link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1285339&Service=DT&Form_id=337&Facility_id=78915)) due to "severe financial hardship." The details are confidential.

But that's an extension beyond February 17, folks, and that alone suggests trouble if they want to keep the station on the air.

Since they're currently on 56 and can't legally stay on that channel after February 17, this could force KDMI off the air for a time, if not forever.

But if KCWI is using a subchannel of KDMI to broadcast digital until Feb 17, couldn't KDMI use a subchannel of KCWI to broadcast after Feb 17 and until they are able to build out? Just a theory.