Omaha / Lincoln, NE - HDTV [Text View] - Page 10

NebrGuy

12-19-04, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by PAULSTORM
The weather has to be just right--very calm mainly--for me to get WOWT 6 from Omaha. It has happened very few times since they're only broadcasting at 60,000 watts right now--per their engineer. 6 told me they're going 1 million watts by July. 3 comes a little more often and 10 from Lincoln comes in quite a bit. That's why I'm anxious to see how often I'll get Ch 7 when they sign on w/ their full power digital high def signal.

My antenna is the bat wing antenna that my Dish Network guy sold me. I think it's designed especially for catching digital/UHF signals because I can pick of 42 and 15's analog signal quite often. It may even have an amplifier built into it. The antenna itself is not very big. I even get the GI Public access channel 56 quite frequently. I never do, though, get the Ch 3/PBS/Lexington's digital signal. Probably has something to do with the antenna being on the east side of the house. I also live in the NE part of Kearney which is on top of the hill which I'm sure helps.

This is really amusing to me. I use to live in an apartment building at 70th & Adams area of Lincoln. My apt. faced the south and was in the center of a courtyard with a 3.5 story building on the east and one on the west. I had one of these antennas on my dish on the second floor balcony and received WOWT from Omaha without any problems, it was actually my best signal. I had a heck of a time getting KLKN out of Lincoln. Never could get KPTM or the sister channel for it in digital, but not a horrible loss.

This summer I moved across town to that "dip" someone else referred to at 27th & Hwy 2 in Lincoln. Can't seem to find a spot that my dish gets a signal so I actually put up a UHF outdoor antenna with an indoor amp. I've never been able to get any Omaha channels...until today.

In yesterday's wind, my antenna moved from where I thought it should be pointing, so I went out and repointed the antenna. Channel 7 comes in pretty good. Maybe comes in at half strength on my signal meter, but the few minutes I was watching it I didn't see any digital artifacts. I even got WOWT to lock this morning when doing a channel scan and when I manually brought up Ch 3 a picture appeared, though neither of these channels were viewable.

Funny thing is that today the only Lincoln channel I'm getting a digital signal on is PBS. Until it warms up a bit and I venture outside again, I'm going to attribute that it being the morning and maybe ch. 8 and ch. 11 are not broadcasting digital signals at this time of the day.

Robert

Absolut

12-19-04, 12:49 PM

I just tried rescanning for channels, but 7 didn't pop up for some reason. I have the Silver Sensor so it shouldn't be directional (or is it?). Might have to move it around some more to see if I can pick it up. This sucks.. I was looking forward to getting the signal from it tonight.

gpflepsen

12-19-04, 01:05 PM

Where are you?

bohlke

12-19-04, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by NebrGuy

Funny thing is that today the only Lincoln channel I'm getting a digital signal on is PBS. Until it warms up a bit and I venture outside again, I'm going to attribute that it being the morning and maybe ch. 8 and ch. 11 are not broadcasting digital signals at this time of the day.

Robert

Its funny, I get some bad reception in my area (20th and Lake) however out of all of the stations KLKN comes in with the strongest signal. They all seem to be broadcasting fine right now, I didnt check any this morning.

Absolut

12-19-04, 01:22 PM

I am in La Vista.. Perhaps they aren't transmitting that far yet?

gpflepsen

12-19-04, 01:44 PM

KETV-DT ch 20 is coming in with a stronger relative signal than KMTV-DT for me in Lincoln.

Which tuner are you using?

boardmanDJ

12-19-04, 03:26 PM

I had trouble getting Omaha channels when I first put up my antenna, but then I discovered that Omaha isn't where you think it is. I bought a cheap compass at Wal-mart and used the parameters from antennaweb.org and it helped.
Omaha is more North than East, and my street takes a slight turn that I hadn't accounted for.
That may or may not help with aiming. I eventually purchased a rotor when I decided to add 10 more feet to a perfectly good antenna :)

Ookami

12-19-04, 03:57 PM

I'm receiving
3.1
6.1
7.1
7.2
and the PBS channels ...
and I live in LaVista right off I-80 & Harrison St.

This is with just normal rabbit ears, going to pick up a
Silver Sensor tomorrow at Mid-State Electronics right
down the road.

Originally posted by Absolut
I am in La Vista.. Perhaps they aren't transmitting that far yet?

Absolut

12-19-04, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by gpflepsen
KETV-DT ch 20 is coming in with a stronger relative signal than KMTV-DT for me in Lincoln.

Which tuner are you using?

I have the Silver Sensor along with a Samsung SiR-TS360 DirecTV tuner. I hgave rescanned all my channels and I am still not getting it. I guess it just needs to be pointed a certain way? This sucks :(

From the other posters here it seems they are getting it just fine....

I also havent seen the Lincoln channels yet either. Apparently the only thing I can do to get a station is to scan for it so that it can be picked up.

Still no luck.

gpflepsen

12-19-04, 05:16 PM

Can you manually enter the channel 20? Beyond that, a better antenna may be needed.

Just from looking at the SS antenna, it looks to be of the directional type.

Absolut

12-19-04, 05:29 PM

Channel 20? I thought it was 7-1, 7-2.....?

Absolut

12-19-04, 05:40 PM

Hmm.. Looks like I have it now.

When I go to scan the stations, there is an option for Cable type.

Cable HRC
Cable STD
Cable IRC

Not even sure what the differences are between them, but cable HRC brings in all the Omaha HD feeds... nothing from Lincoln though.

gpflepsen

12-19-04, 05:43 PM

yup, channel 20 is the carrier for KETV-DT. It should then remap to 7-01 and 7-02. -01 is the HD feed while -02 is a 480i sd feed for use by cable sytems when analog 7 goes dark.

NebrGuy

12-19-04, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by gpflepsen
yup, channel 20 is the carrier for KETV-DT. It should then remap to 7-01 and 7-02. -01 is the HD feed while -02 is a 480i sd feed for use by cable sytems when analog 7 goes dark.

I'm using a Zenith stb. All of the channels remap with the exception of KLKN in Lincoln. Anyone know a reason why KLKN won't send the signal to remap their digital to channel 8-1?

csschrot

12-19-04, 06:26 PM

Absolut, When you do the scan you will want to choose Air or antenna. This will tell it to scan off-air frequencies. You don't want to use any of the cable option when doing the scan unless you subsribe to cable. I was thinking you are was the ss antenna so air or antenna is the option you want.

Shawn

Absolut

12-19-04, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by csschrot
Absolut, When you do the scan you will want to choose Air or antenna. This will tell it to scan off-air frequencies. You don't want to use any of the cable option when doing the scan unless you subsribe to cable. I was thinking you are was the ss antenna so air or antenna is the option you want.

Shawn

Well, I have DirecTV plus the Silver Sensor. There is an option on the tuner that let's me choose different Cable options (STD, HRC, IRC). Channel 7 didn't show up until I switched from STD to HRC. Very weird... I'm glad it's there though. Would be nice to be able to pick upa few Lincoln stations, but I'm happy with the Omaha ones.

Gumby

12-19-04, 07:32 PM

It is great to have you back! You guys have all of my favorite programs, so I am really looking forward to the likes of Alias and MNF in HD!

I am so happy for you guys to write a new chapter for the Omaha market HDTV audience!

boardmanDJ

12-19-04, 08:35 PM

KLKN is not sending any PSIP data. I'm near their tower and get nothing. One day I got something that remapped to 8-1, but I think that was a skip from something else.
Probably once they move to their big tower out west they will probably fire up all the fancy (and required) perks.
Channel 10/11 will come in on 25-1, but their tower is out near Beaver Crossing. Lincoln is lucky because the Omaha towers are on the side of Omaha close to Lincoln instead of 20-30 miles the opposite direction

timdg

12-19-04, 10:07 PM

Saw several mentions of the silver sensor antenna so just thought I'd mention that I'm in Lincoln at about 84th/Holdrege and use the silver sensor antenna. I get Omaha CBS and NBC at about 88-95%. Abc also now comes in GREAT, but I haven't checked the exact percentage. Because of the direction of the building I'm in I cannot get Lincoln CBS or ABC, but I can get several Lincoln PBS channels decently too.

I tried several other antennas including a Zenith outdoor directional (menards), Radio Shack $20 UHF, and Terk long skinny - all outdoor. They all performed significantly WORSE (with and without amp) than the silver sensor indoor.

Silver sensor is directional too, sometimes pointing it straight up works as well!

Just FYI for those looking..

jasonhuebert

12-19-04, 10:44 PM

Well, I finally got home and tried to get KETV-DT on my SIR-T165. At first I just saw static. I was about to freak out that I couldn't get it, but then I did a channel scan and it added it just fine. Woohoo!!!!!. What's cool is that the program information is broadcast as well. One other thing that I noticed is that for the first time I am getting audio in Dolby 5.1. I never get it with NBC and CBS. So cooooollllllll!!!!!!

gpflepsen

12-19-04, 11:05 PM

Yup, that 5.1 is a noticeable differentiator from the other area broadcasters.

Sounds very good! Desperate Housewives looks goot too. My first exposure to true ABC HDTV. Looking forward to Monday nights now:)

bohlke

12-19-04, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by timdg

I tried several other antennas including a Zenith outdoor directional (menards), Radio Shack $20 UHF, and Terk long skinny - all outdoor. They all performed significantly WORSE (with and without amp) than the silver sensor indoor.

Silver sensor is directional too, sometimes pointing it straight up works as well!

Just FYI for those looking..

I have tried quite a few things in my little concave valley, so far the square shooter with a pre-amp has done the trick for everything but WOWT, and I think that will be fixed in July.

gpflepsen

12-20-04, 06:25 PM

KETV-DT:

Nice touch with the sidebars on 4x3 material. Now if they can replace the screen bug with it... :)

Huskerfan

12-20-04, 07:30 PM

what are all you guys using as a set top box to receive ota signals? Anything I can get my hands on for around $100?

gpflepsen

12-20-04, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by Huskerfan
what are all you guys using as a set top box to receive ota signals? Anything I can get my hands on for around $100?

Dish Network DBS HD receiver.

New computer based DTV tuner cards start about $175 for software decoders, and ~$240 for hardware decoders. Their advantage is they can function as a PVR with the computers hard drive.

Here's Samsungs newest DTV tuner, http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/98127/rpem/ccd/productDetailReview.do

For $100, keep an eye on ebay for a used one. I'm afraid new ones aren't that cheap yet.

andersa

12-20-04, 08:57 PM

The FusionHDTV 3 computer card can be had for $149 here (http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/fusion3qt.asp).
I picked one up in South Korea during a recent trip there. I have to admit though that I haven't tried it yet, I'm planning on installing an attic antenna during the x-mas break and trying it out then.

/Anders

bohlke

12-20-04, 10:04 PM

Enjoying my first MNF in HD, this is so great!

gpflepsen

12-20-04, 10:07 PM

Did you see the shot of the field before the game, from the endzone? They had a computer generated HUGE billboard/jumbotron lightstand on the 50 yrd line. It looked amazing!

Bravo, bravo. :)

Gumby

12-20-04, 11:52 PM

Originally posted by Huskerfan
what are all you guys using as a set top box to receive ota signals? Anything I can get my hands on for around $100?

Huskerfan -

I use a 4-bay UHF anteana made by Channel Master (model #4221) Link here (http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/UHFAnts.htm) . I put this up in my attic and ran r-6 cable down to my basement to hook up to a Samsung SIR-T151. I am really happy with it. Outside of 8 to 10 hours of my personal labor, the whole shooting match was under $300. I do not believe that the Samsung box is no longer made (they have newer models out now and I got mine at closeout for $210 at NFM). Ebay may have used ones pretty cheap.

$300 investment for a lifetime of free HD programming was well worth it. You will not regret it if you make the move.

ScottChez

12-21-04, 12:07 PM

So now that the others are all on with Full power HD . . .

Why cant Fox KPTM do it?

Is there a funding problem with paying there electic bill?

Fox KPTM is still so low power that no one can get it, not even if your with in one mile of it.

Fox has HD content. KPTM and Pappas, please turn up the power. Pay your electric bill.

We want the super bowl in HD!!!

jasonhuebert

12-21-04, 12:27 PM

That would be awesome, but I am not getting my hopes up.

bohlke

12-21-04, 12:46 PM

KPTM said they are going to do everything possible to get it at full power in July, to be fair WOWT isnt at full power yet either. Lets hope they crank it up before July as well.

boardmanDJ

12-21-04, 05:41 PM

I thought I would mention that KLKN is now broadcasting PSIP info. 31-1 remapped to 8-1 and KLKN appeared on the screen info when I fired my OTA box up last night to find KETV.

st30247

12-21-04, 06:04 PM

Yes, KLKN started that yesterday, and they have some Guide Information as well.

Could still be awhile for HD.

NebrGuy

12-21-04, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by st30247
Yes, KLKN started that yesterday, and they have some Guide Information as well.

Could still be awhile for HD.

Ok, maybe this is a dumb question. What guide info is being referred to? Someone mentioned a couple days ago that ch. 7 (I think it was) or maybe ch. 6 was broadcasting guide info as well and would be able to do so for a number of days (10?).

I've not seen anything that I would refer as guide info in that sense. I see ch. 8 putting the TV rating up when I click on channel info. I assume the guide info would be a subchannel, say 8-2, but there is no 8-2 coming up. So, I guess I'm curious if channels are putting this info out there, how do I access it?

Also, are all of the channels at full power in the Lincoln and Omaha area now except 6, 15, and 42? If so, I'm going to be bummed as I still don't get a consistent signal out of Omaha in my dip in the earth in Lincoln.

Robert

bohlke

12-21-04, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by NebrGuy

Also, are all of the channels at full power in the Lincoln and Omaha area now except 6, 15, and 42? If so, I'm going to be bummed as I still don't get a consistent signal out of Omaha in my dip in the earth in Lincoln.

Robert

KLKN is not full power

boardmanDJ

12-22-04, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by NebrGuy
Ok, maybe this is a dumb question. What guide info is being referred to? Someone mentioned a couple days ago that ch. 7 (I think it was) or maybe ch. 6 was broadcasting guide info as well and would be able to do so for a number of days (10?).

I've not seen anything that I would refer as guide info in that sense. I see ch. 8 putting the TV rating up when I click on channel info. I assume the guide info would be a subchannel, say 8-2, but there is no 8-2 coming up. So, I guess I'm curious if channels are putting this info out there, how do I access it?

Also, are all of the channels at full power in the Lincoln and Omaha area now except 6, 15, and 42? If so, I'm going to be bummed as I still don't get a consistent signal out of Omaha in my dip in the earth in Lincoln.

Robert

Never a dumb question, especially with many manufacturers and some standards that aren't quite standard yet.
The guide should be accessible via your OTA remote. I know some of them say "guide" others are tagged with odd names like "info".
Ultimately there would be an option in the layers of menus that should have a guide. I've seen program guide, station guide, mini guide, etc.

Once you discover what your particular OTA box and remote call it, it should be prettys imple to hit a button or two and have a program guide pop up on your screen.
At this point not all stations have their guides listed. Often you will see something like "WXYZ HDTV" listed and not a specific program.
Eventually stations should be incorparating more of these listings into their programs.

Personally, I would be curious to know how these listings get posted. Is it all fed off a satelitte, does the station have to load them manually, does the network feed it to them, etc.

I believe the only full power HD channels are the Nebraska ETV stations, KOLN and KETV. KM3 might be, however I've seen some FCC filings for STA (Special Temporary Authority) for their digital channel. This generally is a request to operate at a lower power until a later date. Could be an antenna problem, transmitter problem, cost saving, etc.

WOWT

12-22-04, 10:25 AM

The FCC passed a new ruling in Nov. that all markets in the top 100 must be running at their allocated power or face fines, and sanctions. (Omaha is 73)

WOWT has held out on full power, waiting for the next generation of IOT transmitters. It is called a MSDC (multple stage depressed collector) and runs at 60% efficient. The standard IOT's run at approx 40%, so we expect a electricity savings of approx $40,000 a year. The older generation of IOT tubes could only produce 22kW. The new generation can provide 30kW. This means WOWT can make 1000kW ERP with two tubes. (before we were looking at running 3) This saves us a tremendous amount of capital dollars and operating expenses.

I expect the transmitter to be ordered within the week. Our full power antenna was ordered in early Dec, with a delivery of 16 weeks.

Now the bad news.
To install the new transmitter and antenna, I plan on moving our current solid state transmitter and medium power antenna to our downtown tower. I expect to be off the air for approx 2 weeks. The date of this move has not been determined. I need to install transmission line and do some electrical work before the move.
The good news- This gives WOWT a DTV transmitt backup at a different location. We will continue to run 60kW ERP, but I will loose 600ft. of antenna height.

bohlke

12-22-04, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by WOWT
The FCC passed a new ruling in Nov. that all markets in the top 100 must be running at their allocated power or face fines, and sanctions. (Omaha is 73)

Any chance you have a link on that ruling? What is the deadline for going full power?

johnwcookjr

12-22-04, 02:16 PM

Jay,

When will WOWT go to 5.1 audio? I'm still having trouble decoding your 2.0 audio stream. The Sony Philips Data Interface feed (whether coax or Toslink) from all my receivers is decoded by my Lexicon processor with a reference level of -31dB. I can overcome this by de-attenuating the audio frequency gain but changing the channel without remembering to attenuate the audio can be frightening! Also on occasion I've noticed that when PBS multicasts, their 2.0DD encoded side channels are also decoded at -31dB. I don't have a problem with the main PBS channel encoded at 2.0, only 2.0 on the subchannels, interesting.

Best regards and merry non-denominational customary winter observance day, ;)

John

bearcat2002

12-22-04, 03:12 PM

Just wondering if KETV is going to have their weather radar on channel 7-02 like they did before the accident. That was an awesome thing to look to when weather was getting bad.

Mike Gann

12-22-04, 04:12 PM

First; Congrats to Warren on getting his big gun digital on the air, looking good, especially MNF.

KMTV will be providing the program guide stuff in a week or two (before the Jan 31st deadline). It will be a corporate rollout. All of the Emmis stations will be fed by a corporate server.

We have already ordered the third IOT and will be running a megaWatt before March 1.

As I stated before, the 5.1 equipment is in-house. Other projects were higher in priority; new intercom, digital switcher, digital router, and now we are now installing a new digital audio board, a Wheatstone D-9(which is capable of 5.1 sound. No! we don't have any immediate plans to originate newscasts in dolby 5.1).

jasonhuebert

12-22-04, 04:45 PM

Wow, looks like we can be expecting a lot of changes (for the better) in the Omaha HDTV area in the next 6 months.

WOWT

12-22-04, 05:56 PM

We should have Dolby 5.1 in Feb. I've been too involved with other projects that have to be installed and running by Dec 31, (bean counter rules) so we are struggling to get everything running (I still have multiple components that haven't arrived yet.

Fighting the Holiday Vacation requests and sick calls is difficult.

I can't find the rulings, but here is a reminder from our attorneys.

II. Year-End Reminders

DTV

§ Enhanced City Grade Digital Coverage. By December 31, 2004, commercial digital stations should place the following minimum signal strength over their communities of license: Channels 2-6 (35 dBu); Channels 7-13 (43 dBu); Channels 14-69 (48 dBu). (Noncommercial DTV stations have until December 31, 2005 to meet the requirement.)

§ PSIP Transmission Standards. Use of the so-called Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) standard enable improvements to program guides, closed captioning and use of v-chip as well as enable channel number navigation using the familiar analog channel numbers to tune to new digital channel assignments. The FCC has announced that by February 1, broadcasters must comply with the new digital broadcast television transmission standards, including implementing the PSIP standard to the full extent required by ATSC A/65B. [http://www.atsc.org/standards/a 65b.pdf]

Jay

boardmanDJ

12-22-04, 09:28 PM

The PSIP standards aren't an FCC rule, per se, right?

I want to applaud all of the Engineers who have been working on digital. I know a few engineers and they always seem to be busy with day to day odds and ends that pop up. I can't imagine adding a buildout of what could be considered a second television station.

It's good to know that waiting for Channel 6 will mean a better product, including a backup transmitter. I'm guessing that there will be quite a few small kw backups, as some stations are using low power to broadcast at the moment.

The day after analog goes off the air, all engineers should be given a free trip to someplace very nice. Or will you be required to answer calls from people who suddenly have snow on their TV? :)

KETV

12-22-04, 10:02 PM

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for all the feedback here and kind words, and thank-you for your patience while KETV re-built our tower & transmitter facility.

This was a long road back, a big thank-you to Broadcast Building Company, Radian Communications Services Corp, and Richland Tower Services.

To answer a few questions:

How long does the program guide go out?
The current mandate for PSIP’s EIT (Event Information Table) is 4 packets. Each EIT packet holds 3 hour blocks of guide data, so at any time, KETV’s guide will have 9 – 12 hours broadcast. This could be opened up to go out further, but you would have to cut a bigger hole for the extra information in the bitstream.

Is KETV going to put radar back on 7-2?
Very likely, currently a duplication of the program content of 7-0 is on that stream. The thought there was to feed the cable head ends a 4x3 feed for when KETV moves our analog transmitter from KMTV’s building, to KETV’s building. During this time, KETV will broadcast analog channel 7 from our studio location. Since the studio tower is less than ½ the height of the main tower, some cable head ends will not be able to see that signal. The cable head ends could take 7-1, but when we are in HD, depending on how the ATSC receiver was setup, the sides of the screen may be cut off.

Will running two streams affect the quality of the HD programming?
The two streams on the DTV side having the same program content presented an issue. We installed hardware to do the two streams using statistical multiplexing. This mode enables you to share the bits available between the two streams. You can adjust the streams so the HD stream has priority, and protect the HD quality taking bits from the SD stream. The problem is, since both streams have the same motion vectors at the same time, when the HD stream needs more bits to encode a complex scene, the same complex scene is being encoded on the SD stream. So, statistically, the encoder cannot take advantage of any extra bits being available from the SD stream as it is just as busy encoding that stream. The only time bits are available is when the SD stream goes to black, or to a scene with very little motion, this is the same time the HD stream goes to a scene with little motion, thus the problem, there is no way to get ahead.

To fix this, I turned off the stat mux, and have setup both streams static. I am monitoring to be sure I have enough bits assigned to the HD stream, and I think I am there.

andersa

12-22-04, 10:42 PM

Warren,

couldn't the SD (or the HD) stream be delayed a few ms? Then the SD and HD streams would be out of sync, thus the complex scenes would be less likely to occur at the same time.

/Anders

KETV

12-22-04, 11:03 PM

That would do the trick, I just do not have a box to delay the SD stream at present.

Warren

NebrGuy

12-23-04, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by boardmanDJ
Never a dumb question, especially with many manufacturers and some standards that aren't quite standard yet.
The guide should be accessible via your OTA remote. I know some of them say "guide" others are tagged with odd names like "info".
Ultimately there would be an option in the layers of menus that should have a guide. I've seen program guide, station guide, mini guide, etc.

Once you discover what your particular OTA box and remote call it, it should be prettys imple to hit a button or two and have a program guide pop up on your screen.
At this point not all stations have their guides listed. Often you will see something like "WXYZ HDTV" listed and not a specific program.
Eventually stations should be incorparating more of these listings into their programs.

OK, so my stb is a Zenith HDV 420. The remote has a button that says "info". When I press that button on channels 7-1 and 8-1 I get a transparent overlay that appears over the television show that shows the channel number and that it is recieving a dolby digital audio signal in one corner, the clock in aother corner (these two things are the same on all channels) and then a third corner has "rating: tv" on one line, the next line would be "tv14" and the third line shows "dl". (By the way, what does dl stand for? I assume this is in the realm of n=nudity, l=language, etc that you often see on digital sat or dvd's.)

I personally would not call this a program guide of any sort, at least not what I traditionally think of a program guide like you see by pressing "guide" on a dishnetwork remote. I have not seen any other type of program info. Is this what is being referred to? I don't think so based on Warren's comments above. It doesn't sound like KETV has what I think I'm suppose to see up yet, but it will be there in the future.

So am I looking at the right screen and it just doesn't have all the program info there yet? Or should I still be looking for something completely different?

By the way, I'm excited with a lot of the posts I'm seeing about what to expect in the future. Now if I could only get a good line of sight on my dish again, I'd be set.

boardmanDJ

12-23-04, 06:18 AM

http://www.hdtvpub.com/viewprod.cfm/cat_decoder/thread_Zenith/prod_HDV420/

According to the link above, the review titled "great picture" indicates that the unit does not have guide capability.

NebrGuy

12-23-04, 08:46 AM

Thanks. That explains why I haven't been able to see what I thought I should. Ok, so the receiver now has one negative. Otherwise it is a good unit in my opinion.

WOWT

12-23-04, 09:22 AM

WOWT

12-23-04, 09:24 AM

Revised Tables of Station Information. www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tv.html. There actually are three tables provided:

§ Table I sets forth the technical parameters that the FCC will use during the channel election process to determine interference protection and to assign service areas in connection with the elections. These technical parameters should reflect the certifications that stations made by November 5, 2004 (or any subsequent amendments that were filed). Please carefully review Table I to ensure that the technical parameters specified are consistent with your certifications and alert us as soon as possible if you note any discrepancies.

§ Table II specifies the populations that will be used in determining compliance with the 100% and 80% replication requirements applicable to stations that have certified their intent to maximize or replicate on their final DTV channels, but that elect their NTSC channels for post-transition operations. As a reminder, stations in the top 100 markets who are affiliated with big-four TV networks are subject to a use-it-or-lose-it maximization and replication deadline of July 1, 2005 — by that date, stations that have certified an intent to maximize or replicate who have elected their DTV channels must build out full replicated or maximized facilities, as applicable, and stations that have elected their NTSC channels must build out facilities that serve 100% of the replication populations specified in Table II. By July 1, 2006, all other stations that have certified an intent to maximize or replicate must (a) build out their fully maximized or replicating DTV facilities, as applicable, if they have elected their DTV channels or (b) build out DTV facilities that will serve 80% of the replication population specified in Table II if they have elected their NTSC channels.

gpflepsen

12-23-04, 10:56 AM

re: Dish Network OTA tuners

I don't believe any of their DTV OTA tuner models have PSIP display capability.

tylerdurden

12-23-04, 02:49 PM

Mike, Warren and Jay,

I just want to say thanks to you guys and everyone that has assisted you in getting HDTV out to us over the air. Looking back through this thread, I'm reminded where things were a short two years ago and with KETV-DT coming back on the air this previous weekend it's a perfect time to say thanks to you guys for coming here keeping us informed, working so diligently to implement a new technology, and perservering through bugs, hardware failures and other set backs.

Where a year and a half ago I could enjoy HD programming from two of the networks (though enduring the occassional hiccups) today not only do I get the three major networks, but the quality and reliability exceeds local cable.

To you and all your staff: THANKS!!!!!!

Ronald L M

12-26-04, 09:25 AM

Happy Holidays to all. I'm beginning to wonder if Kptm will ever get there hd feed on Cox? the Nfl season is about over and I'm sick of watching these games in 480I when most are in 720p hd. Kptm and Fox have the Nfc playoffs and the Superbowl in Hd this year, will they make it on Cox by SuperSunday in Feb? Its amazing the difference in commitment from different stations Mike,Jay,Warren have really done a great job getting Hd programming to the viewers, I would like to thank them one more time. Now lets talk about Pappas, which owns Kptm and Kxvo in Omaha, this ownership clearly has dropped the ball on two fronts, first is there digital signal from Sarpy county, they should have known this signal would not reach most Omaha which the law states it should by now. Secondly no Hd signal of any kind in Omaha,Its so frustrating to watch Fox and here them say: You are watching 720p and listening to 5.1 Dolby Digital. PAPPAS: OMAHA AREA VIEWERS WANT FOX-HD NOW!!

mdg

12-26-04, 11:20 AM

No disrespect to Mike, the engineer at KMTV, but pulling their signal from Cox isn't exactly what i would call "getting HD programming to the viewers." Not that I am saying it is only their fault.

I was out of town this weekend visiting my family and we watched CSI. It is the first time I have watched it since HD was pulled. The only show I regularly watch on CBS anymore is Survivor which isn't in HD anyway.

KETV

12-27-04, 11:48 AM

Good Morning Everyone,

I received information on the recommended practice on the use of PID's (Program Identifiers), these PIDS indicate where the audio & video are in the stream. KETV's HD stream is in an area I need to move out of to be in compliance with the recommended practice.

At 11:30am this morning, I will move the PID's to the recommended area. This should be transparent to you, but if not, just tune off and back on KETV-DT to get your receiver to make the adjustment. Should that fail, delete channel 20, and re-enter it and this should do the trick.

I am coordinating this change with Cox Cable so this should be transparent to the Cox subscribers as well.

I will also be turning off 7-2 for the rest of the day, it will return on Tuesday.

bohlke

12-27-04, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by WOWT
II. Year-End Reminders

DTV

§ Enhanced City Grade Digital Coverage. By December 31, 2004, commercial digital stations should place the following minimum signal strength over their communities of license: Channels 2-6 (35 dBu); Channels 7-13 (43 dBu); Channels 14-69 (48 dBu). (Noncommercial DTV stations have until December 31, 2005 to meet the requirement.)

Thanks Jay that helps, are you currently running at the minimum or do you plan to increase power a bit before the deadline? Just wondering as my signal strength is a bit weak (I need just the right conditions to receive the signal now in Lincoln), but I can be patient :)

Ronald L M

12-27-04, 07:02 PM

Bohlke, if Wowt is right around the minimum signal requirement, then Kptm,Kxvo are in deep trouble, there current digital strength is about as strong as a night light! hopefully there will be some fines, I bet that will get Kptm,Kxvo ownership Pappas attention!!!!!!!!!

Bruehaha

12-27-04, 08:22 PM

Cox PVR service and random thoughts:

We got suckered into Cox's 6412 box. It is really awesome. The problem is, just for the broadcast stations, you pay 4.95 for the pvr service( what service? it is just a piece of hardware, isn't it?) $10 for the basic digital box rental, 4.95 for digital feed, and I think I am missing something. That is #20 a month, plus $15 for 1-27. I wonder what the charge would be if I got my own 6412 or if they would even allow it. I think I will try the myhd card ina htpc, but that is going to take a ton of work, just to duplicate what motorola has done for OTA signals. Is everyone just paying the fee or has anyone came up with something creative? I can't make any changes unitl after the superbowl now since we are locked into cox for that now. Luckily I have channel three over the air.

Daryl

bohlke

12-27-04, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by Ronald L M
Bohlke, if Wowt is right around the minimum signal requirement, then Kptm,Kxvo are in deep trouble, there current digital strength is about as strong as a night light! hopefully there will be some fines, I bet that will get Kptm,Kxvo ownership Pappas attention!!!!!!!!!

I dont even count KPTM as a signal :) Im not sure how the kw relates to the db, but I am optimistic that WOWT will increase it just a bit before the end of the year. The fact that they are going to be full power RSN is awesome as I should be able to pick them up with no problem then.

boardmanDJ

12-28-04, 07:55 AM

db is related to volume, kw is to output power of the station and how far it will go.
I can't imagine why digital 43 would be having a problem when it's at low power on the same stick as the full power 42 :)

Of course, any serious concerns as to breach of FCC regulations should be addressed right to the FCC and the station in question.

bohlke

12-28-04, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by boardmanDJ
db is related to volume, kw is to output power of the station and how far it will go.
I can't imagine why digital 43 would be having a problem when it's at low power on the same stick as the full power 42 :)

Of course, any serious concerns as to breach of FCC regulations should be addressed right to the FCC and the station in question.

Oh well it looks like I will have to wait until WOWT ups their power next year, I can do that. I am sure they will be full power before KPTM as they dont have nearly as much to do. In a perfect world KPTM would go full power before the superbowl but that doesnt seem very likely.

MNF looked great again last night, way to go KETV!

andersa

12-28-04, 06:09 PM

I just got done installing a Channel Master 4221 antenna I bought from Midwest Electronics. I put it on the attic above the garage facing east on 174th and Blondo.
As a tuner I'm using the Dvico Fusion HDTV3 Gold-T in my HTPC.

Using the software Signal Meter that came with the card, I get the following result:

17 - KYNE 26.5 - 27.7 db
20 - KETV 29.5 - 32.5 db
22 - WOWT 27.7 - 29.5 db
25 - ? 3.8 - 4.2 db
40 - KUON 24.1 - 25.5 db
45 - KMTV 29.5 - 32.5 db

43 - KPTM and 38 - KXVO are of course nowhere to be found.

Picture on all stations are great. Can't watch channel 25, it just shows up in the Signal Meter app. as a digital channel. Antennaweb does not list channel 25. Does anyone have clue what it is?

Total cost for receiving local broadcasts: $116 for the tuner card, $22 for the antenna and $10 or so for the cable = $148.

bohlke

12-28-04, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by andersa

17 - KYNE 26.5 - 27.7 db
20 - KETV 29.5 - 32.5 db
22 - WOWT 27.7 - 29.5 db
25 - ? 3.8 - 4.2 db
40 - KUON 24.1 - 25.5 db
45 - KMTV 29.5 - 32.5 db

43 - KPTM and 38 - KXVO are of course nowhere to be found.

Wow that gives me hope WOWT might have to up their power by 12-31 as they have to at least be at 35db right?

andersa

12-28-04, 06:35 PM

I was just reporting the signal strength I receive. WOWT's signal is obviously a little lower than KETV's and KMTV's at my location.

In post #2354 Jay said:

I expect the transmitter to be ordered within the week. Our full power antenna was ordered in early Dec, with a delivery of 16 weeks.

boardmanDJ

12-28-04, 06:52 PM

I was a bit inaccurate earlier when discussing db. Generally I associate db with audio (probably from my years in the radio biz). There is, however, a db associated with signal strength.

Channel 25 is KOLN (Analog 10) in Lincoln, which has a tower at Beaver Crossing. It's difficult to pull in once you get near Omaha. It can be done under the right conditions.

gr8scotts

12-28-04, 08:54 PM

Hey everybody, I was just wondering is 15-2 kptm digital signal because it really sucks i know they only do 720, but i hope that is'nt it and fox keeps saying the best hd standard which is a crock of sh--. and whats with the fox widescreen, it doesn't show that way on my tv.

mdg

12-28-04, 09:16 PM

Gr8scotts, Take some time to read the forum. KPTM is not broadcasting an HD signal yet. There is a difference between HD and digital. It takes time and money to convert to digital and HD. For the widescreen you need to check the settings on your box/ TV and make sure it is not stretching the signal.

Bruehaha

12-28-04, 10:11 PM

Anders,
I love your post. That is a great way to get setup cheap. Can you tuner do pvr (schedule and record?). IS the channel master a bidirectional anttena? Do you expect to pick up kptm when it comes up mid year with no changes?

Bruehaha

12-28-04, 10:43 PM

Anders,

I have been doing some research on your hdtv card and it supports unencrypted QAM. Have you tested this with COX? I tried a QAM set top box a while back with no luck.

gr8scotts

12-28-04, 11:20 PM

MDG, I have read all the post and i know the difference between digital and hd and i also know bout aspect ratios. If this is a forum were you cant ask questions let me know i will go somewher else.

bohlke

12-29-04, 12:25 AM

Originally posted by andersa
I was just reporting the signal strength I receive. WOWT's signal is obviously a little lower than KETV's and KMTV's at my location.

In post #2354 Jay said:

I am just hoping (pleading :) ) for an incremental bump before the full power goes in..... I cant hurt to beg can it?

bohlke

12-29-04, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by boardmanDJ
I was a bit inaccurate earlier when discussing db. Generally I associate db with audio (probably from my years in the radio biz). There is, however, a db associated with signal strength.

Channel 25 is KOLN (Analog 10) in Lincoln, which has a tower at Beaver Crossing. It's difficult to pull in once you get near Omaha. It can be done under the right conditions.

Yeah my question wasnt the clearest either, I was wondering what the typical db levels of each channel in Omaha are based on their kw. Way to much math to figure it out however the right receiver and antenna and we got our answer :) (thanks Anders)

andersa

12-29-04, 12:50 AM

Channel 25 is KOLN
Thanks for the info Dave re 25.

darylrue:

Yes, the card will let you timeshift. It works with titantv.com. Just select the show and hit "Record" from there.
I'm not sure what you mean with the antenna being bi-directional. Here's a link to the specs (previously posted by gumby) Channel Master (http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/UHFAnts.htm)
I'm not sure if I'll be able to pick up KPTM-DT. I do pick up the analog KPTM but it does not look very good. I assume it's the same tower. I may have to move the antenna to the attic above the 2nd story in order to get a better reception from the south. Currently south is blocked by a bedroom.

You are correct, the card has QAM support. I did plug in the Cox cable feed into the card and scanned and scanned - nothing but analog channels, so unfortunately I couldn't get it to work. I've seen reports over at the HTPC forum that it is working for some people with Cox cable, but I have not seen anyone from Omaha claiming that it works.

The card is a little CPU intensive, ~ 80% CPU busy on my P4 2.53 GHz with an ATI 8500DV graphics card. But I have not had any problems with stuttering or freezes so far.

I did read your earlier post about Cox and the 6412. I still have the older 62XX box but I have been thinking about upgrading to the 6412. Not sure you are aware that at least the 62XX (and probably the 6412) allows to capture through the firewire. That's what I've been doing. It's not very convenient though, e.g. you can't change the channel from the capturing SW itself, so the extra convenience seems to be worth the $4.95.
Have Cox enabled the second tuner on the 6412 yet?

/Anders

andersa

12-29-04, 12:58 AM

I cant hurt to beg can it?

It certainly can't. Seems that most of this board is about "We need more power". Hm, where have I heard that one before :). Oh, and we do need KM3-DT and KPTM-DT on Cox too. Let's not forget that.

/Anders

boardmanDJ

12-29-04, 02:00 AM

As I understand things, the KW is the power output authorized. the bd is a measurement of the intensity of the signal at certain intervals.
The squigly maps of coverage areas are theoretical contours of specific db. I believe there is a 70db contour and 60db contour that is most popular. Probably "city grade" signal is 70, and anything below 60 is a little snowy on analog.

I'm not a pro, but I play one on TV...until my wife tells me to get down!

I hope the questions and frustrations don't turn away the engineers who provide great information on their progress and details!

CPanther95

12-29-04, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by gr8scotts
MDG, I have read all the post and i know the difference between digital and hd and i also know bout aspect ratios. If this is a forum were you cant ask questions let me know i will go somewher else.

Your question was answered. Keep in mind that other members have no clue what the level of knowledge is of the person who is asking the question. The result is many answers are often the simplest explanation. Instead of being offended, ask a more specific, detailed question - and you'll likely get a more detailed answer.

WOWT

12-29-04, 10:42 AM

I increased the power output on our DTV transmitter. Although we are making the required power pertaining to the Dec 31 deadline, the increased power should help the fringe viewers.

Jay

PAULSTORM

12-29-04, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by WOWT
I increased the power output on our DTV transmitter. Although we are making the required power pertaining to the Dec 31 deadline, the increased power should help the fringe viewers.

Jay

What power level are you at with the increase?

gpflepsen

12-29-04, 10:51 AM

Thanks Jay. I can now get a signal, but it breaks up on a regular basis. :) Before, I was lucky to get a poor signal.

40th and Old Cheney, Lincoln.

bohlke

12-29-04, 11:00 AM

WOWT

12-29-04, 12:04 PM

Running approx 64kW. It's not much, but anything should help.

Jay

gpflepsen

12-29-04, 12:36 PM

At my current residential electric rate, 64kW would be about $1400 per month. :)

Just some perspective. 1000kW (full power) would cost me over $21,000 per month!

I know, I haven't taken any efficiencies into account. ;)

Bruehaha

12-29-04, 01:15 PM

Anders, I am pretty sure they turned on the dual tuner capability because I can record multiple shows at once, but only one digital at a time. It appears that the 4221 is bi-directional. I have captured from the 6412 to a pc using some utilities I found but I have not played with it a ton. I called cox to see if I could capture to the 6412 from a camcorder, or a from an ota tuner with firewire, and they said it was not supported and I could not find anything in the menus.

The best scenario I can think of is paying cox 14.95 for 1-27 and getting all the local hd feeds for free without needing to add a third antenna to my configuration.

I called cox to find out there unencrypted qam format 64/256/etc... and they said their master engineer would not give it out. They want to get the signals for free and then charge for them I guess.

ScottChez

12-29-04, 01:36 PM

We all need to Email KPTM and remind them of the legal requirements for Full Power DTV in Omaha.

The super bowl will be on soon. Even if they dont have a HDTV feed a DTV feed at full power is better than nothing.

KPTM does not have a waiver with the FCC, I checked.
This means they could get finned if the FCC finds out.

"I can't find the rulings, but here is a reminder from our attorneys.

§ Enhanced City Grade Digital Coverage. By December 31, 2004, commercial digital stations should place the following minimum signal strength over their communities of license: Channels 2-6 (35 dBu); Channels 7-13 (43 dBu); Channels 14-69 (48 dBu). (Noncommercial DTV stations have until December 31, 2005 to meet the requirement.)"

Thanks again to KM3, KETV, and WOWT for doing HD over the air right in Omaha.

mdg

12-29-04, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by gr8scotts
Hey everybody, I was just wondering is 15-2 kptm digital signal because it really sucks i know they only do 720, but i hope that is'nt it and fox keeps saying the best hd standard which is a crock of sh--. and whats with the fox widescreen, it doesn't show that way on my tv.

You can ask questions all you want. Next time try being nice asking a question instead of swearing. KPTM is not sending 720p, all you are really getting is 480i which is mentioned in multiple posts. You will find that 720p is just as good as 1080 for some applications, especially sports. It is definitely not a "crock of sh--"

gr8scotts

12-29-04, 06:07 PM

My point was that they are really misleading people who are not as informed as you. and for the swearing i apologize. but in all the post i read i didn't see any on channel 15-2. just 43 which i guess is the same. and since they are not going to be hd by the legal deadline. Since fox got all the football from ABC i am just a little excited.

Ronald L M

12-29-04, 06:50 PM

DirecTV recently added a east and west coast Fox hd feed, I called to see if I was eligible for the Fox Hd feed, they said I need a waiver from Kptm to get this station, so I sent a e-mail waiver request to Kptm today, They should grant this request no questions asked, since they have no local Hd signal ota or cable. I will report back when they send there reply.

Bruehaha

12-29-04, 07:12 PM

I just spoke with Dan at KPTM. He is an engineer there and said the feed is to cox, and that they are both in testing, but also mentioned that it is ready to roll and is is cox's court. 'It sounded like he was covering his bases by saying that they were both testing, meaning in my mind that if it does not work right, when cox passes it through, they reserve the right to tweak etc... He also said that within 6 months, which is the deadline he was given, not dec. 31st, they will be full power HD, which will take them building two new half a million dollar towers( i think that is what he said). And that even if the mandate was for dec. 31st, there would be no significant gains possible. He is going to check with his master engineer on the dec. 31 deadline, but if someone could Post the entire original ruling I could pass it along to them, but reality is that we are going to be waiting 6 months for commercially subsidized fox hd.

boardmanDJ

12-30-04, 01:20 AM

It can be very frustrating being on the 'early adopter' end of a new technology. Can you imagine cable testers back in the 70's? I'm only getting 5 of the 12 channels and 2 of them are fuzzy!
It will be interesting to look back in 20 years and see how 'important' HD is to people. Will be take it for granted and think, "Of course it's a clear High Definition picture from a full power transmission with no breakups. That's the way it always is"

Here's a rundown of where I understand everything to be.

Channel 3, Digital 45 is broadcasting at a very high power, but not full power.
(Third IOT is on order to take them to a megawatt before March 1st if all goes well)

Channel 6, Digital 22 is broadcasting at nominal power, with plans in the works to order the transmitter, but is looking at the July 31st deadline for full power. New antenna ordered in December with a delivery date of 16 weeks. New generation IOT though! Will need to move current DT antenna and transmitter to downtown location to install new, but then will have a nice backup site at downtown location when all is done.

Channel 7, Digital 20 is at maximum power. Since they need to move analog over to their new tower, there may be some temporary outages. Analog should be on the new tower sometime in early January at full power. At this time Channel 7 is simulcasting on digital channel 07-02 for 'fringe' cable companies. This is to accomodate the need to move to the Channel 7 downtown transmitter during the analog move. After this move occurs, there's a good chance we will see the radar picture back on 07-02 as was broadcast before the old tower came down.

Channel 8, Digital 31 (Lincoln) is in a market below #100, which means it does not yet have a deadline for full power rollout in July 2005. At this point they are broadcasting at minimal power from their studio tower near 9th & Highway 2.
There is little chance of picking this signal up outside of Lancaster County.
Once they move to their tower at full power, it may still be difficult to pick the digital channel up in Omaha as their tower is further West that KOLN's tower. Lincoln should have no problems.
It has been mentioned that Channel 8 may be on Time Warner cable in High Definition before their signal is at full power digital. No date on this yet.

Channel 10, Digital 25 (Lincoln) may be at full power, however I saw a recent application for "special temporary authority" submitted to the FCC. Since this station is not in a Top 100 market, it does not have to adhere to the July 31 deadline for full power. Their tower is located near Beaver Crossing with a few reports of reception in Omaha.

Channel 12, Digital 40 (Lincoln) appears to be multicasting SD during the day, HD at night at full power.

Channel 15, Digital 38 is at minimal power from the big KPTM/KXVO tower near Gretna. Their signal is a directional signal aimed back towards Omaha. They would fall under the July 31st deadline for full power. They are carrying Fox42 KPTM on Channel 38-2. (See 42 for details).

Channel 26, Digital 17 (?) should be at full power under the same broadcast plan as Channel 12 and all Nebraska ETV stations. This is out of my personal range and I have not heard much about anything out of the ordinary.

Channel 42, Digital 43 is at minimal power with a directional signal back toward Omaha. Since 42 is at full analog power, channel 43 is pretty much being obliterated. Hence, 43 digital is being broadcast on 38-2. This station falls under the "July 31" rule.

Notes from previous postings:

"July 31, 2005" deadline applies to markets 1-100 (Omaha is 73). At this point, all other DT operations are do to be at full power in 2006 (I've seen both July and December tossed around as months)

The FCC requires a station to broadcast a standard digital signal (480). There is no ruling which requires them to broadcast in any High Definition format.

§ Enhanced City Grade Digital Coverage. By December 31, 2004, commercial digital stations should place the following minimum signal strength over their communities of license: Channels 2-6 (35 dBu); Channels 7-13 (43 dBu); Channels 14-69 (48 dBu). (Noncommercial DTV stations have until December 31, 2005 to meet the requirement.)

§ PSIP Transmission Standards. Use of the so-called Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) standard enable improvements to program guides, closed captioning and use of v-chip as well as enable channel number navigation using the familiar analog channel numbers to tune to new digital channel assignments. The FCC has announced that by February 1, broadcasters must comply with the new digital broadcast television transmission standards, including implementing the PSIP standard to the full extent required by ATSC A/65B. http://www.atsc.org/standards/a 65b.pdf

Revised Tables of Station Information. www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tv.html. There actually are three tables provided:

§ Table I sets forth the technical parameters that the FCC will use during the channel election process to determine interference protection and to assign service areas in connection with the elections. These technical parameters should reflect the certifications that stations made by November 5, 2004 (or any subsequent amendments that were filed).

§ Table II specifies the populations that will be used in determining compliance with the 100% and 80% replication requirements applicable to stations that have certified their intent to maximize or replicate on their final DTV channels, but that elect their NTSC channels for post-transition operations. As a reminder, stations in the top 100 markets who are affiliated with big-four TV networks are subject to a use-it-or-lose-it maximization and replication deadline of July 1, 2005 — by that date, stations that have certified an intent to maximize or replicate who have elected their DTV channels must build out full replicated or maximized facilities, as applicable, and stations that have elected their NTSC channels must build out facilities that serve 100% of the replication populations specified in Table II. By July 1, 2006, all other stations that have certified an intent to maximize or replicate must (a) build out their fully maximized or replicating DTV facilities, as applicable, if they have elected their DTV channels or (b) build out DTV facilities that will serve 80% of the replication population specified in Table II if they have elected their NTSC channels.

Here's a URL to do a search on any station in the US, using the official FCC data
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_sear.htm

If you want an overview of all TV stations, for example a query of Omaha, I use
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html
It appears to list ALL current relevant data to the city queried. Click on the blue highlighted call sign to see a longer listing of all relevant data to that particular channel. Analog and DT will both show up.
(Click on link, type in city, then submit)

Hope this helps muddy the waters!

bohlke

12-30-04, 10:51 AM

Great post Dave!

Gary Omaha

12-30-04, 11:15 AM

Grteat information, Dave.

For those in the Omaha area, we could add the Iowa Public TV channels from Council Bluffs and Red Oak. I understand they have a target date of spring 2005 for their digital broadcasting to commence, which will provide eastern Nebraskans with another public TV source.

gr8scotts

12-30-04, 06:56 PM

Thanks Dave, for all the info very helpful.

SychoBC

12-31-04, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by Ronald L M
DirecTV recently added a east and west coast Fox hd feed, I called to see if I was eligible for the Fox Hd feed, they said I need a waiver from Kptm to get this station, so I sent a e-mail waiver request to Kptm today, They should grant this request no questions asked, since they have no local Hd signal ota or cable. I will report back when they send there reply.

You won't be able to receive it. Under the new SHVERA rule, unless a waiver was in place by Oct. 1st 04, DirecTV can't do anything for you.

Ronald L M

12-31-04, 05:28 PM

I hope you are wrong, with the new shvera rule, I thought part of that rule was if your local network was not in Hd then you could receive the local hd network on DirecTV. If Pappas was in gear and had a cable or Ota hd feed many of us would not be looking for other options, its really not fair to Ketv, Kmtv,Wowt, that spent millions of dollar to upgrade while Kptm spend very little and turned on a joke of a digital signal, Fcc appears to have been to soft on the digital rollout? Has Kptm been fined for that Joke of a digital signal? if not they should!!!!!!Happy New Year and thanks again to Omaha's Ketv,Wowt,Kmtv giving us Hd!!!

bohlke

12-31-04, 05:56 PM

You know.... I was being patient with KPTM until I saw this:

http://press.arrivenet.com/tec/article.php/548683.html

Pappas Telecasting Companies is the largest privately-held, commercial television broadcast group in the United States in terms of U.S. Household coverage as defined by Nielsen Media Research. The company owns 25 market-leading Fox, WB, ABC, CBS, UPN and Azteca America affiliates, and operates three other stations pursuant to local marketing agreements, in all regions of the United States. Additionally, Pappas owns 15 on-air digital channels, operates three others under LMAs, and has an agreement to purchase one additional digital channel. The company holds construction permits to build 24 additional television stations, and has an option to purchase a construction permit for a full-power, five million watt station. Pappas also owns KMPH-FM NewsRadio 107.5 in Fresno, is moving KTRB-AM 860 from Modesto to the San Francisco-San Jose radio market, and is constructing KPMP-AM 840 in Modesto. According to statistics from Nielsen, Pappas Telecasting television stations serve more than 15% of all U.S. television households. In addition, the company owns or operates television stations in markets reaching 34% of U.S. Hispanic households and nearly 37% of all U.S. Hispanic persons age 2+. In total, Pappas owns, operates, or is constructing stations in 25 Designated Market Areas.

It is difficult to understand how they couldn't afford to be ready for HD if they really are that big.

Not much we can do about it now as it doesn't appear they can just crank up the power :(

Cornhustler

12-31-04, 06:57 PM

How many of you have written to your Senators/Representative or local newspaper via the following link?

http://www.iwantmyhdtv.com/ Click on ACT NOW!!!

I received replies from Tom Osborne and Chuck Hagel so I know they are getting the letters. The more constituents they hear from the more likely things could change. It can't hurt to try. I know if everyone reading this forum writes to them that will get their attention even if it is as few as 10 letters. These broadcasters who are dragging their feet are getting off too easy.

By the way I feel your pain, we are stuck here in central Nebraska being forced to watch two Pappas controlled stations (KTVG FOX-17 & KHGI ABC-13). I can receive the digital feeds fine but they are just digitized versions of the analog signal and the audio is mono. I called the engineering department and they had no idea when they would go to HD. "Maybe in a couple years or so...."

CH

P.S. Still no sign of KETV DT out here.......bring on the tropo!

Bruehaha

01-01-05, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by bohlke
You know.... I was being patient with KPTM until I saw this:

http://press.arrivenet.com/tec/article.php/548683.html

It is difficult to understand how they couldn't afford to be ready for HD if they really are that big.

Not much we can do about it now as it doesn't appear they can just crank up the power :(

I am not sure this is accurate (or not). Can they crank the power some but do not choose too? I have not received a solid answer on that one.

Daryl

Bruehaha

01-01-05, 10:12 AM

Here is a new one. When do you all think we we start seeing husker football in HD? I have not even seen college football in HD. I am not at home for the holidays, so I have not been able to check out some of the bowl game feeds. I wonder if the NFL is helping support this because there are a ton of HD games this year each week in the nfl.

Bruehaha

01-01-05, 10:16 AM

This is straght from KPTM website.

ENGINEERING

Rick Graham
Chief Engineer
(402) 554-4223

Huskerfan

01-01-05, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by darylrue
Here is a new one. When do you all think we we start seeing husker football in HD? I have not even seen college football in HD. I am not at home for the holidays, so I have not been able to check out some of the bowl game feeds. I wonder if the NFL is helping support this because there are a ton of HD games this year each week in the nfl.

ESPN had all of their Saturday night games on HD and I understand all of the BCS bowl games will be on HD (These would be ABC).

mroot

01-01-05, 05:31 PM

I watched alot of HD college and pro football on CBS this season.

bohlke

01-01-05, 06:08 PM

So far the Capital One bowl and the Rose Bowl look great, again hats off to KETV

SychoBC

01-02-05, 12:25 AM

I watched alot of pro football and MLB playoffs on Fox in HD.

Bruehaha

01-02-05, 11:02 AM

SychoBC,

In Omaha, how?

SychoBC

01-02-05, 04:53 PM

Well NFL Sunday Ticket for one. And the other was available on DirecTV if you knew how to get it. Not hacking though.

Ronald L M

01-02-05, 06:53 PM

SychoBC has moved?DirecTV thinks he lives in a rural area? so he gets the DirecTV Hd locals, great idea, I might have to give this a try? If I only new how?

Bruehaha

01-02-05, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by SychoBC
Well NFL Sunday Ticket for one. And the other was available on DirecTV if you knew how to get it. Not hacking though.

I think the key word here is "was". I do alot of camping an would love to get HD for the games in the fall.

Daryl

forcemac

01-04-05, 02:28 PM

Anyone here try that LG 3510A DVD/HDTV Tuner in the omaha area yet?

Thinking about ditching Cox for my HDTV pipe, becuase I miss all the CBS/Fox NFL coverage. Only NFL I get to watch is Sunday and Monday night. I am most dissapointed with Cox/CBS spat that started last year.

Arauca

01-04-05, 07:20 PM

I have the LG 3410A DVR/HDTV tuner and it works for me. One would think the tuner for for the 3510 should also work in this area.

On a different topic, does anyone know what happened to KYNE's (channel 26) transmitter? NETV's website says "currently off the air due to problems with the transmitter"

dmadsen

01-04-05, 08:35 PM

Hi, all....

I am usually answering questions about HD in the Sioux City/Sioux Falls Forum area, but I have a question for those of you in the Omaha area...

My brother lives in Omaha, and just recently got DishNetwork. He has an HD TV, and a home theater 5.1 system. However, DishNetwork tells him he has to get their DVR and their special receiver to get the DD5.1 and any HD. But they only offer 5 channels of HD, and that doesn't include the local channels. Is that right? Does DishNetwork NOT offer the HD feeds of the local Omaha channels? He's trying to figure out why he spent the money on the HD set and the 5.1 system if he can't get any of that from DishNetwork.

Any ideas?

Dougaha

01-04-05, 09:27 PM

Dave,

Your brother can receive local Omaha stations in HD with an antenna. Dish does not offer the locals in HD, but the Dish 811 receiver has an 8-VSB tuner in it along with the satellite tuner. He can get Dolby 5.1 sound with any receiver model 511 or greater. He can't get DD 5.1 with a 311 or a 322 receiver.

Hope that helps.

Doug

gpflepsen

01-05-05, 12:03 AM

Actually, Dish's 6000, 811 and 921-DVR can tune the locals. He doesn't need to subscribe to Dish's HD package to get the HD locals via the antenna. KETV-DT is the only OTA HD station broadcasting 5.1 right now.

The 811 and 921 are currently available from Dish. The 6000 would need to be bought from a private party, or an old dealer with them still in stock (unlikely).

Bruehaha

01-05-05, 12:04 AM

gpflepsen

01-05-05, 12:19 AM

I thought KETV-DT's HD signal of tonight's USC-OU game was VERY soft. Way below the quality (resolution) of the earlier HD BCS games. Anyone else see the same?

allkingz

01-05-05, 02:30 AM

I've been thinking of getting an OTA HDTV reciever, but I'm afraid that there isn't "enough" programming available in the Omaha area to justify an OTA reciever purchase. I am thinking of OTA primarily for sports, but since KPTM/FOX doesn't broadcast HDTV (correct me if I'm wrong) I'm going to miss out on the NFL playoffs and Superbowl for sure.

Is there enough "worth watching" in the Omaha area?

boardmanDJ

01-05-05, 04:31 AM

It's slowly getting there! A few posts back I highlighted what was going on now and what was to come. browse back a page or two and you'll find it.

If you're looking for superbowl and NFL on Fox you can wait. The great thing about waiting is that the prices will go down! Also, you can usually find some nice things on Ebay if you are patient.
The LG models are popular as are the Samsung. Others may also have a preference, but those are the two I'm familiar with.
Which unit you buy will be dependent on the features you want.

To get an idea of what's out there, do a search on Ebay using the following

Samsung sir

or

LG LST

Those brought up a variety of receivers for me. Don't rush, and take your time. Seems something new keeps coming out!

Bruehaha

01-05-05, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Arauca
I have the LG 3410A DVR/HDTV tuner and it works for me. One would think the tuner for for the 3510 should also work in this area.

On a different topic, does anyone know what happened to KYNE's (channel 26) transmitter? NETV's website says "currently off the air due to problems with the transmitter"

This LG 3410a or 3510 could be my answer. Where did you get it? Are you picking up cox high def? Are you picking up 15 or 42 ota? Thanks for the info. I think I am wililng to invest for a complete solution like this.

DAryl

Ronald L M

01-05-05, 05:22 PM

Jpflepsen, I agree the Orange bowl looked very soft last night, especially on distant camera shots, I wonder if the multicasting may be having a effect, or just a soft Hd feed from ABC.

ne tv eng

01-05-05, 06:32 PM

KYNE:
They should be back to normal....they had to replace a bad tube cavity....

KETV:
I don't know, but ABC might not of fed a "true / native HD" signal and it was just an upconverted signal....

OTA Boxes:
Follow the suggestions of other posters, and do your homework....

Good Luck.....

bohlke

01-05-05, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Ronald L M
Jpflepsen, I agree the Orange bowl looked very soft last night, especially on distant camera shots, I wonder if the multicasting may be having a effect, or just a soft Hd feed from ABC.

Also the overhead camera seemend to have some strange color distortion on the lower part of the screen. All of the other HD games on KETV were fantastic so there must have been something different with the Orange Bowl feed?

richierich

01-05-05, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Huskerfan
what are all you guys using as a set top box to receive ota signals? Anything I can get my hands on for around $100?

I have been using the MyHD MDP-120 for the past 1.5 years. It's a tuner card for a PC. Like the one perviously mentioned it is manufactured in Korea and its exclusive US retailer is Digital Connection. It's pricey--$290 or so (there has been an AVS powerbuy on them for a month or two but I haven't checked the powerbuy price). One of its strengths is an optional daughter card (another $90) with DVI output. The card works as Anders described (can set up records using TitanTV for time-shifting) and it will also play DVDs or other transport streams. One problem--you have to purchase something like AnyDVD to remove the region information to play DVDs (the company that makes the card joined the DVD consortium, paid their dues, and then was denied license to decode DVDs because it is not a standalone hardware product). Using the card to play DVDs gives the best DVD picture possible (I am told it is superior to what you get from the best progressive-scan units, but I have not compared).

About a month ago they announced a beta software package that allows you to pause during a live show (and continue from the paused point). It is hoped that in the future you will be able to watch one show while another is recording, but that is not an option yet.

I'm happy with my purchase (I think it was worth the price), but YMMV.

[For those who notice, I clearly don't live in Angwin, CA anymore. I just can't bring myself to publicly admit to non-Nebraskans that I have moved to Nebraska yet.]

richierich

01-05-05, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by boardmanDJ
Does anybody know if there is some sort of 'test' disk that contains patterns for adjusting an HDTV?
The one I use is Digital Video Essentials http://www.videoessentials.com/

Arauca

01-05-05, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by darylrue
This LG 3410a or 3510 could be my answer. Where did you get it? Are you picking up cox high def? Are you picking up 15 or 42 ota? Thanks for the info. I think I am wililng to invest for a complete solution like this.

DAryl

I got it on the internet from ****************. I'm not a cox customer. I get 15-1 and 15-2 sometimes, but not reliably. You might want to check the HDTV Recorders forum if you want to research the LST-3410A

Huskerfan

01-05-05, 10:08 PM

I am also considering the 3510. BTW, it has a built in DVD player as well as the tuner. Do any of you Cox customers have any experience using this stb? For example, do you still have to pay for the HD service? Can you still receive espn, inhd?

Bruehaha

01-06-05, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by Huskerfan
I am also considering the 3510. BTW, it has a built in DVD player as well as the tuner. Do any of you Cox customers have any experience using this stb? For example, do you still have to pay for the HD service? Can you still receive espn, inhd?

Best buy has the 3510. They say it works with Cox. (no espn, its encrypted). I think I can sign up for espnHD for $20 a month during football season from DTV. It does not have a hd, which I consider a must. I am thinking of getting the 3410a for 699, i figure I will have it paid off in 2 years (at cox service being at least $20 a month plus tax for digital feed and pvr). Then I can move it to another room, and buy a HD-DVD, PVR combo that will last till the hard drive crashes.

Thoughts?

Daryl

forcemac

01-06-05, 08:06 AM

Well, when I orginally signed up for HD back in august of 2003, they said I only needed the box to get the HD feeds, (if a reasonable one at the time existed, I could use my own box to get all the channels) This is back when they were touting HD as "free", and u just need to rent the box...

ScottChez

01-06-05, 10:05 AM

FOX in HD now AVL in Omaha on Direct TV
=======================================
Above there was a post about this.

Here is how you do it so you can get Fox in HD for the Superbowl and the playoffs.

Step 1. Find an Address in Minneapolis. Friend or relative.

Step 2. Call up Direct TV and Move. There are many detailed posts on how to do this and what to say and not say posted all over (see dbsforums.com satteliteguys.us, dbstalk.com ect.

Step 3. Leave your billing address the same. Also leave your phone number the same. Tell them you already have a Dish setup and ready (this is the key). Leave the billing the same or just let it go, then go back online and change it back. You must leave the phone number the same on the call though.

- You will get all the MN locals PLUS the NY CBS and FOX in HD

- Direct TV does not care becuase they get paid the same no matter what.
The CSR does not care becuase they are only part time and just wants to get the call over with.

- You will loose the OMaha Locals BUT if you have the HD Box from Direct TV you get the locals anyway over the air, ALL EXCEPT KPTM

KPTM ALERT
==========================
- KPTM, you are loosing customers by not having DTV in full power like everyone else. Do your advertisers know this?

- There is no need to get Cox cable when you have Direct TV. Who would want to pay for it anyway.

KPTM Legal Waiver
==========================
I know you have a Waiver till June, But please tell Management about this switch to MN.

Maybe the will throw a little moeny your way and FIX the DTV problem. Pappas has a lot of money, money can speed things up. Maybe have them over night air the new transmitter or what every you need. Or pay the installers more to get it done sooner.

Your advertisers read this forum. They may someday demand to pay less as you are loosing viewers.

timdg

01-06-05, 01:28 PM

Anyone notice a drop in KMTV (CBS) power? My signal has dropped from about 88% to 64%. At first I thought it was the wind with the storms, but just now checked and their is barely any wind and my signal is at 64%. I noticed this for sure Monday when video started have strange artifacts, but it might have dropped before that. Just curious if anyone else noticed anything.

HiDefHusker

01-06-05, 03:32 PM

My WOWT-DT signal strength has been way lower than normal--not high enough to get a picture. Was there an announcement that I missed?

G-man57

01-06-05, 06:00 PM

I am considering buying a Hughes HR10-250 DIRECTV DVR with TiVo. Anyone in the Omaha/Gretna area have one?

mroot

01-06-05, 06:09 PM

G-man57,

Yes, I have one and love it!

Mike

boardmanDJ

01-06-05, 09:11 PM

KETV is moving it's analog out of KM3's building. Perhaps it was necessary for 3 to lower power or something. That's generally if you are going up a tower though. I doubt that's happening today.
KETV anaolg should be up to full power by Saturday based on what I've heard through the grapevine. (they need to allign, sweep and proof everything).

KETV-DT is off the air at the moment. There's an issue with one of the exciters and the guy doing all the FCC proof work for analog is there working on digital. It should be back on later tonight (10pm?)

Ronald L M

01-07-05, 07:39 PM

I called Kptm and talked to a engineer, he said the Hd signal is being sent to Cox and they are in the testing phase? 1 month till Super Sunday and less than 2 days till Fox's hd NFL playoff coverage.

Bruehaha

01-07-05, 08:13 PM

I was wondering because I am getting 86% inside UNMC hospital. I am picking up everything with this good terk portable antenna I picked up at best buy for $39. Had to watch what playoffs I could in HD!

Ronald L M

01-07-05, 11:10 PM

Yes! Yes! Yes! Kptm/Fox-hd is up on Cox!!!!!!Minn vs Green Bay in hd Sunday!!!

Bruehaha

01-07-05, 11:19 PM

Darn I wish I was home. That should be a good one. Looks like channel 7 is still down.

Daryl

SychoBC

01-08-05, 01:50 AM

Those MFers! I'm not having Cox come out and install for a month just to watch the Super Bowl in HD.

Ronald L M

01-08-05, 10:02 AM

Sycho/BC, I feel your disappointment, Kptm is not ota hd yet, but you have a option, get Cox for the playoffs so you get Kptm-Fox hd games then drop them after the Superbowl, if you don't want to spend the extra cash, I think there is a sports bar right around 108th and Maple that has Cox hd service.

Bruehaha

01-08-05, 01:45 PM

is channel 7 still down? I am getting 77% signal but no picture, Other channels work fine. When will it be back up, for the football games I hope? I do not want to have dragged up my tuner, lcd hdtv, bought an antenna just for this, all for zilch. The nurses up here think I am running some sort of science project. Just my luck if 7 is down.

Daryl

dimer0

01-08-05, 01:59 PM

Yeaa! FoxHD now on Cox, and 24 starts tomorrow!!! Slobbbber...

Bruehaha

01-08-05, 02:13 PM

What is 24?

KETV

01-08-05, 03:28 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by darylrue
[B]is channel 7 still down? I am getting 77% signal but no picture, Other channels work fine.

KETV-DT is currently running full power, maybe you need to delete channel 20, and add it back in. About two weeks ago I had to re-assign the PID's on the program streams.

Bruehaha

01-08-05, 03:41 PM

Warren, Thanks. I had to re-scan. I wondered how I could get to 93% and no pciture. This baskeball game must be in SD. I only notice a little difference between 7-1 and 7-2.

Daryl

KETV

01-08-05, 03:58 PM

Glad to hear that got you back.

The NFL game up next should be in HD according to ABC.

Actually on 7-1 & 7-2, 7-2 should start to fall apart on fast motion as that stream is very very small to protect the 7-1 stream. I have been running that stream as small as I can so the HD stream is protected. Been that way since DTV went back on, have not changed it to date.

Oskie

01-08-05, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by Ronald L M
Yes! Yes! Yes! Kptm/Fox-hd is up on Cox!!!!!!Minn vs Green Bay in hd Sunday!!!

Now if we could only get KM3/CBS to allow Cox to broadcast their HD feed. It is ridiculous that this feud has gone on for over a year now. KM3 needs to step up to the plate like the other local Omaha stations (KETV, WOWT, KPTM) and allow Cox to broadcast their HD feed. It all comes down to greed and money. When KM3 can be put in the same class as ESPNHD then maybe they deserve compensation from Cox per HD subscriber. In my opinion, they are no where close and should remind themselves they are only a local station.

ScottChez

01-09-05, 01:03 AM

All KM3 wants is 50 cents per HD customer for there Digital feed just like they collect from DishNetwork and DIrect TV.

Definition dispute
-------------------
-they call it a digital feed becuase Dishnetwork and DirectTV both have a digtal path from the recevier point to the TV set top box. The Cox KM3 HDTV CBS Channel is also a Digital feed. But the channel on KM3 channel 5 on cox is only analog (they do not want 50 cent for the analog channel, just the 80x HD channel that was pulled one year ago).

Myself, I would pay the 50cent per month, its not that much. I pay it today with direct TV (there local package cost $3 more per month for all locals, similar with DIshentwork).

Cox sees it an other way, they say its free TV over the air and free means free, after all the FCC gave them the channel where Dishnetwork and DirectTV had to buy the transponder rights (the DBS channels).

I think both are right, but us as the customer get screwed over 50 cents

All we can do it is keep calling and emailing both Cox and KM3, someday one of the side will give in or meet half way.

Call them and Email them every week. Use different Email addresses so they think more are requesting it.

Here is the Cox Email Link:

https://www.cox.com/support/omaha/emailchat/emailus.asp

Here is the KM3 CBS Email link:

http://km3news.com/contact.html

Be sure to email the SALES address as they are missing viewers for there comercials that they are trying to sell due to the lack fo HD.

Good luck everyone.

ScottChez

01-09-05, 01:15 AM

Update:

Iowa PBS in HD is due to go on the air in 3 Months with a signal that Omaha can get. The link to Cox cable is also being worked on.

This means that all the major networks will be on Cox in HD (all the ones that have HD) MINUS, the last place in ratings KM3 CBS.

Ever wonder why they always come in last place in the 10 PM news? Is it becuase there is no HD feed and people dont watch KM3 at night as there busy watching other HD channel so they just stay on those channels like WOWT and KETV and just what there new after there HD show is over.

Got to wonder. . . .

dimer0

01-09-05, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by darylrue
What is 24?

http://www.fox.com/24/

Great television series.

Bruehaha

01-09-05, 11:53 AM

The question is wil cox ever have any competition for local hdtv?

SychoBC

01-09-05, 11:55 AM

OTA.

boardmanDJ

01-09-05, 04:36 PM

When analog shuts off, all digital stations should fall under the 'must carry' rules which currently apply to analog stations.
What I don't know is whether or not cable companies will have the option of carrying a digital signal and down converting it to standard definition.
That would be interesting to know.

For example, could they take the digital signal of channel 3, down convert it and place it on analog channel 5, as they do now with analog 3?
Hopefully this is being addressed as the FCC level.

craveHD

01-09-05, 10:32 PM

ESPN2 recently launched HD service. is there any word of cox getting this channel? or TNT HD?

i was thinking about getting an antenna and dropping cox, but now that KPTM is on cox i'll keep it for now and hope KMTV gets added soon for march madness.

ScottChez

01-10-05, 10:08 AM

Direct TV with have all Local HD channels up in the next two years.

The first 12 Big markets go up this summer. Then the top 100 by the end of the year.

Omaha is way down on the list so HD Locals may take two years.
Thats when there will be HD Local competition for Cox cable.

For now all we can do is call and Email Cox and KM3 asking them to work something out and turn it back on.

Everything is still ran to the station. They just need to flip a switch and turn it back on (it was on a year ago).

HiDefHusker

01-10-05, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by ScottChez
Direct TV with have all Local HD channels up in the next two years.

Using MPEG-4 encoding. New receivers will be required. :(

rmalbers

01-10-05, 01:18 PM

I just talked to a guy at channel 3 who sounded like he knew all about it. He said there was never a price per subscriber (like 50 cents) discussed. I sounds like they want something greater than zero but COX won't even talk to them because of that. It's between the COX national guys and the owners of channel 3. It sounds like the local people for cox and channel 3 really have nothing to do any of it except answer local questions.

The real problem is no local control of businesses so we all suffer.

PlumPeach

01-10-05, 06:17 PM

Need some help here. I'm currently trying to sell my GI/Motorola HDD-200
HDTV decoder. Some decoders mention that they have GUI. I know that GUI stands for Graphical User Interface, but what exactly is that and do the Motorola boxes we used to use as sidecars with Cox have this? Does it have something to do with the ability to change the aspect ratio? I bought it like a 1 1/2 years ago from kusat. Any help is appreciated.

Gary Omaha

01-10-05, 08:49 PM

I keep reading about many HDTVs having CableCard but I've never seen Cox refer to it in advertising or on their web site. Does Cox offer this option or would a CableCard-ready TV still need a converter box in Omaha? Thanks.

huskerforlife

01-10-05, 09:54 PM

I was told by a Cox rep that CableCards are available in Omaha for a monthy rental fee of $1.99 but it must be installed by one of their technicians.

Dougaha

01-10-05, 10:47 PM

Gary, Cablecards are available but Cox doesn't advertise them heavily because: 1. they're such a pain in the a** to setup and install, and 2: the revenue stream is not as great. They charge somewhere around $70 to install it and $1.99/month for rental. You don't need a box, the decoder is built into the card and the TV. However, cablecards are currently only one way communication, meaning a signal can only be sent from Cox's headend to your house, and not back the other way. This means you can't get an on-screen guide, nor can you use pay per view.

Hope this helps. I work at Nebraska Furniture Mart in TV's by the way.

Doug

Gary Omaha

01-11-05, 09:43 AM

Thanks, guys.

I didn't realize CableCard was one-way. CAN'T GET AN ONSCREEN GUIDE??? :mad: The on-screen guide is one of the main reasons I have digital cable in the FIRST place! Yikes, I'm gonna have to rethink this.

rmalbers

01-11-05, 06:48 PM

I've got a cablecard install sched for sat. so I'll report back. I did some searches and couldn't find much stuff here on it (Cox Omaha info). Niver's told me they haven't heard any complaints about them so I'll see what happens. I want HD HBO and some of the others so I'm going for it. Also, I was told it was a $30 install so if it's $70 I'm going to talk to them. BTW: I hate the Cox channel guide because you can't get rid of channels you can't see. I really hate all the paging.

Gary Omaha

01-11-05, 10:49 PM

Well, since you brought it up :rolleyes: you are correct, the current Cox channel guide is a far cry from the one they used to have. Lots of features were lost when the old software was changed. I was told they would continually upgrade the new channel guide but it's been several years. OTOH, it's great to be able to do the things this guide will allow (albeit not as much as the old one). I agree, it's a pain not to be able to delete/hide unwanted channels.

st30247

01-11-05, 11:39 PM

Does anyone know the QAM in the Clear Channel number for KPTM-DT over COX? And has anyone with a QAM tuner in their TV tried to tune in KPTM-DT over COX without a box? Just wondering if you still need a box, or a "Digital Gateway" outside your house to use your QAM enabled tuner inside of the TV.

Cable Cards work in Lincoln By the Way, $1.75 per mo., but there have been many software upgrades from both Time Warner, and the TV Manufactures to get their systems to handshake, but it is getting better.

Bruehaha

01-12-05, 12:26 AM

Originally posted by Arauca
I got it on the internet from ****************. I'm not a cox customer. I get 15-1 and 15-2 sometimes, but not reliably. You might want to check the HDTV Recorders forum if you want to research the LST-3410A

Arauca,

I did a little digging on the 3410a thread. How is the OTA guide working for you? Is it stable and "wife" friendly? Have you tested the output to a 480i to see if there are any menu issues like on the cox box when on hd channels (the menu will not display).

Daryl

st30247

01-12-05, 02:17 PM

I found out these are the QAM in the clear COX numbers if a customer has a QAM tuner and Basic Cox service.

Cox tells me you do not need to remove any type of filter or anything to
get the channels via QAM, you only need the basic service and they will
come through. Here is what I was told on the listings:

108.01 KETV-DT
108.02 WOWT-DT
107.01 KPTM-DT
107.02 KYNE

FYI

Bruehaha

01-12-05, 03:08 PM

What about the WB?

ajwees41

01-12-05, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by darylrue
What about the WB?

I don't think the WB is Hi /Def yet.

Andrew Wees

st30247

01-12-05, 03:29 PM

Not sure, this is all he sent me. Is WB offered as well over Cox yet in HD? If they don't do it in HD there wouldn't be a serparate QAM channel yet.

Huskerfan

01-12-05, 04:31 PM

WB is not offered yet. What you miss out on if you don't get Cox's tuner is ESPN (and soon to be ESPN2), INHD 1 and 2, HBOHD, ShowtimeHD (you must suscribe to HBO/Showtime for these) and there actually is some pretty good programming on INHD 1 and 2. Like some live concerts, NBA basketball, MLB baseball and movies. Geez, sounds like an infomercial! In reality I actually considered cancelling my digital/HD service to Cox and switching to OTA but you still won't get the above channels.

The final piece to the puzzle was getting FoxHD on board. Especially right before the Super Bowl. I guess the final, final piece would be KMTV, but we'll have to see about that.

rmalbers

01-12-05, 06:34 PM

I can confirm that the HD locals are in the clear on COX cable (in Omaha). I've been watching them on a Sony XS955 with the built in digital cable tuner. Some of the 1080i on NETV HD is unbelievable. There is also a Latin American MTV or VH1 channel in the clear and the digital music channels are in the clear.

Arauca

01-12-05, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by darylrue
Arauca,

I did a little digging on the 3410a thread. How is the OTA guide working for you? Is it stable and "wife" friendly? Have you tested the output to a 480i to see if there are any menu issues like on the cox box when on hd channels (the menu will not display).

Daryl

The OTA guide works fine for me. We use the 3410 mainly for recording local HD broadcasts and watching HD sports so the better half does not get to use it. It is not hard to use. The guys in the 3410 thread have put it through the ringer unlike me. Something I have noticed is that the people that actually understand the product's limitations enjoy it far more than the ones that expect tivo like performance. I use it strictly for HD so I have not tested the 480i output, sorry.

sbswrmd

01-13-05, 12:39 PM

Steve,

Thanks for posting the QAM info. I'm amazed someone at Cox actually acknowledged the QAM channels. Whenever I call they seem to play dumb as I'm sure they would rather you buy their hardware and digital service.

Personally I'm disappointed in the lack of cooperation that we have seen between Cox and the network affiliates. I am dumping my Cox digital service at the end of this month in protest. Maybe they will be playing nice by 2010 and I can come back and play again. :D

thanks again for the channel #'s.

ajwees41

01-13-05, 01:08 PM

sbswrmd

What do you mean Kmtv is the only local affliate not allowing cox to brodcast thier HDTV signal.

Andrew Wees

ScottChez

01-13-05, 01:36 PM

Cox is not broadcasting KMTVs CBS DTV/HDTV channel any more.

AND

They do not have KXVOs WBs Digital feed. Yes they have an over the air digital feed. It looks a lot better than the Analog feed on Coxs 1-80 analog channels (they are still analog even if you have Digital cable).

AND

They do not have Iowas DTV/HDTV feed that you can pull in over the air if you live in Council Bluffs with a good antenna. It will be avl over the air in a few months full power in Omaha.

AND

Since Cox owns the rights to UPN, they are also missing UPN in DTV/HDTV. In many cities UPN is HD for shows like Star Trek.

So Cox is missing 4 local DTV/HDTV channels in my book.

Cox is also missing TNT in HD Universal HD (NBC/SciFi/Bravo) and the soon ESPN-2 that they are fighting over the price on again. You can get this today on Sattelite. If you count VOOM, they also have Starz HD, MovieChannel HD, and Cinimax HD.

They need to get on the ball. Its a Monopoloy on Cable so they can get away with this. We need to keep calling, they think everyone is happy.

ScottChez

01-13-05, 01:45 PM

So KM3 has no local control- seems true.

I just called Emmis Corp (the owners of KM3).

The person I talked to thought that there Omaha Channels already was on Cox Cable in HD and was wondering why I was complaining.

Wow, talk about one end not know what the other is doing in the Corp world. . . .

I also left a message for there VP and CEO to call me.

Here is the link with the contact info

http://www.emmis.com/contact/index.aspx

It is also strange as to what they say on there copr web site for the 11 Commandments. Seems like they violate them by pulling there HD from Cox.

ajwees41

01-13-05, 01:54 PM

O2/UPN is not a full time UPN affliate maybe that is why they don't brodcast in HDTV.

Are sure about KXVO? Where did you get the info?

Andrew Wees

Originally posted by ScottChez
Cox is not broadcasting KMTVs CBS DTV/HDTV channel any more.

AND

They do not have KXVOs WBs Digital feed. Yes they have an over the air digital feed. It looks a lot better than the Analog feed on Coxs 1-80 analog channels (they are still analog even if you have Digital cable).

AND

They do not have Iowas DTV/HDTV feed that you can pull in over the air if you live in Council Bluffs with a good antenna. It will be avl over the air in a few months full power in Omaha.

AND

Since Cox owns the rights to UPN, they are also missing UPN in DTV/HDTV. In many cities UPN is HD for shows like Star Trek.

So Cox is missing 4 local DTV/HDTV channels in my book.

Cox is also missing TNT in HD Universal HD (NBC/SciFi/Bravo) and the soon ESPN-2 that they are fighting over the price on again. You can get this today on Sattelite. If you count VOOM, they also have Starz HD, MovieChannel HD, and Cinimax HD.

They need to get on the ball. Its a Monopoloy on Cable so they can get away with this. We need to keep calling, they think everyone is happy.

ajwees41

01-13-05, 02:54 PM

They didn't change the guide software by choice the old guide software maker Starsight went of business.

Andrew Wees

Originally posted by Gary Omaha
Well, since you brought it up :rolleyes: you are correct, the current Cox channel guide is a far cry from the one they used to have. Lots of features were lost when the old software was changed. I was told they would continually upgrade the new channel guide but it's been several years. OTOH, it's great to be able to do the things this guide will allow (albeit not as much as the old one). I agree, it's a pain not to be able to delete/hide unwanted channels.

Oskie

01-13-05, 08:27 PM

From all the emails I have received from the General Manager at KM3 and the VP Regional Manager at Cox Omaha it appears to be a local issue in my opinion. I would suggest all direct their emails with complaints about CBS HD service not being available over cable to the following:

Jim McKernan, General Manager KM3 (jmckernan@km3news.com)
Percy Kirk, VP Regional Mgr. Cox Omaha (Percy.Kirk@cox.com)

Maybe after enough complaints they might finally see the big picture....but I wouldn't hold my breath!!!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ScottChez
[B]So KM3 has no local control- seems true.

I just called Emmis Corp (the owners of KM3).

The person I talked to thought that there Omaha Channels already was on Cox Cable in HD and was wondering why I was complaining.

Wow, talk about one end not know what the other is doing in the Corp world. . . .

sbswrmd

01-14-05, 10:40 AM

The KMTV issue is definitely a LOCAL issue. It's probably the Travis Twit mouthpiece causing it all. :D Actually for those of you that remember, he had a wonderful little segment that was shown regarding this exact topic. LAME to say the least.

Seriously if you look back at this forum around 1 year ago, when we were all gearing up to watch the Superbowl in HD, KMTV dropped the bomb. THey thought they had Cox by the go-nads. (no pun) Cox called the "KMTV Superbowl bluff" and we all did with out. Well...... those of us relying on Cox to "feed" us did with out anyway. :mad:

I think the more local stations that come on board with Cox the more it builds Cox case against KMTV. Don't get me wrong. I DO NOT side with the overcharging laggards at Cox, however I certainly agree with them on this one issue. Why? Because they provide the HD locals "free" over QAM. i.e. You don't have to have Cox digital service. You only need their basic feed to pull in the local affiliates and THAT is the "leg" they have to stand on in this argument.

Just my 2 pennies.

BTW, someone stated 107.01 is KPTM. I get NE tv on that channel??? What's up with that? Does anyone know the QAM channel for KPTM in Omaha? Thanks.

st30247

01-14-05, 11:15 AM

According to Cox these are the correct numbers:

108.01 KETV-DT
108.02 WOWT-DT
107.01 KPTM-DT
107.02 KYNE

What TV are you using, because sometimes these tuners get confused, and you need to touch the Guide Key on some of them, and toggle up or down from .01 to .02, and select .02, and then do it again, by using the Guide to select .01, and they should lock in.

I haven't tested this on Cox, but this is sometimes the case on Time Waner in Lincoln.

wildjays

01-14-05, 01:11 PM

Back in September ScottChez reported this:

-------------------------------------
WOWT NBC- is not in talks to renew there HD Carrage on Cox (will we have an other KM3 CBS event?). QAM remapping shows Cox is setting up to turn it off.

KETV ABC- is building there new tower that will have HD right now. ABC HD is only on Cox cable. There contract is due in 8 Months with Cox.

-------------------------------------
I think we will find out real soon which way the "leg" will go. But I think it is stupid that channels would pull out. If HD is the next big thing, they are doing a disservice to potential customers and still confusing the people who think they have HD when in reality they don't.

Besides, if I remember correctly only about 15% of people have HD-capable TV's while only about 25% of that 15% actually are receiving and watching HD content. For stations to think they need to be paid and thus pulling their station doesn't hurt that many people when in reality it hurts the stations more because of the bad-pub generated.

I'd like to support KM3 because I think they have a lot of potential and are trying to get a certain segment with their formatting now, but they can KMA on the HD thing. They are just hurting themselves. Those whole 100-1000 people on Cox HD miss out on the CBS in HD, but instead 500,000 people and the nation get to hear about the controversy. I don't mind getting Cox because I can get a lot and afford it. All the channels, DVR that does HD, reliable service, and upgrades when needed for about $60 a month compared to having to invest in Satellite equipment, get an antenna on my roof and continue to pay to replace existing equipment which could cost me $500-1000 in a lump sum to get the same stuff I am getting with Cox and paying for more expensive equipment down the line to keep up with the technology. Cox will do that for me.

I'll get off my soapbox now.