In this AVS thread for an other Cox market that are talking about a rumor of Cox Simulcasting the Analog channels in Digital.

The idea is to gradually give everyone digital boxes so that can do away with some of the analog channels to free up bandwidth for more HD channels (I guess they need the equiv. of 1-4 analog channels for each HD channel).

Anyone know if we got any Sumulcasting Test channel on cox here in Omaha? Someone is saying one maket already has 40 test channels up for the Digital Simulcast of HD.

THere are also some other quotes out there of Cox officials saying the Digital simulcast will come sometime in 2006.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7098931&&#post7098931

http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/3/4321.html?1138211785

I don't know if Omaha is testing digital Simulcasting yet, but I think the fact that they are removing the PPV channels except for two, and the sports and adult packages might be a sign.

Andrew Wees

But isn't there an inherent problem to this? Doesn't Cox limit each home to 3 digital boxes? Or has that limit changed? If so, what if you have 4 or more TVs? Once Cox goes all-digital, just how is the 4th TV supposed to receive its signals?

I could be wrong.

I heard somewhere awhile ago I think it was comcast. They can put a convertor or something like that on the side of the house to convert the digital to analog, so that people don't need a digtal converter.

Andrew Wees







But isn't there an inherent problem to this? Doesn't Cox limit each home to 3 digital boxes? Or has that limit changed? If so, what if you have 4 or more TVs? Once Cox goes all-digital, just how is the 4th TV supposed to receive its signals?

Did anyone catch Saturday Night Live on WOWT-HD thisweekend? We TiVo'd it but it looks like there was some sort of problem with the HD feed. Commercials seem to have played properly, but in between commercial breaks there was either a WOWT splash screen or the last segment of the commercial in freeze frame, alas no SNL.

I asked Cox recently when they were going to convert to all-digital. Here is the reply:

I know this is definitely something Cox is working on. I had hoped to come back to you with a definite date, but we just don't have one at this time. Keep your eyes out though, because I think it could happen in the near future. I will save your email and try to update you as I hear more.

Thanks,
[name removed]
Public Affairs

Motorola makes a low-cost (around $75) all-digital convertor:
http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/DCT700.html

What I don't get

The thing I don't get atleast in the Omaha area is why weatherscan on channel 202 used to to have info about upcomming channel channels, but it seems it is stuck on advertising for StarzOnDemand for the past month or more.

Andrew Wees

The other Cox threads out there are all saying once this starts there will be NO limit on Digital boxes and there basic digital price rental will go way way down for the 3rd and 4th box if you have multiple digital tiers AND but the Analog Channels all stay up for the conversion.

Some think the conversion will take 1 years so the Analogs will be around for a while. They dont want to loose customers.

If they do it this way they will gain many new customers as the lower priced analog customer will be happy for a while and the DIgital customers will be extra happy, plus some may leave Dish and Direct TV as the extra box fews will be much lower.

Speculation and rumor is they will try to get all Analog customer to rent at lease one Digital box by offering a basic box for about $4 a month with will include some free Digital channesl and some free on demand. If you look at the new channel line for Feb 16th up they are already saying what Digital channels are already free.

(dish and direct are $5 a month for SD boxes and Dish is now going up to $6 a month for each HDTV box, plus the extra cost to buy into the lease plus the 18 month contract, plus the $11 to $20 a month for the HD package which cox offers for free).

Can you post some links to the items you are talking about? I wounder then will the HD and HD/DVR boxes go down also?

Andrew Wees






The other Cox threads out there are all saying once this starts there will be NO limit on Digital boxes and there basic digital price rental will go way way down for the 3rd and 4th box if you have multiple digital tiers AND but the Analog Channels all stay up for the conversion.

Some think the conversion will take 1 years so the Analogs will be around for a while. They dont want to loose customers.

If they do it this way they will gain many new customers as they lower priced analog customer will be happy for a while and the DIgital customers will be extra happy, plus some may leave Dish and Direct TV as the extra box fews will be much lower

(dish and direct are $5 a month and Dish is now $6 a month for each HDTV box, plus the extra cost to buy into the lease plus the 18 month contract).

Did anyone catch Saturday Night Live on WOWT-HD thisweekend? We TiVo'd it but it looks like there was some sort of problem with the HD feed. Commercials seem to have played properly, but in between commercial breaks there was either a WOWT splash screen or the last segment of the commercial in freeze frame, alas no SNL.
Yes, had the same problem off Time Warner in Lincoln. End of the 10:00 news then frozen screen until the standard def commercials came on, then frozen screen until the next set of commercials. The way the cable industry is around here I'm sure they did not even no they had a feed problem. I catch KOLN/KGIN having feed problems quite often and call their engineers to let them know. I then switch to channel 3 and watch their HDTV feed. I really wanted to see Steve Martin. Oh well :(

I'm wondering if Kmtv could have shown the Duke vs Maryland game in Hd on Kmtv-dt and shown the SIU vs Creighton on Kmtv?

I just had a box reboot in Omaha and now only recieve channels 1-327, no on odemand or anything else; forcing a guide download didn't fix it.

Andrew Wees

Looks like NBC is having more local problems with their HD. The wife tuned in to watch skating and it's being shown in SD here in Omaha, but our friends in Boston said their feed of the same program is still HD. We were TiVo'ing it and it looks like it changed form HD to SD about half way through tonights broadcast.

Don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet but Universal-HD is now on TWC Lincoln channel 124...

I just did a QAM scan on my Sanyo Vizon and found Universal HD in the clear at 121-1. The question now is will they keep it past the Olympics? I'd love to be able to watch Battlestar Galactica in HD on Sundays. I'm gonna watch some HD hockey Sunday afternoon.

In case it isn't clear, I am getting this signal _without_ a cable box.

Does anyone know how Universal HD got Equalizer in "HD". Are they just clipping the 4:3 or did they go back to original film and digitize it?

The contract with Universal HD is different durring the Olympics most get it for free.

I get it for Free on DIshnetwork right now also. Im going to DVR as many shows as I can in HD, like Battle Star and some of there movies.

Digital Simulcating

Omaha Cox

I just got an email response to my question about digital simulcasting and they said.

This is something we are looking into doing in the near future, I believe the tentative date for the upgrade is in April.

Andrew Wees

Time Warner Kansas City has stated they will carry Universal HD during the Olympics only, but plan to carry it in the future. Might be good to let TWC know you enjoy the channel.

With all the talk of Cox digital simulcasting, I thought those in Lincoln would like to know that TWC will begin digital simulcasting by this Fall.

And while I'm on TWC news... my sources tell me that we should see KPTM-DT on TWC by late March or April...

Some in the other COx forums are reporting that in some Markets you can Scan for some QAM channels and see channels we should be seeing yet, and some are in the open like that forgot to lock the HD TV Non Local channels.

Any one do a scan lately? I wonder if while they are moving things around, some of the encryptions is off?

The Cox Communications rep for my work, said digital simulcasting should begin in March most likely.

Try to see if you can find out if boxes will be needed on all the tv's that want cable.


I still think April is the time because you heard it from cox business which is different than cox tv.


Andrew Wees







The Cox Communications rep for my work, said digital simulcasting should begin in March most likely.

I was wondering why my Sony with COX cablecard switched the other day from showing the channel names to showing 'analog' for all the regular cable channels. The channel names still show up on all the digital channels. That must be part of the conversion. I predict cablecard's will be switched first.


The Cox Communications rep for my work, said digital simulcasting should begin in March most likely.

Word on the street is testing has started for the Digital Simulcast channels in Omaha, but only authorized Cox tech support ream members are a part of the in house test so far and only a couple of beta channels are up right now.

I bet this means we will be seeing lots of strange channel mapping and labeling in the next couple of Months.

Any one got QAM 256 that can do a scan, I bet the channels are all changed. Especialy for the On Demand and national HD


I am still hearing that the Analog channels will be left as at least till next year and they will be offering "dirt cheap" digital cable box rentals to get people to want to switch.

100's Digital bonus channels
200's Digital sports,info, varity, and movies
300's Digital premium's
400's Digital Spanish
500's Digital PPV and Adult PPV
600's Digital Sports PPV
700's open except for 793 fire house channel
800's HDTV
900's Music Choice
998 EOD

From what I hear it sound like it will start in April.

I will guess they will use channels in the 700's for digital simulcasting. 700's are the only free channels except for 793 fire channel only available to fire stations.

Andrew Wees



Word on the street is testing has started for the Digital Simulcast channels in Omaha, but only authorized Cox tech support ream members are a part of the in house test so far and only a couple of beta channels are up right now.

I bet this means we will be seeing lots of strange channel mapping and labeling in the next couple of Months.

Any one got QAM 256 that can do a scan, I bet the channels are all changed. Especialy for the On Demand and national HD


I am still hearing that the Analog channels will be left as at least till next year and they will be offering "dirt cheap" digital cable box rentals to get people to want to switch.

DirecTV adds TNT HD, eliminating another reason stay with Cox. :eek:

Cox vs Directv: They both have there advantages, Directv used to have the clear advantage, better picture, more sd and hd channels,NFL Sunday ticket and other sports packages, Now Cable has closed the gap, and in some cities cable has over taken Directv, with On-Demand and Hd-dvr,local Hd. I'm considering dropping Directv. I'm tired of Directv adding more channels at the expense of picture quality.

But isn't there an inherent problem to this? Doesn't Cox limit each home to 3 digital boxes? Or has that limit changed? If so, what if you have 4 or more TVs? Once Cox goes all-digital, just how is the 4th TV supposed to receive its signals?

I think the limit was on HD and HD DVR's

Andrew Wees

Dishnetwork also has issues now to. The HD Pack is now $20 for all new customers. Cox has it for free.

Dish also raised there DVR rental fees and increased the price on all there basic packages.

A new comparision with Cox should be done once COX goes to Digital Simulcast (so all channels will be 100% digital), that in the hundrreds of things avliable via on Demand may make a differenence.

In 2007 Direct TVs Stock Holder Powerpoint slides are showing that they will catch back up a year from now with over 2,000 shows avl. via on demand as you will be able to plug in your high speed internet and stream(download) shows.

Dish also is starting to have an Ethernet port for this, but they have not given any dates.

The only reason I see know is cox doesn't require equipment purchase unlike DirecTV.

Cable will be cheaper for people with multiple HDtv's

Andrew Wees

DirecTV adds TNT HD, eliminating another reason stay with Cox. :eek:

The only reason I see know is cox doesn't require equipment purchase unlike DirecTV.

Cable will be cheaper for people with multiple HDtv's

Andrew Wees


DirecTV won't require equipment purchases soon either.

DirecTV won't require equipment purchases soon either.


Phone line is also needed.

Andrew Wees

Correct Dish has already gone to 100% lease for new Customers and anyone upgrading to Mpeg4 HDTV receivers.

Direct TV start there 100% lease program Wednesday for all new customers (no more buying recievers).

Everyone is going to the lease system just like cable, the only difference is with SAT you have to pay more to buy into the HD lease, Dish is $300 ($99 after rebate in April), for the DVR $99 for regular, Direct TV is similar.

Things are changing so fast, I hope I got this all right.

Anybody getting a NO AV signal on 7.2?

Anybody getting a NO AV signal on 7.2?

I rescanned tonight and I am getting 7.2 now but with no signal... wonder what KETV's gonna give us?

Also, it seems that Lincoln was one of the TWC divisions to only add Universal HD for the Olympics. It's gone now.

Chance of Thunder Storms this weekend.

Maybe we will get the KETV 7.2 weather channel back? It sure would be nice if they could rotate screens every 30 seconds or so, maybe Live Radar, Forcast, Live Current Temps, then an advertisement page so they could make money HINT HINT.

Other stations around the country are doing it.

If you like weather, click on my signature. Updates every 5 minutes. Even got a camera on my roof. Some people tinker with cars, etc. etc. I guess I'm the geeky guy runnin' the weather station. :D

That's great having a weather station there. I golf there every week all summer. Now I can check before I leave and I'll be able to tell the boys the wind speed out there when it's really blowing! BTW: 76 degrees inside?

If you like weather, click on my signature. Updates every 5 minutes. Even got a camera on my roof. Some people tinker with cars, etc. etc. I guess I'm the geeky guy runnin' the weather station. :D

BTW: 76 degrees inside?

Ya, it got up to 72 degrees today and we usually don't run the A/C till later in the spring.

Interesting Read on how Cox may go 100% Digital someday

http://www.bigbandnet.com/documents/digital_simulcast.pdf

An the future of HD on cable once the analog frees up all the space (see chart).

I did not know the Analog channels were taking up so much space.

Think of how many HDTV channels they could get if there was NO analog?

Is there a chance that KMTV will broadcast all of the games for March Madness similar to this station in Arizona and have them available on Cox? Or at least the non-HD games be on the analog channel and the HD game on the DT channel?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/02/1425255.htm

KPHO, Cox to broadcast entire NCAA tournament

(Tribune, The (Mesa, AZ) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Mar. 2--KPHO (Ch. 5) and Cox Communications announced Wednesday they will broadcast live every game of the NCAA basketball tournament.

The two television partners are using digital technology to provide multicast telecasts on four channels -- 5 and 705 and two new channels (764 and 765) being launched by Cox.

Viewers need to be a Cox Digital customer in the Valley or have a digital television with an antenna in order to access those channels. KPHO said it is also working with other cable providers to offer this event to their customers.

"We realize many of our viewers have hometown or collegiate ties in various parts of the country," said KPHO vice president and general manager Steven Hammel. "This partnership will allow fans to watch the game of their choice live in its entirety."

Last year during parts of the tourney they had a different game in HD and on analog so I assume they'll do that this year again. That means two different games at least.

Different owners for KMTV might have it might not.

Andrew Wees










Is there a chance that KMTV will broadcast all of the games for March Madness similar to this station in Arizona and have them available on Cox? Or at least the non-HD games be on the analog channel and the HD game on the DT channel?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/02/1425255.htm

KPHO, Cox to broadcast entire NCAA tournament

(Tribune, The (Mesa, AZ) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Mar. 2--KPHO (Ch. 5) and Cox Communications announced Wednesday they will broadcast live every game of the NCAA basketball tournament.

The two television partners are using digital technology to provide multicast telecasts on four channels -- 5 and 705 and two new channels (764 and 765) being launched by Cox.

Viewers need to be a Cox Digital customer in the Valley or have a digital television with an antenna in order to access those channels. KPHO said it is also working with other cable providers to offer this event to their customers.

"We realize many of our viewers have hometown or collegiate ties in various parts of the country," said KPHO vice president and general manager Steven Hammel. "This partnership will allow fans to watch the game of their choice live in its entirety."

Is WOWT having audio problems on the HD feed? - the two times this week I have checked the audio has been "Dolby Digital 3.0" (I had to look it up - very rare) instead of the normal Dolby 5.1

http://ncaasports.com/mmod


NCAA® March Madness™ on Demand is totally FREE for the first time ever! Get LIVE game broadcasts of CBS Sports television coverage of NCAA® March Madness™ streaming on your broadband-connected computer.

All 56 games from the first three rounds of the tournament will be available for FREE.* Also enjoy tournament highlights and recaps plus video from some of the greatest NCAA® March Madness™ moments of all time.

Andrew Wees

*** Toshiba HD-DVD on display at NFM ***

Hey everyone. This is Doug from NFM. We have Toshiba's HD-DVD player, model HD-XA1 on display in the store. I'm not sure how long we're going to have it, just thought I'd let everyone know. It's in the big screen room hooked up to a Toshiba 62HMX95 Cinema Series DLP via an HDMI connector.

We haven't been trained on it yet, so if you come in and look at it, please don't be surprised if we don't have a lot of answers to your questions.

Just thought I'd let you know.


Doug

*** Toshiba HD-DVD on display at NFM ***

Hey everyone. This is Doug from NFM. We have Toshiba's HD-DVD player, model HD-XA1 on display in the store. I'm not sure how long we're going to have it, just thought I'd let everyone know. It's in the big screen room hooked up to a Toshiba 62HMX95 Cinema Series DLP via an HDMI connector.

We haven't been trained on it yet, so if you come in and look at it, please don't be surprised if we don't have a lot of answers to your questions.

Just thought I'd let you know.


Doug

Wouldn't this be a better demo if it were attached to a full 1080i or 1080p set?

I was reading an article that said LG was coming out with a line of sets that will have dual HD tuners (which means you will have picture in picture capability) and a built in 160gb hard drive for recording. It will also use cable card.
It's amazing what's starting to appear on the horizon. The same article said 2006 will mark the end of CRT sets for another manufacturer, whose name escapes me at the moment.

*** Toshiba HD-DVD on display at NFM ***

Hey everyone. This is Doug from NFM. We have Toshiba's HD-DVD player, model HD-XA1 on display in the store. I'm not sure how long we're going to have it, just thought I'd let everyone know. It's in the big screen room hooked up to a Toshiba 62HMX95 Cinema Series DLP via an HDMI connector.

We haven't been trained on it yet, so if you come in and look at it, please don't be surprised if we don't have a lot of answers to your questions.

Just thought I'd let you know.


Doug

Hey, it is fantastic to see a NFM-rep on here :) I was just at NFM checking out small DLPs and I must have skipped over this. Too bad - I'll have to make a trip I guess ;)

<i>Wouldn't this be a better demo if it were attached to a full 1080i or 1080p set?</i>

The Toshiba doesn't output 1080p, only 720p or 1080i, at least on the demo model.

*** Our toshiba Rep will be in the store (Nebraska Furniture Mart) until 9 PM today (Tuesday) if you want to ask any questions about HD-DVD ***


Doug

According to the article on the www.ketv.com website there will be two different HD DVD formats.

Andrew Wees


http://www.ketv.com/consumerwatch/7883990/detail.html







*** Toshiba HD-DVD on display at NFM ***

Hey everyone. This is Doug from NFM. We have Toshiba's HD-DVD player, model HD-XA1 on display in the store. I'm not sure how long we're going to have it, just thought I'd let everyone know. It's in the big screen room hooked up to a Toshiba 62HMX95 Cinema Series DLP via an HDMI connector.

We haven't been trained on it yet, so if you come in and look at it, please don't be surprised if we don't have a lot of answers to your questions.

Just thought I'd let you know.


Doug

Anyone live near standing bear lake? I am looking for an antenna setup and would like to know if anyone has had luck with anything in particular. I've checked out the antennaweb website and depending on if I check the box that says I have obstructions I either get small antenna or medium roof antenna. I live on the bottom of a hill of sorts...really my block slants towards my house, so its not really a hill, but I would consider that as an obsticle or sorts.

I have an HDTV and am looking to have an antenna hook into a media pc of some sort for the tuner, then go to my tv directly or through my xbox360, if I end up with a windows media center pc.

Here is their schedule for Thursday per their site

http://www.action3news.com/NewsArticle/tabid/502/xmid/1117/Default.aspx

FIRST ROUND GAMES THURSDAY
11:20am Wichita State/Seton Hall Cox Cable 5 and 805 HD

1:40 pm Marquette/Alabama Cox Cable 5 and 805 HD

6:20 pm Gonzaga/Xavier Cox Cable 5

6:25 pm Illinois/Air Force Cox 805 HD

8:30 pm Duke/Southern Cox 805 HD

8:40 pm Indiana/San Diego St. Cox Cable 5

According to the article on the www.ketv.com website there will be two different HD DVD formats.

Andrew Wees


http://www.ketv.com/consumerwatch/7883990/detail.html

Any guesses as to which format will win out and why?

Mike

Any guesses as to which format will win out and why?

Mike

I think HDDVD will win out, because its a cheaper technology. The only thing holding blueray up is the fact that Sony is behind it...they make the PS3 which will have blueray built in, plus they can publsh Sony movies in that format. But just like BetaMax I think the cheaper tech will win out.

It will depend on which on the pornography industry picks up, just like VHS and DVD.

Also, I'm sure they'll go with the cheaper of the two.

Just thought I'd pass this along, Pappas announced it's CW affiliates today.

Locals that will be CW in September:

KXVO and the cable stations KWBL and KWPL.

Source: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/pr.cgi?id=20060316cw01

CBS-HD just dropped out to SD. Damnit. It better get turned back on for the AF-Ill game.....

Here is their schedule for Thursday per their site

http://www.action3news.com/NewsArticle/tabid/502/xmid/1117/Default.aspx

FIRST ROUND GAMES THURSDAY
11:20am Wichita State/Seton Hall Cox Cable 5 and 805 HD

1:40 pm Marquette/Alabama Cox Cable 5 and 805 HD

6:20 pm Gonzaga/Xavier Cox Cable 5

6:25 pm Illinois/Air Force Cox 805 HD

8:30 pm Duke/Southern Cox 805 HD

8:40 pm Indiana/San Diego St. Cox Cable 5

ya, when I was watching the announcer would say "Lets go to New York" and they would stay at the same game instead of breaking into another game. So someone on the HD feed isn't hitting a switch to go to other games. Even during a timeout the camera just stayed stationary on the cheerleaders for the full 3 minutes.

I won't complain about the latter part of that...as long as it's still HD...hehehe.

Who do we call/email/kick in the pants? This is annoying.

Edit: now it has an echoing click sound that is getting really annoying. Groan.

Well, looks like it is a trade off. Now we're getting switched to different games but it is all in SD. I agree. It is annoying that we can't have it both ways.

I called the newsroom and someone said the next game should be in HD. Something about channel 3's agreement with the network.

It's sad I don't get to watch the air force game.

Well, nothing like live, overcompressed internet video :(

Good idea on calling the newsroom though. A+ for effort.

These guys supposedly do 40% of the porn movies, they're ready for HD and BD as soon as people get players:

'Digital Playground is excited to be the first to deliver movie trailers in HD format as well as trailers for playback on video iPod and PSP gaming devices. Company founder, Joone says, "we've been shooting everything in HD for over 2 years and the playback technology is finally available to web consumers. I'm excited to show our customers the visual difference using a medium with greater resolution." Please visit http://www.DigitalPlayground.com to view trailers in HD or to access download instructions for mobile devices."

Including the HD renditions, Digital Playground offers 70 movie trailers; all of them are available for use with video iPod and PSP. Additionally, users of both iTunes and video iPod can subscribe to a' Podcast' containing all 70 trailers or they can choose to download select trailers, one at a time. '
...
Digital Playground President Samantha Lewis is thrilled, "the future of entertainment lies in HD and we have been preparing for this transition for years. With Blue-Ray launching this spring, our customers can get a glimpse of how this new format will enhance their viewing experience."
-----
The trailers do look good. I stream them via my xbox360 to the HD TV (of course only for demonstration purposes to ensure the technology is working).

It will depend on which on the pornography industry picks up, just like VHS and DVD.

Also, I'm sure they'll go with the cheaper of the two.

Anyone else lose channel 12.0x today? I couldn't tune it at all today.

Dear KETV,

Any word on getting the Weather back on 7.2? Were looking at lots of snow the next few days and it would be great to have real time radar.


Dear KXVO (KPTM),

Now that KXVO has signed a 10 year contract with the CW (the UPN WB replacement), about about acting like a major network and getting your HDTV channel working so everyone can see it?

Pssst... 7.2 is going as we speak. Found it about 4 hours ago.

KXVO, I can't help ya with.

It would really be nice if KETV sent the signal from 7.2 to cox, so the cox digital and HD customers could have the radar also.

Andrew Wees



Dear KETV,

Any word on getting the Weather back on 7.2? Were looking at lots of snow the next few days and it would be great to have real time radar.


Dear KXVO (KPTM),

Now that KXVO has signed a 10 year contract with the CW (the UPN WB replacement), about about acting like a major network and getting your HDTV channel working so everyone can see it?

Cox Cable in Orange County, CA has started there Digital Simulcast.

The idea is all cahnels 1-80 will also be in Digital, plus they will keep the 1-80 analog channels for a year or so while they get every on really low priced cabled boxes,

then the idea is to get rid of the analog channels which will free up room for about 20 more HD channels or so (each analog channel equals one HD channel)

Any one with cable card scan the channels for those new Digital Simulcast yet?


Here is the Link to the Digital Simulcast thread in CA
============================

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7319190&&#post7319190



PS Thank you KETV for the 7-2 channel.

Technically KETV does send Cox cable the weather radar on 7.2 as it is in the same ASI bitstream KETV sends Cox cable to receive 7.1, Cox does not do anything with those bits.

KETV is currently in discussions with Cox cable to carry those bits (7.2), so hopefully this stream will appear on Cox in the near future.

Andrew Wees

Speaking of Sub Channels, since WOWT is loosing UPN this fall to KXVO as KXVO just signed a 10 Year contract with the new CW network (which is UPN and WB merged).

What is WOWT channel 6.2 going to carry? With out the UPN will they become an indeptendent station? Will they find that they are not making any money on 6.2 (cox 248) and go with the NBC Weather Scan?

Paying sindication fees to for indepentent programing can be costly. I wonder what they ratings are for 6.2? I just dont see how they are making any money if they are not on Direct TV or Dishnetwork in SD.

Anyone hear anything?

Speaking of Sub Channels, since WOWT is loosing UPN this fall to KXVO as KXVO just signed a 10 Year contract with the new CW network (which is UPN and WB merged).

What is WOWT channel 6.2 going to carry? With out the UPN will they become an indeptendent station? Will they find that they are not making any money on 6.2 (cox 248) and go with the NBC Weather Scan?

Paying sindication fees to for indepentent programing can be costly. I wonder what they ratings are for 6.2? I just dont see how they are making any money if they are not on Direct TV or Dishnetwork in SD.

Anyone hear anything?

Haven't heard anything for sure, but since WOWT is also a Gray station, they may be looking to take the same route as KOLN in Lincoln, which is looking to become a My TV affiliate:

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/03/18/local/doc441b62c0bccd9859826391.txt

That is what Wowt also said.

not as of yet. our negotiations with Fox on on-going today even regarding the MyNetworkTV affiliation. we're waiting to hear.

Andrew Wees










Haven't heard anything for sure, but since WOWT is also a Gray station, they may be looking to take the same route as KOLN in Lincoln, which is looking to become a My TV affiliate:

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/03/18/local/doc441b62c0bccd9859826391.txt

Any one know if Cox is planning getting the National Geographic channel in HD or ESPN2 in HD like Dishnetwork or Direct TV has or is adding in April

OR IS

Cox now out of Bandwidth since they are working on adding the Digital Simulcast channels (1-70 also in Digital)?

I don't see any new HD channels, but according to this website we are getting two to digital channels.


http://www.cox.com/Omaha/Digitalcable/dclineup.asp


Andrew Wees















Any one know if Cox is planning getting the National Geographic channel in HD or ESPN2 in HD like Dishnetwork or Direct TV has or is adding in April

OR IS

Cox now out of Bandwidth since they are working on adding the Digital Simulcast channels (1-70 also in Digital)?

Man I wish Cox would add ESPN2HD and ESPNU. Hell I don't even care about ESPN2HD, just get us ESPNU so we can watch College Baseball.

They should add ESPNU because it seems like every Nebraska Volleyball championship matches are on ESPNU, or any championships.


Andrew Wees








Man I wish Cox would add ESPN2HD and ESPNU. Hell I don't even care about ESPN2HD, just get us ESPNU so we can watch College Baseball.

If Cox would dump all of their analog channels, they would have bandwidth to add many, many channels or (better yet) to increase the bitrate for current channels and still add channels.

It's in the works. I don't think we will see the analog go away until 2008 maybe. for the analog to go by cox would need to have every body have a converter.

Andrew Wees






If Cox would dump all of their analog channels, they would have bandwidth to add many, many channels or (better yet) to increase the bitrate for current channels and still add channels.

It's in the works. I don't think we will see the analog go away until 2008 maybe. for the analog to go by cox would need to have every body have a converter.
Yep, I know!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7107584#post7107584
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7107597#post7107597

Man I wish Cox would add ESPN2HD and ESPNU. Hell I don't even care about ESPN2HD, just get us ESPNU so we can watch College Baseball.

ESPN2HD would make my life - I'd be able to watch the World Cup in HiDef. Oh yes. (I think it's on ESPN2...)

ESPN2HD would make my life - I'd be able to watch the World Cup in HiDef. Oh yes. (I think it's on ESPN2...)


DirecTV has both ESPN2HD and ESPNU

Anyone else in Southwest Iowa or Eastren Omaha lose their TVGOS data? I have a Sony HDD250 Hd recorder and I havn't had my guide data populate for the last 3 weeks. My host channel is PBS 36 KHIN out of Red Oak. I called the PBS number and they directed me to the national TVGOS office which wouldn't take my call, saying they only deal with manufactures. If some others are having problems, I'd lilke to know about it and maybe I'll have some leverage with my next call to the station. Thanks.

I think HDDVD will win out, because its a cheaper technology.

It's cheaper because it doesn't support 1080p and larger file sizes.

The PS3 with 1080p is hard to ignore...

Speaking of Sub Channels, since WOWT is loosing UPN this fall to KXVO as KXVO just signed a 10 Year contract with the new CW network (which is UPN and WB merged).

What is WOWT channel 6.2 going to carry?

Anyone hear anything?

Maybe they'll revert back to full bandwidth 1080i! The difference is noticeable when viewing HD video sources, converted 24P film footage could easily get by without the extra bandwidth but for live sports shot with a good HD camera bandwidth on my big screen is king.

While doing a little research about the current promised delivery dates on the next generation disc formats I found the following blurb on Blu-Rays official website:

"Blu-ray Discs offer 1920x1080p HD master quality for high definition audio and video quality."

After reading that I thought to myself once consumers become accustomed to this level of quality someone's bound to ask themselves the question can the local broadcasters deliver 1080P content via the existing 8VSB modulation scheme?

Any broadcasters out there care to take a stab at this question? I'd be curious to know if it's feasible without a costly rewokr of your current digital transmitter hardware. If memory serves me correctly it's a no go, 1080P@60Hz wouldn't fit within the 19.3Mb/s constrants of the existing 6MHz channel allocation.....it stinks getting old. How about 1080P@24f/s?

Regards, John

1080/24p and 1080/30p are required ATSC formats. All TVs must be able to receive these formats and display them.
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/what_is_ATSC.html

It would be nice if broadcasters would use 1080/24p when broadcasting film source material.

Hidef, I concur, 24 and 30P are part of the ATSC standard and that ATSC compatible receivers must decode these data rates to be compatible with the standard but my question is directed at our local broadcasters.

Can our local broadcasters 8VSB modulate 1080P@24 or 30F/s signal without major rework of their digital transmission equipment?

Your statement "It would be nice if broadcasters would use 1080P/24p when broadcasting film source material. " echoes my feelings on this topic.

I just called Cox again and asked about ESPNU and ESPN2HD and they said that I needed to Contact ESPN.

Its so maddening that we can't get those channels yet we have so many worthless other digital channel. :confused:

A totally random thought...

Are translator stations robust enough to handle two HD streams? I wonder why Gray, who owns 10/11 and has numerous translators across the state doesn't tag Channel 6, also a Gray station to a sub channel?

Channel 6 already has a sub channel 6.2 which is UPN Omaha.

ajwees41









A totally random thought...

Are translator stations robust enough to handle two HD streams? I wonder why Gray, who owns 10/11 and has numerous translators across the state doesn't tag Channel 6, also a Gray station to a sub channel?

I just called Cox also and ESPN HD and ESPN-u they told me there contract did not include those channels and that they would have to raise our rates a lot to add them.

I dont believe them, I think there just our of band width and if they moved all those spanish and shopping channels to the Digital Teir they would have room for about 5 more HD channels.

Keep calling maybe they will get a clue as to want there customers want.

I live in West O, out by 156th & Dodge. Any recommendations for an inexpensive OTA HD antenna? I finally took the time to program my DirecTV HD receivers for the OTA signal and about half of the local OTA digital signals come in when I used a simple RF antenna for the OTA signal.

I don't want to go through the hassle of a roof antenna.

Any replies will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I think the problem is ESPN. Espn will want more money just for the addional two channels.



Also the spanish channels are already on the digital tier. They probably just don't want to upset the non digital customers by removing the three channels from the analog tier.



ajwees41












I just called Cox also and ESPN HD and ESPN-u they told me there contract did not include those channels and that they would have to raise our rates a lot to add them.

I dont believe them, I think there just our of band width and if they moved all those spanish and shopping channels to the Digital Teir they would have room for about 5 more HD channels.

Keep calling maybe they will get a clue as to want there customers want.

I just called Cox also and ESPN HD and ESPN-u they told me there contract did not include those channels and that they would have to raise our rates a lot to add them.

I dont believe them, I think there just our of band width and if they moved all those spanish and shopping channels to the Digital Teir they would have room for about 5 more HD channels.

Keep calling maybe they will get a clue as to want there customers want.

Vote with your pocketbook. Dump 'em! :D

Adding five more HD channels mean they wouldn't have room to add more digital channels.

ajwees41










I just called Cox also and ESPN HD and ESPN-u they told me there contract did not include those channels and that they would have to raise our rates a lot to add them.

I dont believe them, I think there just our of band width and if they moved all those spanish and shopping channels to the Digital Teir they would have room for about 5 more HD channels.

Keep calling maybe they will get a clue as to want there customers want.

Adding five more HD channels mean they wouldn't have room to add more digital channels.
That's why it's important for Cox to move to all-digital. Call 'em and let 'em know what you think!

I'm sure they'll add the new CW channel when it comes online in September for HD broadcasts. They do need to get rid of some stuff tho.

Channel 6 already has a sub channel 6.2 which is UPN Omaha.

ajwees41

Yes, but the question was whether KOLN/KGIN translators under Gray's ownership could piggyback WOWT's main channel as a sub channel, giving WOWT statewide coverage with their NBC affiliation.

I suspect they would carry UPN on any subchannels on their translators though, or KHAS would be banging on their door.

Will the CW even be in HD?

ajwees41













I'm sure they'll add the new CW channel when it comes online in September for HD broadcasts. They do need to get rid of some stuff tho.

Why does Lincoln need another NBC station when they already have KHAS-TV?




ajwees41













Yes, but the question was whether KOLN/KGIN translators under Gray's ownership could piggyback WOWT's main channel as a sub channel, giving WOWT statewide coverage with their NBC affiliation.

I suspect they would carry UPN on any subchannels on their translators though, or KHAS would be banging on their door.

Cox serves up 13 HD Channels for free or $5 a month with a cable box. OTA gets you ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, & PBS for free. I consider it a value when I start doing a comparison against my other alternatives. Come September Monday Night Football will be on ESPN which requires a cable or a dish.

If the CW or whatever the merged network is returns this fall in HD, it's all gravy to me.

EdL

The Hd boxes are $9.95 not $4.75. The HD channels are free for now.

ajwees41













Cox serves up 13 HD Channels for free or $5 a month with a cable box. OTA gets you ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, & PBS for free. I consider it a value when I start doing a comparison against my other alternatives. Come September Monday Night Football will be on ESPN which requires a cable or a dish.

If the CW or whatever the merged network is returns this fall in HD, it's all gravy to me.

EdL

I view it as a $5 upgrade from a digital box.

EdL

My DBS Contract is now up today. TIme to make sure I am getting the best PQ.

I keep hearing that some DBS channels (some of the Dishnetwork HD and Direct TV HD channels) are now HD Lite.

QUESTION on COX HD
===================

How many HD channels do they put per QAM 256? How SD channels.
Here is what one cable market is doing, just trying to compare Omaha for Picture quality.

Has anyone scanned the QAM channels lately,

QUOTE to Compare:
" My cable company is just getting into HD but so far they've got a maximum of 2 HD channels per QAM256 channel, even for locals. Unfortunately their SD channels have up to 11 [yikes!] per physical channel and I don't envision it getting any better when they start digital simulcasting soon"



======chart=========
True 1080i 1920x1080i: 1920x540x60 = 62,208,000 pixels/sec
720p 1280x720p: 1280x720x60 = 55,296,000 pixels/sec
HD-Lite 1280x1080i: 1280x540x60 = 41,472,000 pixels/sec
DVD 720x480i: 720x240x60 = 10,368,000 pixels/sec


True 1080i: 6X DVD quality
720p: 5.33X DVD quality
HD-Lite: 4X DVD quality

For those that would like the National Geographic Channel in HD on Cox

I found this out when I called there Marketing Department Friday.

National Geo HD is trying to get Cox cable to add right now, but Cox is telling them, that not very many of there customers want it and they they may add the MTV HD or FOOD HD channel instead (they have limited bandwidth).

So they setup a web site and a 1-877 number so you can vote to say you want it. Go to it the site and also call. They said they would be meeting again with Cox in 3 week again to show them charts and stats, that Yes there customers do want the HD channel.

The web page only reports how many HITS they got. The 1-877 records your Zip code and that you want the HD Channel. You can only vote once as all 1-800 numbers also record your caller id number even if its blocked.

Here is the link

http://getngc.cablesource.net/greet...cookie_redirect

It will then give you the 1-877 number to call and VOTE to get National Geo HD.

Here is the phone # info I got
=========================
NGCHD
National Geographic Channel High Definition (NGCHD) is not currently offered by Cox Communications. Please call 877-77NGCHD (877-776-4243) to request that NGCHD be added to your channel line-up!
=========================


Good luck everyone in your market.

Just a heads up for those with TWC in Lincoln... we finally got KPTM-DT added on 109 today.

Awesome. Now if we can get ESPN2 HD, National Geographic HD, and MTV HD. Actually, I'd settle just for ESPN2 HD.

It will be nice to be able to actually record 24 in HD with my DVR and not have to watch it live with my Silver Sensor.

ESPN-2 in HD might come in handy this fall if they Huskers are ever shown on that channel in HD.

Anyone know who we can call or Email for ESPN-2 HD?

ESPN-2 in HD might come in handy this fall if they Huskers are ever shown on that channel in HD.

Anyone know who we can call or Email for ESPN-2 HD?


1-800-DIRECTV

:D

Why does Lincoln need another NBC station when they already have KHAS-TV?




ajwees41

Lincoln does not have KHAS. The station is in Hastings, and doesn't cover Lincoln.
The original comment I made was regarding 10/11's translators though. Lots of small towns served by 10/11. Could be spiffy to have an NBC station available in parts not served by one via a transltors sub channel, if it could indeed hand it.

According to an enginner I speak to on occasion, cable companies are not allowed to downgrade an HD OTA signal in any way for an HD transmission. (They will of course be permitted to create a non-HD conversion for basic cable, but if it claims to be an HD channel, it must not be smushed.
I would guess that two HD allocations per QAM 256 channel would be viable, as you are seeing now. I'll have to ask him.


My DBS Contract is now up today. TIme to make sure I am getting the best PQ.

I keep hearing that some DBS channels (some of the Dishnetwork HD and Direct TV HD channels) are now HD Lite.

QUESTION on COX HD
===================

How many HD channels do they put per QAM 256? How SD channels.
Here is what one cable market is doing, just trying to compare Omaha for Picture quality.

Has anyone scanned the QAM channels lately,

QUOTE to Compare:
" My cable company is just getting into HD but so far they've got a maximum of 2 HD channels per QAM256 channel, even for locals. Unfortunately their SD channels have up to 11 [yikes!] per physical channel and I don't envision it getting any better when they start digital simulcasting soon"



======chart=========
True 1080i 1920x1080i: 1920x540x60 = 62,208,000 pixels/sec
720p 1280x720p: 1280x720x60 = 55,296,000 pixels/sec
HD-Lite 1280x1080i: 1280x540x60 = 41,472,000 pixels/sec
DVD 720x480i: 720x240x60 = 10,368,000 pixels/sec


True 1080i: 6X DVD quality
720p: 5.33X DVD quality
HD-Lite: 4X DVD quality

updated post:

========COX UPGRADE DETAILS, Going all Digital TV to the Neighboor hood Hubs

Here is a link to the Las Vegas HDTV thread. It has Cox cable insider (rumor) details on the upgrade. I heard Omaha is doing it also.

Anyone hear any dates for OMaha yet. I know Orange County California already has Digital Sumulcast. Wonder what market is next?


Here is the AVS forums link

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7364803&&#post7364803

Omaha is going to digital simulcasting not all digital.

ajwees41













========COX UPGRADE DETAILS, Going all Digital TV==========

Here is a link to the Las Vegas HDTV thread. It has Cox cable insider (rumor) details on the upgrade. I heard Omaha is doing it also.

Anyone hear any dates for OMaha yet. I know Orange County California already has Digital Sumulcast. Wonder what market is next?


Here is the AVS forums link

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7364803&&#post7364803

Omaha is going to digital simulcasting not all digital.
Digital simulcasting is just an interim step on the road to being all-digital. It lets Cox deploy the required digital convertors to all customers over a period of time instead of overnight. :D

Digital simulcasting is just an interim step on the road to being all-digital. It lets Cox deploy the required digital convertors to all customers over a period of time instead of overnight. :D I know the post by Scott makes it seems like cox Omaha is going all digital.


ajwees41

I live in West O, out by 156th & Dodge. Any recommendations for an inexpensive OTA HD antenna? I finally took the time to program my DirecTV HD receivers for the OTA signal and about half of the local OTA digital signals come in when I used a simple RF antenna for the OTA signal.

I don't want to go through the hassle of a roof antenna.

Any replies will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

AltaJoe,

Did you ever figure out what it is you're looking for in an antenna? Where were you planning on installing the antenna, on set top, attic or roof also had you given any thought into using a rotor?

Local acquisition choices that come to mind off the top of my head are Radio Schack and Mid-State. If you don't want to go the local Radio Shack route Mid-State Electronics in LaVista carries several differnt types of UHF/VHF antennas as well as mast mounted amplifiers and rotors, they may even carry an omni-directional antenna. The simplest OTA antenna to install is an Omni-directional antenna, however it may not work for all channels at your location. A better solution would be to go with a more directional antenna such as a yagi however these may require a rotor if installed in a location that you can't readily access for tweaking/rotatiing.

How much effort do you want to put into your antenna installation?

I've installed both omnis (so so luck in Papillion) as well as a channel master amplified mid-sized Radio Shack attic mounted Yagi on a rotor, this last combo works well for me but is very directional. If you want to go the Yagi route be prepared to invest both time and money to get it integrated correctly.

If you've more specific questions please speak up, there's tons of experience here from others here in Omaha.

Good luck, regards, John

Correct,

Miss read the technical details, sorry about that.

they are going to Digital Simulcast now and 100% digital probably in the next decade when the FCC requires Sd to be turned off. The analog 1-70 channels will be around for a few more years. I would guess the cut off would start in 2009 with all analog gone by 2011.


They are going 100% digital to each neighboor hood HUB this year. Which should mean a better picture for us and maybe more HD channels by Xmas.

That's what I thought.











Correct,

Miss read the technical details, sorry about that.

they are going to Digital Simulcast now and 100% digital probably in the next decade when the FCC requires Sd to be turned off. The analog 1-70 channels will be around for a few more years.


They are going 100% digital to each neighboor hood HUB this year.

That's what I thought. I wish cox would provide converters or something like that goes on the outside of the house to convert the digital signals back to analog like Comcast is doing. That means analog only tv sets should still work.

ajwees41











Correct,

Miss read the technical details, sorry about that.

they are going to Digital Simulcast now and 100% digital probably in the next decade when the FCC requires Sd to be turned off. The analog 1-70 channels will be around for a few more years.


They are going 100% digital to each neighboor hood HUB this year.

they are going to Digital Simulcast now and 100% digital probably in the next decade when the FCC requires Sd to be turned off. The analog 1-70 channels will be around for a few more years. I would guess the cut off would start in 2009 with all analog gone by 2011.
I hope it doesn't take that long! Otherwise, there won't be (m)any new HD channels. I think Cox will be all-digital within the next year.

Anyone got any idea how long Cox here in Omaha has been actually working on the prep for simulcasting?

AltaJoe,

Did you ever figure out what it is you're looking for in an antenna? Where were you planning on installing the antenna, on set top, attic or roof also had you given any thought into using a rotor?

Local acquisition choices that come to mind off the top of my head are Radio Schack and Mid-State. If you don't want to go the local Radio Shack route Mid-State Electronics in LaVista carries several differnt types of UHF/VHF antennas as well as mast mounted amplifiers and rotors, they may even carry an omni-directional antenna. The simplest OTA antenna to install is an Omni-directional antenna, however it may not work for all channels at your location. A better solution would be to go with a more directional antenna such as a yagi however these may require a rotor if installed in a location that you can't readily access for tweaking/rotatiing.

How much effort do you want to put into your antenna installation?

I've installed both omnis (so so luck in Papillion) as well as a channel master amplified mid-sized Radio Shack attic mounted Yagi on a rotor, this last combo works well for me but is very directional. If you want to go the Yagi route be prepared to invest both time and money to get it integrated correctly.

If you've more specific questions please speak up, there's tons of experience here from others here in Omaha.

Good luck, regards, John


John,

I put in a call to the people that did my initial D*TV install. Ideally, I'd like the antenna to be "hot-wired" (if that's a good analogy) to the cableing that services all 4 of my TV's. I hope there's one that does a good job getting all of the OTA channels.

Once I've got things rolling, I'll post the results.

Thanks for your input.

Joe

Any comments from NBC or anybody watching NBC on why they have changed from Dolby 5.1 in January to the current Dolby 3.0? Dolby 3.0 only sends signals to the front L, R, and center speakers and I'm just curious why the downgrade to that...

Also, any chance KETV could NOT interrupt TV shows for pathetic weather annoucements?
If I want weather, I can check online, or - most people get the weather channel!
I was very annoyed to have American Inventor interrupted last night for irrelevant weather warnings...

I think all the local stations cut into programming last night not just KETV. I don't know about you, but I would rather see the weather alerts then being caught in a Tornado without warning. Also I think the warnings are FCC mandated.


The weather channel is national not local. They don't have local reporters. They just brodcast the Warnings and watches from the national weather service.



ajwees41




Any comments from NBC or anybody watching NBC on why they have changed from Dolby 5.1 in January to the current Dolby 3.0? Dolby 3.0 only sends signals to the front L, R, and center speakers and I'm just curious why the downgrade to that...

Also, any chance KETV could NOT interrupt TV shows for pathetic weather annoucements?
If I want weather, I can check online, or - most people get the weather channel!
I was very annoyed to have American Inventor interrupted last night for irrelevant weather warnings...

Also I think the warnings are FCC mandated.


ajwees41

FCC mandate cannot be correct - no local channel currently shows weather warnings on their HD stream - one extremely nice benefit to HD.
Unfortunately, they will probably figure out how to eventually...

You didn't say anything about HDTV. Then why didn't you watch it on HDTV?


Also I flipped between all the local stations and they had the same coverage as KETV.

ajwees41













FCC mandate cannot be correct - no local channel currently shows weather warnings on their HD stream - one extremely nice benefit to HD.
Unfortunately, they will probably figure out how to eventually...

If a program is not in HD, it still contains the junk weather info on the digital signal - digital signal is just the 4x3 program letterboxed...

If the program IS HD, then as of yet, don't get the junky weather warnings or other FYIs...

Believe it or not, broadcasting stations are still required to 'serve the public interest'. In Nebraska, that means 'irrelevant' weather information which alerts a portion of the viewing audience and may assist in saving a few lives.

KLKN is now broadcasting in 720p with the usual sidebars on non HD programming. Haven't seen any HD shows yet to know if they are true HD.
Signal very strong in town, so they are probably still on their studio tower instead of the big stick out West.

Now all we have to whine about in Lincoln is KXVO, at least until Channel 51 signs on. Having no digital allocation, I would gather they will be one of those flash cut's.

Are they still Digital channel 31? Anyone able to get them closer to Omaha like we can get Lincolns CBS channel?



"KLKN is now broadcasting in 720p "

TV Guide Interactive is a leading developer of innovative navigation solutions for a wide variety of cable set tops and consumer electronic devices. i-Guide, digital cable’s most widely deployed interactive program guide, helps consumers quickly and easily navigate advanced features such as VOD, HDTV and DVR. Debuting this year is TV Guide’s OCAP-compatible guide solution and new features including integrated search and multi-room DVR.

ajwees41

I cant get Lincolns ABC in Digital. Anyone else? Is it channel 31?

Yes, it's still channel 31, and apparently still on their studio tower at low power.

Just a heads up for those with TWC in Lincoln... we finally got KPTM-DT added on 109 today.

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up. My wife and I have been waiting for this for almost 1 year.

ALTAJoe,

Any luck with your over the air antenna installation?

What model did they install, where's it installed and what channels are you picking up?

Regards, John

Did anyone else have problems recording "24" last night? My HD-TiVo reports that it didn't have a good signal for KPTM-DT and, therefore, it didn't record. Ugh!!

Does anyone have this recorded that would be willing to share? :)

My DVR on TWC had an issue and recorded from 8pm until 8pm. I missed it, too.

Same problem with 24 on my Dish Network Over the Air.
Had to switch to the Dish SD feed, but did not catch it till there was only 20 mins left

Did Cox have an outage also on the HD feed?

Lincoln Time Warner folks who are fortunate enough to have a built in tuner for the 'free' HD channels will find KPTM-DT on 115-1 and KLKN-DT on 115-2. KLKN is not yet available via a cable box, but this could be ready to change at any moment since they turned on 115-2 today. (I'm sure it wasn't there yesterday when I was surfing for easter eggs).

EDIT: KLKN seems to have been made available to subscribers this afternoon.



KLKN told me that they should have a carriage agreement within a month, so that looks like a good sign.

Those with cable boxes can also directly tune to 108 if they're in diagnostic mode.

Lincoln Time Warner folks who are fortunate enough to have a built in tuner for the 'free' HD channels will find KPTM-DT on 115-1 and KLKN-DT on 115-2. KLKN is not yet available via a cable box, but this could be ready to change at any moment since they turned on 115-2 today. (I'm sure it wasn't there yesterday when I was surfing for easter eggs).

Did anyone else have problems recording "24" last night? My HD-TiVo reports that it didn't have a good signal for KPTM-DT and, therefore, it didn't record. Ugh!!

Does anyone have this recorded that would be willing to share? :)

Thanks for the confimation that the problem wasn't with my HD-Tivo. My To Do List history said it wasn't recorded because there was no signal on Antenna 1.

Which stinks because I really enjoy that show. It appears I did get all of Prison Break so the night wasn't a total loss.

ALTAJoe,

Any luck with your over the air antenna installation?

What model did they install, where's it installed and what channels are you picking up?

Regards, John

John,

They haven't gotten out here yet. I'll let you know what they used and how it works.

Joe

I think all the local stations cut into programming last night not just KETV. I don't know about you, but I would rather see the weather alerts then being caught in a Tornado without warning. Also I think the warnings are FCC mandated.


The weather channel is national not local. They don't have local reporters. They just brodcast the Warnings and watches from the national weather service.



ajwees41

For those of you who were to young (or not around) to remember May 6, 1975, the day after this tornado hit Omaha, KETV and Jim Flowers made the decision to remain on the air continously whenever a tornado warning was declared for Douglas, Sarpy or Pottawattamie counties, and cut-ins for Saunders, Lancaster and outlying areas. When Flowers moved to WOWT, he took that policy with him. Now, all of the local channels will break in to regular programming and stay on as long as a tornado warning is active.

Obviously this person doesn't have a clue as to why the episode needs re-airing.

Stations have done it before, here's a story about a station who did something similar earlier this year:

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/13635789.htm

If you guys are really serious about this, I suggest everyone email the general manager instead of the generic email address that looks like it was replied to by an intern. Also get in touch with some of the media columnists in the area like Sean Weide at The Reader or Jeff Korbelik at The Journal-Star. Unfortunately, this should have all been done on Tuesday so I highly doubt anything will get done this late in the week.



Here's the response I received from KPTM.

Thanks for contacting KPTM FOX 42 and KPTM-DT. "24" is a program provide to
KPTM by the FOX Network. Currently, the FOX network hasn't shared plans to
rebroadcast episodes of "24". However, please continue to watch - network
scheduling can change at any time. Thanks for watching.

Obviously this person doesn't have a clue as to why the episode needs re-airing.

Stations have done it before, here's a story about a station who did something similar earlier this year:



Sometimes stations will repeat showings in the middle of the night if they preempt it or something similar - I've noticed that with KMTV before - sometime a normally primetime show will air late that night at 2 or 3am if they play a basketball game instead...
Of course those showings are not in HD usually...

KETV and Jim Flowers made the decision to remain on the air continously whenever a tornado warning was declared for Douglas, Sarpy or Pottawattamie counties, and cut-ins for Saunders, Lancaster and outlying areas.
Not necessarily disagreeing with you, but I've been around a lot longer than that. Seems to me that with a tornado warning we've always had program cut-ins, both on television and radio. I can't recall when the "Weather Bureau" (as it was known back then) switched terminology to "watches" and "warnings" -- perhaps the urgency of a "warning" has something to do with the decision to suspend normal programming?

But this isn't a weather discussion group, so I'll hush up now. :rolleyes:

KLKN-DT is up on TWC as 108 now. Probably was a few days ago when it was noted by someone earlier in the thread.

The KLKN-DT bug doesn't really respect reasonable overscan, as 95% of the DT is cut off on the right side of the screen when it is visible.

Just read on TV Week that KPTM-DT will be getting a subchannel this fall with the addition of MyNetworkTV

http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9794

I wounder what's going to happen with WOWT's UPN Omaha then. It was supposed to be a my netork station last I heard.


It's going to become an independent.


ajwees41









Just read on TV Week that KPTM-DT will be getting a subchannel this fall with the addition of MyNetworkTV

http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9794

WOWT could be the WEATHER PLUS Station on there DTV sub channel.

Being an Independent station with no Network backing can be very costly. There are not very many independent station around is cities our size, they just cant afford it.

With Weather Plus they would have the network backing of the powerful NBC Network.

Besides, Im a weather nut and would love a Weather plus station. With all the Hail and Tornados this spring . . . . . .

Here is a LIVE Feed of Weather plus from the Denver 9.2 digital sub channel.

http://9news.com/weather/video/weatherplus/


Channel 6 are you listening?

I just wanted to post here about how friendly and helpful Mr. Rick Klutts, Chief Engineer at WOWT, is. A couple weeks ago I emailed WOWT and asked if anything had changed on their end because they used to have full Dolby 5.1 sound, but it has been coming across as Dolby 3.0 for the past couple months. After a bit of research, Rick discovered something had changed with their receiver. A quick check of WOWT tonight shows they are back to running full Dolby 5.1 for HD shows.

Great work and excellent service WOWT!!

Just thought I would mention this for anyone who depends on OTA broadcasts only. I live in Southwest Iowa just over the border and only get OTA signals. I have a Sony HD DVR recorder that depends on a TVGOS signal to get data and time information to schedule recordings. The signal was dropped about 3 months ago for no apparent reason. I followed up with a gentleman from PBS, who contacted gemstar, the parent provider, and they reset their equipment at the broadcast point. About two weeks ago my unit started to update with scheduling content. I throw this out because actually taking the time to speak with the chief engineers actually work when problems are encountered. Thanks PBS for doing a great job.

Cox HD signals

Has anyone else had problems with losing the "in the clear" local station HD signals (e.g., 108.1) on Cox cable? I used to get them consistently on my HD tuner, but now they are completely unreliable.

Word on the street is that Cox is getting ready for Digital Simulcast here in Omaha. This means that the mappings for all QAM channels may change daily till they finish things.

So you are right, they are completely un reliable right now.

Orange County, CA Cox has had there roll out going on for Months and they are not even close to being done, so this will take a while. The plus side is you will have 100% all digital when they are done.

I wonder if this is to better utilize cable card technology.

I wonder if this is to better utilize cable card technology.


Digital Simulcasting is a way to get rid of the analog tuner in the boxes. Doesn't have to do with the cable cards.

ajwees41

I think the cable companies would love having the controls available using digital technology to control everybody's box or cable card. :)

By the way, Time Warner in Lincoln is sending a download tonight. I got an e-mail about it, but no details other than I wasn't supposed to worry if my box freaked out between 5am and noon. No mention of new features or what was buggy.

Word on the street is that Cox is getting ready for Digital Simulcast here in Omaha. This means that the mappings for all QAM channels may change daily till they finish things.

So you are right, they are completely un reliable right now.

Orange County, CA Cox has had there roll out going on for Months and they are not even close to being done, so this will take a while. The plus side is you will have 100% all digital when they are done.

Any idea on a street date for the general public on this?

Any idea on a street date for the general public on this?




I heard maybe June.

ajwees41

June isn't too far off. Also anyone having issues watching UPN on Cox 248 or over the air on the sub channel. Seems like WOWT is having issues with Smackdown. They cut to commercial in the middle of a good segment which left me very unhappy.

Ok they did it again. Cut to a commercial during a match. Someone know how I can get ahold of someone there as I'm not happy with the way things are going tonight.

Now they put Tyra on and it's not even 9 yet!!!! Smackdown is still running as it should be.

Ok they did it again. Cut to a commercial during a match. Someone know how I can get ahold of someone there as I'm not happy with the way things are going tonight.


I would email WOWT since it is a sub channel of WOWT.

ajwees41

WOWT is loosing there UPN rights this fall, maybe they just dont care anymore as they lost the bid for the network carrage rights after they spent all that money on advertising UPN on 248 (6-2).

UPN is merging with WB and will now be called the CW. Someone else won the CW and MyTV rights leaving Channel 6's digital sub channel with no network.

They should use there 6-2 channel for a weatherscan channel or an indepedent channel if they can afford the syndication rights to even be an indepedent.


When you call or write, be sure to tell them what kind of programming you would like to see this fall on this channel as I am sure they are making decisions and looking for contracts to bid on as they need something soon.

I already posted that they will beome an independent.

ajwees41

Being an Independent is what they want to be, but they have yet to sign or win any Carrage contracts for any of the independent programing.

My source says they are still in talks with several of the independent programing providers and have nothing signed yet.

So far they lost bids for the CW and MyTV, they just dont have the funding so they are low bidding. They alslo lost the bid for the main independent provider, the sat feed that gives most locals reruns of Star Gate, ER, CSI, and the other top independent rerun programers.

Things are not lookin good.

WOWT is gonna sink that sub channel then if they can't get nothing for program.

I wish they would air Emergency and Dragnet and Adam12 since TVLand is no longer airing them.

ajwees41

I think the digital channel 6-2 (Cox 248) can be a top notch channel.

Im just worried that management wont give them the money to fund it correctly with good programing.

Well with some of the other stuff they have to do chances are they won't have that much funds to spread around.

Wow, I just switched from Dishnetwork HD to Cox Cables HD, and I must say most of the HD Channels look much better than Dishnetworks and Direct TVs (when I had DIrect last year).

Plus I got an almost (not allowed to say the price due to AVS rules)

close to half price rate for basic and digital

for a WHOLE year under there Switch from the competition (Dish & Direct) by Referal from an insider deal.
PM me if your interested and I can get you the contact name.

Its only for those that do not have Cable right now (you can currently have Phone and Internet, if you end up with all 3, then HBO is free).


======chart=========
True 1080i 1920x1080i: 1920x540x60 = 62,208,000 pixels/sec COX CABLE
720p 1280x720p: 1280x720x60 = 55,296,000 pixels/sec COX CABLE

HD-Lite 1280x1080i: 1280x540x60 = 41,472,000 pixels/sec A lot of Dish & Direct

DVD 720x480i: 720x240x60 = 10,368,000 pixels/sec DVD


True 1080i: 6X DVD quality
720p: 5.33X DVD quality
HD-Lite: 4X DVD quality

This info is included on our May bill.

Important notice to Cox Digital Cable customers:Cox
Communications is upgrading its network.The upgrade may
negate any filters installed on the outside of your house.To
block unwanted channels, please use parental control features
found within your digital guide.Visit www.cox.com/takecharge
to learn how to activate parental controls.


What could it mean? Start digital simulcasting?

ajwees41

Yes it is starting soon.

What they are trying to say but dont want to is as at times during the upgrade to Digital Simulcasting there will be some Temp channels in the QAM spectrum that may be un encrypted for a while. These temp channels may last for Hours or days.

Unless you have your parental settings turn on for your QAM compatible TV, kids might end up watching Real S e x or some other not for kids show.

There is also a chance that there could be temp swap outs going on in the Analog spectrum for HBO and Skini Max.

All in all they have to balance things around to get the DIgital Simulcasting going like my freinds in Orange county have told me.

One friend here, told me they already started in the far West Omaha area and took out his Analog HBO channel 15, where as I still have it in Sarpy county.

I could not confirm this. Anyone else seen HBO 15 go away yet?

We be able to monitor this by going to any channel we thing has been switched from Analog to Digital (we will never know except by the pic quality) and then going to the Debug service mode.

To get there on the DVR you turn it off, then push select and select again right away.

I think its the 4 menu down for inbound is what you check, That items lists the QAM status. If its still analog it will not say anything for the QAM status, there is a better detailed post on how to check this in the other Cox forums here on AVS.

Response to my email to cox.


We are upgrading our network so that all of our digital boxes will output a digital picture on channels that our right now broadcast with an analog signal (channels 1-72)

Andrew Wees

My Cox 6412 Phase III rebooted 2 Times about 10 mins apart Sunday around 7:30 PM

Is there something going on some kind of force update? Do they do this durring Prime time ever or is something wrong with my box?

I cant be a heat issue as the thing is on top of the TV with nothing else near it and they TV does not generate Heat up there.

My Cox 6412 Phase III rebooted 2 Times about 10 mins apart Sunday around 7:30 PM

Is there something going on some kind of force update? Do they do this durring Prime time ever or is something wrong with my box?

I cant be a heat issue as the thing is on top of the TV with nothing else near it and they TV does not generate Heat up there.


My 6412 did not reboot on Sunday. I would say call and get it checked out unless you area is setting up DS.

ajwees41

My Analog HBO channel is still present for now. I'm in the Old Mill area around 108th and Dodge. Of course it'll be no biggie for me since I don't watch that one since I got the better looking digital version.

[QUOTE=ScottChez]

There is also a chance that there could be temp swap outs going on in the Analog spectrum for HBO and Skini Max.

There is one problem with the above Omaha only has HBO on analog.

ajwees41

There is one problem with the above Omaha only has HBO on analog.
Channel 815 is digital (HD)

Channel 815 is digital (HD)
I know know Scott was saying there is Cinemax still on Analog though. That is what I was replying to. Cinemax is only available on digital. Also HBO is also on channel 300.

ajwees41

my Moto 6412 III rebooted a couple times this weekend. No idea what the deal was.

Well my Moto isn't doing nothing unusual. Anyone see any new activity here as far as cable and stuff? I wish Cox would get things really going with the simulcasting as well as getting the upgraded firmware for the boxes.

Well my Moto isn't doing nothing unusual. Anyone see any new activity here as far as cable and stuff? I wish Cox would get things really going with the simulcasting as well as getting the upgraded firmware for the boxes.


No digital simulcasting in my area yet. What model and firmware is your box?



What is your reason for wanting new firmware?




ajwees41

Bad news. The Cox team that is going around doing the Digital Simulcast roll out went to Phoenix first. This week they just turned on 20 Channels.

The good news is the 20 were in Test Mode for only 2 days then they went live. This means the roll out is FAST.

The insider source was guessing that the team does about 20 Channels and then lets it sit a while and travels back to do more later. She did not know what city was next.

Maybe they will come to Omaha Next? I bet they skiped us last week as all the hotels were sold out for the Berkshire sale.

Hint: the source said to look for Cox vechicals (cars or trucks not sure) with out of state plates, hummmmm.

Maybe if we buy them lunch they will slip in some extra Hi Def channels . . . .

Why don't they have in town workers doing the conversion?


I wounder if the upgrades to the cable lines and the removal of the traps were not completed on time.




Also we are supposed to get new software for the dvr's in June unless t is delayed again. Maybe they decided to try and do it all around the same time.


ajwees41

On my TVs, the Cox Digital Box does not pass the stereo audio signal to the TV. Yes, it does send a stereo signal (usually) to a system connected to its audio outputs, but it does not seem to pass the stereo subcarrier on the actual broadcast signal to the TV.

I happen to like my shows in stereo. So, I'm presuming that when Cox switches to "all digital," that means the only way I'll get my stereo is by connecting the Cox Box audio out to something that can hear it?

Am I missing something? Are there other options? Does anyone care about audio besides me? :rolleyes:

I do, and the Time Warner boxes are the same way last time I checked.
I converted to optical digital audio a few years ago, so I don't have a coax going from the box to the TV. (Must use that for the outdoor antenna to DX, you know!)

The el-cheapo basic cable boxes here pass the stereo signal, so you would think the big fancy boxes would also have that whistle.

ABC and NBC

Anyone in the Omaha area able to view ABC(9) or NBC(8) with a digital box? I woke this morning and was greeted by snow on my 6412. The only two channels still not working are NBC(8,808) and ABC (9.809).
+


They started working about 5 A.M.
ajwees

My Channels in Papillion are all working. I think Sarpy county is out of a different cable Head End on 26th and Conhusker Street in Bellevue.

My Source says that some of the Digital Simulcast conversion crew is here in town now doing prep work. Did not know anything about Trap removal like someone mentioned above. By the time I get this informaiton it usualy 3-5 days old already.

Why would they need to remove traps? Do they plan to re use channels 14 and 15 for Digital?

My Channels in Papillion are all working.

My Source says that some of the Digital Simulcast conversion crew is here in town now doing prep work. Did not know anything about Trap removal like someone mentioned above. By the time I get this informaiton it usualy 3-5 days old already.

Why would they need to remove traps? Do they plan to re use channels 14 and 15 for Digital?


They are already using channel 14 for QVC shopping.

I was the personwho mentioned about removing the traps. It was mentioned in our May bill. I wounder how long the prep work will take?


The traps are for specific channels. I guess with the new digital simulcasting the traps will not work.



ajwees41

I'll be coming back to Omaha to upgrade my parent's systems(PC & TV). Since I haven't lived in Omaha since the early 90's can someone update me on the HD situation?

They live near the Westroads, and they have cable. So, the questions:

Do they need 'digital cable' to be able to receive QAM channels?
Speaking of QAM, what channels are available?
What stations have OTA HD?
Anything else that I should know?

Sorry, I didn't have time to read the 130+ pages.

Thanks for any info!
....jc

I'll be coming back to Omaha to upgrade my parent's systems(PC & TV). Since I haven't lived in Omaha since the early 90's can someone update me on the HD situation?

They live near the Westroads, and they have cable. So, the questions:

Do they need 'digital cable' to be able to receive QAM channels?
Speaking of QAM, what channels are available?
What stations have OTA HD?
Anything else that I should know?

Sorry, I didn't have time to read the 130+ pages.

Thanks for any info!
....jc


Goto http://www.cox.com/omaha/Digitalcable/ for digital cable channels.

If you look back in this thread or http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=414680 you should see what's happening with Cox cable.
There is talk of "Switching Digital Video" which may or may not affect your decisions, but basically it means you'll probably need a digital box.

Try entering their zip code at http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx to see available OTA stations.

Another channel gone.

HSN(52) is closing at the end of June.

Hopefully Cox Omaha will add something new.

ajwees41

Scott

See if you can find out when Omaha will get the Passport DCT and Passport ECHO 2.7 updated software.

Thanks in advance

ajwees41

Another channel gone.

HSN(52) is closing at the end of June.

Hopefully Cox Omaha will add something new.

ajwees41

Well that's one less shopping channel to waste bandwith on. They'll put something in that spot or shuffle channels for sure. If they do add which I think they will it better be something worthwhile.

Correction it's actually Shop at Home not HSN that's going. They were never a factor and I don't think I can find it here unless it's on Cox 2.

Well that's one less shopping channel to waste bandwith on. They'll put something in that spot or shuffle channels for sure. If they do add which I think they will it better be something worthwhile.

Correction it's actually Shop at Home not HSN that's going. They were never a factor and I don't think I can find it here unless it's on Cox 2.


I wounder why they don't add a Cox Sports channel. They could show Nebraska sports instead of showing them on channel 2 or 3 which already have programming. I just hope they don't leave it blank.

ajwees41

I just hope they don't leave it blank.

You mean like Channel 20 has been? :rolleyes:

With Cox encouraging everyone to go to Digital -- and likely making more money on it -- I'm surprised that more lower channels aren't being left blank. Unless there's somethng in the franchise agreement requiring full channels.

I thought Channel 20 was like a information channel or something.

I thought Channel 20 was like a information channel or something.

Yes, used to be, but it's been blank for a long time now.

Well with Shop at Home vacating Cox channel 3 and 20 being blank that's space that's freed up. I wonder what's up with the work here in town that's suppose to go on?

Well with Shop at Home vacating Cox channel 3 and 20 being blank that's space that's freed up. I wonder what's up with the work here in town that's suppose to go on?

I misread my email it's Shop at closing down. Sorry


ajwees41

Any news today on the upgrades?

An FYI for you Lincoln OTA people. I got a notice at work that KLKN-DT (Channel 8) is planning to go full power digital (500KW) on or around June 15th. If this is old news, I apologize.

Mike

That's good news for KLKN...I hope. I'm very near their temporary tower. Hopefully I'll still have a good signal once they go to their big stick. Probably a bit more directional than I was getting by with.

Anyone's box rebooted today. Mines did and I saw nothing different going on with it.

Anyone's box rebooted today. Mines did and I saw nothing different going on with it.


Mine did't. What model and phase do you have? May a firmware or software glich.

ajwees41

Phase III. Same firmware as the last time they updated for Omaha. Of course it might have been a power issue as well maybe.

I haven't heard anything about KXVO HD for awhile.
Any firm date on them going full tilt???

I'd like to know myself. I wanna see Smallville in HD finally this fall.

Phase III. Same firmware as the last time they updated for Omaha. Of course it might have been a power issue as well maybe.


I also have the phase 3 and didn't notice anything so it was probably a power glich.


My 6412 just rebooted at 3A.M.

ajwees41

I put my DVR on a UPS as I have found that even the slightest power glitch seems to make the COX DVR becuase unstable hours later.

After all these things are just like computers.

It is very stable now. I still suggest rebooting it once a week to clear our some memory buffers, after all all PCs like to rebooted once in a while.

Looking at my box today I realized that I got a 6416 but it's a phase 3. Strange thing is I dunno if they even had a phase 3 for it already.

Looking at my box today I realized that I got a 6416 but it's a phase 3. Strange thing is I dunno if they even had a phase 3 for it already.


They didn't make a 6416 Phase 1 or 2. phase 3 only.

ajwees41

I haven't heard anything about KXVO HD for awhile.
Any firm date on them going full tilt???



They probably will wait until they are the cw.

ajwees41

An FYI for you Lincoln OTA people. I got a notice at work that KLKN-DT (Channel 8) is planning to go full power digital (500KW) on or around June 15th. If this is old news, I apologize.

Mike

When they go full power what tower will they be broadcasting from? I have tried to get their signal currently, but can't quite get it...

When they go full power what tower will they be broadcasting from? I have tried to get their signal currently, but can't quite get it...

KLKN's analog tower will also house their digital stick. They are located near Beaver Crossing, North of I-80 between Utica and Tamora.

They are a little further out than KOLN/KGIN which is near Beaver crossing, South of I-80 just past the Seward exit.

KLKN's full digital power is listed in the FCC database as 1000k.
KOLN will be running about 680k. (Their current STA shows them at 340k though).

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html is a handy link. You can plug in station, or city, along with a number of other parameters.

The work for Digital Simulcast on Cox has started.

You can now rescan your QAM 256 channels and get many channels that used to be encrypted including some pay and priemium channels that you may not want your kids to watch on Fri/Sat late Nights, hence the notice in the bill about protecting your kids with parental locks.

There are no digital simulcast channels avliable yet using the QAM 256 scan method. The results change daily as they move things around.
(remember this info is a few days old).

For those with Cable card ready HDTVs or HDTVs with QAM tuners, do a scan during prime time when people are doing Video on Demand, you might be surprise at the many new un encrypted channels you may see.

pasted text. . . .

"This info is included on our May bill.

Important notice to Cox Digital Cable customers:Cox
Communications is upgrading its network.The upgrade may
negate any filters installed on the outside of your house.To
block unwanted channels, please use parental control features
found within your digital guide.Visit www.cox.com/takecharge
to learn how to activate parental controls.


What could it mean? Start digital simulcasting?"

It's about time they got started. Can't wait to see what I can come across hahaha!!

An FYI for you Lincoln OTA people. I got a notice at work that KLKN-DT (Channel 8) is planning to go full power digital (500KW) on or around June 15th. If this is old news, I apologize.

Mike

mroot or anybody, do you know if they will be high definition when they go to the higher power?

I just recieved an email that said

The Cox Omaha system is currently testing this and we hope to have it rolled out to customers by the end of July.


Andrew Wees

mroot or anybody, do you know if they will be high definition when they go to the higher power?

I would imagine so if they aren't already doing so, since that is the ABC affiliate in Lincoln.

This is from their website:

High Definition Programming on Channel 8 KLKN-DT



You can find Channel 8 KLKN-DT on Time Warner Cable's digital tier on Channel 108 or over the air in Metro Lincoln on Channel 8.1. Viewers can watch ABC HD sporting events like NBA baskeball to Good Morning America to ABC Primetime Shows and Specials. The Channel 8 KLKN-DT program schedule can be accessed by clicking the on link on the home page or below. There you will find which of your favorite shows are in HD.

Mike

KLKN started about a month ago with HD from their low power tower at the studio. I would bank on the high power signal being HD from the West tower. The HDTV holdup before was due to the lack of equipment in the studio.

They should be I mean they have no reason not to be.

I just recieved an email that said

The Cox Omaha system is currently testing this and we hope to have it rolled out to customers by the end of July.


Andrew Wees

Ah here's to summer folk. I hope that maybe if it's going well they can roll it out sooner.

Gude updates


New versions of the guide will be released in Omaha hopefully before the end of July. There are still some bugs in the software that our system needs to use that are being addressed.

The iTV applications: Mosaics, Games, and Weather will be launched subsequently after the guide upgrade. There will most likely be a period of testing after the guide upgrade to make sure everything is configured correctly before launching the iTV applications.


ajwees41

New versions of the guide will be released in Omaha hopefully before the end of July.

Is this the Cox guide that comes up when you press GUIDE on your remote control? Or is it some different guide that comes with the DVR? (Or are they one and the same?)

I did a QAM scan last night. Found about 20 channels they say Not Avl for Sub (yet) in the header.

This is a sign that Digital Simulcasting work is going on. Next we will probably see them in the guide in the 700 channel range. This is similar to how Orange Country rolled out.

I know this is the HDTV Forum, but QAM and Digital Channels all fall undet DTV (and HDTV). Besides there is no other Thread out there with such a good knowledge base (all of us that post here).


PS- Most Video on Demand Channels are not encrypted right now. Trouble is the active QAM channel changes for each request. This means they can change every couple of hours and there are about 100 of them.

Is this the Cox guide that comes up when you press GUIDE on your remote control? Or is it some different guide that comes with the DVR? (Or are they one and the same?)


It is a combonation of both

the 2.7 updates are more for the dvr's. I don't really know if the regular or HD boxes 2.7 change much. On the dvr's there are folders and games and weather. That is only available on the dvr's.


ajwees41

I did a QAM scan last night. Found about 20 channels they say Not Avl for Sub (yet) in the header.

This is a sign that Digital Simulcasting work is going on. Next we will probably see them in the guide in the 700 channel range. This is similar to how Orange Country rolled out.

I know this is the HDTV Forum, but QAM and Digital Channels all fall undet DTV (and HDTV). Besides there is no other Thread out there with such a good knowledge base (all of us that post here).


PS- Most Video on Demand Channels are not encrypted right now. Trouble is the active QAM channel changes for each request. This means they can change every couple of hours and there are about 100 of them.


Ah that is very excellent to hear.

For those unable to make it to Haymarket Park for the Regional games tomorrow and this weekend, NET-HD will be covering all the Nebraska games starting with tomorrow's 1pm game against Manhattan.

http://www.mynptv.org/nptv/nptv_sports/netv_sports.html

KLKN-DT has filed with the FCC to cut the power from their original DT application in half. 500KW will still cover Lincoln with no problem.

Have any of the rest of you been having trouble picking up KUON (Lincoln's PBS station) lately? I used to get it just fine with my OTA digital receiver. However, within the last month (my wife says longer), the signal has started dropping out really badly -- to the point of being unwatchable. The signal power hovers around 50%. Tonight, even the analog OTA broadcast (tuned in via our VCR) of Austin City Limits was too choppy to watch, which makes me wonder if it's a problem on their end. Is it just me that's seeing this, or did I miss an old discussion about something?

As of last night, my set top box goes blank when I tune to KUON-DT as well.

KUON turns off there HDTV feed at 10PM everytime for some reason. IN fact M-F its only on during Prime time.

You can still get there HDTV feed on Cox cabel 24x7.

Iowa PBS keeps there HDTV feed on from 6am to Midnight, not sure why NE PBS turns it off. They must think no one watches HDTV after 10PM?

KLKN-DT Update:

Got an email from the engineer that said they hope to have their full power digital signal going by July 1st.

I did a QAM scan last night. Found about 20 channels they say Not Avl for Sub (yet) in the header.

This is a sign that Digital Simulcasting work is going on. Next we will probably see them in the guide in the 700 channel range. This is similar to how Orange Country rolled out.

I know this is the HDTV Forum, but QAM and Digital Channels all fall undet DTV (and HDTV). Besides there is no other Thread out there with such a good knowledge base (all of us that post here).


PS- Most Video on Demand Channels are not encrypted right now. Trouble is the active QAM channel changes for each request. This means they can change every couple of hours and there are about 100 of them.



How long before the digital simulcast channels show up in the guide?

What will happen with the CWS comming to Omaha in reguard to Digital Simulcasting?

ajwees41

Speaking of CWS, whay cant Cox show ESPN-2 in HD on channel 802 when the CWS games are on? (Same goes for the Lincoln cable system)

Thats what the channel is for according to what is says whenyou tune to it.
I wonder if we ask them enough they might turn it on just for the games.
I know there short on bandwidth for during the conversion, but still its Omaha and the CWS.

Cox is doing a big ad compaing on the radio with EPSN right now, it would seem natural to also show the ESPN-2 in HD as Cox is adverstising ESPN-2 and CWS on the radio right now.

Just an idea . . .

I see Dish has added HGTV-HD, National Geographic HD, NFL-TV HD, and Starz-HD.

Speaking of CWS, whay cant Cox show ESPN-2 in HD on channel 802 when the CWS games are on? (Same goes for the Lincoln cable system)


Thats what the channel is for according to what is says whenyou tune to it.
I wonder if we ask them enough they might turn it on just for the games.
I know there short on bandwidth for during the conversion, but still its Omaha and the CWS.

Cox is doing a big ad compaing on the radio with EPSN right now, it would seem natural to also show the ESPN-2 in HD as Cox is adverstising ESPN-2 and CWS on the radio right now.

Just an idea . . .

The same reason they can't show the Nebraska Volleyball when it is on ESPNU. They don't have a contract.

ajwees41

Things are so slow with it being summer. Can only watch and wait till the first simulcasting channels pop up.

Oh, did I mention Dish also has ESPN 2-HD! :D

ScottChez

Ask your contact why we have channel 20 and 802 when they show nothing.



ajwees41

I live in northwest Lincoln in a single story home. Any ideas for a good antenna to get HDTV stations? I have an outdoor radio shack antenna but experience dropouts constantly on select channels. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Javier005

I live in northwest Lincoln in a single story home. Any ideas for a good antenna to get HDTV stations? I have an outdoor radio shack antenna but experience dropouts constantly on select channels. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Javier005

Talk to your Dish Network about their batwing antenna...it's small-so it doesn't violate many covenants-but powerful. Mine plus the install cost me around $160. I live in Kearney and can pick up KOLN/Lincoln's digital signal quite a bit and hope to receive KLKN's when they boost their power.

Thanks for the reply PAULSTORM. I was also wondering if anyone has any experience dealing with directv's HR10-250? I am having a horrible time trying to set my antenna (radio shack outdoor) to work with this unit. My philips television works fine with almost any setting. If anyone could provide any information, it would be appreciated.

thanks
Javier005

My source does not know and could only guess as one Analog channel is about 2 HDTV channels and the 802 is only a QAM channel not taking up hardly any bandwidth.

[]seems like they could add ESPN-2 and NatGEO HD right with the channel 20 bandwidth if they wanted to just move the last Analog channel down to 20 and use it for the QAM 256 HD- hint hint

Best guess is some of the 1-72 channels will move down to free up 1-2 analog channesl to make room for Digital Simulcast and some day more HD once Digital Simul is done. It was only a guess.

Thanks for the reply PAULSTORM. I was also wondering if anyone has any experience dealing with directv's HR10-250? I am having a horrible time trying to set my antenna (radio shack outdoor) to work with this unit. My philips television works fine with almost any setting. If anyone could provide any information, it would be appreciated.

thanks
Javier005

I have a silver sensor hooked up to mine and it does a great job of picking up all the local channels, it usually is above 90 on all channels. The best thing to do is to go to the off air signal strength and adjust accordingly, but I have read else where about others having issues, so the HR10-250 may just be a little unreliable.

Any one got ESPN-2 on DIsh? Do they have the CWS in HD on it?

THinking of upgrading to Dishes new Mpeg4 package to get ESPN-4 heard they had some channels at HD lite right now as they move to Mpeg4.

Just wondering how the Pic was since Cox does not have ESPN-2 in HD