I get the Lincoln channels in Gretna with just a little set-top bowtie antenna (stronger than some of the Omaha signals) so the Winegard should have no problems unless you are in a low spot with a large building to your west or west-northwest.

Both stations have great-looking HD; look for CBS on 25 and ABC on 31.

Alright Lincoln HDTV experts, I posted this in another thread but was directed to this one. I chose originally not to post here because it was soooo long and I was afraid I would not get a response.

I plan to have a 42" Visio LCD set up at a tailgate for all Husker home games. My parking spot is a couple blocks from the stadium. I recently bought a Winegard HA0130 to pick up over the air HD channels. My question is whether this will work or if there is some way to boost the signal. ABC and CBS are the only channels that are important. Also, what channels should I be looking for in Lincoln - Lincoln ABC broadacasts in HD don't they?

Thanks

How much did Cox lower their price when KETVDT was pulled? That's how much people were being charged for it.

The prices were the same same even when KETVHD was on cox as they are now.


The price increases were the cost to add more digital and the higher programming costs.



ajwees41

Can anyone in Omaha get Lincoln stations with an inexpensive antenna?

I can get KOLN and KUON at work (90th and Fort) -- inside a building made with concrete blocks -- using a simple 2' retractible antenna. Due to either the solid construction of the building and/or distance from the transmitter I can't get KLKN at work.

The prices were the same same even when KETVHD was on cox as they are now.

Yes, that was my point.

Does anyone have a list of the QAM channels Cox offers?

I'm sitting in Chicago now (where I'm able to get every major network without a cable box, and the evening news - even the video from the news helicopters is in HD, ugh comon Omaha!).. I think we have a few in Omaha tho:

6.1 - NBC
104.1 and 105.1 .. one of those is CBS

There were a couple more, but all I really care about are the major networks.

I'm spoiled by Chicago, tho. Not only does each major network have HD over QAM, but the channel numbers make sense... So, 2/5/7/9 are analog, and then 2.1/5.1/7.1/9.1 are the HD feeds of those networks.. And then some have .2's/.3's carrying rebroadcast of the last newscast, and weather.. It's really, really nice. I hope Omaha can look like this in a few years.

I'm sitting in Chicago now (where I'm able to get every major network without a cable box, and the evening news - even the video from the news helicopters is in HD, ugh comon Omaha!).. I think we have a few in Omaha tho:

6.1 - NBC
104.1 and 105.1 .. one of those is CBS

There were a couple more, but all I really care about are the major networks.

I'm spoiled by Chicago, tho. Not only does each major network have HD over QAM, but the channel numbers make sense... So, 2/5/7/9 are analog, and then 2.1/5.1/7.1/9.1 are the HD feeds of those networks.. And then some have .2's/.3's carrying rebroadcast of the last newscast, and weather.. It's really, really nice. I hope Omaha can look like this in a few years.

That depends a lot on what Cox does with QAM technology. Right now it seems they are content to just go the set-top box route for whatever reason.

One advantage Omaha has over Chicago in digital TV is that in Omaha all major networks can be received OTA across the metro area. In Chicago, WBBM-DT (CBS) is at very low power until 2009 and the signal does not get out far. The nightly newscast on WLS-DT 7.1 looks great, though! I noticed that some of the other stations (WMAQ-DT 5.1, WLS-DT 9.1, etc.) do not yet have local HD. *Some* Omaha station needs to get on the bandwagon and get some local HD content...

WOWT appears to be using digital production as their picture quality is quite a bit better for local content than either KMTV or KETV...
...but my bet is on KPTM for the first local HD. They do apparently have the technology (considering the Omaha Pappas stations are the only ones that can put up a severe weather graphic and keep programming in HD) and I hear they'll be unveiling a new set and 4 PM newscast soon. We'll see.

Thought I would share my experience using an antenna for HDTV reception. This might help some of you decide what antenna to use. I live near 96th and Giles in La Vista and subscribe to Cox cable. The primary TV on the lower level is attached to Cox's Motorola 6416 DVR but I have used a Silver Sensor antenna for OTA reception of ABC.

I recently purchased a second HDTV for the second floor bedroom. I'm not willing to pay Cox for a second box so this TV will only receive HDTV OTA. Using the silver sensor facing North-Northeast I was able to pick up the same channels as the first floor but nothing new. Since it would be fairly easy to run a cable to the attic I thought I would install a larger antenna to see what channels I could receive. I ordered a DB8 from Antennas Direct and installed it in the attic facing West. Now I was able to receive Channel 10 (CBS) out of Lincoln but could no longer receive Channel 6 (NBC) and Channel 3 (CBS) only worked occasionally.

Since the DB8 is essentially two DB4 antennas mounted to the same frame I returned to the attic and removed half the antenna from the frame and then hung it so it pointed North. So now half the antenna faced North and the other half faced West.

The following lists the signal strength for each station using the Silver Sensor and the DB8.

Channel - Silver Sensor - DB8 in Attic
3.1 ---- 61 --- 62
6.1 ---- 71 --- 60
7.1 ---- 49 --- 61
10.1 --- N/A --- 69
12.2 --- 52 --- 80
15.1 --- 71 --- 92
42.1 --- 78 --- 91

I probably could improve the signal strength by facing the one section more Northeast and the other more Southwest but as long as it's working I won't bother. I haven't rescanned since moving half the antenna but I doubt there's any other signal I could pick up.

I'm sitting in Chicago now (where I'm able to get every major network without a cable box, and the evening news - even the video from the news helicopters is in HD, ugh comon Omaha!).. I think we have a few in Omaha tho:

6.1 - NBC
104.1 and 105.1 .. one of those is CBS

There were a couple more, but all I really care about are the major networks.

I'm spoiled by Chicago, tho. Not only does each major network have HD over QAM, but the channel numbers make sense... So, 2/5/7/9 are analog, and then 2.1/5.1/7.1/9.1 are the HD feeds of those networks.. And then some have .2's/.3's carrying rebroadcast of the last newscast, and weather.. It's really, really nice. I hope Omaha can look like this in a few years.


That exactly the same thing omaha is doing.

6.1 is WOWTHD 6.2 is 620

7.1 is KETVHD 7.2 is Weather Now

and so on


ajwees41

Cox makes $1 in pure profit for every HD box they rent. Thats how cox makes money.

For cox, if I want KETV in HD I must rent a box since my TV does not have a clear QAM tunner build in. Even my HDTV 32" LCD bought less than a year ago does not have one (just an OTA HD tuner).

Cox is making money and KETV wants part if , something like 25 Cents per house that gets HD. The 25 Cent is the same that they get from Direct TV and Dishnetwork for there digital SD channel. $1 for cox or 25 cent for KETV, it adds up to a lot of money over a year- a lot. If any one is to blaim its Dish and Direct TV as they all started paying the locals in the first place, if they held out, the locals would not be greedy over a free over the air signal.

Cox makes $1 in pure profit for every HD box they rent. Thats how cox makes money.

For cox, if I want KETV in HD I must rent a box since my TV does not have a clear QAM tunner build in. Even my HDTV 32" LCD bought less than a year ago does not have one (just an OTA HD tuner).

Cox is making money and KETV wants part if , something like 25 Cents per house that gets HD. The 25 Cent is the same that they get from Direct TV and Dishnetwork for there digital SD channel. $1 for cox or 25 cent for KETV, it adds up to a lot of money over a year- a lot. If any one is to blaim its Dish and Direct TV as they all started paying the locals in the first place, if they held out, the locals would not be greedy over a free over the air signal.


Scott I thought you said you don't have Cox. Where did you get the $1 profit on the HD boxes?

You can get an antenna, Cox doesn't even carry it.




ajwees41

If any one is to blaim its Dish and Direct TV as they all started paying the locals in the first place, if they held out, the locals would not be greedy over a free over the air signal.

yeah, right. :rolleyes:

I get the Lincoln channels in Gretna with just a little set-top bowtie antenna (stronger than some of the Omaha signals) so the Winegard should have no problems unless you are in a low spot with a large building to your west or west-northwest.

Both stations have great-looking HD; look for CBS on 25 and ABC on 31.

Thanks Joel. Looking forward to it this weekend.

Since the DB8 is essentially two DB4 antennas mounted to the same frame I returned to the attic and removed half the antenna from the frame and then hung it so it pointed North. So now half the antenna faced North and the other half faced West.
Good tip husker. I have a DB4 (Antenna's Direct) and I have a problem getting the 3, 6, and 7 (northeast) and 42 (southwest) at the same time. I have wondered if I should try some type of modification to get both at the same time. I am in a bit of a low area (near 115th and just north of Harrison) and for a while I had two antenna with a switch in a closet (PIA). I was thinking of getting a DB2 and adding it to the mast that has my DB4. Anyway...thanks for the tip and for discussing something other than the Cox/KETV saga.

Cox needs to add Fox Sports Hd, with College football season here Cox should have a hd channel to show these Hd games,FSN-hd has 2 big 12 games in Hd Saturday and I'm sure the Huskers will be on Fsn-hd sometime this season.

Cox needs to add Fox Sports Hd, with College football season here Cox should have a hd channel to show these Hd games,FSN-hd has 2 big 12 games in Hd Saturday and I'm sure the Huskers will be on Fsn-hd sometime this season.

did you request them?

ajwees41

I have been crusing through this site, but there are a lot of pages to look through, and I'm fairly late into the HD arena. I was just wondering what the list of channels for all of the OTA HD's in the Lincoln area (68507). I have been to antennaweb, but then I see people talking about channels that the site doesn't even list for my zip code. Thanks much

Two charts listed at this post -

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10255071#post10255071

Not all the information is updated - for example channel 8 KLKN has been broadcasting digitally from their tower near Utica for over a year.

Also, see the map attached to this post.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10033595#post10033595

What is the best indoor antenna (around $50 max) that can get the most HD channels?

Since the DB8 is essentially two DB4 antennas mounted to the same frame I returned to the attic and removed half the antenna from the frame and then hung it so it pointed North. So now half the antenna faced North and the other half faced West.

I'm going to have to try that out. I have a DB8 in the attic pointed kind of southwest. 6, 15, and 42 are outstanding, while 7 is very good. 3 shows decent readings on the strength meter, but every so often the picture fuzzes out without the strength meter changing, so I think I'm getting some reflection. 8 and 10 from Lincoln are pretty much not available except during atmospheric bounce.

I'm going back to DirecTV after having Cox for almost a year. I need more HD channels and until Cox uses SDV, which will piss off TiVo owner, they cannot provide it. 4 months free when buying Sunday Ticket!

I have been crusing through this site, but there are a lot of pages to look through, and I'm fairly late into the HD arena. I was just wondering what the list of channels for all of the OTA HD's in the Lincoln area (68507). I have been to antennaweb, but then I see people talking about channels that the site doesn't even list for my zip code. Thanks much

In northeast Lincoln you should be able to get Omaha stations as well as Lincoln stations if you are high enough or have a good antenna.
Lincoln digital channels:
ABC - 31
CBS/My - 25
PBS - 40
(future) FOX - 49
(future) TuVision - 47
(future) CW - 51

Omaha digital channels that may come in:
ABC/Wx - 20
CBS - 45
CW/TuVision - 38
FOX/My - 43
NBC/Ind. - 22

http://ibc.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=175784

http://www.opencable.com/primer/cablecard_primer.html

I live in Gretna, and use a simple silver sensor that sits on top of my dvd player about a foot away from my tv. I have cox for all the other hd stations but use the antenna for abc hd since ketv and cox are at odds. 620 is on cox, but I can get it on the antenna too. I get a total of 38 stations with this antenna, most with a perfect picture, and most importantly local hd stations from omaha and lincoln for hd football. I got the antenna on ebay for $25, quite a bargain.

I had DirecTV for 3 years then switched to Cox last year before the Ohio St. vs Texas game because I wanted local HD channels. At the time I didn't have a TV with an NTSC tuner built in and I didn't want to buy one. I have been happy with Cox except the KETV thing. Now, I have a NTSC capable TV with a silver sensor HD antenna and can pull my local HD stuff out of the air for free (can't record it though) so I went to the DirecTV website to compare what the 2 companies offer in HD and here is what I found.

Cox HD Channels
CBS
NBC
Fox
A&E
ESPN
ESPN 2
CW
NET (Neb. Public TV)
UHD
HBO
TNT
Discovery
MOJO
Nat. Geographic (Just added)
Showtime

DirecTV HD Channels
The 101
ESPN
ESPN 2
TNT
Discovery
HDnet
HDnet Movies
UHD
HBO
Showtime
NGC
Comcast Chi/Mid Atlantic
NFL Sunday Ticket

I think this list is close to accurate. I know that most people are drawn to dtv for the sunday ticket, but if you look at the lineup they are comparable. I hear that DTV will be adding a sh*tload of HD channels in the coming years, but the cost of an HD DVR is outrageous, and I spoke to a DTV cust svc rep and they said at the current time they don't plan on adding Omaha local HD channels. Now that I have this HD antenna which service is better in your opinions?

What is the best indoor antenna (around $50 max) that can get the most HD channels?

See my response a few posts ago, the silver sensor antenna works very well and it is an indoor HD antenna. I get all the locals OTA from Omaha and Lincoln and the pic is great. I highly recommend it and it is less than $50, I got mine on ebay for half that much. Good Luck.

At the time I didn't have a TV with an NTSC tuner built in and I didn't want to buy one. I have been happy with Cox except the KETV thing. Now, I have a NTSC capable TV...

I assume that you mean ATSC. ;)

I live in Gretna, and use a simple silver sensor that sits on top of my dvd player about a foot away from my tv. I have cox for all the other hd stations but use the antenna for abc hd since ketv and cox are at odds. 620 is on cox, but I can get it on the antenna too. I get a total of 38 stations with this antenna, most with a perfect picture, and most importantly local hd stations from omaha and lincoln for hd football. I got the antenna on ebay for $25, quite a bargain.

I get 23 channels with my antenna (also in Gretna). Wonder what 15 you get that I don't? Are you pulling in St. Joseph, Des Moines, Topeka, Sioux City, or Tri-Cities stations? Sounds like the Silver Sensor is better than my Terk -- and I thought that was better than average!

One of my co-workers that has DirecTV had their antenna set-up tweaked (5LNB added) for the coming 60 channels of HD and the ability to get Local HD thru the dish without a separate antenna. As for me, my DirecTV install is next week...just in time for the NFL season kickoff.

EdL

I assume that you mean ATSC. ;)

yes, brain fart.

I get 23 channels with my antenna (also in Gretna). Wonder what 15 you get that I don't? Are you pulling in St. Joseph, Des Moines, Topeka, Sioux City, or Tri-Cities stations? Sounds like the Silver Sensor is better than my Terk -- and I thought that was better than average!


I get 32 channels, not 38, just recounted. All come in very well!

The outlet on the back of the DCT 6416 doesn't always seem to power up the stereo I have connected to it. Cox support says they aren't able to support this feature and says I have to talk to Motorola. Any quick fixes I can do to correct this issue?

The outlet on the back of the DCT 6416 doesn't always seem to power up the stereo I have connected to it. Cox support says they aren't able to support this feature and says I have to talk to Motorola. Any quick fixes I can do to correct this issue?

hit menu on the remote and then press a for more settings and go down and select the accessories option and see what the ac outlet is set at? I bet it is set at on with setop. If that doesn't work you might need to have the box replaced.

ajwees41

September 30

TVguide channel just had a blurb that if an agreement isn't reached by midnight on Septmber 30th ketv will be pulled off of the lineup.

ajwees41

Ketv may pull the analog feed to Cox? Wow that is interesting?

Does anyone know where I can go in Omaha to get Dish Network installed? I've messed with their online "builder", but it doesn't let you choose a DVR with an HDTV eventhough I know they have them. Does RadioShack do Dish?

I'm going to have to try that out. I have a DB8 in the attic pointed kind of southwest. 6, 15, and 42 are outstanding, while 7 is very good. 3 shows decent readings on the strength meter, but every so often the picture fuzzes out without the strength meter changing, so I think I'm getting some reflection. 8 and 10 from Lincoln are pretty much not available except during atmospheric bounce.
Pointing half of the DB8 NNE towards 72nd & Crown Point gives me improved reception on 3, 6, and 7, and pointing the other half WSW gives me as good reception of 15 and 42 as I had before. 12 is doing OK, but 26 has disappeared. 32 is coming in more reliably than before. This looks like a winner overall.

Watch your mail this week. Cox will be sending out some more info

Does anyone know where I can go in Omaha to get Dish Network installed? I've messed with their online "builder", but it doesn't let you choose a DVR with an HDTV eventhough I know they have them. Does RadioShack do Dish?

Check your PM mailbox.

RS does dish but I think you will get the same installers as if you call DISH. Sears also has DISH. My experiance is that this is not a product that either of them have a lot of knoledge beyond what the sales papers say on the subject.

Ketv may pull the analog feed to Cox? Wow that is interesting?

Any chance Cox will replace KETV with either the ABC national feed or with KLKN? Or would Cox cable subscribers simply not receive ABC?

September 30

TVguide channel just had a blurb that if an agreement isn't reached by midnight on Septmber 30th ketv will be pulled off of the lineup.

ajwees41

If KETV pulls their analog from cox, that has to be suicide for them and their advertisers. If I was a local advertiser I would be blowing my stack right now. You would have to think Cox has the leverage in this because they have the subscribers. I just can't imagine people dumping cox by the thousands over this. At least we can get OTA digital but still this is getting insane.

I also find it interesting that both the digital and analog are being pulled during football season. It is probibly just when the contracts were up and not something that was planned, but interesting.

Any chance Cox will replace KETV with either the ABC national feed or with KLKN? Or would Cox cable subscribers simply not receive ABC?

Answering my own question here... aside from some viewership in the Gretna/Springfield area, KLKN is not significantly viewed in the Douglas/Sarpy/Pottawattamie County area and thus isn't an option for Cox.

Not sure if the national feed is a possibility...

If KETV pulls their analog from cox, that has to be suicide for them and their advertisers. If I was a local advertiser I would be blowing my stack right now. You would have to think Cox has the leverage in this because they have the subscribers. I just can't imagine people dumping cox by the thousands over this. At least we can get OTA digital but still this is getting insane.

I also find it interesting that both the digital and analog are being pulled during football season. It is probibly just when the contracts were up and not something that was planned, but interesting.


If people have analog set with digital, HD, or HDDVR the ota signals are snowy.

ajwees41

Watch your mail this week. Cox will be sending out some more info

Any idea what it will say?

ajwees41

If KETV pulls their analog from cox, that has to be suicide for them and their advertisers. If I was a local advertiser I would be blowing my stack right now. You would have to think Cox has the leverage in this because they have the subscribers. I just can't imagine people dumping cox by the thousands over this. At least we can get OTA digital but still this is getting insane.

It will also be suicide for Cox, with three or four Husker games potentially televised by ABC in October. (Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri, Oklahoma State) Watch people flee Cox for dishes, or scramble to find rabbit ears.

The likelihood of it actually happening is pretty small; this is simply "mutually assurred destruction" in Cold War terms. They'll go to the brink... and maybe even over it slightly. Both companies have too much to lose and too much competition for this to become a problem. Actually, I bet this actually makes it MORE likely that KETV-HD will be back on Cox by the Texas game, since this will force the two companies to come to some sort of agreement.

It will also be suicide for Cox, with three or four Husker games potentially televised by ABC in October. (Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri, Oklahoma State) Watch people flee Cox for dishes, or scramble to find rabbit ears.

The likelihood of it actually happening is pretty small; this is simply "mutually assurred destruction" in Cold War terms. They'll go to the brink... and maybe even over it slightly. Both companies have too much to lose and too much competition for this to become a problem. Actually, I bet this actually makes it MORE likely that KETV-HD will be back on Cox by the Texas game, since this will force the two companies to come to some sort of agreement.


If KETV pulls it there is nothing for cox to do. Anyone know who to contact and see if ABC can drop KETV and pickup a different affliate?

ajwees41

A quick aside: I watched a little of the Husker game on Saturday at my inlaws. When I tuned in channel 7.1 (at least I think) the game was not in HD (OTA)? Did I miss something...maybe the inlaws tv was not set up right? Was the broadcast in SD?

Thanks

The Huskers game on Saturday was not in HD (though the 2 other games at the same time on ABC were in HD).

As a side note, this Saturday's game on ESPN is in HD.

Thanks, ten.

The Huskers game on Saturday was not in HD (though the 2 other games at the same time on ABC were in HD).


Pathetic. Even the UNO game on PBS was in HD...

Pathetic. Even the UNO game on PBS was in HD...

I think ABC only brodcasts two HD games a week. I could be wrong.

ajwees41

Well Cox and Hearst better get it together. They will certainly anger alot of people here real soon if KETV gets pulled.

Interesting war going on here, KETV threatening to pull the plug unless they're paid, Cox either pays or loses their local ABC affiliate and Radio Shack sells more antennas.

This battle will be interesting, Sept 15 ABC-dt has the USC vs NU in high definition, I'm wondering if Ketv wants this settled soon. Cox may want this settled soon since Directv will be adding Omaha's local Hd.

This battle will be interesting, Sept 15 ABC-dt has the USC vs NU in high definition, I'm wondering if Ketv wants this settled soon. Cox may want this settled soon since Directv will be adding Omaha's local Hd.

Did you forgot Cox doesn't carry the hd feed.

ajwees41

This battle will be interesting, Sept 15 ABC-dt has the USC vs NU in high definition, I'm wondering if Ketv wants this settled soon. Cox may want this settled soon since Directv will be adding Omaha's local Hd.

Are you willing to pay Directv $4.99/month (or whatever the current monthly rate for local into locals, LIL) for the life of your service contract for something you can get for free with a little antenna investment $$$?

I'll be curious to see if DirecTV passes local channel guide information for those using over the air antenna only for locals. Those with DISH Vip series receivers must subscibe to the locals to see channel guide information. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that DISH 811 customers could get local guide info from the PSIP stream from over the air reception only, don't know if this is truly the case or not, if someone here can comment one way or the other based upon personal experience please do so. I'm not sure what PSIP information can be passed to a receiver regarding content, if any. But if DirecTV were to pass channel info for non LIL subscribers using terrestrial 8VSB antennas than I'll be making a call to DISH with comments.

Well I bit the bullet and had DirecTV installed and so far I'm quite pleased. HD access is $9.95. You don't have to pay for local HD with DirecTV, you just connect an antenna to the HR20 box, scan for channels, and all of the local OTA channels get added and they appear on the guide.:p

I also kept Cox (for now) and can't discern the difference between the picture quality of the HD channels.

EdL

Are you willing to pay Directv $4.99/month (or whatever the current monthly rate for local into locals, LIL) for the life of your service contract for something you can get for free with a little antenna investment $$$?

I'll be curious to see if DirecTV passes local channel guide information for those using over the air antenna only for locals. Those with DISH Vip series receivers must subscibe to the locals to see channel guide information. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that DISH 811 customers could get local guide info from the PSIP stream from over the air reception only, don't know if this is truly the case or not, if someone here can comment one way or the other based upon personal experience please do so. I'm not sure what PSIP information can be passed to a receiver regarding content, if any. But if DirecTV were to pass channel info for non LIL subscribers using terrestrial 8VSB antennas than I'll be making a call to DISH with comments.

So could KETV pull there SD COX channel 9 feed of ABC before the Husker USC game? Can they legally do that?

So could KETV pull there SD COX channel 9 feed of ABC before the Husker USC game? Can they legally do that?

Yes they can unless cox pays them. It's the whole hd mess all over again.

ajwees41

Well at least we aren't the only market that Cox and Hearst-Argyle can't get something figured out. Looks like the September 30th thing is for all the Hearst-Argyle Stations and Cox. Here's the articles about an affiliate that serves Fort Smith, Arkansas.

http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/56815/
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/09/04/business/090507khogvscox.txt

But what I find interesting, and I know we've had this conversation before, is that Cox in that market can broadcast the analog and HD signal of another ABC Affiliate out of Tulsa, OK. So what keeps Cox from being able to negotiate a deal with KLKN out of Lincoln for the ABC signal? The only thing I can think of is that in the Arkansas situation, the 2 ABC stations are part of the same DMA, but that Omaha and Lincoln are not which is why they can't do that. But at the same time, KETV can broadcast and is on cable systems as far as York. Doesn't make sense to me. I don't think it is about Cox being able to get the reception of the Lincoln channel as I know several on here have mentioned they can pick up KLKN OTA here in Omaha.

Well at least we aren't the only market that Cox and Hearst-Argyle can't get something figured out. Looks like the September 30th thing is for all the Hearst-Argyle Stations and Cox. Here's the articles about an affiliate that serves Fort Smith, Arkansas.

http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/56815/
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/09/04/business/090507khogvscox.txt

But what I find interesting, and I know we've had this conversation before, is that Cox in that market can broadcast the analog and HD signal of another ABC Affiliate out of Tulsa, OK. So what keeps Cox from being able to negotiate a deal with KLKN out of Lincoln for the ABC signal? The only thing I can think of is that in the Arkansas situation, the 2 ABC stations are part of the same DMA, but that Omaha and Lincoln are not which is why they can't do that. But at the same time, KETV can broadcast and is on cable systems as far as York. Doesn't make sense to me. I don't think it is about Cox being able to get the reception of the Lincoln channel as I know several on here have mentioned they can pick up KLKN OTA here in Omaha.


It's because KETV has the exculsive contract for ABC in the Omaha area.

ajwees41

I just don't get that Lincoln's Time Warner cable carries Omaha's ABC and CBS but Cox in Omaha does not get Lincolns, How come Lincoln does not have exculsive contracts? Cox has major issues, I have been reading about Directv's adding 50 plus national hd stations soon,not 1 hd station like Cox just added. Its time for Cox to step up or I'm going back to Directv.

I just don't get that Lincoln's Time Warner cable carries Omaha's ABC and CBS but Cox in Omaha does not get Lincolns, How come Lincoln does not have exculsive contracts? Cox has major issues, I have been reading about Directv's adding 50 plus national hd stations soon,not 1 hd station like Cox just added. Its time for Cox to step up or I'm going back to Directv.

I don't get it either, but thats how cox explained it when I asked if they could use lincoln's HD signal.

ajwees41

Edl

So you're getting program content in the program guide, description of what's playing, rating information, program length etc?

All I we see is the channel listed in the guide (7.1, 7.2 etc) but the program content is unavailable "program information not available.":confused:

Dish added History Channel-HD to its lineup today. :D

I just don't get that Lincoln's Time Warner cable carries Omaha's ABC and CBS but Cox in Omaha does not get Lincolns, How come Lincoln does not have exculsive contracts? Cox has major issues, I have been reading about Directv's adding 50 plus national hd stations soon,not 1 hd station like Cox just added. Its time for Cox to step up or I'm going back to Directv.

As I think about this issue... I am pretty sure the reason why KETV can have an exclusive contract for ABC in the Omaha market and KLKN cannot is that the Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney market has two ABC stations. KLKN serves the eastern portion of the market and KHGI/KWNB serves the western and central part of the market. The Lincoln market cannot have an exclusive ABC station for this reason. Because the Lincoln market is "open", KETV is free to effectively position itself as a third ABC station in the market. (Actually, prior to KLKN's launch, KETV was the ABC station for Lincoln much as WOWT is currently the NBC station for Lincoln on cable and OTA.)

The exclusivity contracts must be purchased from the networks, if my information is correct. In this case, smaller stations may not find it worth the cost of the contract.

It seems that the terms as applied to KETV do vary by cable system, however, so that it may be applied to a geographic distance and not to the entire defined Omaha market. The exclusivity applies in some areas (i.e. Galaxy Cablevision, which carries only KETV on their Gretna and Ceresco systems -- and Ceresco is just a 15 minute drive north of Lincoln) but not others (i.e. Charter Communications in Springfield, which carries both ABC stations).

Regardless of the specific terms of KETV's exclusivity contract (as far as which areas are protected) it does appear that they definitely have the right to prevent carriage of any competing affiliates to the City of Omaha in Douglas County... which precludes any chance of other affiliates being put on Cox.

johnwcookjr,

Here is a picture of the DirecTV guide with local channel information.

EdL

I just ordered DISH today and am awaiting installation on the 13th. I'm just wondering if there is anyone on this thread that lives around the 192nd & Pacific area in Elkhorn/Omaha? If so, are you getting OTA local HD reception in this area? Antenna? If so, what is the best indoor antenna and will it work in a basement?

Next question: I decided to go with the Dish DVR Advantage promo:

-America's Top 100 Plus (includes regional sports channels);
-2 TV's;
-no 18 month commitment;
-no premium channels
-no HD for now (I plan on adding this once things are installed)

The total came to $39.99 plus tax and he said the local channels are included for free. My question is, are they actually free or can you call and cancel the locals and save $5 on the monthly bill?

I apologize if any of these questions have been previously covered and I thank you in advance for any answers to these questions.

I just ordered DISH today and am awaiting installation on the 13th. I'm just wondering if there is anyone on this thread that lives around the 192nd & Pacific area in Elkhorn/Omaha? If so, are you getting OTA local HD reception in this area? Antenna? If so, what is the best indoor antenna and will it work in a basement?

Next question: I decided to go with the Dish DVR Advantage promo:

-America's Top 100 Plus (includes regional sports channels);
-2 TV's;
-no 18 month commitment;
-no premium channels
-no HD for now (I plan on adding this once things are installed)

The total came to $39.99 plus tax and he said the local channels are included for free. My question is, are they actually free or can you call and cancel the locals and save $5 on the monthly bill?

I apologize if any of these questions have been previously covered and I thank you in advance for any answers to these questions.

The package is only $34.99 it $5.00 for the local channels.

Somewhat off topic but Dish network added the Big 10 Network today with no preannouncement. It is available to anyone with AT100 and over for now. Not sure if or how that will change.

I inquired to channel 7 and got the following response...
Dear Mike:

Well you are right but I think there is a positive here. Because as of this riting, negotiations between Hearst-Argyle (parent company of KETV) and Cox have resumed. It is our intention to work closely with our parent company to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement between KETV and Cox. These negotiations have been continuing for more than a year, during which time KETV's digital channel has not been carried on the Cox system.

In an effort to prompt a timely resolution, KETV, on August 24th announced our analog signal may no longer be carried on Cox cable television systems effective October 1, 2007, in the event we are unable to reach an agreement with Cox.

The Cable Act of 1992 prohibits cable operators from carrying broadcasters' signals without their consent. The removal of KETV's analog signal from the Cox system will only result if negotiations between representatives of Hearst-Argyle (KETV's parent company) and Cox are unsuccessful in reaching a conclusion before October 1, 2007.

Hearst-Argyle is seeking fair and reasonable terms from Cox in return for allowing Cox to carry KETV's programming. We sincerely hope we can come to terms with Cox before as it is within everyone's best interests that we do.

We will continue to keep our valued viewers informed on our air and our website, www.KETV.com."

If you would like to discuss any of this, please feel free to contact me during regular business hours Monday through Friday. 9AM-5PM at 345-7777.

Sarah Smith
President and General Manager
KETV



MESSAGE:
Cox Cable is claiming that your parent company, Hearst-Argyle, is going to pull the plug on channel 7 completely from Cox. Is this true?

I have yet to see KETV make a mention on thier website or tv channel about the analog channel going off cox.


That doesn't sound vary infromative.


ajwees41

There's an article on their site that is dated with today's date, but it doesn't say much more than the email response above.

http://www.ketv.com/news/14065583/detail.html

HuskerMike how did you get the GM to reply to you?

What method did you use to contact KETV?

ajwees41

Here is what I just recieved.
Dear viewer:

Thank you for taking the time to write to us. We always appreciate hearing from our viewers. Our position with Cox is very simple. While the KETV signal is free to you, it is not free to Cox to profit from without sharing in those profits. Our company has spent millions of dollars on equipment to provide you with digital television including high-definition digital television (HDTV). This is in addition to the substantial amounts of money we spend annually at our station to bring you the best possible network, syndicated (i.e., Wheel of Fortune) and, most importantly, local news programming.

While the transition to digital is mandated by the government and we're excited to bring broadcast television to a new era, the government also said, by law, we have the right to seek compensation from those who profit from our signal and content. Our broadcast license does not require us to
allow other business interests to capitalize financially from our
investment. Indeed, I cannot think of any business model that allows one
business to profit from another's expense without compensation.

Cox refuses to compensate us fairly for these channels for which they have been charging you. Since you already have been charged by Cox, there is no reason why Cox should have to increase your bill in order to compensate us adequately for our digital signal.

I find it interesting that cable companies, like Cox, pay for many of the channels they carry including: ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, Disney, Fox News, USA, CNN, Nickelodeon, TBS, FX, MTV, CNBC, Discovery, ESPN2, Family, Lifetime, AMC, Golf, TMC, A&E, E!, Spike, History, Speed, Sci Fi, Bravo, TLC, BET, MSNBC, Cartoon, VH1, Comedy, Court TV, The Weather Channel, TV Land, Travel, HGTV, Animal Planet, Food and CMT. We are seeking no more from Cox Cable than a fair and equitable agreement generally in line with our contracts with other cable and satellite distributors in and around
Omaha. As far as other markets I will tell you that our company,
Hearst-Argyle, has been able to negotiate with every cable company in the country - except Cox. So, in those other markets those cable companies and broadcasters have been able to come to an agreement. At the present time, we are back in negotiations with Cox and we truly hope we can come to an agreement as it is in everyone's best interest that we do.

If you would like to talk about this directly with me, I'd be more than happy to do so. You can reach me at 345-7777 during regular business hours.

Sincerely,
Sarah Smith
President and General Manager

MESSAGE:
Why does KETV keep saying Cox charges for the HD channels. I will no longer be watching KETV unless you allow Cox to brodcast you Analog/HD/ and weather now.

You are doing a great job of upsetting people who have Cable boxes because they can't get a good over the air signal.

Why does KETV keep saying Cox charges for the HD channels. I will no longer be watching KETV unless you allow Cox to brodcast you Analog/HD/ and weather now.

You are doing a great job of upsetting people who have Cable boxes because they can't get a good over the air signal.I don't really like taking the side of local broadcasters, but in this KETV is absolutely correct. Satellite television companies have been paying for local channels, first analog and now both analog and digital, for the better part of the last decade. So, why should your cable company (or any cable company) not make the same sort of payment, or payment in kind?

Satellite companies learned early on in their existence just how critical and valuable it is to be able to offer local stations to its subscribers. If you doubt this, check out how satellite TV subscriber numbers took off once they were able to offer local channels, which of course cable long lobbied to prevent them from doing (and for no particularly good reason, other than they were spending more money lobbying Congress and the FCC than the satellite industry).

If you want to be upset at someone, you should focus it on your cable company for not seeing the writing on the wall.

I don't really like taking the side of local broadcasters, but in this KETV is absolutely correct. Satellite television companies have been paying for local channels, first analog and now both analog and digital, for the better part of the last decade. So, why should your cable company (or any cable company) not make the same sort of payment, or payment in kind?

Satellite companies learned early on in their existence just how critical and valuable it is to be able to offer local stations to its subscribers. If you doubt this, check out how satellite TV subscriber numbers took off once they were able to offer local channels, which of course cable long lobbied to prevent them from doing (and for no particularly good reason, other than they were spending more money lobbying Congress and the FCC than the satellite industry).

If you want to be upset at someone, you should focus it on your cable company for not seeing the writing on the wall.


No it's the Satellite that is to blame ever since they started paying for the locals and charging the customer that made the local channels think the should charge and programing providers for a free signal. Cable always included the locals in a package not seperate.

ajwees41

So, satellite should have foregone having local channels just so you could continue to receive them free in perpetuity via cable?

Virtue so pure is rarely a winning business strategy. :)

As far as the signal being free, you are correct. The signal is free over the air, and if you want it for free, that's how you get it. If you don't want to receive it over the air, or can't, then you have a choice to make.

Look, I do appreciate that you and others are being inconvenienced and I understand your frustration. No one likes change, and this is most clear from the way cable companies have resisted it, now to their growing detriment across the country.

But the change is here and it isn't going away. You'd be better off putting pressure on your cable company. Vote with your feet, or threaten to, as that's the only way the message will get through.

So, satellite should have foregone having local channels just so you could continue to receive them free in perpetuity via cable?

Virtue so pure is rarely a winning business strategy. :)

As far as the signal being free, you are correct. The signal is free over the air, and if you want it for free, that's how you get it. If you don't want to receive it over the air, or can't, then you have a choice to make.

Look, I do appreciate that you and others are being inconvenienced and I understand your frustration. No one likes change, and this is most clear from the way cable companies have resisted it, now to their growing detriment across the country.

But the change is here and it isn't going away. You'd be better off putting pressure on your cable company. Vote with your feet, or threaten to, as that's the only way the message will get through.


No they should include them in the packages not as a seperate tier.

just my opinion

ajwees41

But the change is here and it isn't going away. You'd be better off putting pressure on your cable company. Vote with your feet, or threaten to, as that's the only way the message will get through.

If Cox caves and pays to deliver KETV's signal, then the other local stations will expect payment, as well. Expect to pay $5/mo for the locals just like the satellite companies. Go ahead and call Cox and tell 'em that's what you want.

If Cox caves and pays to deliver KETV's signal, then the other local stations will expect payment, as well. Expect to pay $5/mo for the locals just like the satellite companies. Go ahead and call Cox and tell 'em that's what you want.

HiDef did you even notice Drop the remote is not even from Omaha?

HiDef did you even notice Drop the remote is not even from Omaha?

Yes. My comments apply to everyone who thinks that Cox should pay KETV.

It is true that I am not from Omaha, but I do have both friends and customers in Omaha and Lincoln, which is why I check the discussions here from time to time.

A couple of points and then I will shut up:

* First, just because the local stations don't appear as a separate item on your cable bill doesn't mean you aren't paying for them. The only way this would be true is if Cox maintained a $5/month discount between what it charges its customers in your area, versus what DirecTV and DISH customers pay for the same service.

The difficulty in working through that equation there is there's no way to make an apples-to-apples comparison between the packages for the different services. But I seriously doubt that there's a clear $5/month delta between Cox Cable fees and satellite subscription fees, or that if there were that the difference could be directly attributed to the locals being free via Cox.

The bottom line is you're paying for these stations already, whether you realize it or not. The bigger question becomes will you pay again, when Cox ends up paying for the locals? I think that largely comes down to whether the local market can bear an increase over current rates. If Cox thinks subscribers will swallow it -- and particularly if they can dress it up as being the local stations' fault -- they will most certainly impose that increase.

* Second, I'm sure that most of you are aware that this issue of local stations expecting to be paid by cable is not an Omaha issue, but for those of you who are not aware, you should understand that this is a nationwide development. And local station demands for payment are being met.

As an example, Cox signed an agreement with Sinclair Broadcasting back in June for a number of Sinclair stations in the markets Cox serves.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6449158.html

So, the precedent for payment has already been established, and it's more likely a matter of when, not if that happens between Cox and Hearst. Maybe Hearst-Argyle is asking more than what Cox can agree to, or maybe Cox's exposure to Hearst locals is smaller than what it was for Sinclair, so it is dragging its feet in an attempt to get more favorable terms.

But the fact is, Cox and Hearst will eventually reach an agreement, and payment will be made.

I think that yes everyone on cox should pay for viewing our locals. :p

However they should also be given the option of waiving said locals $5 rebate and put up an antenna instead. Now you've leveled the playing field and this topic can go away and die.

It is true that I am not from Omaha, but I do have both friends and customers in Omaha and Lincoln, which is why I check the discussions here from time to time.

A couple of points and then I will shut up:

* First, just because the local stations don't appear as a separate item on your cable bill doesn't mean you aren't paying for them. The only way this would be true is if Cox maintained a $5/month discount between what it charges its customers in your area, versus what DirecTV and DISH customers pay for the same service.

The difficulty in working through that equation there is there's no way to make an apples-to-apples comparison between the packages for the different services. But I seriously doubt that there's a clear $5/month delta between Cox Cable fees and satellite subscription fees, or that if there were that the difference could be directly attributed to the locals being free via Cox.

The bottom line is you're paying for these stations already, whether you realize it or not. The bigger question becomes will you pay again, when Cox ends up paying for the locals? I think that largely comes down to whether the local market can bear an increase over current rates. If Cox thinks subscribers will swallow it -- and particularly if they can dress it up as being the local stations' fault -- they will most certainly impose that increase.

* Second, I'm sure that most of you are aware that this issue of local stations expecting to be paid by cable is not an Omaha issue, but for those of you who are not aware, you should understand that this is a nationwide development. And local station demands for payment are being met.

As an example, Cox signed an agreement with Sinclair Broadcasting back in June for a number of Sinclair stations in the markets Cox serves.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6449158.html

So, the precedent for payment has already been established, and it's more likely a matter of when, not if that happens between Cox and Hearst. Maybe Hearst-Argyle is asking more than what Cox can agree to, or maybe Cox's exposure to Hearst locals is smaller than what it was for Sinclair, so it is dragging its feet in an attempt to get more favorable terms.

But the fact is, Cox and Hearst will eventually reach an agreement, and payment will be made.

The way I see it is that KETV had an explanation as to way they should be be paid is because Cox charges to rent an HD converter to view the HD channels. Now thanks to the FCC the price to rent the HD box is going down.

ajwees41

I thought KETV license was to operate in the public interest, and because of that they can show comercials to recoup their operating expenses. I would think that shutting off 208,000 Cox subscibers in the midst of football season would make some of those adverstisers very unhappy.

Now I don't care one way or another who's at fault here, I just want my damn cable to freaking work. The fact that it has gotten this far just shows the kinda BS that we the consumer are going to be stuck with for quite a while.

I heard the 3416 and 6416 are the latest and greatest Cox dvr's. Besides the 160 gb hard drive were there any other added benefits to these boxes?

I also heard the 3416 has an internal cable card inside is this going to stop me from downloading via firewire any non protected HD content?

I heard the 3416 and 6416 are the latest and greatest Cox dvr's. Besides the 160 gb hard drive were there any other added benefits to these boxes?

I also heard the 3416 has an internal cable card inside is this going to stop me from downloading via firewire any non protected HD content?

No the 3416 is all digital no analog tuner. It does not have a cable card in it. If you can get either get the 3416.

I have since gone to Motorola's web site and found the lip sheet for each and compared. Not much differences except the analog/digital thing. Here it is in case anyone's curious:

http://broadband.motorola.com/business/digitalvideo/productline_dvr_settops.asp

With the silver sensor HD antenna, will I be able to get any Lincoln stations?

Also, when I tried to download the Nevada game from my 3416 it wouldn't let me. Is that because ABC content is protected? How about ESPN?

See my response a few posts ago, the silver sensor antenna works very well and it is an indoor HD antenna. I get all the locals OTA from Omaha and Lincoln and the pic is great. I highly recommend it and it is less than $50, I got mine on ebay for half that much. Good Luck.

On ebay I see a Zenith and Phillips brand. Are they the exact same?

Does anyone know if we can use the SATA port on our Cox DVR's? or the USB port? I know the firewire works just wasn't sure about these others.

Does anyone know if we can use the SATA port on our Cox DVR's? or the USB port? I know the firewire works just wasn't sure about these others.

Don't know about the sata port, but usb is not active.

The sata port would enable us to add an external hard drive for more storage. I kinda think it's not enabled but thought I would ask before I go and buy a sata hard drive.

The sata port would enable us to add an external hard drive for more storage. I kinda think it's not enabled but thought I would ask before I go and buy a sata hard drive.

I knew that just don't know if it was working since I don't have a sata drive to check

On ebay I see a Zenith and Phillips brand. Are they the exact same?
I believe so... you can also find it on Amazon as well...

Has anyone used the HDHomeRun? It is a tuner that streams over a network cable. I was wondering which channels the QAM tuner would pick up.

I've got an HDHomerun, have been attempting to set up an HTPC with it. I've read online that it gets quite a few QAM channels from Cox, but I haven't been able to get it to work. It works great with an OTA antenna, but so far no luck with QAM.

If you find anything out let me know!

I use the USB port on my box to charge my mp3 player up. lol

I use the USB port on my box to charge my mp3 player up. lol

I think he wanted to use the usb port to offload video.

On ebay I see a Zenith and Phillips brand. Are they the exact same?

Not the same, but I am sure they both work well. I have the Zenith, my brother in law has the Phillips version and we get the same channels and quality picture!

With the silver sensor HD antenna, will I be able to get any Lincoln stations?


It depends on where you are in the city, I had a weaker signal at 156th and Maple, but still got a pretty good pic, now I live in Gretna and get full signal strength from all the Omaha and Lincoln stations.

I don't quite get it.

Cox moved or eliminated some channels and promoted that this would allow new HD channels and the "Power Boost" feature for HSI.

But...one of the allegedly removed channels -- channel 4 -- still has a graphic on the channel much of the time and even runs some programming during some hours.

Either the old channels are there or they aren't -- and if they ARE still there, how could this have been used as a promotional gimmick for the new services?

Sounds like sleight-of-hand to me. :confused:

I don't quite get it.

Cox moved or eliminated some channels and promoted that this would allow new HD channels and the "Power Boost" feature for HSI.

But...one of the allegedly removed channels -- channel 4 -- still has a graphic on the channel much of the time and even runs some programming during some hours.

Either the old channels are there or they aren't -- and if they ARE still there, how could this have been used as a promotional gimmick for the new services?

Sounds like sleight-of-hand to me. :confused:

Here is cox's response when I noticed it back in the guide

There is not going to be any programming on channel 4 that is using bandwidth. The channel 4 had to stay as an option for now due to the customers that have camera's in their homes or apartments and the channel that they use to view the camera's is channel 4. We have obtained more bandwidth by not having programming on that channel.

Are you saying there s actual programming on it? What about channel 20 or 71?

Have you tried contacting cox?

There is not going to be any programming on channel 4 that is using bandwidth. The channel 4 had to stay as an option for now due to the customers that have camera's in their homes or apartments and the channel that they use to view the camera's is channel 4. We have obtained more bandwidth by not having programming on that channel.

Sorry, but I can't understand that -- it's either poorly written or poorly transcribed. Besides, it makes no sense -- sending Chiron video and especially the programming they have on 4 does take bandwidth.

Yes, there is actual programming some of the time on 4 -- it's on right this moment. I just checked and both 20 and 71 are gone (at least my box doesn't tune them) but 4 is still there.

I did not contact Cox because this is a marketing situation ("New and Improved!!!") and I wouldn't expect a straight answer from them. (Not just Cox, but any company in this situation.) I came here because sometimes people here have "the real scoop." :)

Sorry, but I can't understand that -- it's either poorly written or poorly transcribed. Besides, it makes no sense -- sending Chiron video and especially the programming they have on 4 does take bandwidth.

Yes, there is actual programming some of the time on 4 -- it's on right this moment. I just checked and both 20 and 71 are gone (at least my box doesn't tune them) but 4 is still there.

I did not contact Cox because this is a marketing situation ("New and Improved!!!") and I wouldn't expect a straight answer from them. (Not just Cox, but any company in this situation.) I came here because sometimes people here have "the real scoop." :)

I just just checked my dvr and when tuning to channel 4 it says off air. Do you have a tv hooked directly to the cable line to check.

If I were you I would contact them and see if they did drop channel 4 why are you still recieving video n it and see what they say.

Can anybody here confirm that the Husker game will be broadcasted on ESPNHD on Saturday. A Cox representive told me that it will be on both ABCHD and ESPNHD. Checking the ESPN website, it only says ABC, and does not say HD, like some of the other games. Has anybody else confirmed this??

Can anybody here confirm that the Husker game will be broadcasted on ESPNHD on Saturday. A Cox representive told me that it will be on both ABCHD and ESPNHD. Checking the ESPN website, it only says ABC, and does not say HD, like some of the other games. Has anybody else confirmed this??

It's on ABC not ESPN cox was wrong

ajwees41, thanks for the quick reply. Do you know if this is being broadcasted in HD? I can't find it anywhere saying it is for sure in HD.

ajwees41, thanks for the quick reply. Do you know if this is being broadcasted in HD? I can't find it anywhere saying it is for sure in HD.

The ABC website says it HD http://abc.go.com/#week

It's also listed http://www.ketv.com/tvlistings/index.html

but it will not be HD on Cox

I've heard negotiations between Cox and KETV are going very well.

KETV and Cox have reached an agreement! The NU-USC will be shown in HD tomorrow on Cox channel 806.

Nitty

That's hilarious, I always figured it would take a home NE game to force Cox to do the right thing.

I guess we'll see!

I've plenty of OTA 8VSB tuners lying about, anyone care to rent one just in case Cox's bid comes up short? It'll cost you $4.99 plus local, city and state sales tax. ;)

Seriously couldn't resist, good luck with the negotiations.

John

KETV and Cox have reached an agreement! The NU-USC will be shown in HD tomorrow on Cox channel 806.

It is not an agreement, but since the talks are going well KETV is allowing Cox to air the game in HD.

Again No agreement has been reached.

reply from cox

. We are very close in the negotiations. So close, in fact, that Hearst is allowing us to carry tomorrow’s USC v. Nebraska game in HD. Look for it on channel 806.

They are very close to making this permanent.

KETV PROVIDES HIGH DEFINITION SIGNAL TO COX FOR NEBRASKA/USC GAME


Omaha, Nebraska – September 14, 2007. Today, Hearst-Argyle (KETV’s parent company) announced that an agreement has been reached with Cox Cable for carriage of this weekend’s Nebraska/USC game in High Definition. “This is our way of saying thanks to all the Husker fans that have been very patient during our negotiations with Cox Communications,” said Sarah Smith, KETV-TV/DT president and general manager.

KETV’s High Definition broadcast on Cox will start with College Football Countdown at 2 p.m. and include the Michigan/Notre Dame game at 2:30 p.m., The Big Red Zone at 6 p.m. and the Nebraska/USC game at 7 p.m. The games will be carried on Cox Cable channel 806. The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series at New Hampshire at 1 p.m. on Sunday will also be carried in High Definition on Cox Cable channel 806.

At this time no other High Definition programming from KETV has been cleared to air on Cox Cable. “Negotiations regarding retransmission consent continue and we remain optimistic that they will be successfully concluded by the end of September,” said Sarah Smith.

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of the largest U.S. television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and also owns two CBS affiliates. The company’s web address is www.hearstargyle.com.

Hearst-Argyle’s stations are recognized news leaders. The station group has been honored with four consecutive Walter Cronkite Awards, presented by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication, for excellence in television political journalism, and is the only TV news provider to have received a Cronkite Award every year since its inception. Hearst-Argyle stations also are the recipients of many of television’s other highest awards for excellence in journalism, programming and community service, including the Peabody, the du Pont- Columbia Journalism Award, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, the Gabriel, the Ad Council Silver Bell, the National Headliner Award, the Edward R. Murrow Award and the EMMY.

Hi Everyone,

Cox Communications informs me the QAM channel for KETV-DT this weekend is 108.

Makes you wonder why it took so long to get back to discussions? I wonder how the other areas that are effected by this are going in discussions?

Great news about Saturday. Now just work on getting the rest of ABC's stuff on there.

Word is KETVs owners have cut there price in Half (25 cent per house instead of 50 cents) due to Cox making about HALF the profit now on the HD DTV boxes rental profits.

The owners just want there fair share of the HD DTV cable box Rental profits that Cox is making off of the KETV HD Signal. KETV already gets a similar cut from Dishnetwork and Direct TV (they started all this by caving in years ago to the profit sharing idea).
For those doing cable cards, they are NOT asking for profits on them but they are asking for a clause that if the profit levels were to someday become the same (maybe due to HD TIVOs) then they would also have to pay some of the profits to the KETV owners.

Remember this has nothing to do with the guys at the station, its at the corp level for both sides.

I am sure it will now be on in full HD by Mid October (a little later than most are thinking).

Word is KETVs owners have cut there price in Half (25 cent per house instead of 50 cents) due to Cox making about HALF the profit now on the HD DTV boxes rental profits.

The owners just want there fair share of the HD DTV cable box Rental profits that Cox is making off of the KETV HD Signal. KETV already gets a similar cut from Dishnetwork and Direct TV (they started all this by caving in years ago to the profit sharing idea).

I am sure it will now be on in full HD by Mid October (a little later than most are thinking).

Scott why shold it be October? It needs to be done by September 30th or they will pull the Analog off of Cox.

Since Cox got the O.K. to air the sports in HD this weekend if they sign the deal soon enough we could see it sooner then that. Just my opinion

There is an other extension. They are working together and talking now, hence the Husker Game in HD.

Did everyone notice the KETV Weather NOW tv Ads (hint hint hint) they are also part of the contract talks.

Strange, I got a PM asking for a name. It was a new member with no posts ever, I am wondering if Corporate is out to get the leak (they can get fired for talking during contract talks) Opps.

There is an other extension. They are working together and talking now, hence the Husker Game in HD.

Did everyone notice the KETV Weather NOW tv Ads (hint hint hint) they are also part of the contract talks.

Strange, I got a PM asking for a name. It was a new member with no posts ever, I am wondering if Corporate is out to get the leak (they can get fired for talking during contract talks) Opps.

There was no mention made about an extention as far as people know KETV will pull the whole signal of on October 1st.

What ad"s they have always been shown on KETV channel 7 or 9 on cable. I haven't seen an increase in Weather Now ads on TV.

FWIW, carriage of subchannels by cable companies is likely to be used more now as a bargaining chip in carriage negotiations, because it's looking less likely that this is going to be imposed by the FCC or Congress.

For the past few years, broadcasters, via the NAB, have been trying to get the FCC to mandate that carriage of any digital broadcast signal require carriage of all channels/subchannels in that feed. The FCC chairman (Kevin Martin) has made several runs at getting this approved but hasn't been able to muster the support of other commissioners.

Both "dual must carry" and "multichannel carry" were on the initial agenda of last week's FCC meeting, but Martin had to back down on both counts.

http://www.isfforum.com/Video-Savant/Broadcast-and-Pay-TV/FCC-Compromises-on-Dual-Carriage-and-Multicast-Dealt-a-Blow.html

For now (probably until a new administration makes FCC appointments), subchannel carriage will have to be negotiated on a system-by-system, channel-by-channel basis by broadcasters. As a result, there will probably be less overall effort and investment made by broadcasters in multicast programming.

That's a good thing for anyone who cares about HD picture quality.

FWIW, carriage of subchannels by cable companies is likely to be used more now as a bargaining chip in carriage negotiations, because it's looking less likely that this is going to be imposed by the FCC or Congress.

For the past few years, broadcasters, via the NAB, have been trying to get the FCC to mandate that carriage of any digital broadcast signal require carriage of all channels/subchannels in that feed. The FCC chairman (Kevin Martin) has made several runs at getting this approved but hasn't been able to muster the support of other commissioners.

Both "dual must carry" and "multichannel carry" were on the initial agenda of last week's FCC meeting, but Martin had to back down on both counts.

http://www.isfforum.com/Video-Savant/Broadcast-and-Pay-TV/FCC-Compromises-on-Dual-Carriage-and-Multicast-Dealt-a-Blow.html

For now (probably until a new administration makes FCC appointments), subchannel carriage will have to be negotiated on a system-by-system, channel-by-channel basis by broadcasters. As a result, there will probably be less overall effort and investment made by broadcasters in multicast programming.

That's a good thing for anyone who cares about HD picture quality.


Doesn't really matter in the Omaha area. If KETV gets the deal done Cox will carry all the sub chanels except for KMTV which I don't know if they are airing a subchannel yet.

I wonder if the talks hit a snag? I though if they were real close maybe they would let Cox keep the HD channel jst not air it.

Doesn't really matter in the Omaha area. If KETV gets the deal done Cox will carry all the sub chanels except for KMTV which I don't know if they are airing a subchannel yet.

And TuVision... last I heard Cox had dropped KAZO/KXVO-DT2.

I have a question for the Omaha people: I have 3 (well soon to be 4) TV's in the house/garage) I only have 2 of them on cox boxes (1 on a DVR and 1 on the standard box) and the one in the garage I just have a coaxial (sp) line running to the back of it. Without getting another box, how can I get more that 70 channels in the garage? Do I need 2 boxes if there is a way to get all the channels I pay for on all tv's with just the DVR box?

I have a question for the Omaha people: I have 3 (well soon to be 4) TV's in the house/garage) I only have 2 of them on cox boxes (1 on a DVR and 1 on the standard box) and the one in the garage I just have a coaxial (sp) line running to the back of it. Without getting another box, how can I get more that 70 channels in the garage? Do I need 2 boxes if there is a way to get all the channels I pay for on all tv's with just the DVR box?

You need a box for each tv if you want all the channels the dvr gets including games and weather and remote that is only avalable on the dvr.

And TuVision... last I heard Cox had dropped KAZO/KXVO-DT2.

I don't even think they carried it vary long a week maybe.

Without getting another box, how can I get more that 70 channels in the garage?

Does the TV have a built-in QAM tuner? That will get you the OTA channels.

You could run a coax from the channel 3/4 output of the cable box to the tv in the garage but you would have to watch whatever the person watching on the cable box was watching.

You could run a coax from the channel 3/4 output of the cable box to the tv in the garage but you would have to watch whatever the person watching on the cable box was watching.

So basically I could put a splitter on the TV in the Den (normal cable box) and then run a cable out to the garage? They are close to each other

Cox news for COX HD by this year:

Direct TV reported today in there stock earnings conference call that Cox cables new customer rate is now cut in half compared to last year.

This means that
The lack of new HD compared to Direct TV is causing customers to switch.

My Prediction now is:
I really think Cox will now add the 30 to 50 HD channels by December as they want to avoid the MASS EXIT to Direct TV and Dish network.
More and more people at work talk everyday about leaving Cox as they just bought there new HD TV and Cox does not have much in HD compared to Direct TV and Dish.


GOOD NEWS: I hear ALL of the Cox head ends have already purchased the needed Switching equipment to start testing Switch HDTV.
It is due to Ship this Month. Key words are "start testing" The Switched Video will allow, in theory, for hundreds of HD channels as its really ON DEMAND live.

Cox news for COX HD by this year:

Direct TV reported today in there stock earnings conference call that Cox cables new customer rate is now cut in half compared to last year.

This means that
The lack of new HD compared to Direct TV is causing customers to switch.

My Prediction now is:
I really think Cox will now add the 30 to 50 HD channels by December as they want to avoid the MASS EXIT to Direct TV and Dish network.
More and more people at work talk everyday about leaving Cox as they just bought there new HD TV and Cox does not have much in HD compared to Direct TV and Dish.




GOOD NEWS: I hear ALL of the Cox head ends have already purchased the needed Switching equipment to start testing Switch HDTV.
It is due to Ship this Month. Key words are "start testing" The Switched Video will allow, in theory, for hundreds of HD channels as its really ON DEMAND live.


Are there any numbers to back it up?

Cox Omaha has fewer HD that's a given but also othe cox areas have more. The reason Satelite has more channels because they are all digital were cable stil bodcasts analog cable.

Scott I don't believe you that all Cox locations are testing because you have been proven to be wrong before.

Any info to back it up. Also it it Switched Digital Video not Switched HDTV

No wonder you think I am wrong sometimes. You are miss understanding. Sorry about that, I am not the best at spelling and grammar.

I did not say that ANY location is testing. There is a big difference in POs being cut and testing. See pasted text below.

They all have the POs cut and shipping is due soon. I just report what I am told. They did not say switch HDTV, but the news articles are saying 50 HD TV channels and Switched in the same story.


"ALL of the Cox head ends have already purchased the needed Switching equipment to start testing Switch HDTV.
It is due to Ship this Month."

Below is some NEWS for the other Cox markets showing upgrades. I could not find anything on Omaha, again, they only have the PO cut (that is a purchase order).

Quote from the Vendor web site
=======================\
"Once the switched video system design has been finalized
and a purchase order accepted, deployment begins. Being the
switched video leader has allowed BigBand Networks to define a
deployment process that allows its professional services team to
install a custom-designed switched solution in only 90 days."


How switched HDTV works
========================
http://www.bigbandnet.com/index.php/sol_switch_broadcast.html

Arizona $25 Million PO
=====================
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/200641

Virginal PO
=====================
http://nab.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=174699


California Biz Wire
==================
http://hd.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=174793

Cox better add many hd stations soon directv is getting ready to add 50 + hd stations, I have e-mailed and called Cox, I expect just as many hd stations as Directv or I'm leaving Cox, I'm not waiting 6 months or a year for cox to add hd.

Sorry Scott, but it's hard to fllow your posts sometimes.

Hope you will forgive me.

I noticed Omaha now has Music Choice 901 on 733750MHz

First channel I have seen in that frequency.

Also Channels 202 and 902 and 903 have no video or audio and 0 fregueny what could be the problem?

I wonder if the talks hit a snag? I though if they were real close maybe they would let Cox keep the HD channel jst not air it.

From Cable360 (http://www.cable360.net/360AM/25659.html):

Cox expects to finalize a retransmission consent deal with Hearst-Argyle broadcast stations by the end of this month, having reached an agreement in principle on Friday. This weekend it offered HD one-off feeds of the Michigan/Notre Dame and the Nebraska/USC games on KOCO-TV, Hearst's broadcast affiliate in Oklahoma City, OK, and also offered the Nebraska/USC game in high-def on KETV-TV in Omaha, NB.

From Cable360 (http://www.cable360.net/360AM/25659.html):

Cox expects to finalize a retransmission consent deal with Hearst-Argyle broadcast stations by the end of this month, having reached an agreement in principle on Friday. This weekend it offered HD one-off feeds of the Michigan/Notre Dame and the Nebraska/USC games on KOCO-TV, Hearst's broadcast affiliate in Oklahoma City, OK, and also offered the Nebraska/USC game in high-def on KETV-TV in Omaha, NB.

I don't know if I would believe them. They abriviated Nebraska wrong.

Here is more HD information for Cox customers with these channels (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070919005982&newsLang=en) being added on a "market by market" basis. Who knows when the Omaha market will do this, but they are available to be added:

Cox Communications Announces Upcoming Launches of Four Discovery High-Definition Networks

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cox Communications, Inc. announced today an agreement with Discovery Communications that will pave the way for a significant expansion of its HD line-up with four high-definition networks -- Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel. These HD networks will be launched on a market-by-market basis.

“This agreement for HD launches of Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel is a thrilling development for our customers. The programs featured on these channels are ideally suited for delivery in high definition,” said Pat Esser, President, Cox Communications. “As our customers’ appetites for HD content grow, we will continue to expand our HD line-up with high-quality programming to ensure that we offer a robust selection of the best HD channels in our markets. In fact, we have dozens of new HD channels slated for launch this year.”

With the addition of Discovery’s family of HD services, Cox customers will have access to a wide-ranging slate of real-life HD programming spanning content categories such as exploration and adventure, natural history, lifestyle, science and technology, wildlife and history, among others. Capitalizing on the superior picture and sound quality offered by high-definition technology, Discovery has invested millions in original HD content, bringing landmark programming events to viewers such as the groundbreaking, Emmy-award winning natural history series PLANET EARTH and DISCOVERY ATLAS HD.

Cox customers also will be able to experience their favorite programs in stunning 1080i clarity for the first time, including the danger, excitement and grime of Discovery Channel’s hit series DEADLIEST CATCH and DIRTY JOBS; the adventures of TLC’s much-loved Roloff family from LITTLE PEOPLE BIG WORLD; all the antics and drama of Animal Planet’s MEERKAT MANOR; and the wonder and mystery of the red planet with The Science Channel’s MARS RISING; to name just a few. Cox continues to offer Discovery’s standalone HD network, HD Theater, featuring viewer favorite SUNRISE EARTH in addition to a broad array of rich, original HD content across several categories such as world cultures, wildlife, high-end auto and adventure. Cox’s actual HD channel line-up will vary by market.

I have noticed audio issues on KOLN. I recently upgraded my DVR to a HR20 so I am not sure if its my hardware. The audio all sounds tinny, after a while it will go back to normal. All of my other OTA stations are fine, has anyone else seen this?

Cable cards and an HD Tivo

How much can Ian I expect to pay for cable cards a month in the Omaha area?

TOTAL EXPANDED BASIC 25.50
Your total expanded services are:
Cox Limited Basic
Cox Expanded Service
COX DIGITAL CABLE 5.00
Includes:
DIGITAL SV,DG DISCVRY
2 Cox CableCARD 3.98
$34.48 Total Monthly Cable Service

This was my last Cox bill (we have a Series 3 HD TiVo with two cable cards), we also have Cox internet and telephone, so there might be some discount in there.

-Sean

TOTAL EXPANDED BASIC 25.50
Your total expanded services are:
Cox Limited Basic
Cox Expanded Service
COX DIGITAL CABLE 5.00
Includes:
DIGITAL SV,DG DISCVRY
2 Cox CableCARD 3.98
$34.48 Total Monthly Cable Service

This was my last Cox bill (we have a Series 3 HD TiVo with two cable cards), we also have Cox internet and telephone, so there might be some discount in there.

-Sean


Sean thanks How many digital channels do you get? We currently have the Motorola dvr and we are looking at replacing it with the TivoHD. How much did they charge to install them?

No problem,

I don't know which channels are digital, but without listing each channel we get roughly 1-67 and 100-105, 249, 251 and then for HD:

803
807
809
810
811
812
814
819
820
821
823
824
(might be missing network HD, we get those via antenna)

... and then a bunch of music channels. We don't get any of the premium channels (HBO etc) so I'm sure there are some holes in there somewhere where those would be.

Installation was $15 per card, but that was after haggling:

My Cox Installation Experience (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5224939&&#post5224939)

We just got our Series3 installed yesterday. The install was painless, but I had to reassure the sales person over the phone that I needed 2 cable cards and didn't need an HD DVR from them.

Cox quoted me $70 per card for the install. I had been trading emails with them over the weekend to find out exactly how much (including tax) it would cost for me to switch from DirecTV to Cox for HD. They had never mentioned the installation fees. When I placed my order online there was no option to order two cable cards so I called in and thats when I was told that it would cost $70 per card. I told them no thank you.

After a quick research trip to these forums I found folks in VA, CA and AZ had been charged $30 for the install. When Cox called me back and I told them that they lowered it to $15 per card.

The day of the install I got a Cox HD DVR delievered by UPS, I had the installer take it back.

The install itself took about 15 minutes from the time I handed the guy the cablecard instruction sheet that came with my Series3 to the time he asked if he could keep it

Saturday 9-22-07:
2 - 2:30pm College Football Countdown
2:30 - 6pm Penn State @ Michigan
6 - 6:30pm NewsWatch 7
6 - 7pm Wheel of Fortune
7pm - 10:35pm (approx) Iowa @ Wisconsin

Sunday 9-23-07:
12 - 12:30pm Nascar countdown
12:30 - 5pm Nascar Nextel Cup Series at Dover

Channel 806 / QAM 108

Warren I find it strange that you posted the info, but nothing is listed on either the ketv homepage, or the local cox page.

Looks like it is on the Cox page now.

Looks like it is on the Cox page now.

I wonder how long they will drag this on?

Last weesk for KETV on Cox.

Flipping through the channels tonight and noticed the T-Storm Watch map on KOLN-DT while CSI: Miami was still in HD.

This is the first time I've seen a local station overlay a weather graphic without reverting back to the SD feed.

Does anyone else know if there are any other stations with this capability? It seems odd that a Lincoln station would be able to do this before some of the Omaha stations.

I saw this with KXVO while watching a Smallville rerun one night so Omaha stations are doing it.

KXVO and KPTM are the only Omaha stations to display weather graphics and stay in HD. If KOLN now has the technology, I wouldn't be surprised if WOWT gets it soon, considering the stations are owned by the same organization.

KLKN has a primitive HD overlay for Amber Alerts/EAS, and has a constant HD bug in the corner of the screen (even on SD programming). KMTV and WOWT also are able to display a small station ID bug without disrupting HD. KETV also has a text-based "KETV DT" overlay that is HD-compatible; however, all switch to SD in order to display weather graphics.

Now let's see who gets HD news on first. I had expected it to be KPTM with their new set, but was wrong. WOWT appears to be using digital production/processing as their picture quality for local news is superior to any of the other locals. Maybe they'll go HD first...

I'm itching to watch the rest of "The War" in HD, but channel 40-5 is missing today. Anyone else having the same problem? (I don't have an antenna hooked up).

Bob

I'm itching to watch the rest of "The War" in HD, but channel 40-5 is missing today. Anyone else having the same problem? (I don't have an antenna hooked up).

Bob

NET-HD is only on from 7 PM to 10 PM and for special sporting events. Check again during those hours. . .

The deal is done. ABCHD is on 806 right now, but may move back to 809.

The deal is done. ABCHD is on 806 right now, but may move back to 809.

I wonder if Cox will get Weather Now also?

http://www.ketv.com/news/14212649/detail.html

I also hear Cox will be adding TBS-HD in time for the MLB playoffs.

NEWS
Contact: At KETV-TV/DT:
Sarah L. Smith
402-345-7777
sarahsmith@hearst.com




HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION (Parent Company of KETV) AND COX COMMUNICATIONS SIGN RETRANSMISSION CONSENT AGREEMENT FOR SIX TV MARKETS INCLUDING OMAHA.

NEW YORK, N.Y., September 26, 2007 – Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (NYSE: HTV), parent of [STATION(S)] today announced an agreement providing retransmission consent for carriage over Cox Communications cable systems of the digital and analog signals of Hearst-Argyle’s television stations WESH-TV and WKCF-TV, Orlando; KMBC-TV, Kansas City, Missouri; KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City; WDSU-TV, New Orleans; KETV, Omaha; and KHBS-TV/KHOG-TV, Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Arkansas. The agreement includes carriage of the high-definition digital (HDTV) signals and carriage of digital multicast programming as well as continued carriage of the stations’ analog signals.

WESH and WDSU are NBC affiliates; WKCF is a CW affiliate; the others are ABC affiliates.

“We’re pleased to have our digital signal back on the Cox system and to be able to provide our award-winning local programs and our network programming to our valued viewers who are Cox subscribers,” said Sarah Smith of KETV.


About Hearst-Argyle Television:

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations owned by Hearst Corporation, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company also owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and owns two CBS affiliates. Also, Hearst-Argyle owns more than 30 Websites and currently multicasts 16 digital weather channels. Hearst Corporation owns approximately 73% of Hearst-Argyle’s total outstanding common stock. Hearst-Argyle Series A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HTV.” Hearst-Argyle’s corporate Web address is www. hearstargyle.com.

NEWS
Contact: At KETV-TV/DT:
Sarah L. Smith
402-345-7777
sarahsmith@hearst.com




HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION (Parent Company of KETV) AND COX COMMUNICATIONS SIGN RETRANSMISSION CONSENT AGREEMENT FOR SIX TV MARKETS INCLUDING OMAHA.

NEW YORK, N.Y., September 26, 2007 – Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (NYSE: HTV), parent of [STATION(S)] today announced an agreement providing retransmission consent for carriage over Cox Communications cable systems of the digital and analog signals of Hearst-Argyle’s television stations WESH-TV and WKCF-TV, Orlando; KMBC-TV, Kansas City, Missouri; KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City; WDSU-TV, New Orleans; KETV, Omaha; and KHBS-TV/KHOG-TV, Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Arkansas. The agreement includes carriage of the high-definition digital (HDTV) signals and carriage of digital multicast programming as well as continued carriage of the stations’ analog signals.

WESH and WDSU are NBC affiliates; WKCF is a CW affiliate; the others are ABC affiliates.

“We’re pleased to have our digital signal back on the Cox system and to be able to provide our award-winning local programs and our network programming to our valued viewers who are Cox subscribers,” said Sarah Smith of KETV.


About Hearst-Argyle Television:

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations owned by Hearst Corporation, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company also owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner, and owns two CBS affiliates. Also, Hearst-Argyle owns more than 30 Websites and currently multicasts 16 digital weather channels. Hearst Corporation owns approximately 73% of Hearst-Argyle’s total outstanding common stock. Hearst-Argyle Series A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HTV.” Hearst-Argyle’s corporate Web address is www. hearstargyle.com.

When will Cox get the Weather Now channel?

KETVHD 806 removed from HD/DVR guide, but when tuned to 806 it still works.

ajwees41

I note that the Cox guide now lists Discovery HD as Discovery TH HD (for "Theater"). I wonder if that's a sign that Cox Omaha is about to add more Discovery HD channels, since they recently announced this nationally?

Something strange

While I was trying to get guide data for KETVHD and rebooted the dvr and if you press exit on the remote while the software is reloading you can view live tv, but the channel names are missing. While I was waiting I noticed channel 833 was listed in the guide, but no video or audio when tuned.

I hope Cox steps up and add many hd stations ASAP Directv just added 21 HD stations today.

I think the upgrades are all done, so hopefully we will see more HD/Digital channels. I find it strange that the cox webpages make no mention of the KETVHD deal, or that the ketv website still lists ways to get ketvhd without cox cable.

The stakes for Cox are pretty high right now. I begun my defection to DirecTV approximately 3 weeks ago. This evening I was rewarded with the addition of the following HD channels::p

* A&E (Channel 265)
* Animal Planet (Channel 282)
* Big Ten Network (Channel 220)
* CNN (Channel 202)
* The Discovery Channel (Channel 278)
* The History Channel (Channel 269)
* The Movie Channel East (Channel 544)
* NFL Network (Channel 212)
* Showtime West (Channel 540)
* Showtime too (Channel 538)
* The Smithsonian Channel (Channel 267)
* The Science Channel (Channel 284)
* Starz Comedy (Channel 519)
* Starz East (Channel 522)
* Starz West (Channel 540)
* Starz Edge (Channel 520)
* Starz Kids and Family (Channel 518)
* TBS (Channel 247)
* TLC (Channel 280)
* Versus / The Golf Channel (Channel 604)
* The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

Even the upconverted Weather Channel is like crack for your eyes.

EdL
Satisfied (for the time being) HDTV owner

The stakes for Cox are pretty high right now. I begun my defection to DirecTV approximately 3 weeks ago. This evening I was rewarded with the addition of the following HD channels::p

* A&E (Channel 265)
* Animal Planet (Channel 282)
* Big Ten Network (Channel 220)
* CNN (Channel 202)
* The Discovery Channel (Channel 278)
* The History Channel (Channel 269)
* The Movie Channel East (Channel 544)
* NFL Network (Channel 212)
* Showtime West (Channel 540)
* Showtime too (Channel 538)
* The Smithsonian Channel (Channel 267)
* The Science Channel (Channel 284)
* Starz Comedy (Channel 519)
* Starz East (Channel 522)
* Starz West (Channel 540)
* Starz Edge (Channel 520)
* Starz Kids and Family (Channel 518)
* TBS (Channel 247)
* TLC (Channel 280)
* Versus / The Golf Channel (Channel 604)
* The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

Even the upconverted Weather Channel is like crack for your eyes.

EdL
Satisfied (for the time being) HDTV owner


About the only ones that I want and that would make me call and get the hd tier on my acount are the Science channel and Animal Planet and NFL Network

http://www.tvpredictions.com/coxnfl092607.htm

I am just curious to the other Cox subscribers out there with the DVR, do you know of any way to get the HD content onto your computer? I am wanting to take some of the highlights of the Husker/USC game and get screen caps, and highlights to play with in my Ulead VideoStudio. I know that you can hook your computer to the tv, but I am looking for something a little more effecient than lugging my computer upstairs every time I decide to get my HD content off the DVR. I do have an HD Camcorder (Canon HV20) and I know I can use the firewire to record into the camcorder, but will it stay HD? Or will the caps that I take from it be the smaller 480px size. This may be a post for my HV20 forum, but thought I would ask all you Omahan's.

Thanks in advance.

I am just curious to the other Cox subscribers out there with the DVR, do you know of any way to get the HD content onto your computer? I am wanting to take some of the highlights of the Husker/USC game and get screen caps, and highlights to play with in my Ulead VideoStudio. I know that you can hook your computer to the tv, but I am looking for something a little more effecient than lugging my computer upstairs every time I decide to get my HD content off the DVR. I do have an HD Camcorder (Canon HV20) and I know I can use the firewire to record into the camcorder, but will it stay HD? Or will the caps that I take from it be the smaller 480px size. This may be a post for my HV20 forum, but thought I would ask all you Omahan's.

Thanks in advance.

I am just curious to the other Cox subscribers out there with the DVR, do you know of any way to get the HD content onto your computer? I am wanting to take some of the highlights of the Husker/USC game and get screen caps, and highlights to play with in my Ulead VideoStudio. I know that you can hook your computer to the tv, but I am looking for something a little more effecient than lugging my computer upstairs every time I decide to get my HD content off the DVR. I do have an HD Camcorder (Canon HV20) and I know I can use the firewire to record into the camcorder, but will it stay HD? Or will the caps that I take from it be the smaller 480px size. This may be a post for my HV20 forum, but thought I would ask all you Omahan's.

Thanks in advance.

You might trouble with firewire if the CCI byte was set wrong. Your best bet would be a capture card in the computer and run rca cables from the dvr to the capture card.

I just bought a Silver Sensor for ABC HD programming, which it worked perfectly, but now I have no use for it, as I have the Cox DVR. If any of you Cox users that don't have a box, but want HD programming, this would be the best choice, from all my research. I am selling it for $30. It was new, and I just hooked it up on Sunday. If you are interested, please e-mail me at rob@howellvideo.net.

I am located in West Omaha, available for pickup.

I just bought a Silver Sensor for ABC HD programming, which it worked perfectly, but now I have no use for it, as I have the Cox DVR. If any of you Cox users that don't have a box, but want HD programming, this would be the best choice, from all my research. I am selling it for $30. It was new, and I just hooked it up on Sunday. If you are interested, please e-mail me at rob@howellvideo.net.



The cox box would be better if you want more then the locals in HD.

NET-HD is only on from 7 PM to 10 PM and for special sporting events. Check again during those hours. . .
I've been getting Net-HD all day long since I got my TV. I called Cox and the guy turned on the channel (of course he was using a cable-box) and said it was o.k. When I went home, I still couldn't get it, but I reran the channel scan on my TV and it reappeared. What was weird was that I tried manually changing to 40-5 and manually scanning and both showed no signal. All other channels were still there. Net-HD is still there this morning too.

On a slightly related note, has anyone else noticed lip-synching with the HD channels? I did a little bit of research and found that it seems to be common. KETV doesn't seem to have the problem, but Net-HD can be really bad sometimes.

I also hear Cox will be adding TBS-HD in time for the MLB playoffs.

They have until October 3rd to get TBSHD.

ajwees41

The stakes for Cox are pretty high right now. I begun my defection to DirecTV approximately 3 weeks ago. This evening I was rewarded with the addition of the following HD channels::p

* A&E (Channel 265)
* Animal Planet (Channel 282)
* Big Ten Network (Channel 220)
* CNN (Channel 202)
* The Discovery Channel (Channel 278)
* The History Channel (Channel 269)
* The Movie Channel East (Channel 544)
* NFL Network (Channel 212)
* Showtime West (Channel 540)
* Showtime too (Channel 538)
* The Smithsonian Channel (Channel 267)
* The Science Channel (Channel 284)
* Starz Comedy (Channel 519)
* Starz East (Channel 522)
* Starz West (Channel 540)
* Starz Edge (Channel 520)
* Starz Kids and Family (Channel 518)
* TBS (Channel 247)
* TLC (Channel 280)
* Versus / The Golf Channel (Channel 604)
* The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

Even the upconverted Weather Channel is like crack for your eyes.

EdL
Satisfied (for the time being) HDTV owner

It's good to be a DirecTV subscriber! :D

It will be even better next month when they roll out even more HD!

Cox Omaha HD channels to increase http://www.cox.com/Omaha/Digitalcable/ketvhd.asp

I also hear Cox will be adding TBS-HD in time for the MLB playoffs.

No mention of TBSHD on the http://www.cox.com/Omaha/Digitalcable/ketvhd.asp

To answer my own post about weather now Cox is waiting on a channel location, but should be launched soon.

NewsFlash

TBSHD and CNNHD go live on Friday. just 8 to the channel number to get the hd channel.

ajwees, what do you mean by "just 8 to the channel number to get the hd channel". Also, where do you get all your Cox info? Do you work for them? Not a bad thing, as they give a good discount to their employees.:)

ajwees, what do you mean by "just 8 to the channel number to get the hd channel". Also, where do you get all your Cox info? Do you work for them? Not a bad thing, as they give a good discount to their employees.:)

No I don't work for them. I got my info after I emailed them after I saw the KETVHD link on the cox.net/omaha page that lists the names of the HD names. All I wanted to know was when Omaha would get the KETV Weather Now channel since we have the ABCHD channel again.
CNNHD=833 TBSHD=827

Charge to add HD tier to account

Does anyone know if they charge to add the HD tier? I have the HD/DVR and was looking at getting an HDTV. When I picked the HD/DVR they asked if we had an HDTV since we didn't they didn't authorize the HD channels except for the locals,

Do we really need to see news in HD? There had to be some other channels that they could have added instead......

Do we really need to see news in HD? There had to be some other channels that they could have added instead......

I look forward to the day when all channels are as sharp and clear as those currently in HD. I appreciate Cox's effort to offer a variety of programs in HD and hope that everyone here will agree that we each have our own blend of programming we like to watch, and that isn't the same for everyone. :)

I want HDNET on Cox...

I watch alot of CNN when I'm home during the day during the week. I just wish I didn't have to cough up more for the HD channels.

I watch alot of CNN when I'm home during the day during the week. I just wish I didn't have to cough up more for the HD channels.

What do you cough up more?

For the last few days I've been fighting my TV to keep the local Omaha HD stations. The channel disappears from my TV and when I manually tune to them I get a "No Signal" message. First I lost 40-5, a rescan of the channels fixed that. Next I lost 6-1 and 7-1, once again a rescan fixed that. Today 40-5 was gone again, 6-1 and 7-1 were there so I rescanned and got 40-5 back but 6-1 and 7-1 were gone. GRRRRR! So I need your advice. Is this normal? Is Cox doing something screwy or is my TV flakey? For the record, I have an LG 42PC5D Plasma, but I am still within the Marts 30 day exchange policy and I'm seriously thinking about going to a Panasonic. Anyone else in Omaha having problems keeping their QAM channels?:confused:

Cause I'd have to subscribe to the HD tier to get CNN HD or any of the others although HBO HD wouldn't be much of a problem for me.

Cause I'd have to subscribe to the HD tier to get CNN HD or any of the others although HBO HD wouldn't be much of a problem for me.

Do you you have a converter, or cable card equiped tv?

The HD tier is free with the right equipment.

Cox adds TBS-hd and Cnn-hd its a start for Cox adding more hd, but why Cnn-hd before Animal planet hd, Food Network hd,TLC hd, HGTV hd, and I would like to see a couple of part time hd stations for Fox sports hd, Golf channel hd, NFL hd, and Versus hd, yesterday Fox sports had Oklahoma vs Colorado in hd,and I'm sure the Huskers will be on Fox sports hd in the coming weeks.

===== Scott's Fall Review and Rumor Predictions =========

This round of HD adds if from the bandwidth free up project that they have been working on for the last year. The TBS and CNN are turner stations and are part of a contract deal signed long ago they have to go first. Remember the ESPN dispute?

This is the first round. Just wait till December- Jan when the new Cox equipment starts to but put online. It should be an exciting time with all the new HD additions on Cox, Dish, and Direct TV.

My Self, I think who ever lands HD on Demand first will be the winner. All 3 are working on it now. Direct TV seems to already have a beta going for some with HD on demand, it it has issues as it must go over the internet. I am sure Cox will have it with the new equipment also. I am betting Cox will have HD on Demand first in production (not just a beta).

Cox already started there TV Ads basing Direct TV about the lack of SD on demand. I think they will expand the TV ads to HD once they get it online and also start bashing Dish.


Goooooooooo HD, the board will get real exciting soon with all the new HD. Stay tuned.

Image someday in the future 200 channels of HD on demand or 1000 HD on demand shows. That would be something.

So when should we expect some more HD channels? December?

So when should we expect some more HD channels? December?

According to the Cox Channel guide, 825 will be TLC HD, 826 will be Discovery Channel HD and 828 will be Animal Planet HD. Since they are in the channel guide, I would assume within the next month those will be active, but I am just speculating.

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

Wait, didn't we already have Discovery HD at one point? Now they took it off and are going to add it again?

No the channel Cox currently has is Discovery HD Theater, Discovery HD is a HD simulcast of the Discovery Channel.

When will we see more digital channels?

So much for removing channel 4

According to a news release on the cox omaha webpage channel 4 will carry programming
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints General Conference to be Broadcast Live

OMAHA, Neb. – The 177th semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be broadcast live on Cox channel 4 on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7.

As a public service, Cox will air the conference live in its entirety from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.

The General Conference is held in Salt Lake City. Messages of inspiration and guidance will be delivered by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum and the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and general officers of the church.

Any chance we get CSTV?

Any chance we get CSTV?

Only thing you can do is call or email and request it.

No subchannel for KMTV until 2008

I just exchanged my LG plasma for a Panasonic plasma, but now I don't seem to get KPTM (107-1). Is my Panasonic to blame or is Cox playing games?

Bob

DiscoveryHD,TLCHD, and Animal planetHD launched in Omaha this morning.

Now that Cox has added WTBS-HD, I see a pattern.

I don't understand "TNT-HD" or "WTBS-HD." They appear to be the SD pictures, stretched to fill the screen (and not particularly sharp and clear either). I don't see any higher-definition, and I hate stretched video (gives me a headache). If individual viewers wish to fill their screen with stretched video, that's their option, but why should it be forced upon us?

Since TNT and TBS are both Time-Warner signals, it looks like that might be their corporate policy. Pretty stinky policy, if you ask me.

(DirecTV and Dish folks: are you getting the same thing on those channels or is this somehow a Cox situation?)

Hi All,

I'm a long time lurker to this thread, and let me first start out by thanking all of you for the information provided here, it has been instrumental in a few decisions I have made!

Also, I'm watching the Phillies/Rockies game on TBS-HD, and it is crystal clear on my set Gary, doesn't look "stretched" or SD at all.

Ok, maybe this is a stupid question, but when you guys are talking about TBSHD, WTBSHD, DiscoveryHD, TLCHD and animal planetHD, I am assuming you are talking about encrypted channels that you can only get if you pay for digital cable with the HD package?

Also, I have never been able to get KPTMHD over cable but I have panasonic as well. I am trying to get most of my channels OTA. Do they keep putting KPTMHD on and taking it off or what?

Yes Heller, you have to subscribe to the digital tier on Cox, have either an hd box or a cable card, then have Cox turn on your HD package.

Then the channels show up in the 800 range. KPTM is 810, for example. Most of the channels have the same # of their SD counterpart and you just prefix it with "8".

Hope that this helps.

Does anyone know any future info on Cox Omaha and new HD content "coming soon"? I was pleasantly surprised by the addition of the 5 new channels in the past week, and I really hope this is a sign of more to come. I would love to have Versus, Speed, Fox Sports, and Sci-Fi. many of you seemed un-surprised by the fact that the Turner channels were added first, and I don't remember reading anything rumor wise before these channels came online, so I'm just curious if there is more info out there that I'm missing. :)

Heller,
I ran into the same KPTM problem as you. I just exchanged my LG for a Panasonic and in doing so lost KPTM. I went to the Mart and they now have all of their TVs hooked directly up to Cox cable. The LGs get 107-1 and the Pannys don't. The salesman was a moron, saying it was probably a problem with my setup. I reminded him that we just saw the problem on his showroom floor, then he threw some stupid theory out that Cox is specifically blocking out the Panasonic! Anyway, I ended up signing up for the Cox box so I can get some of the other HD stations. After manipulating my account (and adding some stupid services to my phone which actually REDUCED my bill by $8), I'll be paying $4.35 more per month to get the digital gateway and the Cox HD box. Supposedly I'll be able to get all of the non-premium HD channels now (I'll report back when I get the box hooked up).

I would say if Omaha keeps getting people that want more HD before the digtal upgrade is done that's supposed to add 100 Mhz to Omaha we will see SDV sooner rather than later.

just my opinion.

ajwees41

Any update on the status of Cox's bandwidth expansion?

Also, I'm watching the Phillies/Rockies game on TBS-HD, and it is crystal clear on my set Gary, doesn't look "stretched" or SD at all.

True -- the baseball game is true HD. It's the "regular" programming that I was complaining about. (Yes, I understand that some of you might say "There's programming other than sports?" :p )

As I sit here and watch the commercials, I see what you're talking about on TBS-HD Gary. It looks upconverted to me SLIGHTLY, not just stretched. But it certainly isn't "source" HD material, whether my eyes are deceiving me that it looks slightly better than stretched SD, or if it really is just converted to the different aspect ratio.

Anyone know when/if Cox will be getting the NHL Network, I know it's not really HD-centric as I'm sure it would just be put into the Sports/Info tier as a SD channel. I hear they are adding it in Phoenix and VA markets already, but have not found anything further.

Gary, when I found out that TBS was going HD, and I saw that the shows I really wanted to see in HD (Fresh Prince, Friends, Seinfeld, SBTB etc) had the HDTV symbol in the information box on the Cox guide, I was pumped. I recorded all the shows that day, just so I could see the quality, and I was very disappointed. The picture was a little dark (SD-ish) and looked very much stretched. It was for sure not the HD quality that I have come to be addicted to (ie The War on NET. Normally I wouldn't watch that, but am enthralled by the HD quality pictures and even the movies shown are clear) I know there are plenty of HD channels like ESPN and even ABC that, if the show is not in HD, will put their logo bars on the sides and it will not be stretched. So why are those shows on TBS not done in the same way. I wish they would only put the HDTV symbol on the info guide when it truely is HD.

Also, since I don't know much about broadcasting, is it even possible to broadcast shows created for tv over the past 20 years, in HD. I always thought that you had to have captured the footage in HD in order to broadcast it that way. Because we still have plenty of shows that are on regular tv that are new episodes that are in SD. Why wouldn't all shows that have current footage be broadcast in HD. Does it have to do with their cameras. And if it does, then that would have to mean that the shows I mentioned above probably would never be able to be broadcasted in HD. But if it could, how cool would it be to see the Brady Bunch in HD. Marsha would look even better, I think!! :D

I watched a couple of Hogan's Heros episodes on HDNET that looked very good. I'd venture a guess that they were recorded on film rather than video tape like later TV shows.

I watched a couple of Hogan's Heros episodes on HDNET that looked very good. I'd venture a guess that they were recorded on film rather than video tape like later TV shows.

How did you watch HDNET?

HiDef,

Yes, Hogan's Heroes was originally produced on film. HDNet went back to the original film masters in order to make use of more of the original frame (making the HDNet version roughly 15x9) and to capture more of the available resolution that was lost when the original NTSC transfers were created way back when.

But, in fact, most all prime time, episodic dramas and sitcoms today are produced on film, not video. There are a few exceptions and I had a list a while back of a number of shows that had recently migrated to HDV. But by far the majority of prime-time shows originate on film and are then telecined for video delivery. All of the best-looking HD programs -- CSI, Heroes, Lost -- are captured on film.

"Reality" shows, news magazines, some documentaries and, of course, live programming, such as sporting events are acquired via video.

So I got Cox digital cable and have a question. I have a 720p Plasma, so should I have the box put out a 720p signal (effectively have the box perform the scaling) or have the box put out a 1080i signal (and have the TV perform the scaling).

All depends on the kind of tv you have I'd assume and how good of a picture it puts out.

Also, since I don't know much about broadcasting, is it even possible to broadcast shows created for tv over the past 20 years, in HD.

That depends on what you mean when you say "HD."

To me, HD is a sharper, clearer, crisper picture with higher resolution. A side benefit is that new HD shows are shot and broadcast in 16 x 9 format.

But, for some, if it is not in 16 x 9, it isn't HD. That's cool -- everyone's entitled to his opinion. I simply disagree -- I'd rather see a great picture filling part of my screen than a stretched or blurry picture filling all of it.

A great example is that Universal HD carries "Northern Exposure" which was one of my favorite shows. (Yes, it's quirky, and so am I!) N.E. was shot and broadcast in the 4 x 3 screen format. In fact, when it was first aired, CBS proudly announced it was in "STEREO!!" (which shows what technology was being pushed back then). UHD is carrying it (without stretching it, thank you very much) and IMHO it looks great.

This is where my knowledge gets a little shaky -- it may take some up-converting to get old film to HD standards. I think that's what WOWT-HD is using, which is why they look so much better on non-HD shows than the other local stations. That equipment may cost a lot, which could be why we don't see it more on other channels. Again, I'm not sure about this.

So, yes, it can be done. Different channels just handle it differently.

Gary,

Here's an explanation of this that I wrote up for the St. Louis AVS group a few years ago (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995791#post2995791. This question used to come up a lot in the early days of movies and old shows appearing in HD.

I hope this help to fill in any gaps in how this film-to-video transfer process works:
__________________________________________________

Q: I'm not clear on the difference between "true HD" and "upconverted HD." Take for example the "Hogan's Heroes" re-runs that sometimes are shown on HDNet -- how can a show that wasn't originally recorded in HD be considered real HD?

A: I think your skepticism about "true HD" comes from a misunderstanding of the difference between "upconversions" and true HD programming. The "Hogan's Heroes" example you mention is a good way to illustrate the distinction.

Let's pretend for a moment that one of our local St. Louis stations holds the local syndication rights to "Hogan's Heroes" re-runs and that these programs are based on the same film-to-NTSC video transfers that appeared when the series was a first-run sitcom on CBS a couple of decades back.

When the local station shows "Hogan Heroes" reruns, the picture quality over the station's analog channel will be largely the same as any other NTSC prime-time drama or comedy series. However, when the show is transmitted on the local station's digital channel, it will be electronically upconverted to either 1080i or 720p, depending on which HD standard this particular station normally uses.

Note the words "electronically converted," because what happens when the program appears on the digital channel is that the 480 lines of NTSC video resolution are "reconstituted" to match the station's 720- or 1080-line digital broadcast. The important thing to understand in the hypothetical example here is that even though "Hogan's Heroes" is being converted to 720p or 1080i broadcast formats, the underlying video is still only 480 lines of resolution -- an electronic conversion can't create resolution beyond what existed in the original video frames.

On the other hand, what HDNet has done is to go back to the original film masters of the "Hogan's Heroes" series and performed a true "HD transfer" of those film frames to 1080i HD.

At the risk of oversimplifying the process, HDNet has "re-scanned" the film master in order to capture more of the resolution that existed in the original film frames of the series but that was lost when the film was converted to 480-line NTSC video. At the same time, HDNet has exposed more of the original film frame in order to fill (or nearly fill) the 16x9 aspect ratio mandated in the HD standard.

One other point that may be muddying the waters for you is the dfference between HD that originates via film (most theatrical-release films and most prime-time TV dramas or sitcoms) and HD that originates as true HD video (live sports, concerts, etc).

In general, HD that originates as HD video may have clearer and more lifelike quality to it, but in fact, 35mm or 70mm film contains as much (actually more) inherent resolution as the highest ATSC HD video standard (1080p x 1920). While they do appear different and you may think HD native video looks better, when a film-to-HD transfer is done properly, it qualifies as "true HD."
__________________________________________________

Re-reading this now after a couple of years, it occurs to me that when HDNet did its HD transfer, it probably did the transfer at 1080p, simply because that would provide the maximum possible picture quality and (just as importantly) flexibility in terms of possibly using the new masters to create other downconverted formats in future. It's always easier to start in progressive format and move to some other progressive format or interlaced, rather than starting with interlaced and trying convert that to some other format.

How did you watch HDNET?

DIRECTV

Anyone wanna guess when we will see more channels Digital and HD added to our cox lineup?

When will Cox add more Hd? Current Hd station count Cox 20,Directv 40 with many more on the way in October, Cox better add more hd soon or many of us hd fans will have to make the switch to Directv.

Keep in mind that DirecTV has a huge bandwidth advantage -- they just launched a new satellite that's (AFAIK) exclusively devoted to new HD channels.

Honestly, I think five new channels in under two weeks is a pretty good start for Cox.

Keep in mind that DirecTV has a huge bandwidth advantage

Not really--they just aren't wasting their bandwidth on analog. Cox could have 200 HD channels if they would get rid of analog (even without SDV). And they would have enough bandwidth leftover for the SD channels, VOD, HSD, etc. Cox could have even more channels if they moved to MPEG4 like DIRECTV. Die analog die!

Not really--they just aren't wasting their bandwidth on analog. Cox could have 200 HD channels if they would get rid of analog (even without SDV). And they would have enough bandwidth leftover for the SD channels, VOD, HSD, etc. Cox could have even more channels if they moved to MPEG4 like DIRECTV. Die analog die!

No cable company is going MPEG4.

Also analog is not the only thing taking up bandwidth, but also cox offers internet and phone over the cable line,

No cable company is going MPEG4.

Also analog is not the only thing taking up bandwidth, but also cox offers internet and phone over the cable line,

I didn't say Cox was looking at MPEG4. However, do some research and you'll find that the cable industry is looking at it. I included HSD and etc in my list.

You seem to have completely missed my point--that Cox is wasting ~60% of their bandwidth on analog.

I didn't say Cox was looking at MPEG4. However, do some research and you'll find that the cable industry is looking at it. I included HSD and etc in my list.

You seem to have completely missed my point--that Cox is wasting ~60% of their bandwidth on analog.



why should analog on cable die? How did you come up with the 60% waste?
since Satelite doesnt carry phone or HSI that is why they have more room.

When do you think Cox wil launch the Discovery Science channel HD and Ketv's Weather Now?

why should analog on cable die? How did you come up with the 60% waste?
since Satelite doesnt carry phone or HSI that is why they have more room.

Every analog channel consumes 6Mhz of bandwidth. Cox has 70 analog channels consuming a total of 420Mhz. Assuming that Cox's bandwidth capacity is 700Mhz, then that is 60% of their bandwidth. The remaining bandwidth is for digital simulcast, HD, VOD, high speed data (HSD), voice, etc. If/when they expand their capacity to 800Mhz, they will only be wasting 52%. I use the word "waste" because these analog channels are already being simulcast in digital.

In the same 6Mhz bandwidth as an analog channel, Cox can broadcast either ~10 SD channels or ~2.4 HD channels.

Read this (http://www.cedmagazine.com/article.aspx?id=68206) for more details.

Cox could have 200 HD channels if they would get rid of analog

It's important to note that there are always two sides to every discussion. As a long-time Cox subscriber, one of the main reasons I stick with them is this very thing -- I can have any number of TVs throughout my home on their analog service, without needing extra boxes. That's something that no satellite company can offer, and to me it's a huge advantage for Cox. I happen to have a lot of TVs, and (for now) only one is HD. I fully realize that that particular argument may hold little water here in an HDTV forum, but I did want to make that point. :rolleyes:

Every analog channel consumes 6Mhz of bandwidth. Cox has 70 analog channels consuming a total of 420Mhz. Assuming that Cox's bandwidth capacity is 700Mhz, then that is 60% of their bandwidth. The remaining bandwidth is for digital simulcast, HD, VOD, high speed data (HSD), voice, etc. If/when they expand their capacity to 800Mhz, they will only be wasting 52%. I use the word "waste" because these analog channels are already being simulcast in digital.

In the same 6Mhz bandwidth as an analog channel, Cox can broadcast either ~10 SD channels or ~2.4 HD channels.

Read this (http://www.cedmagazine.com/article.aspx?id=68206) for more details.


No they don't


Channel 4
Channel 20
Channel 68
Channel 69
Channel 71

don't have any programming, so how do yoy count 70?

It's important to note that there are always two sides to every discussion. As a long-time Cox subscriber, one of the main reasons I stick with them is this very thing -- I can have any number of TVs throughout my home on their analog service, without needing extra boxes. That's something that no satellite company can offer, and to me it's a huge advantage for Cox. I happen to have a lot of TVs, and (for now) only one is HD. I fully realize that that particular argument may hold little water here in an HDTV forum, but I did want to make that point. :rolleyes:

I will concur with this point. As a former Omahan (and Cox Cable subscriber), with 4 VCRs and three TVs connected to a cable analog feed, it makes sense for Cox (and any other cable provider) to provide analog service to the 97% of homes that do not have a HD set. I do have two HD sets connected to HD boxes, however, and I too get frustrated when my cable provider does not get all of the HD channels that are available.

It's important to note that there are always two sides to every discussion. As a long-time Cox subscriber, one of the main reasons I stick with them is this very thing -- I can have any number of TVs throughout my home on their analog service, without needing extra boxes. That's something that no satellite company can offer, and to me it's a huge advantage for Cox. I happen to have a lot of TVs, and (for now) only one is HD. I fully realize that that particular argument may hold little water here in an HDTV forum, but I did want to make that point. :rolleyes:

Here's the latest (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276576A1.pdf) from the FCC.

By statute, cable operators must make local broadcasters’ primary video and program-related material viewable by all of their subscribers. The FCC’s ruling today allows cable operators to comply with the viewability requirement by choosing to either: (1) carry the digital signal in analog format, or (2) carry the signal only in digital format, provided that all subscribers have the necessary equipment to view the broadcast content. The viewability requirements extend to February 2012 with the Commission committing to review them during the last year of this period in light of the state of technology and the marketplace.

You don't see too many horse and buggy lanes on the interstate these days. :) Obviously, I'm hoping that Cox chooses option #2.

Not really--they just aren't wasting their bandwidth on analog. Cox could have 200 HD channels if they would get rid of analog (even without SDV). And they would have enough bandwidth leftover for the SD channels, VOD, HSD, etc. Cox could have even more channels if they moved to MPEG4 like DIRECTV. Die analog die!



Name al the HD channels Cox doesn't have that would take it up to 200 HD channels.

No they don't


Channel 4
Channel 20
Channel 68
Channel 69
Channel 71

don't have any programming, so how do yoy count 70?

Assuming that those channels are used for digital services, that changes the number to 56%. Yippee!!

Name al the HD channels Cox doesn't have that would take it up to 200 HD channels.

Never mind--we don't want more HD channels. :confused:

Assuming that those channels are used for digital services, that changes the number to 56%. Yippee!!



It's a mixof things

This is what w e were promised by cox by the reclaiming of channels. We actually got 6HD and TVONE. http://www.cox.com/omaha/public_access.asp

It's a mixof things

This is what w e were promised by cox by the reclaiming of channels. We actually got 6HD and TVONE. http://www.cox.com/omaha/public_access.asp

That's all very exciting, but my point is still valid.

That's all very exciting, but my point is still valid.

What was your point? Do you have Cox or Directv or both?

What was your point? Do you have Cox or Directv or both?

Go back and read my posts about wasted bandwidth. You've exceeded my attention span, this will be my last post on the topic.

Obviously, I'm hoping that Cox chooses option #2.

Fair enough. We vote with our wallets and I'd vote for them to accommodate the majority of their subscribers for as long as possible at the lowest cost possible. If they're to add equipment to support analog equipment (likely a box either outside the home or one for each TV) that's additional cost for Cox, and guess who that cost gets passed along to?

Besides, since you're someone who believes so strongly in all-digital, it would seem that satellite is the better route for you! :)

Besides, since you're someone who believes so strongly in all-digital, it would seem that satellite is the better route for you! :)

I'm already on DIRECTV. :D Why switch to cable?

1) DTV abandoned TiVo and that means no new HD channels for my HD DTiVo (including the locals)
2) No more antenna (until the next dispute with a local station anyways)
3) DTV transmits HD-Lite (1280x1080)

I'll switch to cable when the following happen:

1) Cox has the programming we watch in HD
2) There is a satisfactory resolution for TiVo and SDV or Cox promises not to implement SDV

I'm already on DIRECTV. :D Why switch to cable?

1) DTV abandoned TiVo and that means no new HD channels for my HD DTiVo (including the locals)
2) No more antenna (until the next dispute with a local station anyways)
3) DTV transmits HD-Lite (1280x1080)

I'll switch to cable when the following happen:

1) Cox has the programming we watch in HD
2) There is a satisfactory resolution for TiVo and SDV or Cox promises not to implement SDV

Then why are you complaning about Cox if you don't you them?

Then why are you complaning about Cox if you don't you them?

I want lots of full-quality HD with a TiVo HD. The only way to get there will be on cable. There isn't any technology lacking to get there today (unless Cox decides to use SDV). If you interpret that as complaining, then that's your problem.

I want lots of full-quality HD with a TiVo HD. The only way to get there will be on cable. There isn't any technology lacking to get there today (unless Cox decides to use SDV). If you interpret that as complaining, then that's your problem.

That's cool

All you had to say was that you were looking at an TivoHD with, but not untill more HD on cox.

U am still waiting for more digital channel like the different fox sportnets and Ketv's weather now.

What channels are you looking for?

What channels are you looking for?

I mainly watch the major networks and Husker games (even when the game sucks, it's better in HD). The family watches Disney, Nickelodeon, TLC, USA, HGTV, Food channel, DHC, etc. Those would be a good start--more would be welcome. :)

I mainly watch the major networks and Husker games (even when the game sucks, it's better in HD). The family watches Disney, Nickelodeon, TLC, USA, HGTV, Food channel, DHC, etc. Those would be a good start--more would be welcome. :)

I just sent an emai because I would like to see some of those also. I will let you know if I hear anything.

Did you know Omaha does have all the locals on Cox in HD plus TLC

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

HiDef,
Just curious. On DirectTV, are new shows that are on Nickelodeon, Disney, Noggin etc actually shown in HD. Or are they stretched or side boxed? Just curious. My kids watch the usual Hannah Montana, Spongebob, Drake and Josh. I just wander if those shows are broadcast in HD or are they still in SD. Also, at night, on Nick, when they show Rosanne, Fresh Prince, etc. are those in HD by chance? I am just wanting to see if it is really going to matter if those channels are in HD. Cause when I watch a show on say KETV and flip from 9 to 806 (the HD channel) and the show is not in HD, there isn't much of a difference. So I am just curious as to what DirectTV does. Thanks.