On Saturday I installed a COX HD DVR and I have to say that I am impressed. The box works great and responds quicker then the HD-TIVO box. I have not do much recording yet but what I have done went well.

As others have said, KTWU is slightly better over COX than it is OTA. WIBW is about the same. Other HD channels are better than they are on DIRECTV. I was not impress with InHD1. The picture had quite a bit of macro blocking during the NBA game and some other programming.

SD Local channels are better on COX then they are on D* and D* is having problems with sound on FOX.

On Saturday I installed a COX HD DVR and I have to say that I am impressed. The box works great and responds quicker then the HD-TIVO box. I have not do much recording yet but what I have done went well.

As others have said, KTWU is slightly better over COX than it is OTA. WIBW is about the same. Other HD channels are better than they are on DIRECTV. I was not impress with InHD1. The picture had quite a bit of macro blocking during the NBA game and some other programming.

SD Local channels are better on COX then they are on D* and D* is having problems with sound on FOX.

Yes, all of the audio is only coming from the right channel on Directv's broadcast of KTMJ. I have emailed Directv, but the 'tech' who responded told me to reset my receiver, (not realizing that all three of my receivers are having the same problem; which of course is actually Directv's, not ours).
Glad to hear you like the Cox DVR. When Cox get all of the locals in HD, I'm dumping Directv since their price for HD channels; the poor quality of HD and SD channels, and the fact that no new HD national channels are scheduled to be 'up' for perhaps another year, has finally been the straw to break the camel's back.
Bish

I was not impress with InHD1. The picture had quite a bit of macro blocking during the NBA game and some other programming.

If that was the Bulls game the other day, I watched a bit of that. It didn't look good at all. I don't watch a lot of INHD, but what I've seen of the sports usually looks better than that. The only problem I usually have is that the bottom text is cut off. They must have their graphics set lower than other channels. (My screen position and overscan was set with AVIA.)

I just found out we're getting the MTV HD channel on Cox. It's launching today at 5:00, but it's showing up on my guide now with "off air." There was a note in my last bill that I apparently missed. I'd rather have the rest of the networks, but this is something.

I am in the 29th and Wanamaker area and I have tried a indoor antenna on my TV. I could pick up most channels but any time someone in the house would walk around the picture would break up. You being on a 2nd floor might help. The towers are directly west of you and slightly north. I say it would be worth a try. Good luck.


Thanks, think I'll give it a try....

Fairly impressed with the mtv channel--not your typical mtv stuff--saw all kinds of music including country and techno-future kind of stuff.

surprising about inhd1 --usually I get that and inhd2 better then anything except the discovery channel,

I have been having problems with cox dvr lately in fact it has missed the last 4 programs I have set it up to record--anybody else having problems?

anybody else having problems?

My 6412 stopped downloading program information and then started shutting down every couple minutes. I swapped it out Wednesday for a Phase III box.

I think if COX was going to add ABC in time for the Super Bowl, that they would want to do it fairly soon. I would think that they would want to have some time to sign up some new customers. Anyone hear anything new?

I just noticed the KTWU has a new sub channel. One sub channel is PBSKids and the other is the SD version on KTWU. For awhile, the SD version had replaced Kids but both are on now. COX has both.

Anyone hear anything new?

Not here. Still in time for the Super Bowl.

Sometime this week still for KTKA in HD. My understanding is that the paperwork is done so now we're just waiting for the technical people to do their thing.

Sometime this week still for KTKA in HD. My understanding is that the paperwork is done so now we're just waiting for the technical people to do their thing.

I want to be sure what you're insinuating, Matthew... you're saying that KTKA will begin broadcasting HD this week OTA, or will just give the HD feed to Cox? I guess if they can do the latter, they should be able to broadcast it since they already have a digital signal...?

KTKA's website is so worthless as a source of upcoming changes. I've seen 3-4 billboards around Topeka advertising their new newscast (ironically, it goes on the air Sunday night after the Super Bowl), but their website has nothing.

I can get ABC out of Kansas City, but it's not reliable. For example, I tried to record "Perdition" Saturday night but ended up only getting about 2.5 of 3 hours. To get HD from KTKA would be wonderful, especially before the Super Bowl.

I want to be sure what you're insinuating, Matthew...

I am only speaking about KTKA-HD on Cox. The city of Topeka still has to approve the addition of KTKA-HD to the channel lineup but it's already been approved by Salina and maybe Manhattan. That's the only remaining regulatory/legal obstacle and it should just be a formality. Salina is supposed to start Wednesday with the HD signal.

I've been told that the new ownership is putting a lot of money into the station so I assume OTA HD broadcasts can't be far behind but that it is pure speculation at this point. It's possible all that money is just going into the new news broadcast but I don't know.

I am only speaking about KTKA-HD on Cox. The city of Topeka still has to approve the addition of KTKA-HD to the channel lineup but it's already been approved by Salina and maybe Manhattan. That's the only remaining regulatory/legal obstacle and it should just be a formality. Salina is supposed to start Wednesday with the HD signal.

I've been told that the new ownership is putting a lot of money into the station so I assume OTA HD broadcasts can't be far behind but that it is pure speculation at this point. It's possible all that money is just going into the new news broadcast but I don't know.


I was told(in an email) by their GM that they hoped to be HD OTA by mid 06. I am not sure how having the news now affects that if at all, but it would be nice to see them do something because what they have on digital 48 is pretty lacking if you ask me. Some have mentioned poor mono sound, but the picture quality is not very good.

I am only speaking about KTKA-HD on Cox. The city of Topeka still has to approve the addition of KTKA-HD to the channel lineup but it's already been approved by Salina and maybe Manhattan. That's the only remaining regulatory/legal obstacle and it should just be a formality. Salina is supposed to start Wednesday with the HD signal.

I've been told that the new ownership is putting a lot of money into the station so I assume OTA HD broadcasts can't be far behind but that it is pure speculation at this point. It's possible all that money is just going into the new news broadcast but I don't know.

KTKA is almost here on Cox, at least in Manhattan. I was doing a scan with my QAM reciever (works on non-encrypted channels only), and it picked up an extra channel today on 115-3. The channel is currently only showing a still, widescreen shot of New York City, with the World Trade Center Twin Towers still in view. The ABC logo is also in the bottom right corner of the screen. It isn't in the guide on my Cox DVR yet, but the channel does appear to exist out there. They'll probably add it when they get it actually working.

It obviously isn't working yet, but it is almost here, great news for Sunday!

Brian

Update: QAM 115-3 is now showing the ABC Evening news. It will be interesting to see if they will be passing ABC's HD Primetime content this evening. KTKA-DT hasn't made it into the Cox Digital Boxes yet, however.

Man, this will be awesome if it actually goes through. Thanks for the reports! Is the plan to continue with the ABC HD feed after the Superbowl, or is it a one-time deal?

Man, this will be awesome if it actually goes through. Thanks for the reports! Is the plan to continue with the ABC HD feed after the Superbowl, or is it a one-time deal?

I don't think there's any chance of this not going through..KTKA passed network HD in primetime last night, as well as for Good Morning America today. It isn't in the guide yet on my DVR, but if I tune to channel 601, it is already there. I don't see them backing out now :-)

Hopefully they keep it around. I assume they will, since it has been added to Cox's lineup listing:

http://cox.com/kansas/digitalcable/cityinfo.asp?city=Manhattan#5

Hey, this is great, I'm getting ABC HD on channel 601, though no program data has shown up yet. Now if we could only get cox to pick up Fox and NBC we would be set!

I say they need to pick up NBC, and I wish they would but I can get that over the air with an antenna I got from best buy. I originally thought I was set for the super bowl with an antenna because I was picking up ABC on the digital feed but none of the HD programming was coming through. HD works over the air for NBC and CBS. For me anyway...

And espn2 would be nice too, then I would be completely happy because you just can't beat sports in HD. But I don't see Topeka getting espn2 anytime soon. Just keeping my fingers crossed for fox and nbc.

And espn2 would be nice too, then I would be completely happy because you just can't beat sports in HD. But I don't see Topeka getting espn2 anytime soon. Just keeping my fingers crossed for fox and nbc.

Well, if it takes a Superbowl to drive us getting HD channels (as it appears to), we can expect Fox in 2008 and NBC in 2009...not a very good outlook if you ask me.

Well, if it takes a Superbowl to drive us getting HD channels (as it appears to), we can expect Fox in 2008 and NBC in 2009...not a very good outlook if you ask me.At least in Topeka (finally) we get Fox and NBC HD OTA. However this was my first look... oh sure caught ever so brief glimpses of KMBC-DT before... but now 720p HD ABC!

What can I say? Wow. It'd better stick.

That 480i (mono) KTKA sends is just raw. Always watched 49 analog instead of that itchy BS.

Is it my imagination or did Invasion (KTKA-DT HD Cox-Topeka, did I just say that: KTKA-DT HD Cox-Topeka?) tonight start out 720p and end upconverted 4x3? Isn't invasion HD? Sad that we wouldn't even know that.

Rest of ABC prime time looked good. : )

At least in Topeka (finally) we get Fox and NBC HD OTA.


Really? You get fox HD OTA? I get NBC HD OTA but I can't pick up Fox. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I'm still a relative newbie on this stuff. I'm using a Jensen UHF antenna for OTA. Any help would be appreciated!

If I understand right BHG you live in Topeka and are getting ABC HD on COX channel 601?

Thank god --I can hardly wait to get home and flip on the tube.

Sammy you need to point a antennae east and dial in 4.1 on your tv to get fox. I don't know if that Jenson antennae will work--I think fox is VHF. Also depends on where you live in town--what obstructions you might have whether you get fox 4.1 OTA or not.

I talked to cox last week and they really didn''t have any info locally on abc they did say they were merging with arkansas and another southernsstate--freeing up much more bandwidth for HD over the next 6 months. He said expect a few more channels this year. maybe espn2 will be one of them. TNT would be nice too--since nascar will be on tnt this year

Really? You get fox HD OTA? I get NBC HD OTA but I can't pick up Fox. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I'm still a relative newbie on this stuff. I'm using a Jensen UHF antenna for OTA. Any help would be appreciated!

The Fox he is getting is out of KC and is Fox 4. You need to scan RF channel 34, as that is their digital channel number, but it will remap to 4 for you. KMBC ABC 9 out of KC is on digital 7, so they are the only VHF around that I know of. Good luck!!

Just turned on my tv and tuned to 601!! KTKA HD is also showing up on my Cox DVR, although, there is only programming info for today. Thanks to everyone for all the updates. I probably would have watched the super bowl this year in SD since I never watch anything below 612 WIBW. I'm sure I wouldn't have seen 601 in the program guide. If Cox can continue to add more HD channels (especially NBC and FOX), I might just have to change my sig. :D

That is good news to hear they are finally on. Are they showing KTKA programming or just ABC programming?

Yes Fox 4 OTA.

Couldn't get KMBC 7 here even with a YA-1713 and CM 7777 amp. However I (can) get WDAF now with bowtie/loop indoors.

Just west of Topeka.

Are they showing KTKA programming or just ABC programming?Started out testing with (various?) network feeds but last night after prime time it went to upconverted ordinary KTKA. Not perfect but far better than the digital 480i OTA. Actually watchable now when they program something besides infomercials.

115.3 Cox-Topeka which I assume is 601.

I've been reading this thread forever so I thought I'd finally post.

I'm glad to hear Cox is finally getting some more HD channels, but right now I'm getting everything OTA. I live about 3-4 miles east of Lake Shawnee in Topeka, and after putting up a Radio Shack VU-120 XR and a Channel Master 7777 preamp I am able to get the channels below out of KC. I have a Silver Sensor in the attic and use a A/B Coax switch to pickup the local Topeka Stations 13, 11, and 27 (PBS is the only one I really need).

4.1 WDAF-DT 720P 34 FOX-HD 720P
5.1 KCTV-DT 1080I 24 CBS-HD 1080I
9.1 KMBC-DT 720P 7 ABC-HD 720P
29.1 KCWE-DT 1080I 31 UPN-HD 1080I
38.1 KMCI-DT 1080I 36 INDEPENDENT
41.1 KSHB-DT 1080I 42 NBC-HD 1080I
50.1-4 KPXE-DT 480 51 "I" 480I

This is a question for the people in Topeka receiving Cox's HD channels. I'm wondering what if any of thier HD channels being passed as unencrypted QAM, only locals unencrypted, all unencrypted, or all encrypted? Thanks for your answers.

-HiDefAutomation

This is a question for the people in Topeka receiving Cox's HD channels. I'm wondering what if any of thier HD channels being passed as unencrypted QAM, only locals unencrypted, all unencrypted, or all encrypted? Thanks for your answers.

-HiDefAutomation

All of the local channels are unencrypted, including the recently added KTKA-DT. All of their music channels are also available unencrypted.

A side note, I also found a couple of mosiac channels, where they show several channels of the same type all in one screen. There is a news one, a sports one and a kids one. They aren't available on regular digital cable, but it's probably a clue for future services here.

My digital tuner suddenly cannot receive the signal from KSNT-NBC, Topeka Ch. 27. Does anyone know if they are off the air, and why?

Thanks.

My digital tuner suddenly cannot receive the signal from KSNT-NBC, Topeka Ch. 27. Does anyone know if they are off the air, and why?

I don't believe they're powered off as I'm getting about 60% on my receiver currently. I do thing they're either powered down some or have some problem in the transmission chain.

-HiDefAutomation

I live about 2 miles W of downtown and have a pretty powerful roof antenna with a rotor and I am getting nothing. I can get all theother Topeka stations and the KC stations.

I wonder if they are having some PSIP issues. My receiver (a Dish Network 942) is very picky about that.....

KSNT is not down. I live in Highland Park area and get my usual signal strength.

Weird. Ayone else having reception problems with that station...? Thanks!

I was not when I checked yesterday(Sunday).

So how did you all enjoy the Super Bowl on KTKA? I caught about a minute on KAKE out of Wichita before I lost signal. Did anyone watch the news?? The set seemed a little cheap, but maybe I am just used to WIBW's nice setup.

Here at our store in downtown Topeka we are getting KSNT on one TV but not another. Both are on the same antenna and both are new Sony TVs.

I was not when I checked yesterday(Sunday).

So how did you all enjoy the Super Bowl on KTKA? I caught about a minute on KAKE out of Wichita before I lost signal. Did anyone watch the news?? The set seemed a little cheap, but maybe I am just used to WIBW's nice setup.

I had quite a few sound problems with them. Every time they would come back from a local break I would loose sound for 3 or 4 seconds. On one of the commercials for the new news program the sound all came from the back speakers. The next time they ran it, the first second came from the back and then it switched to normal.

During the news, I though that their picture quality was very good. I only watched the first 7 or 8 minutes.

Also not getting KSNT at home, normally a stroner signal (East of the lake). I checked, it showed a little over 550k power but no signal beyond station lock

I normally don't watch the big screen before work in the morning but the two times I've checked to see Good Morning America in HD it wasn't. Does anybody know if KTKA has shown GMA in HD yet?

I normally don't watch the big screen before work in the morning but the two times I've checked to see Good Morning America in HD it wasn't. Does anybody know if KTKA has shown GMA in HD yet?

They did last week, but that was before they were officially "on". I could watch it with my QAM reciever, but not my Cox reciever.

I think the issue may be the fact that GMA is time delayed for Central time by an hour. The version they showed last week was the live feed and when you flipped to their analog channel it was the delayed feed that we are supposed to see. They probably don't have the ability to delay the HD version.

They didn't always have the local feed coming over the HD channel last week anyway, in a lot of cases it was the national ABC HD feed with no locally inserted commercials, etc.(probably for testing only)

I'm guessing last week was a fluke, and they don't have a good way to show it to us in HD.

I had quite a few sound problems with them. Every time they would come back from a local break I would loose sound for 3 or 4 seconds. On one of the commercials for the new news program the sound all came from the back speakers. The next time they ran it, the first second came from the back and then it switched to normal.

During the news, I though that their picture quality was very good. I only watched the first 7 or 8 minutes.

I was also getting a lot of sound drop-outs. It seemed like it was always associated with a switch to stereo sound on some commercials. I don't remember a problem when my receiver was showing DD 5.1.

I normally don't watch the big screen before work in the morning but the two times I've checked to see Good Morning America in HD it wasn't. Does anybody know if KTKA has shown GMA in HD yet?

Don't think KTKA is doing HD. They ok'd cable showing ABC HD feeds on 601, but I think those originate somewhere else (Wichita?)

Don't think KTKA is doing HD. They ok'd cable showing ABC HD feeds on 601, but I think those originate somewhere else (Wichita?)

I think it is probably coming from them. They have been inserting local commercials during network HD, even last night during the Superbowl there were at least one or two Topeka commercials.

ABC does not have GMA in HD for the central time zone.

I think it is probably coming from them. They have been inserting local commercials during network HD, even last night during the Superbowl there was at least one or two Topeka commercials.

Its possible they're piping the signal to Cox, we had been receiving it earlier off TVs with built in cable tuners, but have not received HD off air from KTKA. As about 35 to 40% of the folks depend on off air for local HD that's not too good

Its possible they're piping the signal to Cox, we had been receiving it earlier off TVs with built in cable tuners, but have not received HD off air from KTKA. As about 35 to 40% of the folks depend on off air for local HD that's not too good


As soon at KTKA starts to pass HD over the air, I will look into buying a HD DVR. I hope they begin to pass HD soon......

KSNT - 27.1 in Topeka is back to normal.

Now this is quite a development! I was just cruising the guide and noticed that there is now a spot for KSNT-HD! Right now there is just a screen saying to check back later. I'm sure this has something to do with the Olympics. I wonder if it will be up for the opening ceremony tonight? Cox is really on the move this month!

I was just cruising the guide and noticed that there is now a spot for KSNT-HD!

Apparently, they are working at break neck speed to get everything setup. I was just told KSNT-HD was supposed go to live on Cox at 5 p.m. but I haven't had a chance yet to check. While we may not always believe it, Cox keeps working with the affiliates they don't have, including Fox.

On a selfish personal note, I'm saddened that my OTA receiver will now become a paper weight.

It is now up and running in HD right for the start of the Olympics broadcast. Excellent!

Indeed excellent. Now if they can add ESPN2-HD in time for the Big XII tournament would be great.

I was just channel surfing and noticed KSNT HD in the program guide and my jaw about hit the floor :eek: While this is long overdue, I'll definitely give Cox credit for getting HD up and running for both the superbowl and olympics. Now we just need Fox, TNT and ESPN2 HD.

Glad to hear Cox has gotten NBC now. I guess not having access to cable is a trade off for me. I get Fox, Cox doesn't. Cox has ABC, I don't. But, I do watch ABC more than Fox now.

This is great.
If Cox gets TNT-HD; ESPN2-HD and Fox-HD I'm dumping Directv and switching to cable.
It will be interesting when ATT starts to offer 'Lightspeed' here in Topeka, but that will be at least a couple more years I believe.
Bish

Lightspeed is going to have to find a way to stream more than one HD stream at a time for it to work for me. But I guess they are getting close.

I totally agree. We have 3 HDTVs at home and many times all 3 are on differing HD channels. If Lightspeed can't stream at least 3 streams of high quality, (i.e. not overly compressed), HD, then I won't be buying. But , ATT, (SBC), do have a couple of years to work on this prior to any roll-out in Topeka. That's the main reason why I believe Verizon's game plan is the one SBC, (ATT), should have copied; meaning fibre to the premises, not the node.

I find it hard to believe that Cox doesn't have TNT-HD and ESPN2-HD on their channel line-up here in Topeka yet? Anyone know why?
Bish

I find it hard to believe that Cox doesn't have TNT-HD and ESPN2-HD on their channel line-up here in Topeka yet?

Does anybody have ESPN2-HD on cable? I thought it was only on satellite. If it is on cable, I think it's only one company and I know it isn't Cox.

Does anybody have ESPN2-HD on cable? I thought it was only on satellite. If it is on cable, I think it's only one company and I know it isn't Cox
We have had it on Sunflower Cable in Lawrence for a few months. It is pretty nice to have.

I've always been told by Cox representatives that ESPN-2 HD will not happen for quite some time due to the big fight and contract re-negotiation they just finished. Cox has always said ESPN wants too much money per subscriber.

I remember it wasn't to long ago that the rate negotiations were in the news and I do recall them being ugly, SO I think it'll be sometime for ESPN-2HD

Oh yeah, the same people did tell me with a wink wink that FOX-HD was in the works and should be here in the not too distant future. As long as in time for next football season would be great!!

In time for NASCAR racing would be even better. But since I put a big a$$ antenna and now can pick up WDAF-HD it is not a big deal for me.

anybody else have an issue with sound cutting off periodically on 601 or 603 for 5-10 seconds at a time 3-4 times an hour?

I have had that issue with 601 since it started. Haven't noticed it much with 603 but I watch KSNT-DT OTA more often.

Anyone hear any updates on KTKA passing HD over the air??

No HD for the Oscars so far on KTKA via Cox cable. The pre-show stuff wasn't HD either. I called the station and was told to call Cox because they don't handle the "HD stuff." This may actually be true, since it's just a pass-through to Cox, right? I tried calling Cox and was about as successful as you'd expect. The guy was basically trying to argue with me and convince me that this 4:3, artifact-fest I'm watching is HD. There couldn't possibly be a problem with someone, somewhere forgetting to flip a switch :rolleyes: . That never happens to anyone around here does it?

No HD for the Oscars so far on KTKA via Cox cable. The pre-show stuff wasn't HD either.

Someone must have noticed eventually, since I just turned them on a few minutes ago and they were in HD. At the beginning, they definitely were not, even though the guide said they would be.

I'm sure it is KTKA who is supposed to flip the switch, Cox only displays whatever they are sent, HD or otherwise.

At least the remembered eventually, they've actually been pretty good about getting things switched on time up until now, I've been surprised.

On DirecTV (and local cable systems, too) the Big 12 semifinals are blacked out on ESPN2HD today to protect the local affiliates of the Big 12/ESPN+ network.

The upshot of this is that the people who care the most about these games, those who live in the Big 12 region, will not see the games in HD.

I put a call in to WIBW, but I just left a voice mail.

Needless to say, this sucks for us.

Of all things you can find on Wikipedia.com...

On the section about WIBW-TV, it says Beginning in 2006, WIBW-DT 13.2 will broadcast the new FOX Network spin-off "My Network TV"

So much for full-bandwidth HD CBS on WIBW-TV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WIBW-TV

Seems to be true: MyNetworkTV Announces 30 New Affiliates (http://tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9671)

What horrendous news. Looks like some of those victim affiliates probably had little say in the matter. Never thought I'd say this but may be vital to tune KCTV-DT, if WIBW QAM on cox is also corrupted by the multi-cast. CBS had some decent 1080i.

"Desire and Secret Obsessions, each airing Monday to Friday prime-time with one-hour recaps on Saturdays" "Catwalk, Celebrity Love Island, On Scene"

That garbage wouldn't be worth watching in 720p, let alone 480i multicrap. And we're giving up full CBS HD for that? :mad:

It looks like COX is having some trouble with ABC-HD. Sunday at noon they had on the ABC test/demo loop and then switched to the SD version of the NBA game. Later I noticed that Grey's Anatomy was in SD. I hope they get it fixed before LOST.

It looks like COX is having some trouble with ABC-HD

Housewives started off in HD last night but early in the show switched to SD.

Seems to be true: MyNetworkTV Announces 30 New Affiliates (http://tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9671)

What horrendous news. Looks like some of those victim affiliates probably had little say in the matter. Never thought I'd say this but may be vital to tune KCTV-DT, if WIBW QAM on cox is also corrupted by the multi-cast. CBS had some decent 1080i.

"Desire and Secret Obsessions, each airing Monday to Friday prime-time with one-hour recaps on Saturdays" "Catwalk, Celebrity Love Island, On Scene"

That garbage wouldn't be worth watching in 720p, let alone 480i multicrap. And we're giving up full CBS HD for that? :mad:

This might be a Gray Television Stations thing, as KOLN-DT, KGIN-DT and WOWT-DT in Nebraska currently carries "UPN Nebraska" on their digital sub-channel, and will switch to The CW Network in September.

KCTV-DT already multicast the NCAA Tournament with games on KCTV-DT 5.2 and at one point even had KCTV-DT 5.3 up and running. I wouldn't be surprised if they create a weather channel on one of their sub-channels in the near future. My cable company still has the 2 sub-channels for KCTV listed on the lineup.

KCTV-DT already multicast the NCAA Tournament with games on KCTV-DT 5.2 and at one point even had KCTV-DT 5.3 up and running. I wouldn't be surprised if they create a weather channel on one of their sub-channels in the near future. My cable company still has the 2 sub-channels for KCTV listed on the lineup.I thought that was a bad idea at the time, but at least it went away.

What is so insidious about this MyNetworkInfomercial crap is that it will always corrupt prime-time WIBW 1080i. And it's a just a preview of things to come. Can we expect an unwatchable CW pooching KTKA if/when they ever go OTA? High Definition should come with a disclaimer. We spend for the tech, get used to the quality, and then (as with everything digital-video) it just gets overcompressed from there.

And having unwatchable 480i "networks" messing up our HD also means (unless we aim distant) we don't get WB/UPN programs HD either. :(

Seems to be true: MyNetworkTV Announces 30 New Affiliates (http://tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9671)

What horrendous news. Looks like some of those victim affiliates probably had little say in the matter. Never thought I'd say this but may be vital to tune KCTV-DT, if WIBW QAM on cox is also corrupted by the multi-cast. CBS had some decent 1080i.

"Desire and Secret Obsessions, each airing Monday to Friday prime-time with one-hour recaps on Saturdays" "Catwalk, Celebrity Love Island, On Scene"

That garbage wouldn't be worth watching in 720p, let alone 480i multicrap. And we're giving up full CBS HD for that? :mad:

Hopefully Cox will get WIBW's HD feed before it gets multiplexed, much like KTWU's HD channel...it looks way better on Cox than OTA.

Hopefully. I could live with that, but didn't the KTWU feed have something to do with the Cox down-link site being near campus?

Come on, people. I was viewing KCTV from 60 miles away and I didn't notice much degradation while they were multicasting other games. I mean, to hear some of you, you'd think it was snowy SD!

KTWU has been multicasting for a long time now, and I still enjoy their HD programming. I also like that I can get a "clean" recording of their SD programming (much of it local) without cable or compressed satellite. In fact, I can watch "Sunflower Journeys", which they letterbox, and use the zoom to fill my widescreen, and it's still very watchable, even while KTWU is broadcasting HD at the same time on 11.1.

This ain't the end of civilization. If it bothers you that much, sit farther from the TV and you won't notice.

By the way, the Suns/Pistons game Sunday was not seen anywhere in HD. Now THERE'S something to complain about... plus the fact that the Royals might only be seen once or twice this year in HD. Oh, wait... maybe some things are just too ugly to be seen in high definition.

KTWU has been multicasting for a long time now, and I still enjoy their HD programming. I also like that I can get a "clean" recording of their SD programming (much of it local) without cable or compressed satellite. In fact, I can watch "Sunflower Journeys", which they letterbox, and use the zoom to fill my widescreen, and it's still very watchable, even while KTWU is broadcasting HD at the same time on 11.1.


I don't understand. You want a "clean" SD signal without cable or compressed satellite but you will accept a multicasted HD signal?

I watch very little SD programming. I didn't start watching much network programming until they starting broadcasting it in HD. If they take away part of that high quality, I'll find programming somewhere else. Unfortunately that might have to be HD-DVD or Blue-Ray because I think cable, satellite and OTA or on their way to lessen HD.

I don't understand. You want a "clean" SD signal without cable or compressed satellite but you will accept a multicasted HD signal?

I watch very little SD programming. I didn't start watching much network programming until they starting broadcasting it in HD. If they take away part of that high quality, I'll find programming somewhere else. Unfortunately that might have to be HD-DVD or Blue-Ray because I think cable, satellite and OTA or on their way to lessen HD.

I'm with you BJS188,
I didn't spend a large amount of money on multiple HDTV's so that I will accept a decreased bit-rate from the OTA broadcasters, and a degraded picture. Further, if I want to sit 6 feet from a tv and watch an HD show that should be MY choice. Having to move further away from the tv because an OTA broadcaster is multiplexing and degrading the signal is unacceptable, imho.
WIBW has always been the leader in digital tv here in Topeka. If they begin to multiplex, that honor will dissappear.
I will switch to whichever provider suppies me with the very best uncompressed signal, and stop watching OTA broadcasts. Like you, it has been OTA HD that has brought me back to the networks; if that signal becomes marginalized, I'll look elsewhere.
Bish

Wow. I know trying to convince people in this forum of high-end users is like Don Quixote tilting at windmills, but get a grip, folks. Think about where we've been! What I mean by a "clean" signal is that there are no ghosts, no snow, no color distortion. I had to watch the Royals Monday on snowy analog b/c my antenna (ChannelMaster 4228) couldn't pull in a digital signal from 38.1. There's reality for ya: "What's the new pitcher's name? Looks like Mxyzptlk."

If you're a snob about what you watch, is it fun anymore? I mean, really... if the content was good enough to watch on an "unmolested" HD signal, a few artifacts are going to keep you away from watching the same show??? Artifacts that have yet to be seen until the multicast occurs? Like I said, KCTV was putting about the maximum strain on bandwidth, with high-action basketball games on both the HD and SD channels. My viewing pleasure was not disrupted while watching on my 52" DLP from 10 feet away. (The SD channel looked pretty fuzzy, but you've said you won't watch SD, so that shouldn't be a problem. Those of us who love March Madness were just happy for the choice of 3 different games at once.) You guys are looking for stuff to complain about.

So if you switch from OTA, what will you go to? Does Cox have compelling and uncompressed content on the other HD channels? Will you watch "Equalizer" and "Knight Rider" reruns instead of "CSI" or "Cold Case" or whatever floats your boat? Does "Hogan's Heroes" fill the void created by slightly artifacted "Two & a Half Guys"? Olympics reruns instead of a few pixels in the azaleas of Augusta (The Masters in HD starts tomorrow)?

I mean, yeah, if I had my say, WIBW wouldn't multicast a cr@ppy soap network on a subchannel, but let's not say the sky is falling. If multicasting meant that weather warnings would not interrupt HD programming (a bug would say tune to the subchannel for info) I'd say that is a VERY good use.

If we just accept sub channels, pretty soon we will have 4, 5 or more sub channels showing infomercials or reruns that couldn't make it on a cable channel. I never watched "CSI" before it was in HD and I wouldn't watch Cold Case or Three and a Half Men if it wasn't. I bet with all the rural viewers that we have around here that USD-TV would love to set up shop here.

As much as WIBW spends on weather, don't you think that they make all of their viewers watch no matter what channel they are tuned to (except commercials, they never break in on commercials).

I can always watch movies on DVD, HD-DVD or Blue-Ray.

The only protection from this (tip of the iceberg) nightmare is to get the antenna up as high as you can and have choices to tune. I have to hope it will be more reliable to lock KCTV-DT 24 once 23 is out of the way after cutoff.

Stop watching WIBW. This is the only thing Gray Television will ever care about. Might be a good idea anyway. Of course keep calling, emailing, and writing locally so they are aware of the problem, even though there is little/nothing they can do.

I watch analog (standard) PBS. Looks better than multicrap. Something is wrong with those 480i even on Cox. ATSC started with a potentially bit-starved standard, and then opted to divide it by 4. I wish I had some confidence the sky won't fall. But with (too) many willing to bend over and take "a little compromise" there's just no telling how bad it may end. :mad:

Generally, Cox takes a fibreoptic feed from the broadcast station, hence Cox gets the data before it has been bit-starved by multicasting; (at least that is my understanding of what happens). Hence the 'main' channel should still be broadcast in full bit-rate HD by Cox, even when the actual station is decreasing the data stream by multicasting one or more sub-channels. If this is the case, I shall switch to Cox and forget about watching OTA broadcasts. If Directv eventually beams me the uncompressed main channel in full bit-rate HD from the local Topeka networks, I shall remain with Directv. This assumes that Directv will have the digital feeds sent via fibre to their up-link center from the local network stations here, prior to the data rate being diminished.

As for the weather broadcasting here; it is the worst intrusion on viewing that I have ever seen!! It is not confined to one channel, but is a pandemic here. All I want to know about is what is about to happen; not what could happen!! The local stations seem to think it justified in ruining their viewer's tv experience by overly dramatizing the weather situation. They need to simply run a banner along the bottom, and not constantly cut away to a weatherman who is trying to get us all worked up, most times over nothing, to justify his salary. Crying 'Wolf' constantly makes viewers ignore information when it is in fact critical. The local stations and in particular the weather sections, are doing a grave disservice to this community!!
Bish

Crying "wolf" over reduced bitrates that may or may not manifest themselves in reduced PQ does a disservice to this board. If the WIBW broadcast engineer is monitoring this, he/she's gotta be thinking, "What a tough crowd! One of my competitors doesn't even HAVE a digital signal and another has been putting out 480i for over a year now, but they pick on me because we're adding a subchannel (that, despite being minor-league, will attract more viewers than what we'll lose due to bitrate protesters)." Think maybe they would stop lurking here??

And I don't watch KTMJ and did not (very seldom) watch KTKA until I was able to get them in HD on COX.

I never did watch UPN when WIBW had then on late at night and will never watch the new network.

KSNT-DT will also be home to the "CW" Network in Topeka.... so now WIBW-DT and KSNT-DT will be multi-casting.

Also, this interesting newsletter I found online makes it sound like KTKA could be the first in Topeka to have a local HD Newscast.

http://www.broadcast.net/~sbe3/newsletter.html

Anyone in Topeka using CableCard with COX? Were you able to install it yourself? What do they charge?

Thanks.

Here is a more "official" announcement that KSNT-DT will be home to the CW Network in Topeka.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6323924.html?display=Breaking+News

I for one will wait and see how things look on my set before I get upset. It's nice to have additional options for networks, the CW and My Network, but I hope it doesn't totally kill the signal for CBS and NBC. I would not be opposed to them put their signal out in 720p instead of what NBC and CBS sends, 1080i.

It will be interesting to see how it works out.

Anyone in Topeka using CableCard with COX? Were you able to install it yourself? What do they charge?

Thanks.

They may not let you install it and the surcharge for you is 1999.99.:D You may get some locals in the clear if you know their numbers on cable

They may not let you install it and the surcharge for you is 1999.99.:D You may get some locals in the clear if you know their numbers on cable

Maybe next time you should sell me a better TV.

67 digital channels were scanned. Most of them were music channels, a couple of Discovery channels and 6 local digital channels (4 HD).

Sounds like KSNT is going to keep the NBC channel at HD when they add the CW channel later on this year. I wonder if WIBW will do the same??

Sounds like KSNT is going to keep the NBC channel at HD when they add the CW channel later on this year. I wonder if WIBW will do the same??

I'm sure they both will..there's really no reason to bump it down to SD for one subchannel. If they were trying to push 3-4+ subchannels, they'd probably have to, because at that point there aren't very many bits left for HD.

Hey, new to the forum and I just got a new 52" JVC HD-ILA. I am in Manhattan and was wondering what my options are for HDTV. Is Cox the only choice to get locals in HD? Thanks for any help you guys can give, and any tips you may have.

Guys, on Wikipedia, they have a section on KSNT that talks about them becoming the CW affiliate in Topeka. They originally had this line"

It was annouced in April [[2006]] that KSNT-DT (13.2) will be Northeast Kansas' home of the [[CW Network]].


I changed it to 28.2 RF, but what do you all think it should be? The RF at 28.2 or the mapped channel at 27.2??

Hey, new to the forum and I just got a new 52" JVC HD-ILA. I am in Manhattan and was wondering what my options are for HDTV. Is Cox the only choice to get locals in HD? Thanks for any help you guys can give, and any tips you may have.

Depending on where you are in Manhattan, you can get some OTA channels. For me, it's a trade off because Cox has CBS, NBC, and ABC and I can get CBS, NBC, and Fox.

Let me know where in town and maybe I can let you know about Fox out of Salina. Can you put up an antenna? Can you can also let your TV if it has QAM decoding scan for digital channels and would probably get the locals on Cox.

Another option is Directv or Dish, but you would have to put up an antenna for locals.

If you already have added 27.1 (RF 28) it would find any subchannels also at that 28, but you'd tune to 27.2. I don't think we'll see it until this summer, tho, unless they do some testing of the subchannel. I can't remember what I did when KCTV added subs for March Madness--- whether it found them automatically or whether the rescan I did found them.

Depending on where you are in Manhattan, you can get some OTA channels. For me, it's a trade off because Cox has CBS, NBC, and ABC and I can get CBS, NBC, and Fox.

Let me know where in town and maybe I can let you know about Fox out of Salina. Can you put up an antenna? Can you can also let your TV if it has QAM decoding scan for digital channels and would probably get the locals on Cox.

Another option is Directv or Dish, but you would have to put up an antenna for locals.

I am over on the east side of town, about 1 mile from wal-mart. I already did a scan for HD stuff and found nothing, but then again I don't have an antenna hooked to it.


Thank you for the quick response, here is to hoping I can pick up something.

If you already have added 27.1 (RF 28) it would find any subchannels also at that 28, but you'd tune to 27.2. I don't think we'll see it until this summer, tho, unless they do some testing of the subchannel. I can't remember what I did when KCTV added subs for March Madness--- whether it found them automatically or whether the rescan I did found them.

Oh, I know. I just want the text to be correct for the Wikipedia. So do you think it should say 27.2 or 28.2?

I am over on the east side of town, about 1 mile from wal-mart. I already did a scan for HD stuff and found nothing, but then again I don't have an antenna hooked to it.


Thank you for the quick response, here is to hoping I can pick up something.

Does your set have an QAM tuner? If you don't know, post the model and we can tell ya. Do you have basic cable now? Cable modem? You could also try rabbit ears.

I get some channels with rabbit ears, but I am fairly high up in Manhattan.

Oh, I know. I just want the text to be correct for the Wikipedia. So do you think it should say 27.2 or 28.2?

You should not see the digital channel unless it is the stations primary broadcast channel.

You should not see the digital channel unless it is the stations primary broadcast channel.

To be consistant with the channel listings for other stations, I would make it 27.2

Does your set have an QAM tuner? If you don't know, post the model and we can tell ya. Do you have basic cable now? Cable modem? You could also try rabbit ears.

I get some channels with rabbit ears, but I am fairly high up in Manhattan.

I have the JVC HD-52G886, but I am in a low spot in Manhattan. I currently have digital cable from Cox with the HD channels.

Timmy1376, any updates on what I may need to do to catch some OTA HD?

The only thing you would add is Fox, and if you are low in Manhattan, I would bet you would not get it. I assume when you say you have Cox with HD channels, you have the locals....

The only thing you would add is Fox, and if you are low in Manhattan, I would bet you would not get it. I assume when you say you have Cox with HD channels, you have the locals....

I have cox locals in HD, but if I can get them free I would rather do that. I just checked antennaweb.org and see that I should get WIBW (CBS) no others are listed. Just want to confirm what you are using, and what channels you get.

Well, here is what I get 99% of the time with an Voom box and a Winegard PR8800 antenna & AP-4800 pre-amp:
WIBW at 99 level
KTWU at 96 level
KTKA (SD OTA) at 88 level
KSNT at 97 level
KAAS at 92 level when I rotate the antenna to the west

You might just be too low (because of the hill along Tuttle creek blvd) to get the fox because it is out of Salina and you might be able to get WIBW and KTWU but I think KSNT and KTKA are questionable. The question would be is it worth buying an antenna and amp for $110 to try?? I had a pretty good idea I could get them when I bought mine, so it was worth the risk.

It looks like we've received the latest upgarde on the DVR software. Hit the menu button or check out the high 900's. In addition to local weather, we get news, sports and kids mosaics.

Have any of you received any replies from General Management at WIBW and KSNT re: their upcoming decision to butcher the bandwidth by multicasting? Do they really think that anyone in the community will watch their sub-channels?

Also, any word re: Fox affiliate and HD plans, (or are they just going to close the station when 2009 arrives?)
Bish

Also, any word re: Fox affiliate and HD plans, (or are they just going to close the station when 2009 arrives?)
Bish

Last word I heard was in an article in the Capital Journal, referenced in this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6855026#post6855026

My guess is, they'll stick to this timeframe. They've really got no motivation to move any faster than that. Hopefully they'll get something on Cox sooner, like what KTKA did for their HD. It certainly isn't ideal, but it is better than nothing.

I did talk to the GM at KSNT and he indicated they would keep NBC in HD, and said they had enough bandwidth for both. We shall see...

I did talk to the GM at KSNT and he indicated they would keep NBC in HD, and said they had enough bandwidth for both. We shall see...

Watching KSNT's HD feed on both OTA and Cox, I've often wondered if there wasn't already some extra compression happening. Their picture doesn't seem to handle fast motion as well as WIBW or KTKA's HD feeds. It was extremely noticable during the Olympics, and I've seen signs of it during other NBC shows, such as the West Wing, and even the Tonight Show..has anyone else noticed this?

Watching KSNT's HD feed on both OTA and Cox, I've often wondered if there wasn't already some extra compression happening. Their picture doesn't seem to handle fast motion as well as WIBW or KTKA's HD feeds. It was extremely noticable during the Olympics, and I've seen signs of it during other NBC shows, such as the West Wing, and even the Tonight Show..has anyone else noticed this?

I see it quite often. It is really noticeable during the opening credits to Las Vegas but it is fast moving stuff.

I have always had a problem with Chief's games on WIBW. Their red uniforms always seems to break up.

I did talk to the GM at KSNT and he indicated they would keep NBC in HD, and said they had enough bandwidth for both. We shall see...

From my understanding, each station gets enough 'bandwidth' for their digital transmission(s), to be able to broadcast one show in true HD at full bit-rate. Any time a station begins to multi-cast, the bit-rate will HAVE to go down on the 'HD' programming; hence no true HD!! I wonder if the GM even knows that?
Bish

I see it quite often. It is really noticeable during the opening credits to Las Vegas but it is fast moving stuff.

I have always had a problem with Chief's games on WIBW. Their red uniforms always seems to break up.

I have not noticed this problem on any of my HD displays, of which I have a CRT, an RPTV and a plasma. Could either of you be watching with an LCD, which are known to have problems like you mention due to poor response rates in earlier models?
Bish

I have not noticed this problem on any of my HD displays, of which I have a CRT, an RPTV and a plasma. Could either of you be watching with an LCD, which are known to have problems like you mention due to poor response rates in earlier models?
Bish

I have a Hitachi 43" RPTV that I got in Sept 2001 and a new Sony 42" LCD projection TV. I have yet to watch Las Vegas on the new set and of course have not seen the Chiefs yet on it. It will be interesting to see if I see the same problems since I now have service from COX.

I have a Hitachi 43" RPTV that I got in Sept 2001 and a new Sony 42" LCD projection TV. I have yet to watch Las Vegas on the new set and of course have not seen the Chiefs yet on it. It will be interesting to see if I see the same problems since I now have service from COX.

Didn't you used to have Directv? If you have recently switched, would you give me your thoughts: pro and con? I'm thinking of dumping Directv myself due to their bandwidth constraints, and would have done so already IF the HD offered on Cox were greater in number.
Bish

I have a Hitachi 43" RPTV that I got in Sept 2001 and a new Sony 42" LCD projection TV. I have yet to watch Las Vegas on the new set and of course have not seen the Chiefs yet on it. It will be interesting to see if I see the same problems since I now have service from COX.

There is some noticable blur during the tonight show as well, during the opening when the camera pans around the room quickly. Particularly when it pans through the red lights in the back of the studio. It has always made me wonder if KSNT has been bit shaping the whole time in preperation for an eventual multicast. The KSNW feed in Wichita doesn't have the same problem, last time I saw it.

My TV is a Panny CRT, which looks great with pretty much everything else.

Didn't you used to have Directv? If you have recently switched, would you give me your thoughts: pro and con? I'm thinking of dumping Directv myself due to their bandwidth constraints, and would have done so already IF the HD offered on Cox were greater in number.
Bish

I still have DIRECTV service so I can use my HD-Tivo for OTA but I have dropped their HD. The picture was slightly softer on D* than on COX but I did not see a BIG difference. I miss some of the stuff on HDNET but that is about it. I found that I watched MHD more than I did HDNET. I was hoping that I would have watched TNT-HD more but I found that I saw most of the programs when they ran on network TV.

If COX had FOX-HD and I could get a 2nd box with a bigger hard drive, I might get rid of D* altogether. But this way I do keep my options open.

I'm with you. IF Cox would get Fox in HD I'd come back to them and trade ESPN2-HD and TNT-HD from Directv for 'it'. The HD quality on Directv has become markedly worse in the last 2 years. HD-Lite is a reality and it sucks!!
Bish

For maybe the 2nd time in 9 months with my setup (CM4228 feeding HD TiVo) I was able to pull in 62.1 out of KC last night. I think some tropospheric ducting may have been going on. Their signal was still lower than all other KC stations.

Could Topeka be getting a new television station? Noticed the FCC accepted for filing a new station on Analog 22 at 5 kW from the current KTWU broadcast tower.

http://www.recnet.com/cdbs/fmq.php?facid=166546

NEW
TOPEKA KS US
COOPER FOWLER MEDIA COMPANY
1155 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW SUITE 600
WASHINGTON DC 20036
2028610870
FCC Facility ID: 166546
Service Type: TV Station
License Status: CPAPP
Current Channel: 22
1. BNPCT-20060424ADV Accepted for Filing May 9 2006|View Map
Record Type: NTSC (analog) Television
Geographic Coordinates: 39-3'50 N / 95-45'49 W
Channel: 22 (Zero offset)
Domestic Status: Application
Effective ERP: 5 kW
Directional Antenna
Antenna Polarization: Horizontal
Visual Power Output: 0 kW
Maximum HAAT: 263 m
Radiation center-above mean sea level: 527m
Radiation Center above average terrain: 225m
Overall antenna height above ground: 285.7m

It appears that this for a full power station but I don't see an application for a digital channel. Maybe that comes later.

I didn't think they were accepting for new analogs anymore????

well they are applying for a Construction Permit, so I guess they want to get the transmitter up and running. I imagine it will be a digital/analog transmitter and they will be assigned a digital frequency when the CP is granted.

I'm guessing Cooper Fowler Media Company is just an agency dealing with the FCC, and once the CP is granted they will hand it over to the owner...

Anybody think this could be a new FOX?

They wouldn't allow a new Fox in would they since KMTJ is already there unless they switch to something else??? I was thinking Univision or something like that. 5 kW doesn't seem like much for a full power station, I wonder if we will get it in Manhattan....

NO, I wonder if this is KTMJ getting a full-power station? KTMJ already broadcasts from the KTWU tower near the same spot as this app.

It sure doesn't look like either of us (me or dlnester) will be able to pick it up if you believe the contour maps..

I agree with you on that, except I would imagine they would pull a "Must Carry" and it would be added to satellite.

I agree with you on that, except I would imagine they would pull a "Must Carry" and it would be added to satellite.

Their current station is available on satellite. They plan to do a flash switch to digital feb 17 2009. On the new station 5KW is very low power. Maybe a religious station??

Just heard on 49 News at 6:00 that construction is underway on the new HD transmission facility and should be complete by late June. They PROMISED that we'd be watching ABC HD over the air by July 1st, 2006!!!

AMEN!

(Will the World Cup be over by then? The NBA playoffs will be...)

Just heard on 49 News at 6:00 that construction is underway on the new HD transmission facility and should be complete by late June. They PROMISED that we'd be watching ABC HD over the air by July 1st, 2006!!!

AMEN!

(Will the World Cup be over by then? The NBA playoffs will be...)


Now that is what I am talking about. Great news and a good scoop bugeater!!!!!

Here is the 49 ABC News story & Video

http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/may/16/49_news_air_hd_july_1/

I noticed that on June 1, 2006 that new TV station on Channel 22 applied for a new Construction Permit with a much higher power output. Looks like 5 Million Watts now.

==============================

NEW
TOPEKA KS US
COOPER FOWLER MEDIA COMPANY
1155 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW SUITE 600
WASHINGTON DC 20036
2028610870
FCC Facility ID: 166546
Service Type: TV Station
License Status: CPAPP
Current Channel: 22
1. BNPCT-20060424ADV Accepted for Filing May 9 2006|View Map
Record Type: NTSC (analog) Television
Geographic Coordinates: 39-3'50 N / 95-45'49 W
Channel: 22 (Zero offset)
Domestic Status: Application
Effective ERP: 5000 kW
Directional Antenna
Antenna Polarization: Horizontal
Visual Power Output: 0 kW
Maximum HAAT: 263 m
Radiation center-above mean sea level: 527m
Radiation Center above average terrain: 225m
Overall antenna height above ground: 285.7m

Looks like I'll be moving to Manhattan, KS soon....what digital stations can I get there, and will I be able to use an indoor antenna?

Otherwise I suppose I should look to unload my pair of Samsung SIR-T351's and silver sensors....

The Dreamer.

Looks like I'll be moving to Manhattan, KS soon....what digital stations can I get there, and will I be able to use an indoor antenna?

Otherwise I suppose I should look to unload my pair of Samsung SIR-T351's and silver sensors....

The Dreamer.


WELCOME!

Manhattan is my hometown, I think you'll enjoy it there.

You should be able to get these stations from Topeka, KS

CBS - WIBW-DT 44 (13.1) *HD*
NBC - KSNT-DT 28 (27.1) *HD*
ABC - KTKA-DT 48 (49.1) *July 1 for HD*
PBS - KTWU-DT 24 (11.1) *HD*

If you're lucky, you might be able to pull in KAAS-DT 17 (24.1) which is a FOX affiliate from Salina, KS. WIBW-DT 13.2 will broadcast My Network TV starting in September, and KSNT-DT 27.2 will broadcast the CW Network starting in September. KTKA-DT 49.1 will begin HD broadcasting about July 1, however they are on the air in a digital form passing their standard defination programming.

COX Cable might be a solution in Manhattan, check them out at http://www.coxkansas.com

Looks like I'll be moving to Manhattan, KS soon....what digital stations can I get there, and will I be able to use an indoor antenna?


As noted above, you'll have access to those stations, with some success indoors. I can reliably get WIBW(CBS) 13.1 and KTWU(PBS) 11.1 from an indoor antenna, in a 3rd story (top story) apartment building. Outside of that, KSNT (NBC) comes in sometimes, and KTKA very rarely. KTKA could very well change come July, it is hard to say.

I've been a Cox subscriber for the whole time, and they've finally gotten around to adding all of the above stations to their cable lineup. We are still missing a Fox affiliate in HD, but the others come in great over cable, which is what I'd recommend.

Brian

Welcome to Manhattan! I use an outdoor antenna and get all the ones Brian mentioned, plus KAAS out of Salina, when I turn the antenna, of course. I have tried an indoor with mixed results.

Just a fun little chart showing news viewership in the Topeka D.M.A.

http://www.wibw.com/unclassified/3197956.html

Thanks for posting that newscast info, dl. That leads me to the question, if KTKA produces their local newscast in HD, will it change anyone's viewing habits? I think I would start recording it every night. Of course, the only thing in HD would be the studio... I doubt they have any mobile HD cameras. Local guests would probably avoid coming onto the set for fear of HD revealing flaws!

I would watch it occasionally, which is more than I do now. I think it all comes down to what you are used to and comfortable with. I used to watch 49 when Megan Mosac (sp?) and Dave Relihan (sp?) were on there and I hated any other newscasts. Now I only watch 13 and trust Jeremy Goodwin for weather. Which is better? Who knows, but I am comfortable with 13, so that is what I watch, and HD would probably not change that.

BTW, anyone know if KTKA is gonna make the July 1 timeline they promised?? It would have been nice to watch the finals in HD. At least we will get some of the World Cup in HD.

I think 49 is trying really hard. They have by far the best website, which in some ways decreases my viewership of them, since I know I can go watch any story they've aired online. They have a longer sports segment than the other two stations, and their weather graphics are cool. I tend to trust 27 for weather... Bruce Jones and Steve Beylon have been around Topeka longer than anyone except Dave Relihan. 49 is the most cutting edge technically, but you're right, most people, including the older set which dominates the market, tend to go with the familiar, and that will probably be 13 News for a long time coming. (I would have thought the longevity of 27's crew (excepting the revolving door sports dept) would make things closer ratings-wise... I guess that's why 27 competes the best at 10pm)

This is the first quarter for 49 News, and they were really bad for a number of years before the new ownership took over. People get set in their ways and for the last 30-50 years they've been watching Channel 13, and they continue to do it. I think 49 will keep pecking away at the numbers and eventually gain some ground.

I also love their website, and that helps me because I can't get a signal from 49 very well. I think they'll get it right if they keep the hard work up and can get some recognition in the market area.

I just found out some info today from the former KTKA chief engineer (a guy named Mike). Turns out KTKA has no intention to broadcast in HD til much later this year. The new transmitter will do it but they don't have the equipment to get the HD to the new transmitter. But get this, since the new owners also own Sunflower cable in Lawrence, they have a handshake agreement with Cox to ONLY provide HD signal to Cox cable. That is until the FCC requires them to broadcast in HD. :mad:

That is until the FCC requires them to broadcast in HD.
As far as I know, there is nothing that will ever require them to broadcast in HD. They will have to go digital but that does not mean HD. Will be interesting to see what happens.

This all flies in the face of what 49 News reported ON-THE-AIR last month:
http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/may/16/49_news_air_hd_july_1/

============================================
49 NEWS TO AIR IN HD BY JULY 1
The walls started going up Tuesday for a new building to house 49 News’ HD transmitter.

Work on the new transmitter should wrap up some time in late June, and viewers should be able to watch 49 ABC on their HDTV over the air no later than July 1.

Viewers can already watch ABC's programming in HD over Cox Cable.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

But get this, since the new owners also own Sunflower cable in Lawrence, they have a handshake agreement with Cox to ONLY provide HD signal to Cox cable.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just trying to make sense of why they would exclusively provide the HD signal to a cable company other than their own. I'm running a big slow and foggy today...

Sunflower Broadband provies ABC-HD from KMBC-DT in Kansas City.

In their FCC application to buy KTKA, they had to prove that the KTKA signal would not fully cover the Lawrence market. I would suspect that they would have to block out ABC programming on KTKA in Lawrence like COX has to block out KC's CBS and ABC programming here in Topeka.

If they said it on the news, I believe them. They specifically stated Over the Air by July 1st.

I didn't know Mike C. was gone?

KSNT-TV Becomes Jayhawk Television Network Affiliate in Topeka
http://www.kuathletics.com

TOPEKA, Kan. - KSNT 27 News this fall will become the new flagship station in the Topeka market for the Jayhawk Television Network airing University of Kansas men's basketball games, Big 12 Conference regular-season and conference tournament basketball games, and the Kansas football and basketball coaches' shows, KSNT, ESPN+ and KU officials announced Friday. In addition, KSNT will telecast several Kansas football and basketball specials and will attempt to schedule a telecast of a Kansas women's basketball game.

The Jayhawk Television Network is administered by ESPN+ under an agreement with Kansas Athletics.

"We're pleased to welcome KSNT 27 News as the Jayhawk Television Network affiliate in Topeka," said KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins. "The exposure of all Jayhawk TV programming is important to Kansas Athletics and KSNT will provide that exposure. This is a big step forward for Kansas Athletics."

"We're excited to offer these local sports programs to our viewers," said Ken Selvaggi, KSNT-TV President and General Manager. "The University of Kansas runs one of the elite programs in the nation and Big 12 basketball is among the best in the country. Our focus is on serving our local community and we appreciate the opportunity to televise local sports to an enthusiastic sports community. These games will complement our sports coverage from our news team and the NBC network, which will begin televising Sunday night NFL football this year. We expect the University of Kansas to contend for the NCAA men's basketball championship and continue its athletics success in all sports programs."

The first two men's basketball games telecast will likely be Kansas exhibition home games with Washburn and Emporia State the first week of November. The football and men's basketball coaches' shows will air Sunday nights, following "27 News" and "Without a Trace".

KSNT and KSNT DT serve 17 counties in Northeast Kansas and offer Live Precision Doppler, the only live Doppler radar in the area, and more than 20 hours of local news weekly. Beginning in September, KSNT will broadcast the new CW Network, in addition to the NBC Network.

Checked last night with Lilo & Stitch and KTKA didn't make their July 1st "deadline". Wonder when we will see HD from them???

Checked last night with Lilo & Stitch and KTKA didn't make their July 1st "deadline". Wonder when we will see HD from them???

I checked Desparate Housewives and x checked with 9 in KC. Yes there are no bananas. After 4 years of promises, I'm not to suprised.

I called KTKA on Saturday but I only talked to someone in the news room. I did tell them that I would be watching the World Cup on KMBC 9 until they start producing an HD signal.

Gentlepersons, without dilvulging too much, let's just say I know a guy.

BJS188, it's NOT sour grapes. The signal strength meter on my TV, among other things, tells me KTKA didn't make the July first deadline. I hear that they will be upping their power in a week or 10 days. When they do it will still not be in HD, just plain old analog signal converted to DTV.

But don't take my word for it. Call KTKA during the day, ask for one of the engineers, or someone in the control room, I think they can answer better than the news person will.

Brianm66, the reason Sunflower won't let KTKA broadcast in HD is so that our close friends at Cox cable can SELL HD exclusively on cable. They can't sell it as a feature if KTKA is broadcasting it over the air. It has nothing to do with where KTKA covers, or FCC rules, or what programming Sunflower cable carrys or doesn't carry. It's a cable company buddy doing another cable company buddy a favor to sell more cable.

and no sour grapes, not trying t bum anyone out, or be negative, just passing along what I heard from a guy I trust and seems to know is all.

and no sour grapes, not trying t bum anyone out, or be negative, just passing along what I heard from a guy I trust and seems to know is all.

Does not sound like the wisest business decision, if that's true. I give the folks from Colorado more credit (even if they did move here). The DMA is about 145000 homes Cox is servicing less than half that number (that's my own personal wag).

Well, I really don't know what to say. On one hand, I can see a deal between them and Cox. But on the other, why would they come out ON THE AIR DURING NEWS, and say they would be HD over the air? Granted, they did not make their "deadline", but the story is still on the website so it makes you wonder....

It seems KTKA did up the power. They never were over 88% on my box, now they stay steady at 99% over quite a bit of rotation of the antenna.

I called the guy I know and he said they switched to the new antenna and transmitter in the middle of the afternoon today. I have more lots more signal now too. I asked about HD and he said the news folks don't understand the difference between DTV and HD so not to blame them for the poor info. He also said that they are taking the same signal feeding the analog transmitter and converting it to digital and it would be like that for at least several more months. I believe him.

Well, I'm in Manhattan now....and I can't seem to get any of the OTA HDTV channels using my Silver Sensor (and Samsung SIR-T351). Any recommendations on a (cheap) different atenna to try?

I'm in an apartment on College Avenue near the stadium....

The Dreamer.

Well, I'm in Manhattan now....and I can't seem to get any of the OTA HDTV channels using my Silver Sensor (and Samsung SIR-T351). Any recommendations on a (cheap) different atenna to try?

I'm in an apartment on College Avenue near the stadium....

The Dreamer.

Apartments are always tricky when trying to get a digital signal due to all the interference from all your neighbors. I don't have any antenna alternatives, but maybe get an in-line amp of some sort? That might help you out a little bit.

Apartments are always tricky when trying to get a digital signal due to all the interference from all your neighbors. I don't have any antenna alternatives, but maybe get an in-line amp of some sort? That might help you out a little bit.

That's how I've done it. I lived in a 3rd story apartment near campus, and used several different antennas attempting to receive digital programming. The cheap amplified settop antenna from Walmart worked for WIBW (CBS), and usually KTWU (PBS). I was lucky enough to have attic access, at that point I picked up Radio Shack's UHF-only antenna, put an amp on it and placed it in the attic. This got me CBS, PBS, NBC (KSNT), and occasionally KTKA (no HD though...). I guess the moral of the story is don't give up, it is possible.

I got a response from the lady who the story on KTKA providing HD was credited to and I think worstbuyguy hit the nail on the head. She said that they were broadcasting in HD right now. I asked her to check with the engineers and maybe she got DTV and HDTV mixed up. Going on a few days now and no response back from her.

I think they just dont know the difference between them broadcasting in digital vs. providing HD.

The only way we're going to get KTKA in HD is if ABC starts pressuring them.

Nice detective work, timmy. That is really appalling that they can't even get the facts straight regarding their own company's operations. What exactly changed by them building the new transmitter facility? The power went up by 50%?

ABC could care less if KTKA broadcasts in HD. It's pretty much a wash for them if we OTA people watch KMBC 9 instead. The only way we're going to get KTKA in HD is if we let them know that our eyeballs will look for HD elsewhere. If you haven't watched "Lost" in HD, you haven't watched it.

Any new developments on KTKA-DT ?

Any new developments on KTKA-DT ?

I have not heard of any but I don't think any are coming. :(

I think the news dept. saw they were upping power and thought it would be HD. Maybe someone should represent us (digital viewers of KTKA) and call the GM to see what he says. We could explain in a pleasant conversation that on the news they indicated they would be providing HD over the air, and that that is what WE want, not just their analog on the digital side. Sometimes the analog actually looks better than the digital.

Any takers?

I was reading the KSNT entry on Wikipedia.org and I noticed something new:

27 News at 11:00 AM (Coming in September)
I guess they want to give Mid Day in Kansas a run for their money on WIBW.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KSNT

I have not heard of any but I don't think any are coming. :(

I'm not sure if this is a good sign or not:

http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/jul/29/49_transmitter_down/

Our cub scout den is touring KTKA's facility Aug. 9 and we will watch them produce the 6 pm news. If I can catch the ear of someone important, I will let them know my disappointment with the lack of OTA HD.

Hey KSBugeater...

How did your tour of KTKA go? Any new information?

I sent an email to the Chief Engineer at KTKA a few days ago re: when to expect OTA HDTV broadcasting. A resounding silence was the only 'reply'. This bodes poorly for those of us not wedded to Cox cable.
Bish

How did your tour of KTKA go? Any new information?

It was a great tour, but since we were there to watch the 6pm newscast (9 kids on the soundstage managed to stay quiet for 30 min!!!) I didn't get a chance to talk to an engineer as they looked pretty darn busy. The digital camera equipment is really neat, it's just too bad they can't show off what it really can do. They said 13 has something similar but only 2 other stations have the all-digital production KTKA has.

Has anyone ever watched 13 News at weather time and wondered if the backgrounds are not true HD? I mean, the detail you see on the relief maps is amazing. I guess that's the difference between true 480p and compressed, which you see on 27.

C'mon, Free State! Get KTKA in HD over the air!!

Channel 49 News picture quality on COX is outstanding. I hope we get to see it in real HD someday.

Has WIBW-DT or KSNT-DT added their digital sub-channel yet?

I sent an e-mail to KSNT about The CW, but never heard back from them. I sent one to WIBW about MyNet TV and was told that it isn't set in stone yet, and that something would be released about it in the future.

TitanTv has added a listing for KSNT 27.2 but not for WIBW. From talking to both places they still plan on having them as sub channels, but leaving the main at HD. Football on Sundays might not be so hot....

It will be interesting to see what Cox does with the WB on cable. Will they just rebroadcast the CW feed from 27.2 or who ever is doing the CW network?

It will be interesting to see what Cox does with the WB on cable.

I'm trying to get an answer from my friends on the inside.

As someone who was walking around the KTKA facility last week (don't ask) I can tell you the place is in a total disarray. There is no GM for the previous poster to call (that's one of about 9 job openings they have now), the engineering is in shambles (the punch list has over 200 things wrong) and they do not have any way to get a HD signal out to their transmitter if they wanted to (so they just simulcast the SD signal which is all the FCC cares about) and the tower is overloaded 200% by current standards - which means real trouble.

The place is bleeding money so fast don't expect anything to happen soon.

The place is bleeding money so fast don't expect anything to happen soon.

I heard a commercial that they are adding an 11:00 AM newscast. That can't help matters.

The fact that WIBW and KSNT are still considering multicasting is a tragedy. For those of you who don't believe it will degrade their main HD signal, well I'd have you look to what has happened to our local PBS station. When they started transmitting in true, (1080i), HD, their broadcast was breath taking. Now when I watch a 'HD' broadcast on 11.1, the decrease in the bit-rate that is being broadcast is so apparent, it is sad. The so called HD, 1080i, OTA broadcast on 11.1 is almost totally 'flat' and without any 'pop' to it. This is what happens when a finite bit rate is spread amongst more than one digital channel. Honestly, I hardly watch PBS HD anymore since they have begun multi-casting as it just makes me sad and angry what they have done to the 'picture' on 11.1. Perhaps those of you getting 11.1 on Cox, don't have to worry about the decreased resolution that is being broadcast OTA; if so you're lucky. I wish both KSNT and WIBW would seriously reconsider multi-casting, otherwise we can just expect more of the same.
Bish

I heard a commercial that they are adding an 11:00 AM newscast. That can't help matters.

KSNT is the one adding an 11:00 AM Newscast.

KSNT is the one adding an 11:00 AM Newscast.

I saw the commercial on KTKA this morning while watching Good Morning Kansas waiting to see if they were broadcasting GMA in HD on Cox. The same anchors that do GMK is doing the 11 AM news. It starts Aug. 28th.

...the tower is overloaded 200% by current standards - which means real trouble...

Well, Channel 49 in Topeka is no stranger to catastrophic tower failure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0DGh3-NstQ

I saw the commercial on KTKA this morning while watching Good Morning Kansas waiting to see if they were broadcasting GMA in HD on Cox. The same anchors that do GMK is doing the 11 AM news. It starts Aug. 28th.

Well unless KSNT decides to drop their 11 AM newscast, both 49 and 27 will have 11 AM newscasts, with 13 holding onto noon with Mid Day in Kansas.

KSNT was planning to replace the Tony Danza Show with a new 11 AM Newscast starting in September.

Well, Channel 49 in Topeka is no stranger to catastrophic tower failure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0DGh3-NstQ


They need new guy wires to the tower. Unfortunately, the new guy wires will put more weight/pressure than the tower can support.

Can you spell disaster waiting to happen.....again?

I'm glad someone brought up KTWU's muddy HD feed. I get it via Sunflower Broadband here in Lawrence and it's horrible 24/7--everything looks like 480p upconversion at best (even their true HD programs like Smart Travels and Smart Gardening).

I've only been in the HD game for a year, and I could swear that KTWU-DT looked a lot better than this last summer. I can't quite remember when the PQ dropped off to its current state but it's been many months (or who knows, maybe it was like this last summer and I just hadn't seen enough true 1080i/720p to compare). Anyway, I wondered if Sunflower was stealing bandwidth to fit more channels in, so I was in the process of researching antennas to try to pull it in OTA but thebishman's post above has me discouraged, as it sounds like the problem lies with KTWU and not Sunflower.

Does anyone have any details on how many subchannels KTWU is trying to fit in there? I'm not able to tune in any of them with my Motorola 6200, even using the up/down keys (I can get KSHB's Weather+ subchannel this way however). I haven't noticed any PQ differences at different times of the day on KTWU either, so then it seems PBS-HD has been bit starved permanently?

It's a real shame... I watch a lot of PBS and it's a travesty to see true HD shows like Soundstage "ruined" in this way.

I may scrap the antenna idea altogether, as it seems like there would be no PQ benefit on any of the channels I currently get via cable (which, aside from KTWU are the KC locals). Since KSNT and WIBW are about to start multicasting, KTWU already does, and KTKA is in total disarray. I guess I should count my blessings that I get what I do from Sunflower (although KHSB started multicasting that idiotic Weather+ and I do see a difference in PQ, though nothing like what KTWU has sunken to).

Does anyone here get KCPT? If so, is it any different? I'd like to put my energies into trying to get all the KC locals OTA (since they will have separate CW and MNTV affiliates), but the topology of my house in Lawrence (at the foot of a hill on the east) makes me think that even with an 8-bay Channelmaster and 777X preamp I'd be wasting time and money.

I'd much appreciate anyone insight, advice, or musings on this subject. PBS-HD has the potential to look awesome, but finding a pristine 1080i full-bandwidth channel showing it seems to be an exercise in futility!

Thanks for any responses.

It probably happened with KTWU when they went to 3 channels. The main HD, a simulcast of analog 11, and the third kids channel. For awhile, they just had 2 channels.

I'm glad someone brought up KTWU's muddy HD feed. I get it via Sunflower Broadband here in Lawrence and it's horrible 24/7--everything looks like 480p upconversion at best (even their true HD programs like Smart Travels and Smart Gardening).

I've only been in the HD game for a year, and I could swear that KTWU-DT looked a lot better than this last summer. I can't quite remember when the PQ dropped off to its current state but it's been many months (or who knows, maybe it was like this last summer and I just hadn't seen enough true 1080i/720p to compare). Anyway, I wondered if Sunflower was stealing bandwidth to fit more channels in, so I was in the process of researching antennas to try to pull it in OTA but thebishman's post above has me discouraged, as it sounds like the problem lies with KTWU and not Sunflower.

Does anyone have any details on how many subchannels KTWU is trying to fit in there? I'm not able to tune in any of them with my Motorola 6200, even using the up/down keys (I can get KSHB's Weather+ subchannel this way however). I haven't noticed any PQ differences at different times of the day on KTWU either, so then it seems PBS-HD has been bit starved permanently?

It's a real shame... I watch a lot of PBS and it's a travesty to see true HD shows like Soundstage "ruined" in this way.

I may scrap the antenna idea altogether, as it seems like there would be no PQ benefit on any of the channels I currently get via cable (which, aside from KTWU are the KC locals). Since KSNT and WIBW are about to start multicasting, KTWU already does, and KTKA is in total disarray. I guess I should count my blessings that I get what I do from Sunflower (although KHSB started multicasting that idiotic Weather+ and I do see a difference in PQ, though nothing like what KTWU has sunken to).

Does anyone here get KCPT? If so, is it any different? I'd like to put my energies into trying to get all the KC locals OTA (since they will have separate CW and MNTV affiliates), but the topology of my house in Lawrence (at the foot of a hill on the east) makes me think that even with an 8-bay Channelmaster and 777X preamp I'd be wasting time and money.

I'd much appreciate anyone insight, advice, or musings on this subject. PBS-HD has the potential to look awesome, but finding a pristine 1080i full-bandwidth channel showing it seems to be an exercise in futility!

Thanks for any responses.

The only potential saving grace re: bit starved multi-casting channels is that many times the station actually supplies the HD feed, (and sub-channels?), via fibreoptic line to the cable company. If the feed is supplied directly from the network feed, BEFORE it has been 'bit starved' by the local affiliate, then the HD channel should still be seen in original 1080i full resolution. Hopefully this will happen for those of you on cable when KSNT, et al begin to destroy their OTA HD broadcast by multi-casting. Those of us getting the HD channel OTA will once again be deprived of a pristine feed.
Bish

No agreements yet on adding CW to the Cox lineup but the two sides (Cox, KSNT) are discussing it.

http://www.mytopekatv.com

Says WIBW will have the MyNetworkTV on Cox digital cable, and 13.2 on the digital box. I *really* hope it doesn't cause Sunday football to suck. Maybe, since it is Mon-Saturday, they will turn it off on Sundays.... yeah right.

I've been told by WIBW that My Network TV is a 24 hour a day, 7 Day per week channel that 13.2 will broadcast. The My Network TV Schedule is only prime time 6 days per week, but it will be run as an independent channel.

So basically 12 hours of progamming, with the rest full of junk. I have never been too critical of WIBW, but I really don't like this move.

I think this is a corporate move by Grey Television, not locally by WIBW. Other stations in the group have been doing this, and some even have 2 digital sub-channels, one for CW and the other for MNTV.

KOLN-KGIN in Lincoln/Grand Island has My Network TV on a digital sub-channel. They had UPN Nebraska before.

WOWT in Omaha is doing the same thing.

So MNTV programming starts today... has anyone seen 13.2 yet?

I watched the preview for MNTV on KSMO 62.1 last night. Looks like non-stop raunch.

I noticed over the weekend on COX that there was a channel with a test pattern on next to WIBW's digital channel (114.? on QAM tuner). I assumed that's where the new channel would be. I have not seen it on the cable box or OTA yet.

I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same issues I'm having with Cox's QAM offering. Whenever watching anything and of the local stations on 114-1 through 115-3 (WIBW, KTWU, KSNT, & KTKA) there seem to be a huge amount of dropout on all the channels. Though the junk on like NBC League Pass (93-1), QVC (120-2), SHOPNBC (121-2) and the music channels experience very few dropouts if at all any.

I live on burnett's mound. My DTV reception is great for both Topeka & KC and was just wondering if I have a bad QAM tuner. Depending on the responces here I might take the feed straight out of the cable box before any splitters and see if that doesn't improve the signal reliability. If that doesn't work I might take my receiver to a friends house and see any better results can be experienced.

Thanks for the responses.

-HiDefAutomation

I haven't noticed any dropouts on my QAM tuner in my Sony TV.

I thought football looked really bad last night on KSNT. Both cable and OTA. Lots of macroblocking on field level motion shots. Anyone else have an opinion?

I thought football looked really bad last night on KSNT... Anyone else have an opinion?

I thought it was pretty bad at the start of the game but seemed to get better in the fourth quarter. Of course, I could have just gotten used to it by then and simply blocked it out of my mind.

It looked pretty bad both via Cox HD feed and OTA for me too. Lots of close up motion artifacts.
Bish

So MNTV programming starts today... has anyone seen 13.2 yet?

I watched the preview for MNTV on KSMO 62.1 last night. Looks like non-stop raunch.

I finally got the Voom box hooked back up today, scanned, and no sign of 13.2. Fine with me. Full bit football is better anyday.

Wonder when KSNT will add their subchannel for the CW network?

It looked pretty bad both via Cox HD feed and OTA for me too. Lots of close up motion artifacts.
Bish

There's always been something funny going on with KSNT's Cox feed. It has always had quite a bit of blocking on action shots. Watch the tonight show as the camera pans past the stage lights during the intro. It looks horrible. The football game was nothing to brag about either.

I hooked my Cox DVR to my computer tonight via firewire, and it reported KSNT's bitrate at 14.99 mbps, which is a little bit starved. I wonder if Cox is chopping it or if they are getting it from KSNT that way? The other HD channels report higher values of 19.2 mbps or 38 mbps (not sure what's going on there...)

Brian

I noticed that 27.2 was showing up on one of the Sony TVs this morning here at work. There was no programming on it at this time. Maybe this has something to to with the lower bit rate.

Also on Monday, my HD-Tivo guide and my Cox guide were both saying that Wheel of Fortune was in HD on WIBW. Ralph Hipp even said something about it at the end of the 6 o'clock news. It was not in HD. An email to WIBW said hopefully some day but not yet.

HDTV magazine lists WoF and Jeopardy (on 49) in HD. I wasn't home on Monday to see if Jeopardy was but I dought it.

Also on Monday, my HD-Tivo guide and my Cox guide were both saying that Wheel of Fortune was in HD on WIBW. Ralph Hipp even said something about it at the end of the 6 o'clock news. It was not in HD. An email to WIBW said hopefully some day but not yet.

HDTV magazine lists WoF and Jeopardy (on 49) in HD. I wasn't home on Monday to see if Jeopardy was but I dought it.


I am beginning to think we may never see HD on 49....

An email from their GM at the end of August indicated "at some point".

I noticed that 27.2 was showing up on one of the Sony TVs this morning here at work.

Speaking of CW...

I've asked around and there's a good chance it will be on Cox soon, albeit in standard def. Nothing's definite and it may not before next week's premiere, but hopefully sooner rather than later and next week isn't out of the question if the stars fall into their proper alignment.

Heard today from an inside source that 27-2 will be on Cox on channel 5. The "TV station-in- box" version of the WB will go away at 5:00 am on Monday morning.

Heard today from an inside source that 27-2 will be on Cox on channel 5. The "TV station-in- box" version of the WB will go away at 5:00 am on Monday morning.

That is what I figured would happen. I now get a WB station out of Maryland on DIRECTV. They are switching to CW also. I wonder if it will go away. Not that it matters much, I am going to drop locals on Directv since I get most everything in HD OTA.

That is what I figured would happen. I now get a WB station out of Maryland on DIRECTV. They are switching to CW also. I wonder if it will go away. Not that it matters much, I am going to drop locals on Directv since I get most everything in HD OTA.

I see KSNT has the subchannel, do you think Driectv will pick that up? or just keep us with that Baltimore channel? Do you think they will picup WIBW's sub? I know they don't have it up yet, wonder when?

I see KSNT has the subchannel, do you think Driectv will pick that up? or just keep us with that Baltimore channel? Do you think they will picup WIBW's sub? I know they don't have it up yet, wonder when?

I'm sure you guys have noticed, but Cox HD has WIBW's sub, MyTopTV on channel 676 of the HD Tier.

I'm sure you guys have noticed, but Cox HD has WIBW's sub, MyTopTV on channel 676 of the HD Tier.

Is it HD there?

Also, kinda off topic, but how many of you have dish network? I am starting to look at it with the amount of HD they have, and my ability to get network HD OTA, I am looking at their VIP 622. I like the ability to have 2 TV's hooked up, with 2 remotes.

Any comments from anyone with this receiver??

thanks!

Is it HD there?

thanks!

No, sadly it is just SD. They placed it just above KTWU's SD multicasted channels 670 and 671.

I would be pretty surprised if we got HD with it. That would be a lot of equipment they could only use for cable, as they won't (hopefully) be getting it out OTA as an HD Multicast with WIBW's channel.

I know that's what KTKA is doing, but at least when they get around to putting it out OTA, they can reuse a lot of what they have now.

Brian

Most of the programming on COX 676 is pretty bad. When MyNetworkTv isn't on, they are showing stuff from a company called "B Mania".

I wonder what KSNT-CW will show when CW isn't broadcasting?

Is it HD there?

Also, kinda off topic, but how many of you have dish network? I am starting to look at it with the amount of HD they have, and my ability to get network HD OTA, I am looking at their VIP 622. I like the ability to have 2 TV's hooked up, with 2 remotes.

Any comments from anyone with this receiver??

thanks!

I have a 622. It's a great receiver. The ATSC tuner in the 622 and 211 seem to be much better than their previous ATSC tuners. I would say that if you get a newer Sony, LG or similar tuner, you would do well to use a splitter, as your 622 and 211 still are not up to a par with those tuners for distant signals. If you have an outside antenna you could be ok. The 622 is a great receiver. Dish's HD offering is super and getting better all the time.

I have a 622. It's a great receiver. The ATSC tuner in the 622 and 211 seem to be much better than their previous ATSC tuners. I would say that if you get a newer Sony, LG or similar tuner, you would do well to use a splitter, as your 622 and 211 still are not up to a par with those tuners for distant signals. If you have an outside antenna you could be ok. The 622 is a great receiver. Dish's HD offering is super and getting better all the time.

Does it have 2 over the air tuners?

Does it have 2 over the air tuners?

It has 2 satellite tuners and one ATSC OTA tuners. You wouldn't be able to pick up Fox with it. It also has a frequency agile modulator so you can feed all the TVs in your home the receiver backfeeding it through the antenna input. Besides the recording capability and the 9 day guide and a lot of things I don't use, the Dishplayer is a great add on.

Can you guys using Cox tell me if the analogue channels, and especially Fox, are also transmitted, (repeated), by Cox on one of their digital channels? The analogue fox channel is just almost unwatchable the quality is so poor. BUT, the HD channels look great and the digital SD channels look much better than Directv's for the most part.
Bish

Can you guys using Cox tell me if the analogue channels, and especially Fox, are also transmitted, (repeated), by Cox on one of their digital channels? The analogue fox channel is just almost unwatchable the quality is so poor. BUT, the HD channels look great and the digital SD channels look much better than Directv's for the most part.
Bish

They are starting to do some Digital Simulcasting of their analog channels. So far it is only C-Span and a few others while they work out bugs. At the moment, none of the networks (Including Fox) are transmitted in a digital format. According to the rumor mill we should have that by the end of the year, at least here in Manhattan.

I've never had too many complains about Fox's analog channel on Cox, but I also don't watch very much on it.

13.2 showed up on my HD-Tivo today but is showing the same programming as 13.1. The program guide is showing infor for MyTvNetwork. 13.2 does not show up on my Sony TV.

27.2 did show up on my Sony TV and is showing same programming as Cox channel 5. 27.2 has not shown up on my HD-Tivo.

13.2 showed up on my HD-Tivo today but is showing the same programming as 13.1. The program guide is showing infor for MyTvNetwork. 13.2 does not show up on my Sony TV.

27.2 did show up on my Sony TV and is showing same programming as Cox channel 5. 27.2 has not shown up on my HD-Tivo.

That odd. 13.2 did not scan in for me, but I have had 27.2 for a few days now. At first Doug didn't have any sound, but now sound is working.

13.2 has been on my HR10-250's for about a week. Just a 're-map' of 13.1 programming although the guide info shows different. Dreading the day WIBW cuts the bit rate for 13.1 and puts crap on 13.2 that almost no-one will watch.
Bish

Can anyone with Dish network confirm what they are doing in the Topeka market for the CW network? Directv took the channel that was WB away but may not add a CW back. I think Dish is supposed to be offering WPIX out of New York on channel 254 or maybe 251. Can anyone try those channels for me?

edit: I just called and they said we should get WSBK channel 236, can someone check that?

KSNT to begin multi-casting new CW network September 18th

Friday, September 15, 2006

For Immediate release: KSNT television is excited to announce the launch of the Northeast Kansas CW TV station Monday September 18th.

The CW for northeast Kansas will be broadcast on KSNT’s secondary digital channel. Cable viewers will be able to watch the CW on channel 5 on all COX systems. Other cable outlets will generally be placing the CW channel where the WB channel has been. Cable viewers should call their local cable company to see where to see the CW. Anyone with a digital TV receiver will be able to pick up the digital signal for free.

CW Programming will include the best programs from the defunct WB and UPN networks along with CW original programming. The Northeast Kansas CW will be the station to watch established shows like Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris, America’s Next Top Model, 7th Heaven, One Tree Hill, Smallville, and Supernatural.

“We are pleased to be providing a new alternative network lineup of shows in addition to our NBC line up.” said Jean Turnbough, General Manager for KSNT-27 News and Northeast Kansas CW. “A primetime schedule that includes the most popular programming from the WB and UPN networks gives our advertisers an important sales and marketing advantage in northeast Kansas. It’s also nice that COX has put the CW on channel 5 to make it easy for viewers to find their favorite shows.”

Additional information on the CW can be found at www.cwtv.com.

KSNT and KSNT DT serve 17 counties in Northeast Kansas and offer Live Precision Doppler, the only live Doppler radar in the area, and more than 20 hours of local news weekly. KSNT will celebrate 40 years of broadcasting in Northeast Kansas in December.

If anyone is using DirecTv or Dish Network DVRs to record WIBW, be sure to check your program guides. The information that they send to Tribune was messed up and the wrong guide information was displayed. It is suppose to be fixed but our Dish showroom receiver still had the wrong information on Friday morning.

Yeah, we had Desire on our guide, but luckily we had the tuner on 13 so we used the buffer to catch all of survivor. They had the guide info for MyNetworkTV.

Hi all --
Noobie question... What is up with KTMJ (FOX) in Topeka? I have emailed COX and the station and keep getting the same story = no agreement has been made. I was hoping for by NASCAR season, then football but, I am guessing they will not be here for the World Series either. Anyone know what the problem is?

Thanks!

Hi there. KTMJ, since they are low power, as far as I know doesn't even have a digital channel assignment yet. From what I have read they will just flash switch in, what is is now, 2009? So unless they strike a deal with Cox to just pipe Fox HD to them like KTKA is, you won't be getting any Fox unless you get it OTA from KC or Salina.

Hi, We're coming down to the K-State vs. NU game saturday in Manhattan. Is there any chance I'll be able to pick up the ABC game at 2:30 with my OTA antenna? Can you guys pick up ABC HD with an OTA antenna?

Hi Huskerfan! Sorry we cannot get any ABC HD over here in Manhattan. We do get KTKA over the air, but sadly it is in SD. Hoping for a good game!!

Hi Huskerfan! Sorry we cannot get any ABC HD over here in Manhattan. We do get KTKA over the air, but sadly it is in SD. Hoping for a good game!!

Yep I pulled up antennaweb.org. Looks like K39BR out of Junction City is closer to Manhattan though. Isn't their signal as strong as Topeka's or what?

I think that is just a repeater of KTKA, and of course, it's just analog. I live just north, like a mile, of the stadium and I cannot get 39 with a roof antenna.


You should have no problem getting an ABC stations, just not in HD. Sorry if I didn't understand your original question.

Thanks for responding. No, we just want to get ABC. Would be nice if it was HD but analog will have to be fine. Looks like that Missouri vs. A&M game is on at 2:30. Should be a good one while we're tailgating.

I have just received a very nice email from Dave Waters, the Vice President/General Manager of KTMJ that I want to pass along.

I sent KTMJ an email yesterday, asking if they would consider granting me a satellite waiver allowing me to obtain the FOX HD DNS feed from Directv until such time as KTMJ began broadcasting an HD signal. Dave himself responded to me today and granted my waiver! He was extremely gracious, and also explained KTMJ's stategy re: HD/digital broadcasting.

In a nutshell Dave stated that KTMJ were going to begin digital broadcasting well before the 2009 'cut-off' date. They, (KTMJ), were just waiting until the local market had reached 30% staturation re: people able to receive/(display?) a high def signal. He told me that KTMJ would supply the HD feed first to cable, (COX), then satellite, and finally OTA. Hopefully, the Topeka market will reach the 30% HD TV staturation point quickly; in fact encourage all of your friends to go out and buy more HD ready sets! LOL!

Lastly, Dave told me that if any of you would want a satellite waiver, please contact him, (I would suggest via email at the KTMJ website), and he would grant those waivers. I would once again like to publicly thank Dave for his granting me the waiver; he will NOT lose me as a viewer as I will only watch the HD DNS feed when a true HD program is being displayed, and I'll have Directv turn it off the day I can receive an HD broadcast from KTMJ.
Bish

I wonder what has changed at KTMJ? I and several others in the past have gotten ZERO response. Good to hear they will give you a waiver. I am assuming you can get a Fox in HD through Directv??

Also, has anyone else noticed how bad the locals in SD on Directv has gotten?? They are full of pixelation because of compression. It is really, really bad right now.

It is good to hear that KTMJ is finally starting to think about HD. But after spending a whole lot of money to get FOX-HD from Kansas City, I will continue to watch them. Since KTMJ ignored our emails and phone calls for years I will not watch their programming even though I can get get their SD signal from both DIRECTV and COX.

SD locals on Directv has gotten bad. If they were more than $3.00 I would drop them. But for $3.00 it is nice to have them on my SD DIRECT TIVO.

I wonder what has changed at KTMJ? I and several others in the past have gotten ZERO response. Good to hear they will give you a waiver. I am assuming you can get a Fox in HD through Directv??

Also, has anyone else noticed how bad the locals in SD on Directv has gotten?? They are full of pixelation because of compression. It is really, really bad right now.

Yes I am now getting the FOX East HD feed from Directv. Costs $1.50/month.
Bish

I guess WIBW-DT is getting us prepared for a future without 1080i even before 13.2 is operational? For the second evening in a row no audio on HD (OTA or cable) actually nothing but faint rear channel ambiance. :(

I guess WIBW-DT is getting us prepared for a future without 1080i even before 13.2 is operational? For the second evening in a row no audio on HD (OTA or cable) actually nothing but faint rear channel ambiance. :(

But it seemed the commerical were OK to me, how about you? Also, when I scanned last night, it showed VC 13.1 instead of WIBW like it used to.

I watched a couple of programs on Monday and the audio was fine on my Sony TV. Also the programs I Tivo'd also were fine. I haven't watched anything from Tuesday.

I did notice a problem. When I listen through my Sony Dolby Digital Headphones, I had to unplug the power and replug to get the front channel sound to work. But the sound was okay through the speakers. I thought it had something to due with the new software on my DIRECTV HD Tivo.

Last night on Jericho, which was the only thing I watched on CBS, the dialogue was only coming thru' the left side surround speaker of my 7.1 set-up. It was the most bizarre thing. Commercials were fine as someone else stated. Major screw up!!
Bish

Make that 3 nights (and counting) with no primetime HD CBS. :(

We watched CSI last night OTA on 13.1 and it was fine. Did you have a problem again?
Bish

thebishman, could you please go into a little detail about what was involved in getting this satelite waiver? In what form was the waiver given to you, and how did you go about proving to DirectTV that you were indeed granted a waiver. Do you have any idea if this would work with DishNetwork? This is the first I've ever heard of someone getting a waiver... didn't know it was possible.

Mike,
Not trying to answer for bish, but I do know that Dish Network will not give you a HD version of Fox even if you get a waiver, as they only supply CBS that way. They will give you a SD version from one of a number of cities, but no HD version.

We watched CSI last night OTA on 13.1 and it was fine. Did you have a problem again?
BishYes. Just checked the QAM recording of CSI from Thurs. It was bad, start to finish except for commercials. Everything apparently back to normal Fri evening. I haven't rebooted or rescanned any tuners since Wed night. Strange OTA would be different than QAM unless cox needed to reboot something.

I heard it was a software problem @ WIBW and they had no way to confirm it was corrected until the next 5.1 feed.

thebishman, could you please go into a little detail about what was involved in getting this satelite waiver? In what form was the waiver given to you, and how did you go about proving to DirectTV that you were indeed granted a waiver. Do you have any idea if this would work with DishNetwork? This is the first I've ever heard of someone getting a waiver... didn't know it was possible.

I just sent an email to KTMJ via their web-site asking to be considered for a satellite waiver so that I could obtain a FOX HD feed until such time as KTMJ went digital/high def. I mentioned that I was with Directv. Dave Walters at KTMJ must have sent an email to Directv because the feed was already turned on the next day! I just received a postcard from Directv confirming that the waiver had been granted.
If you're with Dish, and KTMJ granted you the waiver, (which Dave Walters told me he would do if people contacted the station), I can't believe that Dish wouldn't give you access to a FOX HD national feed. They do have one I hope. Someone with Dish can better answer that of course.
This saved me an enormous amount of hassle as I was about to investigate ways to try an obtain an OTA feed of the HD FOX station from Kansas City.
Bish