Create gets bounced through a couple extra re-encodes compared to the rest of the PBS channels and has substandard PQ for everyone everywhere.

My observation has been that "Create" has much better PQ on KLCS than KVCR.

That adds up as there is a considerably better bit rate for "Create" on KLCS, which has 4 SD channels, versus KVCR with 1 HD channel and 3 SD channels.

Yes, handling by the local station still plays a large part. But comparing Create to another PBS service like World, all other things being equal, Create will be inferior because it has a longer distribution path with more reencode steps needed.

KABC 7 just warned viewers that the fire is dangerously close to Mt Wilson (and presumably Mt Harvard) and that the station may go off air in the next couple of hours.

They indicate this will not effect their availability on cable or satellite.

"Phoschek" fire retardant has been laid on the southern (LA) side of the Mt Wilson ridge top but smoke has prevented aerial drops on the north side.

Update 6 p.m.: LA County Fire confirmed on KNX that there is nothing they can do to stop the fire reaching Mt Wilson.

I am about 11 miles south and can still see Mt Wilson and Mt Harvard and the foothills due south.

No sign of fire.

It is still some distance west. Of course it can be sneaking up unseen in the east/west canyons.

KABC 7 just showed footage of retardant bring dropped around Mt Harvard.

KABC 7 is streaming live video from Air 7 HD :

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/livenow?id=6990422

The KCBS live streaming 'copter guy sounds as if he's more or less "written off" the Mt. Wilson facilities - with the KCBS tower site first in line to be "overrun". All this trouble for OTA DTV and then this ?

The fires are threatening Mt. Wilson tonight:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/station-fire-approaching-historic-mt-wilson-observatory-fire-officials-say.html

We could be looking at a site loss, which would be very serious for the LA area. Not all cable systems have a direct fiber-optic feed do they? I just saw what must have been a cable head-end yesterday, considering all the antennas it had pointing to Mt. Wilson.

I just converted a friend's 4 TV's to OTA from cable yesterday, so I'm behind on this. Looks like it might have been a bad time to do this.

I don't think the Hollywood Hills would work for me, but I will model it. I depend on Mt. Wilson in South OC.

with the KCBS tower site first in line to be "overrun".

The old KCBS/2 tower with 93.1? KCBS moved to KCAL's tower, but those aren't very far apart. (~0.5 miles)

On the other hand, this could also be a demonstration of something good about digital TV. Imagine the networks banding together to get an emergency transmitter setup with all of them multicast in SD.

- Trip

I wonder why the stations aren't bothering to scroll a message that they could go dark?

It appears KFLA-LD is off the air. Everyone else is still on, but it's not looking too good.

Lots of radio stations will be affected as well, although they no doubt have backup facilities. Some stations are promising to stream all their programming online if the transmitters get cooked.

It's been pointed out on another board that stations may turn the transmitters off to protect them from overheating, so don't assume they're gone for good just because they go off the air.

What else is on Mt Wilson that this fire can damage? Is there a website that lists everything up there?

EDIT:
Found this
http://www.well.com/~dmsml/wilson.html
..not sure if it covers everything

Haven't found one, but I've been told the following radio stations are there:
KHHT, KCBS-FM, KXOS, KTWV, KLOS, KAMP, KKLA, KSWD-FM, KRTH, KSCA, KIIS, KOST, KBIG, KKGO, KPWR, KPCC and KLVE.

Most can be assumed to have backup transmitters located elsewhere. KLVE, KSCA, KKGO and (gasp) KPCC apparently have no backup location.

It appears KFLA-LD is off the air. Everyone else is still on, but it's not looking too good.

Lots of radio stations will be affected as well, although they no doubt have backup facilities. Some stations are promising to stream all their programming online if the transmitters get cooked.

It's been pointed out on another board that stations may turn the transmitters off to protect them from overheating, so don't assume they're gone for good just because they go off the air.

KFLA is coming in here.

All stations are on air, both digital and analog.

I can still see the building lights on Mt. Wilson.

Many of our 480 channels are bit-starved, and/or being fed from the same poopy analog equipment they were using before, and/or sourcing from already-compressed satellite or internet streams. Some of them aren't even full standard def. 7.3 for instance is actually transmitting 528x480.

All that being said, I suggest reading the AVS topic about your particular TV model before pitching it out the window. There may be things you can do to improve matters. TVs come from the factory set up to look good next to other TVs in a showroom, not for the more demanding environment of your living room.

Of course it could be that you just bought a TV that doesn't upscale SD very well ....

Thanks Narkspud,

I did make a posting on the Samsung LNxxB630 site. We'll see if anyone has suggestions.

Went over to my sisters today & compared her LCD using an antenna. Those 480 shows look just as bad on her set. She also has an old 46" TV with a converter box & CREATE looks better on that TV than it does on either of our LCD TVs.

Consumer Reports gave my new TV an excellent rating for SD picture. They must not have been watching the PBS subchannels or using an OTA antenna.
I also compared CREATE on KVCR & KLSC. They both looked the same to me.

The fires are threatening Mt. Wilson tonight:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/station-fire-approaching-historic-mt-wilson-observatory-fire-officials-say.html

We could be looking at a site loss, which would be very serious for the LA area. Not all cable systems have a direct fiber-optic feed do they? I just saw what must have been a cable head-end yesterday, considering all the antennas it had pointing to Mt. Wilson.

Long ago in a previous life in the cable TV industry we had 'off-air pickup' for the LA stations at all or headends. I am sure that there are still cable TV headends that do this all over the basin.

KVEA (52) and KWHY (22) have popped up on 4-2 and 4-4 respectively. Their main transmitters are still on the air.

Update ... KNBC is now available on 52-2. Sounds like they're covering their bases as well as they can.

KNBC 4 have started carrying sister stations KVEA 52 and KWHY 22 on their 4.2 and 4.4 sub-channels replacing Weather/News Raw and Universal Sports respectively.

KNBC might have a DTS facility downtown. I vaguely remember reading something along that line. That could be the reason for the sudden change in subchannels.

- Trip

If the facilities do get burned, I wonder if one of the VHFs up on the mountain would decide to try to move to channel 50 instead of rebuilding on VHF. The cost of building a new transmitting facility won't be an argument against it anymore...

- Trip

KWHY (22) is down. I'm getting a signal reading, but there's nothing on it.

KWHY (22) is down. I'm getting a signal reading, but there's nothing on it.

It's on 42-3

It's on 42-3

It is now. It wasn't when I made the post.

There's a moral here, and I think it's "this is silly." In other words, I'm going to quit channel surfing and go about my business. Nothing I can do about it from here anyway. If a bunch of them go down at the same time and I notice it before everyone else, I'll report it.

I could be wrong, but looking at the Mt. Wilson webcam, it would seem the fire has arrived.

I could be wrong, but looking at the Mt. Wilson webcam, it would seem the fire has arrived.

Nope. A few things to keep in mind about that camera:

There are other ridges behind the ridge with the antenna farm on it. You can't tell them apart on the night view.

There are a lot of lights up there. That big orange light in the lower left is a floodlight. A line of fires has been showing up at the far right of the shot depending on the angle (it's the dim red squiggly stuff), but that's on a different ridge.

The latest is that although the antennas are being threatened from two different directions, the wind is calm and the fire is moving slowly. It should be at least a few more hours before the transmitters are threatened, and the Canadian Super Scooper planes will be in action at first daylight.

One thing to remember too is, you may see a station lose it's signal but actually still be on the air. This is due to a condition known as "smoke fade". Where the smoke is dense enough to literally restrict the microwave signals to the transmitter sites. (I've seen it first hand before.)

I have to wonder about the power going up there, are there more than one feeder going up one or more sides?

There could be the threat of power being disrupted and everyone running on generator for a while...

I think if I were the KCBS engineers, Id be real worried about the fire affecting the guy wires on the tower.

Latest Pic from the UCLA's Mt Wilson Observatory Cam looking west to the broadcast antenna farm.

KNBC 4 is now being simulcast on sister station Univision KVEA on 52.2

KCET 28 (PBS) has been running a crawl warning of the possibility of a transmission outage due to the fire reaching Mt Wilson and referring viewers to their website and a toll-free number in that event.

KTBN 40 (TBN) also has a crawl up, telling viewers that fire threatens their Mt Wilson transmitter and asking them to "pray, pray, pray".

The Director of the Mt Wilson Observatory has been blogging on the fire situation and regularly updating the status of the facility and on-site staff.

He says they are more optimistic as the fire crews are staying on the mountain top overnight.

http://www.mtwilson.edu/fire.php

I know it's still early on the west coast, but looking at the tower cam this morning, it looks promising. Any word?

- Trip

Not that promising.The fire people are still saying "not if but when." They've prepared the site all they can, and they will have personnel up there if they think it's safe to do so. Otherwise, it's just wait and hope.

On the channel 2 news last night they stated that if the Mt Wilson antennas are affected cable and satellite transmissions will still be fine.

Rick R

Overnight fire crew (of 25) were reportedly taken off the Mt Wilson site. Other info revealed they
were 5 miles away but didn't explain whether it was a much needed rest break (16 on , 8 off???)
or if/when they were being redeployed to other nearby areas that needed similar prep work....
Fire crews go where they are needed....and if possible....will return when there are some
actual flames that need to be squashed in the final 100-foot fight....

The GOOD news: Mt Wilson is UPWIND from the fire, which makes it slow moving and easier to fight.
More GOOD news: Fire crews worked yesterday and through the night laying down fire retardant chemicals,
cutting brush and SETTING BACKFIRES.
Even better GOOD news: Fire fighting aircraft are being reinforced TODAY for a total of TWO DC-10s
and (now THREE!!!) ML-415 SuperScoopers:
http://www.wildfiretoday.com/news/2009/8/30/the-air-tanker-fleet-at-the-station-fire.html
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/bombardier_415/
Better late than never.....

Apparently the humongous 747 was being shown to prospective customers in Alaska earlier this month:
http://www.examiner.com/x-11680-Wildfire-Examiner~y2009m8d1-747-Supertanker-drops-on-Alaska-fire
Can we pay by the hour???? Or is it just too big and fast to be integrated into the Fighting Fire Force????

The BAD news: Nothing is going to stop this fire until Hurricane Jimena dumps some rain in the
area...and it won't make landfall near Cabo San Lucas (S top of Baja Calif., over 1000 miles away)
until tomorrow, which means moisture won't hit Mt Wilson until MAYBE the end of the week:
http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=17.0&lon=-107.2&zoom=6&type=hyb&rad=0&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=1&hur.wr=0&hur.cod=1&hur.fx=1&hur.obs=1&fire=0&ft=0&sl=0

Best, continually updating website w current Station Fire status:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1856/

Create gets bounced through a couple extra re-encodes compared to the rest of the PBS channels and has substandard PQ for everyone everywhere.
And what a shame too, as it has the best content of all PBS streams. :( It is also the biggest reason I donate to local PBS stations. I sure wish they would go HD.

Rudy

KNBC 4 have started carrying sister stations KVEA 52 and KWHY 22 on their 4.2 and 4.4 sub-channels replacing Weather/News Raw and Universal Sports respectively.

I take it that the reason for this cooperative program exchange between KNBC and spanish KVEA on their sub-channel(s) is if by chance Mt. Wilson is damaged by the fire, but one of the transmitters happens to survive, OTA viewers can switch to the sub-channel(s) of that surviving station to pick up the broadcast(s)?

"Redundancy," by any other name I suppose...

I take it that the reason for this cooperative program exchange between KNBC and spanish KVEA on their sub-channel(s) is if by chance Mt. Wilson is damaged by the fire, but one of the transmitters happens to survive, OTA viewers can switch to the sub-channel(s) of that surviving station to pick up the broadcast(s)?

Pretty much. KVEA and KWHY are on a different site (nearby Mt. Harvard) so even if there is a complete Wilson wipeout, NBC/Universal can keep all their main channel properties (KNBC/KWHY/KVEA) lit up for their viewing public as long as the fire doesn't go for Mt. Harvard next.

I take it that the reason for this cooperative program exchange between KNBC and spanish KVEA on their sub-channel(s) is if by chance Mt. Wilson is damaged by the fire, but one of the transmitters happens to survive, OTA viewers can switch to the sub-channel(s) of that surviving station to pick up the broadcast(s)?

"Redundancy," by any other name I suppose...

These stations are all co-owned by NBC.

What little advantage they have is that whilst NBC 4 is on Mt Wilson, KVEA 52 (and KWHY 22) are just south on Mt Harvard.

However both locations are threatened and the Mt Harvard facilities in particular cannot be defended on the ground.

These stations are all co-owned by NBC.

What little advantage they have is that whilst NBC 4 is on Mt Wilson, KVEA 52 (and KWHY 22) are just south on Mt Harvard.

However both locations are threatened and the Mt Harvard facilities in particular cannot be defended on the ground.

OK;

Makes sense, (don't know why I forgot to include KWHY in the arrangement). The thing that is still confusing to me though is that technically at least, while we say that KNBC is on "Mt. Wilson," on the other hand their antenna along with the majority of other broadcast ones are actually located on "Mt. Alta."

But I take that Mt. Alta is really not geographically distinct from Mt. Wilson to the degree Mt. Harvard is separate to the south?

Impossible to reach the UCLA Solar Tower Web-Cam site directly.

Here is a "mirror" of the latest image - albeit squeezed.

http://www.webcambiglook.com/wilson.html

Here's Sunday night's 2-hour video loop off the Towercam:
http://media.skyandtelescope.com/images/towercam+large.gif
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/56266907.html

and Mt Wilson Observatory running commentary:
http://www.mtwilson.edu/fire.php

As evidenced by SOCAL wildfires in 2003, 2007, et.al. damage is very
hit and miss, even when they were being pushed with gale force winds
(not so much currently). So even if some facilities are damaged,
it is likely that even facilities next door WILL survive.....

If you look at Mt Wilson & Mt Harvard via Google Earth, you'll see that
Mt Harvard is surrounded by steep cliffs, as is the S side of Mt Wilson,
where it is much easier to do an air drop and stop the fire in its tracks.
But the area N of the access road is heavy with vegetation....which will
make it very difficult to stop the fire on it's way W to the Observatory.
Perhaps they were cutting firebreaks somewhere in this area....

Attached is a GoogleEarth view of Mt Wilson looking WEST with MODIS IR
detections overlay, showing location of TV towers, 150-Ft Solar Tower Cam
and Mt Wilson Observatory (half-way between Tower and "Google" label).

FYI: MODIS IR Satellite detections, a *.kmz file for display in GoogleEarth:
http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/wms.php
Look for "Fire Detections, Current" under "KMZ" and OPEN with G-E, or
SAVE and double click on the file to launch into G-E.

TV & FM Transmitter icon *.kmz files for display in GoogleEarth:
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=46
http://www.fmfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=46

Fol. has a very in depth description of Mt Wilson/Mt Harvard facilities and
explains that "Mt Alta" is the area at the very highest peak, the location
of towers for KTLA, KNBC, KCAL, et. al., which are the Western most towers:
http://www.fybush.com/sites/2004/site-041217.html
http://www.fybush.com/sites/2004/site-041224.html

PS: Despite earlier prognostications that Hurricane Jimena would head
Westward out over the Pacific, the computer models I've seen show it
moving across the middle of the Baja Peninsula and then towards Mexico
(although the uncertainty window includes a path over San Diego).
So it is unlikely that any moisture will make it onto Mt Wilson.....

More GOOD news: NO SANTA ANA WINDS, low winds continue to prevail,
although there may be more of trend for wind from W, rather than S or SW:
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCAMOUNT12&day=31&year=2009&month=8&graphspan=week

Mt Wilson Observatory reports that the new 33 kV Edison line to Mt Wilson is now out but the old 16 kV line remains in service.

When that line goes the web-server for the Observatory site will be down as well as the Tower-Cam.

At that time the Observatory fire updates will relocate to this web site address:

http://joy.chara.gsu.edu/CHARA/fire.php

Latest Tower-Cam pic:

Satellite MODIS IR data from a few minutes ago is attached, as displayed in GoogleEarth.
I just turned on the "Centroid" dots showing active (red) & recently extinguished (orange).
Nothing active all that close...but hot spots on NORTH flank could roar up canyons towards Mt Wilson.
[That would be through the 91024 zipcode number....North is to the RIGHT.]

This is kind of purty.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/narkspud/towercam.jpg

Uh-oh ... this is not. Notice the glow reflecting off the smoke.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/narkspud/towercam2.jpg

At my last count there are 19 FM stations , 2 FM translators and 29 TV stations (both full and LPTV) up there...

Uh oh, are those fires in http://www.astro.ucla.edu/%7Eobs/towercam.htm now?

Latest UCLA SolarTowerCam pic at daybreak suggests the fire is closing on Mt Wilson approaching up the northern flank.

Latest UCLA SolarTowerCam pic at daybreak suggests the fire is closing on Mt Wilson approaching up the northern flank.Right now, I see thick black smoke on the right side, but no fires. Antennae are still there.

Towercam (at 0724) shows dark smoke coming from the North.

But the fight apparently has begun:
Attached are latest MODIS IR detections (also 0724) as displayed in GoogleEarth.
I only enabled centroid dots in one image and turned on only LATEST Footprints in the other.
Note legend in top left corner explains red/orange/yellow colors.
But, MODIS IR only sees the tip of the iceberg and does NOT show the full extent of fire activity.

Two hot spots were detected on SOUTH slope of Mt Wilson and another on the road to Mt Harvard.
This activity could also be fire fighters doing back burns....or not....

There is another on the Mt Wilson access road (below San Gabriel Peak), explaining
the road closure reported on LA Times website....and now the story has vanished....

And all that activity to the NORTH is still a longer term problem....
GOOD NEWS (for Mt Wilson): Wind is expected to shift from NE to SW by this afternoon:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1856/
and the BAD NEWS: Winds this afternoon will increase to as high as 30 mph along the ridges....

There are plenty of clouds this morning, of the tropical (cumulus) variety (from the Hurricane off Baja I presume). The moisture will be good, but lightning could be a problem.

I took some pictures above the clouds with my cell phone (am flying up to SF today). It's nice to see Wi-Fi starting to get onto planes.

Thank you for all the updates, holl_ands.

Still looking good on Mt Wilson:

The webcam now shows lots of white smoke between camera and towers. Something's going on.

KCBS video streaming had good "exclusive" 'copter survey of Mt. Wilson status for a while - but dropped it for KCAL noon news.

The webcam now shows lots of white smoke between camera and towers. Something's going on.

This CNET story does not look promising:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10323008-94.html

KTLA 5 just showed an extensive look, from the south, of the fire moving slowly through the Mt Wilson Observatory grounds just east of the antenna farm.

Lots of white smoke and fire crews are on the scene.

All stations are on air.

KTLA showed that Phoschek had been dropped on the north-west slope of Mt Harvard.

Latest UCLA Tower-Cam pic below:

Update: This smoke may be from back-fires according to the MWO Director's blog.

A new "mirror" for the latest Tower-Cam image provided by the MWO - loads in a flash:

http://avtanski.net/towercam/

KABC has a copter flying around Mount Wilson, and they're streaming live video here:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/livenow?id=6993809

Their website says the smoke on top of the mountain is from a controlled burn. That jibes with what the observatory director said about backfires on his blog (http://www.mtwilson.edu/fire.php) an hour ago. So let's hope that's what they are, and that they work successfully!


Patty

A controlled burn upwind of structures seems a little odd. Apparently too much smoke for the KTLA 'copter to continue at Mt. Wilson - they're searching for more/better shots of flames elsewhere.

If this were a true wind-driven fire ("crown fire", tree-to-tree spread) then getting rid of underbrush would have little effect with all those tall conifers on the observatory grounds.

New height restrictions were placed on the media choppers around 2 p.m. requiring them to move up 2,000 feet placing them way above the smoke level and making pics too hazy.

Power appears to be off at the Observatory (some time after 13:49 hrs - the last Tower-Cam image).

Latest blog entry from the MWO Director:

1 Sep 09, 2:04 pm PDT -

"CHARA Site Manager Larry Webster, who left the mountain yesterday morning, has told me that what we see on the TV feeds is exactly what the fire fighters told him they would do to deplete flammables on the ground. Their plan, which they would have implemented earlier had they not been withdrawn, was to start these groundlevel fire and literally walk along with them to keep them controlled. This is why we see no flames. The fires will consume the accumulation of needles from the many pine and fir trees as well as other scrub growth that could flame up and ignite lower limbs that would them permit the blossoming of the entire tree into flames. All the smoke we see is entirely consistent with this procedure. Larry and Dave are both delighted to see what's going on, but I've got to say that seeing smoke next to those domes is very unsettling to me. Still, I know what the fire fighters are now doing is necessary to save the Observatory."

The MWO blog is now available at the CHARA/GSU temporary website address:

http://joy.chara.gsu.edu/CHARA/fire.php

Also noted in the fire blog..

The Mount Wilson webserver went down moments ago, most likely due to a backfire infiltration of a pull box containing telephone lines that bring us our T1 internet service

FOX 11 have a live stream from their 'chopper' with audio from the pilot :

http://media.myfoxla.com/live/2/

or in your own media player (Windows Media or Quicktime) :

http://mfile.akamai.com/23073/live/reflector:34089.asx

Update: KNBC 4's Cary Berglund did a 'live shot' soon after 5 from the Mt. Wilson antenna farm!

I guess most of the road up from Red Box has burned allowing safer access.

Update: KNBC 4's Cary Berglund did a 'live shot' soon after 5 from the Mt. Wilson antenna farm!
What did he say about the status of the transmitters and the observatory?


Patty

What did he say about the status of the transmitters and the observatory?


Patty

It was very brief with a few shots of the towers and fire personnel and not that much info as they cut away to a fire press conference.

The Observatory grounds have been 'control burned" today and that looks like it is still going on. Water drops etc. on the north side. More scrub clearance and fire breaks

Around 175 fire fighters up there. Key Observatory personnel are going back up to assist with electrical problems the fire team has encountered.

News Raw/Weather and Universal Sports back on KNBC 4.2 and 4.4 respectively.

KNBC-SD now on KWHY 22.2 as well as KVEA 52.2.

KCBS filed an STA yesterday. They want to operate an emergency antenna at 15 kW ERP if Mount Wilson burns.

The interesting part is where they say it will be "shared with KNBC."

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101331916&formid=911&fac_num=9628

- Trip

The Mt. Wilson Observatory guy is reporting that the mountain is now being protected by 150 fire fighters on site, and the fire chief in charge is confident that the structures up there will not be damaged. (Knock on wood.)

Details here:
http://joy.chara.gsu.edu/CHARA/fire.php

Sky&Telescope provides additional insight:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/56266907.html

Apparently this is the LAST towercam photo, at 1349 on 1Sep2009:
http://avtanski.net/towercam/

Also attached is latest MODIS IR "hot spot" report (in GoogleEarth) as of 2246 on 1Sep2009.
No recent (RED) spots near Mt Wilson....but MODIS only sees the hottest areas and probably wouldn't
see smaller backfires that reportedly were being set all day today. Indeed, during 2003/2007 fires,
MODIS success rate would vary from day to day....
And the two hot spots on the left are an example of imperfect geodetic registration....missed the
mountain by THIS MUCH....

I checked on Hurricane Jemina. It's due to hit North of Cabo San Lucas tomorrow morning (Wed):
http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=17.0&lon=-107.2&zoom=6&type=hyb&rad=0&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=1&hur.wr=0&hur.cod=1&hur.fx=1&hur.obs=1&fire=0&ft=0&sl=0
Note that a couple of the Computer Models have it turning WEST, a few have it turning EAST
and one has it following the spine of Baja...pushing moisture in front of it towards San Diego....& L.A.
There was a thunderstorm deluge today in an area of the S.D. mountains, just North of the border.
But precipitation forecast for Mt Wilson is only 10-20 percent.....so far....check back in a day or two....

PS: NEXTRAD Radar shows some sporadic green spots, but they appear to be stationary over known
areas of fire activity....so difficult to see what is smoke and what are possible thunderstorms....

Other than higher humidity, it doesn't look like Jemina will play a role in the current fight for Mt Wilson,
but will help in snuffing out the overall Station fire before it burns the OTHER half of the Angeles
Nat'l Forest...and WASH OUT THE AIR!!!!

Jimena is on-shore now...but Computer Models say it's unlikely to go much further North.
Click "Computer Models" block if it doesn't display:
http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=27.11781&lon=-113.79639&zoom=6&type=hyb&units=english&rad=0&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=1&hur.wr=0&hur.cod=1&hur.fx=1&hur.obs=1&hur.hd=0&hur.mdl=1&hur.opa=70&hur.img=0&fire=0&tor=0&ndfd=0&pix=0
Static Charts:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/ep200913.html?MR=1
http://icons-pe.wunderground.com/data/images/ep200913_model.gif

This morning's MODIS IR detection reports as viewed in GoogleEarth.

I've been watching live fire coverage on the websites of L.A. stations. I just noticed that KTTV has two live video feeds; one is what's currently on air, the other is an earthquake reporting system. (Their CUBE system, I suppose?) Is CUBE just shown on their website, or is it also on a digital subchannel OTA? I can't seem to find a list of KTTV's subchannels.


Thanks!
Patty

I've been watching live fire coverage on the websites of L.A. stations. I just noticed that KTTV has two live video feeds; one is what's currently on air, the other is an earthquake reporting system. (Their CUBE system, I suppose?) Is CUBE just shown on their website, or is it also on a digital subchannel OTA? I can't seem to find a list of KTTV's subchannels.


Thanks!
Patty

No subs on KTTV. Just the main one.

(What's the proper terminology here anyway? I'm confuzzed. If a channel is putting out 2 streams, are they both subchannels, or just the second one?

FYI: Air dropping capacity currently in use:
747 Evergreen: 20,000 gallons....must land to reload
DC-10: 12,000 gallons....must land to reload
Martin Mars Seaplane SuperDuperScooper: 7,200 gallons
Several P-3 Orions: 3,000 gallons
Several P-2 Neptunes: 2,400 gallons
2 Canadair ML-415 SuperScoopers: 1,600 gallons
Several S-2 Firecats & Turbo Firecats: 897 gallons
TOTAL: 11 Air Tankers, 9-11 Helitankers and 7-11 Helicopters (unconfirmed)

Aircraft in action against the Station Fire:
Martin Mars dumping on Mt Wilson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/unwiredadventures/3879806918/sizes/l/
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0120a53eeb38970b-pi
Martin Mars on a break: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/09/01/big-ass-flying-boats.html
747 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAzEgJe_tfU&feature=related
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S6utDrrOOw
747: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/09/evergreen-supertanker/
747 & DC-10: http://jonathanalcorn.blogspot.com/2009/08/747-jumbo-jet-fights-station-fire.html
DC-10: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/budget-crisis-hasnt-slow-aerial-assault-on-station-fire-officials-insist.html
P-3 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb1gHJOJpSA
P-3: http://www.wildfiretoday.com/news/2009/8/30/one-of-the-best-fire-photos-ever.html
P-3 following Lead Plane: http://www.mtwilson.edu/FireImages/0905%20Orion%20and%20Lead%20Plane.jpg
P-3 Dumping: http://www.mtwilson.edu/FireImages/0905%20Tanker%20Drop%204.jpg
P-3 Video, Dropping Retardant on Mt Wilson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ituiTBDtA
P-3 Closeup: http://www.mtwilson.edu/FireImages/0905%20Tanker%20Drop%202.jpg
P-2: http://www.mtwilson.edu/FireImages/0905%20Tanker%20Drop%201.jpg
P-2 Closeup: http://www.mtwilson.edu/FireImages/0905%20Tanker%20Drop%203.jpg
P-2: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-onthemedia2-2009sep02,0,7112559.column
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1919962,00.html
ML-415: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13248023
ML-415 & Chopper Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4XGcnlIelw&feature=related
P-2, P-3 & S-2: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-322594
P-2, P-3 & S-2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/treklightly/3877167056/
S-64 Skycrane dumping: https://165.221.39.44/ftp/InciWeb/CAANF/2009-08-27-00:53-station/picts/pict-20090903-184334-2.jpeg

PS: Way back when, my dad flew PBY's, P2s, S2s and TBM/TBFs,
my father-in-law 747s and my son-in-law P3s for the Military. Deja Vu.....

BTW: From 1958-2005, TBM-3Fs also served as (600 gallon) fire bombers:
http://www.atlanticcanadaaviation.com/tbmgallery/introduction.htm
http://www.wirrawayaviationmuseum.com/avenger_mml.html
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/7553/contents.htm

Still want more??? Here's some more photos of fire bombers in action:
http://www.wildlandfire.com/descr/descr_air.htm

Now if they could only figure a way for modern aircraft to suck it up on the fly....
I can envision it now...surplus KC-10's reloading surplus B1Bs.....or F-14s....

Detailed photos of backfire activity around Mt Wilson Observatory (click on Facebook album):
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002079/

No subs on KTTV. Just the main one.
Okay, thanks.

(What's the proper terminology here anyway? I'm confuzzed. If a channel is putting out 2 streams, are they both subchannels, or just the second one?
Personally, I don't refer to .1 as a subchannel, but I wouldn't be surprised if the ATSC technical specifications do.


Patty

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/fires/main/usa/cafires_20090901.html

Hang in there, guys. Our thoughts and prayers are with you here in Illinois.

I had no idea that those MARS flying boats were still around until this. They were a rather common sight droning around the SF Bay Area (based at Alameda NAS) until the USN retired them in 1956, so I was used to seeing them in dark navy blue paint vs the current red and white scheme.

Say it happened. Sad face. What would you do? Some parts of Ventura can go for Santa Barbara. (KEYT, RTN) What areas of LA could get a San Diego signal. Other alternatives?

Thank you firefighters for your efforts!

In really bad scenarios there's always this concept http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratovision lurking around.

No subs on KTTV. Just the main one.

(What's the proper terminology here anyway? I'm confuzzed. If a channel is putting out 2 streams, are they both subchannels, or just the second one?

Not sure what's proper, but I've always treated each stream as a subchannel. For example, talking about KNBC, they have a primary and two additional subchannels. Key word being "additional" as in the primary is a subchannel too.

Whether or not it's correct is another story. :)

- Trip

Say it happened. Sad face. What would you do? Some parts of Ventura can go for Santa Barbara. (KEYT, RTN) What areas of LA could get a San Diego signal. Other alternatives?

Thank you firefighters for your efforts!

Coastal areas like the OC or off the LA coast can get KGTV and KFMB. Even people in Santa Barbara can get KFMB and KGTV if they live near the coast but it won't be perfect reception.

In the PSIP generator they are labeled "minor channels".
12.1 is Major Channel 12, Minor Channel 1.

The most common consumer term is sub channels.

Although program streams would also be appopriate.

Is anyone in the Ontario area seeing a digital signal on channel 66? It's KLAU-LD, filed a request for a license yesterday...

- Trip

Is anyone in the Ontario area seeing a digital signal on channel 66? It's KLAU-LD, filed a request for a license yesterday...

- Trip

FWIW, no trace of them here in central OC, not that I would expect it based on their coverage maps. KLAU-LP on 45 is still happily pumping out the infomercials.

PS - 66 ???

Yes, 66. http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1332035&Service=LD&Form_id=347&Facility_id=21511

- Trip

I thought they were done passing out 66s.

Attached are MODIS IR detection reports showing what happened on Wed, 2Sept.
There is still a threat to Mt Wilson area from the WEST:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1856/
At least it didn't go up the canyon just to the right (with the 91024 zipcode label)....

Concern is also being expressed re Stony Ridge Observatory:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/founders-fear-quirky-stony-ridge-observatory-might-be-lost-in-station-fire.html#more

BAD News: Tropical Storm/Depression Jimena finally decided to go EAST (taking the mosture with it),
despite weathermen (and computer models) still saying it's a fickle woman....headed WEST:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/ep200913_sat.html?MR=1
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/ep200913.html?MR=1
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/ep200913_model.html#a_topad
http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=27.11781&lon=-113.79639&zoom=6&type=hyb&units=english&rad=0&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=1&hur.wr=0&hur.cod=1&hur.fx=1&hur.obs=1&hur.hd=0&hur.mdl=1&hur.opa=70&hur.img=0&fire=0&tor=0&ndfd=0

This afternoon, San Diego mountains had significant thundershower activity, as far North as Mt. Palomar.
Perhaps there'll be enough moisture in the air for a few over Angeles Natl Forest??? Just not TOO much.....

FYI: Numbers from this morning's www.inciweb.org detailed status report:
"To date, helicopters have dropped 1.7 million gallons of water and 18,000 gallons
of retardant. Air tankers have dropped 670,000 gallons of retardant and gel."

So HELO's are ahead by 2.5:1.....must be that short turnaround,
cuz there are reportedly 11 air tankers and 12 helitankers at work:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/article/9404/

Finally....a fire perimeter map people can (almost) SEE:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1856/
https://165.221.39.44/ftp/InciWeb/CAANF/2009-08-27-00:53-station/picts/pict-20090903-190725-0.jpeg

Simulcast of KNBC 4 on 22.2 is gone. Simulcast on 52.2 continues.

No program on KFLA 8.1 Blank screen with "Poor signal." text in upper left of screen.

Is anyone in the Ontario area seeing a digital signal on channel 66? It's KLAU-LD, filed a request for a license yesterday...

- Trip

There is nothing here on ch 66, digital or analog.

The T1 line failure at the Mt Wilson Observatory has been repaired.

The Observatory web-site and the UCLA Solar Tower Cam website are back.


http://www.mtwilson.edu/fire.php


http://www.astro.ucla.edu/%7Eobs/towercam.htm

Mirror site for Tower-cam:

http://avtanski.net/towercam/

Tower Cam is currently showing eastern view.

Latest image:

No program on KFLA 8.1 Blank screen with "Poor signal." text in upper left of screen.

I have never seen anything here on ch 8.1 other than KFMB in San Diego, which comes in fairly regularly here this time of year and is often quite strong.

Surreal scene on Mt Wilson during the midnight hour with natural light from the full moon, fires burning quietly and stars ...

The reports from Mount Wilson continue to be hopeful--which makes me feel better when I see that huge plume of smoke seemingly not far away! At least the wind is blowing away from the observatory.

BTW, if any of you are amateur (or professional!) astronomers, you may want to help MWO recover from the fire. See Dr. McAlister's 9:20 a.m. posting today for more information:

http://www.mtwilson.edu/fire.php


Patty

There definitely are some real stars in the sky, but with so many frozen (white) pixels on their camera's detector it's hard to make out any constellations. The 0503 PDT image had a great view of brilliant Venus rising. The most-recent shots today are alarming, but they're east of the site so no real threat unless the Santa Ana winds commence.

Did the Fox signal just go to crap for anyone else?

Did the Fox signal just go to crap for anyone else?No problems right now (100%). I thought I was having problems earlier, but I forgot that my closed windows caused signals to drop a lot so I had to move my rabbit ears antenna.

No problems right now (100%). I thought I was having problems earlier, but I forgot that my closed windows caused signals to drop a lot so I had to move my rabbit ears antenna.
Yeah, now it's fine. I've been getting only 50% since the switchover, but it still locked into place, but tonight it was just dropping out.

Can someone recommend an antenna for my attic?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8ecd7a3c4615d8

I'd like to get FM clearly, maybe KCRW without static, and 28.1, 50.1 etc.

as it is, i can do pretty well with an indoor antenna, hopefully the attic will do at 6.9 miles.

thx

Can someone recommend an antenna for my attic?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8ecd7a3c4615d8

I'd like to get FM clearly, maybe KCRW without static, and 28.1, 50.1 etc.

as it is, i can do pretty well with an indoor antenna, hopefully the attic will do at 6.9 miles.

thx

How much room do you have to work with?

How much room do you have to work with?

Guessing 3 feet or so, not there at the moment. thx

Los Angeles OTA Help: Lost Channel 11 & 13

Like many in this forum I have recently lost a few channels, specifically 11 and 13. I imagine they dropped out during the switchover but I still can not get them back.
I have a $40 Channel Master antenna that I bought from Frys and it is roof mounted. I also have a small pre-amp attached as well.
My Westinghouse LCD TV can't find any signal on 11 or 13 and my El Gato EyeTV Hybrid has lost the signal as well but the kicker is that our $40 DTV Converter for our CRT TV has no problem finding 11 and 13!
Any thoughts?

From what I have read it seems that I have a antenna with not great VHF reception. I've recently moved and have just reattached the antenna and am wondering if I should attach a taller mast? I don't think it will help b/c I am getting the same reception as I did from last location where I had a perfect clear view to Mt. Wilson.

Should I upgrade to a better VHF antenna?
Any suggestions?
Should I buy a taller mast?

Thanks for any help.

I am not sure what to do next.

Not knowing which Channel Master antenna you have, I don't think anyone can say for sure whether it's the problem, but if it is, it's unlikely a taller mast will help much.

I assume you are getting 7 and 9, since you didn't mention them, so try the "cheap" solutions first. Re-orient the antenna. Check the wiring and the connections for age or corrosion. Try switching devices - like, plug that converter box into the EyeTV's antenna connection and see if it still gets your problem channels. Try removing the pre-amp. Try looking for an interference source nearby.

I'm intrigued by your having a converter box that outdoes an EyeTV Hybrid. What brand is the box?

Los Angeles OTA Help: Lost Channel 11 & 13

the kicker is that our $40 DTV Converter for our CRT TV has no problem finding 11 and 13!
Any thoughts?

Same thing happened with my HTPC using MyHD 100 and 130 tuner cards, would not tune 7, 9, 11 or 13. However my S3 TiVo tune them in fine with the same 4 bay bowtie antenna indoors!
Here's a pic: http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/503/medium/DSCF0239.JPG
It has been suggested that advancment in tuner technology is what allows the TiVo S3 to pull in the VHF signals with a UHF antenna.
Anyway, I fixed the problem by installing a Channel Master CM 3018 outdoor antenna.

The CM 3018 antenna is mounted about 15' above ground level (roof of single story house) I used quad shielded RG6 coax cable to connect the antenna to the computer and TiVo. My house is about 40 miles from Mt Wilson.



Should I upgrade to a better VHF antenna?

Yes.


Any suggestions?


Get an antenna rated for VHF/UHF frequencies, and rated for the distance from transmitters.

Look here: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=&PROD=ANCM3018

Guessing 3 feet or so, not there at the moment. thx

After you try the connections as suggested.
This antenna might work indoors: http://estore.websitepros.com/1129733/-strse-160/EZ-dsh-HD-TV-Antenna-VHF-fdsh-UHF-fdsh-DTV/Detail.bok

It's best to purchase from brick and mortar store, if possible, and one that will let you return any antenna that does not work (for you.)

Los Angeles OTA Help: Lost Channel 11 & 13

Like many in this forum I have recently lost a few channels, specifically 11 and 13. I imagine they dropped out during the switchover but I still can not get them back.
I have a $40 Channel Master antenna that I bought from Frys and it is roof mounted. I also have a small pre-amp attached as well.
My Westinghouse LCD TV can't find any signal on 11 or 13 and my El Gato EyeTV Hybrid has lost the signal as well but the kicker is that our $40 DTV Converter for our CRT TV has no problem finding 11 and 13!
Any thoughts?
...

I would recommend using an antenna with known good performance on hi-band VHF. Another thing to check is your preamp, since some of these are UHF-only. Also, the fact that you can pick up 11 and 13 on your converer box, but not your Westinghouse LCD strongly suggests that the latter does not have a very sensitive receiver. Still, you may be able to overcome this with a better antenna and/or preamp.

Channels 11 and 13 are much weaker than 7 and 9. Also, they are on the eastern side of Mt. Wilson, and thus may not be completely LOS to the west. When they were on UHF, I could never pick up ch 13 and 11 only intermittently. Now both are solid here in the Porter Ranch/Granada Hills area, but I am using a high gain VHF antenna, the Winegard YA-1713, in addition to my UHF antennas.

Pictures of Firemen, TowerCam and aircraft in action on Mt Wilson:
http://www.mtwilson.edu/FirePhotos.php
and a video of a P-3 dropping fire retardant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ituiTBDtA

This morning's MODIS IR detections and 3Sep (early morning) Fireline
for comparison, see attachment. Still burning out there.....

First let me say that while I certainly appreciate KBEH's (virtual 63-1, 63-2) SDTV 16:9 aspect ratio format as an effort to fill the screen for HDTV viewers if this is their intent. Please don't bother if you simply going to stretch 4:3 content (or "stretch-o-vision") this way to achieve it. Unless their going televise native 16:9 (or greater) material I would rather just live with the standard 4:3 pillar-box as with most other SDTV signals.

The way it is now I actually have to squeeze KBEH's image back to 4:3 to remove the "stretch-o-vision distortion." Fortunately the station's stretching appears to be symmetrical and thus can be reversed with a reciprocal squeeze setting on my DTV converters and my HDTV set's "4:3" setting.

But it is still nevertheless annoying.

Ditto for KDOC 56.1. They too stretch their 480i signal to full screen which I also find extremely annoying.

Ditto for KDOC 56.1. They too stretch their 480i signal to full screen which I also find extremely annoying.

You mean currently? I'm presently picking up KDOC as two standard 480i 4:3 signals (56-1, 56-2) with no stretching involved on either, nor can there be. :confused:

You mean currently? I'm presently picking up KDOC as two standard 480i 4:3 signals (56-1, 56-2) with no stretching involved on either, nor can there be. :confused:

Same here. The only station in this market guilty of Stretch-O-Vision is KBEH.

I have my TV setup to display all 480i signals in 4:3 aspect but somehow KDOC sends a signal on 56.1 to display its 480i signals as 16:9. I have to go into my menu to force it back to 4:3 aspect. 56.2 displays normally as well as all other 480i signals I receive.

I have my TV setup to display all 480i signals in 4:3 aspect but somehow KDOC sends a signal on 56.1 to display its 480i signals as 16:9. I have to go into my menu to force it back to 4:3 aspect. 56.2 displays normally as well as all other 480i signals I receive.

This seems to be a problem with certain sets. My LG displays 56.1 correctly at 4:3 aspect with the Aspect Ratio setting "Set by Program".

A friends Samsung wants to display EVERYTHING at 16:9. If it is set to 4:3 then 1080 and 720 displays at 16:9 and 480 displays at 4:3 BUT it doesn't stick through a Power Off and it even seems to revert back after 30 minutes or so. I'm quite disappointed with Samsung over this.

None of this explains why ONLY 56.1 is wrong for you, though.

I have my TV setup to display all 480i signals in 4:3 aspect but somehow KDOC sends a signal on 56.1 to display its 480i signals as 16:9. I have to go into my menu to force it back to 4:3 aspect. 56.2 displays normally as well as all other 480i signals I receive.

Back in the day, there was some sort of flag added to the video itself that told an appropriately equipped TV to switch to widescreen or zoom mode as necessary. It used to kick in on certain sources on my Sony HD CRT. I don't recall what those sources were, but I am pretty sure some of them were analog. It might have been a Pioneer DVD/Laserdisc combo player - I'm not sure. But it would also work on VHS tapes I had made from the source, whatever it was. (Perfectly legal ones, of course.) I would also occasionally get false positives on weak analog signals, causing it to kick into stretch or zoom mode for a few seconds.

This was not the same thing as the 16x9 flag in the MPEG stream. It happened on analog sources as well as digital, and on composite and S-video inputs as well as component. It also wasn't anything to do with the TV "seeing" the black bars in the picture, because (1) it obviously didn't, and (2) it was also smart enough to stretch anamorphic video.

Perhaps KDOC is sending out the flag, or your tuner is adding it somehow?

In any case, the MPEG stream from KDOC is flagged 4x3, and KBEH is flagged 16x9.

Oh yay, 57-9 is back.

Right now it's just a nastier-looking duplicate of 57-2, LATV.

I have my TV setup to display all 480i signals in 4:3 aspect but somehow KDOC sends a signal on 56.1 to display its 480i signals as 16:9. I have to go into my menu to force it back to 4:3 aspect. 56.2 displays normally as well as all other 480i signals I receive.

Different brands and models of TV displays handle this information differently. My main set, a Pioneer Elite KURO plasma, handles all 480i signals the same way, including 56.1. Normally I leave it set to ZOOM for all SD (480i) signals, and FULL, i.e., 16:9 for all HD broadcasts (all 720p and 1080i). The set "remembers" these settings seperately, and always displays SD in ZOOM mode and HD in FULL mode, unless I manually change the setting. I use ZOOM for SD, since I like to watch a lot of PBS material on 28.2 and 28.4, much of which is 16:9. If the particular program is in 4:3, I often manually change the setting to 4:3. Obviously this set ignores the flags, since 56.1 is correctly displayed, and not stretched.

My other set uses a Samsung STB with an HD-ready Sony LCD. This setup also ignores the flags, and shows all 480i signals correctly, including 56.1, when using the "Pillar" mode. Its "Zoom" mode, however, unlike the Pioneer,distorts all SD pictures. But, it does so equally, regardless of the flags.

I solved my 480i problem on 56-1. I did a complete rescan and now 56-1 works correctly. I believe 56-1 used to broadcast in 1080i and that is what my Sony TV remembers. When it saw a 480i signal, it automatically stretched it. Thank you all for your comments.

...I use ZOOM for SD, since I like to watch a lot of PBS material on 28.2 and 28.4, much of which is 16:6. If the particular program is in 4:3, I often manually change the setting to 4:3. ...

Goodness...

A lot of the material is in 16:6 (or 2.67:1 aspect ratio)? Are you sure?

Granted you can zoom it with the subsequent loss in resolution, but why in the world would PBS frequently use programs with such a vertically narrow image? Factoring in the necessary letter-boxing into the 4:3 frame of an SD sub-channel and all you have is a vertically narrow box in the center of the screen for an HDTV.

I think he meant 16:9. 9 being right above 6 on the number pad on the right side of the keyboard...

- Trip

I think he meant 16:9. 9 being right above 6 on the number pad on the right side of the keyboard...

- Trip

My thoughts as well, an obvious typo. I'm surfing 28-2 and 28-4 right now and it appears to be a great deal of standard 16:9 letter-boxed into 4:3 material.

Goodness...

A lot of the material is in 16:6 (or 2.67:1 aspect ratio)? Are you sure?

Granted you can zoom it with the subsequent loss in resolution, but why in the world would PBS frequently use programs with such a vertically narrow image? Factoring in the necessary letter-boxing into the 4:3 frame of an SD sub-channel and all you have is a vertically narrow box in the center of the screen for an HDTV.

That was a typo!!! I hit the '6' instead of the '9' wich I meant to do. I corrected my post... Anyway, thank you for pointing that out.

I would recommend using an antenna with known good performance on hi-band VHF. Another thing to check is your preamp, since some of these are UHF-only. Also, the fact that you can pick up 11 and 13 on your converer box, but not your Westinghouse LCD strongly suggests that the latter does not have a very sensitive receiver. Still, you may be able to overcome this with a better antenna and/or preamp.

Channels 11 and 13 are much weaker than 7 and 9. Also, they are on the eastern side of Mt. Wilson, and thus may not be completely LOS to the west. When they were on UHF, I could never pick up ch 13 and 11 only intermittently. Now both are solid here in the Porter Ranch/Granada Hills area, but I am using a high gain VHF antenna, the Winegard YA-1713, in addition to my UHF antennas.

Thanks for your suggestions.
I have recently tried replacing my channel master antenna with a Winegard HD7694P but I am encountering the same problem.
Using this antenna and a pre-amp I am still unable to receive 11.1 nor 13.1 on my DTV nor my El Gato EyeTV Hybrid 1.0. Any thoughts?
I am thinking about purchasing the Winegard 7084P or the 7694P but I just do not know if they'll help.
AntennaWeb says that I am only 22 miles away and only need a "yellow" antenna for most channels and a "green" antenna for 11.1 and 13.1. I read that the antenna I just bought is rated at 50 miles distance and specifically designed for the high band VHF signals...
I am kinda at a lost here and would appreciate any suggestions.

You have two Low Power UHF stations a few miles North and a bunch of High Power FM stations
within a few miles East. The second harmonic of the FM stations is probably affecting Hi-VHF (Ch7-13)
and the two UHF stations MAY be blocking reception on one or two weak UHF stations...both due to
Intermodulation Distortion ("Overload") in the Preamp....

Remove the Preamp....there should be no need for it at such a close range unless you're driving
a bunch of splitters....in which case you'll have to insert a small amount of attenuation (3-6 dB?)
BEFORE the Preamp to prevent overload....you may also need an FM Bandstop Filter.

hello,

newbie looking for help, please.

What would be the best way for me to get HD reception with an indoor antenna? I currently have a cheapo radio shack and can get 2, 4, 7, and 50 - maybe a couple others but no 11, 13, or 9 - the channels I'd really like to get.

I'd appreciate any advice. Oh, and I am in Orange County - Irvine.

(I just spent an hour doing a search but couldn't find anything - but if I missed another post already out there, I'd appreciate the link.)

Thank you

hello,

newbie looking for help, please.

What would be the best way for me to get HD reception with an indoor antenna? I currently have a cheapo radio shack and can get 2, 4, 7, and 50 - maybe a couple others but no 11, 13, or 9 - the channels I'd really like to get.
Get it as high as you possibly can preferably near a window facing the Wilson Farm. Do your scanning for channels at night when there is less radio interference (for me, simple outside traffic was killing some channels that got much better when life calmed down after nightfall). Once you get a lock on the channels you are missing is when you find the "sweet spot" to keep them locked. You might also want to buy a amplifier to help you along.

If you have a friend with a different OTA antenna, ask if you can borrow it for a night to see if a different antenna helps matters for you. I found that the Terk Silver Sensor he bought worked better at my place than his and my Radio Shack UFO worked better for him, so we swapped.

Bottom line: It's all trial and error until you find that "sweet spot" if it's at all possible at your location.

mmaxwell,

From Sherman Oaks you should get all channels with a coat hanger. My Son when he lived there (and then all digital channels were UHF) got all digital channels with an FM dipole antenna taped top the wall. He got all digital channels but one with that antenna on the floor but to get that last one he taped it to the wall.

With a 7694 you should have no problem. If you have an amp or preamp then you have too strong a signal. If you do not then I believe you have some other problem.

Rick R

mmaxwell, I would also check the not-so-obvious. Are you getting power to the preamp? I lose most of my stations when I disconnect the preamp power supply.

I'm in zip code 92603 & I see several pending application for new digital channels on TVFool. Some weaker ones that will be LOS including RF2 & 3. Are there any new channels to look forward to? I'm not too interested in more infomercial, religious or foreign language channels.

It doesn't appear there is anything pending in the San Diego area? I currently can pick up Fox69, NBC39 & KPBS15, sometimes 8 & 10, never CW 6 or KUSI 18.

Are there any new channels to look forward to? I'm not too interested in more infomercial, religious or foreign language channels.

How about foreign language religious infomercials? ;)

But seriously, can anyone here comment on the economics of operating a low power station that shows nothing but this kind of thing? How can these things possibly be covering their expenses, especially if they aren't carried on cable?

...
It doesn't appear there is anything pending in the San Diego area? I currently can pick up Fox69, NBC39 & KPBS15, sometimes 8 & 10, never CW 6 or KUSI 18.

I often can get all of these, except for KUSI, in zip code 91344. Undoubtedly it is covered up by KSCI 18 here. BTW, the output of KUSI is mapped to ch 51, its old analog channel. XETV CW 6, on the other hand, often comes in solidly, even though it transmits on ch 23, as does KTBN. KTBN is so incredibly weak that it almost never comes in here, and thus does not block XETV when the skip is coming in. Isn't it supposed to serve the LA area?

How about foreign language religious infomercials? ;)

But seriously, can anyone here comment on the economics of operating a low power station that shows nothing but this kind of thing? How can these things possibly be covering their expenses, especially if they aren't carried on cable?

Maybe there is still a sizeable segment of the population that has not upgraded to DTV. Those low power analog stations are probably very cheap and simple to operate, almost like a ham radio station would be. And the infomercials are probably big money-makers, considering how many of them are on even the big stations, especially on weekends.

KTBN is so incredibly weak that it almost never comes in here, and thus does not block XETV when the skip is coming in. Isn't it supposed to serve the LA area?

TBN is strong here, & I assumed was the reason I couldn't pick up XETV. I've seen it occasionally on analog 6. I also figured the strong signal from KSCI 18 was preventing me from seeing KUSI.

For the last 4 days, KNBC's power was so far down I nearly lost lock on it. I'm LOS at about 20 miles and it usually booms in. Anybody know what is up? All the rest of the channels are normal.

KNBC/36 is coming in ok here in Tustin, but it might be off a touch. I'm getting 29.6dB vs. 31-33 for KCBS and KTLA. I will have to check it when I get home.

KCBS used to be relatively weak here. I don't see an LC filing for the maximized facility. Anyone else seeing a difference on KCBS?

There's some strong tropo in the forecast, but it's just off the coast. Perhaps that's the reason.

http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo_wam.html

For the last 4 days, KNBC's power was so far down I nearly lost lock on it. I'm LOS at about 20 miles and it usually booms in. Anybody know what is up? All the rest of the channels are normal.

KNBC is much lower for me too in West LA--even lower than KTBN, and about the same strength as KSMV-LD!

Here's what I'm seeing at 8 pm:

KCBS/43 - 30 dB
KNBC/35 - 19 dB
KTLA/31 - 30 dB
KTBN/23 - 23 dB
KCET/28 - 31 dB
KSMV-LD/33 - 18.6 dB

KNBC/36 is coming in ok here in Tustin, but it might be off a touch. I'm getting 29.6dB vs. 31-33 for KCBS and KTLA. I will have to check it when I get home.

KCBS used to be relatively weak here. I don't see an LC filing for the maximized facility. Anyone else seeing a difference on KCBS?

There's some strong tropo in the forecast, but it's just off the coast. Perhaps that's the reason.

http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo_wam.html

Yes, I have noticed that KCBS is weaker here since the transition. This is surprising, since the sister station KCAL was generally very strong when it was on ch 43 and presumably using the same antenna and perhaps even the same transmitter. I wonder why ch 2 is so weak now.

What I meant to say is that KCBS seems to be a lot stronger now (recently) vs. after the transition. I checked at home and had the same results there. It's one of my top stations again.

Is KOCE's 50-4 no more?

I solved my 480i problem on 56-1. I did a complete rescan and now 56-1 works correctly. I believe 56-1 used to broadcast in 1080i and that is what my Sony TV remembers. When it saw a 480i signal, it automatically stretched it. Thank you all for your comments.

You are correct KDOC used to transmit 56-1 as 1080i and are now transmitting it as 480i.

Anyone know why they changed?

To add some encrypted services.

- Trip

Is KOCE's 50-4 no more?

It certainly seems so. For a while 50-4 and 50-1 have had the same program material (with just the format different) so it didn't make much sense to have both.

For the last 4 days, KNBC's power was so far down I nearly lost lock on it. I'm LOS at about 20 miles and it usually booms in. Anybody know what is up? All the rest of the channels are normal.I noticed that recently too. I thought it was just me.

I noticed that recently too. I thought it was just me.

KNBC is still very strong here, fluctuating rapidly between 80% and 100%, but not lower than 80%.

Looks like KBEH has lost its mapping to 63. Its back on 24.

KNBC is still very strong here, fluctuating rapidly between 80% and 100%, but not lower than 80%.Ah, 66-67% for me right now. Higher than recently that was under 50%.

Looks like KBEH has lost its mapping to 63. Its back on 24.When did it go to 63? I don't see anything on 24. Oh well, no big deal since I don't watch KBEH.

KBEH, MTV tr3s started broadcasting on RF24 not long before the June transition. Soon afterwards, it was mapped to 63. I watch some of the music videos & some of the reality shows. It is coming in now on 24.2 & its subchannel on 24.3.

KBEH, MTV tr3s started broadcasting on RF24 not long before the June transition. Soon afterwards, it was mapped to 63. I watch some of the music videos & some of the reality shows. It is coming in now on 24.2 & its subchannel on 24.3.

Yes, it is showing up as unidentified subchannels on 24.2 and 24.3. Actually, my Pioneer has been mapping it that way for a couple of months now, with the subchannels interleaved between those of KVCR. Now I notice that my Samsung STB is doing exactly the same thing. The Pioneer did indeed map it correctly to ch 63 for about a month before showing it on 24, which it has been doing since about July.

Yes, it is showing up as unidentified subchannels on 24.2 and 24.3. Actually, my Pioneer has been mapping it that way for a couple of months now, with the subchannels interleaved between those of KVCR. Now I notice that my Samsung STB is doing exactly the same thing. The Pioneer did indeed map it correctly to ch 63 for about a month before showing it on 24, which it has been doing since about July.

Whatever the technical reason(s) for this, I sure wish KBEH would make up it's mind whether it's virtual sub-channels want to be on 63.1/2 or 24.2/3, since this is about the third or fourth time they've flipped-flopped on me like this.

And if it's going to be at 24.2/3 then please get the PSIP data to display correctly as it only shows it as two unidentified 16:9 sub-channels.

Also once more BTW (and I'll give it a rest from hereon ;)), please drop the stretch-o-vision as it frankly sucks.

If it's showing as 24-2 and 24-3, it means their PSIP is not working. Someone needs to kick the PSIP computer and reboot it, most likely.

- Trip

If it's showing as 24-2 and 24-3, it means their PSIP is not working. Someone needs to kick the PSIP computer and reboot it, most likely.

- Trip

Hopefully they will kick it with sufficient force to dislodge the Stretch-O-Vision button.

Kick the PSIP computer so hard that it adjusts the encoder? ;)

- Trip

I'd be especially thrilled if they kicked it hard enough to cause some decent programming to show up on 63-2.

Stereo audio on MTV Tr3s would be sorta cool too.

Just out of curiosity, how is the picture quality of KCBS-TV in the Los Angeles DMA for football? The only reason why I ask is because down here in San Diego (specifically Carlsbad) our local CBS affiliate KFMB-TV has horrible macroblocking issues when it comes to televising football games. Does KCBS-TV have macroblocking issues when it comes to football? Anyways your input is greatly appreciated.

KCBS-TV is the only station in Los Angeles that does not have any sub-channels so it can broadcast HD with all available bits. In other words the HD picture is the best it can be (no macroblocking.)

KCBS-TV is the only station in Los Angeles that does not have any sub-channels so it can broadcast HD with all available bits. In other words the HD picture is the best it can be (no macroblocking.)


Isn't their sister station KCAL also sub-channel free?

A short lesson to show even an old dog can overlook the obvious....

first off - I live near South Coast Plaza in Santa Ana.
Before the June switch I had complete HD coverage using an antennas direct DB-4
w/pre-amp.
Understanding that after the switch channels 7-13 would be going back to their VHF
freqs I went and got a VHF/UHF antenna to replace the DB-4.
With the new antenna I never had any luck locking on to the VHF stations. Signal present but not strong enough to lock. Tried everything I could think of - repositioning to find a sweet spot, etc.

Finally today I got it (Bolt of lightning from above!!!!)
Was messing around near the antenna - tightening connections etc. when I happened to look at the underside of the pre-amp.

WHAMMMM - In fine print under the model # was "UHF pre-amp" !!!!!
Never noticed it before.

did some checking around town via phone (for prices) and picked up a VHF/UHF pre-amp. Pulled the old pre and put in the new - Voila!! Happy camper time.

Talk about luck considering many new season shows started tonight.

Moral - CHECK EVERYTHING !!!!

KCBS-TV is the only station in Los Angeles that does not have any sub-channels so it can broadcast HD with all available bits. In other words the HD picture is the best it can be (no macroblocking.)

Isn't their sister station KCAL also sub-channel free?

Unless retiredengineer is referring to other data streams "all" stations outside of KCBS may be broadcasting as well as open TV sub-channels, AFAIK presently KCAL 9, KTTV 11, KCOP 13, KWHY 22, and KHIZ 64 in Barstow (no Transmitter on Mt. Wilson) are also single channel in the L.A. DMA

Unless retiredengineer is referring to other data streams "all" stations outside of KCBS may be broadcasting as well as open TV sub-channels, AFAIK presently KCAL 9, KTTV 11, KCOP 13, KWHY 22, and KHIZ 64 in Barstow (no Transmitter on Mt. Wilson) are also single channel in the L.A. DMA

At the moment 22 has an SD stream that isn't mapped but is receivable on some equipment.

Unless retiredengineer is referring to other data streams "all" stations outside of KCBS may be broadcasting as well as open TV sub-channels, AFAIK presently KCAL 9, KTTV 11, KCOP 13, KWHY 22, and KHIZ 64 in Barstow (no Transmitter on Mt. Wilson) are also single channel in the L.A. DMA

Also KMEX 34 is a single channel station.

Though KMEX is doing Mobile DTV, so not all their bandwidth could be dedicated to a hypothetical HD feed.

- Trip

Just out of curiosity, how is the picture quality of KCBS-TV in the Los Angeles DMA for football? The only reason why I ask is because down here in San Diego (specifically Carlsbad) our local CBS affiliate KFMB-TV has horrible macroblocking issues when it comes to televising football games. Does KCBS-TV have macroblocking issues when it comes to football? Anyways your input is greatly appreciated.

Interesting. This time of year I can often get KFMB 8 in addition to KCBS, and I will have to do a comparison between the two and see if I can detect a difference in PQ.

One difference I do notice is in the sound. THe audio level on KCBS and KCAL is about 5-6 dB louder than most, if not all other DTV stations. This is a real annoyance, since it usually makes it necessary to readjust the volume whenever tuning from, or to these two stations. KFMB, on the other hand, has a "normal" volume level, and the difference is quite noticeable when toggling between KFMB and KCBS. Also KFMB's audio seems to have slightly more highs.

I stand corrected. I should have said that KCBS does not have any subchannels so it transmits HD with all available bits. Not that it was the only station without subchannels. Thanks for pointing out my error.

...so it transmits HD with all available bits.

Hi there

Not quite. If all available bandwidth were so allocated, then a one hour recording would be about 9 gigabytes. Recordings of KCBS-DT content is about 6 to 6.5 GB per hour. Hard to believe that the oft mentioned 9 GB/hr of an ATSC major channel requires 25% overhead.

Regards

KCBS uses a variable bitrate, so when the maximum bitrate is needed, it spikes to above 18 Mbps. When on a still image that does not require as much for the same PQ, it drops down to a lower number.

- Trip

KCBS uses a variable bitrate, so when the maximum bitrate is needed, it spikes to above 18 Mbps. When on a still image that does not require as much for the same PQ, it drops down to a lower number.

Hi there

But does a broadcaster have to restrict itself to just one sub-channel (the x.1) to accomplish this? I thought the latest and greatest encoders/multiplexors could maintain "high" PQ for all sub-channels by analyzing all the streams, and perform the time-division multiplexing based on content rather than a fixed allocation?

Regards

No. The variable bitrate setup was designed for multiple subchannels, but the newer encoders I think are almost all variable bitrate so in order to get one that produces exceptional PQ even on just a single subchannel like KCBS does, you end up with one that does variable bitrate as well.

Don't quote me on that; perhaps someone with more knowledge of encoders can tell if I'm right or wrong on that.

- Trip

Channel 11 (Fox) still missing from many O.C., L.A. TVs

http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/2009/09/22/channel-11-fox-still-missing-from-many-oc-la-tvs/21993/

...I spoke to Fox TV maintenance engineer Will McCreary, who filled me in on why Fox TV reception is so poor in Orange County and Los Angeles. He said they get calls daily complaining about it.

“We’re running at one-tenth the power we normally do and (the channel) is not getting to people,” McCreary said.

1/10th the power they normally do? What's that supposed to mean?

I'm assuming they mean that they haven't built their maximization CP yet and are still at 15kW. Is the 115kW facility that they haven't built yet normal? Analog doesn't count!

They talk of an interim facility at 30% power, presumably that means 30% of 115kW. (~34.5kW)

It looks like the CP won't be fully constructed until early next year.

Fox is trying to fix that. The station has already received Federal Communication Commission approval to bump power back up to 100 percent. But since it invested in new digital technology, the existing tools can’t support that much power. New equipment has been ordered but those might not be installed and working until January or February 2010, he said. So much for football season.

It certainly seems so. For a while 50-4 and 50-1 have had the same program material (with just the format different) so it didn't make much sense to have both.

Yea...

It's gone alright, :( kinda of a shame on my end since DirecTV formerly used that sub-channel as a dedicated SD feed for KOCE 50 in their Ku band SD locals package for Los Angeles. Therefore KOCE or the PBS network would at their discretion select either center-cut or letter-box to favorably display SD programs on 4:3 sets.

Now it appears DirecTV is doing like they do with most other stations to produce SD local versions by simply taking KOCE's HD feed and always center-cutting. So now any PBS programs better shown in letter-box are now always shown cropped on 4:3 sets.

Hi, I am in Long Beach, CA and have a portable hdtv by envizen. Works great but only able to get channels 2, 4, 5.................Unable to get 7, 9, 11, and 13..........I am using the anternna that comes with the TV and states it is both UHF and VHF............I also bought another amplified antenna, it is an RCA flat digital antenna that is also UHF and VHF, getting same issue after scan, only channel 2,4 and 5.

Any help to get these other channels 7,9, and 11?

I have antenna in a clear site, i also tried both antennas in Anaheim, CA and same issue. Thanks for reading

I'm in Long Beach (near Ximeno & 7th) and only have occasional problems with 7, 11 & 13. Those three are the most finicky to keep a solid lock without breakups and sometimes need a nudge on the dipoles into a different spot. KCAL-9 I've found is a booming signal and can be received with most every antenna placement I've thrown at it. Maybe make an attempt to lock KCAL-9 first then go for the others?

I use a Terk amplified VHF/UHF Silver Sensor if that helps. I'm also on a second story so I have a bit of height that could be an advantage. A buddy that lives in the El Dorado Park area very near the landing pattern for LB Airport has a Radio Shack UFO/Starship style antenna that works for him in his garage. He lives in a single story but the antenna is placed as high as it could go. That seems to be the trick to getting results. Get that antenna up, up, up!

I agree that KCAL 9 is usually the easiest VHF signal to lock.

I've seen the RCA flat antennas and doubt that they have any real gain on VHF despite what the box says.

I've had limited success with a Terk HDTVi, but there's really no great option for indoor VHF antennas. An upper VHF Yagi antenna in the attic might be the best "indoor" VHF antenna option. I use a YA1713 for this purpose, but a smaller antenna, such as a Y5-7-13 would still be much better than rabbit ears.

An FM trap or a HLSJ can be tried as well, especially if there are FM stations nearby.

I'm using the Radio Shack UFO antenna to feed into four HDTV tuners on my computer. Channels 2, 4, and 5 get all 5 bars but 7, 9, 11 get 4 out of 5 bars. This is an indoor antenna that sits right next to my TV not even waist high. I really recommend this antenna.

If it's showing as 24-2 and 24-3, it means their PSIP is not working. Someone needs to kick the PSIP computer and reboot it, most likely.

- Trip

I just checked and I'm getting both channels as 24. I get two 24-1s, 24-2s etc. This is ridiculous! Since KBEH shows up first, I can't automatically record KVCR.

I just checked and I'm getting both channels as 24. I get two 24-1s, 24-2s etc. This is ridiculous! Since KBEH shows up first, I can't automatically record KVCR.

Could you delete the 24s for KBEH?

New channel ... on KRCA's 62-2! And it has sound!

The bug logo says HTTV USA. It's in Chinese. And the picture quality is horrendous. Bitrate maxes out around 1.15 Mbps.

Could you delete the 24s for KBEH?

There should be a "Delete" function; check your user's manual. This is actually a "Disable" function, and I have been using this on my Pioneer to disable KBEH which shows up on 24.2 and 24.3 so that I only see KVCR.

New channel ... on KRCA's 62-2! And it has sound!

The bug logo says HTTV USA. It's in Chinese. And the picture quality is horrendous. Bitrate maxes out around 1.15 Mbps.


Might be they are still in some testing mode as their website says they will officially start broadcasting on October 1.

There should be a "Delete" function; check your user's manual. This is actually a "Disable" function, and I have been using this on my Pioneer to disable KBEH which shows up on 24.2 and 24.3 so that I only see KVCR.

I was able to disable the offending sub-channels. Thanks.

Could you provide me a link to the HTTV website? I attempted to find it on my own but have been unsuccessful as of yet.

Thanks.

- Trip

http://www.httvusa.com/index_en.asp

Thanks. :)

- Trip

Also if you are interested:

44.6
http://www.iavcusa.com/

44.8
http://www.icntv.net/index.html

IAVCUSA is also broadcast in Houston on 55.5 and in Seattle on 45.3. ICN must be related in some way to IAVCUSA as they list those same 2 stations on their site.

Interesting, I had never made the connection between those stations. 55-5 is entitled "ITV" and 45-3 is "AAT" but checking back through them, both have the same IAVC bug in the top right corner. Perhaps those stations use content from both IAVC and ICN.

The IAVC website appears to be down. I can't read Chinese so I have no idea where to go on the ICN site.

- Trip

New channel ... on KRCA's 62-2! And it has sound!

The bug logo says HTTV USA. It's in Chinese. And the picture quality is horrendous. Bitrate maxes out around 1.15 Mbps.

Might be they are still in some testing mode as their website says they will officially start broadcasting on October 1.

Man ... I sure hope your right and it still really is in testing. PQ is absolutely dreadful with pixelization all over the place on even the slightest of movements.

C'mon KRCA, you know you have to allocate a lot more than 1.15 mb/s max. even for 4:3 SD.

I noticed it this morning and tonight. It seems unstable (signal stengths lost by 20% according to both DTV Pal and computer's HDTV tuner cards) and sometimes losing signal completely. Or is it just me again? All other stations seem OK even at their 100%.

Interesting, I had never made the connection between those stations. 55-5 is entitled "ITV" and 45-3 is "AAT" but checking back through them, both have the same IAVC bug in the top right corner. Perhaps those stations use content from both IAVC and ICN.

The IAVC website appears to be down. I can't read Chinese so I have no idea where to go on the ICN site.

- Trip

Neither can I, but ICN's website consists of only 8 pages.

ICN and IAVC actually do not air the same programs. ICN's niche is broadcasting programs from mainland China to interested parties who speak English. Thus, most everything is dubbed in English. News and language lessons are spoken in English. Some programs like performing arts have nobody even saying anything during the show. On the other hand, IAVC is a typical Chinese channel with soap operas, Taiwan variety shows, and CCTV news.

Yeah, the quality of the signal of 62.2 is bad right now. Anything other than people standing still results in a picture that is literally unwatchable.

KTBN 45 is dark, as well as KIMG-LP 17 or 23. Leaving only digital tv stations from LA, or Santa Barbara.

ICN and IAVC actually do not air the same programs. ICN's niche is broadcasting programs from mainland China to interested parties who speak English. Thus, most everything is dubbed in English. News and language lessons are spoken in English. Some programs like performing arts have nobody even saying anything during the show. On the other hand, IAVC is a typical Chinese channel with soap operas, Taiwan variety shows, and CCTV news.

Interesting. That's why I suggested perhaps ITV and AAT are actually taking material from both channels and combining them together locally. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like that.

- Trip

not sure if this is the right place to post... total newbie

just connected an ez-hd antenna on the roof and scanned in 70 some channels with a asus My Cinema-PE9400 tuner card.

i get all the major channels, abc, nbc, fox, etc but not cbs. the one channel i want to watch football.

reception seems to be pretty good with the other channels. is this normal? one idea might be the software (using the total media that came with card) so are there any recommendations on freeware?


thanks!

If you want to watch ICN in the LA DMA, it just started on 44-8.

not sure if this is the right place to post... total newbie

just connected an ez-hd antenna on the roof and scanned in 70 some channels with a asus My Cinema-PE9400 tuner card.

i get all the major channels, abc, nbc, fox, etc but not cbs. the one channel i want to watch football.

reception seems to be pretty good with the other channels. is this normal? one idea might be the software (using the total media that came with card) so are there any recommendations on freeware?


thanks!

I've seen this happen on other tuner cards/sticks/boxes. Start out by trying to add it manually. It's on physical channel 43.

not sure if this is the right place to post... total newbie

just connected an ez-hd antenna on the roof and scanned in 70 some channels with a asus My Cinema-PE9400 tuner card.

i get all the major channels, abc, nbc, fox, etc but not cbs. the one channel i want to watch football.

reception seems to be pretty good with the other channels. is this normal? one idea might be the software (using the total media that came with card) so are there any recommendations on freeware?


thanks!
Your location??? Better yet, copy/paste the results URL after you enter into www.tvfool.com

location-newport beach

the software doesn't let me manually add, just auto detect. when i get home from the office i'll try some different software.

thank you

3rd post (couldn't post url until 3rd post)

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8ecd19399dec0f


thank you

CBS is transmitted from Mt. Wilson (ch 43), exactly as all the other channels you are getting fine. No special issues. Rescan.

CBS is transmitted from Mt. Wilson (ch 43), exactly as all the other channels you are getting fine. No special issues. Rescan.

This is what's so frustrating! I've rescanned multiple times and did it in the middle of the night last night.

Hope it's just a software issue but wanted to see if this was a known problem.

Hope it's just a software issue but wanted to see if this was a known problem.

Hi there

Odds are that it is not a software issue, but rather a reception issue, like multipath. Relocating the antenna is the typical test, but since it is already on the roof, that obviously won't be easy to experiment with. Maybe after you exhaust all of the easy "solutions" you could try that.

If you're using WinXP, then the software to try is WatchHDTV. You can manually enter the RF channel and a subchannel number. There is supposed to be beta version for Vista, but have not seen a download site.

BTW I'm about 5 miles away from you, between you and the Mt. Wilson antenna farm. The transmitters are 37 miles away at a 350 degree heading (same heading as your location). I get all the channels with a few PCI tuners and antennas in the attic.

Regards

I'm sticking with "not a reception issue."

I've had this problem myself with an Elgato EyeTV 500, from the middle of OC with a straight unobstructed shot at Wilson and reliable reception of everything else (including the LPs), and a 100% signal on KCBS on every receiver, including the ancient Samsung HD tuner I bought at a thrift store for 5 bucks. The scan with the 500 just skips KCBS for no apparent reason.

It used to happen before they moved to 43, and it still happens now.

I always solved it by manually adding the channel, which worked every time - getting me the same 100% reception I was enjoying on every other tuner. Since that's not an option here, I would suggest trying other software, and/or contacting the tuner card's manufacturer to see if they have a suggestion. If it's a thing with the tuner, there must be somebody else in the LA market that has had the same issue.

In other markets (Atlanta especially), the TVGOS inserter apparently causes the channel to not be recognized by certain converter boxes. Since KCBS (RF 43) is the TVGOS source for LA it's possible that this problem extends to certain TV tuners as well (probably because of a specific chip that's used in all that have the problem). In Atlanta, the CBS outlet gave up on TVGOS completely because of this.

If this is the problem (and the channel cannot be added manually), then the only solution is to get a different TV tuner.

I'm sticking with "not a reception issue."

Hi there

You and jmonier have elaborated to make a good case for your POV.


> ... Samsung HD tuner I bought at a thrift store for 5 bucks

You suck! :D
I've had zero luck at garage sales and thrift shops for vintage audio or video.


To the OP:
I occasionally use ArcSoft TotalMedia 3 for a KWorld ATSC-120 tuner. I could send you an exported list of channels that you could try to import into your setup if you care to try that. The channel file is about 130 KB of binary data.

Regards

Hi.

Did KLCS ever boost its transmitter power to the max? Or is that still waiting? I still can't get it via digital. I had no problems with analog easily.

I did a channel rescan today and found a new one on 593,000 MHz and it shows nothing (no picture, no audio, and no EPG datas) but has almost 100% signal strength. Who is this on this and why can't I get anything? I attached screenshot.gif for details of that channel.

Is there a list of TV stations to show their frequencies?

Thank you in advance. :)

Should be KMEX.

- Trip

Should be KMEX.Thanks. Weird, I can't get it with almost 100%. I think I used to get it in the past. Oh well, no biggie since I don't watch foreign channels.

KBEH has fixed their mapping. As you were.

Hi there

You and jmonier have elaborated to make a good case for your POV.


> ... Samsung HD tuner I bought at a thrift store for 5 bucks

You suck! :D
I've had zero luck at garage sales and thrift shops for vintage audio or video.


To the OP:
I occasionally use ArcSoft TotalMedia 3 for a KWorld ATSC-120 tuner. I could send you an exported list of channels that you could try to import into your setup if you care to try that. The channel file is about 130 KB of binary data.

Regards

that would be super helpful!

Thanks everyone for the tips. I readjusted the antenna etc and tried Sagetv and it could tune in cbs, though it had some trouble with some other stations. The sagetv is a trial and I don't want to pay for it if I don't have to. The total media does seem pretty nice. Exporting the channel file might help since it won't autoscan it.

Thanks again

that would be super helpful!

Thanks everyone for the tips. I readjusted the antenna etc and tried Sagetv and it could tune in cbs, though it had some trouble with some other stations. The sagetv is a trial and I don't want to pay for it if I don't have to. The total media does seem pretty nice. Exporting the channel file might help since it won't autoscan it.

Thanks again

Are you saying that you are trying the SageTV software (NOT their hardware boxes) with the same tuner card (and that a channel scan finds cbs)? If so, then the problem is not with the tuner chipset per se (as I was thinking) but with the software supplied with it.

Is that gone? Both my DTV Pal and computer's HDTV tuner cards say no service. 52.1 is fine.

Is that gone?

Yep.

Yep.Thanks. I will remove KVEA 52.2 then.

Man, I wished TV stations would stop changing their stations and channels so much! :(

Hi there

Here's the TotalMedia channel list from my PC. Hope this helps.

Regards

Say folks, I'm confused about something here;

I have a hi-gain directional rooftop antenna (Winegard HD7697P) pointed squarely at Mt. Wilson as I've posted here previously a number of times. But I'm picking up KVMD-DT Twenty-Nine Palms on virtual 31-1 along with sub-channels 31-2,3,4,5,6,7,8, (though 31-8 is blank at the moment) at a pretty respectable signal level. I've never been able to receive KVMD directly here in South L.A. as it is for the inland empire. Has KVMD moved to Mt. Wilson and to a new frequency or something?

At first I thought this was maybe so sort of propagation anomaly or some other since this happened before for a few hours about two weeks ago and then the signal disappeared, but that does not account for the signal being on physical RF channel 33 instead of it's assigned 23. :confused:

Anyone else receiving this and thoughts...?

KSMV-LD (http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=ksmv).

- Trip

KSMV-LD (http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=ksmv).

- Trip

Ok thanks;

You'd think their own station programming and ID would be on the main sub-channel 31-1, but I guess they don't have any original programs and simply use their license to host other stations...

KSMV-LD is on channel 33 right now, but once KTBN moves to 23, KSMV-LD will move to 23. My guess is that it will continue to simulcast KVMD and act as sort of a pseudo repeater, since the KVMD signal misses most of Los Angeles.

- Trip

KSMV-LD is on channel 33 right now, but once KTBN moves to 23, KSMV-LD will move to 23. My guess is that it will continue to simulcast KVMD and act as sort of a pseudo repeater, since the KVMD signal misses most of Los Angeles.

- Trip

Wait, you lost me...

Once KTBN moves to to 23, KSMV-LD will move to 23?

Wait, you lost me...

Once KTBN moves to to 23, KSMV-LD will move to 23?

Should be:

Once KTBN moves to to 33, KSMV-LD will move to 23. They're essentially trading channels.

Whoops. Once KTBN moves to 33, KSMV will move to 23. :)

- Trip

First time I have gotten the 31.x channels as well. Well, only on one CECB. The WCETV station on 31.8 seems to be CCTV4 North America.

Hi there

Here's the TotalMedia channel list from my PC. Hope this helps.

Regards

Thank you! This worked. CBS :)

Your list of channels is great!

Hey, just out of curiosity, I was reading on another thread in the Dallas, TX. HDTV forum about transmission problems going on with their local PBS outlet KERA 31.1, and some of the posters mentioned picking up unexplained blank channels on 13.7 and 13.8 from KERA which one of their engineers stated they are not transmitting, but only sub-channels 31.1, 2. The engineer did note however that the station was also transmitting auxiliary data at around 200 kb/s for some other service that he was not familiar with which was causing this.

Then another poster named "coyoteaz" gave this response later:

"FWIW, the 13.7 and 13.8 programs are actually used for a service called UpdateTV, which is used to push firmware updates to TVs and decoder boxes. See http://www.updatelogic.com/network.html...."

And I was wondering if this might be the reason my TV's ATSC tuner keeps picking up blank channels associated with PBS' KCET-28 TS stream on 28-9 and 28-10 after a channel scan?

Could this be that UpdateTV service from UpdateLogic for the L.A. area?

http://www.updatelogic.com/network-terrestrial.html

Yes, the 9 and 10 programs on KCET are UpdateTV.

HoTatII:

I'd like to direct you to my website. It might provide you with some answers to questions like the ones you've had recently. :)

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?mktid=2

I hope it helps and provides you with more instantaneous information.

- Trip

HoTatII:

I'd like to direct you to my website. It might provide you with some answers to questions like the ones you've had recently. :)

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?mktid=2

I hope it helps and provides you with more instantaneous information.

- Trip

Yeah thanks Trip (and coyoteaz as well) for the response;

I'm well aware of your very informative site at rabbitears.info. I've had it bookmarked for quite some time now and have been there many times before. But I wasn't aware that you had any information on the two blank phantom sub-channels showing up in KCET's TS as 28-9 and 28-10, though I guess I should have checked.

I do find it surprising though at the number of stations listed as broadcasting their audio streams at only DD2.0. Do you mean a station so listed transmits this on a constant basis or on an average?

I also find it confusing that the virtual or (display) sub-channels in many cases do not seem to be correlated with the labeling for the actual RF digital sub-channels. For instance KNBC-4's virtuals list as 4-1, 4-2, and 4-4, but the digital RF channels as 36.3, 36.4, and 36.5. But then again maybe there simply is no correlation in the numbering between the two.

Yes, the 9 and 10 programs on KCET are UpdateTV.

Hey coyoteaz;

I also noticed later in the same thread you also asked the KERA tech about the possibility of them using the "film detection feature" on their new Harris NetVX encoder.

... "Will you be utilizing the film detection feature? The ~15% increase in efficiency on 24p material is a great help when saddled with limited bitrate, but KXAS seems to be the only station in town that actually has it enabled."

I assume as the name implies this mode of encoder operation will detect film based content and automatically remove the redundant frames caused by the 3:2 pull-down process and encode the transport stream at the film's native 24 fps to reduce the required bit rate (~15% as you say) for the sub-channel?

Then when necessary the viewers' ATSC receivers/or converters reconstitute the 3:2 pull-down for display?

Yeah thanks Trip (and coyoteaz as well) for the response;

I'm well aware of your very informative site at rabbitears.info. I've had it bookmarked for quite some time now and have been there many times before. But I wasn't aware that you had any information on the two blank phantom sub-channels showing up in KCET's TS as 28-9 and 28-10, though I guess I should have checked.

No worries. Just wanted to make sure you were aware that I do have that information so that you might get a quicker resolution to your questions. =)

I do find it surprising though at the number of stations listed as broadcasting their audio streams at only DD2.0. Do you mean a station so listed transmits this on a constant basis or on an average?

If a station transmits any 5.1 at all and I can confirm it, it's listed as 5.1 audio.

I also find it confusing that the virtual or (display) sub-channels in many cases do not seem to be correlated with the labeling for the actual RF digital sub-channels. For instance KNBC-4's virtuals list as 4-1, 4-2, and 4-4, but the digital RF channels as 36.3, 36.4, and 36.5. But then again maybe there simply is no correlation in the numbering between the two.

Yeah, there's really no correlation. Most people never even see that information.

- Trip

Yeah, there's really no correlation. Most people never even see that information.

- Trip

BTW, since I mentioned KNBC your list shows their virtual sub-channels as "4-1, 2, and 3," but it is actually "4-1, 2, and 4." :)

I forgot the name of the former program on 4-3 (Some sort of music video program IIRC), but whatever it was I guess KNBC never bothered to reconfigure their sub-channels to close the gap after they discontinued it.

Thanks, I fixed that. Not sure why I ever changed it in the first place, I remember having it as 4-4 some time ago...

- Trip

Hey coyoteaz;

I also noticed later in the same thread you also asked the KERA tech about the possibility of them using the "film detection feature" on their new Harris NetVX encoder.



I assume as the name implies this mode of encoder operation will detect film based content and automatically remove the redundant frames caused by the 3:2 pull-down process and encode the transport stream at the film's native 24 fps to reduce the required bit rate (~15% as you say) for the sub-channel?

Then when necessary the viewers' ATSC receivers/or converters reconstitute the 3:2 pull-down for display?
Exactly. Theoretically up to a 20% increase in efficiency is possible, but scene changes and snipes can break the pattern so it usually ends up closer to 15%. Obviously there's no effect on sports, the news, or reality shows that are native 60Hz.

Exactly. Theoretically up to a 20% increase in efficiency is possible, but scene changes and snipes can break the pattern so it usually ends up closer to 15%. Obviously there's no effect on sports, the news, or reality shows that are native 60Hz.

OK;

I'm confused though for stations broadcasting native video material at 1080i/60 Hz. If they use this film mode setting on their encoder does that mean the video TS for film based material is actually transmitted at "1080P/24 Hz (since 1080i/24 Hz is not listed in the ATSC standards)?"

And how does this jive with the uproar where some have discovered their older HDTVs won't accept a 1080P/24 Hz input? Or does this limitation only apply to a baseband auxiliary input on the TV (HDMI, DVI, component, etc.) and not the ATSC tuner which can receive and convert 1080P/24 Hz signals?

I also find it confusing that the virtual or (display) sub-channels in many cases do not seem to be correlated with the labeling for the actual RF digital sub-channels. For instance KNBC-4's virtuals list as 4-1, 4-2, and 4-4, but the digital RF channels as 36.3, 36.4, and 36.5. But then again maybe there simply is no correlation in the numbering between the two.

The current ATSC spec REQUIRES the RF sub-channel numbering to start with .3. This had to do with some conflict that I don't really understand. Even though this was adopted several years ago, some stations still don't do it and it doesn't seem to really hurt anything.

I think it still makes sense for the virtual numbering to start with -1 but who knows why there are gaps, etc. There is really no technical reason for the two to correlate; the virtual numbers are for display only and do not affect the transmission at all.

OK;

I'm confused though for stations broadcasting native video material at 1080i/60 Hz. If they use this film mode setting on their encoder does that mean the video TS for film based material is actually transmitted at "1080P/24 Hz (since 1080i/24 Hz is not listed in the ATSC standards)?"

And how does this jive with the uproar where some have discovered their older HDTVs won't accept a 1080P/24 Hz input? Or does this limitation only apply to a baseband auxiliary input on the TV (HDMI, DVI, component, etc.) and not the ATSC tuner which can receive and convert 1080P/24 Hz signals?
It's all handled by the decoder. It's still sent out as 1080i/60Hz, but instead of having all 60 fields encoded in, the 48 unique fields are encoded and the 12 duplicates are flags saying to repeat one of the other fields. Since native 60Hz content has no duplicate fields, all of them are encoded. The encoder has to be capable of analyzing the video to recognize the pulldown pattern, so older encoders normally can't do it for HD video.

The current ATSC spec REQUIRES the RF sub-channel numbering to start with .3. This had to do with some conflict that I don't really understand. Even though this was adopted several years ago, some stations still don't do it and it doesn't seem to really hurt anything.
Not quite. A few years ago, the FCC added a requirement that all PIDs except the PAT be 0x30 or higher. Older hardware automatically assigned PIDs based on the program: program 1 got 0x10 for PMT, 0x11 for video, and 0x14 for audio, 2 got 0x20/0x21/0x24, 3 got 0x30/0x31/0x34, and so forth. Newer stuff supports configurable PIDs, so a number of stations now use program 1 with 0x30/0x31/0x34, which is perfectly valid.

Last night, I turned on my DTV Pal and it did its boot up to download datas (last manual power on was on Thursday or Wednesday night). Then, it told me I have new channels for KBEH. Did anyone get that too or just me?

Last night, I turned on my DTV Pal and it did its boot up to download datas (last manual power on was on Thursday or Wednesday night). Then, it told me I have new channels for KBEH. Did anyone get that too or just me?

Nah...

Not picking up anything new from KBEH. Still 63-1 and 63-2 in stretch-o-vision. That is unless your DTV Pal is simply registering the latest flip-flop KBEH did again sometime early last week I think when it reverted from two PSIP-less sub-channels at 24-2 and 24-3 back to it's normal 63-1, 2 with PSIP info.

OK;

I'm confused though for stations broadcasting native video material at 1080i/60 Hz. If they use this film mode setting on their encoder does that mean the video TS for film based material is actually transmitted at "1080P/24 Hz (since 1080i/24 Hz is not listed in the ATSC standards)?"

And how does this jive with the uproar where some have discovered their older HDTVs won't accept a 1080P/24 Hz input? Or does this limitation only apply to a baseband auxiliary input on the TV (HDMI, DVI, component, etc.) and not the ATSC tuner which can receive and convert 1080P/24 Hz signals?

There is no 1080p or 24Hz used in broadcasting. Everything is broadcast at either 1080i/60, 720p/60 or 480i/60. If there is any 24 Hz film-based material to be transmitted, it is first converted to 60 Hz using what is known as 3:2 pulldown inverse telecine. Thus, OTA reception on older sets will not be affected by their inability to handle 24 Hz frame rates.

Thus, all 1080p/24 material at present is obtainable only from local sources, such as a Blu-ray player, using digital connections (HDMI, DVI, etc.).

Does anyone know if KCBS-DT has boosted their signal from Mount Wilson? I heard recently that they had made an application to the FCC to increase signal strength for the greater L.A. area and that they planned to install upgraded equipment.

When I took down my CM bowtie UHF antenna and replaced it with a combi UHF/VHF antenna after the digital switch I lost KCBDT. It too may have switched from UHF to VHF, but my new antenna can't pick up enough signal....

There is no 1080p or 24Hz used in broadcasting. Everything is broadcast at either 1080i/60, 720p/60 or 480i/60. If there is any 24 Hz film-based material to be transmitted, it is first converted to 60 Hz using what is known as 3:2 pulldown inverse telecine. Thus, OTA reception on older sets will not be affected by their inability to handle 24 Hz frame rates.

Thus, all 1080p/24 material at present is obtainable only from local sources, such as a Blu-ray player, using digital connections (HDMI, DVI, etc.).

Yes, I was well aware of this;

Which is why I questioned the issue of how this new (to me at least) "24 fps mode for a DTV broadcast encoder" actually worked given the above technical restrictions on viewer equipment, to which coyoteaz answered.

When I took down my CM bowtie UHF antenna and replaced it with a combi UHF/VHF antenna after the digital switch I lost KCBDT. It too may have switched from UHF to VHF, but my new antenna can't pick up enough signal....

KCBS moved from 60 to 43, but some have had problems with it. Recently, it has regained its status as one of my strongest/best signals, but it appears that most have not seen a change.

As I don't see a new covering license for KCBS's maximized facility, they are probably still "working on it".

I am a bit surprised about how slowly stations appear to be moving to construct maximized facilities here. I show at least 9 CP's locally, that have yet to be built.

I've seen so many applications for Low Power KVTU-LP, I don't know what to believe anymore. However, the latest filing, as of 10/4/09, states the following:


KVTU-LP IS CURRENTLY SILENT, DUE TO A DIGITAL LPTV FREEZE AND THE FIRES ON MT WILSON LAST MONTH KVTU-LP IS ASKING FOR A DIGITAL STA. WE HAVE A FLASH CUT APPLICATION PENDING AND ARE WAITING FOR PROCESSING AND GRANT FROM THE FCC BDFCDVL-20090323ADP. THE APPLICANT IS PREPARED TO MOVE TO THE NEW SITE TO PROVIDE A DIGITAL SIGNAL ON CH-3 TO THE PUBLIC IMMEDIATELY.

Can anyone see anything at all on 3, analog or digital? I will be checking 3 from time-to-time. It will be interesting to see if my low-band antenna can find a trace of it when it's turned on.

Can anyone see anything at all on 3, analog or digital? I will be checking 3 from time-to-time. It will be interesting to see if my low-band antenna can find a trace of it when it's turned on.

I am not seeing anything there now, but I think I have seen something there fairly recently, and I think it was in Spanish.

Does KVCR 24.1 ever actually broadcast content in true 720p resolution? Take tonight's broadcast of the Ken Burns National Parks show. My Samsung set, which is only 720 resolution, indicates the broadcast is 720p, 16:9, yet the image is shrunk and set within a black box. I believe they are only sending something like 480 lines of video image. Am I missing something here (other than a real HD broadcast)?

Does KVCR 24.1 ever actually broadcast content in true 720p resolution? Take tonight's broadcast of the Ken Burns National Parks show. My Samsung set, which is only 720 resolution, indicates the broadcast is 720p, 16:9, yet the image is shrunk and set within a black box. I believe they are only sending something like 480 lines of video image. Am I missing something here (other than a real HD broadcast)?

No, you are not "missing anything" there. If you see a window-box image (black mattes on all four sides) on an HD set like that, it's not native HD, but an up-converted SD (480i) image of 16:9 letter-box picture. Your Samsung set is simply indicating the 720P HD transmission format used by KVCR's main sub-channel 24-1 (virtual), but not the real nature of the content the signal carries.

As to whether or not KVCR ever broadcast any native HD content, I really wouldn't know since I do not receive them OTA because their transmitter is not located on Mt. Wilson, but on Box Springs Mt. in the Moreno Valley, and the feed I do receive from DirecTV is only in SD. However due to their small budget and comparatively low bit rate for the HD sub-channel (approx. 7.3 mb/s), I would doubt it.

Does KVCR 24.1 ever actually broadcast content in true 720p resolution? Take tonight's broadcast of the Ken Burns National Parks show. My Samsung set, which is only 720 resolution, indicates the broadcast is 720p, 16:9, yet the image is shrunk and set within a black box. I believe they are only sending something like 480 lines of video image. Am I missing something here (other than a real HD broadcast)?

No, you are not missing anything. I have noticed this also on KVCR 24.1. They never show any widescreen images, and all 16:9 HD material is shown in a shrunken letterbox. At present KVCR appears to be incapable of showing anything else. Perhaps they do not have the funds at present to invest in new equipment that can display HD material properly. Occasionally, you may see this on other PBS stations as well. I don't understand why, since those stations do have the necessary equipment, and usually do display HD correctly.

I actually got a reply from KVCR:

"You are correct. 24.1 is not in true high definition, it’s actually HD upconvert. We are almost capable of airing true high def but we’re missing a critical component, a special computer processor for our on air servers. I was just in a meeting yesterday with the general manager and he has signed off on ordering this component, along with more memory storage, so hopefully we will be airing true high definition soon. I’m 80% sure it will be by the end of this month and I’m about 100% sure it will be in place before the end of the year.

Thanks for watching KVCR. Soon it will be really great to watch."

Sign... :rolleyes:

Looks like KBEH has flipped out again. Not only has it reverted to the two nondescript sub-channels on 24-2 and 24-3, but now there is no signal at all on them, just two blank sub-channels. There really ought to be some type of FCC violation and warning to KBEH management about this funky behavior :mad:

EDIT: Video has returned, but still on the two nondescript sub-channels 24-2, and 3...

I actually got a reply from KVCR:

"You are correct. 24.1 is not in true high definition, it’s actually HD upconvert. We are almost capable of airing true high def but we’re missing a critical component, a special computer processor for our on air servers. I was just in a meeting yesterday with the general manager and he has signed off on ordering this component, along with more memory storage, so hopefully we will be airing true high definition soon. I’m 80% sure it will be by the end of this month and I’m about 100% sure it will be in place before the end of the year.

Thanks for watching KVCR. Soon it will be really great to watch."

Interesting... the mention of a "computer processor" needed for their "on air servers." I really wonder if we should just say that "videotape" is a relic (or else fast becoming one) of the past for today's TV broadcast stations?

In fact every diagram I see nowadays of a modern "work-flow" environment within broadcast stations are all pretty much tapeless now and based on computer file servers storing, processing, and distributing digital media content from ingest through to production and on to storage on play-out servers.

Sign... :rolleyes:

Looks like KBEH has flipped out again. Not only has it reverted to the two nondescript sub-channels on 24-2 and 24-3, but now there is no signal at all on them, just two blank sub-channels. There really ought to be some type of FCC violation and warning to KBEH management about this funky behavior :mad:

EDIT: Video has returned, but still on the two nondescript sub-channels 24-2, and 3...

Guess you weren't around a couple years ago when KCOP was having similar chronic problems. :D

We are almost capable of airing true high def but we’re missing a critical component, a special computer processor for our on air servers.

I wonder if that sentence means anything to anyone. I certainly have no idea what piece of equipment they could be referring to.

- Trip

First time I have gotten the 31.x channels as well. Well, only on one CECB. The WCETV station on 31.8 seems to be CCTV4 North America.


Looks like CCTV4 programming will only be part of the day when the channel officially launches. First, there was only CCTV4 stuff. Now the channel is split between Helionjiang and CCTV4. Eventually, there will be 3 networks with them adding ATV from Hong Kong:

http://www.wcetvdigital.com/Intro_ChiEng.asp

HLJ 2:00am to 12:00am
CCTV4 12:00pm to 10:00pm
ATV 10:00pm to 2:00am

I am hoping someone can provide some insight into the problem I am having. I am in Downey, 20-21 miles from Mt. Wilson. Before the digital cutover, I used a Silver Sensor antenna to receive my OTA channels without any problems. After the cutover, I found I could not tune most channels except KCAL and KNBC and a few others. Perplexed, I tried another antenna with rabbit ears and the UHF piece. I hooked up this RCA....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8280834&type=product&id=1171058630499

I can now tune in KCBS, KNBC, CW, and KCET. KCAL, KCOP, and KTTV do not lock in unless I move the antenna around, but then I lose the other channels I was able to watch before.

I am unsure as to why everything changed when the cutover happened. I am in close range where an indoor antenna should work. Should I try an amplifier? Running out of answers. Thanks.

Same thing happened to me. I have a Silver Sensor that used to pick up all the channels before the switch even though I don't have a direct line of sight to Mt. Wilson. My windows actually face the opposite direction.
Now a pair of rabbit ears work better but have to also adjust for different channels. As I understand it the Silver Sensor is UHF only. So that's the reason it doesn't pick up a lot of the stations.

I get very frustrated. If I have some money left over this month i'm going to buy one of these: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=HBU22 and install it in my apartment building's roof. I chose this antenna because some of the major channels are in the VHF HI area which this antenna should be able to pick up? Any thoughts? Here's the info I got from TV fool:
http://i37.tinypic.com/5btyqd.jpg