Thanks for the update PCS!!! Just made my day!!:D

Starting on Sunday I had audio on 41.1 and no video. Now I have nothing. Signal meter on HD200 reads good but, no picture and no sound. Am I alone?:confused:

Anyone have no video on WDRB-DT? I've had just audio since yesterday (when I first noticed).

I just sent an email to Bill Lamb (GM) so we'll see....

I'm getting full signal strength, no audio, no video. Time to reboot or pay the electric bill. Jerry if you talk to Bill ask him when he's passing the Faux 480P signal.

Those of you jumping on the Insight Hdtv deal,
What are the monthly costs for it? I've been away from the cable co for years now and it'll take a lot more Hdtv and a good price to get me to go back.

My WDRB-DT was audio only for last night also.

Chris

I have a question about signal strength. Since I am in the Louisville area, I figure you guys would know more about the local situation.

I have a Dish 6000 & a long range RS-vu-190 outdoor uhf/vhf antenna. It sits about 30 - 35 ft' w/ rotor. I am about 12 miles NE of Floyds Knobs (most of the towers?) I get 17 & 55 about the same (low 70%s) 8 at about 50%, if I turn the ant. southward) and 49 "bounces to 50% but won't lock so I can't "add" it.
Whenever I tune to even the better strength channels (17 & 55) the signal strength comes in at 90%+ then immeadiatly drops by at least 20% to the 70%s.
Is this normal, or is my location, set up, broadcast strength or something causing this drop?
With WLKY & WAVE gearing up, I would like to be confident that there is not something wrong with my set up (need a pre amp or raise antenna).
So basicially is the 20% drop in stregth something you all see due to low broadcast signal strenth or do I need to look at my set up?
Thanks,
Larry

First off, heard back from Bill Lamb at WDRB. They had a circuit board burn out in their transmitter...should be fixed today. No word on the 480p but he did CC: the email to two of their engineers.

Larry,

I will sometimes notice a spike in signal strength when switching channels then it settles down several % points but I don't recall seeing something as big as 20%. It just may be a quirk in the DISH 6000. As for your setup, being so close I don't think a pre-amp would be a good idea. Perhaps switching to, say, a ChannelMaster 4228 may help? With only WBNA-DT being VHF and you being so close I'm guessing you'd still be able to pick it up.

As for WDRB-DT, if you're NE of the towers, well, this map (http://www.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/polarplot?temp=29606&rotate=0.0&p0=.600&p10=.510&p20=.540&p30=.730&p40=.980&p50=****&p60=****&p70=****&p80=****&p90=****&p100=****&p110=****&p120=****&p130=****&p140=****&p150=****&p160=****&p170=****&p180=****&p190=****&p200=****&p210=****&p220=****&p230=****&p240=****&p250=****&p260=****&p270=****&p280=****&p290=****&p300=****&p310=****&p320=****&p330=****&p340=****&p350=.950) could explain that.

WHAS-DT map (http://www.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/polarplot?temp=43161&rotate=&p0=.237&p10=.460&p20=.668&p30=.811&p40=.898&p50=.951&p60=.985&p70=****&p80=.985&p90=.938&p100=.879&p110=.844&p120=.858&p130=.913&p140=.972&p150=.996&p160=.972&p170=.913&p180=.858&p190=.844&p200=.879&p210=.938&p220=.985&p230=****&p240=.985&p250=.951&p260=.898&p270=.811&p280=.668&p290=.460&p300=.237&p310=.232&p320=.392&p330=.462&p340=.392&p350=.232)
WBNA-DT map (http://www.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/polarplot?temp=45865&rotate=0.0&p0=.668&p10=.664&p20=.652&p30=.636&p40=.618&p50=.604&p60=.600&p70=.609&p80=.633&p90=.670&p100=.717&p110=.770&p120=.823&p130=.873&p140=.916&p150=.952&p160=.979&p170=.995&p180=****&p190=.995&p200=.979&p210=.952&p220=.916&p230=.873&p240=.823&p250=.770&p260=.717&p270=.670&p280=.633&p290=.609&p300=.600&p310=.604&p320=.618&p330=.636&p340=.652&p350=.664)
WKPC-DT map (http://www.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/polarplot?temp=17602&rotate=0.0&p0=.936&p10=.942&p20=.950&p30=.961&p40=.974&p50=.981&p60=.982&p70=.983&p80=.984&p90=.985&p100=.988&p110=.991&p120=.994&p130=.997&p140=.998&p150=.998&p160=.999&p170=.999&p180=****&p190=.971&p200=.945&p210=.932&p220=.925&p230=.922&p240=.924&p250=.925&p260=.926&p270=.926&p280=.926&p290=.926&p300=.925&p310=.925&p320=.926&p330=.928&p340=.930&p350=.932)

Soo...basically....move south ;)

Jerry,
Thanks for the reply.
I was guessing that the locals are still broadcasting at low power and that the terrain was causing some problem.

Thanks,
Larry

From those maps you're on the weak side of the transmitters so, who knows, a pre-amp (CM7775, I think that's the UHF one) may help but it may also introduce other problems. WDRB-DT is broadcasting at very low power but I think the rest are cranked. At least I get 95% or so on WHAS-DT and WKPC-DT and I'm 19-20 miles from the towers and my array needs some work (the wind has messed it up a bit)

Jerry,
That helps alot. I did not know most were at the higher output. I think I will try the pre amp, I thought I might go with the RS (15-1109) so the gain can be adjusted (it goes up to 30db gain). I also have a RS double bowtie "stacked" at the mast. I may need to remove it (multi path problems).
Thanks,
Larry

Originally posted by Chris Sutton
Those of you jumping on the Insight Hdtv deal,
What are the monthly costs for it? I've been away from the cable co for years now and it'll take a lot more Hdtv and a good price to get me to go back.
My current Insight bill is:
$11.98 - basic local channels
$22.51 - classic channel list
$00.04 - FCC
$01.21 - Franchise Fee
$01.03 - School Tax
==============
$36.77 - total per month

For HD... I need to bump up to Digital, and then $2.00/month rental for the HD STB decoder.

$42.44 - Digital Service
$02.00 - HD rental
$00.04 - FCC
$01.21 - Franchise Fee
$01.03 - School Tax
==============
$46.72 - total per month

Almost $8.00 more per month for HD... Since I already have an OTA tuner, getting the locals on cable doesn't give me anything more than what I already have. I don't watch HBO or SHOWTIME. If I didn't already own the tuner, I'd jump on this though.

NOTE: These are Lexington numbers... (in a L'ville thread.. Go Cards! ;-)

Ragamuffin,

They told me there was NO fee for the STB if you have an OTA tuner. If not there is a sidecar box you will need for $2/mo. Do you have different info? Is this what they charge in Lexington not Louisville? I'm confused. I asked them if there was any additional charge for the HD-STB the CSR said "no there is no charge unless you need an HDTV tuner". If this is not correct it wouldn't be the first time a CSR gave me misinfo. I'll findout friday.

FYI....
WKPC DT 3000 watts final install
WHAS DT 1000 watts temp install
WDRB DT 500 watts temp install

WDRB is not done with their plant
When the big 58 (dt) comes up they should go to 1000 watts (full power on a temp transmitter)

(All numbers are estimates)

Originally posted by PCS
Ragamuffin,

They told me there was NO fee for the STB if you have an OTA tuner. If not there is a sidecar box you will need for $2/mo. Do you have different info? Is this what they charge in Lexington not Louisville? I'm confused. I asked them if there was any additional charge for the HD-STB the CSR said "no there is no charge unless you need an HDTV tuner". If this is not correct it wouldn't be the first time a CSR gave me misinfo. I'll findout friday.
Sorry for the confusion... these are Lexington numbers, I live in Lexington, I don't know the Louisville numbers. The mis-leading info and hidden cost increase to me is the requirement for "digital" which gives me nothing other than "features" over and above what I already have with analog cable. If you already have digital service, and only need the QAM capable STB, then $2.00/month is all your additional cost is (in Lexington, and I assume Louisville too) and I think that is very reasonable.

My understanding is that Insight will be using the Motorola QAM based HD boxes (that do not support the 8VSB that OTA tuners use). Several of my co-workers will be installed and functional next TUE (1/14/03). So I'll have concrete details by then.

Thanks, woo.

And, Larry, I've used that Radio Shack pre-amp and was not impressed with its performance (intermod was a big problem with it).

Thanks Jerry, too cold to get on the roof anyway.
Larry

Well, my cable guy managed to completely forget about the installation today. .. .\

... . #$@$%$#^

I know Insight has a policy of free installation when coming late, but what about not coming at all, with no notification??

>:O

Anyway, anyone have better luck today?

The Louisville evidently is a bit higher than Lexington's:

Analog "basic" (22 channels) $13.79
Analog "classic (43 more channels) $27.16
Analog premiums $10 to $18 each

Digital "Gateway" $45.10
- Includes analog basic+classic, DCT2000, 30 DMX music; prerequisite for other digital packages
Digital "PAKs" $5 each/All 3 for $10
- Various non-premium channel packages
Multichannel premium Packages $10 each
- 8 HBO channels, 16 Showtime, etc.

HDTV service $2
- includes Moto DCT5100

There are $10 or $20 discounts if one also subscribes to cable-modem service and AT&T digitial phone service.


Supposedly Insight will get software upgrades for the 5100 from Motorola in April, at which point one won't need both a DCT2000 and a DCT5100. My assumption is that they'll want all the DCT2000's back from customers that have the 5100s, so that they can redeploy those DCT2000s to non-HD customers. They're basically letting HD customers use the DCT2000 "for free" right now pending the software upgrades to the DCT5100s.

I'm getting upgraded from basic/classic analog to digital cable w/HBO next Thursday (got hooked on Sopranos & other HBO shows via DVD rentals). I've ordered the 5100 also (Hey, $2 is almost free), even though I don't yet have an HDTV. Even if I don't get an HDTV soon, I want to be able to take advantage of the better audio options (DD) which will be available on the 5100.

Joe

Thanks for the info Joe. Looks like I'm staying with Directv and my trusty antenna for awhile. I'm saving approx. $10 a month and not having to deal with Insight (which is a big plus).

Chris

Hi guys

I just ordered my upgrade to HD from Insight today. They're coming Fri PM to hook me up. I'm a little bummed that they only have HBO & SHO so far as I've had the Digital service for about 5 months and so far we've watched a total of 2 movies on both. I really want it for the Networks so I can watch CSI & Law & Order in HDTV but I went ahead so I'm ready when they finally come thru. They are charging a one fee of $20 for installation and an extra $2 a month for the STB so it's not too bad. This will be my first "at home" experience with HDTV so I hope it's as good as they say.

What is HDNET and what sort of programming do they have?

What proportion of HBO HD & SHO HD is in widescreen?

thanks
Glenn

When it comes to the networks on insight
If I'm not mistaken (50/50 chance:))
They are going to retransmit the local DTV channels.
(WHAS, WDRB, WKPC)
Which means NO cbs or nbc for now
Sorry.....

gnj1958,

Welcome. I am not sure that the cable providers, such as Insight, have the same "rules" as DBS providers, such as Dish or DirecTV, but the DBS providers can't pass a "distant" network, like a New York CBS feed, with out a wavier from your local CBS affiliate. What this would mean is that you may not be able to get CBS or NBC in HD until it is provided by WLKY or WAVE. Someone more familar with "cable" can correct me, as I use E* and can't get any HD Networks (other than OTA) without a local network wavier.

HBOHD has most movies in the 16:9 format. But most "non-movie" programing, like Inside NFL or sex in the city, will be 4:3 with black sidebars. I do not subscibe to SHO, but did get some SHOHD during a preview weekend. SHOHD impressed me with the number of movies broadcast in OAR (oriiginal aspect ratio) whereas HBO uses the pan & scan and not very much OAR. OAR will usually give you black bars on the top & bottom, like a DVD.

As E* doesn't carry HD NET (but they do have Discovery HD) I can't tell you much about it, however go to http://www.hd.net/ and you can get so info.

Larry

If you want to watch HDNET go to an Ovation Audio Video Store in Louisville or Clarksville. THey demo their HDTVs using this channel. PQ is awesome and programming is very unique. Lots of variety including sports. Also as I stated earlier Steve Langford gen. mgr of WAVE assures me that their tower will be operational by the 15th of Jan. That's in less than a week from now and within the next 2-3 weeks they will be on Insight cable in HD. Also, here is an email I got from WLKY this morning:

WLKY is building a transmission facility for DTV (HDTV). It is in the
final stages of construction with testing scheduled to be complete around
the 15th of January. Our hope is to be on the air by the end of the month.
-Jim Mercer gen mgr

"WLKY is building a transmission facility for DTV (HDTV). It is in the
final stages of construction with testing scheduled to be complete around
the 15th of January. Our hope is to be on the air by the end of the month. "

Not be too 'sour grapes' but this is just in time to have missed transmitting this weekend's playoff games. About the only thing I tune to CBS for :( Oh well, at least we get the big game in HD!!! Woo hoo!

The GM of WAVE (Steve Langford) was on "Wave 3 Listens" this morning. He stated that HD should be "any day now", but also said "hoping for the 15th"

... According to Langford, the current issue with DISH (DISH not broadcasting WAVE analog) seems to be over 3 cents per subscriber. WLKY and WHAS are being paid approx. 15 cents per subscriber, DISH is offering WAVE 7 cents. (DISH initially offered WAVE zero) Langford wants 10 cents. (WLKY and WHAS have agreements thru their parent corps which were negotiated several years ago). DirecTV will be picking up the locals within 90 days and DirecTV and WAVE have agreed on terms. Also said Dish has 15% of the local market and DirectTV has 2%. (did he reverse these numbers?) He encouraged viewers to call DISH and tell them to "be fair". Langford claimed "it's not the money but principle."

According to Landford, WLKY and WAVE will do a joint promotion when HD broadcasting begins.

I can confirm that direct TV has been in town.
It was before the holidays
I spent some time with their sub-contractor.
They will be adding 18 new cities "local to local"
BTW they will only rebroadcast the analogs
No plans for DTV "Local to local"
But you all knew that..........
Right:)

I just ordered HD from Insight - should be installed next Tuesday. I guess we will see how good it is! BTW, Insight would not give me a timeframe on local channels and when they will be up on their system.

I think the cable companies like Insight have opportunity to regain some of their market share lost to DTV and Dish. Once Joe Six Pack figures out these sat. local packages only include a 4x3 480i signal (and compressed, yuk!), he's not going to be happy watching Monday Night Football on his 16x9 screen, while his neighbor who has cable, can see Melissa Starks wrinkles and Al Michaels's nose hair. (maybe I'll stick with 480i)

I'm just amazed Insight actually hit their ship date on HD. My cable modem was 2 years late!

Wow wow wow. Watching Ocean's Eleven right now, and it looks fantastic.. absolutely fantastic.

Wow. I can't believe it! It's great!

Aparently they weren't short on boxes, they were short on cables, which they still were today, but i told him that I had my own, so he install it with them. (they charge for the cables btw, like 15$).

Only HBO and Showtime right now. He said they would have ABC before the superbowl though. =) I'm looking forward to it!!! =)

My god, does it look good. Now I just need to get the edges of my TV converged. =)

Just noticed my Hitachi remote messes with the HD motorolla box.. =p

Very cool. I'm on for 8AM install tomorrow!

I've been holding off calling Insight... I'm really going to miss HD.NET and my on screen guides with DirecTV. I'm hoping Insight will pick up HD.NET soon. I VERY much dislike the look and feel of the Insight on screen guides. :-( I suppose I can live with them to finally get the networks in HD! :-)

A few questions....

1) I'm in the process of purchasing a surround sound system to go with my HDTV. Does Insight pass through 5.1 surround audio from HBO and SHO? I assume they do, but wanted to make sure before I place the call to Insight. That will be my final deciding factor.

2) What are the outputs on the DCT5100? Obviously it has component video outputs, but does it have an optical output for the audio?

3) I was really hoping for 8VSM. The specs for the DCT5100 show QAM as someone pointed out earlier, so I assume it is confirmed that 8VSM isn't available?

Thanks!

GregJKY, there is an optical output on the back of the 5100 and 8vsb is not available. You need the motorola 2000 and the 5100 together. When they finish programming their system for the 5100 you will not need the 2000 box. I wish they would offer the 5200 - it has a built in hard disk for using as a PVR. I guess for the moment I will be using my HiPix OTA.

GregJKY,

Here's a link to the specs for the Motorola STB Insight uses.

http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=179

Originally posted by GregJKy

3) I was really hoping for 8VSM. The specs for the DCT5100 show QAM as someone pointed out earlier, so I assume it is confirmed that 8VSM isn't available?

Thanks!

I can confirm this
No 8vsb :(

Haha, Return of the Living Dead was on Showtime HD last night, I didn't realize that it took place in Louisville. ^_^

I just got this working last night, unfortunately, I just missed any HD content. Looking forward to saving "Enemy of the State".

Does anyone know when PBS is airing any content? I've tried to look on Titan, but I find it cumbersome to find HD only content.

Also, the analog channels all look good except WAVE. I'm south of the city using an RS UHV/VHF antenna in the attic. The other analogs look very good as well. I forgot how bad the cable analogs can be.

I sent the note below to FOX-41. I think we need to start an organized effort to bother all of the local broadcasters until they provide HDTV.

I just can't believe that a broadcaster would build a digital transmitter then pass SD programming through it. I know that they only have to provide a digital signal and no mention of the HDTV portion in the law.

Well I await the lame answer to my question to FOX-41



"Sent to WDRB"

Why are you not passing the FOX HDTV signal on the digital transmitter? There are many people who are capable of receiving and viewing the HDTV signal, these would be all of the people capable of receiving the digital signal.

Please invest the additional time to get WDRB FOX-41 up on HDTV. I have invested a considerable amount of money to view the HDTV signals and I would appreciate the HDTV broadcasters to put the programming on in HDTV that is available.

Many locals provide false address data to Direct TV (satellite) to receive the HDTV feeds of the networks since Louisville broadcasters have been so lazy to move to HDTV.

HDTV is the future, face it and get on with the program to provide HDTV to us hungry consumers.

Remember your use of our public bandwidth is a privilege not a right.


Sincerely,

Keith Faber

Keith,

Personally I don't blame WDRB. I blame the FOX network. The network is the one who made the decision not to broadcast in HD and isn't making HD available to WDRB, but there may be hope... Have you seen this tread over in the programming forum?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=210558

P.S. The networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, etc) aren't available in HD from DirecTV even if you lie about your address. The only network feed available via satellite in HD is CBS on Dish and it is very difficult to get approval for.

Even though Fox doesn't pass true HDTV, is would be nice to get the "enhanced" feed (480P 16x9) from Fox thru WDRB. WDRB has made no commitment on passing this feed.

GregJKY, Thanks for Fox 720P link, great news! Hope it's true, especially for FOX NFL games.

..On the subject of Lousiville DTV...

How farth north could I expect the signals travel? Specifically Bedford, IN is in question. Currently for analog 3, 11, 32, 41 come in very well... 3 being the weakest of those (mainly in the daytime). But all are very watchable. No snow. 58 is weaker altho stable and watchable.. and generally good at night.

15 also comes in but it is the weakest picture of the ones mentioned. It is stable tho. I can always 'get it'. 3, 11, 32, 41 are generally on par or close to the nets on satellite if that gives you an idea.

And there is one other fuzzy station that comes in, there is color picture and audio but I don't consider it watchable and that is (I think) 28.

OTOH... I haven't had much success with grabbing a DTV signal. 11-1 (55) I can get the highest reading (which isn't much) but not enough for the Toshiba DST3000 to try and let me have a picture. I've seen 'blips' on the meter for 49 but no lock.

With WAVE and WLKY supposedly about to go 'live' and considering WDRB and WHAS already are... Is there any hope of getting these signals?

I do have a 40' tower and a combo VHF/UHF antenna but it has maybe 7 years on it. Probably a Channel Master. Channel Master preamp and rotator. I'm on a hill with a decent southeastern view.

Is it possible a dedicated UHF antenna like the Channel Master 8 bay (and preamp) would do it?

Anybody in this area getting DTV from any OTA sources?

Thanks,
Alan

Sorry to be negative akh, but the power level for WHAS & WKET is so low right now I think you will probably have to wait until these channels go full power and I don't think that is required by the FCC until the "transition" to DTV is complete (ie. 2006 and beyond). You are not missing anything with FOX their digital looks worse than the analog at this point. Its blurry, smeared, low definition 480i cr*p. WHAS on the other hand is very worth watching and I understand from the WAVE GM that they are set to pass thru HDTV along with WLKY within the next week. They are moving their tower from Oldham county, KY to Floyd county, IN so you have a better chance with them if they start to transmit full power. Good luck.

For everybody else, I have mixed reviews of Insiight HDTV cable. HBO and Showtime are spectacular in HDTV. However, that is all you get at this time. I was promised WHAS and WKET. So far they are MIA. I plan to call and see whatzup wi dat.

pcs, bug them also about adding HDnet, DiscoveryHD, etc. I get hooked up Tuesday and I will be on them about adding these stations and I will drop Insight if they don't respond. I watch HDnet quite a bit and I am keeping Dtv for now until Insight adds them and hopefully other content.

Thanks PCS, I'm going to hold off signing up until they add all of the available locals. I thought they already had WHAS & WKET...

Can anyone verify Insight is passing 5.1 audio from HBO?

Yes, Insight is passing DD 5.1. The sound quality is impressive. I have 5 channel surround with my Onkyo receiver on regular TV but the DD 5.1 is great and it seems better on the HBO/Showtime HD broadcasts than the WHAS HD broadcasts I've gotten OTA. Not sure if that's true or just the movies I've been able to catch. I've asked for HDNET and encourage everyone to do the same. Lets get more content. I do expect this to improve very quickly since Greg Graff Insight GM has stated on this forum that he has a 100" HDTV and he wants HD cable for himself too. I think that is why they have gone forward with just 2 channels. I would encourage anyone with the $$$ to go ahead and sign up even if you keep satellite or OTA because it will help send the message that they have a ready made customer base and speed up their adding more channels.
Just my 2 cents. . .

Hi

Well my Insight HD is up and running finally and I'm very impressed. Just to verify what PCS said yes Insights HBO HD feed is DD5.1. Although the quality might be hit & miss. I was comparing the Dances With Wolves screening with my DVD and not only was the level quite low (I had to turn my amp up way over normal levels) but compared to the DVD's DD5.1 the surrounds were not as active and the overall spacial sound you get with a good 5.1 soundtrack was not as good. Still I've just been listening to Planet Of The Apes and that sounds pretty good. It's a pity HBO feel the need to modify 2.35:1 material. Can't wait to start getting more channels.

Hi!
I'm new to this conversation. I called Insight about the new HD content and the CSR was pitiful. Also, there is virtually nothing on the web site about HD. Are they not promoting this yet or what?

What is the cost of the equipment? Also how much is HBO-HD and Showtime-HD?

Thanks for ANY info.

Scott

Originally posted by gnj1958
It's a pity HBO feel the need to modify 2.35:1 material. Can't wait to start getting more channels.

While I agree 100% with that sentiment, I think HBO is opening up 2.35 material to 1.78 and not cropping it to 1.78. So, at least you are not losing any picture. But, I agree, they should just leave the aspect ratio alone. People with widescreen sets understand if small black bars are present for films that were shot anamorphic.

Originally posted by Scott Shanks
Hi!
Also, there is virtually nothing on the web site about HD. Are they not promoting this yet or what?

Thanks for ANY info.

Scott
I dont think that it will be "Promoted" until the locals are there

Yea, I wouldn't invest in it until the local HD channels were added ... and only after I see if I can get WAVE and WLKY OTA when they go online.

So far the only channel I can't get is WDRB, and I don't seem to be missing out on anything so far there...

PCS,

Do you know when WAVE is moving their tower to Floyd Co? Also, can anyone point me to a thread/link showing the location of the locals' HD towers (I assume same location as their analog towers)? I have not been able to get the WDRB-HD. Although it seems like it's not worth the trouble now (;>)), I would still like to work on my antenna setup, since it looks like we'll have a "full" array of HD OTA feeds here in another week or so.

Thanks!

bruggles - I can't get WDRB either. I get KET at 100%, WHAS at 72-80%. I only get 3-6% on WDRB. I think it's due to them only broadcasting at such a low power that you'd probably have to sit on top of their tower to get the signal. So far WDRB has done the entire digital transmission thing as cheap as possible. And it shows.

PCS, Do you know which part of the forum that Greg Graff posts in? I'd like to read some of them. I wsih he would post in this thread.

Bruggles,
You can get the transmitter locations from here http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=KY&call=&arn=&city=Louisville&chan=0.0&chan2=69&facid=&list=2&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=

This is the FCC site. Click on a station, and it will give you all the channels (analog & digital) for that station. You can get maps of the transmission tower location as well as a signal strength diagram.

Larry

A little off topic
If any of you have Dish network local service please PM me.
Or
Post here what channels you get (Local channels)
(Especially PBS)
I would appriciate this very much
Kevin

I asked the engineering dept. if there was any chance they would be up for this weekends play off game. NO was the answer. They have applied high power to the transmitter but, will not go live until the end of the month.:mad:

woowoo,
The dish network's local (Louisville) package is $5.99 a month and includes:
ABC WHAS (11) on E* channel 9095
CBS WLKY (32) on 9096
FOX WDRB (41) on9098
WB WBKI (34) on 9099
UPN WFTE (58) on 9100
PBS WKPC (15) on 9101

The 9097 slot is reserved for NBC WAVE when and if they get through negotiations.

On the 6000 receiver the locals show up in the guide under the actual E* channel (9096). On othe E* receivers they show up as the actual station channel number (32). All have info availible 24/7. They come off a spotbeam on the 110°.

Larry

Thanks for the info, DucTape - good to know that it's not only my problem. I've probably got some work to do before I even get 3-6% - I'm at about 50-60% for WHAS at the moment. But I do have potential for improvement.

Too bad about WLKY - I was really hoping to see the AFC championship in HD. Our only hope is that they're sandbagging and they still may have it up this week - I'll keep checking just in case. Oh, well - hopefully the Super Bowl will go off without a hitch.

Thanks Larry
Thats what I needed to know
I Owe ya one........

I noticed Wave testing today. I was doing a channel scan and found channel 47 active but no picture. I had a pretty good signal strength at first but it dropped off to almost nothing.

woowoo,
BTW, PQ on the locals are pretty bad. WBKI is actually ghosting.
Larry

I recieved this from FOX-41

Keith --

At the moment, we are complying with all FCC requirements but nothing more. We are broadcasting a low power digital signal but not a High Definition signal. The FCC has approved this. HDTV is a very expensive proposition and we are wading into it rather than diving in head first. Why? Because there is not a business model to support further expenditures right now. In other words, we can't make any money rushing to broadcast in high definition because the market is minuscule. Viewers with HDTV capabilities will be increasing in 2003 and then you will see us upgrade our signal. Obviously, you understand that a business must be able to make money on their investments and without a viewer base of measurable size, it doesn't make sense to move ahead of the market.

Also, it's worth noting that our network -- Fox -- has made no immediate plans to broadcast in HDTV, meaning that the number of programs we carry that would be able to take advantage of this technology is relatively tiny at the moment, in any case.

Having said all this, I would guess we will upgrade to HDTV by late this year or early next.

I hope this answers your question (although I'm sure it's not the answer you want).

Thanks for your interest --

Ray Foushee
Director, Marketing, Research and Publicity
WDRB Fox 41 / WFTE Great 58

Which just confirms once again that WDRB and Fox SUCK! :(

I am seeing a 100% signal on 26 so I asssume WLKY must be testing... or maybe there is alien activity in the area? ;)

No pic... just monster signal strength, I didn't know my meter could go that high ;)

Of course they'll probably end up running at something approaching 1 watt and I won't actually get a picture here in the sticks. :(

I guess this could be a positive sign that when the channels do (finally) go full strength I will be able to get them/some.

AKH

WDRB: "Obviously, you understand that a business must be able to make money on their investments and without a viewer base of measurable size, it doesn't make sense to move ahead of the market. "



Broadcasters agreed to make this investment to save their spectrum. This is not about what makes "business sense". If WDRB didn't agree to the terms, then sell the station.

Just to clarify

Broadcasters never agreed to anything
The federal government and some trade groups (NAB) agreed.

No-Body ever asked me
Or anyone at WDRB either
If they did, I must have been drinking...:)
Again, If they did we would not be using 8VSB

Ray Foushee speaks of HDfor FOX like it will happen.
I don't think so
Not at this time

Until they get a dual path microwave in place, or a sat dish on the hill, it will be 4x3 upconverts only.
No 16x9

Sorry to sound mean....
It's early
I Need coffee

I'm getting blips on channel 47 now too - look's like WAVE is testing at low power.

I checked the signals when I got home from work yesturday and both 26 and 47 were reading 100 on the meter. I scaned for new channels and got none. Does that mean they are sending a signal with nothing on it?
Anyway, this morning before I left I checked again and got zero on 26 and 12-15 on 47. For refernce I was getting 86-93 on WDRB 49. I know alot of folks are having trouble picking up 49 reliably, so if this is wave's low power setting we can forget tuning it in.

woowoo, thanks for the message -- let me refine my point

WHAS, WAVE, WLKY, and KET have made the investment to upgrade their equipment and pass the network feeds in 2003. To these stations, a sizable investment has been made (Wave reported ~$2 million) that has no short term payback. For WDRB to play the "doesn't make business sense" card is unfair to everyone. WDRB has apparently spent the minimal amount to meet the guidelines and not comply with the spirit of HDTV, thumbing their noses at the public and FCC. This is not fair to the viewers who have no alternative choice now or in the future because of DMA restrictions upheld and enforced by the NAB and FCC! While FOX SD feed is inferior, it would be nice to view live sporting events like NFL on our 16x9 screens.

Again, If they did we would not be using 8VSB

Ah ... we got to protect the cable industry now :)

Just think what would happen if people could get consistantly pristine HDTV right off the air ...

8VSB works ok for me ... as long as the wind speeds/gusts stay below 25kts :)

HDC

Cambus:
I understand your point.

And let me reiterate my appretiation for the two channels that got their butt in gear and (almost) got us HDTV on time - WHAS and KET.

WHAS has been doing a superb job of handling HDTV broadcasts. I have yet to suffer a 'forgot to flip the switch' problem with them. (Although I understand that at first there were growing pains).

KET get's honerable mention for being first, and being not only first, but way early of the deadline and at a decent power rate. I'm disappointed that we haven't been getting HD from them for awhile, but I take it that will change shortly.

Runner up's to WLKY and WAVE pending the next month. We will wait and see how the transmissions go - but at least they are committed to HDTV from the get go - none of the WDRB feet dragging. Better late than never!

Jeers (AGAIN!) to WDRB. You guys pretty much just suck. Thanks for less than nothing!

Insight comes out tomorrow to hook up my HD box. HD HBO is worth the extra $2 more per month to me, but I certainly hope more channels are added soon.

For those who have also gotten this:
1) The install charge is $19.95, but they also wanted to charge me ~$13-14 for the *&?! cable! I told them I would supply my own, but was this included in your install? First I've heard of it..

2) Any idea on when Insight will begin retransmitting the WHAS feed? I would certainly love to watch the Super Bowl in HD! (I *think* it's on ABC, right?)

Thanks!

Originally posted by DucTape
And let me reiterate my appretiation for the two channels that got their butt in gear and (almost) got us HDTV on time - WHAS and KET.


Runner up's to WLKY and WAVE pending the next month. We will wait and see how the transmissions go - but at least they are committed to HDTV from the get go - none of the WDRB feet dragging. Better late than never!

Jeers (AGAIN!) to WDRB. You guys pretty much just suck. Thanks for less than nothing!

..If they'd just turn up the power..... :(

AKH

Originally posted by Raiden256

2) Any idea on when Insight will begin retransmitting the WHAS feed? I would certainly love to watch the Super Bowl in HD! (I *think* it's on ABC, right?)

Thanks!


Right, I can't wait for this one. Although I'm sure with my luck there will be 45 mph wind gusts starting at kickoff and I'll lose reception. I better knock on some wood.

Yea, and WLKY's testing get's my hopes up that they would be transmitting this weekend for the playoffs in HD, but people 'in the know' say that definitely will NOT happen. Too bad. But next year sounds like it will be the 'year of HD football' - between ABC doing Monday Night, ESPN's HD channel, and CBS seems to be stepping up w/ HD broadcasts, I bet we can see at least two or three HD games a week!

Anyone seen any activity on WAVE-HD (47) yet? I'm not getting anything, but my signal on the analog channel isn't that strong, so I'm not sure if I'm going to get anything until I tweak my antenna.

Thanks.

Originally posted by bruggles
Anyone seen any activity on WAVE-HD (47) yet? I'm not getting anything, but my signal on the analog channel isn't that strong, so I'm not sure if I'm going to get anything until I tweak my antenna.

Thanks.

Yesterday, after I posted about the WLKY signal, I then saw 47 come to life as well. Both were pegging my meter at 100%. No picture and nothing today (signal or picture) tho.

I'm in Bedford, IN.


AKH

I had Insight hook me up to HD Tuesday. The tech set every thing up and then was telling me he did not see that much difference in HD vs regular cable. I looked at the picture and told him that it was running 480i and I looked in the manual to figure out how to switch the 5100 to 1080i. He saw the difference then :)
I've been seeing 50% readings from both Wlky and Wave but no picture, as of yet. Hoping they can get both up soon!

HD could have been a great opportunity for Fox to come out of the shadows and turn the Big Three into the Big Four and make some real strides into the marketplace.

Really, besides NASCAR, the only thing worth watching on FOX is syndicated NBC shows anyway.

Once the other networks get rolling, the market pressures will push Fox to get into the game and they'll benefit from lower startup costs as everyone else will have helped drive prices down on the new equipment. Of course most of their content that I see will still be upconverts of syndicated shows.

WAVE is testing, see attached

what channel is wave on? I know WLKY will be 26

I have had the out of sync pic for almost two hours. No audio. Also is coming in as 47.1 on my Sony HD200 and not remapped to 3.1. But, it is progress. Still a shame 32 is not going to be up for playoff game this weekend.

Anyone who post here live in the Henry county, ( Eminence) Kentucky area? What type of reception do you get? I have not moved to HDTV as of yet, but with my old TV I am able to get channels from Louisville, Lexington, and Cincy. How "distant" can one receive a digital signal?

Purvis
For the most part stations try to duplicate their analog coverage.
Although many of them are starting out low power.
If you can get the analogs from the magor markets you should be in pretty good shape.
Woo

Woo,
I have lost 15-2 from my list of channels. 15-1,-3,and -4 are fine though. This happened once or twice in the past, but a rescan would bring it back. Now rescanning does nothing. Is KET doing something different or is it just my equipment?

Thanks,
Chris

WooWoo:

I been reading this forum and people talk that Digital signals are "all or nothing" type of proposition. How strong must the signal be to get a clear picture? Some of the channels I receive by "analog" have a lot of snow on them, but are still watchable.

Also, I keep reading that individuals have to constantly turn their Antenna to get good reception. I have seen newer antenna's that are "disk shaped" and some that are even shaped like a satellite dish that suppose to give you the best reception without turning the thing. Do they work?

Purvis, I think for the best reception you must have a directional antenna, especially for somelike like yourself on the fringe. I'm pretty sure the non-directional types only work within 25 miles. If you are seeing more than 20% snow on the analog picture it might be tough to see the digital feed.

FYI,

I just called Insight to complain about the lack of local DTV carriage. When I signed on for cable HDTV the CSR told me ABC and PBS were on as well as HBO and SHO. I also read an article that said the cable MSOs were trying to push for creating an "upper tier" of channels for more $$$ that would be locals in HDTV. What a crock!!! These are just network channels mandated by the FCC for all viewers. If they "postpone" adding WHAS or any other locals to try to hold them hostage to being an "upper tier" for more $$$ then I will be leaving Insight. I am hoping others will make their sentiments know on this issue. Even if you leave out the issue of "upper tier", I expect Insight to carry the SuperBowl in HD. They say they are in "negotiations" with WHAS and WKET. WTF? Woo didn't you say WKET had completed the deal with Insight? I am starting to get p*****d! What to you guy have to say?

PCS,

I agree. Personally, there is no reason for me to switch from DirecTV until Insight starts carrying the locals. Even then, I wish they would offer a locals only HD package at a low cost.

I'm also hesitant because all of the channels less than 100 are still analog according to the Insight web site! That's most of the good ones! Currently, I have those channels digital through satellite and the picture quality is as good as I could expect. I have the most basic analog Insight package now to receive my locals and the picture quality is very poor when stretched to a large screen TV. The quality is fine on a small tube.

can someone tell me the status on ket. I could'nt even pick them up last night. And I have'nt seen any HD stuff in a while. Sorry if this has already been discussed. Thanks

http://www.insight-com.com/press/050602.html

this is the press released concerning 'PBS' and their digital programming.

There is no mention of KET though.
Does anyone know what the hold up is?

Even though Insight has officially rolled out HD, it's still very early. Like the cable modem, you must give them 6 months to sort things out. Bottom line, all Insight HD users are still beta testers.

I agree PCS, Insight will put the screws to us with HD programming tiers. That's why I'm going to hold off and use my antenna which picks up ABC now *and* for free.


No Help Here:
http://www.insight-com.com/hdtv/

In reference to KET,

We haven't made any changes to the WKPC-DT system that I am aware of. Work is proceeding at the site on the WKMJ-DT installation. I'll be uploading some new software to the site this weekend.

We have not been broadcasting HD since July while we have been working on bringing HD statewide.

Thanks for thinking about us...

Will,
Are you going to be carried by Insight cable? I thought they had agreed to carry your DTV signal. Is this correct?I sure hope so. Any word on the timing if it is correct?

I personally will pay for an upper tier HD package from Insight *IF* it includes DiscoveryHD, HDnet (all the HDnet channels) as well as EspnHD. I will not pay for locals that are HD. I still have Directv and I will give Insight a couple of months to get their act together before I judge anything. I personally feel Insight can offer us way more HD content than the satellite providers. The question is, will they?

Are WLKY & WAVE going to broadcast at full power when they come on the air?
I live in Georgetown, KY and would particularly like to have an NBC coming in here since our local NBC won't be on until the end of the year at the earliest. I get slightly snowy, but watchable reception of WLKY analog, and pretty solid reception of WAVE analog. I understand they'll be on the same tower in Indiana.
I have been able to get WHAS-DT if conditions are good even though they are running low power. When will they be up to full power?
Is there any hope for Fox there? Our local Fox is on, but unreceivable because they are broadcasting 1/2 watt from a coathanger (almost literally).

Originally posted by goldenrod
Are WLKY & WAVE going to broadcast at full power when they come on the air? When will they be up to full power? Is there any hope for Fox there? Our local Fox is on, but unreceivable because they are broadcasting 1/2 watt from a coathanger (almost literally).

Yeah ... Inquiring minds want to know :) I've been looking for a blip off WAVE-DT nightly ...

As I understand the situation, there is absolutely no hope for FOX for the foreseeable future ... Personnaly, I've stopped watching Fox even though I can get WDKY-DT just fine. Goodbye Homer, Goodbye Bender ....

HDC

Originally posted by goldenrod
Are WLKY & WAVE going to broadcast at full power when they come on the air?
-snip-
I have been able to get WHAS-DT if conditions are good even though they are running low power. When will they be up to full power?
Is there any hope for Fox there? Our local Fox is on, but unreceivable because they are broadcasting 1/2 watt from a coathanger (almost literally).

I live just outside of Bedford, IN (2 miles west of) and I was getting 100% on both the WLKY and WAVE digital tests. OTOH, I can only get a blip or two of WHAS digital signal and sometimes a blip of 41's.

So IF WAVE and WLKY light it up full power I will be able to receive them it seems. I was catching the Cincy 5-1 digital the other night and it really looked nice. I saw Leno in HD there.

Is there a reason for a station to NOT run full power if they have the equipment in place? It seems a bit of the chicken and the egg scenario to me. As pointed out by FOX41, there aren't many sets capable of receiving the broadcast (altho now that -I- have broke down and bought one it leads me to believe the ball is rolling now on sales...). It just seems if there was more signals available that there would be more DTV capable sets/receivers purchased.

And I could see the greatest inroads being made with the people who are outside of the low power range. If people who were able only to get an 'ok' analog picture (not great) were suddenly able to get pics like I saw from 5-1 the other night I think it would only help increase the set sales (and thus viewers for these channels). And it would also have the added benefit of bringing new viewers to the stations.

Is WHAS capable of running a higher power signal technically or do they have only low power equip in place?

In this area Indy stations are our locals. Directv subscribers get the Indy locals. This would be a great opportunity for the Louisville stations to gain some viewers back from Directv people who watch their locals via the Pizza Dish. Obviously there is no comparison in the pics.

This all from the POV of someone who'd like to have more HD content for his TV.

-AKH

Does anyone have the future locations of WLKW-DT and WAVE-DT? I understand WLKY-DT might be 26, but I do not see any kind of activity there. I did notice a weak WLKY signal on 48 the other night.

Originally posted by ILoveHiDef
Does anyone have the future locations of WLKW-DT and WAVE-DT? I understand WLKY-DT might be 26, but I do not see any kind of activity there. I did notice a weak WLKY signal on 48 the other night.

WLKY should be at 26. WAVE should be at 47. I didn't notice any activity there yesterday (didnt check today but I assume nothing is happening on a Sunday). There was some activity last week.

Dunno what you saw at 48....

AKH

Is there a reason for a station to NOT run full power if they have the equipment in place?

Electric bills ....

Just a quick question...Did anyone see the ABC HD demo loop running on WHAS 55 DT last night around 11pm? This may be a common occurance, but it is the first time that my wife or I had seen it. She remarked on the exceptional quality of the loop (especially the space shutttle liftoff and the shots of NYC at night and the shots of the cathedral) and I agreed that it truly showed what HD is capable of in terms of visual quality. It also had about 60 seconds of test signals including a bizzare array of calibration patterns and color bars.

2 questions immediately came to mind....Why in the heck doesn't all the HD that I see (which isn't much!) look this good (it really gets my SuperBowl hopes up!)? Also why can't they air this loop with some longer test patterns late at night so we can calibrate our TV's and projectors and genreally sit in awe of the visuals?

-Alex-

Most sitcoms and movies are shot with 35mm film and up-converted to HD. The demo loop uses HD cameras which gives a sharper, 3d feel. Jay Leno uses Sony HD cameras, and you will get a similar picture when WAVE begins broadcasting HD on Jan 15. (Oops, another deadline missed) CBS showed the Oakland/Titans last night in HD and the PQ was simply amazing. (from what I heard, WLKY didn't show it!)

All live shows/sports use HD cameras, as no film is involved. Several years I would think all sitcoms will use HD, as it is cheaper when all costs are considered. (35mm film & processing are not cheap)

I would have thought that 35mm film would have to be DOWNconverted to HD since film has a higher resolution than HD. Right?

I can't wait til the locals get the act together with Insight.

Anyone with Insight HD care to comment on the quality/quantity of HBO/Showtime broadcasts? I think I am going to wait to get the HD until they go to one converter box for both digital and HD.

I like it very much. I get maybe 1 breakup every other movie. The Audio is great as well. The picture is fantastic, Shreck was on when I was getting ready for work this morning, so that was a nice treat.

Hbo shows a lot HD, Showtime shows very very little in HD.

I called today about adding locals and they said they were still in discussions with ABC, the csr said they were having another meeting tomorrow to get information, so I'll call back to tomorrow to see if any new developments came up.

I don't want to have to buy a 500$ box to watch the Superbowl...

All I watch now are those two channels, everything else just can't compare.. I need ABC. >:O

anybody know if WLKY or WAVE will be up this week?...this month?...this year?
I know they've been testing...but what's the status?

goldenrod, I have only seen blank screens and no audio from both wave and wlky. I did not see any signal today from them at all, but then I was busier than usual :) I have doubts that either station will be up and running bug free by the end of the month but then again something would be better than nothing.

I wonder if there is any hope of Insight picking up the ABC announced free to all cable feed of the Super Bowl just in case the "negotiations" with WHAS don't get resolved by this weekend. I don't know why I'm surprised at the lack of progress. It's so typical of the whole HDTV transition to be one step forward then two steps back. It sure would be great to get the locals via cable.

BTW, Scott the HDTV I do get on Insight is pretty awesome when HBO or SHO do hidef it takes the edge off of all the hassle. SWEET!

Here's hoping we get the Super Bowl in HD on Insight.

Wow, I just read that. I'll have to ask about that tomorrow. =)

I called and asked about it and the CSR said, "If you have a high-definition box, you'll get the super-bowl" She couldn't say anything more though, I asked if it was on a new channel, she said 'no', I asked if it would replace HBO or showtime, she said, 'no', so I was like, HOW WILL WE SEE IT THEN? And she just said again, "If you have the high-definition box, you'll get it!"

Well, I don't get it... :p Can someone else call and try to get some information out of them? I sent in another email asking about it as well.

I woudn't throw a SuperBowl party yet stovetop,,, I think she was talking about Superbowl 2004.

WHAS has been testing with a higher powered signal today in case anyone is interested.

AKH

getting it ready for Sunday I guess! I'm ready..lol

Hehhe, it wouldn't surprise me if she was cambus!

Well, the superbowl party will go on with or without HD... but it would be really really really really really really really really really nice TO have it in HD.

I've got around 8 people coming over.. =/

Grah.... should I just go out and get an OTA decoder? I don't know if I would even be able to get a setup good enough to get a signal. I moved to 'East County', off the Peewee Valley exit on Gene Snyder. Windows facing south.

Good News--
It appears that KET-4 ran an HD test last night from 9-10pm - Picture Qaulity was very good.

just got an e-mail from programming and Bill told me they would be on air in the next few weeks. Hurry up wave...damn....no surprise they missed being on air in January!:mad:

Turned on Insight HD last night just to see what was on, and both Exit Wounds and whatever was playing on Showtime, were both breaking up very badly. Very not watchable. Anyone else eperience this? Was running late today, so I didn't get to check on it this morning.

HD HBO looked good to me last night at around 1:30AM... Men of Honor was playing I think...

BTW: Is there a way to display signal strength on these boxes? Is there a way to connect an antenna for OTA reception?

Thanks

SUCCESS!!

I just got off the phone with an Insight rep who told me that she received a notice this morning that all Insight HD subscribers *will* be able to watch the Super Bowl in high definition on channel 762.

schweeeeeet

HOLY @#$@!!!!!!!

"-----Original Message-----
From: Stokes, Karen [mailto:stokes.k@insight-com.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 3:53 PM
To: 'John Weber'
Subject: HDTV UPDATE


WHAS DEAL SIGNED; INSIGHT HDTV CUSTOMERS CAN WATCH SUPER BOWL IN HIGH-DEF!!
"


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!!

I wonder how good the ABC High-Def coverage will really be. 16:9 widescreen or cropped edges? Dolby 5.1 or just stereo? I know they won't be 1080i.

Well, I guess I should be happy with what we'll get - at least they are trying. My ABC viewership has increased since they went to their "better resolution". I rather see a average show in Hi-Def than a good show with poor reception.

Thanks for all of your great comments here on the board!

Whas-DT in now on insight cable HDTV channel 762!! Can't wait til Sunday.

KET is also on insight HDTV channels 764,765,766,767.

Let me join the Insight Cable love-fest. They have come through. We've got WHAS and WKET in DTV in addition to HBO and SHO. I feel confident we will see the Super Bowl in 1080i (WHAS converts ABC network 720p to 1080i). I am glad they do the conversion since their equipment must be better than mine and since I have a Mits I need 1080i. Now I am chomping at the bit for WAVE and WLKY in DTV. I have been assured by both stations that they will pass through network HDTV so it looks like we are going to finally get the HDTV we've been waiting for. BTW, I have not been getting any breaks or drops in the DTV Insight cable signal in either EDTV or HDTV (480p or 1080i). I'm not sure why you are getting breakups Stovetop. Maybe you need to ask Insight to "refresh" your STB. The installer was getting some audio breakups 3 weeks ago when he installed my HDTV STB so he called the Insight office and asked them to "refresh" my box. Almost instantly the LEDS on the face started flashing "0000" then the unit restarted and I haven't had any dropouts since then. Hope this may help. I am so relieved Insight is not trying to force us to pay more $$$ for our locals! Maybe we will get through this without being gouged. I may be willing to pay for premium content but not for my locals.

Thanks for the tips PCS.

The problem is actually all the Insight data services going into the apartment right now. Channels 1 -99 (which i hear were analog) are coming in fine. But channels 100 + (including HD) are not. My cable modem is also out of sync. =(

I called about an hour ago, and they reset everything from there. But.. So far, nothing has come up. They said they couldn't get anyone here until THURSDAY!!! I kinda freaked when they said that. I'm going to call the complex's cable guy tomorrow morning, then my old cable guy, then.. i'm just going to panic. :o) Hahah. 10 people are coming over now(for the SB party).. and it's just one problem after another! Anyone have a trusty cable guy that can get a rush job done? ^_^

I AM getting all the channels on the box though, 750, 751, 762,764,765,766,767 all show up. Just none of them are showing anything, except HBO and SHOW which will sometime give me the top 10% of the picture, then garbage, and a blirp of audio every minute or so.

=( Sigh... HD hates me.. hahah

I'm glad you guys are getting everything though, it's actually very impressive Insight (and KET and WHAS) came through for us! Merry HD Day!

1) Since the standard insight remote seems to control both the HD box and the standard digital box, has anyone found a way to channel up/down on the HD box without doing the same on the standard box? (I've got TiVo recording on the digital box, and if I change channel on the HD box, I don't want it to mess with the other one.)

2) Also... it seems like maybe my HD box is acting a bit weird... maybe someone can confirm this for me. When I first got it, I noticed that the box turned off and on whenver it received *any* IR input from anything other than the Insight remote. (Imagine how frustrating this was at first!) After playing with it a little, I figured out that it will actually repeat the last action (i.e. on/off, volume up or down, channel up or down, etc.) that it received, either by Insight remote or buttons on the front panel, when it receives another remote's IR signal. What I have done to get around this is to hit the the volume up button... this way when I use another remote (say, to change the input selection on my RPTV) the HD box is only repeating the volume up command, rather than, for example, the on/off command.

This seems like odd behavior -- anybody else experiencing it?

Raiden256,

This may be obvious but you didn't mention manually changing channels on the STB. When I don't want to have the channel change on the digital box this is my solution. I can't wait until they eliminate the 2 STB situation. I have to agree with a comment made several days ago on this thread. For the next few months all of us are actually beta testers for Insight HD cable. I am not going to complain as long as they give me the locals and don't charge extra, and I don't have dropouts.

Stovetop,

They have a "reset" option and a "refresh" option. I didn't mention this in the earlier post because it seemed like TMI (too much information). However, the installer initially asked for a reset. This didn't do anything. Then he asked for a "full refresh". He had to convince the person on the other end to do this because initially they were reluctant and wanted to swap out the box. He insisted on a "refresh" and the rest is as I reported. I wonder in your case if they just did a "reset" or a "refresh". Good luck. I sure hope you get it going by Sun. Actually MI-1 is on WHAS sat. PM and could be worth a look.

Raiden256, I have my TiVo hooked up to cable without the box. The first 99 channels are analog anyway - this is, of course, useful only if you don't record above channel 99 :). I am using Pronto and I have not had any of the on/off stuff you are mentioning. I wish the HD box had its own discrete IR codes but I can live with my current setup.

You're the greatest PCS. I called at 5 this morning (had to go in early), surprisingly there was still a significantly long time on hold. But when I got to a CSR (who sounded like she just woke up), I just told her I tried a reset last night, and someone suggested to call in and try and refresh, and she was like 'Okay, I'll send it through.' Then I think she dozed off, because nothing happend for about 1/2 an hour. Then I left for work. I ended up forgetting something though around an hour ago, and went back to get it, and wouldn't you know it, everything was working!

ABC in SD still looks loads better than analog cable. Regis(It was Pat though) and Kelly was on, and it looked so clear! You could tell the KET's were on really low Bitrates though. Too bad nothing is on in HD ABC tonight though. How did the primetime shows yesturday look? Also, I was getting a small break-up on ABC about 1 every minute. I wonder if that was ABC or Insight.

Nice stovetop - glad to hear you'll get the game in HD. Aren't you the one downtown and can't get OTA? Not sure on the breakups though - I do know that I never get them on WHAS OTA. WHAS has been rock solid w/ their HD stuff for the past 6 months. I would guess it's a cable problem.

Originally posted by Raiden256

2) Also... it seems like maybe my HD box is acting a bit weird... maybe someone can confirm this for me. When I first got it, I noticed that the box turned off and on whenver it received *any* IR input from anything other than the Insight remote. (Imagine how frustrating this was at first!) After playing with it a little, I figured out that it will actually repeat the last action (i.e. on/off, volume up or down, channel up or down, etc.) that it received, either by Insight remote or buttons on the front panel, when it receives another remote's IR signal. What I have done to get around this is to hit the the volume up button... this way when I use another remote (say, to change the input selection on my RPTV) the HD box is only repeating the volume up command, rather than, for example, the on/off command.

This seems like odd behavior -- anybody else experiencing it?

Mine does the same thing. Thanks for figuring out what was happening. Guess I'll have to program the pronto to send a Volume Up after sending a command to the 5100. Hope this "feature" is fixed in the next release of the firmware,

WAVE was on for a short time this morning. I received 3.1 3.2 3.3. No audio on any then The left the air. This was the first time the picture was in sync and the first time for .2 .3 for me. Slow porgress.

DucTape,
I was the one that couldn't get it OTA downtown, but since then I've moved to GeneSynder and Peewee Valley. But that was the begining of January, so I had decided to hold out for Insight. I'm glad I did though! It's been a lot of hassle, but as long as I'll get to see the SB in HD, it'll have paid off.

Also, I had the same thing happen with my remotes and boxes. It's annoying, especially since I adjust my tv settings so much. My HD Box will just go crazy turning off and on. I'm glad someone figure out what it was doing!

I can't wait for WLKY and WAVE to come up. =) HD is louisville is looking up! Will the KET channels on Insight have the HD material?

You're a ways from the antennas, but I bet you could get OTA from there. Although w/ cable who wants to hassle w/ antenna!? :) I know here in St Matthews, I *should* get all the OTA w/ my outdoor ratshack - but I don't. WDRB barely blips 3-6 sig strength no matter WHERE I put the antenna. I was even standing in the middle of the roof a week or so ago holding a 15 foot mast w/ antenna trying to find a 'sweet spot'. I bet that was hilarious looking :D

DucTape, you have an amp? I have no problem picking up WDRB around 50% and I'm Gene Synder and Old Henry close to stovetop. I guess St. Matt is lower. Just build a 50 foot mast, your neighbors won't mind.

I have a Channel Master 3023 http://www.starkelectronic.com/cmuhf.htm with Radio Shack amp. (amp was about $65, and seems to help a lot)

cambus - I spent a few hours out there a couple of weeks ago - tried longer masts, added (then removed) that RatShack amp, etc. The amp made it much worse. I don't know why. The funny thing is that in my case higher does not = better. There is a 'sweet spot' about 10-12 feet. Lower or higher makes the signal worse. I went up about 30 feet, at wich point the signal was no better, and the mast looked like it was about to snap in two as it swayed abck and forth. I am guessing it's the trees in the neighborhood, none are in close proximity, but to go over them would take that 50 foot mast. I don't think that the people around here would like that too much :D

I get WHAS and KET at good strength. And I can get WDRB up to about 16, which is not enough, but then WHAS and KET are not watchable. Here's hoping that WAVE and WLKY transmit at acceptable strength, and I'll just give up on stupid Fox anyway. I think they are transmitting a 1/2 watt from a coat hanger right now :(

Stovetop,

Congratulations on the STB success! Doesn't it feel great to get it resolved and know Super Bowl Sunday will really be in HDTV via cable.

BTW for anyone working with an antenna for OTA don't bother trying to get WDRB 41-1 (proud member of the FUX network). Their digital signal is pathetically low and the PQ is blurry and looks inferior to the analog signal. Plus they don't even have the capacity to deliver the low definition 480p signal that the network is sending them. What a bunch of clowns. If they get shown on Insight they will look pretty silly side by side with the other stations (if WAVE and WLKY keep their promise to transmit 1080i) I have sent them an email to that effect and the station manager informed me he "hadn't even seen their DTV signal yet." How do I get a job like that? What a joker. . . I will be lobbying the U of L athletic dept. To look elsewhere for UofL sports if these guys keep this up much longer. If they build a new BBall arena you better believe it will be wired with fiber optics line for HDTV/Broadband infrastructure. Then whoever offers state of the art media coverage will be in the drivers seat. Just one more reason, as I reminded the WDRB GM, that moving to HDTV is consistent with a business model that is forward not backward looking.

One last comment, there are now references to HDTV and the schedules for it at the WHAS and WAVE websites. Nothing I can find on WLKY yet. I hope this is just slow web hosting not some bad sign that they are going to delay further. I've only heard about testing for WAVE not WLKY. Anybody else got any news on WLKY?

PCS, over the past two weeks I've gotten blips on channel 26 (WLKY) and 47(WAVE), but never for long, and never over 10 sig strength. Others have noted that at those times no picture is on the channel, so I would venture that they are at this point testing transmission, perhaps the link from station to tower, and maybe fields tests to see sig strength? Who knows. Anyway they both in the recent past promised to be up and running Jan 31/Feb1, but I would be shocked to see it happen that soon. They seem to be going pretty slow.

And here's hoping they don't go down the crappy Faux route of 1/2 watt coat hanger transmissions. Let's at least match WHAS's 1000 watts - please?

Originally posted by stovetop
Too bad nothing is on in HD ABC tonight though. How did the primetime shows yesturday look? Also, I was getting a small break-up on ABC about 1 every minute. I wonder if that was ABC or Insight.

Isn't the Drew Carey show supposed to be in HD tonight?


Also -- Which HD setting will you folks be setting your boxes to for the SuperBowl? 720p (which is what ABC will be transmitting in) or 1080i (upconverted)?


Raiden256

I get a 85 on my signal strength (HiPix card) from WDRB it is one of the strongest signals I get besides WHAS which is a 86. WKPC seems a little anemic today, I am getting a 70 signal and channel 21 I get a 81. I was getting pretty strong signals from both WAVE and WLKY when I caught them testing. I am in Hikes Point and I am using a cheap RatShack outdoor antenna mounted inside my attic.
BTW, I am definitely not having any problems with Insight STBs when using other remotes. I tested my various remote controllers (panny, sony, tivo and pronto) and I don't see any problems others here are talking about (I am not saying anyone's not having problems, just that my gear is not doing it :)).
I also agree about WDRB, what a waste of transmitter power. The only show I watch on Faux (besides L'ville BBall) is 24 and it supposedly looks real good in 480p.

Raiden256 - WHAS upconverts everything to 1080i, so I think that is your only option. By the way, does anyone know why the heck WHAS upconverts the signal?

Originally posted by stovetop
DucTape,
I was the one that couldn't get it OTA downtown, but since then I've moved to GeneSynder and Peewee Valley. But that was the begining of January, so I had decided to hold out for Insight. I'm glad I did though! It's been a lot of hassle, but as long as I'll get to see the SB in HD, it'll have paid off.

Also, I had the same thing happen with my remotes and boxes. It's annoying, especially since I adjust my tv settings so much. My HD Box will just go crazy turning off and on. I'm glad someone figure out what it was doing!

I can't wait for WLKY and WAVE to come up. =) HD is louisville is looking up! Will the KET channels on Insight have the HD material?

Hey, good deal! We're pretty much neighbors...that's right where I'm at (at least until Feb. 14 when my closing on the house is set...) I'll be moving to Crestwood weekend after the Super Bowl and going to try and setup a tower and get some good antennae!

All set for Sunday!

Raiden256,

I for one am glad that WHAS is converting the 720p signal to 1080i even though for OTA my panny STB can convert the signal for my mits tv I'm sure their commercial grade converters are much better than my consumer grade equipment. Also, Insight converts the signal too so I perceive this whole 720 vs. 1080 is a moot point for all practical purposes here in the 'Ville. Maybe this could change if 720p prevails and TVs start to come out with this as standard resolution, but the next generation will probably be 1080p anyway so I'm not too concerned about 720p. I'm also not an engineering type so I'm probably open to critique on this and I also didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn last night lol.

At least we've finally got something to talk about other than how long, if ever, it will be until HDTV comes to Louisville!

Cambus,

What is the model # of the Radio Shack amp you are using? I want to give one of those a try. I'm getting around a 70-75 signal on WHAS, and a 45-50 on WDRB. I've got the antenna on the second floor of my house now, and would prefer to keep it there (or in the attic). I raised it up about 3 feet a while ago, and that seemed to boost my signal about 20-25 points (that actually allowed me to get WDRB for the first time). I will be doing a lot of expirimenting with antenna placement over the next month or so (especially as WLKY and WAVE come on line) and want to see what an amp can/can't do for me.

Thanks!

bruggles, I've heard the Shack doesn't make the best amps, but it seems to improve things for me. Others on the forum have had success, but keep in mind RS is known for their average to below average antennas and amps.

RS Catalog 15-1109
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F002%5F004%5F004%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1109

Thanks, cambus.

Anyone have a suggestion for a better amp??

I guess you were right Raiden, Drew Carrey was in HD, very awesome!

I'm watching ET, and they said the Dare Devil teaser would be in HD. Not really looking forward to the movie, but I'll take the trailer in HD, and I'm hoping more commercials go this route. ^_^

Nightowl, good luck with the move! I thought someone else on the board lived around here as well.

Well, wish me luck. I'm going to go out and buy a OTA HD receiver and antenna to try and get the superbowl in HD on WHAS.

I have no idea what I'm doing so this may be a trial and error kind of thing. I live at the I-71 and gene snyder (spring hurst) area. antennaweb.org said I needed a small-multidirectional antenna.

If anybody has any recommendations on antenna or receiver I'd appreciate it. Thank goodness there is a radio shack 5 miles away.


Must...see........bucs..beat...raiders...in....HD. :)

Thanks bunches!
John (spidey)

RECEPTION REPORT
Test Time: Saturday, January 18 11:20 AM
Location: Hillview, KY, Using a Toshiba DST-3000 High Definition Digital Receiver

Local Digital Channels with > 0 Signal Strength

Channel Signal Strength (0-100) Call Sign
8 6 ?
17 44 ?
43 37 ?
49 72 ?
55 100 ?



Note:
WLKY (32) will be on digital channel 26 and currently has 0 signal strength (may be displayed as 32-1)
WAVE (3) will be on digital channel 47 and currently has 0 signal strength (may be displayed as 3-1)

I will try to provide daily reports and more information as I get it. Does anyone know the callsigns to these deigtal channels.


ILOVEHD

Question:

What is the "lowest" signal strength in order to get a clear picture from a TV channel??? I would suppose that it does not have to be 100%. Is there artifacts in the picture when it is less than 100%?

Dig channel ...
8 (I think is:) Pax maps to 21-1
17 KET PBS maps to 15-1/2/3/4
43 ?
49 WDRB Fox maps to ? (I dont get it)
55 WHAS Abc maps to 11-1

purvis : all depends on you STB - but on my Hughes E86, a 55 or better is 'freeze free' watching. Anything below is not watchable.

spidey07: Good luck! Out where you are a RatShack V-120 (mid sized outdoor) should do the trick. WHAS is eay to pull in since they are fairly high power (compared to all the other channels here) and I think they up'ed the power this week for the big game. Thanks WHAS!!!!

Best bet is to have a person indoors watching the sig strength bar (set to channel 55 for WHAS) and you rotate the antenna until you get the best sig. Also be prepared to lower/raise it in your testing. I know at my place there is an elevation 'sweet spot' where the sig comes in best.

Thanks Duc!

I'm trying strictly indoors for now. We'll see.

Picked up a samsung 515 I think and a few various antennas from rat shack. One looks like a barbeque grill with two bow ties on it. Couldn't hurt to try.

The "barbeque grill with two bowties" is your best bet for UHF channels, which all of them are right now besides Pax on 8.
Is WHAS running higher power right now? I don't notice a difference in Georgetown. They register a weak signal on my meter, but not enough to decode.

wooohooo!

I can get WHAS-11 channel 55 with the "barbeque with bowties that cost me $1.97". The other antenna is the $50 rat shack "digital HD" that has amplifier and two cylinders and can operate in helix or dipole modes, amplifier has in and out selections - I can't get squat with this antenna, nada. But amazingly the barbeque grill works.

This is indoors and the reception is VERY spotty. If I elevate the antenna on my 1st floor to about 7 feet I get a signal strength of about 35% on my samsung receiver. Anything below that or if I happen to breathe funny I get nothing.

RECEPTION REPORT
Test Time: Saturday, January 18 4:10 PM
Location: Hillview, KY, using a Toshiba DST-3000 High Definition Digital Receiver
Antenna Elevation: 566 ft above sea level

Local Digital Channels with > 0 Signal Strength:
Channel / Signal Strength (0-100) / Call Sign
8 / 6 / ?
17 / 44 / ?
43 / 24 / ?
49 / 93 / ?
55 / 100 / ?

Quality:
0 – 30 – no picture possible
30 – 50 – poor picture, major break ups
50 – 75 – acceptable picture, occasional break ups
75 and above – great picture – no problems
Note:
WLKY (32) will be on digital channel 26 and currently has 0 signal strength (may be displayed as 32-1)
WAVE (3) will be on digital channel 47 and currently has 0 signal strength (may be displayed as 3-1)

I will try to provide daily reports and more information as I get it. I am also interested in other signal strength reports. If anyone knows any of the call signs to these digital channels, please respond. Thanks


Thanks to all who contribute such useful information to this board
- Bill (ILOVEHiDef)

Insight cable providing consistent signals on all DTV channels. Is there still time get it installed before the Super Bowl? I wonder if they will be installing HDTV cable tomorrow? Anybody signed up for an install tomorrow? Pregame starts in less than 24 hours!!!

spidey,

Do you have a 2nd floor? Any way to get the antenna up there? Remember, if you have cable outputs/jacks on your 2nd floor, you can connect the antenna to one of those, then couple it to one near your STB (most likely, if the leads all terminate in one place (i.e. your basement), this should be easy to do).

Also, I will second the notion that I have seen no increase in WHAS's signal strength where I'm at (Prospect).

WHAS ran a higher power test (I assume it was full power but maybe not) last week for about 4-5hrs.

I believe they ARE planning on ramping up to higher (or full) power for the Superbowl altho I don't think they are planning to keep it there for the future :(

I would assume anyone who has been able to at least get some signal reading on 11-1 (55) but no picture should have a pretty good chance of getting a picture for the Superbowl based on the test from earlier this past week.

It is my only chance to see the SB in HD so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don't change their minds or have an equip failure and that the weather is cooperative.

AKH

Originally posted by bruggles
Thanks, cambus.

Anyone have a suggestion for a better amp??

I haven't had much luck finding Channel Master amps locally, but online they carry CM amps here:http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/HDTV_preamps.htm

I understand the CM 7775 (UHF only), 7777 & 7778 are very good pre amps.
Larry

akh - thanks for the clarification. Hopefully the hi-power signal will peg my meter and give me more confidence in my plan to keep my antenna indoors

lapplegate - thanks for the info.

btw, Mission Impossible is on WHAS now, and there's a hockey game on HDNet

Just FYI...they carry channel master amps at Lowes. That is where I got my 747.
Hope this helps!
-Alex-

Channel 43 is KET's transmitter in E-town. WKZT-DT
It's a simucast of WKPC-DT.

William
KET

I am receiving a weak digital signal on channel 43 (about 37 out of 100). Does anyone know what station this maps to?

Never mind about the Channel 43 question, William ansered it for me.

Channel / Signal Strength (0-100) / Call Sign
8 / 6 / WBNA
17 / 44 / WKPC
43 / 24 / WKZT
49 / 93 / WDRB
55 / 100 / WHAS

RECEPTION REPORT
Test Day/Time: Sunday, January 26 9:00 AM
Location: Hillview, KY, using a Toshiba DST-3000 High Definition Digital Receiver
Antenna Elevation: 566 ft above sea level, approx. 18 miles from most transmitters

Local Digital Channels
Channel / Peak Signal Strength (0-100) / Station
8 / 6 / WBNA 21-1 (WORD Louisville)
17 / 72 / WKPC-TV 15-1 thru 15-4 (KET Louisville)
26 / 0 / WLKY-TV 32-1 (CBS Louisville)
38 / 0 / WKMJ-TV 68-1 (KET Louisville)
43 / 30 / WKZT-DT 23-1 (KET Elizabethtown)
47 / 0 / WAVE 3-1 (NBC Louisville)
49 / 79 / WDRB 41-1 (FOX Louisville)
55 / 100 / WHAS-TV 11-1 (ABC Louisville)

Quality:
0 – 40: poor picture, if any; 40 – 50: weak picture, with break ups;
50 – 70: acceptable, break ups very rare; 70 +: solid picture – no reception problems;
I am interested in other signal strength reports. Thanks to Jerry for your report. - Bill

RECEPTION REPORT
Test Day/Time: Sunday, January 26 10:00 AM
Location: Henryville, IN , using Mits 65809, Dish 6000, RS VU-190 antenna w/rotor, approx. 11 miles from most transmitters (floyds Knobs) antenna postion 202°

Local Digital Channels
Channel / Peak Signal Strength (0-100) / Station
8 / 68/ WBNA 21-1 (can get 80% by rotating antenna)
17 / 89 / WKPC-TV 15-1 thru 15-4 (KET Louisville)
26 / 0 / WLKY-TV 32-1 (CBS Louisville)
38 / 0 / WKMJ-TV 68-1 (KET Louisville)
43 / 0 / WKZT-DT 23-1 (not even w/ rotation)
47 / 0 / WAVE 3-1 (NBC Louisville)
49 / 0 / WDRB 41-1 (blibs 40-60% but wont lock)
55 / 86 / WHAS-TV 11-1 (ABC Louisville)

I dont yet have a pre amp but plan on getting one when it gets warm enough to install it.
Larry

Just FYI...they carry channel master amps at Lowes. That is where I got my 747.
Hope this helps!
-Alex-

I was watching some of Mission : Impossible last night on Insight HD. The picture was beautiful and in OAR 2.35:1. I synched it up with my DVD copy and compared them and I must admit the picture was a bit better than the DVD version but what's with the sound? My amp registered the HD as DD5.1 same as the DVD but the HD didn't sound lke DD5.1. Switching the amp sound from DVD to HD the DVD sounded full and even the same sound level from rears and fronts but the HD sounded more 90% front 10% rear. Any reason for this?
Is WHAS on Insight here for good or is it just for the SB? Any idea when we get some others I really want CBS more than ABC as there's virtually nothing on ABC that I watch. Oh well smething's better than nothing I guess.

gnj1958,

Same observation about the audio on MI-1 on WHAS last night. Not sure what that says about the 5.1. I have noticed lots of variability on HD broadcasts in the audio (AQ). I think this could be due to the current power levels of the broadcast, first generation equipment for Insight and WHAS, conversion of 8vsb to QAM, etc. I don't like it but at least its 5.1. CBS is not doing 5.1 yet, but I'll take what I can get for now. Hopefully WLKY will get it together and give us CBS HDTV. I do see progress now that Insight has HDTV. BTW, if 1958 is DOB we have something in common. Good luck and enjoy your HDTV.

Originally posted by bairda
Just FYI...they carry channel master amps at Lowes. That is where I got my 747.
Hope this helps!
-Alex-

Bairda,
Knowing there is some CM stuff close helps alot.
Do you know if that is a Lowes that is on Hurstbourne, by the Chili's?
They shut down the Lowes in this area (Clarksville).
Thanks,
Larry

Yes...that is where I got it from last year right before Derby. They also sell the masts for raising the antenna, the rotators and the tripods for mounting etc... Here is a link for some of the items they carry...
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productList&function=search&categoryId=ANTENNA_ACCESSORIES.CATEGORY&pad=true

Good luck! Hope this helps!
-Alex-

Originally posted by ILoveHiDef
RECEPTION REPORT
I am interested in other signal strength reports. Thanks to Jerry for your report. - Bill

Test Day/Time: Sunday, January 26 3:45 PM
Location: Bedford, IN, using a Toshiba DST-3000 High Definition Digital Receiver
Antenna Elevation: 40' tower (minus 3-4' buried of tower in ground).
Using CM amp. VHF/UHF combo ant

Local Digital Channels
Channel / Peak Signal Strength (0-100) / Station
8 / 0 / WBNA 21-1 (WORD Louisville)
17 / 0 / WKPC-TV 15-1 thru 15-4 (KET Louisville)
26 / 0 / WLKY-TV 32-1 (CBS Louisville)
38 / 0 / WKMJ-TV 68-1 (KET Louisville)
43 / 0 / WKZT-DT 23-1 (KET Elizabethtown)
47 / 0 / WAVE 3-1 (NBC Louisville)
49 / 0 / WDRB 41-1 (FOX Louisville)
55 / 37-avg 44peak / WHAS-TV 11-1 (ABC Louisville)

This would be LESS (slightly) than what I was able to receive at approx this same time last week when WHAS went to a higher power. At that time I was receiving 44's with an occassional dip to 37. I was hoping it would be at least as good today with the possibilty recept would improve from there as evening falls (and kick off approaches)

I'm surprised the picture is holding as well as it does with the meter reading 37 most of the time. Overall it is a bit disappointing if they are at high power since I can see the analog 11 absolutely fine at my location. The breakups and pixelations obviously detract from viewing. If this is as good as it gets then 11 will not be normally watched by me

I do realize recepetion could improve once the digital broadcast is moved to ch11 but that is years from now :(

The WAVE and WLKY tests were at 100% on the meter.... tho no guarantee they will immediately broadcast at that strength.

I do have an 8 bay CM bowtie ant with amp but it is only at 25'. I did try connecting it but its number are worse. Not sure how'd it do IF I could get it on top of the tower... but that won't be happening with me climbing the tower ;)

AKH

Thanks to all for your signal strength reports. It is interesting, but disapointing to see how much the signal drops off when you get out of Jefferson County. AKH in Bedford is about 37 miles further away from most of the transmitters. This is only 19 more miles than me and with a 40 foot tower, yet the signal strengths are much lower. Must be signal propagation, since I see many others of you are also having problems, even with amps in use. I will continue to post daily signal reports - not to "rub it in" but rather to provide you with information to help your situations. For example, if you see reports that WHAS is putting out a 100 signal strength, and you are getting 37, it's not that WHAS isn't putting out the power. I hope everyone out there gets a great picture for the Superbowl.

FYI...

I called insight yesterday around 2:00 pm and had two cable HD receivers working by midnight. Install took about an hour for both.

2 bucks a month for each STB and I'm getting all the locals plus HBO/showtime HD. Looks like I will be able to watch the superbowl in HD afterall.

:)

spidey07
I'm jealous, I called Insight 2 days ago and can't get my installation until Feb 5th. I'll be watching OTA so I hope the signal holds up. Enjoy your HDTV.

SuperBowl in HD looks amazing! Is anyone else's game clock cut off? Can't figure out if it's my TV or the broadcast, but the vertical picture starts for me at the top of "OAK".

Originally posted by Raiden256
SuperBowl in HD looks amazing! Is anyone else's game clock cut off? Can't figure out if it's my TV or the broadcast, but the vertical picture starts for me at the top of "OAK".

If you are talking the upper lefthand portion of the screen right now (2nd qtr) I see the complete clock and score.

The picture is the full 16:9 of my set. The clock is right at the edge of the lip that snaps on the front of my set around the screen. If there is something above the time I can't see it.
ABC logo in bottom right is all there too.
-

FWIW... here in Bedford IN the signal did go up a smidge by game time but I still get some pixelation every now and then. ..And a freeze here and there but rare. It is watchable tho... but not perfect :(

Considering my analog 3-11-32-41 reception is very good I would've hoped for better from the digital signal 11-1 (assuming they are at full power). I am on a hill with a decent southern view and with an ant on a 40' tower with CM amp.

And yes... the PQ looks very nice. As I've said before: The sooner the broadcasters make this type of signal widely available (and that means on full power) the more HDTV set owners there will be capable of getting the signal. The PQ sells itself. And it is one of those things you can't explain to people until they see it for themselves.

-AKH

Weird.... The picture takes up the full 16:9 of my Toshiba 57HX81 too (can't switch to any other pic size except FULL), but the top edge of my screen starts just above the OAK and cuts off the clock. There's no black at the top or bottom or anything.... just seemingly more information than is fitting on my screen.

Might try adjusting the vertical height/linearity in the service menu at halftime...

about the superbowl.

throw up a small PIP with the SD feed. A huge difference in graphics, shots, etc.

feels like the commentary doesn't go with the video. Not complaing though.

damn it looks good!

Yeah... sound does seem a little off. Again, I wasn't sure if this was my setup or the WHAS feed. Other people experiencing this?

Originally posted by Raiden256
Yeah... sound does seem a little off. Again, I wasn't sure if this was my setup or the WHAS feed. Other people experiencing this?

If you guys mean a fraction of a fraction of a second off then, maybe.... If you mean so much that you can tell a difference by the action on the field and calling of the game then, no.

I was watching really closely to see if the voices synced with their mouths just now in the booth and I had a hard time being certain one way or the other. So it is very close.

EDIT: I did notice the sound not synced later in the game.

AKH

Originally posted by akh


FWIW... here in Bedford IN the signal did go up a smidge by game time but I still get some pixelation every now and then. ..And a freeze here and there but rare. It is watchable tho... but not perfect :(

Considering my analog 3-11-32-41 reception is very good I would've hoped for better from the digital signal 11-1 (assuming they are at full power). I am on a hill with a decent southern view and with an ant on a 40' tower with CM amp.



-AKH

Can't comment on WHAS's PQ as I just walked in the door.But,they must have upped their power considerably.I usually get a solid 40 on the DTC-100 under dead-band conditions,but I see the meter is pegged at a solid 82-84!

I guess they cranked it up for the game.

71mi North

SCHWEEEEEEEET!!!!!

Great PQ and once the game got rolling the sound seemed to straighten out (at first the echo in the surrounds was too loud). My pic was virtually perfect. The switches between SD & HD was abrupt at times, but since I knew it was coming I was able to tolerate it. I'll be glad when SDTV goes the way of the Dodo bird!!!

Raiden256 I wonder if your picture cutoff is due to "overscan". I've had my Mits factory settings calibrated and the overscan reduced. Now I see more of the total pic and I didn't have the difficulty you describe. Just a thought...

This was one beautiful broadcast. Not perfect, but better than any sporting event I've ever seen via TV.

My game clock was also partially cut off. The top half of the clock's numbers was missing. ie: the "8" look like "o". Otherwise, a great show of things to come. I wonder what's the next big HD event? Thunder? Indy 500?

Well... I must say, the superbowl looked AMAZING!!! . . . .... for the HALF of it that I saw in HD... >:O Insight hates me.. GRAH! My HD started cutting out after Half-time, and then it just became unwatchable, I had to switch to analog. =/ Once again, all my digital is out, channels 100+, cable modem, and... HD. =/ I'm watching Alias with my friends right now with grain and all. Love that crappy analog signal...

BTW, I didn' t have the overscan problem with the score.

Someone is coming out on Tuesday to look at it. =/

Funny thing is, when my internet/digital goes out, I leach off my neighbor's wireless internet, who I'm pretty sure is USING InsightBB. It doesn't make sense. ANGER! =P

New to this HDTV stuff and just watched my first HD program. The Super Bowl looked great in HD and had very good PQ. However, my wife could not tell the differance between the cable and the ota HD signal. :(

Currently I have powered rabbit ears on my TV in the basement and I can pick up ABC, WDRB, and KET. I was surprised to be able to pick up anything since my ant and tv are in my basement.

What can I do to get other channels. Should I be able to receive other channels with only an indoor ant? I live in a subdivision so no outdoor ant allowed.

TIA

I do see that I am watching Alias on "AB"... the 'C' is cut off.

Anyone else have that going on? The LOGO was all there for the SB.

-AKH

esizemore, you can put an outdoor antenna in your attic. My neighborhood does not allow outside antennas either so that is where I put mine. It works great there.

akh,

You will want to check your picture mode settings (what type of HDTV do you have), then if that is OK I'd wonder about overscan. THis is a way TVs come from the factory to keep the picture centered. I'm not a techno wizard so I'm sure there is more to it than that. Anyway it is a lot like a zoom on your camera. Your overscan may be set too high and need to be backed off. On a Mits you can do this yourself through the service menu. You do need to very careful if you do it yourself! I'm not sure about other tvs you may need a service tech. THere is lots of info about this at the Home Theatre web site. Good luck.

SB looked great!!! Kind of a mess during the coin toss with cameramen getting in each others way. The time clock was cut off on my set too. Audio kept cutting off for a split second alot. I was amazed at the quality of some of the movie previews. They looked better than a DVD maybe. I think ABC did a great job. I thought it was neat that when they showed the stadium monitors from the other end of the field it was clear enough to watch. I'm hoping ABC will show more sporting events. Golf would be great to watch with all the scenery and such. I could hardly take my eyes off the screen last night it was so good.

Big thumbs up to ABC/WHAS. I noticed they upped the power, my sig strength was maxed out at 100 for the game. The game looked great, and flipping from HD back to analog blew everyone away (and pissed them off, they were yelling at me everytime I did it! :D )

Watching FB in anything other than HD will be very difficult from now on. And the HD commercials were incredible.

FWIW - my picture was great the entire time (Super Bowl) - nothing cut off. My signal strength was at around 85-90 (normally 60-70). I did have the sound sync problems, but nothing big.

esizemore - how big is your TV? If anyone couldn't tell the difference between the HD feed and regular CATV, there must be something wrong. When you switch back and forth (at least on my 100" screen), it's like night and day. A smaller screen will show less of a difference, but still should be obvious.....

MichaelZ,

I'm wondering - do the FCC regs that allow everyone to put an 18" sat dish up also apply to HDTV antennas, also? I would think so - it's the same principal. Although they could probably restrict how big the antenna could be.

Search the boards
no-one can stop you from putting up an antenna

I know legally no one can stop you from putting up an antenna but then again, there still is the hassle the home-owners assoc. will put you through - it just isn't worth it to me. Putting the antenna in the attic solved the issue for me, plus my wife would not be too happy putting an antenna on the roof anyway ;)

While I'm not a football fan I did watch some of the game (until they showed the Matrix trailer) and I did a split screen with the SD and HD feeds. At a few points during the game the SD and HD were completely different. As if there were 2 sets of cameras filming and they were flming the same thing from different angles.
Even though I'm not a fan I must admit it did look awesome. As for the HD trailer for Matrix Reloaded ...WOW!!

PCS..in reply to your previous post...yes 1958 is my DOB 15 Nov 1958 to be exact.

Originally posted by PCS
akh,

You will want to check your picture mode settings (what type of HDTV do you have),

Samsung HC4715W (47" Widescreen HDTV)
Using Toshiba DST Receiver and component video connections. 1080i input.

When using the 1080i component inputs there are no picture mode settings available to me on the TV. I do have choices with the receiver but I was in 'normal' 16:9 mode.


then if that is OK I'd wonder about overscan. THis is a way TVs come from the factory to keep the picture centered. I'm not a techno wizard so I'm sure there is more to it than that. Anyway it is a lot like a zoom on your camera. Your overscan may be set too high and need to be backed off.

I understand generally about overscan. What I don't know is if it is simply adjusting the height and width in the service menu or if there is more to it than that?

The other thing is that the SB broadcast had the little ABC logo exactly where I'd expect it with none of it cut off or missing. Also, the game clock was all fully viewable. It was when Alias came on that the ABC logo was farther right and now partially cut off. So that is where I was confused where the problem was (my set or WHAS/ABC?).

I have noticed the HDNET corner logo is sometimes (or maybe always) cut off on the screen.

I dunno... maybe my overscan is a bit off and also the ABC logo was further 'right' which would explain things. If it wasn't cut off for anyone else then I guess the problem is here.

Are there any test materials that give you a circle in the middle and squares or angles in the corners to adjust overscan to? IOW...when you can view the squares at all the corners of the screen and the circle is round you know your set is adjusted correctly for overscan?


On a Mits you can do this yourself through the service menu. You do need to very careful if you do it yourself! I'm not sure about other tvs you may need a service tech. THere is lots of info about this at the Home Theatre web site. Good luck.

I know how to access the service menu but don't have a service manual to explain every setting. Some are obvious... some are not....

BTW... I saw WAVE was again testing today. The Toshiba correctly mapped them to 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3. 3-1 was a 4:3 pic while 3-2 was stretched to fit the screen, 3-3 was blank. No audio. Solid 100% on the meter of the Toshiba (here in Bedford, IN). They shut it down at approx 4:30PM EST.

AKH

Thought you might be interested in these links.

http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/consumerdish.html

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

An outside antenna just above the roof line of your house can make a very big difference in the quality of your reception, especially of analog broadcasts.

Picture quality of analog broadcasts
Signal strength of digital broadcasts

bruggles - 65" mits there was a big difference the wife just could not see it. I thought it looked very nice.

Originally posted by KF4RAV
Thought you might be interested in these links.

http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/consumerdish.html

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

An outside antenna just above the roof line of your house can make a very big difference in the quality of your reception, especially of analog broadcasts.

Picture quality of analog broadcasts
Signal strength of digital broadcasts

Thanks for the links...
Antennas are cool

Woo

The cable guy came and said that I had a high-pass filter on my cable, which was causing interference with my digital cable, hd, and cable modem, which was making the signal go in and out. I guess that would explain why my neighbors cable modem always being up, as opposed to mine being very random. Hopefully this will fix the problem. =)

"Over Alaska- PBS feed 8pm ET 1/28"

Is KET passing this through? :( I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this.

You might check KET4 tonight - they ran a test about one week ago for an hour on an HD feed - quality of pic then was very good.

Sorry not tonight... Per our programming department we do not have program rights that allow us to broadcast any HD or widescreen material unless we are have the same program on KET1 or KET2. This is a limitation on the programming we can offer.

William
KET

Will,

Is this a PBS issue, a cable carriage issue, an FCC issue? I don't follow your comments about not having the rights. Rights according to who?

We pay PBS for the rights to air programming, just like commercial stations pay for rights to sporting events, We (KET) doesn't have the rights to air PBS HD or widescreen programming unless the program is simucast on either KET1 or KET2. Its a copyright issue... Our programming department keeps track of what shows we have broadcast rights to and any stipulations that come along with it. Also we have no way at the present time to delay the HD programs for playout at a different time. It's a legal issue...

The programming providers (WGBH,WETA,etc) control the program rights for their productions just like KET controls rights for our productions. Foe example, we have program rights to the Jubilee series but we do NOT have the duplication rights for the series. So while we can air those programs we can't make or sell tape copies...

Some stations are ignoring program rights issues but we can't..

William

Cool space shuttle demo (including DD 5.1 tests) on ABC just before the State of the Union. The ABC Lip-Synch Test (with Action! clapper thingy) looked about corny! :)

Thanks for clarifying Will. Does this mean that you will be required to simulcast any HD programs on KET1 or 2 in order to show them? And if so does this mean that Insight will have to chose to devote bandwidth to both in order to transmit HD? In other words will this create a situation that will not allow PBS HD on KET for the foreseeable future (ie. several years)? I hope not, but perhaps you can straighten out my logic on this.

PCS
Insight should retransmit what we send unchanged <except for the modulation type>
Same total bandwith.

If a show is on SD on KET1 or KET2 and the same show is offered in HD at the same time than we can air it.

If a show is on HD and not scheduled to be shown in SD on KET1 or KET2 then we can't air it.

PBS is charging extra for HD

Bottom line....
Facing daily state cutback of budgets we do what we can.
Were lucky we got the transmitters in when we did (early)
Some states have not been that lucky

Insight ( At least here in Lexington) is taking the off-air transport stream and re-modulating it to 256QAM for distribution to their HD cable boxes. In this market they are not striping programming services just other data like program guides, data services, etc.

I have no idea what they are doing in Louisville, woo would know about that...

Originally posted by woowoo
If a show is on SD on KET1 or KET2 and the same show is offered in HD at the same time than we can air it.

If a show is on HD and not scheduled to be shown in SD on KET1 or KET2 then we can't air it.
If I look at the national PBS HD schedule located at http://www.ptvdigital.org/dt2a_sked.html#jan12_18 , how can I tell if KET1 or KET2 will be airing the same thing PBS indicates will be in HD? Will you guys show the "loop" in HD at any times?

http://www.learner.org/channel/chnnl_schedule.html , shows the KET4 schedule...

http://www.pbs.org/digitaltv/dtvsched.htm , shows the PBS HD offerings... (a subset of the first link above).

I'm confused as to where to look to see what I can watch on KET... If it's too hard... I won't watch anything... Am I the only one confused out here in KET-land?

We missed "Over Alaska" last night, the next HD offering appears to be Feb 11th @ 8:00pm ET, "Nova: Mountain of Ice". How can I tell if this will be on KET1 or KET2 or not?

http://www.learner.org/channel/chnnl_dayprog.html?curr_year=2003&curr_month=02&curr_day=11 , shows Feb 11th repeating the daily schedule at 8:00pm ET... does that mean it's not going to be showing "Nova: Mountain of Ice"?

My head is starting to hurt...

IF you check out our web site at: http://www.ket.org/cgi-plex/watch/

You can get on-line listings for KET1,2, and 3.

Sorry for the confusion but its not my call..

Email comments to DTVhelp@ket.org

Originally posted by William Smith
Sorry for the confusion but its not my call..
cool... Feb 11th shows the following on KET2! Maybe we will see some HD on KET soon. William and woo, thanks for your contributions to this forum. They are appreciated. My frustration with KET isn't directed at you messengers. I'll send an e:mail to the address you've provided. thanks!

Anyone spoke with WAVE or WLKY, are they going to hit Feb 1? Or should I just hope they are up by the fall schedule?

I believe insight in louisville is passing the entire stream but I have no way of confirming it.

Ragamuffin:
Thanks
We are just part of the machine
William = Spacley sprocket
Woowoo = Cosworth cog
:-)

Feed on right now until 11:00. KET4

William, thanks. In the future will KET broadcast the HD feed with the 3 other KET channels (.1, .2, .3) active? Will this become a bandwidth issue and degrade the picture? (artifacts, compression, etc.) Picture looks good, but a bit soft and slight artifacts when subjects move quickly. Could be source.

Thanks for your help. Steve

Originally posted by William Smith
Feed on right now until 11:00. KET4

Caught that last night when flipped between commercials on the UofL game (Way to go CARDS! :) )

But, with the other channels going, as well, what was the bitrate we were looking at on KET 4?

I didn't check the board until 12 tonight, so I missed out on the demo. =/ Do you guys know when it'll be on next?

Will you guys be showing the demo again with more bandwidth allocated for it?

I don't mean to be a bother about it, but they say PBS HD is some of the best PQ you can get. So I'm just looking forward to seeing some it!

Thanks for all your work!

john

Note to all.
We must transmit KET1 and KET2 all the time.
This is how the analog transmitters are fed
The (HD) feed is at a reduced bitrate feed at 720p.
Until we are able to overhaul our statewide distribution system, it is the best we can do for now.
William is the one alocating bits.
Let him know how things look

Overhaul of the system is being designed as we speak.
We will be applying for grants to make that happen.
With prisoners being released and people being thrown out of old folks homes due to cutbacks in the budget, I think we have done pretty good.

Originally posted by NightowlKY
what was the bitrate we were looking at on KET 4?
8.7Mbps is what my HiPix reported. However, the other KET channels were all reporting 10Mbps each for an aggregate of 10+10+10+8.7 of 38.7Mbps... which exceeds the 19.4 maximum available. So something is whacky somewhere.

woowoo, what is the PBS source content resolution? Is it higher than 720p?

The PBS material was originally shot as SD widescreen, PBS upconverted it to 1080i we downconverted it to 720p for transmission.

Yes the other three services will stay up when in HD or widescreen. Some receivers do not like it when we remove services and then add them back (they don't pick them back up until you re-scan the channels).


What your seeing as the 10 Mbps indication is a maximum data rate limit not the actual rate. KET3 for example last night was at 800kbps for the entire test.

Originally posted by William Smith
Some receivers do not like it when we remove services and then add them back (they don't pick them back up until you re-scan the channels).

What your seeing as the 10 Mbps indication is a maximum data rate limit the actual rate is. KET3 for example last night was at 800kbps for the entire test.
Thanks William!

Just to clarify... if I rescanned my channels during the test, I would have seen 800Kbps for KET3's "maximum" data rate? Or do you still leave that at 10Mbps? With these settings for individual sub channel maximums, is it true that the aggregate will never exceed 19.4Mbps, while possible for each sub channel to use up to 10Mbps individually if needed?

Wiliam, I sent you a few e:mails last week, did you get any of them? Because they have all bounced back to me, and not very quickly, it took several days.

Our Email server has been acting up so please re-send....

The max rate for each service stays fixed but total overall rate will still be 19.39. the peak rate is used in the receivers to size the video buffers. As long as the buffers Don't have to resize the actual data rate can change on the fly. ( kinda like a speed limit). This is why when it goes to HD service the video blanks... the buffers have to be reset and reloaded...

More technical than you wanted I'm sure...

Originally posted by William Smith
Our Email server has been acting up so please re-send....
resent...
More technical than you wanted I'm sure...
no... not at all... appreciated! Thank You!

William thanks for the detailed tech info. Do you find that when broadcasting HD material, that you ever hit the 19.4Mbps max? I thought the material last night looked great for SD. How much bandwidth (on average) does KET1 and KET2 use?

RE: woowoo 720P
I thought 720P took more bandwidth than 1080i ?

RECEPTION REPORT
Test Day/Time: Sunday, January 30 10:00 AM
Location: Hillview, KY, using a Toshiba DST-3000 High Definition Digital Receiver
Antenna Elevation: 566 ft above sea level, approx. 18 miles from most transmitters

Local Digital Channels
Channel / Peak Signal Strength (0-100) / Station
8 / 0 / WBNA 21-1 (WORD Louisville)
9 / 3 / WISH Indianapolis, IN
17 / 100 / WKPC-TV 15-1 - 15-4 (KET Louisville)
26 / 0 / WLKY-TV 32-1 (CBS Louisville)
38 / 0 / WKMJ-TV 68-1 (KET Louisville)
43 / 24 / WKZT-DT 23-1 (KET Elizabethtown)
47 / 6 / WAVE 3-1 (NBC Louisville)
49 / 93 / WDRB 41-1 (FOX Louisville)
55 / 100 / WHAS-TV 11-1 (ABC Louisville)

Quality:
0 – 40: poor picture, if any; 40 – 50: weak picture, with break ups;
50 – 70: acceptable, break ups very rare; 70 +: solid picture – no reception problems;
I am interested in other signal strength reports. Bill KD4WCL

1080i has more unique data than 720p, and according to most, due to the nature of the interlaced signal, it is also harder to compress.

Generally, this is what I've heard, 1080i needs the whole 19.4mps to get the best PQ. 720p can run on 15mps without a drastic drop in PQ though, allowing a subchannel.

Originally posted by stovetop
1080i has more unique data than 720p, and according to most, due to the nature of the interlaced signal, it is also harder to compress.

Generally, this is what I've heard, 1080i needs the whole 19.4mps to get the best PQ. 720p can run on 15mps without a drastic drop in PQ though, allowing a subchannel.

Ding, Ding, Ding
Correct
We have a winner

(Give or take a bit )

woowoo, William, will KET eventually go to 1080i? I'm assuming you will need two channels at that point.

FYI...getting the WAVE Digital Feed right now...very weak at 58 - 60% strength on my Dish 6000. Just saw Martha Stewart (arghh....)

Are they still just performing low power tests or is it officially on?
-Alex-

Bairda,
WAVE is still testing their digital broadcast - rumor has it that sometime within the next few day to next few weeks they will be up. We will have to wait and see. I am getting a weak signal strength of 6 (0/100) here at 1pm.

Don't know....
Any major decisions on image formats will probably occur after the analog turn off..

Directly From Our Programming Operations Dept:

William, to help you explain a little more about our KET policies regarding
what HD and WS content we carry and why, I provide the following :

KET Programming and Programming Operations is working under the internal
policy that we will only carry those live PBS HD and Widescreen SD programs
that are on between the hours of 8 pm and midnight Eastern time - that are
being fed directly from PBS (generally on DT2A for those familiar with the
PBS satellite feeds) at the same time we are carrying that very same program
on either KET2 or more rarely KET1. This ,as has been said online, is based
on program rights concerns. If we are already carrying it on KET2 or KET1
it means we have verified that we do indeed have broadcast rights from the
producer/distributor to show the program. Since the HD or WS feed is
simultaneously available, we don't blow any additional broadcast rights with
that digital simulcast.

On the other hand, if we choose to transmit a HD or WS feed at a different
time than on KET2 or KET1- that will effectively reduce our broadcast rights
to that program at another time . A "play" is pretty much a play - whether
on HD or WS or analog. To the extent that our analog audience is still
vastly larger than our digital audience, it would be a questionable use of
program rights for which we pay dearly.

The most cost effective answer for us is to feed the simulcasts. Even
though it is on two different channels - it is a single play.

As our digitally capable audience grows and our ability to time delay or
originate digital programming from our facility is developed - we most
certainly will examine alternatives to this policy. We aren't trying to
deprive our audiences of programming by any means but we are trying to
conserve resources and get the most for our dollars and our efforts.

There may also be occasional opportunities to pick up digital programming
that has unlimited rights - we don't see many of those but they do exist.
We will consider those as they come up. I should also say that there will be
occasions when we don't have rights to carry some digital feeds - regardless
of the fact that PBS may promote the heck out of it throughout the country.
PBS feeds a lot of material and most of it is limited in who can broadcast
it and how many times. Each station ultimately is legally responsible for
what it transmits. We, not PBS, have the obligation to obey the copyright
laws and legal contracts and we would have to pay the price of infringement
or violations . We take that very seriously!

We expect to start adding WS and HD notations to our web site almost
immediately now that we are fully capable of passing these programs through
our system and now that our PSIP and onscreen program guide information
appears to be functioning. We intend the printed listings - our published
program guide in the Kentucky Monthly magazine - to have this information
within the next few weeks. We think that information will help the viewers
on the "bleeding edge of technology" to be more aware of our plans and
reduce the time they now have to take to figure out what the heck KET is
carrying and when.

We very much appreciate the patience they have all shown over the past two
years and will hopefully continue to show over the next several months as we
learn more about driving this very complicated system.

Thanks


Michael C. Clark
Director, Programming Operations Division - KET
Director, Kentucky Telelinking Network
859.258.7254 v/859.258.7390 f/ mclark@ket.org

Next test feed is Sunday night @ 8:00 pm KET4

To Cambus:

If you hit the 19.39 limit the whole thing breaks...

It requires a lot of care to juggle the streams like we're doing not to break the egg so to speak..

The equipment at KET can run up to 50 Mbps but the final output is locked at 19.39 (including null packet fill).

Anyone seen WHAS testing? They seemed to have dropped off or I am not catching when they are doing it. WAVE seems to be doing something but WHAS, I don't know. Anyone heard anything on these guys?

Originally posted by MichaelZ
Anyone seen WHAS testing? They seemed to have dropped off or I am not catching when they are doing it. WAVE seems to be doing something but WHAS, I don't know. Anyone heard anything on these guys?

Do you mean WLKY? I haven't seen anything since around the 15th of Jan. WHAS I've saw the normal 'blip' the few times I have looked altho I am out of range for a lock on their low power signal.

I hope WAVE comes on full power. I've gotten readings at 100% and solid video during the tests I've caught.

AFAIK WHAS (11 (DTV 55) ABC) is running at a lower power and has been for some time. They DID run a higher power test the Wed before the Superbowl and also ran the Super Bowl higher power. Dunno if it was full power. If it was full then I hope when the digital signal moves to 11 I'll have better luck with it. It was only in the 44 range on the meter of the Toshiba DST3000. WLKY and WAVE's high power tests have been at 100% here (Bedford, IN).

The past couple of days the weather has been good for picking up some distant signals. I saw Cincy's digital NBC and CBS last night. The HD Leno looked really good.

I have a good southern view from a hill but there is more hill behind me (north) and my Indpls reception is not good. Only Ch 4 is strong. Indy digital ABC and CBS are coming and going right now (which is more than normal).

AKH.

I've been able to lock on to WHAS-DT tonight for the first time in months, although I didn't try it on Superbowl Sunday. I have been able to get a couple of Indy stations tonight as well as Dayton and some Cincinnati's I haven't gotten before.

I've got two items to report.

First I just happened to see a commercial for HDTV on Insight on Insight (that's not a typo). It was a pretty good promo about the advantages of HDTV and inviting people to call Insight to get hooked up. I was shocked. They are actually promoting HDTV and trying to get subscribers. Maybe the tide is actually about to turn toward HDTV. The ad was on a cable channel.

Second, I just got an update on WAVE & WLKY:

" WAVE plans to be on with DTV by mid February. We will pass NBC HDTV and convert local programming."

Bill ESchabch
WAVE

I also got the form email from WLKY as follows:

WLKY is building a transmission facility for DTV (HDTV). It is in the
final stages of construction. Our hope is to be on the air in the next week
or two. WLKY DT will operate on channel 26. Our antenna site is just north
of New Albany Indiana. Your antenna should be aimed in that direction.

Thank you for our interest in WLKY,
Jim Mercer
Chief Engineer.

I thought some of you might like to know.

akh, I meant WLKY, doh! My daughter was asking about something on WHAS while I was typing and I guess I just typed it in! Another senior moment :)

I would like to thank William Smith, woowoo & Michael Clark not only for their excellent replies on this forum, but for taking the time to address the local HD community.

If the other broacast providers took this kind of time & effort to give attention to a relatively small audience, this would be the best HD area in the country.

Again, thank you KET for the replies and the acknowlegment that we exisit.


Larry

Originally posted by lapplegate
I would like to thank William Smith, woowoo & Michael Clark not only for their excellent replies on this forum, but for taking the time to address the local HD community.

If the other broacast providers took this kind of time & effort to give attention to a relatively small audience, this would be the best HD area in the country.

Again, thank you KET for the replies and the acknowlegment that we exisit.


Larry

Very well said, Larry. I couldn't agree more.

Scott Shanks
Louisville, KY

awwwww
Shucks........

PCS

I was surprised to see that Insight HDTV commercial too.
I just hope Insight are ready to feed WAVE & WLKY through when the stations are up and running.

DIGITAL RECEPTION REPORT
Sunday, January 31 10:30 AM
Location: Hillview, KY, using a Toshiba DST-3000 High Definition Digital Receiver
Antenna Elevation: 566 ft above sea level, approx. 18 miles from most transmitters
Channel / Peak Signal Strength (0-100) / Station
8 / 65 / WBNA 21-1 (WORD Louisville)
9 / 6 / WISH (Indianapolis, IN)
17 / 100 / WKPC-TV 15-1 - 15-4 (KET Louisville)
26 / 0 / WLKY-TV 32-1 (CBS Louisville)
38 / 0 / WKMJ-TV 68-1 (KET Louisville)
43 / 24 / WKZT-DT 23-1 (KET Elizabethtown)
46 / 6 / WFIE (Evansville, IN)
47 / 6 / WAVE 3-1 (NBC Louisville)
49 / 86 / WDRB 41-1 (FOX Louisville)
55 / 100 / WHAS-TV 11-1 (ABC Louisville)
Quality:
0 – 40: poor picture, if any; 40 – 50: weak picture, with break ups;
50 – 70: acceptable, break ups very rare; 70 +: solid picture – no reception problems;

I couldn't agree more with Scott and Larry, three cheers for the KET Crew. ^_^

Thanks!

John Weber

woo and William Smith,

I too would like to jump on the bandwagon and compliment you on your informative participation in this forum. I really enjoy and look forward to the nuggets of info that you share with us.

Thanks again,
-Reagan