Does anyone else hate how weather-related crawl lines basically mean no HD for a given night?

KELO-HD was KELO-SD the past 2 nights because they felt the need to run their school closing crawl line 24/7. I sure hope they're considering upgrading that equipment to handle HD (get some 5.1 audio equipment while you're at it, guys!).

KDLT was in SD last night too - I didn't see any crawl line, but I'm assuming they ran something earlier and just left it in SD for the remainder of the night. Boo hiss.

Mendu, I completely agree with you. The broadcasting in SD because of weather alerts and school closings seems to be a waste of the technology. Maybe there will be some upgrade coming that willallow the stations to broadcast alerts and remain in HD. Let's hope so because I am sure the alerts are here to stay no matter how intrusive they are.

Does anyone else hate how weather-related crawl lines basically mean no HD for a given night?

YES

Does anyone else hate how weather-related crawl lines basically mean no HD for a given night?

YES

YES

Dammit.

Is anyone on-line that can get ahold of the clowns at KSFY to get the football game on in HD. This is ridiculous.

I emailed KSFYs news department to try to get the 'switch' flipped, but apparently that didn't do it. These 'one of' type of HD events always seem to catch those guys napping :rolleyes:

I noticed later on Saturday that the 2nd game was finally in HD.

As to KELO, I got email back from them indicating that they're still planning to upgrade both the weather crawler and audio subsystems, but it's apparently pretty expensive stuff, so no ETA right now. Ah well. I suppose for a small market, we should be pretty happy that we get most of the major channels in HD (most of the time)....

I emailed KSFYs news department to try to get the 'switch' flipped, but apparently that didn't do it. These 'one of' type of HD events always seem to catch those guys napping :rolleyes:

I noticed later on Saturday that the 2nd game was finally in HD.

As to KELO, I got email back from them indicating that they're still planning to upgrade both the weather crawler and audio subsystems, but it's apparently pretty expensive stuff, so no ETA right now. Ah well. I suppose for a small market, we should be pretty happy that we get most of the major channels in HD (most of the time)....

ABC hasn't had a College football game in HD for quite some time :mad: but I was working so I didnt pay any attention if KSFY was broadcasting it in HD.

Any word from KELO if they are planning on doing something w/ the UPN substation? I know UPN broadcasts in HD alot of their programming, but with 11.1 being a dedicated HD channel, not enough room on 11.2 to have another HD channel.

Any word from KELO if they are planning on doing something w/ the UPN substation? I know UPN broadcasts in HD alot of their programming, but with 11.1 being a dedicated HD channel, not enough room on 11.2 to have another HD channel.

Yeah, I don't see how KELO could do HD on both channels - even at (CBS)14/(UPN)4 mbits/sec, the CBS HD content suffers quite a bit. Splitting the channel for 2 HD feeds would bring that down under 10mbits/sec. Eek.

With CBS corporate having plans for even more multicast channels, I don't see any possibility of the UPN feed going HD, as long at KELO owns it.

Anyone here from the Spencer, IA area? I was wondering what antenna's people from around here are using to get OTA signals.

I tuned in for Conan last night late - no HD on KDLT. Boooo. Has anyone heard any reasons why this might have happened?

I have exchanged emails with the very nice engineer at KDLT about this issue a couple of weeks ago. The problem is that when they go from local standard-definition content to HD network content, they have to have a person flip the switch -- it's not automatic. My guess is that the latenight and weekend staff level is very low, and the onsite engineer has many things to do -- the HD switch gets forgotten in the shuffle. From what he told me, it probably will not become automatic any time in the forseeable future.

Other than that, you've got to love their excellent signal strenght and the Dolby Digital audio output. Here in Sioux City at 75 miles from the tower, I get a superior signal all the time -- can't say that for the local NBC tower a few miles from my home!

Here in Sioux City at 75 miles from the tower, I get a superior signal all the time -- can't say that for the local NBC tower a few miles from my home!

I recently talked with Dave Madsen, Station Manager for KTIV and Chief Engineer, Richard Herr. They said that KTIV is only broadcasting at low power right now, with their antenna at only about 750 feet on our tower. In April or May, they will be upgrading to full power and moving the antenna to the top of our 2000 foot tower. I am also hoping that they will start broadcasting Dolby 5.1 at the same time. Both Dave and Richard are very interested in knowing if anyone is having problems receiving their signal so that they can try to get any issues resolved.

Now, if only SOMEONE ofter at KPTH would start to give a crap about their customers... So far, I have sent about 6 emails over the last two years with questions about their signal, and have not received ANY kind of reply from them, which is VERY bad business IMO. So if anyone is doing advertising, I would suggest avoiding, and even pulling your advertising from KPTH untill they realize that they have a duty to address their customers, rather then choosing to totally ignore their them.

As to KELO, I got email back from them indicating that they're still planning to upgrade both the weather crawler and audio subsystems, but it's apparently pretty expensive stuff, so no ETA right now. ...

I would just be happy if KELO would do a weather bug like KSFY or a quick flash to turn to the analog station for weather details. The other day KELO had the "Closeline" on all the time for 1 school announcement. Except it is never on during advertising, obviously. I have emailed KELO and stated I have plenty of HD choices and do not watch their programming if it is not in HD as scheduled. The other three majors have good offerings I can watch and I can DVR KELO so I can at least skip commericals and NEWSBREAKS.

If you are wondering "IF I don't watch KELO", how I know what they are doing. I will usually monitor KELO during weather related times to see if they have changed what they are doing. So far they are too extreme on the weather stuff, but I think we all knew this.

Hey Anthony, any news on KMEG or KCAU doing anything on those towers. I can't get 9-1 at all just north of the mall. Too many hills by Ravine Park, but, I got a great look to the towers. Too bad Kmeg streches everything too, any news if they might be putting out a 4:3 signal instead of that pre-stretched nonsence.

I have also talked to Dave Madsen at KTIV, and one of the reasons for taking so long for their digital antenna to be raised and their power increased is that they are doing it in conjunction with KCAU and KMEG. One would hope that those other stations would also increase power levels, but so far they have given no indication of transitioning to HD. The federal law does not require HD broadcasting, only Digital. My guess is that those stations will delay the expense of HD broadcasting for as long as possible - probably years. So for most of us, HD network programming will come from Sioux Falls - or maybe from satellite some day if the laws change.

Hey Anthony, any news on KMEG or KCAU doing anything on those towers. I can't get 9-1 at all just north of the mall. Too many hills by Ravine Park, but, I got a great look to the towers. Too bad Kmeg streches everything too, any news if they might be putting out a 4:3 signal instead of that pre-stretched nonsence.

I do know that KCAU currently has their tower on top of the Terra Center, so if you have your antenna pointed so you can get KTIV, KPTH and KMEG, you won't be able to get much, if any of a signal from KCAU since the towers are in totally different directions. I actually mounted my outdoor antenna on a long pole which I can turn it towards downtown so I can get KCAU DT for football or other special programming, and then turn it back to the north east for the rest. :D

I don't know anything about KMEG, but since they were bought by pappus (Spelling ?) which owns KPTH, I doubt we will ever get any sort of reply from them as they have chosen to totally ignore all of my emails (and I hear other's as well). Hopefully, since KMEG and KPTH are owned by the same company, and KMEG will be part of the KTIV tower project, KPTH will end up getting a better signal, and hopefully go HD as finally being able to watch 24 in HD would rock! :)

I wonder how much of a cost difference there is between digital equipment and HD equipment? I can't believe there is going to be that much of a cost difference, and when you figure that you will have a bunch of upset customers that will force you to upgrade to HD some time down the road, why not just save the cost of putting up digital stuff now, and then having to buy and install HD stuff a short time down the road. I might drop Dave an email to see what kind of price difference there is between digital equipment and HD equipment.

Digital vs HD:

All stations are required to broadcast in digital, and all are now doing so (as far as I know.) There must be another cost hurdle for the stations who choose to broadcast in HD.

This reminds me of when the local stations went "color." At first, some network programs were broadcast in 'living color' and then one of the local stations (KCAU was the big-bucks market leader then -- the same way KTIV is now) started broadcasting their local news in color. Many months later, KTIV tried to play catch-up by doing their news with ONE color camera - very odd. It took a while for the cost and size of the equipment to come down, and for local color to become universal. That's where we are now with HD.

Digital vs HD:

All stations are required to broadcast in digital, and all are now doing so (as far as I know.) There must be another cost hurdle for the stations who choose to broadcast in HD.

This reminds me of when the local stations went "color." At first, some network programs were broadcast in 'living color' and then one of the local stations (KCAU was the big-bucks market leader then -- the same way KTIV is now) started broadcasting their local news in color. Many months later, KTIV tried to play catch-up by doing their news with ONE color camera - very odd. It took a while for the cost and size of the equipment to come down, and for local color to become universal. That's where we are now with HD.

I think FOX provided some HD equipment (I think it's called a slicer) along with installation to all of their affiliates including KPTH, so obviously that cost is covered. There must be more hardware required. I hope they do look far enough down the road and go HD when they do the tower/power upgrade.

Fox provided a Terayon Bit Splicer. (Good guess tho).

It allows for Fox to provide a consistant quality picture during the spurts of high demand video.

The main cost for a station (which can be significant dollars) is an HD encoder but depending on how they want to handle all of their programming it may include an upconverter for local programming, Dolby decoders/encoders to add 5.1 audio and possibly a new switcher. Many of the stations put off jumping to HD when the FCC required they add OTA Guides/dynamic PSIP. You might see more try it this year as they get new budget money. Then there is the issue of cable/sat feeds. They stations do not want to give away an HD signal so that cable/sat can charge extra on an HD tier.

There are many issues in going to HD.

Just got an EDTV Plasma with a ATSC or High Def Tuner along with analog, although I can only get PBS1 & 2 (27.1, 27.2). I can sort of pick up 4.1 with an amplified tuner in just the right spot. This tv is in a basement so that may affect reception. I bought an antenna from Menards, a big philips antenna that takes up half my attic space, but that did help any, because now I can get channel 9.1 almost clear and 4.1 is gone. I still have the PBS Stations. What I rip, I guess in my neighborhood, we are not ready for the HD movement. I live by Kmart off of Gordon Dr a block. I pointed the antenna North, because thats the only way it fits in my attic. Menards had a HD antenna for the same price, but it was small, I thought bigger would be better, maybe not? I am getting cableone regular Friday, not digital. They said they carry 4 HD channels right now, ESPN, HBO, PBS, & something else. Nothing I am interested in. I was wonder though if I split the signal into the tv, one to the analog, one into the HD, will I pick up these stations? I asked a couple different ladies when I called down there but they don't seem to know what the heck I am talking about when I start asking if I can hook the cable both up to the HD and reg antenna input to get the channels. One lady told me to get their Tivo machine and HD Box, but thats waste since their seems to not be hardly and HD Programming. Any comments on cableone or where to get a good antenna locally for where I live?

Sloppyjoee:

To get broadcast HD in our area, you need a large UHF antenna. The only Sioux City HD broadcasts are KTIV (with an extremely weak signal) and IPTV. To get any other HD programming, you need to have a large antenna with a good amplifier, and the antenna must be VERY carefully aimed at Sioux Falls. The Sioux Falls stations broadcast strong signals for NBC, CBS and ABC. If the antenna is aimed off a degree or two, you might not get any signal at all - with digital it's either perfect or non-existent.

Sloppyjoee,
I agree with rmullin antenna pointing is key. A big UHF antenna does not mean a physically large antenna. All HD signals are in the UHF band so you don't need a UHF / VHF antenna to receive the HD signals. Your area of the city may have have trouble receiving the Sioux Falls stations. If there is a big hill between you and the Sioux Falls transmitters then you could have problems. If you want to investigate the antenna you need you might go to antennaweb.org and it will tell you the direction the transmitters are from your address. They also recommend antennas. I use a ChannelMaster 4228 and I receive the Sioux Falls stations well but I am on the other side of the city.

Can anyone else get a lock on channel 15 (20.1)? According to The FCC website, as of Dec. 20th KSMN-DT has gone to full power 200 kW ERP (up from 50kW on a STA) as compared to 2400kW ERP for their analog channel 20. I am having trouble getting a solid lock even though analog comes in crystal clear. FYI, their broadcasting tower is just east of Edgerton MN.~ColAvsFan

sloppyjoee,

If you are getting 9.1 then you have your antenna pointed towards downtown, where KCAU currently has their antenna (on top of the Terra center). To get KTIV, KPTH, KMEG, and the 3 Sioux Falls stations, you need to have it pointed North, North East towards Hinton. This will mean that you will probably not get KCAU any more as the antennas are uni-directional. Also, "front" on your antenna is most likely NOT the area at the tip of the "arrow", if it is like mine (and most others), front is really the open end of the arrow V. You also need to really play with it, as like rmullin said, moving it an inch or two can make a huge difference, which is why I currently have mine mounted on a tall pole outside my house where I have the ability to actually turn it to "tune in" the reception so that I can get all of the stations with a little effort.

As far as cableone goes, I'm a bit biased because when I signed up for the Digital bundle, I was told that I would always get the digital package with their fastest internet. When they went to 5 meg, they did not upgrade the package, nor did they lower the price, which means that the price really went up by $20 a month.

But anyway... The non-digital channels looked so bad on my HD set that they were nearly unwatchable. The Digital channels looked good, but there is only like 20 of them. Their HD selection is poor, and they charge the price as Dish Network does and you get 3 or 4 more channels then you do with Cableone. So, between the poor image quality, limited HD channels, and the fact they were real jerks over the digital bundle thing, I switched to Dish Network for video. I kept the 3meg internet through cableone, went with the Dish Network 180 package, got HBO, added MAX, added HD and another receiver (3 total) and I am only paying about $10 more per month then I would have through cableone without MAX and only 2 receivers. With Dish I am getting all digital channels, 3 or 4 more HD channels, 5 channels of MAX, 3 more channels of HBO, and the additional receiver, which IMO is well worth the ten bucks. Cableone is a hugly better value then AT&T or Comcast though :p.

I have a few questions for you guys in, or close to Sioux City..

Is anyone able to get KTTW, the fox station out of Sioux Falls? I can get the other 3 stations, but can't seem to get KTTW, which sucks as I was hoping to get a better picture then KPTH offers for when 24 starts up next week.

Also, for those living in Wynstone, I see that they have a no antenna statment in the by-laws. Considering this is the only way to get the local and Sioux falls digital channels, and if you want to get 9.1 you need to be able to move your antenna, I was wondering if this was something that they were enforcing. I was also wondering how HD / DT reception was overall from the Wynstone area as I am looking a building there.

Thanks,

I have a few questions for you guys in, or close to Sioux City..

Is anyone able to get KTTW, the fox station out of Sioux Falls? I can get the other 3 stations, but can't seem to get KTTW, which sucks as I was hoping to get a better picture then KPTH offers for when 24 starts up next week.

Thanks,


Anthonyi,

I live in Morningside (in a little valley) and I can't get anything from SF besides KELO (always) & KSFY (sometimes). I get great reception from Omaha KETV & WOWT though.

Possible good news for Siouxland HD folks - I heard today from a semi-reliable source that KMEG (CBS) and KPTH (FOX) may go HD when they move their antennas and increase power in the Spring. I have yet to confirm this with anyone at either station. Keep in mind this source is not 100%. If anyone else has any info, please post it.

Mark

Edit - Still no confirmation direct from the station, but the source says they received the info from an engineer with KPTH. Sounds quite promising.

Thats good to hear hiltsy855. I keep looking foward to the day I can get FOX in HD

I have a few questions for you guys in, or close to Sioux City..

Is anyone able to get KTTW, the fox station out of Sioux Falls? I can get the other 3 stations, but can't seem to get KTTW, which sucks as I was hoping to get a better picture then KPTH offers for when 24 starts up next week.


Thanks,

Not from SC, but KTTW is at ultra-low power and I have not heard when they will be increasing. People in Sioux Falls have an extremely hard time getting this signal also. I have the biggest UHF antenna I could find in sioux falls pointed straight at their tower. I am getting about 70% signal most of the time. I live about 8 miles NE of the KTTW tower. If signal changes I will post.

Thats good to hear hiltsy855. I keep looking foward to the day I can get FOX in HD

I agree 100%!!!

Thats good to hear hiltsy855. I keep looking foward to the day I can get FOX in HD

Exactly. FOX is the kicker for me. I can get the other networks in HD OTA but the SF FOX is low power & the Omaha FOX has their tower between Omaha & Lincoln so it's a no-go. I have seen FOX HD though and it looks very good.

To me it makes sense that both KPTH & KMEG go HD at the same time since they are both owned by Pappas. If they are going to do this though, I doubt it will be before NASCAR starts in February. Maybe if the weather holds because they have tower work to do? I'm hoping they'll do it before the NCAA tourney on CBS. That would be an excellent rollout, eh?

There I go getting all stoked about a rumor.... ;)

I'm new to this, so bear with me, please. I live in Morningside, have a medium sized indoor antenna and am looking for placement of towers for Sioux City, Sioux Falls and Omaha. I'm looking to upgrade, already, to a larger, outdoor antenna, but for now am willing to move my antenna in circles to get the best reception from the station that I would like to watch at that time, be it from Sioux City, Sioux Falls or Omaha. I have scoured the internet looking for tower placement and cannot find anything. Luckily I do know where they are in Sioux City, but I would like to know for North and South. Thanks to all for helping in advance.

Chris

Chris:

Go to www.antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) and chose "select an antenna." You can then input your street address and get a listing and a nice mini-map of the tower locations from your home.

You will probably need a large UHF antenna with a good signal amplifier. Channelmaster has some goodies.

I'm new to this, so bear with me, please. I live in Morningside, have a medium sized indoor antenna and am looking for placement of towers for Sioux City, Sioux Falls and Omaha. I'm looking to upgrade, already, to a larger, outdoor antenna, but for now am willing to move my antenna in circles to get the best reception from the station that I would like to watch at that time, be it from Sioux City, Sioux Falls or Omaha. I have scoured the internet looking for tower placement and cannot find anything. Luckily I do know where they are in Sioux City, but I would like to know for North and South. Thanks to all for helping in advance.

Chris

Chris,

The Sioux Falls towers are just south and east of SF. From SC point the antenna north with a slight nudge to the west.

The Omaha towers are in the north side of Omaha. From SC point the antenna south and then maybe 5-10 degrees to the east.

The best way I've found to get tower locations is to go

here (http://www.tvradioworld.com/north_america.asp) and select the station you're looking for. That sends you to the FCC site for the tower location info. Then take the latitude / longitude and plug it into something like Streets & Trips to get the geographic location. PITA I know but it works.

rmullin is correct, you will need a ChannelMaster 4228 antenna and a 7775 or 7777 amplifier. Go see Michael at Pflanz Electronics - he will set you up (make sure you talk to Michael). If you have a clear path north & south you will get reception. Hopefully you live at a higher point in M'Side - that will help some. I live down in a valley but I still get good signal most of the time.

Mark

Pflanz is good (bought my Sony there), but I purchased my ChannelMaster 4228 at Wintronic, 1110 Dace, Sioux City. They also carry signal amplifiers - go for the best amp you can afford (maximum signal db with minimum noise). When pointing the antenna, I find that tweaking the aim for KSFY gives the best overall signal on most channels. Remember, even moving the antenna by a degree or two can dramatically change the digital signal you receive.

Thanks to all for the great advice and help with this. The world of HD, how cool!!! Thanks again. Cheers!

Chris

The best way I've found to get tower locations is to go

here (http://www.tvradioworld.com/north_america.asp) and select the station you're looking for. That sends you to the FCC site for the tower location info. Then take the latitude / longitude and plug it into something like Streets & Trips to get the geographic location. PITA I know but it works.

Actually, if you go here:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

... that'll send you right to the FCC's TV Query page.

Plug in a callsign and it will come up with several records for that station.

Click on one of the links and you'll get more details about the analog station, the digital station, and any Special Temporary Authorities the digital station has. Each one will have links under it for more information, including a link which will show a map with the station's transmitter location plotted on it.

To those of you in Sioux Falls... Where is the best place to buy off air antenna stuff? I'm specifically looking for a heavy duty 10' galvanized mast.

Thanks, Chan

Wonder whats going to happed to The WB (KWSD) and UPN (UTV) now that they are going to merge to The CW. Who do you think will carry the network?

Wonder whats going to happed to The WB (KWSD) and UPN (UTV) now that they are going to merge to The CW. Who do you think will carry the network?

I don't know but I hope they dump that crap sub-channel from KELO. It makes 11-1 look terrible with sports or anything with fast action.

To those of you in Sioux Falls... Where is the best place to buy off air antenna stuff? I'm specifically looking for a heavy duty 10' galvanized mast.

Thanks, Chan


For heavy-duty I use 1-5/8" fence post, commonly called a "line post" at Home Depot or Menards, I think they carry 16-18 guage.

I don't know but I hope they dump that crap sub-channel from KELO. It makes 11-1 look terrible with sports or anything with fast action.

I did hear that most WB stations will be the ones to pick up the new channel and that the UPN channels will close down. But we will see once fall gets here. Until then, enjoy 11.2 :D. On a side note, if the UTV substation does close down, I do think they will put KELOLAND Weather Now in its space, but I dont think it would need as much bandwidth.

On a side note, if the UTV substation does close down, I do think they will put KELOLAND Weather Now in its space, but I dont think it would need as much bandwidth.

I think you are correct. KETV ABC out of Omaha has a weather channel and it doesn't effect PQ one bit. I know they are 720p and that helps but also the engineer there knows what he's doing and he has their system configured so that the primary channel gets all the BW it needs and the -2 gets whats left over (in lay terms anyway).

I called CableOne yesterday to whine about the rate increases and the lack of HD programming, and they told me that they will be carrying 3 local HD signals some time this summer. She said that they had concluded agreements with KCAU (ABC) and KMEG (CBS) and were all but concluded with KTIV (NBC) to carry all three locals in HD. She said she had no idea about KPTH (FOX), but since they're owned by the same folks as KMEG you would think that they would be going HD as well.

I emailed the engineer at KCAU and he confirmed to me that they would be broadcasting a full-power HD signal this summer. I guess that when KTIV/KCAU/KMEG do their tower work this summer, all will be broadcasting a strong HD signal.

Till then, there's Sioux Falls!

It appears that all the dropouts we are seeing on the NBC Olympics HD feed are because of the bad weather in NYC tonight (blizzard conditions). It was frustrating as the SD signal is OK. I have noticed that late evening always seems worse for this and thought is was a local problem. Now you have to wonder if it hasn't been mostly a national feed problem. I can handle a minute or two of dropouts, but explain that to the wife who wonders why I have spent thousands of $$$ on this and she can go watch the bedroom TV and it is "just fine"

To those of you in Sioux Falls... Where is the best place to buy off air antenna stuff? I'm specifically looking for a heavy duty 10' galvanized mast.

Thanks, Chan

Make sure you stabilize antenna with three guy wires if you go that high. It keeps the antenna stable. I have a set up with two 4 foot mast coupled together and guy-wired down. It is very stable in high winds. Most places that sell the antennas also sell guy wire hook ups for the mast and wire and turnbuckles to get it tight.

Anyone noticed a drop in signal from KDLT since last night?

I had to point my roof top antenna straight at the tower to get a signal today.

My HR10 D* receiver was only showing 20% signal until I repositioned the antenna.

Strange, because my other receivers showed no signal drop.

Really glad I got this quirky D* HD DVR that I will probably never see the $200 rebate for. :confused:

Now no FOX as it does need a good roof top antenna pointed that way to get it!!

Anyone noticed a drop in signal from KDLT since last night?


Yeah, there were a bunch of dropouts over the weekend during the Olympic events. I'm not sure what's up with it; haven't checked the signal level today at all.

Yeah, there were a bunch of dropouts over the weekend during the Olympic events. I'm not sure what's up with it; haven't checked the signal level today at all.


Thanks Mendu,

There were weather related national feed dropouts on Sat nite. Sunday morning is when I could not get a signal with my HR10-250 from KDLT. I think it was completely related to that unit as my other receivers were OK.

I haven't really warmed up to that equipment or figured out all the little nuances. For the little bit I have used it for D* HD channel timeshifting, I'm not sure I'll be keeping it.

I called CableOne yesterday to whine about the rate increases and the lack of HD programming, and they told me that they will be carrying 3 local HD signals some time this summer. She said that they had concluded agreements with KCAU (ABC) and KMEG (CBS) and were all but concluded with KTIV (NBC) to carry all three locals in HD. She said she had no idea about KPTH (FOX), but since they're owned by the same folks as KMEG you would think that they would be going HD as well.

I emailed the engineer at KCAU and he confirmed to me that they would be broadcasting a full-power HD signal this summer. I guess that when KTIV/KCAU/KMEG do their tower work this summer, all will be broadcasting a strong HD signal.

Till then, there's Sioux Falls!

So KCAU is going HD as well. I had heard KPTH and KMEG would be HD, but KCAU was a question mark. Awesome if they all jump in.


Mark

Did anyone notice the ad on KDLT last night saying that they're adding a sub-channel on 3/13? Sounds like we'll have a 24/7 weather channel now. Hopefully it'll be low bitrate, as NBC has enough trouble with artifacting sports graphics already!

Did anyone notice the ad on KDLT last night saying that they're adding a sub-channel on 3/13? Sounds like we'll have a 24/7 weather channel now. Hopefully it'll be low bitrate, as NBC has enough trouble with artifacting sports graphics already!
Saw that to and thought oh great, but maybe it will be less of a drain that KELO's other channel. It appears some of the NBC problems stem from the use of KU band to the affiliates and other problems at the national level.

My biggest gripe with any of them is switching to SD whenever they need to put a trailer at the bottom or their affiliate notification at the top of the hour. ABC at least has the weather bug right .. I hope they keep it.

Did anyone notice the ad on KDLT last night saying that they're adding a sub-channel on 3/13? Sounds like we'll have a 24/7 weather channel now. Hopefully it'll be low bitrate, as NBC has enough trouble with artifacting sports graphics already!

This sucks.

This sucks.

The addition of the NBC weather channel should not make a noticible difference to the overall signal. Actually, it may even improve the HD feed.

Along with the weather feed comes stat-muxing which will allow the station to more effeciently use the bandwidth.

Technology fixes everything...eventually.

The addition of the NBC weather channel should not make a noticible difference to the overall signal. Actually, it may even improve the HD feed.

Along with the weather feed comes stat-muxing which will allow the station to more effeciently use the bandwidth.

Technology fixes everything...eventually.

Well, not really. Stat muxing just takes the available bandwidth and tries to be smart about allocating it between competing streams.

Right now we're getting HD at ~18.5mbits/sec from KDLT; this will change to about a 15/3 split with WeatherPlus. When the sub-channel doesn't need its full 3mbits/sec, some of that will go back to the HD feed to temporarily give it a bit more than 15mbits/sec. The BEST you can hope for on the HD stream is that you'll get the same 18.5 mbits/sec we're getting now, but that's unlikely to happen as there will always be some bandwidth needed for the sub-channel.

Maybe they'll do better with their 1080i than KELO does, we'll have to see. But the HD will definitely be degraded somewhat from what it is today.

Now if you were to say that they're getting a new encoder as well, that would be more interesting. But a statistical mux plus a sub-channel isn't going to make any positive difference; it will only lessen the negative effect of adding a channel if we're lucky.

I talked to two of the folks at KTIV (NBC) Sioux City today, and they told me that they would have their full-power HD signal going sometime in March. I asked if they were doing 'Weather Plus' like KDLT, and got a blank stare.

So for now, it looks like a good high-power full bandwidth NBC signal in Sioux City in a few weeks.

Well, not really. Stat muxing just takes the available bandwidth and tries to be smart about allocating it between competing streams.

Right now we're getting HD at ~18.5mbits/sec from KDLT; this will change to about a 15/3 split with WeatherPlus. When the sub-channel doesn't need its full 3mbits/sec, some of that will go back to the HD feed to temporarily give it a bit more than 15mbits/sec. The BEST you can hope for on the HD stream is that you'll get the same 18.5 mbits/sec we're getting now, but that's unlikely to happen as there will always be some bandwidth needed for the sub-channel.

Maybe they'll do better with their 1080i than KELO does, we'll have to see. But the HD will definitely be degraded somewhat from what it is today.

Now if you were to say that they're getting a new encoder as well, that would be more interesting. But a statistical mux plus a sub-channel isn't going to make any positive difference; it will only lessen the negative effect of adding a channel if we're lucky.

You dont go down to a 15/3 split...you go to a 15 to 18/1.5 to 3 split. Big difference.

And its not "when the sub doesnt need a full 3...". The HD has priority so it would be more like "When the HD does not need the 18".

And the HD signal seldom used the full 18 anyway. When it does, the SD would degrade before the HD would.

Also, You do not need a new encoder...you need a new compression scheme..which stat muxing brings.

If you did a recording pre-stat muxing and compare it to after, you probably wont notice the dif.

Of course...this is under the assumption that they are using stat muxing. The NBC suggested package includes a stat multiplexer but they can go with a configuration that does not use it. So you may be right. it may be noticible. In which case....never mind.

Hey everyone I am from Hudson SD. It's about 40 miles southeast of Sioux Falls and I was trying to find some info about OTA's and I stumbled onto this thread. I must say I am impressed with all of your knowledge of all things antenna. I was wondering if I could get some recommendations on what I need to pick up these channels(prefferably HD but anything will do).

I went to AntennaWeb and this is my results:

Compass Miles Frequency
Orientation From Assignment

red-KDLT-DT 46.1 NBC SIOUX FALLS SD 352° 25.1 47
blue-KPTH 44 FOX SIOUX CITY IA 152° 41.5 44
"KUSD 2 PBS VERMILLION SD 238° 14.0 2
"KDLT 46 NBC SIOUX FALLS SD 352° 25.1 46
"KSFY 13 ABC SIOUX FALLS SD 355° 26.0 13
"KSFY-DT 13.1 ABC SIOUX FALLS SD 355° 26.0 29 " "KMEG 14 CBS SIOUX CITY IA 152° 41.5 14
"KELO 11 CBS SIOUX FALLS SD 355° 26.0 11
"KELO-DT 11.1 CBS SIOUX FALLS SD 355° 26.0 32
violet-KCAU 9 ABC SIOUX CITY IA 153° 41.3 9
" KSIN 27 PBS SIOUX CITY IA 159° 44.9 27
" KWSD 36 WB SIOUX FALLS SD 350° 25.2 36
" KTTW 17 FOX SIOUX FALLS SD 329° 26.5 17
" K33AB 33 PBS SIBLEY, ETC. IA 62° 47.1 33
" K25AA 25 PBS ROCK RAPIDS, ETC.IA 41° 23.5 25
" KSMN 20 PBS WORTHINGTON MN 24° 60.0 20
" KTIV 4 NBC SIOUX CITY IA 153° 41.3 4

So what do you think my chances are of getting any of these? I have a 1 story acreage. I live on land that has lots of hills and trees. And what equipment would you reccomend

DakotaSteel:

I live a LOT further from Sioux Falls than you do (in Sioux City - 85 miles away) and get an excellent HD picture from KELO, KSFY and KDLT. The Sioux City channels are expected to have a full-power signal some time this summer, so you should be able to get both.

Using a ChannelMaster 4228 antenna and a 7775 or 7777 amplifier you should get an excellent picture from distant stations. One problem for you is that the 4228 antenna is extremely directional, and while you might get a good signal by facing north/south, you might find out that you need to point it more directly NNW towards Sioux Falls. Sometimes you can carefully tweak the pointing of the antenna to get several strong signals from slightly different planes, but then again you might have to choose either Sioux Falls or Sioux City.

Use the best UHF antenna, the best UHF amp, and the best coax cable you can afford to get a great signal. Good luck - been there.

Hey thanks man.....I need the advice. I know next to nothing about antennas and amps and the whole nine yards.

dakotasteelinc,

Also a rotor if you really need to point in various directions. Rotors are not really high priced, just another peice of equipment and wire to hassle with.

OR like we did on the farm years back... rig up the antenna so you can go outside and turn the pole by hand to your predetermined points for your channels. Preferrably you have a child in the family to handle that task. Forty years ago, I was the remote for the TV and the rotor for the antenna.

rmullin,

Do you know what frequency KTIV plans to broadcast on when they go HD? I'd like to see if I can pull them in. I'm assuming it will be somewhere in the UHF band.

BVfan,
KTIV's digital channel is 41.1

Thanks for all the advice, I'm really glad I have someone to point me in the right direction. I'm taking all this one step at a time. I just ordered the 4228. I'll set that up and test it. If that doesn't cut the mustard I'll get a pre-amp. And finally if all else fails I'll get a rotor.

Yeah my kids aren't quite old enough yet to be my manual rotor. My oldest turns 2 in 2 weeks, and my other is only 5 months. So, I'll have to give them a few years to grow into their role.

KDLT's subchannel is up (early, I'd say!).

I just grabbed a quick snapshot of the transport stream - it's hardly a definitive test or anything as the main channel isn't running HD at this time. Right now, 46-1 is getting 15mbits/sec, and 46-2 is getting 2.5mbits/sec.

I'll try to capture some streams during an HD event on the main channel to see if there's any rate shaping being done between the 2 channels when the HD side might require a little more bandwidth.

After reading Mendu's post, I just tried manually tuning in the 46-2 KDLT-DT WX sub-channel on my DirecTV HD Tivo receiver and did not get anything. I still get the main 46-1 just fine.

Have they stopped broadcasting now, or do I need to look further into setting up my receiver to tune this one in?

It's on now, so I assume it's up all the time. You probably need to have your receiver rescan for its local channels.

I just had 27.5 pop up on one of my receivers today. Appears to be the same low level signal as KTTW FOX. Assuming KTTW-HD is still being broadcast on 7 VHF.

The channel description on my one receiver states "EAST" for this 27.5 where you would normally see KTTW in the info box. Signal strength appears to be the same as KTTW -- very low -- so I am not sure it is from a different location. I also got it to scan in on another receiver, but my Fusion card could not find it.

Can anyone else get a lock on channel 15 (20.1)? According to The FCC website, as of Dec. 20th KSMN-DT has gone to full power 200 kW ERP (up from 50kW on a STA) as compared to 2400kW ERP for their analog channel 20. I am having trouble getting a solid lock even though analog comes in crystal clear. FYI, their broadcasting tower is just east of Edgerton MN.~ColAvsFan

Not sure you ever got this answered. I'm 40 - some miles from the tower and am now receiving a rock solid signal. Back when you first ask, I was not. Have not watched enough but it appears they broadcast local SD on -1 and national HD feed on -2. I have not seen true HD yet, but as I stated, I do not watch it much.

Nope, never did, but I appreciate your reply. I think I am limited on the stations I can recieve via an indoor antenna, especially with it being lower (about ground level). My hope is that I can recieve the S.C. stations when they go up in power. BTW, I dont watch PBS much anyway so not having channel 20.1 doesnt upset me at all. I was just curious to see if anyone could get their signal.

Also, Kudos to KDLT on their WX station, Im sure it will come in handy at times especially in the summer. ~ ColAvsFan

This morning (Saturday), KSFY ran 'Good Morning America' in HD - first time I have seen them do that. Then, starting at 8 AM they ran a HD Test Pattern and HD Demo for at least a half-hour. Neat to see the shuttle launch, some buildings in NYC, Times Square at night, etc. Perhaps they are getting ready to show GMA in HD all the time??

This morning (Saturday), KSFY ran 'Good Morning America' in HD - first time I have seen them do that. Then, starting at 8 AM they ran a HD Test Pattern and HD Demo for at least a half-hour. Neat to see the shuttle launch, some buildings in NYC, Times Square at night, etc. Perhaps they are getting ready to show GMA in HD all the time??

Not sure if they have been running test pattern etc, but I have seen GMA Sat in HD other weeks. I do not watch it consistently enough to know if it has been every week though. I've wondered why the aren't showing GMA during the week in HD.

Is the HD test pattern something a guy could do some calibrating from? The HDNet test pattern on D* is OK (I think it is 12xx by 1080i), but it would be nice to have a 720p pattern to look at on my displays.

Not sure if they have been running test pattern etc, but I have seen GMA Sat in HD other weeks. I do not watch it consistently enough to know if it has been every week though. I've wondered why the aren't showing GMA during the week in HD.

Is the HD test pattern something a guy could do some calibrating from? The HDNet test pattern on D* is OK (I think it is 12xx by 1080i), but it would be nice to have a 720p pattern to look at on my displays.
It'll happen when ABC does some upgrading. They'd need a second feed on an alternate transponder to air the show at its proper time in Central. Since the weekend show runs only one hour, though, it's much easier for ABC to do feeds for everyone. Cedar Rapids-Waterloo has been seeing GMA Weekend in HD for months.

The test pattern, obviously, is a mistake. Perhaps "the switch" is still manual at KSFY and the morning operator forgot to flip it BACK to analog upconvert mode after the show. Morning master control ops, up to now, haven't had much of a chance to play with "the switch." That will change soon.

Argus Leader (http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/BUSINESS/603210331/1003)
Leads to some questions:

A) Any timetable at all for KWSD going HD?

B) What kind of junk programming will KELO add to it's sub-channel to steal bandwidth from the HD programming?

After reading Mendu's post, I just tried manually tuning in the 46-2 KDLT-DT WX sub-channel on my DirecTV HD Tivo receiver and did not get anything. I still get the main 46-1 just fine.

Have they stopped broadcasting now, or do I need to look further into setting up my receiver to tune this one in?

Are you still having problems receiving it?

Argus Leader (http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/BUSINESS/603210331/1003)
Leads to some questions:

A) Any timetable at all for KWSD going HD?

B) What kind of junk programming will KELO add to it's sub-channel to steal bandwidth from the HD programming?

Good questions. Of course KELO is already broadcasting that subchannel, so whatever content they put there won't really matter. I wish they'd said 'Since we're losing the UPN programming, we're going to pull the subchannel and add the bandwidth back to the CBS feed', but that's just wishful thinking on my part!

I'd like to see HD UPN here in SF, they have a couple of interesting shows...

Are you still having problems receiving it?
No. I rescanned for local digital broadcasts with my receiver, and it found it (46-2). I wish they would just dedicate maximum bandwidth (maximize PQ) to 46-1 rather than using it for something I'll rarely tune to.

Attention Sioux Falls HD viewers!

The engineering staff @ KSFY is having trouble convincing their upper management that a 5.1 audio upgrade is actually needed, because people are not e-mailing or calling complaining about not having 5.1.

Its funny that the 2 "high end" stations in town KSFY and KELO don't have 5.1 and the generally "low end" stations KDLT and KTTW do have 5.1. Both KELO and KSFY have "promised" to add 5.1 in 2006, but its not on the top of the budget priority list.

If you would like 5.1 on KSFY in the future please send an e-mail to the following people, or call, asking for 5.1 to be added.

I can't put their real e-mail address here, the fourm won't let me post them.

kmanning and dnelson @ ksfy - 605-336-1300 is the phone number.

Kelly Manning is the General Manager, Darell Nelson is the Chief Engineer.

wrote them an email. I think everyone needs to encourage them. I also told them I like the small weather bug over the HD programming. I hate the crawlers on all the HD stations.

rmullin,

Any KTIV HD yet?

KTIV has not increased their power or changed the antenna yet - they are still broadcasting the extremely low-power HD signal that they have for over a year. I am guessing they are waiting for the weather to warm up before climbing the 2,000 foot tower to redo their digital antenna.

Rats, looks like KELO found something to fill their sub-channel already.

Argus (http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060328/BUSINESS/603280303/1003)

**Yawn**

Between this and all the "outdoorsman" shows they air....I'll be watching KDLT's weather channel more.

Also...KELO...we aren't morons. We know what channel we are watching. You don't need to switch off the HD feed every hour for 30 seconds to show us all your affiliates. Between that, their ridiculous sub-channel and their "Closeline"..they sure know how to ruin a good HD broadcast.

Good questions. Of course KELO is already broadcasting that subchannel, so whatever content they put there won't really matter. I wish they'd said 'Since we're losing the UPN programming, we're going to pull the subchannel and add the bandwidth back to the CBS feed', but that's just wishful thinking on my part!

I'd like to see HD UPN here in SF, they have a couple of interesting shows...
Northpine.com, a blog which tracks broadcasting in the Upper Midwest, is reporting that the KELO-land stations will continue their subs as MyNetwork affiliates.

Also...KELO...we aren't morons. We know what channel we are watching. You don't need to switch off the HD feed every hour for 30 seconds to show us all your affiliates ...
I assume you're referring to the legal ID super.

A legal ID is required by the FCC at or near the top of the hour. If there are no station breaks close enough to the top of the hour, it gets supered, and I guess in the case of a multi-station group like KELOLAND, every station's ID is part of this.

Stations' ability to super anything over HD is currently limited until they get HD-compatible character generators. In my market, most stations can super a legal ID -- and little else -- over the HD stream, but I guess KELO's equipment can't even do that. Still, they could be penalized if they don't ID themselves.

Makes sense i guess...since I only noticed it during the basketball games. Sure annoying as hell though.

KTIV has not increased their power or changed the antenna yet - they are still broadcasting the extremely low-power HD signal that they have for over a year. I am guessing they are waiting for the weather to warm up before climbing the 2,000 foot tower to redo their digital antenna.

When I last talked with Dave Madsen he said it would be April or May when they make the move to full power. I did notice that they went off the air at about midnight the other day and the message they had before said they were doing transmitter work, not sure what they were all doing though.

KTIV in Sioux City is going to carry the new CW network on "one of our secondary digital channels." Oh, yippee skippy. Makes one wonder just how pixilated the main NBC feed will be. How many "secondary" digital channels will they be using?? Here's the story from the 3-31-06 Sioux City Journal:


KTIV to launch CW network
The CW is coming to Siouxland.

KTIV officials announced Thursday they would launch The CW network, an amalgamation of The WB and UPN, on one of their secondary digital channels beginning Sept. 4.

"This is a great opportunity for KTIV to continue our primary affiliation with NBC but use the newest TV technology to provide the new network free, over the air to Siouxland viewers," said KTIV Station Manager Dave Madsen.

"The CW will be delivered on cable systems through the area, much the same as the current KXWB is delivered in our market," he added. "But we will also broadcast it on one of our secondary digital channels so finally people without cable will be able to watch the programming." He said the CW should eventually be available for satellite subscribers who are receiving local channels from DishNetwork.

The CW was created earlier this year when UPN and The WB merged. Although no programming lineups have been announced, new CW President Dawn Ostroff has indicated that it would include the best of both. Already, "Everybody Hates Chris," "America's Next Top Model" and "Smackdown" have been listed as UPN holdovers. "Smallville," "The Gilmore Girls" and "Reba" are likely WB transfers.

The CW programming will also offer some of the favorite syndicated programs during the day including "King of Queens," "Will & Grace" and "The Bernie Mac Show."

WB and UPN executives have said it became increasingly difficult to succeed as "weblets," or smaller networks, in a marketplace flooded with television options. By combining forces, they felt they had a better chance of competing with the Big Four -- ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Madsen said KTIV is currently working to upgrade its digital broadcast signal so that it will cover all of the KTIV viewing area. The upgrade should be completed within the next few months.

Sioux City was without The WB and UPN when both launched. In 1999, WB officials came to Sioux City to get space on CableONE. Jamie Kellner, WB chief executive officer, brought stars Shannen Doherty and Bryce Johnson, a former Sioux Cityan, to the Southern Hills Mall in October to push for inclusion. Two years later -- in 2001 -- it was added. Called KXWB, it was operated by KCAU, the ABC affiliate. KTIV later took over management responsibilities.

UPN, meanwhile, has never had a network presence in Sioux City. KMEG has run several of its programs over the years (including "Top Model" and "Everybody Hates Chris"), but in non-primetime hours.

The CW is co-owned by CBS (which owned UPN) and Time Warner (which owned The WB). Executives from both are expected to figure into the new hybrid.

So much for me wanting KTIV-DT....

Your mileage will vary. It'll depend on what that third channel (if any) is and what type of encoder they're using.

KWWL, the NBC in our market (which BTW will soon be KTIV's sister station) runs two subchannels. One is NBC Weather Plus; the other is a music video channel developed by Raycom Media called "The Tube." Unfortunately this happened before our AVS thread was split off from Davenport's, so the initial discussion about it may be hard to find. But if you could, you'd notice few complaints about the main channel. The engineer there at the time assured us that the encoders they were using could juggle the bandwidth as necessary, with the main channel getting priority. So far it seems to be working; the acid test will come this fall when NBC gets Sunday Night Football.

But like I said, your mileage will vary. In fact, I'd have to think that this could be even trickier than KWWL's situation since The CW, unlike The Tube and Weather Plus, will be an actual major network.

BTW, I believe QNI also does an NBC/Fox multicast on their Quincy, IL station, but I've never actually watched it in digital. And unfortunately, Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk doesn't have an AVS thread yet.

Hi, all....sorry it's been awhile since I've been here to respond to your questions about KTIV-DT. Just this week (April 6) we've taken delivery on our new full power transmitter. A crew is on site assembling the transmitter. It will take 4 or 5 weeks to finish that part of the project. Then, a tower crew will come in to mount a new antenna on top of our 2,000 foot tower. I'm hoping it will all be done by mid-June.

We are assured that with current technology, there won't be a problem with delivering both our NBC-HD feed on 41.1 and the new CW feed on 41.2. The CW will launch Sept. 5.

For what it's worth, I'd like you to know that the work on our transmitter and tower is contingent on coordinating schedules with KPTH and KMEG, since we all co-own the tower, and all of us are planning to do some upgrade work at the same time. In other words, if KPTH/KMEG don't have their stuff ready to go, we may have to delay our work somewhat. We're hoping that doesn't happen, but sometimes we don't have complete control over everything that affects us.

I'll try to check back here a little more often, but I'm just swamped these days. If you have a specific question, feel free to contact me directly at the station, dmadsen@ktiv.com

Hi, all....sorry it's been awhile since I've been here to respond to your questions about KTIV-DT. Just this week (April 6) we've taken delivery on our new full power transmitter. A crew is on site assembling the transmitter. It will take 4 or 5 weeks to finish that part of the project. Then, a tower crew will come in to mount a new antenna on top of our 2,000 foot tower. I'm hoping it will all be done by mid-June.

We are assured that with current technology, there won't be a problem with delivering both our NBC-HD feed on 41.1 and the new CW feed on 41.2. The CW will launch Sept. 5.

For what it's worth, I'd like you to know that the work on our transmitter and tower is contingent on coordinating schedules with KPTH and KMEG, since we all co-own the tower, and all of us are planning to do some upgrade work at the same time. In other words, if KPTH/KMEG don't have their stuff ready to go, we may have to delay our work somewhat. We're hoping that doesn't happen, but sometimes we don't have complete control over everything that affects us.

I'll try to check back here a little more often, but I'm just swamped these days. If you have a specific question, feel free to contact me directly at the station, dmadsen@ktiv.com

Dave,

That's great news for us in SC. Looking forward to improved reception of KTIV-DT. I am a little skeptical, however, of your use of a subchannel for The CW. I know when KELO added their subchannel the quality of the main HD feed went down hill substantially.


Mark

KELO not showing HD all night because of the SF elections. Guess they don't realize that SF is only about 25% of their veiwership. I called and asked if we were going to get any HD the rest of the night and she said "No, the elections were more important." I said, "Every other network was in HD so I guess I'll watch them" and hung up.

I don't know but I hope they dump that crap sub-channel from KELO. It makes 11-1 look terrible with sports or anything with fast action.

Just in case you'all haven't heard.... KWSD becomes CW and Kelo picks up a different crap channel! ;-)

Edit... Sorry about that, I had not updated to the last page.
Chan

Hello,

I was flipping channels and came to KCAU (9-1) didn't show up so i did (30-1) and it came up and my tv showed 720P. so I turned on my audio receiver and it showed Dolby digital? But right now there's no HD program on

That would be nice if there doing HD and DD 5.1?

Craig

Have to turn the antenna South and see if we can get it in SF.

Briefly scanned the last year or so of threads. Sorry if it's answered somewhere. My mother in law is moving to Sioux Falls and wants advice on a TV. Does Midcontinent cable pass through HDTV locals on QAM? The simpler the better for her and she doesn't want any premium channels.

KCAU is passing HD but there audio was messed up. you could not hear the audio when people spoke but when they went to something not in 5.1 it sounded ok.

The basketball game is on and the audio is fine now.

Craig

KCAU is passing HD but there audio was messed up. you could not hear the audio when people spoke but when they went to something not in 5.1 it sounded ok.

The basketball game is on and the audio is fine now.

Craig


Craig,

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't checked for KCAU lately - are they still low power, maybe in testing? I have to assume the HD transmitter is on the tower in Hinton & not on the Terra building.

Mark

Sioux City HD:

Looks like things are progressing on getting real HD on the air in Sioux City. KCAU is actually broadcasting a low-power HD signal from atop the Terra Centre building downtown, and will be broadcasting a "full power" HD signal from the 2,000 foot tower near Hinton by "mid-July." In the mean time, they are passing the HD signal to CableOne and if you have a digital box or cablecard, it is now on digital chanel 455.

KTIV's NBC signal is already broadcasting a weak HD signal, and they also expect to be full power by mid-July -- no word on any agreement with CableOne for carriage.

KMEG & KPTH are also scheduled to broadcast HD from the same tower, but I can't get any direct answer from them yet.

Latest word on the KTIV HD equipment: the transmitter is done and they are working on the antenna & tower. They hope to have everything in place in a couple weeks.

No official word on KMEG & KPTH but since they are on the same tower as KTIV I assume they would be coordinating their installation schedules.

Good news on KTIV! Does anyone have any information when KTTW in Sioux Falls is going to go full power so the rest of us can watch FOX besides people right in town? Thanks

KTIV in Sioux City is now broadcasting TWO digital signals:

4.1 is the NBC HD signal
4.2 is currently the "standard definition" signal being rebroadcast in digital.

Neither seems to be "full power" (maybe it's just me) but both are easier to receive - perhaps they have completed their "tower" work and the digital signal is now coming from atop the 2,000 foot tower but NOT yet at full power.

If you look at the FCC website for KTTW:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=KTTW&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=2&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

It appears that they are now applying to get on one of the towers near Rowena (from what I can tell, its the KDLT tower.) Anyone else heard this?

Nice, another 6 month delay requested. That puts us (again) past the NFL season with no off-air HD Fox outside of SF metro.

I wonder how 'extensive' their search for a new antenna could have been - there aren't that many qualifying towers around Sioux Falls, are there? Probably as 'extensive' as their investigation which determined that their old plan wouldn't work. They sure seem to like that word 'extensive'... and 'extension' too.

I checked the other night and KCAU in Sioux City is still sending true HD 720p but the sound is still messed up (in other words - nothing has changed). The signal appears to be coming from the Terra building but they've bumped up the power from what it was previously.

It appears that KCAU's HD sound is missing the "front" and "center" Dolby 5.1 sound channels. When they are broadcasting a non-hd signal (commercials and local) the sound is fine - but when the HD content has Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, KCAU is dropping the main sound channels.

I just had 27.5 pop up on one of my receivers today. Appears to be the same low level signal as KTTW FOX. Assuming KTTW-HD is still being broadcast on 7 VHF.

The channel description on my one receiver states "EAST" for this 27.5 where you would normally see KTTW in the info box. Signal strength appears to be the same as KTTW -- very low -- so I am not sure it is from a different location. I also got it to scan in on another receiver, but my Fusion card could not find it.

This is starting to make more sense with KTTW looking for an eastern tower. I guess they have figured out that is where everyone is going to point the OTA antenna.

I have a friend in Dell Rapids that was hesitate to try to get HD until I told her that you can just point at Rowena to get all the networks (except FOX). She is pulling in all of them in her lower level with cheap/non-amplified RCA rabbit ears I gave her. Lower level window to the south. She will go to outdoor antenna to help with singal strength and stability eventually.

I live about 20 air miles from Sioux CIty and 65 air miles from Sioux Falls and was looking forward to receiving the channels from both cities, possibly with an attic antenna. Is it possible to get reception that far away with a multi directional in the attic? I do live on top of the Loess hills, a couple of hundred feet up from the water table. Anybody have any bits of wisdom to help me in selecting the right setup?

THanks

Easiest way to check your reception is to see what you can get OTA (over the air) with indoor rabbit ears and work from there. I would assume you should be able to get S.C. channels with ease, but every setup/ situtation is different. See what you can get (if possible). Thats my 2 bits into this. I don't know antenna's very well. ~ColAvsFan

P.S. Anyone in Sioux City know how the digital stations are going in their transition to full power?

I live about 20 air miles from Sioux CIty and 65 air miles from Sioux Falls and was looking forward to receiving the channels from both cities, possibly with an attic antenna. Is it possible to get reception that far away with a multi directional in the attic? I do live on top of the Loess hills, a couple of hundred feet up from the water table. Anybody have any bits of wisdom to help me in selecting the right setup?

THanks

I've been thru lots of antenna choices but have no good experience with multidirectional. If you point a UHF only antenna at Rowena, SD (just east of SF) you should be able to get ABC, NBC, CBS in HD plus subchannels.

Go to this site http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

I typed in Akron, IA zip and went about 5 miles east (on the hills?) you can get the above stations with a small UHF multi-directional but no SC stations. Might be able to pull in SDPBS from Vermillion also.

The SC stations are in the opposite direction so you mght be able to point a directional UHF in each direction and get no interference or loss of signal from multisignals. Kind of trial and error unfortunately. If you are going to send the signal to multiple TV/s you may need an amp also. Farther up in this thread someone discusses amps to use.

I'm building a new home and I hope to get it right the first time. Why would they make bi-directional antenna's if they don't work? I'm thinking the DB8 on the roof or in the attic, I would just like someone to tell me they work Or they don't.

hockeyboy,

From the SolidSignal web site about the DB8 - • This is a Large Multi-directional antenna and yields a beam width of about 100 degrees. So it appears that it would pick up the stations from SF and SC but not at the same time. Unless there is a way to adjust that, but not much info on the site.

Most directional antennaes have a beam width of around 20 degrees, I believe. So this multi-directional antenna can pick up stations within a 100 degree arc, but if you want to get SF and SC - those stations are about 175 degrees opposite each other. Tougher to do with a single antenna. Just getting two $25 Radio Shack UHF antennaes may be a cheaper solution. RS claims them to have a range of 75 miles. The ChannelMaster CM3000A on the SolidSignal site is a 360 degree antenna but has a limited range.

I am by no means an expert, just some one who has purchased many, many different antenna types, but nothing like what you are considering. I have Fox in the opposite direction of my other stations and ended up with a two antenna solution.

The other consideration is that once the analog signals are shut off, all the stations are going to go back to their assigned frequencies, only digital. So a UHF only antenna will not pick up your SC 4 and 9 or the SF 11 or 13. This may no longer be true, but was my understanding at one time.

My KTTW signal went dark about two weeks ago, but I figured it was a tree/leaves problem. I moved my antenna this morning so I would have a clear shot at the tower but can only get 30-36% signal at best. I used to run 60-70% most of the time

Has anyone else seen this problem?

I also have noticed the reduced signal strength of KTTW. Last year, the engineers at KTTW told me they should be full power by this July. Doesn't look like it's going to happen though. Another year of football dealing with signal issues, I guess!

bighdtvfan,

Thanks for the reply. I was messing around before 11 am and it appears they turned the power up for baseball after 11. My signal is is back up to around 45-60% again. So appears I had a tree - power - pointing problem.

Which antenna did you get from Warren Electronics? Was it the Winegard VHF only fringe one - HD4053P?

bighdtvfan,

Thanks for the reply. I was messing around before 11 am and it appears they turned the power up for baseball after 11. My signal is is back up to around 45-60% again. So appears I had a tree - power - pointing problem.

Which antenna did you get from Warren Electronics? Was it the Winegard VHF only fringe one - HD4053P?

The antenna I bought from Radio Shack. The item from Warren Electronics was a box that would only bring in the frequency for KTTW. I don't remember what it was called but I have two antennas pointed different directions and by having that box, I can pick up Fox only on that antenna. Works pretty well, but I would like to see KTTW up their power before football season!

I talked with KTIV manager Dave Madsen the other day, and he said that the tower and transmitter upgrades for KTIV, KMEG/KPTH, and KCAU will probably be completed some time mid-august 2006. Said that it was challenging to get the three station groups to coordinate all they need to get HD signals on the 2,000' antenna at full power.

Good things come to those that wait. And wait.

Any word when or if Cableone will pick up these stations in HD? KCAU looks great. I'm anxious for the other stations to jump on board.

Any word when or if Cableone will pick up these stations in HD? KCAU looks great. I'm anxious for the other stations to jump on board.

I know that KTIV has been in some tough negotiations with CableOne for many months. My guess is that the other local HD channels (CBS & Fox) will be on CableOne by September 1, and KTIV may show up some later time.

KTIV will be broadcasting the new CW channel on 4.2

Thanks for the info. Why is it so hard for everyone to get along? We just want our High Def.

The antenna I bought from Radio Shack. The item from Warren Electronics was a box that would only bring in the frequency for KTTW. I don't remember what it was called but I have two antennas pointed different directions and by having that box, I can pick up Fox only on that antenna. Works pretty well, but I would like to see KTTW up their power before football season!

I spoke to the KTTW technician today and he said they were approved for construction of their new HDTV broadcast equipment. I asked where it will be located and he thought KDLT's tower in Rowena. The bad news is it will take them some time before the equipment is installed and running. Probably not completed until next year some time. I guess I'll have to put up with a weak signal for Viking football this year once again!

Saw on the news last night that KTIV said their HD signal would be down for most of the day today so that they can work on tower upgrades. Hopefully this will allow them, and the others using their tower, to get their signals up to full power before football starts :D .

bighdtvfan,

Thanks for the update. I came on here to see if anyone knew of any progress with KTTW-FOX. The signal seems to get worse all the time. Maybe when the leaves fall I will see an improvement because it looks like no new tower for awhile, huh? My friend whose son wants to see Vikings, Bears, Cowboys etc in FOX-HD is going to be SOL it looks like.

Hello to all DTV Enthusiasts in the Sioux City area...

a quick update on KTIV-DT...

it looks like the tower work we need to do will be taking place the week of Sept. 5. I don't know exactly how long it may take, but I certainly hope that by Monday, Sept. 11 we'll be operating from a new antenna and our new transmitter. We really want everything to be up and running by Monday, Sept. 18, because that's when we'll launch the new CW network on Channel 41.2. If you haven't read about it, this is a merger of the WB network and the UPN network.

Also, (cross your fingers) I think I can say that we are close to an agreement with CableOne in Sioux City to carry our digital signal, which of course means our HD programming. I know this has been a long time coming, and I apologize for the long wait.
It's not definite yet, but I'm VERY optimistic.

As soon as I have a confirmed agreement, I'll let you know...plus we'll of course start promoting it on-the-air.

Hello to all DTV Enthusiasts in the Sioux City area...

a quick update on KTIV-DT...

it looks like the tower work we need to do will be taking place the week of Sept. 5. I don't know exactly how long it may take, but I certainly hope that by Monday, Sept. 11 we'll be operating from a new antenna and our new transmitter. We really want everything to be up and running by Monday, Sept. 18, because that's when we'll launch the new CW network on Channel 41.2. If you haven't read about it, this is a merger of the WB network and the UPN network.

Also, (cross your fingers) I think I can say that we are close to an agreement with CableOne in Sioux City to carry our digital signal, which of course means our HD programming. I know this has been a long time coming, and I apologize for the long wait.
It's not definite yet, but I'm VERY optimistic.

As soon as I have a confirmed agreement, I'll let you know...plus we'll of course start promoting it on-the-air.
Is this antenna work for all of the Sioux City stations? That would be great! Can't wait for Sunday night football in HD

There is some amount of work being done for KTIV, KMEG and KPTH. I don't know what's going on with KCAU.

They are still shooting for Labor Day Weekend to get KMEG and KPTH up and going with HD. Good news on the KTIV front, hope they can come to an agreement with Cableone ASAP. Sunday night football looks brutal on there current signal.

Just to let you guys know, KWSD-DT (WB to be the CW) is now licensed for full power. No they did not increase their power on channel 51, they just licensed their STA.~ColAvsFan

What's the word with your station and cableone. NFL is 10 days away. Getting amped for NFL HD.

Please advise.

Thanks Nosok

As I said in my post just a couple of days ago, I think I can say that we are very close to an agreement with CableOne. I'm waiting to hear back from them about my latest offer.

Thanks Dave keep up the good work.

Nosok

Has anybody noticed that KPTH is on channel 476. Not authorized yet. Looks like KPTH is ready to be launched on HD.

Cableone is showing a channel ID for KPTH, but no HD yet - probably because KPTH is not outputing a HD signal quite yet.

KPTH is now broadcasting on 44.1 and 44.2 from their tower, but I don't think it is at full power yet.

44.1 will be the HD Fox broadcast, and 44.2 is the "My KPTH" junk channel. Both are higher power than before, but as of tonight still in SD format.

My understanding is that KPTH's 44.2 is supposed to be the new network "MyNetwork," which is basically just a couple hours of primetime programming called "telenovelas," like primetime soap operas. It is supposed to be ALL in HD. That's what I know.

By the way, I talked with CableOne late this afternoon...we are SO close to getting our KTIV-HD on their system. I hope to know more Wednesday or Thursday.

My understanding is that KPTH's 44.2 is supposed to be the new network "MyNetwork," which is basically just a couple hours of primetime programming called "telenovelas," like primetime soap operas. It is supposed to be ALL in HD. That's what I know.

By the way, I talked with CableOne late this afternoon...we are SO close to getting our KTIV-HD on their system. I hope to know more Wednesday or Thursday.

Dave,

Any info on when you will be offering HD via Dish Networks local channels? I got tired of CableOne telling me "shortly" when I asked them how much longer before they added more HD for two years and so a year ago and switched to Dish Network where I can get 25 channels of HD for $20/month or $10/month for 6 rather then $10/month for 3 HD's on Cableone. The antenna is great, but if you were going to be sending HD to Dish anytime soon that would be even better! :)

Also, have you gotten all of your work done on the antenna, if not any eta?

Thanks!

Anthony

My understanding is that KPTH's 44.2 is supposed to be the new network "MyNetwork," which is basically just a couple hours of primetime programming called "telenovelas," like primetime soap operas. It is supposed to be ALL in HD. That's what I know....

I sure hope KPTH does not do MyNetwork in HD as a subchannel to their FOX-HD channel. Both would look like crap with reduced bitrates!!!

KPTH's "My Network" so far is just some TERRIBLE infomercials, and some "programming" that looks like it was shot with a camera-phone. Looks like they are giving 44.2 just a tiny sliver of their bandwidth.

KPTH's "My Network" so far is just some TERRIBLE infomercials, and some "programming" that looks like it was shot with a camera-phone. Looks like they are giving 44.2 just a tiny sliver of their bandwidth.

That's good news - so far anyway. MyNetwork isn't getting the greatest reviews in the HDTV Programming forum either.

Hopefully, with FOX using 720p (reduced bandwidth over 1080i) the subchannel won't have too much affect. I still have my doubts about picture quality on KTIV-HD with their subchannel. We'll see soon enough.

In response to the question about KTIV-HD on DishNetwork...

I think that's more up to DishNetwork...when they decide they have space to offer HD local signals in our market.

As for the KTIV-DT upgrade, the tower crew is scheduled to hoist our new antenna to the top of the tower next Wednesday, Sept. 13. That doesn't mean it's immediately available to "turn on," but it's a lot closer than when the antenna is laying on the ground!

In response to the question about KTIV-HD on DishNetwork...

I think that's more up to DishNetwork...when they decide they have space to offer HD local signals in our market.

As for the KTIV-DT upgrade, the tower crew is scheduled to hoist our new antenna to the top of the tower next Wednesday, Sept. 13. That doesn't mean it's immediately available to "turn on," but it's a lot closer than when the antenna is laying on the ground!


Thanks for the update Dave.

OK, am I doing something wrong? I live in Morningside at the top of a hill. I am receiving both KTIV channels and KMEG from the Hinton tower, just not KPTH, either one! I'm receiving KCAU and both PBS channels. I just cannot get FOX any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, another thing, is anyone else getting a 4:3 image stretched to 16:9 for CBS (KMEG)? Just curious. Thanks guys!

Chris

For whatever (boneheaded) reason, KMEG has chosen to broadcast their weak digital signal into fake-stretched "widescreen" SD format. Unwatchable. Anybody know when (ever) they will actually broadcast CBS in HD?

So far, the KPTH signal is still quite weak, and you need a good external antenna pointed right at their antenna to get their (now non-HD) signal. Hopefully, within a couple of weeks they will also broadcast a real HD signal.

Dave Madsen from KTIV has some good news for CableOne customers. Ask him all about it!

Here's that good news for CableOne customers...and sorry if this sounds kind of like a news release...because it is!

I'm happy to announce that KTIV-DT is now being carried on CableOne in Sioux City and the surrounding area! This means that CableOne digital subscribers with digital High Definition TV sets will now be able to enjoy the amazing quality of HD programming on CableOne channel 465.

While not all KTIV-DT programming is in High Definition, many of the most popular NBC programming is broadcast in HD, including most NBC primetime programming, Notre Dame Football, NFL Football Sunday Nights, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Of course, KTIV-DT is also available free, over-the-air on digital channel 41.1. And soon, that free over-the-air coverage area will be expanded with the completion of a new high power digital transmitter and the installation of a new antenna on top of our 2,000 foot tower. And watch for the September 18th launch of the new "CW" network on digital channel 41.2.

For your hard work with Cableone. It's awesome to finally get NBC on HD. The ND and NFL games will be money. I just wished that it was done a day earlier. I'm a huge Steeler fan and would of loved to see last nights game on HD. I'll have many opportunities to check them out now.

Thanks again,
Nosok

By the way, to anyone who watches KTIV-DT...

Please, please, PLEASE call us to let us know when you encounter any trouble, whether it's with your cable feed or your over-the-air signal. I can't guarantee that I'll be checking this forum that often, so please don't let your troubles fester here.

You can of course call me, but you'd probably get a much better technical answer for any troubles by calling directly to our Chief Engineer Richard Herr (pronounced "hair").

Toll-free 800-234-5848. Locally, 239-4100.

Hey everyone,

For about the last week or so I have noticed that KTIV DT and KCAU DT's pictures are pausing on their .1 channel. If I got to KTIV's .2 everything is fine. 14.1 and 44.1 are fine. I also notice that KDLT, KSFY and KELO out of SF are also pausing. I recently upgraded my receiver, but I am not sure if that would be the problem since the other channels, as well as the 25 HD's I get over the dish all work great.

Any ideas?

By "pausing" I think you mean that the picture seems to freeze for a moment or two. That's the thrill of digital: with a very weak signal, the picture may freeze or have occasional oddly colored pixels (satelite does that too if the dish is aimed poorly or covered with wet snow.) The old analog signal just gets "snowy" or fuzzy with a weak signal.

It is highly probable that this problem will go away when the stations actually broadcast full-power digital signals from atop their towers. For example, I get absolutely perfect signals from the Sioux Falls full-power stations 70 miles away, but can barely get KTIV's digital or KPTH digital. That should change by next weekend if the stations stay on track with their upgrades.

Has anyone heard what KMEG's HD plans are?

By "pausing" I think you mean that the picture seems to freeze for a moment or two. That's the thrill of digital: with a very weak signal, the picture may freeze or have occasional oddly colored pixels (satelite does that too if the dish is aimed poorly or covered with wet snow.) The old analog signal just gets "snowy" or fuzzy with a weak signal.

It is highly probable that this problem will go away when the stations actually broadcast full-power digital signals from atop their towers. For example, I get absolutely perfect signals from the Sioux Falls full-power stations 70 miles away, but can barely get KTIV's digital or KPTH digital. That should change by next weekend if the stations stay on track with their upgrades.

Has anyone heard what KMEG's HD plans are?

I was thinking the same thing, cept I still get a 75 to 90% signal, just like I have always gotten from KTIV and about 80% from KDLT with both of them having the freezing picture problem, yet on KMEG DT I get 60 to 73% and it's fine. Which made me wonder if it was something else that I might have not been thinking of. I was going to play with my antenna direction this weekend, but the weather had other ideas lol.

Both local Sioux Falls NFL FOX games were not blocked out in HD today on NFL Sunday Ticket. Hopefully they will continue this mistake all season or at least until we get a full power provider in HD.

I was thinking the same thing, cept I still get a 75 to 90% signal, just like I have always gotten from KTIV and about 80% from KDLT with both of them having the freezing picture problem, yet on KMEG DT I get 60 to 73% and it's fine. Which made me wonder if it was something else that I might have not been thinking of. I was going to play with my antenna direction this weekend, but the weather had other ideas lol.

Ended up being a bad receiver, though, it's weird that only about 4 of the 8 OTA HD channels had the issue. But, incase anyone else runs into this issue, a new receiver should fix you right up :D .

Hi, all...

well, the new upgraded KTIV-DT transmitter and antenna have been fired up and they are ON THE AIR! We will still have some time during which they will be doing some testing on all the equipment, and we won't be able to be completely full power right away, but even just what we do have going should increase the signal reach quite a ways. You'll notice some ups and downs in signal strength for awhile, but as I said, there should be lots more folks able to get KTIV-DT now.

So, if you haven't been able to get 41.1, please try it now and let us know. Also, we've got programming running on 41.2 (The WB) getting ready for the switch to the CW starting Monday morning at 5am.

If you have comments, concerns, issues, etc., please let us know. The easiest thing would be to contact KTIV Chief Engineer Richard Herr ("hair") directly at rherr@ktiv.com or by phone at 712-239-4100, ext. 206.

Thanks for your patience.

Greetings Dave, from Larchwood, IA! I am getting a very solid signal from KTIV-DT. Only exception, as it was windy and stormy when I checked it, I was getting some (but not many) signal breakups. Funny thing is from the same TV, channel 4 analog comes in very snowy if it comes in at all. I couldn't get the other stations on your tower to come in on their digital stations. Are they still working on getting their transmitters up and running? Thanks for the info and the full power HD!!!~ColAvsFan

P.S. on channel 41.2, I was only getting sound from the left side plus it was not in sync with the video. Just wanted you to be aware of it.

P.P.S. I was digging around again on the FCC website again, and confimed what I thought was a mystery. My (own) t.v. was easily picking up on KUSD (34.1,34.2) where before I could never get it in. They have also increased their power about 9x.

Getting KTIV-DT here in SF also. Have my antenna pointed for local FOX at 225°. Antennaweb.org says SC stations are at 157° for me so we are pointed about 60° away from the SC tower.

Getting 36-45% signal and locks in better than my local FOX. Assume I could get a stronger KTIV signal if I turned my antenna.

P.P.S. I was digging around again on the FCC website again, and confimed what I thought was a mystery. My T.V. was easily picking up on KUSD (34.1,34.2) where before I could never get it in. They have also increased their power about 9x.

Isn't KUSD the SD Public Channel? So if you are getting My TV there, is that from anther source? I can not pull in KUSD, which is Vermillion, SD so it makes me wonder if you are getting a station from SE or E of you.

Looked further and it appears that 34.1/34.2 are from Worthington, MN - but should also be PBS not MyTV.

Just to clarify for everyone, KTIV's new DT transmitter will not be full-time full power for awhile. There is a testing phase during which the power levels will go up and down, and then when KMEG and KPTH do some work on their antenna's, we'll have to be powered down again somewhat.

But, the fact that we're now broadcasting DT from the new antenna at the top of the tower should be sending that signal out much further, even at reduced power.

Thanks for the input on the 4.2 signal...I think our guys know about the audio situation.

Isn't KUSD the SD Public Channel? So if you are getting My TV there, is that from anther source? I can not pull in KUSD, which is Vermillion, SD so it makes me wonder if you are getting a station from SE or E of you.

Looked further and it appears that 34.1/34.2 are from Worthington, MN - but should also be PBS not MyTV.

BVFan, I edited my post. Look for the "(own)" and read the sentence with the word own in it. Hopefully that makes more sense.

Mr. Madsen, thanks for the continuing updates. 4.2 right side audio is ok now, left side is still off. Looks like your signal will shoot a long ways once it is full power.

One more thing for ya Dave, do you know who I can contact at both KPTH and KMEG about getting their station's on the significantly viewed list for Lyon County Iowa and Lincoln Co. SD? Thanks.

~ColAvsFan

~ColAvsFan
Got it - Are you getting KUSD with your indoor antenna? I never have gotten a signal from them. Tried again after I read your post. I get PBS from 23.1 which is just north of me.

@BVfan, I am getting KUSD-DT ch 34 (2.1, 2.2) with my indoor powered antenna. However, I have a hard time getting KCSD ch 24 (23.1,23.2). But they show the exact same stuff, anyway.

Has anyone heard when KMEG and KPTH will be broadcasting a full power HD signal?
What about their HD signal on CableOne?

KMEG / KPTH

I called CableOne yesterday and the person I talked to had NO idea when: couple of weeks, couple of months?? No idea.

When you call KMEG/KPTH directly they transfer the call to engineering, and they don't pick up the phone. Let's hear it for great customer service!

Has anyone heard when KMEG and KPTH will be broadcasting a full power HD signal?
What about their HD signal on CableOne?

I heard through the grapevine that KMEG will be upgrading their digital transmitter next week and KPTH the week after that. As for agreements with CableOne, who knows? I can't imagine it will be too long with KTIV & KCAU already on board.

I heard through the grapevine that KMEG will be upgrading their digital transmitter next week and KPTH the week after that. As for agreements with CableOne, who knows? I can't imagine it will be too long with KTIV & KCAU already on board.

Will KMEG be broadcasting HD when the work is done...or do they currently?? I was told KPTH will still not be transmitting HD when their upgrades are complete.

Will KMEG be broadcasting HD when the work is done...or do they currently?? I was told KPTH will still not be transmitting HD when their upgrades are complete.

Earlier this year I heard KMEG & KPTH would both be HD and apparently rmullin heard the same thing. He posted this in June:

.... KMEG & KPTH are also scheduled to broadcast HD from the same tower, but I can't get any direct answer from them yet.

Has anyone heard if or when KCAU is going to boost their signal? I can't get a signat from at all. thanks.

Has anyone heard if or when KCAU is going to boost their signal? I can't get a signat from at all. thanks.

It seems like KCAU did boost their signal a few months ago when they started sending out HD. But they are still transmitting from Terra in downtown SC and I haven't heard specific plans to move to the tower by Hinton. I'm pretty sure theirs is a different tower from the other broadcasters so the tower work those guys are doing isn't a factor for KCAU.

Do you have a good antenna & amplifier?

But i don't see any thing

It seems like KCAU did boost their signal a few months ago when they started sending out HD. But they are still transmitting from Terra in downtown SC and I haven't heard specific plans to move to the tower by Hinton. I'm pretty sure theirs is a different tower from the other broadcasters so the tower work those guys are doing isn't a factor for KCAU.

Do you have a good antenna & amplifier?


I have a good indoor antenna. I get KELO, KSFY, and KDLT from Sioux falls and KTIV, KPTH, PBS, and KMEG from Sioux City, just not KCAU.

Arndog77,

How far from Sioux City are You? I am about 40 miles north of the hinton and I get KTIV, but no KMEG. Just curious,

Ben

Arndog77,

How far from Sioux City are You? I am about 40 miles north of the hinton and I get KTIV, but no KMEG. Just curious,

Ben

I live about 15 miles north of Hinton. I have to turn my antenna south to get KMEG and KPTH. If my antenna is still pointing north toward Sioux Falls, I still get KTIV and PBS.

Thanks.

Who lives the farthest from Sioux Falls and is still able to get digital signal? I am in Sioux County, NW Iowa and get KDLT, KSFY, KELO at 100%, and I get KTIV at 80%.

Anybody in Spencer or Spirit Lake that is getting OTA HD signal?

I spoke with an engineer about a month ago. They told me they were still waiting on some equipment and should be up around Thanksgiving .

Take it for what its worth.

Nosok

Hi, all...

I can tell you that KMEG's new DTV antenna has been installed on top of our co-owned tower, but I don't know a timetable for turning it on. I think KPTH is still waiting for delivery of some equipment.

As far as KCAU, I know there had been some talks in the past about leasing some space on the new tower where KTIV, KMEG and KPTH are. But no finals details.

By the way, I too am curious who's getting the new and improved KTIV-DT signal out there, especially on the fringes of our coverage area. Please contact me directly at dmadsen@ktiv.com or our chief engineer, Richard Herr, at rherr@ktiv.com.

Thanks.

Hi, all...

I can tell you that KMEG's new DTV antenna has been installed on top of our co-owned tower, but I don't know a timetable for turning it on. I think KPTH is still waiting for delivery of some equipment.

As far as KCAU, I know there had been some talks in the past about leasing some space on the new tower where KTIV, KMEG and KPTH are. But no finals details.

By the way, I too am curious who's getting the new and improved KTIV-DT signal out there, especially on the fringes of our coverage area. Please contact me directly at dmadsen@ktiv.com or our chief engineer, Richard Herr, at rherr@ktiv.com.

Thanks.

Dave - Thanks for the update on the other stations. I live in Sioux City so getting your signal is not a problem anymore. The Ryder Cup broadcast looked great last weekend (can't say the same for the USA team's performance).

Mark

Thanks.

Who lives the farthest from Sioux Falls and is still able to get digital signal? I am in Sioux County, NW Iowa and get KDLT, KSFY, KELO at 100%, and I get KTIV at 80%.

Anybody in Spencer or Spirit Lake that is getting OTA HD signal?

I live in Sioux City and get KELO at about 60% with an HDTivo. The older Zenith receiver I had would get 80%. I used to be able to pick up KSFY, but not anymore. Never could get KDLT.

Thanks.

Who lives the farthest from Sioux Falls and is still able to get digital signal? I am in Sioux County, NW Iowa and get KDLT, KSFY, KELO at 100%, and I get KTIV at 80%.

Anybody in Spencer or Spirit Lake that is getting OTA HD signal?

I live on the northside of Sioux City and get all of the SF channels other then FOX, most days, it's between 73 and 85% signal.

I live in Irene, SD and receive KTIV HD even though my Channel Master 4228 is pointing directly towards Sioux Falls. Hopefully the other stations in Sioux City put out that much power when they go HD.

I live in Sioux City, about 75 miles from the Sioux Falls towers. I get a perfect digital signal from KELO, KSFY and KDLT in Sioux Falls, and KUSD from Vermillion, using a ChannelMaster antenna and amp. The antenna is so directional, I barely get the KTIV signal, and no other Sioux City digital channels!

While watching the Vikings game yesterday on FOX HD from Midcontinent cable in Watertown the picture and sound froze quite regularly, did anyone else experience this?

At work we get Midco digital cable. And the regular Fox channel froze every so often too...

Sioux Falls Fox HD seems to freeze alot on both Midco and OTA. I hae noticed this during the nightly network programing. Signal is still very weak. Glad that DirecTV Sunday Ticket is not blocking local HD games and letting us watch their FOX HD feeds. Both games looked great yesterday (if your a Vikings or Eagles fan)!!!

I noticed while watching LOST and the Nine that the sounds cuts out once in awhile. Is anyone else experincing this? I have cableone for a provider.

Thanks Nosok

Sioux Falls Fox HD seems to freeze alot on both Midco and OTA. I hae noticed this during the nightly network programing. Signal is still very weak. Glad that DirecTV Sunday Ticket is not blocking local HD games and letting us watch their FOX HD feeds. Both games looked great yesterday (if your a Vikings or Eagles fan)!!!

I have Midco and the Vikings game two weeks ago froze a lot, this past week the Vikings game froze a couple of times, other than that FOX is good here in Watertown.

According to a source I have, KPTH is quote "Within days of completing the work on the transmitter." Also, they expect to be in HD by years end. ~ColAvsFan

Interesting. When I called KPTH/KMEG last week, the receptionist said that both stations would be broadcasting in HD within "a couple of weeks." When I asked if that meant that the World Series would be broadcast in HD, she said that it was their goal to be in HD by then.

Don't hold your breath.

I see that the analogs for KPTH and KMEG are back to full power, does that mean more delays for the upgrades to KPTH-DT and KMEG-DT? :mad:

I see that the analogs for KPTH and KMEG are back to full power, does that mean more delays for the upgrades to KPTH-DT and KMEG-DT? :mad:


I'd like to think it means the tower work is done and the digital transmitters are installed. Maybe they just have to flip the switch? I checked KMEG a few days ago and although they still had their lovely non-HD stretch-o-vision crap, the signal strength was slightly higher than it was.

I'd like to think it means the tower work is done and the digital transmitters are installed. Maybe they just have to flip the switch? I checked KMEG a few days ago and although they still had their lovely non-HD stretch-o-vision crap, the signal strength was slightly higher than it was.

I would like to think that too, but I can recieve KTIV-DT just fine, but not even the hint of KMEG-DT and KPTH-DT. According to the FCC website, KPTH and KMEG were to have higher ERPs than KTIV. But when I get home today I will edit this post *if* anything changed.

colavsfan

I noticed while watching LOST and the Nine that the sounds cuts out once in awhile. Is anyone else experincing this? I have cableone for a provider.

Thanks Nosok
I'm experiencing the same thing. I called KCAU and they have not returned my call. I called CableOne and reported the problem. Maybe KCAU will resond to them.

Has KDLT power went down a little? I noticed on my 942 Dish receiver that the signal is a littlelower than normal causeing the picture to be dropped every now and then. Just wondering so I know where to start.

Has KDLT power went down a little? I noticed on my 942 Dish receiver that the signal is a littlelower than normal causeing the picture to be dropped every now and then. Just wondering so I know where to start.


It must of went down, I like in Le Mars and I used to get KDLT at about 60-70% in a great picture. Now I don't get it at all. I still get KELO and KSFY at the same power.

It must of went down, I like in Le Mars and I used to get KDLT at about 60-70% in a great picture. Now I don't get it at all. I still get KELO and KSFY at the same power.

I live on the North side of Sioux City and am currently getting KDLT at about 75% which is where it usually is (73 to 80% usual range).

Well, I get home a bit early tonight and turn on the TV to watch the rest of Survivor and notice that KMEG DT has a 0 signal!!! WTH? Did they turn it off or what? I would have been PISSED if I would not have made it home and all of my shows that were set to record off KMEG DT were lost due to no signal! KPTH DT is still working good, so not sure WTH is going on over there with those guys! Anyone in Sioux City getting KMEG DT on 11/2/06?

Thursday I talked to two reps from KMEG/KPTH (they were trying to sell me some advertising time) and when they were done, I asked about the digital & HD upgrades. They said that they were very very VERY close to flipping the switch to turn on the full-power broadcasts and HD signal. Apparently the construction crew was having problems getting their new antenna atop the 2,000' tower, and now were forced to have a contractor literally hang off the tower to complete the install. When that's done, they are good to go.

When I expressed frustration over the lack of HD for the World Series, they said I could count on the Superbowl in HD.

Perhaps.

I had suspected for some time that the incredibly bad picture being broadcast on KPTH's secondary digital channel 44.2 was some over-compressed "streaming video" but couldn't believe that it was actually true.

I just happened to channel surf their digital channels, and here's what 44.2 (My KPTH) was broadcasting on the public airwaves: they had on the screen a Windows desktop. You could see the mouse cursor moving around, and then Windows Media Player loading. Then the computer user started downloading a video stream, the screen showed it was "buffering" the stream, and when the buffer got to 100% the program started playing. The computer user maximized the Windows Media Player to full-screen, then had to go back to turn the volume on (it had been muted.) Then he maximized the Windows Player again to full-screen so the very gross medical infomercial about someone's foot disease and foot amputation could spool out to the waiting public.

The horror of the subject matter was only exceeded by the ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE PICTURE QUALITY. The video is like a badly compressed jpg photo or some bad YouTube upload. This is not why the FCC gives companies a license to broadcast on the public spectrum. KPTH has gone ultra-cheap and are wasting spectrum.

Of course, this channel is also taking space on CableOne's digital package. So instead of using bandwidth to improve the terrible picture on CableOne's Universal HD channel, they waste bandwidth on this unwatchable sludge.

I emailed the Chief Engineer at KTIV to ask if Dolby 5.1 was in the plans and he responded that is is in the budget for 2007 but has not be approved yet.

A colleague received this e-mail from the KPTH chief engineer:

========================================================
.... Thanks for your inquiry. KPTH DT is on the air, though it's very low power and is strictly SD. We have been working for months on modifying our tower, and I now a full power HDTV transmitter humming away in our KPTH DT Hinton transmitter site building. Beautiful machine. Our tower crew has another 3 weeks of work to accomplish before I can transmit at full power, and we are also working away at converting our studio for KPTH DT to pass some FOX programming in High Definition too. As for when, I'd suggest just prior to Christmas. I may well go ahead with full power prior though. You'll get a good signal, though it may not be High Def for a few more weeks if I opt to pursue that route.
========================================================

I was kind of hoping they'd be done before the Thanksgiving NFL game. Doesn't look good.

Mark

Hi, all...

just wanted to report that KTIV is close to an agreement for Long Lines Cable to carry our KTIV-DT signal (41.1). They serve quite a few communities in Northwest Iowa.

We've also added a few more cable systems that are now carrying the new "CW" network programming, which of course is also available over the air on 41.2. I'd be curious to hear from any HD folks with cable who aren't yet able to get KTIV-DT. I'm trying to get deals in place with as many systems as possible.

Dave Madsen
Station Manager
KTIV-TV, KTIV-DT, The CW Siouxland
Sioux City, Iowa

Dave,

Thanks for the info. Any word on KTIV carriage by DirecTv?


Mark

Dave,

Thanks for the info. Any word on KTIV carriage by DirecTv?


Mark


I know DirecTV is finally looking at potential "receive" sites in the Sioux City area from which they would receive local signals for retransmission, and I'm sure they will be receiving the digital-HD signals. However, there is no date on their calendar yet for the introduction of these local signals into our market.

Still no word on DishNetwork providing HD local signals.

I got an email from the engineer for KMEG and KPTH and he said next week sometime they should be able to start broadcasting at full power! A couple weeks ago I emailed the engineer at KDLT and asked him if they were having any issues with their transmitter. He said they were and the parts were on order. I have not noticed any change in signal strength since then however so I don't know if they have their issue fixed.

I am now getting 39.1 (14.1) in Larchwood. Nothing yet from KPTH-DT. ~ColAvsFan

I am in Sioux Center and I get a lock on 39.1 but no picture or audio. 14.1 does not have anything.

Tonight, I am not getting anything from ch. 39 (14.1) Perhaps that was a test of the transmitter.

12-2-2006

I have done a channel scan tonight, and I am now receiving KMEG 14.1 and KPTH 44.1 and 44.2 Signals appear to be very strong and picture quality is very good on both 14.1 and 44.1. MyKPTH channel 44.2 is just a HO-HUM no frills secondary channel, poor quality compared to the CW that KTIV has for a secondary channel.The SEC championship game on KMEG was awesome to watch in HD.

I have an indoor Philips antenna in Le Mars And I am getting a 100% signal now from both KPTH and KMEG. Even with my antenna pointed toward Sioux Falls, it's still at about 77%. Has anyone heard anything if KCAU will boost its signal? I get no signal al all from them.

Approximatly where do you live SBLer, cause I am not getting 44.1 or 44.2 which is the one I want the most out of those 3 Stations.

All users please remember: KTPH (49) and KMEG (39) are not presently broadcasting in HD.

I live in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa about 17 miles south of the tower in Hinton, Iowa

All users please remember: KTPH (49) and KMEG (39) are not presently broadcasting in HD.


Very true, they are still at SD. KMEG is still stretch-o-vision. Hopefully they go HD soon for football, that would be great.

I sure hope KMEG gets rid of stretch-o-vision soon. It really blows. Until they go OAR I'll keep watching KELO.

I live on the north side of Sioux City and get nothing for KMEG but get around 87% signal for KPTH. Though I can get KELO out of Sioux Falls on 11.1 and they appear to be broadcasting in HD so I guess it's not that huge of deal if KMEG can't get on the ball.

I switched to a different antenna, and I can now recieve KMEG, KPTH, and KTIV in digital. I don't understand what this KMEG stretch-o-vision is. KMEG's analog looks exactly the same to me as the digital signal, just the digital signal is clearer.~ColAvsFan

The KMEG "stretch-o-vision" on my Sony widescreen is exactly as if I had pressed the "wide" button on a 4:3 display: you get a phony "hd look" picture.

This reminds me of TV in Sioux City in the late 1950's and early 60's. Instead of programming all day, for several hours during the day they ran a test pattern on the screen.; overnight the transmitters were turned off. All broadcasts were in black & white. Then a few years later when the local stations transformed to local color TV, they had maybe one studio camera to do the local news, weather and sports; news footage was literally filmed and processed at the station.

What we are experiencing with the translation to HD is taking just as long as the translation to color broadcasts, and there are still plenty of rough edges.

I have changed nothing and my signal is at zero. Do I have to look for a different signal or what?

BTW - Looks like Sioux City is making progress, I have seen HD off and on from there, hopefully things will get done soon for all of us.

...BTW - Looks like Sioux City is making progress, I have seen HD off and on from there, hopefully things will get done soon for all of us.

Yes BV, it looks promising for us. I hope KMEG & KPTH get going with HD soon and we'll have all 4 major networks in HD (woot!). I'd like to mention that KTIV's HD looks pretty decent even with the CW sub-channel pulling away bandwidth. I had some reservations at first, and I know NBC has some issues too, but it looks better than I expected.

Happy Holidays.

I live in worthing,sd. Which is close to siouxfalls,sd. I can pick up local hd channels and some digital channels(including hbo and others) without a cable box or ota antenna.(just straight from the wall) I was wondering if anyone thinks this is normal. I was thinking about cancelling my digital/dvr box and saving 20 a month.

I can also pick up the local channels with out a cable box. I was told by my cable provider that they are doing this and plan to continue at least in the short term. I have had someone tell me that they are required to do this, but that I am not sure. I would guess if you are getting HBO, they are not correctly encrypting their signal for some channels. Thats my two cents.

I live in worthing,sd. Which is close to siouxfalls,sd. I can pick up local hd channels and some digital channels(including hbo and others) without a cable box or ota antenna.(just straight from the wall) I was wondering if anyone thinks this is normal. I was thinking about cancelling my digital/dvr box and saving 20 a month.

My understanding is that cable is "required" to pass local HD through their system free. Now in my case I do not have a new enough HD TV to decode "QAM" or whatever the digital cable signal is, so I still have to get a digital DVR from Midco to get them.

I can however get all local HD on my DVICO Fusion V tuner card in my computer, which has a "QAM" tuner. It also passes NBATV channel - not the games - unencypted.

If you have a newer, big HDTV, it probably is possible that it can decode those channels. Thought you had to have a cable card or something though.

I'm assuming you can't get ESPN-HD, HDNET or other HD channels straight into the HDTV, right?

My understanding is that cable is "required" to pass local HD through their system free. Now in my case I do not have a new enough HD TV to decode "QAM" or whatever the digital cable signal is, so I still have to get a digital DVR from Midco to get them.

I can however get all local HD on my DVICO Fusion V tuner card in my computer, which has a "QAM" tuner. It also passes NBATV channel - not the games - unencypted.

If you have a newer, big HDTV, it probably is possible that it can decode those channels. Thought you had to have a cable card or something though.

I'm assuming you can't get ESPN-HD, HDNET or other HD channels straight into the HDTV, right?

Not sure what is required for the cable companies to carry in the clear, but the following is what CableOne is carrying in the clear through a digital tuner without a cablecard:

Channel Network Description

67.452 ESPN HD ESPN in HDTV
68.454 TNT HD TNT in HDTV
20.455 ABC HDTV ABC in HDTV
20.465 NBC HDTV NBC in HDTV
20.470 PBS HDTV PBS in HDTV
78.475 FOX HDTV FOX in HDTV
78.476 My Network My Network TV
67.490 UNIVERSAL Universal HD
You also get the digital music stations using channels 71.801 through 71.824 and
72.825 through 72.847

If you have a cablecard the channel numbers are the same as with a digital set-top box.

Hopefully they will continue sending all non-premium stations without encryption.

Also I see that CableOne is advertising that they will soon be providing Discovery HD, HGTV HD and Food Network HD. Hopefully many others as well without extra cost.

My understanding is that cable is "required" to pass local HD through their system free. Now in my case I do not have a new enough HD TV to decode "QAM" or whatever the digital cable signal is, so I still have to get a digital DVR from Midco to get them.

I can however get all local HD on my DVICO Fusion V tuner card in my computer, which has a "QAM" tuner. It also passes NBATV channel - not the games - unencypted.

If you have a newer, big HDTV, it probably is possible that it can decode those channels. Thought you had to have a cable card or something though.

I'm assuming you can't get ESPN-HD, HDNET or other HD channels straight into the HDTV, right?


Premier Communications passes

102.3 KSFY-HD
105.3 KSIN-HD
106.2 ONDemand (previews for pay per view)
108.1 KTIV-DT
108.3 KELO-HD
108.4 UTV

Now that KPTH is broadcasting at full strength they tell me they will add that one as well.

There is also a number of digital audio stations in the 70-90 range.
One thing that I have noticed is that most of the channels that they pass on are coming from an antenna. Or at least I think. I can get Dolby Digital 5.1 on 105.3 but not the rest. If I use an antenna I don't get Dolby on that same station. The rest of them I don't get dolby either way.

Hi all,

New to this HD thing, call me primitive. Anyways, I would appreciate any help. Just got a 40-inch Sony 2400. I live just outside the Sioux City limits, so I have Directv and an off-air TERK antenna in my attic. I went to antennaweb, and my antenna is pointing ENE, picking up great signals from KTIV, KMEG, KPTH, KSIN. Obviously, nothing from KCAU. My questions are as follows:

1. If I plug in my coax directly to my TV, I get a decent analog KCAU signal, should I get a 1-2 splitter, and split the coax from my wall (from antenna) with one going to my HD Directv receiver and one to my TV, so we can at least watch KCAU in analog?
2. How is everyone else getting the SF stations AND SC stations? Do I need a different antenna, different direction, etc.?
3. Pardon my ignorance, but when trying to watch HD, do I have my TV in 16:9 mode? Do I have the "native" option on or off? (Picture is cropped when watching regular digital stations of satellite when watching in 16:9 mode, so it's kind of a pain to keep switching back and forth.)

Sorry for the longest post in history. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Steve

Hi all,

New to this HD thing, call me primitive. Anyways, I would appreciate any help. Just got a 40-inch Sony 2400. I live just outside the Sioux City limits, so I have Directv and an off-air TERK antenna in my attic. I went to antennaweb, and my antenna is pointing ENE, picking up great signals from KTIV, KMEG, KPTH, KSIN. Obviously, nothing from KCAU. My questions are as follows:

1. If I plug in my coax directly to my TV, I get a decent analog KCAU signal, should I get a 1-2 splitter, and split the coax from my wall (from antenna) with one going to my HD Directv receiver and one to my TV, so we can at least watch KCAU in analog?
2. How is everyone else getting the SF stations AND SC stations? Do I need a different antenna, different direction, etc.?
3. Pardon my ignorance, but when trying to watch HD, do I have my TV in 16:9 mode? Do I have the "native" option on or off? (Picture is cropped when watching regular digital stations of satellite when watching in 16:9 mode, so it's kind of a pain to keep switching back and forth.)

Sorry for the longest post in history. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Steve

Steve,

I have never been a big fan of splitters, but if DirectTV does not carry local channels then that is prob gona be your best option till KCAU does something worthwhile with their signal.

To get the Sioux Falls channels, I just had my sat receiver search for all digital signals and it picked them up, if you have the option, you should be able to add them as well. No special hardware needed.

As for getting the standard 4:3 picture to fill the screen, I just set my sat receiver (Dish Network) to stretch non HD pictures to 16:9 and I'm good to go on HD or SD as they both fill the screen.

Sioux Falls Channels are 11.1 KELO (CBS) 46.1 KDLT (NBC) and 13.1 KSFY (ABC) this is what I watch for ABC shows if weather is bad since my sat receiver does not have an analog antenna. I am not sure what FOX is for Sioux Falls as their signal has never been strong enough to pickup in Sioux City, and the way it sounds, it's not strong enough for many IN Sioux Falls to pickup.

On another note, I am getting a 95 to 100% signal from KMEG now, though I am still getting 70 to 80% from KPTH so it drops out a lot which is so frustrating since I watch a LOT of FOX programming and would love to be able to watch it all in HD soon as they get things worked out.

Hi all,

2. How is everyone else getting the SF stations AND SC stations? Do I need a different antenna, different direction, etc.?


Steve

Go to www.antennaweb.org

If you type in your exact address, it will give you direction and type of antenna needed to receive all signals. Don't know if the SC stations are on there with full strength yet, but will hopefully at least give you direction to all towers from your location.

I am amazed how accurate this data seems to be. If you type in address that would be on top of the Loess Hills and then move west down the hills to the Big Sioux River, it is amazing the difference in the signal data this web site give you. It seems to take terrain into effect if you accurately place where you are.

Thanks so much Anthony and BVfan. I have done the antennaweb thing, and you're right, it's great. I have had my satellite search for all stations, but still won't pick them up. I'll try to search again after moving my antenna a bit, but don't want to lose my SC station signal strength. I'm not a splitter-fan either, but I think it's my only option at the moment. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again everyone. I'll keep you all updated.

Steve

Skjoyce,

KCAU passes HD. There antenna is not at the same place as the other stations. There antenna is on the Terra Centre that is downtown Sioux City.

Craig

Thanks Craig. I have gathered that from other posts, but that doesn't help me solve the problem of how I get the signal with my antenna pointed the opposite direction in order to receive the other channels from the Hinton tower. Do you use a different type of antenna?

Thanks for your input.

Anyone have any idea if KCAU is even thinking of getting a spot on the tower up north? I hear there's plenty of room.

Steve

Thanks Craig. I have gathered that from other posts, but that doesn't help me solve the problem of how I get the signal with my antenna pointed the opposite direction in order to receive the other channels from the Hinton tower. Do you use a different type of antenna?....


Steve - Do a search for "Jointenna" in the AVS Forum - 'HDTV Recption Hardware'.

Mark

Two Antennas:

I live in Sioux City and with my VERY directional CM rooftop antenna and amplifier pointed due north, I receive the major HD networks from Sioux Falls - probably 75 miles away. The 2,000' tower just northeast of Sioux City is probably only 10 miles from my hill-top home, but I get a spotty signal from it with my setup.

I have tried two antennas with a special CM joiner, but the signal loss that causes on the Sioux Falls antenna eliminates that option.

Also tried re-aiming my single antenna toward the Sioux City tower, but then I lose Sioux Falls. In the 80's I had a rotor, but that's a nuisance. So my solution is to wait for CableOne to (finally) provide all the major networks and local stations in HD.

From Steve's posts it sounds like he just wants to pull in KCAU and the other SC locals. I think with his location (Hinton is ENE) signal strenth will not be a problem using a 2nd antenna and a joiner. I has a similar setup a couple years ago when KCAU first started digital and it definitely dropped the signal but it worked.

Now I use the rotator and it works great for getting Sioux Falls, Omaha, and Sioux City.

Mark

A colleague received this e-mail from the KPTH chief engineer:

========================================================
.... Thanks for your inquiry. KPTH DT is on the air, though it's very low power and is strictly SD. We have been working for months on modifying our tower, and I now a full power HDTV transmitter humming away in our KPTH DT Hinton transmitter site building. Beautiful machine. Our tower crew has another 3 weeks of work to accomplish before I can transmit at full power, and we are also working away at converting our studio for KPTH DT to pass some FOX programming in High Definition too. As for when, I'd suggest just prior to Christmas. I may well go ahead with full power prior though. You'll get a good signal, though it may not be High Def for a few more weeks if I opt to pursue that route.
========================================================

I was kind of hoping they'd be done before the Thanksgiving NFL game. Doesn't look good.

Mark

What is the latest from KMEG & KPTH. It's getting pretty close to Christmas!!

I was asking my local cable company so they can add the station to their cable feed. He called KMEG and they told him before the superbowl. I think that we have heard that before so maybe this was not the correct person who knows.

What is the latest from KMEG & KPTH. It's getting pretty close to Christmas!!

It's not good. I received this from an engineer at KMEG / KPTH:

"...We have come to a screeching halt on automation and High Definition.....So, now I’m hoping to at least pass the Super Bowl in High-Def on KMEG DT. Though, it would be without local content. (No local commercials) As for KPTH DT, nope, even later. Besides moving KPTH to KMEG studios, we still have outstanding microwave Studio to Transmitter link issues still to resolve too. I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you. Hang in there. I’m determined to get this done. I don’t even watch analog TV at home myself anymore. I can’t wait to get this stuff going."

Bummer. My guess is they'll pull the plug on passing HD after the SB until they can get the local commercial thing ironed out.

The KMEG / KPTH delay is a big drag, but at least with a good antenna, many of us can get CBS in HD from KELO in Sioux Falls.

In the Sioux City area cable system CableOne, they're adding a 5-channel HD package, probably in February after they get new equipment installed. The optional $5 package will offer these HD channels: National Geographic HD, Food TV HD, A&E HD, HGTV-HD, and Discovery Home Theater HD.

I am most interested in Discovery HD and National Geographic HD, and by far the least interested in A&E HD (they carry a lot of reruns of non-HD programming like TNT does.)

Sure wish we had access to HDNet on cable - I don't want to go back to a dish. HDNet carries a lot of movies, concerts, news and specials in real HD without tons of compression. Instead, CableOne carries the terrible UniversalHD which has 2-star movies, and TV series from the 1970's - all in the worst compressed blocky blotchy picture imaginable.

The KMEG / KPTH delay is a big drag, but at least with a good antenna, many of us can get CBS in HD from KELO in Sioux Falls.

In the Sioux City area cable system CableOne, they're adding a 5-channel HD package, probably in February after they get new equipment installed. The optional $5 package will offer these HD channels: National Geographic HD, Food TV HD, A&E HD, HGTV-HD, and Discovery Home Theater HD.

I am most interested in Discovery HD and National Geographic HD, and by far the least interested in A&E HD (they carry a lot of reruns of non-HD programming like TNT does.)

Sure wish we had access to HDNet on cable - I don't want to go back to a dish. HDNet carries a lot of movies, concerts, news and specials in real HD without tons of compression. Instead, CableOne carries the terrible UniversalHD which has 2-star movies, and TV series from the 1970's - all in the worst compressed blocky blotchy picture imaginable.

Is the optional HD package you mention in addition to the extra $5 you pay for a HD Digital Box now?

Is the optional HD package you mention in addition to the extra $5 you pay for a HD Digital Box now?

Oh, yeah. It's just another optional "tier" like adding HBO/Cinemax. $5 per month on top of the "digital" package. You will be able to subscribe if you have their digital box or have a cablecard in your set.

Oh, yeah. It's just another optional "tier" like adding HBO/Cinemax. $5 per month on top of the "digital" package. You will be able to subscribe if you have their digital box or have a cablecard in your set.

If they had more channels in the package it might be worth it, but appears to be a rip-off for just 5. Might be time to look at the satellite option again!

If they had more channels in the package it might be worth it, but appears to be a rip-off for just 5. Might be time to look at the satellite option again!

Yep. And if D* adds NGC-HD soon as is rumored, then they'll have most of the channels I want in CableOne's HD pack, plus the HDNets & ESPN-2.

Yep. And if D* adds NGC-HD soon as is rumored, then they'll have most of the channels I want in CableOne's HD pack, plus the HDNets & ESPN-2.

This is a little off-track for this forum, but I agree that D* would be better for me if all I cared about was HD content. Unfortunately, my cable company is the only realistic source for me to get high-speed broadband internet. When I have compared the cost of my cable package vs. D* + DSL for internet, there just isn't any advantage to switch (other than having 30 HD channels), and the DSL in my neighborhood is actually about 1/10th as fast as my cable modem.

Perhaps in another decade we will have fiber-optic cables running to every home and business, and be able to choose what WE want to watch, not just what the cable or satellite provider says we can have -- plus have unlimited data transmission capacity everywhere. Until then...

This is a little off-track for this forum, but I agree that D* would be better for me if all I cared about was HD content. Unfortunately, my cable company is the only realistic source for me to get high-speed broadband internet. When I have compared the cost of my cable package vs. D* + DSL for internet, there just isn't any advantage to switch (other than having 30 HD channels), and the DSL in my neighborhood is actually about 1/10th as fast as my cable modem.

Perhaps in another decade we will have fiber-optic cables running to every home and business, and be able to choose what WE want to watch, not just what the cable or satellite provider says we can have -- plus have unlimited data transmission capacity everywhere. Until then...


I don't know, when I made the move to Dish and I added HD, another receiver, Cinemax and kept my 3meg cable internet I only ended up paying about $10 more a month then I did with the digital bundle with HBO on Cableone. And since the incompetent people over at KMEG feel that it's better to show paid programming infomercials rather then football on Sunday's, I am glad I have an antenna to get Sioux Fall channels since they seem to realize that their customers want to see football and not paid advertising on Sunday. In addition, with Dish's new HD packs you get something like 25 channels for $20 or you can get something like the Dish HD Gold (which is what I have) that Includes 27 high-definition channels plus over 240 standard channels for $70 / month and then add the 3meg internet for 40 for a total of $110 / month.


On a side note, reception of Sioux Falls channels is sometimes spotty (95% one day, 0 the next) so I want to add an amp to my antenna. Anyone have a model that they have had really good luck with?

...On a side note, reception of Sioux Falls channels is sometimes spotty (95% one day, 0 the next) so I want to add an amp to my antenna. Anyone have a model that they have had really good luck with?

It's hard to beat a Channel Master 7777 or 7775 pre-amp.

Hey, I just found this forum and am really glad.

I live in Vermillion, SD and have Dish Network with an Over-the-air antenna. I receive KPTH, KMEG and KTIV at 90-100. I do not receive KCAU (Which is irritating). Does anyone have any info as to whether KCAU plans to move to the same tower as the other stations?

Would it be too much to ask for KPTH to go HD before the next season of 24 starts?

Happy New Year everyone,

An update on my current situation. I have Directv, which is fine, and receive all off-air locals except KCAU. So I went to Pflanz and got a splitter, which takes my off-air antenna from the wall and splits it----one to my TV directly (so I can receive KCAU), and the other to my satellite so I can receive my HD locals. Only problem is, my KCAU is shadowy. I have my antenna in my attic (Terk antenna) pointing ENE and receive a great signal from KTIV, KMEG, KPTH, KSIN... Thoughts? Different antenna (? non-directional?)? Appreciate any thoughts.

Steve

Time to rescan those sets guys. I am in Sioux county and am getting kmeg and kpth in a digital signal. Very stable too. I am not sure when it changed, but a friend of mine noticed more channels on New Years eve. He had the nerve not to tell me about it until now. :)

On second look I don't think the KPTH signal is full HD. Looks like a 480p signal. KMEG looks better.

Hey all,

I'm thrilled to find this message board with "Siouxlanders" dealing with the same situations as I am! I just recently found the Directv message board, that has helped some, but this thread is much better!

I'd like to throw out MY particular situation, to see if anyone has any thoughts or opinions or suggestions for me.

I have had Directv (with two receivers) for six years now. The wife wants to upgrade to a DVR and I want High Definition. I'm not bothered about paying $100 for either of those type receivers, but if you want a combo "HD DVR" receiver, it's $300. Screw that (it really should be like, between $200-$250, IMO), so we're going to go with a DVR for the 46" LCD, in the living room and a HD receiver for the 54" Zenith, in the family room/basement. I really don't have any questions about the DVR. I've read (on the Directv boards) that some people are finding bugs/flaws. I guess we'll keep our fingers crossed that we won't have that problem. My questions/concerns are with the HD receiver and the use of an antenna.

As you Directv folks (in the Sioux City area) know, we don't get our locals thru them. I pay $6.00 per month for the east coast affiliates of: NBC, CBS, ABC & FOX. When I want to catch something on the "local" affiliates, I just use a basic "rabbit ears" antenna connected to the back of the living room TV (which definately sucks, picture-wise). I can't get ANY local reception in the underground basement. Now by going with HD, I will have the opportunity to have them install 1 of 3 antennas that they offer (for a one-time $50 fee), to assist a person in picking up local digital feeds. After reading thru some of the pages on this thread, it sounds like the majority of you are going this route. I had been giving a thought of NOT using an antenna and just keeping the national affiliates, just to avoid the cost of an antenna and also because of the minor problems some of you have been having picking up the signals of local affiliates. But both the wife and I are very interested in trying to pick up the signals of TV stations in Sioux Falls, and maybe even Omaha, if the antenna was big and fancy enuff. I did go to antennaweb and found that we could possibly pick up ALOT of these channels from where we live (South Cornelia St. - in M'Side 51106)

So I guess I'm wanting to learn more about what other Directv subscribers are doing, here in Sioux City. Anyone out there just sticking with the national affiliates for the major networks (and their High Definition shows)? Who all went the antenna route and did you go with one of Directv's antenna options or with something else? Did you contact Directv directly about upgrading (and antenna installation) or did you go with a local retailer (such as Satellite Central)? Any suggestions, assistance, thoughts or opinions would be GREATLY appreciated !!!! Thanks

GT25Ump

A few suggestions. I am surprised you are still able to get the DNS in Sioux City. maybe you are using a remote address. If you want to get a Standard DVR you are going to need the DNS feed to be able to record network shoes.

In regards to the cost of HD DVR's. If it was me I would step up and get the HD DVR. I have had the HD Tivo for a couple of years now and don't regret spendy a lot more than $300.

I am not familiar with the Morningside area, but from what I have read it seems to be difficult to get HD signal. IF you are at all handy I would just go out and buy an antennas direct antenna and hang it yourself. Not much to it. Go to the antennaweb.org website and put in your address and see the directions to your different HD affiliates and see what antenna you should get.

GT25Ump - Like Ben L C I am also surprised you get all the DNS networks in HD. At this point I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that, like having them come out to install an antenna for SC locals, especially since local FOX & CBS aren't HD yet anyway. If I were you I'd just get a good Channel Master antenna and see if you can get KCAU in HD. I'm sure you'll get KTIV and KSIN in HD and you'll get KMEG & KPTH in SD. I live in Morningside too and have good signal by pointing the antenna at Terra Towers where the KCAU transmitter is located. Depending on where you live on Cornelia, I think you'll be fine without a big antenna or an amp. If you want Sioux Falls and Omaha, you'll need a CM 4228 and a 7775 or 7777 amp and a rotator. I'm down in a valley in Morningside and I can still get KETV, WOW, and KELO most of the time.

BTW - You should be able to get at least a $99 credit on a DirecTv HD-DVR the HR20. Just read thru some of the threads in the HD Recorder secrion. I got a $99 credit, free HD pack for a year, and an additional $10/month credit for a year.

I read Ben's reply to me, last night, and mentioned that he was surprised that I received "DNS" in Sioux City. I didn't know what the hell THAT meant, haha. NOW, I'm figuring it out, after reading hiltsy's statement. That's the national affiliates, right?

Anyways, I'm NOT receiving the national affiliates in Hi-Def. I haven't even purchased a HD receiver or antenna yet. I'm simply getting the basic broadcast from those channels on directv (Channels 380-389), because of DTV not offering Sioux City locals. But from my understanding, those national affiliates have HD versions of themselves located in the same channel area as the rest of Directv's HD channel choices. SO, I figured that if I wanted, I could just have them, rather than deal with the antenna, to pick up the locals around here. But in the same respect, I previously didn't believe that we could see those channels in HD. As you can see, I need more KNOWLEDGE on all this, haha.

So now that you understand that I am not getting ANYTHING in HD, yet, let's move onto the antenna suggestion. So does that mean that I should blow off any antenna options that Directv offers me and just go out and buy a special antenna (such as the CM 4228 & amp & a rotator to allow me to be able to aim the antenna when I need to)? I wonder if the guy representing DTV, that will come to install the DVR & HD Receiver would also handle installing a special antenna? I'm not exactly mechanically inclined, if you know where I'm coming from. lol

And hiltsy, how did you get all those credits and discounts? Were you a new customer to Directv? If you WEREN'T a new customer, did you just have to ask for the discounts? I'd love a link to THAT info. haha.... Thanks for all the info so far.

GT25Ump

Ok. I see now you're not getting DNS (distant network service) in HD. I was wondering how you succeeded where so many have failed! Anyway, I'm not really sure what D* will give you for an antenna, but I assume it will be one that clips onto the dish. With that one you'll get KTIV & KSIN in HD, but probably not KCAU. You'll need to get the CM setup I mentioned, and someone like Pflanz could probably do the install. The D* installer should be able to integrate the CM antenna signal with your receivers.

For the HR20 go here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=62089

I would be real careful how you talk to D*. If you do get a HD receiver just activate it like normal and see what comes in. You don't want to loose the DNS'.

They did have a $99 H20 with a $99 credit awhile back. Not sure what is going on now.