I have been posting in the Des Moines forum but I thought it was time for a Siouxland thread. I have a Hitachi 61" with an integrated digital tuner. I have an all channel antenna with a rotor to pick up the local ABC and NBC digital feeds. On other local forums the engineers from the local stations contribute and I hope that happens here. That way we can get accurate information about the digital transmissions. I encourage anyone in Siouxland to share their experience with HDTV and OTA digital reception.

hello Bill,
I have a 55" mits and a hughes e86 ..sure hope we have more Siouxlanders out there with hdtv..
craig

Thanks to Bill for letting me know about this forum.

I am Station Manager/Operations Manager for KTIV-TV and KTIV-DT. I probably have some answers you may need about DTV in Siouxland...or I can get the answer!

Let me start by explaining that KTIV is currently operating on Channel 41.1 with a low power (10KW) transmitter, so our coverage is not as big as it will be eventually. Our antenna is at about 750' on our tower southeast of Hinton. We should get a signal out about 35-40 miles.

KCAU (ABC) in Sioux City has just started broadcasting their DTV signal on Channel 30. They have a 500W transmitter on top of the Terra Building in downtown Sioux City.

KPTH (FOX) should start broadcasting within a week.

Don't know about KMEG (CBS).

If you have specific questions, you can find a contact for me at KTIV on our website...www.ktiv.com. I'd love to get email addresses of DTV enthusiasts in the area. For specific info about KTIV-DT, check out this page on our site: http://www.ktiv.com/CustomPages/DigitalTV/Index.cfm

I can't promise how often I'll check this forum, but I'll try!

hello,
Just to let you know KPTH-DT is broadcasting tonite.

Craig

I couldn't pick up KPTH last night. My information is that it is on 49. Is that correct. Do you know if they are on their regular tower? Does anyone know how much power they are broadcasting with.
I think KTIV is broadcasting with more power. At least they are indicating more power on my signal strength meter. I can get them without an amplifier.

Bill,
I did a scan on 49 and it mapped it at 44-1. I called kpth today and it is on the regular tower. and they said that they are missing a couple of part and waiting for them to come in (there hoping this week)so there at a lower power. i have just a outdoor antenna with no pre-amp . My hughes signal strength meter has KTIV at 100% and KPTH at about 50% to 60% and KCAU at about 60% (It was at 100 % when the antenna was pointed at terra ) i have it pointed more at the tower now for a stronger signal on KPTH ... man power rotator
=====
craig

Thanks Craig I will try it at 44-1. I am upgrading to a better UHF antenna when it comes in. I should be able to get the Norfolk PBS station and I am going to try to get the Sioux Falls digital stations when they come on the air.

I just talked to KSFY (ABC Sioux Falls) this morning...they say they are on the air and at "full power". Anyone confirm this? I do not know the channel number.

If you haven't already, you might check out this website www.titantv.com. It has a lot of info about HD programming and which stations should be available where you live.

Hello all. Great to see a thread on DTV/HDTV here in Sioux City. Thanks, Bill for getting it started. I've cruised this forum for a couple years & picked up lots of good info. I live in Morningside (way down in a valley) and thought I might have trouble getting a decent signal. But I've installed two Channel Master 4221 antenna in my attic - 1 pointed at the Hinton field & the other at the KCAU transmitter on the Terra building downtown - and I get about 76 signal strength on KCAU & 60 on KTIV. I get a dropout now & then but nothing that really bothers me. I have the old DTC-100 receiver & I'm pretty sure I'd get better results with a newer receiver. I've been looking at the new Sony, Zenith, & Samsung units.

Kudos to Dave Madsen & KTIV for taking the initiative in getting HDTV here in Sioux City. I kind of thought we'd be in an HDTV black hole & we really would be without them. I've been watching several NBC programs that I had never seen before. Also, was quite disappointed to hear KCAU would not be passing the ABC 1080i signal, only doing DTV. The Super Bowl would have been a great opportunity for them to promote their new digital system & HDTV. BTW Bill, nice editorial in the paper regards KCAU & DTV!

I didn't know KPTH was on yet. I'll check it out tonight. I heard from their chief engineer that they won't be doing FOX's 480P widescreen at this time. Maybe down the road, but from what I hear, its nothing that great anyway.

I'd like everyone's opinion on how KTIV is handling the 4:3 SD material. I think they've decided to stretch to fit a 16:9 window (maybe its more like 14:9 cropped to fit the 16:9) & upconvert to 1080i. The problem I see is, when its sent out as 1080i HDTV, neither my receiver or TV has any control over the aspect ratio (it locks to 16:9 so its always stretched). If they would send out 4:3 SD material as 480I/P or as 1080i 16:9 with side bars, then we'd see the original 4:3 aspect ratio. 480I/P would allow stretching as desired. At least we'd have a choice.

Anyway, glad we're getting some DTV/HDTV going here in Sioux City.

Mark

Wow A lot of people saw that editorial in the Journal. I have had many comments on it. Thanks for your kind words. It looks like the digital world is starting to get interesting. I am going to try and receive the ABC channel from Sioux Falls when I get my new antenna up. (My never ending quest to see the Superbowl in HD) I will keep the forum posted on my results.

Bill,
What antenna are you getting? Can you install outside or in the attic? Sioux Falls is quite a ways - hope it works out.

Mark

Hello Mark,
It's good to hear from another siouxlander with hdtv

Craig

To Dave Madsen (KTIV):
My father lives in PENDER, NE ... about 45 miles SSW of Sioux City. I was wondering if he would have any chance at receiving KTIV, KCAU or KPTH out of Sioux City? He wants to get a HDTV soon, and would be getting a large directional UHF antenna, with a antenna-mounted amplifier. He also lives up on a hill. Thanks in advance ...

To Eyedox about your father in Pender, NE. This is Dave Madsen from KTIV in Sioux City. I would say your father is on the fringe of where our signal would go at this point. We are using a low power transmitter now, and we're thinking 35-40 miles for a signal range, but we haven't actually tested the signal outside of Sioux City yet. I'd like to hear from other folks about their reception of KTIV-DT. You can reach me directly at dmadsen@ktiv.com.

Originally posted by dmadsen
KCAU (ABC) in Sioux City has just started broadcasting their DTV signal on Channel 30. They have a 500W transmitter on top of the Terra Building in downtown Sioux City.
KCAU at 500 watts? I have light bulbs that are brighter than that! :D You would think they would at least do a few thousand watts! Good grief! Thanks for the reply Dave Madsen! Any idea when KTIV might be boosting the signal a bit for the less fortunate folks who live outside the current fringe area?

Sorry, but we don't have a specific timetable for increasing DT power for KTIV-DT. The FCC said stations had to get on the air with at least a low power transmitter (to provide a "city grade" signal), and that's what many stations are doing due to the huge costs involved.

I heard that KTIV is broadcasting in 1080i. Does anyone know if KCAU is broadcasting 720p yet? Also, is the Siouxland FOX station there broadcasting 480p (FOX WIDESCREEN) or are both ABC and FOX locals in Sioux City just 480i right now??

Will anyone be able to get HDTV in Westfield????? I used to live there!!!!

If you mean Westfield, Iowa...I think they should be able to get KTIV-DT.

Eyedox,
Yes, KTIV is sending out 1080i, but KCAU is SD only so far. I e-mailed KCAU to ask if they were planning to broadcast 720P & this was the responce:

" Thanks for your note.

We are presently offering a "standard definition" digital signal. Our
capital plans include an upgrade to a "high definition" transmission in the
future. Just how far into the future is dependent, at least in part, on how
quickly the penetration of digital receivers in the Siouxland market grows.
I hope that's not too far off, but it certainly won't be before SuperBowl
XXXVII.

Thanks again for your interest.

Ray Cole, President
Citadel Communications
3903 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-457-9645 (Ext. 127)
Fax: 515-457-1033
rcole@woitv.com
"

I haven't been able to get FOX digital, but the engineer there I e-mailed said they won't be doing FOX Widescreen yet.

Anybody else get KPTH FOX digital?

Mark

There are so many of us in the Des Moines market that are so incredibly disappointed in WOI-TV (ABC) for not making the SuperBowl deadline as previously scheduled. They've had their equipment for months and have had plenty of time to get it up on the tower. I guess unlike some markets and stations, WOI doesn't consider their HD viewers an important priority. The FCC deadline was almost a YEAR ago for commercial stations. WOI is also planning on being 480i for awhile (no 720p HD). I am just so tired of chronic excuse-makers and people that do the bare minimum. If the FCC weren't requiring digital signals, some of these stations would NEVER switch on their own. I know there are costs, but we had to spend thousands on our TV's too.

FYI to Siouxland DTV folks, KTIV has changed the aspect ratio on our DTV to more closely resemble a 4:3 screen when we are just sending a standard definition signal (which is an upconverted analog signal).

When we are passing HDTV, you should still get the same "FULL SCREEN" 16:9 picture.

If you want to fill the screen with our standard def picture, you can do it on your set.

If folks have comments about this, we'd love to hear from you. It's a simple enough thing to change back if most people don't like it.

Dave,
I have a mits set that will not let me change the format on the DTV input. I have half of the logo cut off.
Craig

Most sets won't let any 1080i or 720p HD signal be stretched, etc ... Neither can a 480p 16:9 signal ... Only a 480i or 480p 4:3 aspect ratio signal can be manipulated with most HDTVs. (like the Mits). So if KTIV is upconverting a standard def 4:3 show to 1080i 4:3 ... the HDTV's still see it as a 1080i 16:9 signal (even though there are horizontal bars). On the other hand, if KTIV sends a 480i or 480p 4:3 signal of their standard def TV shows, you WOULD be able to manipulate the picture ... however you would lose some picture quality ... I can tell you for certain that FOX 480i looks a hell of a lot more fuzzy and washed out than an upconverted standard def show on NBC in 1080i (even though its not a TRUE 1080i picture).

I have installed my new ChannelMaster antenna (4228) and the improvement in the signal was impressive. I now can receive both ABC and NBC with no drop outs and as an extra benefit channel 14 (analog) is ghost free for the first time since I moved here. No luck on getting the Sioux Falls channels but I am still satisfied. I have one question on channel 44. Titan TV says that the major and minor channels are 44-1. When I tune my receive to 44-1 it just brings in analog 44. Is 44 on the air and is anyone receiving it? Thanks to Dave Madsen from channel 4 for being the only station that seems to care about the new world of digital broadcasting.

"No luck on getting the Sioux Falls channels but I am still satisfied. "

Don't give up hope, SF channels are not up yet. Should be soon.

KPTH-DT is on Channel 49, not 44.

Hello all.
I still can't get KPTH-DT. I've tried 2 different receivers & still nothing, not even a recognition that 49 is there at all. I called the station & they said their transmitter is on the same tower as KTIV, but at a lower elevation. They are sending low power at this time. Must be 1/10 of a watt. How did they get FCC approval for that? I used to get some good KPTH info by e-mailing the chief engineer there, but I haven't received any replies in a month. Maybe they've got her on a pedal-powered generator that runs the transmitter ;).

Dave,
As you know, I'm a big fan of original aspect ratio & I appreciate KTIV sending an upconverted un-stretched image for 4:3 SD broadcasts. I think they look great and you don't have to watch fat faces. If one has the TV contrast & brightness properly set, burn-in should not be an issue on a 16:9 set. Also, all receivers have S-video 480i output which allows the TV to stretch the image to fill the screen if desired.

Mark

I was able to get KPTH-DT after following Dave's suggestion of using channel 49. I punched in 49-1 and it found KPTH-DT but the display says 44-1. Weird. Now I cannot get KTIV-DT. Is anyone else having trouble? I get KCAU and KPTH.

Hello all.
No KPTH-DT for me. I finally got an e-mail reply from the engineer there. They have been testing in the Morningside area (I'm there) and some areas can't receive the signal because of the terrain. Well, that's ok. FOX / KPTH are not committed to HD anyway. The only thing I watch on FOX is NASCAR & they've only got half the season. Looking forward to the 2nd half with KTIV / NBC doing the broadcasts.

Bill,
Did you get KTIV back?

Mark

I don't have KTIV-DT yet but I am sure it is my TV. I am going to re setup the antenna on the TV and I hope that should do it. This all proves to me that HDTV is not ready for prime time. A person must be very dedicated to receive the digital signal. I am afraid that it will be a long time before HDTV penetrates the public at large. It will take the cable companies carrying the HD signal before many will adopt the technology.

As I know that all of Siouxland is wondering if I have KTIV-DT. It was a problem with my set. I did a new search of the channels and now I have everything.

Bob, glad to hear you're finally getting KTIV-DT!

You are absolutely right that we really need to get the cable companies to carry the HD signal. We're negotiating right now with CableOne for a new Retransmission Consent Agreement that allows them to carry our regular analog signal, and we're hopeful that HD will be part of that agreement.

On an unrelated issue, I'm surprised there aren't more DTV folks using this forum to talk about various subjects. I'll try sending another email to the list I have, but that's only about 20 people.

If anyone reading this wants to be part of our KTIV-DT email list, drop me a message at the TV station.

hello,
I just checked www.KELOTV.com from Sioux Falls (cbs) is online today
its on 32 and i can get a low signal without a preamp

I email kELO to let them know that i was receiving there signal. I received a email back from them here it is
=====================================================
Craig,

Thank you very much for your report. I really appreciate it....

Presently we are running at 25% power (6 db down from full power). We will
be on the air until 8 AM Friday. At that time we will be shutting the
transmitter down and will be running more tests of the transmission line and
antenna system. We expect to be back on by Friday afternoon.

We will be shutting the transmitter down the next few days on and off during
the day and after Midnight - but we will do our best to be on the air for
primetime.

We expect to be on the air full power by Monday - possibly before depending
on the results of the tests on Friday.

Again, thank you for the report.

John

John Hertz
KELO TV Engineering
jhertz@keloland.com

=====================================================
now wait to see if i need a preamp..
more HDTV (GOD I LOVE THIS)
thank you KTIV and KELO for givin us HDTV

Well my ChannelMaster UHF antenna did the trick. I am getting KELO-DT out of Sioux Falls with a great signal. I now can get all networks digitally. Now we need to pressure ABC and Fox to transmit in HD and all will be well. I am glad I have a rotor or I would not be able to get all the channels. Now the public broadcasting stations from Nebraska and South Dakota are my next quest. I can't wait for them to begin broadcasting.

Congrats to you guys that can get KELO. I'm going to try tonight, but I'm not too hopeful. Assume they are sending out HDTV per your comments. With the NCAA basketball tournament & The Masters upcoming, I'd love to be able to get CBS HD.

Mark

KSFY is testing in Sioux Falls...

Thanks for the heads-up on KSFY. I am able to receive the KELO signal in NW Iowa since it started, and figured KSFY wouldn't be far behind. Any idea as to the signal strength of KSFY vs. KELO and if KSFY will be HDTV or only digital? Their info is a little vague.

I emailed the engineer a few months ago, he replied saying they will be doing 720p (it seems that they are). Not sure about signal strengh, but I'd bet it be on par with KELO.:)

I received an email reply from one of the engineering gurus at KSFY and he indeed stated they are transmitting in 720p. He said they are outputing at 18.8KW which was not as high as KELO. I guess I will find out soon enough if it is time to "retire" the old antenna on the roof and upgrade.

Does any one know if KSFY is doing DD 5.1? I was just wondering
thank you
Craig

I am curious about DD 5.1 as well. Neither KELO-DT or KSFY-DT show up as DD 5.1 on my A/V receiver (HDNet from the dish does). Also, does anyone know what signal KDLT-DT will eventually output; SD or HD? It appears I am out of the range of KTIV-DT, at least until they up the power output or I try a different antenna, so I am out of luck for getting NBC.

I'm guessing KELO and KSFY won't pass 5.1 (they don't now).

From what I've heard KDLT will be ED only. But may transmit HDTV at a later time.

Husker, where do you live? We figure our current low-power KTIV-DT signal goes out about 35 miles.

Also, FYI, KTIV does not have DD5.1 because NBC is not currently broadcasting anything with DD5.1, so there's nothing for us to pass along. In talking with one of the DT engineers at NBC in New York, they're not sure when they might start 5.1.

As always, I'm interested in hearing from folks out there who are receiving the KTIV-DT signal. And let me know when you have problems, too.

Dave, thank you for asking. I live south of Rock Valley, so by my estimation I would be roughly 40-45 miles from the towers. Have you had any feedback as to how far north your DT signal has been picked up? I plan to try a different antenna to see if I can get it. I will keep you posted.

To those who can receive KSFY-DT; has anyone noticed the audio being out of sync on the HDTV primetime shows? It was very noticeable last night. Just wondering if the problem is on my end or if anyone else has noticed this.

Husker,

We haven't heard from very many people at all about our coverage, and we haven't had a chance to actually get out and do signal checks yet. You are indeed probably outside of our low-power coverage area. If you'd like to be part of our "DTV Enthusiasts" email list, please contact me by email at the station.

Thanks.

Hi All,

I just got myself a new HDTV (upgradable) and even though I've been a diehard satellite customer for years, I'm looking forward to the arrival of my mail-ordered ATSC set-top box so that I can see the locals in HD. Thanks to the great info from the other messages in this forum, I think I have a handle on who is broadcasting, on what channel and in which formats.

My main questions for now are the following:

1. Are there any other forum members in the Grandview Park area (northside)?

2. If so, are there any recommendations for which antenna to put up? I currently ONLY do Dish satellite so I have nothing in the way of an aerial installed.

Thanks in advance for the help and thanks to Dave Madsen at KTIV for leading the HD revolution in Siouxland!

-Scott

well I updated my antenna to the 4228 with the 7777 preamp and a rotator. I can get the Sioux Falls almost perfect.
I emailed both stations about DD5.1 and i received a response from KELO and will be adding this feature later this year but KSFY said they pass it on in HD programs that have it but i told them I only get Pro logic II.
Is there anyone that is getting it in DD5.1

Craig

I have the 4228 but can't put any kind of amp up at the antenna itself, so I'm using a Radio Shack 14db one at my ATSC receiver. With it, I can pick up local ABC and NBC but that's it. Any suggestions for how to get better reception?

Update on KZNE-DT (PBS from Norfork) According to Titan TV KXNE was scheduled to go live on April 1 but I contacted Nebraska Public television and this is the news I received.

KXNE will not be operating initially
at full power. When this is the case a Special Temporary Authorization
(STA) needs to be requested from the FCC. The target for broadcast is May
1st, and initially will be low power receivable primarily in Norfolk.

Not good news for us here in the metro Sioux City area. It may be some time before they are broadcasting with a strong enough signal to be received in the Sioux City area.

Hello from Morningside. Does anyone get program guide info for KCAU-DT? I have a Zenith HD-SAT520 receiver and it gets guide info for KTIV-DT and all the analog channels, but nothing for KCAU.

Mark

Mark,
Welcome to HDTV. I have bad news for you. KCAU does not broadcast any HD. Their digital station is up but it broadcasts only standard definition programs. I put up a UHF antenna on my roof and I get HD programming from Sioux Falls for CBS and ABC. I get the HD for NBC from KTIV. I have the ChannelMaster 4228 antenna with an amplifier and I get SIoux Falls very well. I don't know if that is an option for you but if you want to get more HDTV over the air that is about the only way. If you haven't been to titantv.com give that a try for listings of HD programs on the various stations. Hope this helps.

Bill,

Since you receive the KSFY-DT signal, and you are a ways away from Sioux Falls, maybe you can help me out. Have you noticed any problems with the audio being out of sync with the ABC HDTV shows? I have noticed it on my setup from it's inception. My receiver says my signal strength as at 70% for both KELO and KSFY, which seems odd because I think KELO produces a stronger signal. KELO audio & video is fine and KSFY video is fine but has that very annoying audio problem.

I am just curious if anyone else has noticed this. I was hoping it was just an initial "bug" with the station, but after being on the air for several weeks now, it appears as though it is my problem.

Also, how does your preamp work? Is a preamp used for DT signals only or does it improve overall reception of all stations? I am thinking about trying one to see if I can pickup KTIV-DT, but I have no idea how strong the Sioux City signals are vs. the Sioux Falls signals.

Husker,
Check out this thread that talks about audio out of sync with the video.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=223077
I do experience it sometimes (mostly on HBO HD off of the satellite). I don't know any more about it than is discussed in this thread. It sounds like it is a transmission problem

Husker,
On your second question. My amplifier works on all channels. It is a 13 dB amp and it has cleared up my ghosting problem with channel 14.

Mark,
I have a Hughes e86 and I don't get the program guide for KCAU-DT.

Craig

Thanks Craig. Good to know I'm not the only one I guess. I've e-mailed KCAU about the problem, but no reply yet. I've read here that it has to do with PSIP and / or the info sent from DirecTv (OTA & DirecTv are all integrated into one guide in the receiver).

Bill - Yes, I'm aware KCAU-DT isn't HD. I'm really not in a good position to get the Sioux Falls feeds. I'm down low in Morningside and have a pretty tall ridge to the north. I can't even get KPTH-DT. I was sort of surprised to get KCAU-DT so easily. I'm jealous of you guys in the Dunes & DC - you have a pretty straight shot at Sioux Falls. Does anyone know where their towers are located?

Mark

I'm curious...what's the farthest east anyone is receiving any of the following...KTIV, KCAU, KELO. I'm in Spencer (way east) and trying to figure out if it's worth the effort to put up an antenna.

Musicman
I think that as the crow flies you are not any farther from the Sioux Falls stations than I am. If you have a clear shot to the west (maybe a little north of west) then if you have a good UHF antenna ( I love my ChannelMaster 4228) and an amplifier then you should be able to get the Sioux Falls stations. You will probably have to mount the antenna on your roof. I don't think you could get the KTIV but maybe you could. No chance for KCAU because they are not broadcasting at any power and they are not on the big towers (no loss any way because they do not do HD) You can get ABC in HD from Sioux Falls. Best of luck.

Even if you do not like golf do yourself a favor and watch some of the Masters golf tournament on KELO-DT this weekend. The Agusta course is just beautiful and even if you do not like golf you owe it to yourself to see how beautiful HDTV can be.

Hi cdieran

KELO is on D32-1
KSFY is on D29-1
KCLT is on D46-1

oops typo KDLT not KCLT

hello,
I emailed KCAU to see if they new if they would be in HDTV for Monday Night Football and here is the email back

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

Craig,

I don't have the corporate timeline yet, But at the present time, it doesn't
look good.

Bob Van Vleet

===================================================
Sorry guys.....
At this rate KPTH might be supporting true HDTV before KCAU.
I'm sure glad i spent the money to be able to get Sioux Falls (bring it on KSFY and KELO)
Thank you KELO for the Masters It was awesome
Thank you Dave and everyone at KTIV for being the ONLY Sioux City HDTV station

Craig

Does anyone know how much power KSFY is putting out for their DTV signal? I know KELO is at full power, and KCAU and KTIV are at low power. What about KSFY?

musicman,

The guy at KSFY told me they were sending out their DT signal at 18.8KW which was not quite as high as KELO. However, the KELO and KSFY signals show up on my system as having the exact same signal strength, go figure.


Bill,

I concur with your thoughts on the Masters. It was pure greatness. Looking forward to the NBA and NHL playoffs on ABC.

Bill,

I got to watch The Masters on DirecTv last Friday (they were hosting the USA/CBS joint broadcast on channel 198). Wow was it amazing. After watching that, I e-mailed KMEG (CBS affiliate) again to see if they had finalized their DTV plans. I asked if they plan on a DTV or HDTV system at startup. Per the Richard Herr in engineering, "We are in the discovery stage and are making a determination". Time to send off a few e-mails to let them know we're out here and we want HDTV! They are scheduled to have a system in place for a startup in the fall. Keep in mind CBS has the Super Bowl next year.

Mark

According to TitanTV KDLT from Sioux Falls is up and running on channel 47-1 or 46-1. I have not checked this out yet but it shows that they are not broadcasting in HD yet. I will try and pull it in tomorrow night and give everyone an update.

Hello,
I checked FCC website and it looks like KDLT is on a DS Special Temporary Authority (STA) .So I think there on low power? I can't get it. Here is the web site for FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=kdlt&arn=&city=&chan=0.0&chan2=69&facid=&list=0&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=

Craig

It looks like just SDTV. I emailed KDLT and was told, "We currently have no plans for high definition television(HDTV) broadcast". Damn, my quest for NBC in HDTV continues.

Husker,
Can you get the Sioux City channels. If you can NBC HD programming is on 41-1. This is the digital feed from KTIV in Sioux City

KXNE

This afternoon I tried KXNE and I got a signal lock off and on not good enough to get a picture don't know if they are testing or the wind is messing it up or both

Craig

No luck getting KXNE from here. They are at reduced power I hope. I have no information on South Dakota but they are scheduled for the end of the month. I continue to be impressed with the ChannelMaster 4228 antenna.

Not sure what happened, but over the past few weeks my audio sync problem with KSFY-DT disappeared. Looks and sounds great now (knock on wood).

KSFY off the air tonight?

I had a strong signal on my SIR-T151 last night for KSFY, but no picture or sound. I had a signal strength around 70% and all that was showing on the screen were the words digital stereo, which always shows up when there is a signal coming in. Was off all night and wasn't able to see the hockey game. KELO and KDLT was coming in fine, so there must be a problem at KSFY. I emailed the station manager. Now I know why they get such low ratings.

I had problems with KSFY last night. I got the audio but no video. I email the news department last night and I got a Email back and they said they called the engineer about the problem.

Craig

Hello everyone,
just dropping in to say hi to all you siouxland HDers. And to see how your all doing?
Take Care,
Craig
P.S hope you all have a nice 4th of July (I will when watching more HD thank you directv)

Has anyone else noticed that KSFY-HD has been off the air for the last 2 days?

I tried to get it early afternoon Tuesday and it was not up then. Also KCAU in Sioux City did not have sound last Saturday. I do not know if the no sound problem was temporary or not. I turned over to Sioux Falls. I nominate KCAU for the worst implementation of digital in the area. It seems to be an underfunded incompetent engineer's playground. They do not seem to be serious about digital TV.

I think the KSFY tower took a lightning hit from the storms 2 nights ago. It was working fine before the storms, now it's out.

Good to see others having problems with KSFY-DT (well, not really). I clicked over to KSFY-DT on Tuesday night and it completely disappeared from my STB. I thought for sure it was my STB. I tried re-scanning it in through over-the-air, nothing. Then tried the ZIP code thing, got it back but no picture or sound and fluctuating signal strength 30-45 instead of the usual 70. Has anyone else lost this channel completely or is anyone getting anything at all? I thought maybe there was a bad data stream or something that affected my STB.

The kicker is, I emailed the engineer over there and he said they had not had any problems. Looks like another email is on the way.

I emailed the engineer too. maybe if they get enough emails, they will check into it, I did the same thing you did with your stb. I show a reading of 75, but no pic or sound. I live in Sioux falls, and prior to this it was close to a signal strength of 100. This has happened before, but not for this long of time.

Now a week since KSFY-DT went off the air. Signal there, but no sound or pic. They need to get their act together.

wxman,
I have been able to get KSFY-DT. Sound and pic are fine but i have notice that the signal at night are not as high as it use to be don't know because of weather or a tech. problem
I live in Dakota City NE, about 76 miles from tower
Craig

That is really odd. I have a Samsung SIR-TS160. It does show a signal strength of 75 to 80 for KSFY. My stb picks up KELO-DT and KDLT-DT along with the other channels just fine. I have tried to rescan, but it doesn't recognize KSFY anymore. Almost makes me wonder if KSFY is a little out of tune, as I know the SIR-TS160 can be a bit sensitive. I only live 10 miles from the tower. I doubt if it is my stb, because it wouldn't be just messed up on one station, with all the others, both ST and DT working.

Just checking, those who have the problem, is your reciever the Samsung SIR-TS160?

wxman,
I have the hughes E86....I was wondering if the TS160 will do native format. If it does do you have it set to 720p that hooked up to 1080i only tv. Maybe you setup got changed... just a thought
Craig

I have my TS160 set at 720p going into DVI port on a Samsung HLN507W, which is 720p monitor. I went to another section here, and the problem may involve possible changes in PSIP at KSFY. If KSFY did make changes to PSIP, there are some recievers can not handle it. I did email the station engineer and perhaps they can check that out. So this may be a problem for those with the Samsung stb. Does anyone else have the TS-160? If you do, are you getting pic and sound?

Found out that others with the Sammy are having the same problem. This narrows it down to the station most likely changing the PSIP. This affects some brands of recievers. Hopefully they will correct their problem or there will be a lot of unhappy people when they buy their Sammy ota boxes. I wrote the engineer again and kindly asked him if he could check into it. Now all I can do is wait and see.

good luck!
hope they can get it fixed for you
Craig

May end up never being resolved. Some people on this forum believe it is the Sammy, as it can not handle changes to PSIP very well. Samsung will always blame the station, while I doubt the station will readjust for just one brand of reciever. May end up having to purchase a different one in the future, as I'm sure the rest of the stations will makes changes to PSIP in the future and the Sammy won't be able to handle.

Sorry for not reporting in sooner, but I was away for the weekend.

Another Samsung TS-160 owner here. Always wondered what everyone was complaining so much about this STB for, now I guess I know. It had worked almost flawlessly for 5+ months. I also will continue to email KSFY to see if they can rectify the situation. Since this box is sold at Best Buy and Ultimate Electronics, I gotta believe there are alot of them in the area.

First I find out I cannot subscribe to the new DirecTV HD package, now the problems with KSFY-DT. It has not been a good month for HDTV for me.

I guess all we can do is write, write, write. Let's just hope the problem is at the station, and can be fixed. Better yet, let's hope the station manager has a Samsung! I have a friend in Brandon that can't get the HD package from DirecTV because of some agreement with a local company. That is weird.

KSFY is back on my Sammy. I don't know if it's because I unplugged the reciever, and left it unplugged overnight and it reset itself, or the station read our emails. Either way, I'm happy.

It was a problem with the PSIP after all. The station engineer emailed me and fixed the problem in a short time. Apparently the new models don't have problems with PSIP changes, just the older ones like mine. Hats off to the engineer for fixing the problem and keeping me happy.

good to hear that.

Got KSFY-DT back on my STB as well. Something is still not right though. My signal strength still fluctuates from 36 then to 45 back to 36 all the time. It used to lock in at about 70. The guy from KSFY did respond to one of my emails by saying they are running the same power output on the transmitter but would be off the air from July 28-30 to do some work on the transmitter. How strong is everyone else's signal, same as always?

Also, what exactly is "PSIP" and will we have to worry about this problem in the future the stations making changes?

From www.psip.org

Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) is data that is transmitted along with a station's DTV signal that tells DTV receivers important information about the station and what is being broadcast. The most important function of PSIP is to provide a method for DTV receivers to identify a DTV station and to determine how a receiver can tune to it. PSIP identifies both the DTV channel and the associated NTSC (analog) channel. It helps maintain the current channel branding because DTV receivers will electronically associate the two channels making it easy for viewers to tune to the DTV station even if they do not know the channel number.

In addition to identifying the channel number, PSIP tells the receiver whether multiple program channels are being broadcast and, if so, how to find them. It identifies whether the programs are closed captioned, conveys V-chip information, if data is associated with the program, and much more. If broadcasters do not include properly encoded PSIP data in their DTV signals, receivers may not correctly identify and tune to the station. Therefore, it is vital that all broadcasters understand PSIP and include the data in their DTV stations signals. PSIP is a mandatory Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Standard

this weekend I was able to get stations from Des Moines, Cedar Rapids (abc Dragnet with 5.1 sounded awesome so I cant wait for KSFY to upgrade to 5.1) , Alexandria(MN), Omaha and Lincoln.
One other thing what has the weather been like there in Siou Falls Friday night and Saturday, I have not held a really good signal on KELO. The signal has been bad today I almost always have a 100% signal today it dropped to nothing some times. I watched hack on Des Moines, Omaha, And Lincoln. That was nice to have multiple stations to watch now if my local stations would get on the air and broadcast in HDTV KMEG(CBS) and KCAU (ABC)
-------------
Craig

Wow. What type of equipment are you using to pull all those stations in, if I may ask?

just a channel master 4228 and a 7777 preamp and a rotor. the tropospheric ducting was really high. I got signals on other channel but not high enough for a pic. here is the website for the tropo forecast
http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/tropo.html
I couldn't believe it either so i had my brother come over to check it out and he said WOW
--------------
Craig

i just checked the website and Sioux Falls was really high

Has anyone heard when the Sioux Falls Fox station will be going digital? The web site antenna.org says July 30th, but that came and went. They are suppose to be broadcasting on digital channel 7.

Hello,
I got a email from KSIN here it what it said

=====================================
Craig:

Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate viewer input.

The digital transmitter for KSIN has been installed and the tower work is being planned for this fall. Due to state budget limitations, though, I
cannot say when we will be on the air on a regular basis. We do plan to broadcast a considerable amount of high definition material since we
have been shooting in high definition for the past several years.

Thank you,

John Stone

IPTV Engineering

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

Craig

Found out that the Sioux Falls Fox station will go digital in October now. However, just like KDLT, they have no plans to go HD. What a bunch of podunk stations. They can't see the future if it hit them in the face! No wonder they are always last in ratings. I'm going to write the networks and let them know I know longer will watch their stations since their locals won't go HD.

I received an e-mail from Richard Herr - an engineer at KMEG (local CBS affiliate) - and he said they'll have DTV running the end of October, but no HDTV. What a load of crap. I waited a long time hoping KMEG would get on the ball and now we get this. What a disappointment. I've got to find a way to get the CBS national HD feed and bypass these bozos. ExpressVue or whatever. This is bull.

Kudos to KTIV for being the only HD broadcaster in Sioux City.

Mark

Wow, that is surprising and disappointing, especially since CBS is considered to be the HD leader.

Is anyone receiving KELO-DT? I had it Sunday, but yesterday there was no signal.

KELO announced on the Monday 6pm news that their HDTV signal was down while they repaired a "glitch" with some of their new equipment. They did not indicate when they would be back online, but seemed to imply that it would not take too many days.

KXNE

I can get KXNE (PBS) from Norfolk with a strong signal and they are doing HD at prime time

Craig

Sioux Falls Fox station now broadcasting digital. It can be found on my samsung ts160 as channel 17-1.

To those around Sioux City that receive KELO-DT & KSFY-DT from Sioux Falls, do you get a decent signal consistently? Craig, it sounds like you get good signal most of the time, right? Since KMEG is not going to do HD, I'm considering an antenna mast to try to get the Sioux Falls stations.

Mark

Greetings from Central Iowa.

Not sure if any of you guys can pick it up, last night IPTV-DT channel 50 was showing State Fair 2003 highlights. They are on hit and miss. I had to remap my Sony, they showed up as 11.1.

Hi, everybody. It's been awhile since I posted anything. Busy time for us!

Just to let you know that KTIV-DT (41.1)will be broadcasting the Breeders' Cup Horse Racing Championship from NBC on Saturday, Oct. 25 12noon-5pm in HDTV. Pflanz Electronics is providing an HDTV for us to display during our "Fall Food Festival" at the Sioux City Convention Center that day, so it will be a good time for people to check out HD. I'll be there most of the day if you want to come by and say "HI."

Mark,
I can get KELO at around 100% signal strength day or night and for KSFY I don't get hardly any signal during the day as the sun goes down the better the signal I get right now at about 7:30pm I get around 70% and about 8:00 it's close to 100% Can't wait for the time change hoping for KSFY to come in earlier. I watched about 95% of the MNF. LOOKED AWESOME! This week KELO is at the power level that KSFY is at because of problems. but i still get KELO at 70% during the day

Craig

Dave,

Thanks for the heads-up on the Breeder's Cup. I watched the races last year and I'll be sure to tune in this weekend as well.

Craig,

Thanks for the info on your signals from Sioux Falls. Sounds like I'd better do some testing to see if I can pull them in at my location in Morningside.

Mark

I did a channel scan last night and I was able to get KPTH-DT. I haven't tried to get them for a few months, but I know when they first started broadcasting I didn't get any signal. Maybe they've stepped up the power?

Mark

hello,
its 10:10am Saturday and KMEG-DT is on right now on channel 39-1 and it remapped to 14-1 signal is not solid so I don't now if they are testing or because of the wind
craig

Hello all. To anyone that has any doubts about their ability to receive KELO-DT Sioux Falls from Sioux City, just do it. I thought I'd have trouble due to my low elevation, but I'm getting 60-80% signal strength and a solid picture with a Zenith 520, Channel Master 4228 antenna and 7777 pre-amp. Thanks Craig for your input.

Mark

Mark,
Thats great to hear. I received a email from KELO they think they have there problem fixed Saturday afternoon so there back at full power.
I hope you enjoy CBS hdtv... CSI is really good just don't eat while watching.
Maybe we all should email kmeg and tell them if your not going to do HDTV then not to worry about turning on there digital signal we'll just watch KELO for our CBS HDTV
Hope you enjoy all of your new equipment. I know I do.
Glad it all worked and could help you Mark

Craig

Craig,
Yep. I received the same e-mail about the problem (fixed) at KELO. Really enjoyed CSI-Miami in HD last night on KELO-DT. First time I've watched the show. It had some gross parts, but it was a pretty good show with great picture.

I already did the e-mail thing with KMEG. Still ticks me that they're not doing HD even if we can get KELO. You'd think KMEG being a 'Waitt' owned station and Gateway starting to sell plasmas and other HD capable products that it would be a natural fit for KMEG to promote HD. Maybe Norm & Ted just don't get along? Are they still transmitting digital? I did a scan last night & couldn't get anything.

I also discovered I can get KSFY at times. In the evenings I can get 50-70% signal and a solid picture. I was going to watch MNF but it was SD after they relocated the game to Arizona.

Thanks again.

I noticed last weekend that KSFY-DT was not interrupting the HD broadcast with the "Weather Warnings". The SD broadcast had all the scrolling messages, tickers, maps, etc., but the HD broadcast was in all it's glory. First I had noticed of this. This is something that had annoyed me all summer because KSFY seemed to leave the warnings on for long periods of time, which would knock the HD broadcast back to SD. Kudos to KSFY and hopefully KELO can follow suit.

Hi, folks. I just got a call from a newbie DTV guy in Dakota Dunes looking for some help pulling in a signal from KTIV-DT. Any of you want to volunteer to help him? If so, let me know at dmadsen@ktiv.com.

Thanks.

I was playing around trying to pick up KMEG-DT and finally got a weak signal (I'll never watch it because I can get KELO-DT in HD, but just testing my new rotor). The signal was so weak I couldn't get a stable picture, but one thing I noticed was that the image was 4:3 stretched to 16:9 and I couldn't change the aspect ratio. Strange though my Zenith STB locks aspect ratio on an HD broadcast only. I assumed since the KMEG engineer said they won't be doing HD that the signal would be 480i digital like KCAU and I'd be able to change AR. Anybody else notice that?

Mark

Hiltsy855

so mark how are you enjoying the Sioux Falls stations in HDTV? I see you have a rotor can you get KXNE (PBS) out of Norfolk They got some cool HD... there on digital channel 16. I can get it at 100% signal strength they turn on the signal around 1PM .
Hope the money sent for the antenna and rotor was worth it. I know I love mine and I'm glad i did.

Happy HDin

Craig

KXNE

I emailed KXNE about doing DD5.1. Here is what i received from them
==============================================
Craig:
Thank you for inquiring about NETV's HD service. At this time our HD
broadcast is stereo-surround only. We are in the process of adding a AC3
5.1 encoder and hope to have it on-line before the end of the year.

RL "Bob" Huber
Assistant Director of Engineering
Network Operations & Infrastructure Planning
Nebraska Educational Telecommunications
1800 N 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE.
402-472-9333 ext. 205
bhuber2@unl.edu

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

Craig

Craig,

Sioux Falls HD stations are awesome (of course, so is KTIV)! Watched the Victoria Secrets's show in HD on KELO Wednesday. Monday night Football on KSFY is great too - can't wait for the Super Bowl!!! Looking forward to the NFL game on Thanksgiving also. KELO signal is incredibly strong at 75 miles - I get 80-100% signal strength and solid picture all the time. KSFY is a little weaker but I have a solid picture with very few breakups. The rotor helps with fine tuning. I haven't tried KXNE, but I'll do that tonight. I thought they were on low power only?

Have you tried to get KMEGs digital signal? Still wondering why my set locks at 16:9 and won't let me change aspect ratio. It should only do that with a true 1080i broadcast.

Mark

KXNE

I can receive KXNE in Sioux City but I get occasional breakups & only 40-50% signal strength. They have some neat shows in HD. I hope KSIN starts their broadcasting soon.

Mark

KSIN

Here is some good news about KSIN (PBS) from iptv website
=====================================================
Important information about IPTV service in the Sioux City area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2003

Contact: Jennifer Glover Konfrst - (515) 242-3146

IPTV Service to Sioux City-area Viewers Interrupted

KSIN may be off-air for scheduled maintenance

(Johnston, Iowa) KSIN channel 27 in Sioux City is scheduled for tower work and may be off the air during the day over the next several weeks. The project will require KSIN to be off the air intermittently beginning Monday, November 10 while a new transmission line and antenna are installed. This project is important to Iowa Public Television's mandated digital television transition, and the network will expedite this maintenance to get KSIN back on the air as quickly as possible.

For Sioux City-area residents receiving Iowa Public Television on channel 27, this project may require the network to be off the air during weekday hours, resuming broadcast by 5:30 p.m. daily. Viewers may contact Iowa Public Television at 800-532-1290 with questions.
====================================================

Hope we have some nice calm days so they can get there digital signal up and running.

Craig

KXNE

I found this on NETV website (PBS) its to long so here is the link

http://mynptv.org/wide_screen/index.html

Its on Nebraska done in HDTV

Craig,

I missed Widescreen Nebraska. How was the picture quality? Any news on KSIN?

Mark

Mark,

Widescreen Nebraska was awesome. It was like discovery hd. I send KSIN a email about there digital signal waiting for a reply back.

Craig

KSIN-DT

I received an email from KSIN engineer here it is

==================================================
Craig:

Thank you for your inquiry. We always appreciate hearing from our viewers.

We are currently in the process of installing a new antenna for digital television at the KSIN site. The transmitter is installed and ready for
testing. We still need to get a link to the site from our studios in Johnston, IA. That is in process also. The only other thing that could hold us
back is the state budget situation. Since operational funding is from the state, we are dependent on the legislature to budget us the money.
We would like to be on the air early next year, but I cannot predict anything at this time.

Thanks,

John Stone

IPTV Engineering

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

Craig

Hi,
Hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR... hope 2004 will be good for siouxland HDTV by KCAU-DT, KMEG-DT will do HDTV and KSIN-DT will go live in January. KPTH-DT will go to HDTV and increase power. (I know it won't all happen but one can only wish on Christmas Day morning)

Have a Safe and happy Holidays,
Craig

Has anyone been able to get KMEG's digital broadcasts. Are they on the air? I emailed the engineer and I will post his response. It is no big deal because they are not broadcasting in HD and I can get CBS from Sioux Falls.

Here is the reply I received from the KMEG engineer.

KMEG installed a low power DTV system last fall. The transmit antenna is
located at a lower level on our Channel 14 tower (4 miles SE of Hinton). Our
initial budget was not large enough to enable us the additional switching
and processing equipment necessary to pass the CBS HDTV signal through our
system.

Reception in your area may vary. Your email doesn't indicate if you can
receive other Sioux City DTV stations; as each station had to construct
another transmission system to transmit DTV. Due to nearby bluffs, reception
in the Dakota Dunes area may require an outside antenna mounted as high as
possible.

Thank you for showing interest in the digital future.

Hi, all...

in case you haven't heard, NBC will be broadcasting the Daytona 500 in HD on Feb. 15. That should be an awesome picture, which you'll be able to watch on KTIV-DT, Channel 41.

Dave Madsen

Daytona 500 in HD will be awesome!

I'm about 57 miles N from the KTIV (sioux city) tower and 20 miles E of the KDLT (sioux falls) tower. What is the power output status of these two stations and are they broadcasting HD (1080i or 720p) or just ED (480p +/-) ?

I can barely pick up KTIV analog ch4 now, is the digital broadcast at similar power?

I am contemplating a HD receiver purchase and any help on this would help me in my decision. Thanks!

Sometime this summer, KTIV-DT will be increasing power and probably moving our antenna to the top of our 2000' tower. That should help you get our signal from Sioux City. Actually, I was just notified this week that a viewer near Spencer, Iowa was getting the KTIV-DT signal. That's further away than we would have thought right now...

KTIV-DT is 1080i, passing through all HD from NBC...which as I said previously, will include the Daytona 500.

cdieren

I think KDLT-DT just upconverts

craig

cdieren
To get HD over the air you will probably need an external antenna with an amplifier and a rotor because the CBS and ABC HD programs are on the Sioux Falls stations and the the NBC programs are on the Sioux City station. ABC and CBS stations in Sioux City do not carry HD programming and NBC in Sioux Falls does not carry HD programming. I have a Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna and I get Sioux Falls and Sioux City HD broadcasts. I live just outside Sioux City in South Dakota.

KSIN-DT

I sent a email to KSIN about there digital signal and here is there email back

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

Craig:

Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate all viewer input.

KSIN-DT has been granted an extension along with some of our other transmitters for the on-air date. At the Sioux City site, the transmitter is
in place, the antenna is in place, but the transmission line up the tower needs to be completed and a link to our Des Moines studio put in
place. We hope to have the tower work done this spring as soon as the weather cooperates again. Our regular broadcasting will depend on
how money is budgeted in the legislature.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

John Stone

IPTV Engineering

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

Craig

Can anyone explain what is going on with KELO & KELO-DT? My STB maps KELO-DT as channel 11-1. About 2 weeks ago, another channel pops up on my box, without re-scanning for channels. It is labeled as KELO-SD and comes in on channel 11-2. It appeard to be the digital picture only stretched, with no side bars. It soon disappeared but I noticed it on my box another time or 2. Now last night channel 11-2 is back on my box, only this time it is labeled as UTV_UPN. It was basically a blank channel whenever I looked at it, but for a brief time (around 6:30 P.M. I think) there was some sort of hunting show on. Anyway, this 11-2 channel was not showing what was on KELO. All of this is happening without re-scanning for any new channels. Anybody know what is going on with this?

Husker

I found this on KELO web page

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


01/27/2004
UTV Debut

Thanks to technology, there's a new addition to the KELOLAND Family. Over the years, KELOLAND TV has tried to be an innovator in local broadcasting. Last year, we introduced the areas first full-power high definition TV signal. Now with addition of UTV, we are expanding the role of of our digital stations.

UTV, the new UPN affiliate for Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Pierre, and all of eastern South Dakota hit the airwaves today, but not the old fashion way. KELOLAND TV carries UTV over the air through our new digital signal. One of the options with digital television is the ability to carry multiple programs at the same time on one channel. So if you currently pick up our high definition signal over the air now , you'll be able to watch the new UTV station too.

KELOLAND TV General Manager, Mark Antonitis says, "Right now the only way you can receive the new station is with a digital receiver."

UTV will not affect our current HDTV programming on CBS. In fact, as direct result of the investment in this new project, we can now deliver CBS in true High Definition to northeast KELOLAND, just in time for the Superbowl!

UTV will offer a wide range of programs, including all of the UPN prime time shows like Star Trek Enterprise. As the station grows, UTV will give us the option of televising more local programming in the future. The concept is new and KELOLAND TV is one of the first television stations in the country to experiment with the technology. But in the end, it means more choices for you the viewer in the years to come.

Antonitis says, "We're ready. It all works. We are looking to the future and it's going to be a great one."

Plans are also in the works to carry UTV and KELOLAND High Definition signal on local cable in the very near future.

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

Craig

Thanks for the info. I guess I am cool with this as long as it doesn't affect the HD picture quality on KELO-DT.

Thanks for the info. I was getting a friend hooked up today in time for the super bowl in 5 degree weather, and noticed that there was an 11-2 named UTV. I looked on antennaweb and they had no sign of it at all. I was in shock. I just told him that he was lucky and was picking up some strange signal from somewhere far off. LOL.
YOu know how it goes, move it a little bit and drop signal strength, I held strong right there.

PBS HD is now available in Sioux Falls OTA. It is on channel 80-1.

Great news on the Sioux Falls HD PBS. But are you sure on the channel number (80-1)? My OTA HD tuner (Samsung SIR-T165) will not accept any channel above 69.

I have the Samsung T160, and that's the channel number it assigned to the PBS HD station. I'm not sure what the actual channel is. If you do a scan of OTA digital channels, it should find it if you are close enough to the antenna.

Has anyone around Sioux City been able to get Sioux Falls PBS? Also, I noticed TitanTV.com shows Sioux City's PBS - KSIN - to be 'Under Review'. Any word on their startup?

I've been waiting for over a year since CableOne introduced HD service in Sioux City for them to provide local HD broadcasts and have run out of patience. I'm looking for suggestions on a HD antennae that can be located in my attic. I live in south Morningside southeast of Southern Hills Mall on Old Lakeport Road. If it's possible I would like to pick up the Sioux Falls stations as well as Sioux City. Anyone have a suggestion?

Temitch,

Welcome to this forum... I have a channel master 4228 antenna with a Channel master 7777 pre amp with a channel master rotor outside about 20 feet up. I can get Sioux Falls CBS (KELO) at a !00% not many trees in the way. I live in Dakota City

If your going to put it in the attic I don't think you'll be able to get Sioux Falls but never hurts to try. First get a antenna that will fit in you attic the digital channels are on UHF. Lot of people here on this site like to use Radio Shack because you can return the antenna within 30 days if it does not work. I'd try this one Cat # 15-2160 (radio shack #) and a High gain pre amp and give it a try. Outside is best if possible

GOOD LUCK and if you have any more questions just ask

Craig

Temitch,
I agree with everything Craig said. If you have enough clearance in the attic I would go with the 4228. It is very directional and to get both the Sioux Falls channels and the Sioux City channels you probably will need a rotor. Remember that the only HD channel in Sioux City is NBC (41-1) Neither ABC nor CBS is HD in Sioux City and they don't seem very anxious about transmitting a HD signal. Also I have found that the 4228 brings in the analog UHF channels in without the ghosting I was getting with my old antenna. If you are on the top of a hill or have a clear shot north you have a chance. If you are behind a hill not much hope of getting Sioux Falls I am afraid.

temitch,
I know the area you're in and you shouldn't have any problem getting the SF stations including KSFY (KELO will be fine). I would definitely try the Channel Master 4228 and 7777 amp as Craig suggested - it's a great setup. With your terrain and elevation I 'd try the attic install if that works for you. If not, then install the 4228 on the roof. Just try to locate the antenna where there aren't too many trees to the north.

quote --- "If you are on the top of a hill or have a clear shot north you have a chance. If you are behind a hill not much hope of getting Sioux Falls I am afraid."

Bill,
I am in a valley about 100' elevation below a ridge that is only 2 blocks to the north (I'm in Morningside). When I first started playing around with an antenna, I was getting partial signal from KELO with a 4221 (small version of the 4228) in my attic. I put a 4228 on the roof and with a 7777 amp I now get KELO at 95% and KSFY at about 60% (thanks again for the setup Craig).

Mark

Hiltsy885,

I can't take all the credit for the setup. Bill had the setup first and he had great results so I tried it to.

Craig

Thanks for the input. I think I will give your suggestions a try. Can the 4228 go in an attic? I'm looking at a Samsung SIR-T351 receiver, any comments on it? I found one for $289 on buy.com and from what I can tell it should work nicely with my Sony 60" Grand Wega.

temitch,
The Channelmaster 4228 is a different looking antenna than your usual TV antenna. Think of it as an oven rack that your stand up and face it toward the stations you want. Go to channelmaster.com and go to products and then to UHF antennas to get more information. The dimensions listed there are 39.5" W 36" H and 5" D. Best of luck.

temitch,

Sounds like you've talked to Michael at Pflanz about your antenna. Better check your 60" Grand Wega - he says it probably has a built in tuner and you won't need the Sammy.

Mark

The newer XBR models of the Grand Wega have a HD tuner, but mine is a 2003 model that doesn't. I did talk with Michael this afternoon, he mentioned he knew you. He knew right away where I got the info on antennae when I mentioned the 4228.

I e-mailed IPTV about their digital startup for KSIN and got this reply:

"We have a tower crew arriving on site to do more work. I am sure it
will be at least a month before we are able to be on air with any
signal, barring unforeseen things.

Thanks
John Stone
IPTV Engineering"

I just put up a webpage for TV in South Dakota, currently I have information for Sioux Falls, in the coming weeks ill be putting all the other South Dakota cities. I am planning on getting the webpage big enough so i can up info for all of the midwest, and in the future all of the US.

Here is the link to my webpage: http://www.geocities.com/tvmansf/

I just added Rapid City and Sioux City to the page, and renamed the site to Great Plains Broadcasting. I will also have a News page, I will also be redoing the webpage to make it look a lot better.

http://www.geocities.com/tvmansf/

Remember the HDTV schedule is updated every Wednesday.

Same deal as last year per the email I received:

Here are the games for Friday, March 19th. Please note that on HDTV we will
be airing different games for three of the four.

Analog games with tip off times:
11:25am CT/10:25am MT - Illinois vs Murray State
1:50pm CT/12:50pm MT - Georgia Tech vs Northern Iowa
6:20pm CT/5:20pm MT - Wisconsin vs Richmond
8:45pm CT/7:45pm MT - Kansas vs Illinois-Chicago

HDTV games with tip off times:
11:30am CT - Memphis vs South Carolina
1:50pm CT - Oklahoma State vs Eastern Washington
6:25pm CT - Providence vs Pacific
8:45pm CT - Kansas vs Illinois-Chicago

I emailed KCAU and KMEG asking them if they plan on doing HDTV and if so do they think it will be this year.

From KMEG engineering

===================================================== Thank you for your interest in HDTV.
KMEG is working on partnerships to assist in covering the expenses involved
with broadcasting HDTV. Nothing has developed so far and a date for
broadcasting in HDTV has not been set.

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

I sent a email KCAU Vice President & General Manager but got response from Operations Manager.

====================================================
Craig -

Thank you for your questions and concerns about our plans for HDTV in the Siouxland area. As you probably already know, KCAU is broadcasting the standard digital
signal in Sioux City. Our plans to convert to HDTV will be based the growth of high definition receivers in the market. Our immediate plans don't include an upgrade to
HDTV this year.

Brent Nelson
Director of Broadcast Operations
Channel 9 KCAU-TV
(712) 277-2345 ext. 201

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

and I sent the Chief Engineer of KCAU and here is email

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

Craig,
This fall we will be installing receiving equipment for an HDTV signal but
at this time I do not have the timetable as to when we will be transmitting
it. I will save your e-mail address and will let you know when I hear.
Bob Van Vleet
CE KCAU-TV

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

The email from KCAU General Manager sounds about the same from about a year ago.

so lets keep our fingers crossed and a slight maybe we can have Monday Night Football in HDTV from KCAU (all we can is only hope)

Craig

I was roaming the Iowa threads and saw the message about the KCAU situation, which sounds amazingly like the WOI (ABC) situation in Des Moines and the WHBF (CBS) situation in the Quad Cities. ("You'll say I see" is the slogan for all of them.)

In fairness to them, they got handed a couple of bum "out-of-core" DT channels in Des Moines and Rock Island -- who wants to buy equipment for a channel 59 they have to turn back over to the government? Their point about waiting until there are more HD sets also seems valid, and their message to a Quad Cities-area poster is that they're a small, privately-held four-station chain.

But you can argue against these points, too. Cedar Rapids, where I live, has HD available on all of the "big three" networks. One is on a temporary channel 55. Another is on temporary channel 52 AND is owned by a one-station company. Even the Sinclair-owned CBS station started HD this year.

They're taking it on faith that (H)DTV is the future and that the technical issues can be worked out, just as they were worked out for analog TV over the past half-century.

That's the debate you're facing. For better or worse, KTIV has taken one side, KCAU the other.

Now that FOX has decided to step up and do HD programming and supply their affiliates with some HD equipment I wonder if KPTH will 1) step up the power of their digital signal and 2) follow thru and pass along FOX's HD signal? I've e-mailed KPTH a few times lately and haven't received any response. I'll post anything I get. Right now I can receive decent signal from Sioux Falls but I barely get anything at all from KPTH (or KMEG for that matter). Anyone have the latest info on KSIN going digital?

Mark

Does anyone know if I ask can I receive a waiver to get network HD programming off of the Direct TV satellite if the local affiliates are not and do not intend to broadcast in HD. CBS has an HD feed on Direct TV. Since there seems to be no movement from the local affiliate here in Sioux City to broadcast the CBS programming in HD it seems only fair that I should be able to get this HD programming off of the satellite.

As far as I know, there isn't an HD-only provision in SHVIA yet, so as long as you can get analog channel 14 you're out of luck unless Congress rewrites the law or CBS uses some bargaining power the next time the affiliation contract comes up. Both have been mentioned in other threads as possible compromises for HD viewers who are impatient with broadcasters like Waitt and Citadel, but neither seems likely at this time.

Bill,

Pretty sure you won't have any luck getting a waiver. I sent in requests a few years ago when Dish started sending out CBS-HD. Here's the reply I received from KMEG:

"Mark,

We do not issue waivers to viewers able to get our signal via a conventional rooftop-mounted antenna. I understand your arguments regarding both a High Definition signal available through Echostar and the issuance of waivers to "a small demographic."

The fact of the matter is that we have made, and are making a considerable investment in our new broadcast facilities, including our future upgrades in DTV. Our audience's viewership is our only source of revenue so we cannot afford to "give away" part of our audience-no matter how small-and continue to make the necessary investments to achieve the goal you are ultimately asking us to achieve.

The fact is that we receive between 100 and 200 waiver requests each week, and if we were to grant a significant portion of those requests (about 80% of which are from ineligible viewers) we'd soon be
broadcasting our signal to ground squirrels and butterflies...."

I thought you were getting KELO & KSFY anyway?


Mark

Mark,
I am getting High Def from Sioux Falls but I thought that there was a chance that if the local stations were forced to give waivers to receive HD broadcasts they might have more incentive to upgrade to HD broadcasts. I think the local channels will never upgrade to High Def unless forced. It looks to me as though the local broadcasters are closely tied to the politicians with campaign contributions and there is no way the viewers (the owners of the public airways) can exert pressure on the local broadcasters. I thought this might be a way to exert pressure.

Obviously I'm somewhat biased, and I can't speak for the other stations, but I would take exception with Bill's comments last post.....

"It looks to me as though the local broadcasters are closely tied to the politicians with campaign contributions and there is no way the viewers (the owners of the public airways) can exert pressure on the local broadcasters."

I can tell you for a FACT that KTIV (which as most of you know IS broadcasting HD) hasn't made any decisions about DTV or HDTV based on any influence from any politician, campaign contribution or not.

Is anyone having problems with KSFY-DT? A couple weeks ago the signal went way down, only fluctuating between 30-36-43%. Now I can barely get anything at all....20% max and I can't lock on to a solid signal. It used to come in at 70% like KELO-DT, which is still strong. I tried adjusting my antenna but with no luck.

Thanks

Dave,

Are there still plans in the works to increase the power for the KTIV-DT signal or for moving the transmitter higher? If so, will it be in time for the Olympics? There are people in the rural areas who want their NBC in HD.

Yes, there are still plans for BOTH an increase in power and a move of our antenna higher on our tower...however, there is not a specific timetable in place. We are hoping we might be able to have it up in time for the Olympics, although I can give you some additional information about that.

NBC's HD feed of the Olympics will be a completely separate feed from the regular analog KTIV Olympics coverage. Different schedule, different announcers, etc. In fact, except for the opening ceremonies, the coverage will mostly be on a one-day delay.

The other complicating factor is that the law requires that stations carry 75% of the exact same programming on our analog as on our digital station. If we carried this separate feed of Olympics, we would not make that 75% requirement. So, attorneys at NBC are looking into the situation to see what could be done.

So, the bottom line is this: We don't really know for sure how the Olympics in HD will shake out.

Stay tuned!

That law shouldn't be enforced on special events (especially the Olympics)that are in HD.

Craig

Hello

I see today that KUSD-DT (PBS from Vermillion) is on the air today channel 34 digital remapped to 2-1 and 2-2. On channel 2-1 they are running the PBSHD loop. I haven't notice if they are passing DD 5.1 Yet.

Craig

Dave,

Thanks again to you & KTIV for having the foresight and making the investment in HD. It is frustrating, though for us early adopters, that other broadcasters in Siouxland haven't followed your lead.

Craig,

How strong is the signal from KUSD?

Mark

Mark,
KUSD pegs the meter. I emailed the engineer there to see if they can pass DD5.1 . It would be nice to hear soundstage next week in 5.1

Craig

i just added more stuff to the site. Check it out. Feel Free to post comments.

http://www.geocities.com/tvmansf/

Hello,
I'm watching Soundstage with fleetwood Mac on KUSD-DT (pbs). it's in HD and DD5.1. It looks and sounds AWESOME.

Craig

test... added my DVD collection link

I just got an email from KTTW fox in Sioux Falls and they said they had no plans for broadcasting HDTV. They did say that it was possible (emphasized) that they would have HD on cable later this year.

*edit *

KDLT just sent me a reply too...

"Dear Viewer,
We are currently up converting our analog signal to standard digital television (SDTV) 480p broadcast on channel 46-1 for the immediate surrounding area of Sioux Falls. We currently have no plans high definition television (HDTV) 1080i broadcast for the Sioux Falls area.

John Lane
Studio Supervisor"

I read in the Programming forum that the NASCAR races would be broadcast on NBC in 480P widescreen. Watched the BUSCH race yesterday and on KTIV it was 4:3. Maybe someone at the station forgot to throw the switch.

Dave, are you listening?

Mark

The NASCAR race is 4:3 in Waterloo-Cedar Rapids as well. An Eastern Iowa poster said he called master control for that affiliate and the MCO told him that she wasn't getting it in widescreen from NBC New York.

This affiliate, KWWL, usually does a good job of running whatever HD NBC sends.

NASCAR race on Sunday was widescreen! Not HD, but still looked really really good. I especially liked the fact that the in-car shots were not stretched. Thanks Dave & NBC.

Mark

Hello,
I just received my new toys over the weekend. the MIT MDR-200 STB with firewire and a Mits HD1100u D-VHS. so now I can record HDTV and enjoy it later in HD. The MDR-200 is a awesome STB. It's way better than my Hughes E86.
KSFY would only come in at night and now its all the time. I couldn't get KPTH with the Hughes but it comes in fine now.
Thank you Dave at KTIV for changing your PSIP time for my STB. this makes recording alot easier. and thank you at KELO for changing your PSIP time for me too.

Craig

Craig,
Congrats on your new stuff. Sounds cool. I'd like to get a new D* HDPVR down the road.

Mark

Question for those with the Channel Master antennas and preamps. Is there a store in Sioux City or Sioux Falls that carries Channel Master equipment or did you have to purchase via the internet? I can still only get KELO & KSFY as far as digital channels go....and I got the itch for more HD. Sounds like alot of folks have good luck with Channel Master.

Thanks in advance.

Husker,
I bought all of my ChannelMaster stuff at Wintronics in Sioux City, Iowa.

I just wanted to say hello and how glad I was to find this thread.

My husband and I live in Egan, SD and recently made the change to HD. We're about 35 miles north of Sioux Falls. Wow, how addictive that is. We can currently receive KELO and KSFY in HD and the HD package through our satellite dish. In fact last night I had him on the roof installing a larger antenna to try and lock in a better signal.

I'm really disappointed that KDLT has no plans to broadcast HD. I received an email from them letting me know that their digital signal will not reach us. What a bummer, I was really hoping to see NBC in HD.

Does anybody know if there is a digital PBS signal that would reach us?

Thanks.

Husker,

I bought some stuff from Michael at Pflanz Electronics in Sioux City and some from starkelectronics.com.

Tanya,

Go to titantv.com to look for digital stations in your area. I think you can put in your zip code and it will show you everything. There is also a handy antenna selector also.

Mark

After installing an amp and a rotor we can now get KCSD-DT which is PBS out of Sioux Falls.

Also I received an email from KDLT letting me know that we will not be able to receive their digital signal. Which, what the heck they're not going to broadcast HD anyway. So add another one to the list in their search for NBC in HD.

By the thread in HDTV programming on FOX stations ready for HDTV and 5.1 sound. They have just added Des Moines, Davenport, Sioux Falls, and Omaha. I sure hope KPTH is coming real soon.

Craig

Hi, all...

a couple of items...

1) Sorry about the NASCAR race from a couple weeks ago. We were advised very late by NBC that it would be widescreen (but not HD) and I didn't get it changed on our logs for the Saturday race. The Sunday race that weekend WAS in 16:9.

2) I sent an email to my list of DTV enthusiasts, but in case some of you aren't on my list, I'm trying to find out if anyone is having signal reception trouble from KTIV-DT. We put up a new antenna about a month ago, and I've received some reports that it may have affected reception. Please let me know by sending email to me at dmadsen@ktiv.com. I don't check this forum as often as I should, and I don't want to miss anybody!

3) The Olympics from Athens, Greece, will be carried on NBC and KTIV Aug. 13-29. NBC will be feeding a separate signal of Olympic coverage in HD. Our plans are to carry the regular feed of Olympic coverage on KTIV-DT 41.1, which will be our analog signal upconverted to digital, but NOT in HD. Then on 41.2 will be the separate HD feed of Olympics. This HD coverage will not be the same as you see on the standard channel. It will have separate announcers, etc. and the HD feed will be on a delayed basis, probably about 24 hours delayed. The HD feed will be in an 8-hour loop, meaning it will repeat itself each day every 8 hours.

I installed a new HD Dtivo the other day and thought I would comment on my reception of KELO-DT and KABY-DT.

I have a Winegard GS2000A antenna installed, probably not the antenna I should be using, but it worked very well for analog signal. I can receive the KELO digital signal pretty good, mid 80's signal strength in the morning, high 60's to low 70's in the evening, a better suited antenna would probably do better and be more consistant, I'm going to try and tweak the aiming of my current antenna this weekend to see if I can get better signal strength. An email from KELO informed me that they aren't at full power and probably won't be for some time.

Signal from KABY is lucky to be in the teen's, usually in the single digits. I emailed KSFY to find out if the digital signal is even being broadcast and if it is, at what power. I'm pretty bummed out with this one, Monday Night Football isn't that far away and I was really hoping to receive their digital signal.

Hello in Watertown.

I can confirm for you that KSFY-DT is up and running. We receive a strong signal from them, however we're just 35 miles north of Sioux Falls. We're also receiving KCSD-DT (PBS) out of Sioux Falls, but it only seems to come in during the evening from 7-11.

I'm curious, what station do you receive NBC on and are they broadcasting in digital yet?

Originally posted by tani
Hello in Watertown.

I can confirm for you that KSFY-DT is up and running. We receive a strong signal from them, however we're just 35 miles north of Sioux Falls. We're also receiving KCSD-DT (PBS) out of Sioux Falls, but it only seems to come in during the evening from 7-11.

I'm curious, what station do you receive NBC on and are they broadcasting in digital yet?

Hello,

The Sioux Falls signal is to far away for me to get, I'm trying to get the signal from the tower that's west of me about 45 miles. How well do you receive the SF signal? What kind of antenna are you using?

Both the NBC and the FOX stations are re-tranmissions out of Watertown on UHF channels 42 and 32 respectively. I emailed KDLT a few months back and they said there aren't any plans to do digital in Watertown at this time, and from what I understand all they do in SF is up convert their analog to digital, no HD at all.

You're right about the SF KDLT-DT digital signal. It's on 46-1 and is SD only. I e-mailed them a while back about the Olympics in HD. They replied that they had no current plans to go HD - Olympics or otherwise.

What channel (or frequency) is the SF PBS HD (KCSD-DT) station on? I haven't picked that one up yet, but I haven't scanned in a while either. It doesn't show up at my location on antennaweb.org. I am about 30 miles E-SE of SF, so maybe I can pick it up too?

We get the Sioux Falls PBS on channel 23-1. Our receiver picks up their sound as dolby digital, but haven't had any 5.1 yet. The picture is really good though.
Our antenna is a RS model with 160" boom. We didn't get the PBS channel until we added an amp and rotor.

cdieren,

The pbs station that I am receiving scans in at 2-1 and 2-2. It is about a 45% signal strength. It has to be the SD station but cannot guarantee it at this time.

Ben,

It could be the PBS station out of Vermillion, SD. It is on Digital channel 34 remapped to 2-1 and 2-2. on 2-1 they run the PBS-HD programming and
2-2 it the same as there analog channel

Craig

Hello all.

TitanTV is showing KSIN-DT (PBS - 28 digital) as 'under review' for digital broadcast status. Can anyone lock their signal yet?

Mark

I scanned for digital 28 last night and got a super-strong signal so KSIN-DT must be testing at least (the picture was breaking up even though the signal strength was 95%). For some reason my D* receiver re-mapped the channel to 9-1, not 27-1 like it should have. Anyone else get them?

Mark

KWSD-DT (WB - Sioux Falls), is showing on my Titantv that it will be available on Sept. 6th. Does anybody know the status on this? Are they currently testing?

Is anyone in NE South Dakota able to pickup KABY-DT OTA? I live in Watertown, I have an HD Ditectv Tivo which has OTA HD tuners, I have a Channel Master antenna and preamp installed. I pickup KDLO-DT great, high 80's to low 90's on the signal meter, I get zero signal from KABY-DT. I talked to the engineer at KSFY and he's looking into it, haven't heard back from him. I did some research on antennaweb.org and it seems like anyone east of their tower in the Crocker hills doesn't get it, north and south of the tower such as Clark and Aberdeen it shows they get it. I'd just like to hear from anyone that is receiving the KABY-DT signal and where you're at.

FYI...I get the analog KABY signal great so I think I have the antenna pointed in the right direction.

Thanks

Hello,

I received this email today from IPTV.

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

Iowa Public Television Presents State’s Only High-Definition Live Local Broadcast
IPTV Kicks Off Local Digital Programming with Live Coverage of the Iowa State Fair Parade

(Johnston, Iowa) – Iowa Public Television, Iowa’s only statewide television network, will begin full-time digital broadcasting to homes in the Des Moines, Sioux City, and Cedar Rapids/Waterloo areas with live, high-definition coverage of the Iowa State Fair parade Wednesday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. Iowa Public Television is the only network in the state to broadcast live, local digital television.
The network, already a leader in digital television broadcasting in the state, will showcase locally-produced programming on IPTV-Digital for the duration of the Fair, and will continue broadcasting digitally in these markets. IPTV-Digital will become available statewide in the coming months.
A digitized version of IPTV’s analog signal, as well as high-definition IPTV and PBS programming, will be available to viewers with the proper digital television equipment. IPTV-Digital can also be seen in many area retail stores, and in the Iowa Public Television booth in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fair.
“We are proud to provide Iowans with the state’s only high-definition live local broadcast,” said Daniel K. Miller, executive director and general manager for Iowa Public Television. “We see our role in the digital environment as unique. Iowa Public Television will use this technology to showcase Iowa as it’s never been seen on television before. Digital television provides IPTV with an important opportunity to expand our mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans with our programming and services.”
Beginning August 11 at 6:30 p.m., IPTV-Digital will be broadcast full-time to the converted transmitters in Des Moines, Sioux City, and Waterloo/Cedar Rapids.
For more information about IPTV’s digital programming, please contact Jennifer Glover Konfrst at 515-242-3146.

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

Craig

I have been reading on the forum that DirecTV will be sending the HD FOX and NBC nationals to subscribers in markets where the local FOX or NBC is owned by the networks. One can also receive them if a waiver is granted. Well we all know KDLT and KTTW will never do that, and also have no intentions of broadcasting in HD. These are podunk yocals who have no concept of where television is going, and just think by satisfying the FCC requirements to broadcast in digital is all they need to do. I for one feel the FCC needs to quit making bedfellows with these local stations and start getting tougher. I feel a requirement should be either start broadcasting in HD, or be required to grant a waiver. This apparently will be the only way to get these 2 bottom dwellers to start moving. The management of these stations literally have no clue on how to serve the public.

So, is KTTW being listed as a station that is HDTV ready a mistake?

Smallest DMAs FOX HDTV Ready

(162) Gainesville - Ocala, FL

(147) Lubbock, TX

(122) Macon, GA

(114) Augusta, GA

(113) Sioux Falls, SD


As far as the HD channels on DirecTV goes, what about us people in the middle of nowhere? If I read another thread about these "O & O" markets or cities getting the networks via DirecTV....I may go ballistic. Put up a damn antenna if you want the network HD feeds and quit taking up bandwidth for new HD channels for the "unlucky" people that don't live in a big city. **end of rant**

If you live in the middle of nowhere, and are in the so called "white" area of reception, you can also get the network HD feeds. Now what defines the "white" area is still grey to me. KTTW broadcasts digital, not HD.

Hey Wxman, maybe Tom Daschle can use some of his "clout", and get things set up so we can get satellite network feeds of those stations that aren't delivering HD. Yeah right....

I really don't see why, if I am willing to pay for distant HD feeds, that I cannot legally receive them. It just isn't right that if you are granted a franchise that you get a "license to make money", and are exempt from competition.

I'm even willing to try a "really big antenna" to receive NBC and FOX in HD, but there just isn't any way that I am going to receive them in Sioux Falls.

Do we have any options?

Here is the latest response from station manager at KTTW (Fox) in Sioux Falls. I asked if they will be broadcasting in HDTV.

"We already broadcast digital and hope to be HD this fall."


I also wrote KDLT, asking for a waiver, and this is the response I got:

" You need to contact your satellite carrier and ask them to submit a request for a waiver on your behave it will then be submitted electronically to us and we will be more then happy to process your request."

Originally posted by wxman
I also wrote KDLT, asking for a waiver, and this is the response I got:

" You need to contact your satellite carrier and ask them to submit a request for a waiver on your behave it will then be submitted electronically to us and we will be more then happy to process your request."

I had D* request a waiver from KDLT for me, D* hasn't received a response back yet. I just want the wiaver in hopes of getting the NBC HD station when D* goes live with it.

D* told me it usually takes 45 days for a wiaver to be processed.

I live in Sioux City on the north side, up on Cheyenne Blvd. I just purchased an antenna, in anticipation of purchasing a Sony HDTV next month (one with a HD tuner). The antenna is the CM-4228 I bought at Wintronic.

Before I climb on the roof to install it, I wonder just how accrurately I have to AIM it. I want to be able to get KTIV (of course) but really want to also get the Sioux Falls CBS and ABC stations. Do you think I will get KTIV ok if I face the antenna toward Sioux Falls? I don't want to get a rotor - had one in the 80's (before cable) and it was a pain, plus it's one more thing my wife would complain about! So I am wondering if there is a good compromise in aiming?

rmullin
Here is my two cents worth. I am afraid you will have to bite the bullet and get a rotor. From my location just west of Dakota Dunes I need to turn the antenna 45 degrees to peak the signal on the Sioux Falls stations compared to KTIV. I find that the 4228 has a narrow window for the peak gain. If it is off a few degrees the signal drops off noticeably. There are side lobes that may have enough gain to pull in KTIV from your location if the antenna is directed at Sioux Falls because you are in a much higher and can probably almost see the KTIV tower from where you are. If that is the case you might get by with it. You will be giving up the IPTV and SDPB signals if you do not have a rotor but maybe that is acceptable for you. Good luck and you will love the HD programming. If it is going to work at all you will need to maximize the signal for the Sioux Falls stations and hope the KTIV signal is strong enough to come in on one of the side lobes. Keep us posted.

I am surprised that the IPTV signal is that narrow - I had guessed that I might be able to get that one with an indoor antenna!

You're right - I can just about see the KTIV tower from here. Time will tell - hope to be set up within a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the response.

Hello all.

I am awaiting delivery on my new HDTV, and am researching my viewing choices. I am located in Norfolk, so right now (at least according to antennaweb.org) I am limited to PBS for OTA offerings. My questions is for Dave Madsen, regarding the quote below:

Originally posted by dmadsen
Yes, there are still plans for BOTH an increase in power and a move of our antenna higher on our tower...however, there is not a specific timetable in place.

What is your expected range once this move, and the increase in power, takes place? Specifically, of course I want to know if I will be able to receive it in Norfolk. If the answer is yes, then my next question is do you have any updates on the timetable for the move. If the answer is no, then don't tell me about the timetable, since it will only depress me.

Thanks for your help.

I would love to know the same thing. I live north of Sioux City about 55 miles and have not had any luck. SF stations are a lot stronger and have picked those up as far south as LeMars. Hopefully they boost the power soon. Would have been nice to have some digital reception for the Olympics.

In the Sioux City metro area we have CableOne for our franchised cable system. So far, their HD offerings include only HBO/SHO.

I have been told that in September they will add ESPN-HD, TNT-HD, and TMC-HD, and "may" offer HDNET and others some time in the future.

Of course, they still can't carry KTIV's HD signal - both sides seem to want $$ for carrying/offering that channel on CableOne. At least their lawyers are prospering during the negotiations.

CableOne is now transmitting ESPN-HD on channel 452.

(HBO-HD 450, SHO-HD 451)

Does anyone else have a problem with the KSFY volume? Mine is extremely low. I have to turn it up at least 25% more than the other HD channels to hear it. I am using a Samsung 360 as the tuner. I did not have that problem with my Samsung 151 that I was using earlier. I did not watch that much HD do the fact that I was using a projector, but now with the plasma I watch it all the time and have noticed. Maybe it is an equipment problem.

Ben
I have noticed the same thing. KSFY DT volume is much lower on my set also.

Thanks for the info. Driving me nuts. I hope that they fix it before the new seasons start.

Hi, all...Dave Madsen from KTIV here...sorry it's been awhile since I posted here. We've been busy with Olympics, etc.

I'll try to answer several of the questions I've seen in the past couple of postings...

First, about CableOne negotiations to carry HD in the Sioux City area. FYI, there are NO lawyers involved. It is strictly us here at KTIV and the corporate folks at CableOne in Phoenix having the discussions, plus the local manager of CableOne. We are still somewhat deadlocked in negotiations, and I can't really say much more than that.

Next, for the Norfolk question, and increasing power specifically...

We think the increased power and increased height should more or less duplicate our existing analog coverage area (not including translators). This is all guesswork at this point, until the upgrade actually happens. So, we HOPE the digital signal would make it to Norfolk. It would certainly take care of "Ben L C" who said he's 55 miles north of Sioux City.

The timetable is still not certain for this upgrade, although I'd be leaning toward next summer, 2005. This is a very expensive proposition, and we have to fit the expenses into our other capital expense needs, many of which are more pressing than this several hundred thousand dollar upgrade.

On another note, I hope some of you had a chance to see some of the Olympics in HD on KTIV-DT. It's too bad it was all tape delayed, but it sure looked great! NBC has already said that probably for the next Olympics, it will be realtime HD coverage, just like on the analog channel.

I'd like to take a minute to also introduce you to our new Chief Engineer, Dick Herr. Dick comes to KTIV from KMEG, where he had been for 25+ years. We're happy to have Dick at KTIV, and he's ready, willing and able to answer most of your DTV questions...certainly more than I can answer! Feel free to give Dick a call or send an email (rherr@ktiv.com) if you have any questions.

Enough from me for now. We really appreciate all the input we get from you "early adopters" out there. Keep it coming!

Thanks for the update Dave, Much appreciated. Can't wait to get NBC in real HD.

Is anyone else in NW Iowa picking up the WB? Just did a rescan yesterday and came up with WB on 36-1. Titan Tv guide shows it on 51-1. So far it is like 11-2, nothing spectacular. Time will tell

FYI,

For most folks in Northwest Iowa, the WB is only available as a cable channel, KXWB. KTIV in Sioux City is the "partner station" which does the promotion and advertising sales for this channel. In smaller markets like ours, there is not usually a "real" WB station, so the network developed this system for delivering channels via cable systems, but allowing the local "partner" station to sell the advertising time. So, if you watch KTIV-TV, you may see promotional announcements for programs on KXWB.

Just thought you'd be interested.

The WB on 36-1 is transmitting off the same tower near Rowena as the 46-1 KDLT signal. Just found it this morning on my DTv guide also.

Will be interesting to see if I can get KTIV when they go full power. Just east of SF, but have a clear view to the south and can get 4,9,14, and 44 now.

Am having trouble getting Fox Digital lately in SF. Hoping they are working on the signal to have High Def up for fall season and football.

Yesterday I received a denial to my waiver request for NBC HD through DirecTV from KDLT. What really bothers me is that I sent an email to KDLT, with my name and address which is in Sioux Falls asking for a waiver. Since they knew my address< why did they not tell me that they would deny it, instead of telling me to contact DirecTV and getting a waiver request through them? Seems like a lot of effort for nothing, when it would been very simple to be honest in their initial email response. They are a bunch of pinheads at that station. Time need to change in the FCC. We should have the freedom and right to watch whatever network or station we wish that is available. The laws protecting these locals are archaic. The government should not be controlling what stations or networks we are allowed to watch.

I'd like to reply to some of what WXMAN said about waiver requests. I am NOT a representative of KDLT, but since I do handle the waiver requests for KTIV, I feel like I can shed a little light on the subject.

When I deny a waiver request, here's how I explain it. Imagine you own the franchise in your town for McDonald's. Your franchise agreement would protect you from someone else building another McDonald's across the street from you.

KTIV owns the "franchise" to be the NBC station in our market. We are protected from someone bringing another NBC station into our market. So, as long as you could receive KTIV using a standard rooftop antenna, the satellite company is prohibited from bringing another NBC station into the area.

The rules about bringing other HD stations into the area are not quite as clear, since not all stations are broadcasting HD yet. So, I guess I shouldn't comment on that.

If people have more questions about waivers, I can certainly try to answer them.

I saw this thread discussion, and had to give my 2 cents. I do understand where stations come from with their argument in protecting their franchise rights. Where I have a problem, is when the local station is still in the dark ages. I do not live in the Sioux City area, but where I live, the ABC affiliate is still broadcasting in mono, with no stereo sound. They must convert all audio back into one audio track. Augh. They say they have no plans to offer the ABC HD signal anytime in the future. I would imagine with mono audio, it would be hard to process the HD signal. In my case, I am unable to get any other ABC feed, especially the HD signal, because my local affiliate has the franachise right in this market. That means I am stuck with a 1970s quality signal. If we could only get another ABC signal in here, maybe it would drive a liitle competition, and help get an ABC HD signal sooner. I can only dream of MNF in HDTV. I feel there needs to be more of a balance between franchise protection, and allowing competition to help advance technology to the consumer/customer.

I disagree with the franchise tag. There is no competition, thus I'm stuck with whatever the local station chooses to show or offer. Perhaps if I was allowed to watch the network feed in HD, it would create competition and perhaps the local station would become HDTV. Also, perhaps the network should revoke the franchise from the stations that do not broadcast HD. By not broadcasting HD, they are actually providing a sub standard broadcast from the national feed. Do you think a local McDonalds franchise could get away with not selling Big Macs? Big Macs are their number 1 seller, and I'm sure The corporate headquarters would threaten them with revocation of franchise. Same goes with TV. HDTV is a big selling point. Sports in HD, national shows in HD, etc. If the local station refuses to do that, I should be allowed to look elsewhere for my HD source, without some local yocal denying me that right. The franchise rule for television is outdated. It hinders the advance of new technology, as local stations can sit on their butts and do nothing. Look at the fight the locals put up when the FCC wanted to switch to digital. The switch was to have been done years ago, but the locals wielding their power, got that delayed, and are again trying to delay it.

Had to respond.

This isn't about competition. It's about binding contracts.

Like it or not, these binding affiliate contracts are the way these networks have chosen to distribute programming. Indeed, networks aren't as much a service to you as they are to the local stations, to help them fill the broadcast day.

Now if they want to start writing HD into their affiliation contracts, that would be great. But to use that McDonald's analogy, if the McDonald's company decided to just set up another McDonald's across the street from that substandard one, the parent company could wind up with a lawsuit on its hands.

It would be better for the parent company to put its expectation for Big Macs -- or HD -- into that contract. If that franchisee doesn't put out, take away their Golden Arches -- or their peacock, dot, eye, searchlight, or frog.

(By the way, my market = HD ABC, CBS, NBC, and an IPTV State Fair loop)

My argument is that I should be allowed me to watch whatever network I wish to watch on satellite. The locals need to stop controlling what I can watch. The binding contracts were not set by the nationals. It was the locals and cable who lobbied the FCC the make it a regulation. Remember when DTV first started? I got the network feeds for free. All of a sudden that changed because the locals and cable saw satellite as competition. The only way they could try and squash competition was to get the FCC as a bedfellow and write a new regulation. They did. So all I want is to open the market to free enterprise and competition, back to the way it was before this regulation was written.

First Sunday of NFL.

No HD Bears Lions
No HD Vikings Cowboys

They are in HD on DirecTV and I have Sunday Ticket.

I am sending Fox and DTV a request for waiver on HD Sunday Ticket only. If my local game(s) are not broadcast in HD, I'll watch Fox 17, but why should I not be left the option of watching an HD broadcast when my local can not fulfill that need.

I understand the protection issues as it relates to their advertising revenue sorce, but #1 during football I RARELY watch commercials as I go the next game that is not at commercial and #2 if they won't grant a waiver for HD Football only, I guess I'll just quit watching local FOX completely. I have already quit watching KDLT and KTTW maybe next.

BVFan, Did you notice that you are not able to see the Standard Definition Bears or Raiders games on Sunday Ticket today? I am royally pissed off about this. I finally got ahold of someone from DirecTV who wasn't in India and was told that there is nothing I can do about it. I cannot cancel my Sunday Ticket either, as the season has begun. This is the last year I'll subscribe to Sunday Ticket, and I may dump DirecTV altogether. I never thought I would be mad about not being able to watch a game on the over compressed DirecTV channels, but CBS and FOX suck over cable here in Sioux Falls. It was SO convenient before, I could just surf up and down through the satellite football channels, but now I have to switch back to my TV tuner and hunt for whatever games I cannot receive over satellite.

I realize this is off topic, but I just want to rant....

Drifter,

Yes I did notice all locals being blocked yesterday. They also blocked HD Raiders/Steelers. They teased us with the 1st half of the Cowboys-Vikes in High Def DTV. Then blacked it out at half time.

Following is my email and reply from Fox GM:
---------------------------------------
DirectTv will be carrying the local stations by the first of October is what I am told. You might want to check with them.


Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 12:13 PM
To: edh@kttw.com
Subject: KTTW HD

Wondering when or if KTTW will be broadcasting in true HD.

Today, I could be watching Lions / Bears and Vikings / Cowboys in HD on DirecTV, but blackout restrictions are in force.

If KTTTW does not plan to broadcast HD during this football season, I would like to know how I can get a waiver so I may get blacked out games in HD.

If the local games are not in HD on DTV, I would watch games off air, but HD sports are the reason most of us have spent the money on our systems. I presently am not planning to watch either local game as they are not in HD.

--------------
He obviously did not understand my question or tried to evade it.

I get both the Kelo and Fox OTA good, so having locals on DTV really will do me no good, besides you'lll have to pay $5-10/mo to have them and they will not be HD, they will be SD signals.

Dave,

I've been away for a while, but found it interesting reading the waiver threads here on my return. Just so you know, I've requested a waiver from KTIV via DirecTv strictly due to your recent policy change regarding the aspect ratio of SD programs. As I've mentioned to you before, when you send out a stretched 1080i signal there is no way to 'squish' it back to the original aspect ratio. I don't want to watch short & fat so I'm attempting to get a waiver to get the network feeds which are not stretched SD. Using your McDonalds analogy, if you don't offer the Big Mac with 'special sauce' that provides me an incentive to find a McDonalds that does (or go to Burger King).


Mark

Hello,

Just to let everyone know that KSIN-DT is running the PBSHD feed now.

Soundstage is on tonight at 9:00 on KSIN-DT

Craig

I saw the KSIN-HD signal today at Pflanz Electronics while I was waiting to talk to Vance. The picture is simply stunning. KSIN was running something this afternoon about a river journey thru some western canyons. Extremely beautiful, lotsa depth, great detail. I felt like I was rafting the Colorado River with my family.

Thank-you to Iowa Public TV for the excellent HD signal. Too bad we can't get it yet on CableOne.

Adding Sioux Falls, SD to this Official thread. If the Sioux Falls activity increases, let me know, and I'll use a separate thread.

Is everyone around Sioux City still getting KSFY? Seems like it's gone away for me. Also wondering about KSIN. I get max. signal at 28-1 but there's no picture.

P.S. - Dave, thanks for getting KTIV-DT back to 4:3 for SD material.

Mark

Mark

Your not alone... I'm having problems to with KSFY. KSIN... there's been a couple of times I have notice there's no picture

I have a question for any Sioux Falls SD Midcontinet cable HD users.

DO any of you use Cablecard?

Here is a repost from the HDTV equipment thread.

Well, its been over a month since my last update so I will refresh everyone. I purchased a Mits 52525 and had a hard time getting my cable company to respond to me about installing a Cablecard. Early in August, I finally got a response and they sent someone out. The install failed after trying 3 hours and they left a STB. The installer said they would research it and call them in a few weeks if I had not heard from them.

A month goes by and I call. Their customer support refused to help me. All he would say is that they do not support cable card. I said that was BS and that I was instructed to call back from the installer. He again said that they dont support cable cards. I said... Isn't it FCC mandatory that they do... and didn't your website say you do all summer? He said someone would call me back. Well, its been a week with no call.

Midcontinent cable in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.



I am getting so frustrated with them pretending I don't exist. Anyone know anybody I should be calling?

I received a email back from KSFY chief engineer that they have not done any changes since they went on the air. same power and everything. Hopefully with the trees loosing there leaves and the change in the weather Will help.
I don't get as solid signal as I use to but it's OK.. I've watched Lost and that looked AWESOME... to bad thy don't pass DD5.1

Craig

Hello
Anyone watching the race on KTIV-DT... I called the control room to see if they would flip the switch.. and the person told me it's not in HD... I was told to call back tomorrow when someone was there...sorry guy's

Craig

If it's any comfort, our affiliate in Waterloo isn't HD or widescreen for this race, either.

EDIT: Looks like in the HD Programming forum there's a four-page thread with a roll call of all the places where there's no widescreen on this race. BTW, Des Moines appears to be among the "have nots," as well.

I exchanged a few e-mails with Dave Madsen of KTIV and I think we'll see the remaining NASCAR & Busch races in SD widescreen (I hope!!!).

Mark

I was able to tweak my antenna position so that I just get the SF ABC & CBS stations, Vermillion PBS, and KTIV NBC without using a rotor. Took a few visits to the roof with my wrench to slightly move the antenna to find the sweet spot.

Is KTTW (FOX) HD yet in Sioux Falls?