Jayhawk (tough week, eh?)

Sounds like a way to get rid of you for 24 hours, if you ask me. I've never seen a harddrive loose data because it was powered off for 24 hours.

Originally posted by Jayhawk
I think you may be right on ESPNHD because it started on Friday night. I called TW and was told to "unplug the DVR overnight so the harddrive will reset. All programs and scheduled recordings will be lost." I haven't done it yet because I need to write down my "season passes" but am also skeptical about whether or not this will actually do what he says it will.

Anyone else have this problem or know if this CSR was correct?
The 8000HD froze up on me last night, but I just unplugged it, waited a few seconds, then plugged it back in. After that, everything was normal again. I was watching the Chiefs game on ESPN-HD, and during a break decided to watch a little of a program I recorded earlier. I brought the list of shows up, selected the program, and as soon as I pressed play, the box froze. I don't know if being on ESPN-HD when I started the play-back was what caused the problem, but judging from earlier posts it seems like a good possibility. After the box came back up I made sure to be on a channel other than ESPN-HD before trying to play back the show again. Sure enough, it played back fine.

Jayhawk - I had the same problem Friday night. My box locked up about the same time that ESPN-HD came up and it never recovered. I started receiving messages that there may be a problem with my hard drive and the dreaded grey screen. After multiple unsuccessful efforts to fix this, including reformatting the drive, I swapped the box on Saturday. I am now experiencing the problem that the box freezes and then reboots when attempting to watch a recorded show while tuned to ESPN-HD. Sounds like this is not unique.

Anyone know if the Cowboys vs Minn game broadcast in HD on TWC (Fox) yesterday?

Yes, it did. I was impressed with the picture quality over TWC.

Just wanted to make sure. I am going to have TWC installed Tuesday so I can watch the HD games that are not shown on DTV Sunday Ticket when Fox 4 has the local game. Trying to watch Standard Def games is very hard after watching HD.

Originally posted by jeffdbs
My understanding is ESPN-HD does not have Dolby Digital 5.1. ESPN-HD has Circle Surround 5.1 which will show up as Dolby Digital 2.0 on a audio receiver that does not decode the new Circle Surround format now starting to appear on some of the new audio receivers.

You aren't missing much if your receiver doesn't support CS. Mine does, and I still decided it sounded better using the NEO:6 Cinema setting. DTS just does surround better than anyone else hands down.

Also, as far as the 8000HD, I have had a few bugs here and there. I think things will get better with new software upgrades, which for a while should be quite frequent.

My main problem was when I was recording the MU game Thursday night as well as the Pats-Colts game. I started watching the MU game more than an hour after kickoff, but I had set it to record. When I selected it and hit play, it would only go an hour back instead of from the beginning. Same happened when I switched over to the NFL game after Mizzou got trounced (that hurt). I found the way to work around it is to stop the initial recording and immediately start a new one. Then watch your first recording. You should be able to catch up to within an hour of live by FF throuch commercials and possibly halftime, depending on how late you are. Then, you can switch to the second recording, and you won't more than an hour out, so it will start at the beginning.

This only seems to be an issue if you are trying to watch something that is still currently on, and you are more than an hour behind the actual broadcast.

8000HD Issues Question:
----------------------------------

Does anyone know the best way of reporting these issues to TWC for resolution? I would love to be part of the solution, but I think calling Customer Service will just be more frustrating than useful (for me and the telephone rep).

Is there an e-mail address I should use?

Thanks,
hciv

PS - When I called in last week, the rep did not know the 8000HD upgrade included the HD Tier.

Originally posted by kcsooner
Jayhawk - I had the same problem Friday night. My box locked up about the same time that ESPN-HD came up and it never recovered. I started receiving messages that there may be a problem with my hard drive and the dreaded grey screen. After multiple unsuccessful efforts to fix this, including reformatting the drive, I swapped the box on Saturday. I am now experiencing the problem that the box freezes and then reboots when attempting to watch a recorded show while tuned to ESPN-HD. Sounds like this is not unique.

Sounds like we're on to something here. It seems that we were all either recording or watching ESPN-HD when the boxes froze. At least that will save me a trip to the TW store, and re-entering all of my season passes since it'll most likely occur on a new box.

Has anyone been able to watch/record ESPN-HD and view a previously recorded HD program WITHOUT the box locking up?

Originally posted by kcjefff
Also, as far as the 8000HD, I have had a few bugs here and there. I think things will get better with new software upgrades, which for a while should be quite frequent.

My main problem was when I was recording the MU game Thursday night as well as the Pats-Colts game. I started watching the MU game more than an hour after kickoff, but I had set it to record. When I selected it and hit play, it would only go an hour back instead of from the beginning. Same happened when I switched over to the NFL game after Mizzou got trounced (that hurt). I found the way to work around it is to stop the initial recording and immediately start a new one. Then watch your first recording. You should be able to catch up to within an hour of live by FF throuch commercials and possibly halftime, depending on how late you are. Then, you can switch to the second recording, and you won't more than an hour out, so it will start at the beginning.

This only seems to be an issue if you are trying to watch something that is still currently on, and you are more than an hour behind the actual broadcast.

I've had this happen before with the SD-DVR. First noticed it last summer, and even sent an email to Scientific Atlanta to see if they new anything about the bug, but didn't get a reply. It's extremely frustrating if you accidentally see the score because you're not expecting it to start in the middle of the program.

Just out of curiosity, was this a scheduled recording, or did you start recording the game after it started? It seems like this happens if you tune to a game (or any program) after it has started, then hit record. Evidently if you have it scheduled to record it can handle starting from the beginning rather than just the beginning of the buffer.

Speaking of buffers, is the buffer noticeably shorter when you're watching an HD program? It seems to be closer to 30 minutes.

All - I just got a return call from Bob Marsocci, Sr. Director, Communications - DIRECTV, Inc. - Bob confirmed that D*TV viewers that subscribe to the HD package automatically get the national feeds for CBS & NBC if they live in a O&O affiliate area. Bob also confirmed that D*TV is still finalizing plans to bring up FOX on a national feed. He could not provide a date but did say that he wished he could say imminent, but "you know how these things can go - you'd think it would be easier now that our parent company is News Corp." However, he seemed positive that it could be in time for the World Series but said it would certainly be in time for the Superbowl.

I see this as good news for I hold little hope that WDAF will get their act together by either of these key sports dates. With regard to all the posts about local blackouts, this news may not be of much solace for those wanting to catch the two FOX Chiefs games.
But then again, after last night it may not matter much to miss a game or two... :cool:

Still - I take this as good news and confirms for me what many in the forum have said previously.

Question: what networks are O&O in KC?

Only FOX 4 is an O&O.

All -

Has anyone had good results with a local A/V & Network cable installer that they would reccomend to a friend?

I am building a new house and would like to install structured wiring for whole-house Audio and video distribution as well as LAN.

The big deal for me is that because the wife wants all new appliances and dining room furniture, I get crapola for budget - so I'll probably end up buying the hardware myself and do my own head-end setup/connections, and am looking for someone that can handle the labor part of the pre-wiring and perhaps act as a consultant on what gear I end up buying. This works out best anyhow since I will not have the time to be out at the site to pre-wire for speakers, zone controls, wall plates, etc because of work and other commitments. Of course if I can find someone that can do the whole deal for a good price and quality job, I'd consider that too.

Thanks!

I was actually in Denver, CO for the Chiefs game this weekend when my cell phone voice mail had a courtesy call message from TWC stating that they had added ESPN-HD just in time for the big Chiefs game Sunday night. I shouted "YYYEEESSSS!!!" at the top of my lungs and scared the hell out of the people around me. It's a good week for TWC customers. Now if we can just get MAX-HD, Bravo-HD, Starz-HD, Encore-HD, the local UPN-HD affiliate, and local WB-HD affiliate (when they go HD in October), we will be in great shape! ;)

Originally posted by Jayhawk
Just out of curiosity, was this a scheduled recording, or did you start recording the game after it started? It seems like this happens if you tune to a game (or any program) after it has started, then hit record. Evidently if you have it scheduled to record it can handle starting from the beginning rather than just the beginning of the buffer.

It was a scheduled recording.

Got this out of another thread does anyone know anything about this?

A TV industry database says WDAF-DT 34 is running just 1.1KW at 226 feet. They have a construction permit to make that 1,000KW at 968 feet, so if that goes into effect, you will probably have no problem picking up WDAF even in Topeka.

No idea on the timing, tho.

That thread on FOX HDTV and the comment on WDAF is at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4344850#post4344850

hdtimmy- you are very good at finding things out any idea on the WDAF construction permit?

Is MNF stuttering both audio and visually a lot or is it my DVR?

Looks and sounds good Over the Air.

kcjeff & jayhawk--i saw the exact same problem that kcjeff was reporting and on a scheduled recording--could not go back to the beginning.

will be interested in a fix for this...

kcjeff--i am currently watching MNF on TWC with my Pioneer 3510HD STB and it is perfectly fine. I haven't tried it yet on the HD DVR.

I have been looking around the FCC DB. While they aren't the easiest to follow, I found the list of applications from WDAF. If I am reading this right the_SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY that they are using for the super low power broadcast is set to expire on 10/16/2004. Then I see that they have been granted a LICENSE TO COVER, if you jump to the engineering data, it looks like it matches the HD channel and does show 100Kw & what I think is the tower height at 344 meters. Maybe there is hope of Fox4 OTA?

Links: http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/mo/tv_information.asp?m=kan
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WDAF
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Facility_id=11291

Nice work 4MUKC. Oh my....... maybe this is the big break us Kansas City Over the Air viewers have been waiting for. WDAF DT-34 at full-power and full-bandwidth is a wish come true for Kansas City television viewers.

WDAF please raise and light up that digital DT-34 stick as soon as possible. Your Over the Air viewers would really like to see the new FOX 720p HDTV programming. :)

I thought WDAF would need to kick the back-up KSHB antenna off the current tower or build a new separate tower FIRST before they can raise the ERP and add a DT antenna to the tower?

Sorry to disappoint you guys, but that construction permit that you are seeing is from 1/11/2001. This is before they even knew their tower couldn't support the weight. Around that time, every station in this market had to issue a DTV construction permit telling the FCC what their initial plans were. Correct or not.

In order to get on the air by May 2002, the deadline for this market, they set up their weak stick and have been running off of an STA ever since. They have to renew the STA every six months. That's the October expiration date you are seeing. They let their STA lapse for the entire year of 2003 and I reported it to the FCC. I don't know if they were fined or not.

I think it's funny that both WDAF and KSHB's intital plans were to put their digital antennas on that tower. It can barely hold what it has now let alone two additional antennas!!

Once KSHB found out that the tower couldn't support their antenna they hauled a** and had a new tower built in just over a year. That is very fast in this industry. KSHB hauled a** and WDAF has sat on their a** this whole time.

Here is a link to all of the WDAF applications on file at the FCC. The DT one is their intital construction permit. The DS indicates a STA renewal. The TV indicates the analog channel.

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Facility_id=11291

Originally posted by kcjefff
Is MNF stuttering both audio and visually a lot or is it my DVR?

It's definitely the HD-DVR's. I've noticed that they do tend to stutter quite a bit. I'll gladly take it though...

It just amazes me that these things can record 2 HD streams and playback 1 HD stream AT THE SAME TIME! I just can't imagine what that HD has got to be going through.

Jayhawk,

Time to change the line under your username (I want my ESPHHD), isn't it? Are you as impressed with the ESPNHD PQ as I am? Very well done, I thought.

Thanks for the info Craash, is this better?

I think the PQ on ESPN and ABC (MNF) are awesome! I can't stand watching regular programs anymore. Wonder how many years until RSTN broadcasts the Royals games in HD...

The season after we win the World Series.

Funny, but I e-mailed the RSTN folks about HDTV for Royals broadcasts early in the season. I suggested TWC channel 1400 would be a good place to put them. Here's the response I got:



Thanks for writing. HD has been discussed and may be something we do in the future. As you probably know, the technology is not cheap and it greatly escalates the costs to do high definition telecasts, so it is not something that can be done just for the sake of doing it. Of course, we would like to do it, but it just has to be financially viable.

Thanks again for taking your time to write. We appreciate your feedback.



Too bad Brandsmart is gone - this is something they might have been able to underwrite. My guess is it won't happen unless someone steps up to pay for the additional production costs.

Thanks for writing ... as you know technology is not cheap, but thankfully we are! We are also unable to add HD coverage of the Royals games due to the fact that we suck right now. The last thing we want is for people to see our errors in crystal clear high definition, or the disappointed facades of the two dozen fans left in the stands. We are considering going to radio broadcasts only as a stopgap method to slow the hemorrhaging. Thank you for your lackluster interest. :)

Got an update (kind of) on Discovery HD for Comcast....

Apparently all they're waiting for is the equipment. I've been told the day they get it, they'll have it up, but they don't have a date for the equipment to be in. I'm not sure if they're waiting on the equipment from corporate Comcast or from the vendor.

Also, apparently corporate Comcast is very much aware of the WDAF antenna situation here. So there may be some pressure from that side as well to get things done.... who knows?

I find it funny that Comcast can't get WDAF via fiber. Don't you guys get Metro Sports? Why couldn't they get it via a contract with WDAF to allow TWC to send it on. Man am I glad I have TWC. The only thing I can ask for now is that we get NFL network and some more HD movie channels. (Oh, and ESPN2HD when it becomes available.)

I didn't get any specifics, but the person i spoke with said there were a few alternatives being looked into. My guess is a fiber transfer via TWC is one and a direct from Fox sat feed is another. I'm not sure what else would work other than the obvious.

Maybe the folks at Fox Corp need to look at the new tower that is now the home to channel 50/51 and the community FM antenna. looks like one of the three antenna "arms" is available. WDAF could locate their DTV plant there, not have to worry about tower loading and put out a great signal. They can move back to Signal Hill when the low band VHF is phased out with the transition to exclusively DTV service in a few years. I am 70 miles from KPXE's tower and its digital signal outperforms anything else in the KC and Columbia markets. Thanks for letting me vent about Fox 4's inaction.

:( Well, based on some discussions that I was reading on dbsforums.com (see post below), it appears that the only way to see the Chiefs in HD in Kansas City this year will be for those lucky enough to get WDAF-DT off-air or those with TWC as D* is blacking out the national HD feeds when the NFL is on. While the discussion below is about the CBS-HD feed on D*, the same rules will apply when the FOX-HD feeds launch.

BTW- Sunday Ticket won't help either as WDAF has the rights for distribution here in KC and the game will be blacked out as per the NFL rules.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by MarkG on 09-13-2004 at 11:12 AM in post #18:
...I don't have Sunday Ticket, but have Distant locals thru DISH. Yesterday the Cin/Jets games was available on CBS/NY on 243, but was blackedout on CBSNY/HD on 9483. Why would this be?...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Becasue the HD feed of WCBS is provided through a blanket waiver that CBS, Inc. granted on behalf of all of their owned and operated (O&O) stations. But that waiver can ONLY extend to that content for which CBS, Inc. owns a clear license...IOW, it can not extend to content for which some other entity reserves national distribution rights.

Football games are licensed by the NFL to the broadcasters on a REGIONAL basis. IOW, the networks do not have the right to broadcast any one game to the entire nation (at least in the regular season - playoffs and pre-season are licensed separately). Therefore, the blanket waiver granted by CBS can not include a pro-football game since CBS does not actually own the rights that must be waived - the NFL does.

The NFL calls the shots here - not the viewers, not the broadcasters, not the networks, and not DirecTV.


__________________
Dan Collins
DBSForums Administrator
Demarest, NJ
I like to watch.

I think that is probably about as good an explanation as you are going to get.

I guess it's time for all the (non TWC) Chiefs fans to get angry with WDAF over the crappy SD game we will have watch this weekend.

I'm already there. Grrrrr...

Like Eyedox has said, we could have an HDTV football party in Penn Valley park, right next to their tower. Totally legal (they could call the cops if we are in their parking lot).

The key would be to get 5, 9, 41, and/or Aaron Barnhart to come out and do a story on us and why we have to go to a city park to watch the Chiefs in HD on FOX4.

Well.........This is the big weekend that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be shown to this great nation in HDTV on the FOX network. It would have been very nice for us outer metro Over the Air Kansas City viewers to see the game on WDAF DT-34.

We must not give up hope on someday seeing WDAF DT-34 at full-power and full bandwidth. I have sent friendly e-mails and telephone calls to WDAF for the last couple of years asking to have a full-power WDAF DT-34 for I just felt FOX Broadcasting would someday go HD programming and also present our Kansas City Chiefs in HDTV.

There is good news in that some viewers that have FOX HDTV on Time Warner or live very close to the WDAF low power digital stick will get to see the Kansas City Chiefs in HDTV on WDAF DT-34. :)

Many thanks to the people at WDAF and FOX broadcasting who are working hard on someway to bring full-power and full bandwidth FOX 720p HDTV programming to Kansas City. After last week Aaron Barnhart Kansas City Star article on WDAF HDTV IMHO WDAF is hearing our calls for a stronger digital signal.

Hey I will get to see the FOX HDTV highlights on ESPN-HD Sunday night. Also I can hear the game on the radio. I haven't listened to a Chiefs game on the radio since the Miami Dolphins kicked a field goal to beat our Chiefs in the second overtime in the AFC semifinal playoff game. :D

Originally posted by hdtimmy
I'm already there. Grrrrr...

Like Eyedox has said, we could have an HDTV football party in Penn Valley park, right next to their tower. Totally legal (they could call the cops if we are in their parking lot).

The key would be to get 5, 9, 41, and/or Aaron Barnhart to come out and do a story on us and why we have to go to a city park to watch the Chiefs in HD on FOX4.


Agree! Public shame might be the only way to get the power turned up (before they have to in July).

tblack127-great ideas. Glad to have your input. Do you receive a DT-22 on your digital receiver? I have noticed lately that DT-22 is starting to come to life on my signal strength meter. I am trying to find out the station that is broadcasting on DT-22. Thanks.

Jeff, looks like DT-22 is out of Columbia, MO. KMIZ is the call letters. They are on a STA at 48.4 kw at 343 meters.

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

Maybe the folks at Fox Corp need to look at the new tower that is now the home to channel 50/51 and the community FM antenna. looks like one of the three antenna "arms" is available.

This tower is owned by Richland Towers. I have spoken with them not too long ago and there is plenty of space left on that HUGE candleabra tower.

I will send these links to all of the WDAF e-mail addresses that I have. Including the ProblemSolvers, hehe.

http://www.richlandtowers.com
http://www.richlandtowers.com/OpenHouse/OpenHouseDisplay.asp?p1=10&p9=I&Cat=119

Thanks hdtimmy for the information. The little indoor/outdoor Radio shack antenna I am using to search the horizon for WDAF DT-34 seems to be finding more and more signals on other digital channels. Also DT-23 (I seem to recall) (a channel analog 11?) comes in strong at times. Again thank you for all the information you provide us digital viewers here in Kansas City.

Yup, that's KTWU PBS 11 (23) out of Topeka. They are very strong at 960 kw.

Do they broadcast PBS HD without a huge bug in the bottom center of the screen? Unlike another unnamed local station that I give money to.

Originally posted by jeffdbs
Well.........This is the big weekend that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be shown to this great nation in HDTV on the FOX network. It would have been very nice for us outer metro Over the Air Kansas City viewers to see the game on WDAF DT-34. :D

I live in Olathe and get all HD signals BUT damn FOX. Lucky for me my daughter has a 12:00 PM softball game this Sunday, so I will miss half of it anyhow.

I am just thankful that the Chiefs only have one game on FOX...it appears the rest are on CBS. I just checked titantv.com, and the game scheduled on the 26th with Houston will be in HD!

Go CBS...FOX, you suck!

Taking a quick poll for those that use an OTA Antenna to receive their HD...

Currently, I have my OTA Radio Shack special (I think it is the 50-mile unit) mounted on the outside of my house on a mast that places it about 3' above roof-line; I do not use a rotator device. This works pretty well since my roof-line is for the most part higher than those in front of where the antenna is pointed. BTW- I live at 151st & Lindenwood in Olathe.

I am curious how others have their antennas set up and what the results are. I ask this because in my new home I was thinking of taking my antenna with me and mounting it in the attic instead of outside. I am wondering if anyone has experienced any KC issues with an attic mount...

Originally posted by js615
I am wondering if anyone has experienced any KC issues with an attic mount...

I get all HD programming EXCEPT for FOX's pathetic little signal with a Radio Shack antenna installed in the attic of my two story house. This is a stationary antenna too.

I live (roughly) at 119th & Ridgeview...

I live in Lawrence, KS, and have 2 attic mount antennas (Channelmaster 4221s w/Amps). One points to KC, the other to Topeka.

I receive CBS, NBC, PBS from both. I receive ABC from Topeka (but no sound on the digital...just analog). I do not receive ABC from KC (my antennas are UHF, and I'm not sure I could get it if it was VHF).

Of course, no FOX.

Can someone compare the capabilities of Comcast's DVR ( I know it has only one tuner right now) to Tivo (which I currently have through DirecTV). I am finishing off my basement, and it is going to cost me (around $200) to re-rout all of my cables anyway, so I am considering going back to the Comcast. Receiving most of the local channels in HD is a big plus. The one year offer to switch from Satellite to Comcast is financially attractive, not to mention the charges to move my satellite cable Vs. free installation from Comcast. One of the big sticking points for me however is that I love my SD Tivo (the function not the necessarily the picture). I have been contemplating buying the HD Tivo, but choke on the $1000 cost. Anyway, anyone who can help me see trough some of these issues will be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by js615
Taking a quick poll for those that use an OTA Antenna to receive their HD...


I'm in Blue Springs (about 7Hwy & I-70) I have a Channel Master Stealth Antenna (with amp), it's mounted above my satalite on an extension mast. It's about 5 feet below my roof line. I get everything except Fox.

I was able to get them all almost as well with a Silver Sensor in my living room.

I had the single tuner Comcast DVR for about 6 weeks and I was not very happy with it. If you have been using Tivo, the software is poor. It's time based, so very VCR like to use (no season pass or suggestions). It's got a small hard drive, so you can only record 7 hours of HD - they told me that the dual tuners would have a 120 gig drive, about half of the HD Tivo, so it would be 12-15 hours? I had PQ problems with it too, that the Comcast techs blamed on firmware. I had some similar problems with the Comcast HD box, I did find that the HD box worked much better off the DVI connection for me, hadn't tried that with the DVR.

I was unhappy enough with the PQ and service from Comcast that I switched to Direct last month, I don't regret it. My SD channels look so much better off D*. It's not even close, plus the extra HD games I get with ST.

Jeff, we live in Sedalia and receive KMIZ-DT, ch 22 fairly well. They do have Fox but it is one of the four subchannels on KMIZ's digital service and is only standard def. They are also streaming upn, abc and their Show-Me Weather Service which is a local service for several cable systems in mid-Missouri.
For the antenna survey question, I have a Channel Master mid-gain vhf/uhf antenna, roof mounted, with a hefty preamp. KC stations are solid most of the time (except WDAF-DT). KOMU-DT does fine but have some issues with KRCG-DT which is on vhf channel 12 but is running only 15KW. There is a local translator on channel 11 that I suspect is giving my receiver some problems.

Originally posted by js615

I am wondering if anyone has experienced any KC issues with an attic mount... [/B]

Radio Shack special (50 mile antenna) with over 100' of RG6, no amp in my attic. Two story house, no rotor and get all but FOX. I live at 83rd and Pflumm.

The Motorola DVR box that Comcast uses has all the same basic functions of the Tivo (minus Season Pass and the Suggestions). It can pause live TV and record on any channel (except for the PPV i think). The box doesn't care about wither or not the channel is HD or not, the obvious difference being that there's not as much capacity with HD recording vs SD. One cool thing about it is that if you record something that is in DD5.1, the box records that too, on any channel that has it (SD or HD). I have heard a few complaints about the PQ, i got to test the early single tuner box for a couple of weeks and while there was a difference between stuff that was recorded and stuff you were seeing live, i didn't see that big a difference. I would, however take that with a grain of salt because i had the box hooked up with component cables into an SD tv. I did hear that there have been a few firmware updates of late on the DVR and regular HD boxes, but don't know of anything addressing any PQ problems. I do know there is a complete software update that will be effecting all digital boxes (HD, DVR & SD) that is do to happen mid-October to mid-November. That's all i can think of for now.

PS: People love to hate the cable company.

I am using an indoor/outdoor VHF/UHF antenna in the attic to receive my local digital channels. I also have a outdoor small Radio Shack UHF antenna attach to a rotor to vacuum the sky for any digital signals I can find. :D

I have a Silver Sensor attached outside near the top of my chimney near my dish. It cost me a whole $14. I live in the northeast corner of Blue Springs very close to Grain Valley. I get all the stations that matter (everything but Fox).

Comcast just made it easy to hate. :)

I had TW (Northland) for 5 years, and was pretty happy. When I moved I was suprised at how much less I got for the money with Comcast, and that the PQ was just not good. I rewired my house, and had Comcast come out 3 times - they were not able to correct the problem. More expensive, less service, terrible customer service - over a 6 month period.

TWC's SA Explorer 8000HD has season pass, HD PIP and dual tuners. I believe it is either a 120GB or 160GB Hard Drive. I have had mine for a week now and have been quite happy with it. There are some software glitches so far, but they will be fixed soon. The Pioneer Passport software it comes with is as close as I have seen yet to TIVO (which is awesome). I wish there was a channel skip 30-sec jump function though. Sounds like Comcast needs to switch to a better HD DVR box.

The 8000HD is a 160GB HDD. I am also pretty happy with it, except for the occasional audio and video dropouts, but that seems to be a function of playback only, it seems like it records the shows perfectly, because if you rewind and watch the part that drops again, it works OK, but might drop in a different place.

Craash, do you have any info from your "contacts" at TWC as to whether they have begun looking at the 8300 series of DVR's? Especially the 8300 MR-DVR and soon the 8300HD MR-DVR?

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/products/customers/prod_sub_DVR-Experience.htm

Question for TW 8000HD users -
Has anyone successfully been able to record a program on ESPNHD and watch a previously recorded program or does it lock up on everyone?

It seems to happen every time for me and a few others, but I was curious as to whether it was happening to everyone. If so, it should be an easy one for them to identify and fix.

Ok....
I got an update on DiscoveryHD for Comcast customers. Be checking for channel 205 late Monday/early Tuesday. Apparently they're getting the equipment from their supplier on Monday. I've been told as soon as the equipment is installed, they'll have the channel up.
Yea.

I noticed "Cold Case" is not in HD tonight on KCTV5 DT-24. I tried calling the station but to no avail. Maybe a network problem.

I didn't receive the SEC game in OTA HD on Saturday night on KCTV, or any digital signal at all for that matter. I noticed a weak signal much later, around 11:30pm.

Did any one else miss out? I'm at 95th & Switzer.

ESPN-HD seems to be having a number of audio/video drop outs tonight during the Bengals/Dolphins game (I have the HD DVR from TWC). Anyone else experiencing this?

Is there a problem with KCTV? I was rewiring/mounting my antenna and have not been able to pick them up for more than a few seconds all day. I have been trying to figure it out to no avail. Everytime I mount my antenna on the dish mount, I lose KCTV - I can set the antenna by a window in the basement and pick it up - go figure.

KCTV5 DT-24 maybe having problems. Didn't someone hear mention a change in antenna coming soon on KCTV-DT? Anyway DogOfMadness checks in to this forum so our best bet is to hear from DOM on any possible digital problems on DT-24.

I was at the Chiefs game again so I didn't get to experience FOX-HD (or ESPN-HD last week) for the game? Did anyone watch it on TWC and was it pretty good coverage? (Sound, Picture, Etc)

eyedox--i watched part of the game and it was in hi-def--nice picture. However, i was watching it using my HD DVR so there was the occasional stuttering, breakup, etc. caused by the box, not by FOX.

I got to see FOXHD on the ESPN-HD Sport Center highlights. Picture looked good but the Chiefs well...........that is a different story. Now I am really looking forward to seeing FOX HD programming.

I watched the whole Chiefs game (my first in HD) and overall it looked and sounded pretty good, however there were two separate times that the signal dropped to 480 for a while and then went back to 720P. I don't know if this occurred for everyone or not, but it was annoying and really made me appreciate how much better HD is over SD.
Unfortunately the great picture didn't make the Chiefs look any better.

Originally posted by abmet
I watched the whole Chiefs game (my first in HD) and overall it looked and sounded pretty good, however there were two separate times that the signal dropped to 480 for a while and then went back to 720P. I don't know if this occurred for everyone or not, but it was annoying and really made me appreciate how much better HD is over SD.
Unfortunately the great picture didn't make the Chiefs look any better.

abmet,
I'm curious how did you receive the hi-def signal? OTA anntena ? or something other? I have both Comcast and DirecTV here in Lee's Summit and was not able to view the game in hi-def. I don't have the ability to put up an antenna (live in a hole surrounded by hills) and I don't NFL Ticket with DirecTV.
Greg

I also watched the Chiefs game on the Time Warner Cable HD-DVR and I noticed the drop to 480 on a couple of occasions. I assumed this was a Fox or WDAF issue and nothing to do with TW or the hardware.

Someone previously was inquiring about bugs with the HD-DVR. I think we are all experiencing the same basic things and they are all software issues. I would recommend calling CS and letting them know your issues. The more calls the better IMO - maybe that will speed up the next software release.

My issues:
1. Playback of ESPNHD gets grey screen. box resets. consistent bug. I think this is because the tuner is on HD. I believe the issue goes away if you tune to an analog station.
2. Couldn't playback a scheduled program from the beginning while the DVR was still recording the show. Without being able to timeshift, this relegates this to nothing more than an expensive VCR.

What boggles my mind is releasing this to the public with these prominent bugs. Don't get me wrong, I love this product, especially when considering the cost comparison to DirecTV Tivo, but I can't imagine these are difficult issues to solve. Especially considering they had an analog DVR already on the market without these issues. My guess is a higher up within TW made the decision to release this regardless of bugs in order to have it available for the NFL season.

After watching two games now on FOX HD, I have to say CBS is still the best HD NFL. ABC and ESPN come in a close second (they both look pretty much the same to me). FOX's picture just doesn't have the same punch. I can't really define what I am seeing, but it almost looks like 480p to me. That's a shame because FOX offers far more HD football than anyone else.

gps,

abmet is probably watching on TWC. They have a presence in Lee's Summit. It just depends on where you live. I know I used to do installs out there all the time. Most of them were around the Todd George, 50 hwy area. I also did a few around the 291 and Chipman area.

nerual96,

I haven't seen the problem on 1. However, #2 is a real problem and like you said, makes it just an expensive VCR.

I haven't called it in yet--was waiting for my neighbor to get one to see if he sees the same problem.

Others seeing #2? If so have you called it in and what did they tell you?

I watched the Emmys last night on ABC, but before changing over (about 7:30), the STB was on KCTV. It was showing color bars with a label in the middle that said something like "CBS-HD NY TX." From that, I assume the problem was with the network, or otherwise they would have been showing "Cold Case."

BTW, when I used the "channel up" button to go from KCTV to KMBC (on a DISH 6000), the box turned off and rebooted (green flashing light), and came back up with an "acquiring signal" screen. Anyone else have that happen lately?

Brad

DiscoveryHD on Comcast 205 is up.

Originally posted by kcjefff
After watching two games now on FOX HD, I have to say CBS is still the best HD NFL. ABC and ESPN come in a close second (they both look pretty much the same to me). FOX's picture just doesn't have the same punch. I can't really define what I am seeing, but it almost looks like 480p to me. That's a shame because FOX offers far more HD football than anyone else.

But from what I gather, it's about a 5 mile radius. Maybe if they cut it to 2 1/2 mile radius, they can increase the picture quality.

Sorry...I'm exhibiting a poor attitude. I'll try to do better.

RE: Cold Case and other CBS Primetime Programs not in HD on Sunday night after football

If it's anything like last season, we will get to see CBS Sunday Night Primetime ONLY when KCTV shows the late HD football game.

The primetime HD feed follows the time overrun schedule of the late HD football game. So when KCTV shows the late HD football game, the primetime schedule will be delayed however long the game goes over. This is also the schedule of the HD feed.

When KCTV does not show a late game, or if they show a late SD game, there will not be a CBS HD feed available. The HD feed will more than likely be running at a slightly different schedule than KCTV so they will not be able to switch over to it.

Originally posted by Jerky
DiscoveryHD on Comcast 205 is up.

OMG!

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you!

Originally posted by hdtimmy
RE: Cold Case and other CBS Primetime Programs not in HD on Sunday night after football

If it's anything like last season, we will get to see CBS Sunday Night Primetime ONLY when KCTV shows the late HD football game.

The primetime HD feed follows the time overrun schedule of the late HD football game. So when KCTV shows the late HD football game, the primetime schedule will be delayed however long the game goes over. This is also the schedule of the HD feed.

When KCTV does not show a late game, or if they show a late SD game, there will not be a CBS HD feed available. The HD feed will more than likely be running at a slightly different schedule than KCTV so they will not be able to switch over to it.

Thanks, Timmy, I forgot about that from last year. At least the transmitter is up and working! :D

Brad

Great Scott............This is it! This is exactly what us Over the Air digital viewers needed to hear. I got my response from FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC today in reference to a satellite waiver and I mentioned how hard I have tried to receive WDAF DT-34 signal but to no avail. The letter from FOX says "WDAF will be operating at it's fully authorized power by mid-2005, so that your current situation will be resolved by that time".

What this means to me is that I only have nine months left to figure out how to receive WDAF-DT low power signal....... but that's ok. What this really means to all of us wonderful Over the Air Kansas City HDTV viewers (Kansas City HDTV cable viewers are wonderful too) is that in a very short span of time Kansas City will join the elite ranks of having all the local television broadcasters in full-power HDTV.


Oh... by the way I got turned down on the temporary waiver but that is ok too. So we are on our way, Kansas City, to a complete circle of full-power and hopefully full bandwidth HDTV television broadcasters. Count them as ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, UPN, PAX, WB and soon FOX.
:)

Anybody watching MNF tonight on TWC?

My receiver is showing DD5.1 sound, but there is no sound coming from the rear channels.

Other TWC-HD DD5.1 programming has no problem with the rear channels, but for some reason there is no sound coming from the rear channels although my receiver shows DD5.1.

Anyone know what's up??

Originally posted by jeffdbs
KCTV5 DT-24 maybe having problems. Didn't someone hear mention a change in antenna coming soon on KCTV-DT? Anyway DogOfMadness checks in to this forum so our best bet is to hear from DOM on any possible digital problems on DT-24.

No, we haven't had any XMTR problems. Everything humming along just fine at 100% power.

With regards to our upgrade to 1 MW power: I'm starting to get deeply embroiled in that major project. It definitely won't be until the first half of next year.

Originally posted by hdtimmy
RE: Cold Case and other CBS Primetime Programs not in HD on Sunday night after football

If it's anything like last season, we will get to see CBS Sunday Night Primetime ONLY when KCTV shows the late HD football game.

The primetime HD feed follows the time overrun schedule of the late HD football game. So when KCTV shows the late HD football game, the primetime schedule will be delayed however long the game goes over. This is also the schedule of the HD feed.

When KCTV does not show a late game, or if they show a late SD game, there will not be a CBS HD feed available. The HD feed will more than likely be running at a slightly different schedule than KCTV so they will not be able to switch over to it.

hdtimmy is correct. CBS only has one Prime-Time HD feed. When our late game (SD or HD) does not match the timing of the largest regional HD game there will be no HD feed we can air and we must upconvert the delayed SD Prime-Time feed provided to us.

Unfortunately, the increase of HD games this year only complicates things for us!!!

And just a heads up, this Sunday looks like it will be another situation where KCTV will not be able to show us primetime HD.

The Chiefs game is at Noon. KCTV cannot show us the late game due to NFL rules. KCTV will start their primetime on schedule.

The late HD game is San Diego @ Denver. More than likely, this game will run over so the CBS HD feed will be behind KCTV's schedule. Thus the KCTV5 engineers cannot flip us over to HD.

CBS really needs to find a fix for this. I'm a big Cold Case fan. This happened to me last year and I was hoping that CBS would have at least 2 primetime HD feeds this year. Oh Well...

Originally posted by kcjefff
gps,

abmet is probably watching on TWC. They have a presence in Lee's Summit. It just depends on where you live. I know I used to do installs out there all the time. Most of them were around the Todd George, 50 hwy area. I also did a few around the 291 and Chipman area.

Yes, I am watching on TWC with the SA8000HD. Sorry I didn't mention it in my post.

kchdtv, nerual96

Already posted about #1.

Originally posted by nerual96
2. Couldn't playback a scheduled program from the beginning while the DVR was still recording the show. Without being able to timeshift, this relegates this to nothing more than an expensive VCR.


To clarify, do you mean playback of more than one hour? I am fairly certain that I have done this more than once for normal hour-long TV shows, but I do not attempt to on any [movie] longer than one hour. I could be remembering sideways again though.

-C-F

Originally posted by CANNON-FODDER
kchdtv, nerual96

Already posted about #1.



To clarify, do you mean playback of more than one hour? I am fairly certain that I have done this more than once for normal hour-long TV shows, but I do not attempt to on any [movie] longer than one hour. I could be remembering sideways again though.

-C-F

My experience has been with football games, so those are scheduled for more than one hour. I don't recall if I have had the issue with a half hour or hour long show, but I will try this out sometime and report back.

My experience has been that 99% of the time, when you playback a long recording while it's recording, it starts from the beginning. It's just that 1% of the time that's really frustrating, and I can't figure out why it happens.

jayhawk--my experience is about 100% of the time it doesn't work correctly and behaves as described in #2.

I am with kchdtv. I can never get a recording to start at the beginning if it is still recording and I am more than, say 45 mins behind. My workaround is to stop the initial recording and then begin a new one. Now that I am typing this, I think I have already said this. Must be my job at the redundant office of redundancy.

Jayhawk,

My experience is like your. Every now and then (for reasons I can not pin down), it doesn't work correctly. I've had the same issue kcjeff mentioned above, too.

hciv

What annoys me is when networks like NBC start ER at 8:59 instead of 9:00 pm. How many commercials do we really need to cram into an hour, guys?! It's a nightmare for DVR/PVR's to keep up with these little shifts.

Veronica Mars was in HD tonight on UPN. So that will make 3 hour long shows in HD this season on UPN, plus HD movies. Kevin Hill and Enterprise are the other two shows.

Hopefully this is incentive enough for TWC, Comcast, and Everest to add KCWE-DT 31 (Analog 29) to their HD lineups.

hdtimmy-My kids took control of the remote earlier tonight so I missed checking UPN tonight was "Veronica Mars" in Dolby Digital 5.1? I have got to get me one of those OTA HD-PVR soon.

No DD 5.1. It was a good show. I liked the look of it and the writing. It has potential. The same episode will be on again Friday Night at 8.

Thanks hdtimmy.......................now that I have an HDTV my family and I watch more network television. Somewhere somehow this new trend of viewers returning to network television because of a better picture and sound has got to show up in the ratings. Glad to hear of the Friday broadcast of "Veronica Mars".

Yeah, I had EVERYTHING DirecTV had to offer and was paying over $100 a month. One day I said, this is rediculous and decided to cancel it all and go OTA only. Cold Turkey. It has been great. I've never looked back.

Believe it or not, when nothing is on now, I actually do things like read a book, go out with friends, etc. :p

I accidentally posted this in the main reception forum. I tried to delete it but I didn't have permission. I figured I would post it in here too.. since this is where I meant to post it. :)

For the past year WB62 via DirecTV hasn't had a great reception. Starting a week or so ago it got worse. There seems to be alot of noise (looks like analog noise) and it blinks every so often (with a subtle sound). WB62 is the only station via DirecTV that has this issue, so I assumed it was a problem with their feed to DirecTV..

Has anyone else had this issue with DirecTV in the KC area? I just think it's kinda wierd to be getting analog snow on a digital signal.

Feedback would be great.. gotta fix my WB! :)

Gregorykai

Nice to have you here gregorykai. :) I haven't seen any problems on WB62 DT-47 Over the Air. KSMO WB is getting ready to go to more power and HDTV next month. Let us know your general area and antenna setup. We will try to help.

I'm actually not using an antenna. I'm not even HD capable yet. I'll probably be getting my HDTV setup in the spring or summer of next year. I've kinda been holding out till DirecTV offered local HD networks via satellite. I didn't want to mess with setting up an antenna and everything.. figured it would be easiest to get everything from the dish. I read the huge announcement that DirecTV made recently about the new satellites. Any news on if KC is going to be one of the areas they will be offering local HD networks for?

Anyways.. as I was saying. I get all my tv from my dish (18 inch dual-LNB). Is it possible that something is screwed up on my end? I just don't know how that could be since all my other stations are fine (including the other local network channels).

I really appreciate your alls help.

Gregorykai

To me, this looks like a DirecTV problem.

DirecTV has an antenna somewhere in this metro area that picks up all of the OTA analog signals. They are all converted into digital and muxed together. Then they are sent via fiber to their master control center for broadcast to you.

Sounds like DirecTV has to readjust something at their KC headend.

I know I saw a page once that listed where all of the LiL headends were located and gave a local contact number, but I cannot find it.

When I had DirecTV, there was a free trial period for the locals. I couldn't believe how horrible some of them looked. Sounds like they haven't improved much in this department.

Greetings Everyone!

Just joined this forum today and thought I would say hello. I recently moved to KC in June from Indiana, so I am rather new to the area. I currently live south side KC, but just bought a house up in Liberty and will be moving in a month.

I am pretty happy with Time Warner and their HD offerings (especially if they call me back as promised when the HD-DVR comes back in stock). My one complaint is the quality of their analog channels (which I still watch from time to time) sucks! I have had them come out and check the line at my apartment, and they still suck. Maybe it’s just the fact the signal has been split so many times in my area. They look bad on both my HDTV and my regular 27” tv.

Does anyone have TWC in Liberty? How do they look?


Also…if I went with satellite…anyone in Liberty use an antenna to get local HD OTA? All I really care about HDTV wise is ESPN HD and the locals for sports.

So I am considering:

CABLE:
1. Stick with TWC, hope to get a HD-DVR, and deal with the analog channels.

2. Get HD DirectTV and try and get local channels OTA. I hate to have to spend a lot of money on equipment though. Forget the DirectTV HD-DVR at $1000!

3. Get regular DirectTV with a Tivo and not get HD content until the equipment comes down in price. Think I can get a Tivo system for $99.

Satellite would be attractive because I could get Fox Sports Chicago and watch my Cubbies all the time next spring, not just when they are on WGN. I might also get the Sunday Ticket.

Can you just get the local HD channels from TWC? That sure would be nice.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Theo,

I live right next to liberty (KC Address, Liberty schools), and IMO, TWC is the best bang for the buck in the area. I can get all the big channels OTA, except fox. However, I don't mess with it since I get them all via TWC.

As far as analog stations on TWC (below 78) try feeding them to your monitor via the RCA inputs. I think you'll be surprised.

I tested WB62 via DirecTV on a friends tv and it looked as bad as mine at home, so it's just not me. Who should I contact about getting this looked into?

Gregorykai

I am using the RCA inputs currently...I am convinced that it is dirty signal being that I am sure the signal is split many times in the complex.

Think I will just stay with TWC when I move since all I really need to do is move my boxes, then see how things look and go from there.

So no Fox in the area OTA?

Unless you are next to the station, you won't get FOX ota.

WB62 has had very poor picture quality since I moved to the Liberty area a year and a half ago. Everything else looks relatively good. My guy at TWC said it's as good as they send them, so it's probably not your line. I'll follow up with him to see if there is anything that can be done.

gregorykai - I checked on all of my D*TV IRD's and WB62 does indeed look like crap. It was the only channel that had substantial "mosquito noise" and "snow" on the picture. As you have mentioned, the problem has gone from bad to horrible sometime in the last month or so. Thankfully, all other locals look as good as a MPEG2 compressed stream can look.

I also checked WB via my OTA and the analog signal looked OK but still not great. My guess is that something is happening in the A-D conversion. I'm not sure if this conversion takes place on D*TV's end or locally at WB's end. Either way - it's garbage in, garbage out. Even though the MPEG compression induces some picture detail loss, the image is already digital by the time it is sent to the satellite up-link, so it's most certainly not at your end.

Based on other folks saying the image is fine via CC and TWC, I'd venture a good guess that this is a D*TV issue on their feed from WB. Perhaps CC and TWC have fiber from WB while D*TV is picking up the image from a wireless link somewhere - meaning the picture stays analog for a longer period of time and is thus susceptible to degradation.

I talked with the engineers at D*TV and they can see the picture looks bad. They also said they'd chase down the problem and get it fixed.

js615 - thanks for checking into that. I thought it was wierd that just WB62 was so bad. I emailed them about 6 months ago about their "snow" and "moisquito"noise.. but never heard back from them.

I'm glad that you found someone at D*TV to confirm and notice the issue. I just hope something can be done about it.

Gregorykai

My WB-62 analog (on far west side of town) looks horrible, also (OTA). The digital signal is fairly weak, but perfect. I'm not sure why, as they're broadcasting the analog at 2190 kW ERP, supposedly. The digital is 9.0 kW, for now (will be 1000 later).

Brad

Well it looks like the jumping, tonal pulsing and blackouts are gone.. back to the normal "snow" and "mosiquito noise".. I guess they got it fixed. Thanks for contacting the engineers at D*TV jb615. Maybe when they up their broadcast power the rest of the problems will clear up?

Gregorykai

Can anyone compare the PQ of OTA HD to that of Time Warner HD? I'm curious if the PQ of Discovery HD, INHD, etc., is better than that of OTA HD.

Since it is a digital picture, they should theoretically be pretty close to equal in quaility. However, you always have to factor in compression ratios into the equation. I used to have OTA HD and now have TWC, and I cannot tell a difference in quality. It all looks good ... now the TWC SD analog channels on the other hand .... :)

All this talk of analog...

So, for all the Rush fans I give you the Digital Man.

His world is under observation
We monitor his station
Under faces and the places
Where he traces points of view

He picks up scraps of conversation
Radio and radiation
From the dancers and romancers
With the answers but no clue

He'd love to spend the night in Zion
He's been a long while in Babylon
He'd like a lover's wings to fly on
To a tropic isle of Avalon

His world is under anesthetic
Subdivided and synthetic
His reliance on the giants
In the science of the day

He picks up scraps of information
He's adept at adaptation
Because for strangers and arrangers
Constant change is here to stay

He's got a force field and a flexible plan
He's got a date with fate in a black sedan
He plays fast forward for as long as he can
But he won't need a bed
He's a digital man


...BTW - My guess is the folks at WDAF aren't Rush fans!

Originally posted by hdtimmy
No DD 5.1. It was a good show. I liked the look of it and the writing. It has potential. The same episode will be on again Friday Night at 8.

RE: UPN 5.1, there's bad news and good news---

The bad news is that we presently cannot do 5.1 on KCWE.

The good news is that after our transmitter upgrade to full power scheduled for the first quarter of '05, we'll be able to send out whatever audio UPN sends us.

Thanks for watching..............TI

TechnicalItalian - What's the status of getting UPN-HD up and running on TIME WARNER CABLE? I would love to be able to see Enterprise in HD and the HD Movies that they put on. UPN and WB are the only local affiliates missing from our local HD lineup! I don't want to buy a $100 antenna for ONE channel. Plus I wouldn't be able to use my DVR/PVR to record it OTA.

To those with the 8000HD on TWC:

I don't remember who it was who was disappointed you couldn't start a long program from the start while it was recording, but I think I found a way. While you're tuned into something you're recording, press "stop". A confirmation screen will come up asking you what you want to do. You can press the red "C" button to watch from the start without stopping recording. It's not the smoothest process, but at least it's doable.

There are still a few minor annoying bugs with the unit, but all in all, I'm happy. I'd love to see all the outputs enabled - that's my biggest complaint. This would facilitate the ability to archive/record stuff to DVD and use my TV's side PIP.

I've also run into the "gray-screen" problem every time when trying to watch a recorded program while tuned to ESPN-HD. Weird. I hate it when I forget to tune to another channel first, as my tuner is on ESPN-HD by default. :)

"as my tuner is on ESPN-HD by default"

Really? Why? There isn't much HD content on ESPN-HD, just Sportscenter, Sunday night football, and occassional college football/baseball game...

Just received this reply to my letter to WDAF requesting a waiver to receive their digital programming through D*:

"While we understand your concerns, the Satellite Home Viewer Improvements Act does not contemplate temporary waivers based on a household's inability to receive a network affiliate's digital signal. Moreover, WDAF-DT will be operating at its fully authorized power by mid-2005, so that your current situation will be resolved by that time.

Thank you,

Jim Moore
Vice President Engineering"

Looks like only TWC customers will be watching the Super Bowl in HD.

Originally posted by Psyclguy
Just received this reply to my letter to WDAF requesting a waiver to receive their digital programming through D*:

"While we understand your concerns, the Satellite Home Viewer Improvements Act does not contemplate temporary waivers based on a household's inability to receive a network affiliate's digital signal. Moreover, WDAF-DT will be operating at its fully authorized power by mid-2005, so that your current situation will be resolved by that time.

Thank you,

Jim Moore
Vice President Engineering"

Looks like only TWC customers will be watching the Super Bowl in HD.

While I'm glad to see WDAF provide some confirmation that we will finally get to see FOX-HD programming locally in the near-future, I'm not so sure that the only way that we'll get to see Super Bowl in HD is to hook up with TWC.

During the baseball and football regular seasons, the games are distributed on a regional basis with the local station holding the rights to broadcast the game. This is why the Chiefs games are blacked out in KC on Sunday Ticket, as well as the Royals games on MLB Season Ticket and why the football games on the national CBS-HD feed that D* carries are also blacked out. If I'm not mistaken, the World Series, Super Bowl and their respective play-offs are different in that the broadcaster holds national distribution rights and therefore, if D* ever gets the national FOX-HD feed up and running, we should be able to see them in HD off of that feed.

I just hope that doesn't mean WDAF is really going to wait until the July '05 mandate to up the power.

They didn't blackout the Chief Game on D* ST HD. Why can't WDAF do the same?

Just for fun.... Anyone want to try to predict which KC broadcaster will switch OFF their analog transmitter first? While we are at it, see if we can list them from first to last...

I think KCPT will be the 1st one to switch off.

Originally posted by LiveLite
Just for fun.... Anyone want to try to predict which KC broadcaster will switch OFF their analog transmitter first? While we are at it, see if we can list them from first to last...

I think KCPT will be the 1st one to switch off.

IMHO it may just depend on the deadline for analog shutoff. Most broadcasters will probably wait until the last day at 11:59pm. Unless the governtment offers a cash reward to the station that hands back their analog frequency early.

I think it will be channel 62 to go off first.

The government REALLY wants to take back 52-69 as soon as possible and use it for other forms of wireless communication.

After UHF was invented we had channels 2-83. Then it was 2-69. Now the government wants it to be 2-51. This takeback is part of the digital transition.

As far as all of the other channels, I agree with Jeff. They will stay on until the last second of the last day as mandated by the FCC.

And just a heads up, this Sunday looks like it will be another situation where KCTV will not be able to show us primetime HD.

The Chiefs game is at Noon. KCTV cannot show us the late game due to NFL rules. KCTV will start their primetime on schedule.

The late HD game is San Diego @ Denver. More than likely, this game will run over so the CBS HD feed will be behind KCTV's schedule. Thus the KCTV5 engineers cannot flip us over to HD.

DogOfMadness, I noticed that you were able to show us Primetime HD this past Sunday.

Did the late HD football game not run over or did CBS have two primetime HD feeds?

"Mid-2005" probably means August 31st, 2005 at 11:59pm. :)

I believe that there is a July '05 date that the 4 major networks have to be operating in the top 100 markets.

I am starting to thinkthat it will be 11:59 pm on that day. :(

I noticed that D* didn't block the Chiefs game on ST yesterday. I'm sure it was a mistake, but why couldn't they make it when the Chiefs get embarassed on Fox?

Jerky, any word on the DVR's from Comcast? Last I heard they were being promised around the first of October.

Originally posted by Eyedox
TechnicalItalian - What's the status of getting UPN-HD up and running on TIME WARNER CABLE? I would love to be able to see Enterprise in HD and the HD Movies that they put on. UPN and WB are the only local affiliates missing from our local HD lineup! I don't want to buy a $100 antenna for ONE channel. Plus I wouldn't be able to use my DVR/PVR to record it OTA.

The issue of DTV carriage on cable is all handled for us by our corporate office in New York. There will probably be more emphasis on getting carriage now that UPN is offering more HD programing in their prime-time schedule. We are in communication with our people that do the negotiating: The ball, however, is in their court.....TI

Unfortunately, i havn't heard anything more specific on the DVRs. I did hear that they are still on schedule (October) so they havn't been pushed back any further. But i haven't heard an exact date yet, or how many Comcast is getting. I don't know if it's widly known, but Comcast did get a very small number of single tuner DVRs in a few months ago, but I think they're only available to fokes who got in on the "Dish Buy Back" promotion they had available. I do know that the DVRs Comcast is getting are the DCT 6412s. It'll be a Dual Tuner HD DVR with a 120GB HD. Also, i found out that it was the software that had been developed that is going to be updated on all digital boxes is what ended up causing a delay with the 6412.

PS--> I believe the delay on the dual tuner (6412)boxes was not just for local comcast, but for comcast nationwide. For more details check out http://cjhengineering.com/DCTHDFAQ.htm

Nice article in today's Kansas City Star on Kansas City local HDTV programming. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/columnists/aaron_barnhart/9773436.htm

I don't know if anyone cares about this, and it's slightly off-topic, but I heard last week that Mix 93.3 FM is now broadcasting in HD-Radio.

I don't listen to station much, but I am glad to see more HD-Radio coming here. I am looking forward to the day when many of the major AM/FM stations here go HD, and I'm also looking forward to the day we have cheap HD-radio tuners for cars.

I think they are the first station in KC to offer HD-Radio. I looked on Ibiquity's website a few weeks ago and NO ONE was listed for the KC area. Pretty sad. I would drop some money on an HD receiver if there was something out there to listen to. Classic Chicken and Egg Syndrome.

I noticed KSHB DT-42 is in 4X3 tonight. :(

The last 20 minutes of Veronica Mars was in 4x3 also. :( :(
What happened technicalitalian??

Regarding HD Radio, I have JVC's HD Radio head unit in my car and have heard it in other cities.

Kelly Urich made a mistake when he announced mix 93.3 was broadcasting in HD-Radio. I e-mailed him after I could not tune it in and he apologized for the error.

Looking at Ibiquity's website, it looks like KCUR may be the first. Who knows when, though.

Ok gang...I guess I missed all the hoopla on HD Radio thing...I must have been behind my theater gear in a tangled mess of cabling when the memo came out :D

So - who can tell just what the heck HD Radio is and how is better than say, the XM Satellite radio I have now? Am I gonna need a 5.1 system for the ol' Monte Carlo now?? Another purchase that is sure to make the wife happy...

I am betting that 93 probably was just adding RDS information and those idiots at that crappy station thought that meant HD Radio.

for information on what HD radio is click here:

http://www.ibiquity.com/hdradio/whatishdradio.htm

Check out Comcast channel 208...
Looks like NFL Network HD.... The guide has it mis-labeled as INHD2 but the program title is accurate. SWEET!!!!!

If you got a moment check out this article on getting into local HDTV broadcasts for $199. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6122986/

Originally posted by Jerky
Check out Comcast channel 208...
Looks like NFL Network HD.... The guide has it mis-labeled as INHD2 but the program title is accurate. SWEET!!!!!

Yea, earlier today it was a simulcast of channel 180 (NFL Network) but as of right now it is INHD 360 (different programming from INHD and INHD2)and still tagged as INHD2. Wonder which it will be?

B

I recently got the HD-PVR from Time Warner, and was impressed with the remote. However, they give you very little by way of info on it.

After a little research, I found a nice 36 page manual that tells you, among other things, how to power up to 5 components on or off with the touch of one button, and how to lock the Volume control buttons to the "audio" mode.

I haven't posted enough here (this may be my first post) to include the URL, however, you can go to the Universal Electronics website, under "Products" and "Support Services", you should be able to get to the manual in PDF format.

Enjoy!

Ryan

Ryan,

Nice find.

Can you just copy the url and past it inline? It won't be a link, but it we can copy and paste it back into our browsers.

Well, here is the link http://www.twirp.com/products/cable/specs/Atlas_DVR.pdf but it seems to be dead. Here is the linking page. http://www.twirp.com/products/cable/atlas_dvr.html

The one for the non DVR is located here: http://www.twirp.com/products/cable/specs/Atlas.pdf. I would guess many of the functions are the same.

Here's a better link. Crash, I think what you had was more of a promo sheet, but this will get you to the meat and potatoes.

Ryan

Great!

Thanks Ryan.

Hi, I am currently on the St. Louis thread, but my wife and I are planning to move to the Blue Springs/Indepence are next April or May.
I would like some information if possible to help plan the transition:
1. The name of a good Home Theatre store. I use the Sound Room in St. Louis and I would like something equivalent. I need to get new side speakers toreplace my in-ceiling speakers and to have wiring run thru the walls.
2. I have a 46 inch Mits widescreen with OTA and Charter Cable HD. I am considering going with a satellite service in the KC area. What expewriences good or bad have there been with the cable and satellite services in the area?
3. I will probably need a roof antenna for OTA. Any recommendations on a store that sells and installs antennas.
4. Off subject, but a name of a good photo store. There are just a few in the St. Louis area, but I have no idea about the Kansas City area.
Thanks for any information you can give.

Has anyone had any luck picking up the KC Locals OTA via antenna in St. Joe?

Just curious.

Walt:

Audio - it depends on how "high-end" you want to get.

You have the standard lower end Best Buy and Circuit City.

Next step up you have Independence Audio-Video, Ultimate Electronics, and Nebraska Furniture Mart.

One more step up you have Audiomart - www.audiomart.com and Continental Audio-Video.

The next step up would be SoundFX - www.soundfxkc.com and Accent Sound - www.accentsound.com.

The top of the food chain is Audioport - www.audioport.com and Primus Audio Pleasure - www.primusaudiopleasure.com.

In addition - in Lawrence, Kansas is Kief's Audio Video - www.kiefsav.com - they fall at about the same level as Sound FX.

Opinion's may vary on the order of the food chain.... I have purchased from Audiomart, Audioport, SoundFX, and Primus Audio Pleasure. As well as Best Buy and Circuit City.

Photo:

The best standard photoshop in town is Crick Camera Shop - www.crickcamera.com. (it looks like the Crick link is not working).

I would be more than happy to meet with you when you get into town to tip a few and talk home theater!

Good luck.

Mike

Ok... i don't know what's going on with channel 208 on Comcast. I found out from my head end tech contact that that is a new INHD channel, but they go to NFL Network HD Tuesdays and Thursdays.(Per who i spoke with)
I know so far, when i turn to it it's mostly that INHD logo, but i guess it should show stuff occasionally

ULTIMATE ELECTRONICS

Originally posted by WILDCAT NATION
Has anyone had any luck picking up the KC Locals OTA via antenna in St. Joe?

Just curious.

Welcome WILDCAT NATION-I have had luck picking up St. Joesph digital locals from here in the sticks east of Kansas City. I would think with a good outdoor antenna Kansas City powerful digital stations (and more digital broadcasting power on the way here in KC) reception should be good to go. :)

Walt,

We will welcome you when you come over here from the "dark side" of the state. I have to agree with Mike's post on the food chain, though I don't know anything about camera shops. Personally, I think Time Warner is the way to go. However, if you are moving to Blue Springs, I think you are stuck with Comcast. I don't have any experience with them. OTA, you will not get FOX4 WDAF from anywhere outside of a couple of miles until mid 2005(that's the word anyway). That's all I've got, good luck with the move, oh and...


"I see your Schwartz is bigger than mine"(you've probably NEVER heard that before, but I couldn't help myself after hearing rumours Brooks is writing a sequel.)

CYCLONEMIKE and KCJEFFF,
Thanks for the info. It looks like SoundFX is what I want but I may need to go to Audioport if I need support for my Lexicon MC-12.
I tried the Crick Camera website, but it looks like you have to be registered to even get in. I find that weird. I'll try it again some other time.

Originally posted by kcjefff


"I see your Schwartz is bigger than mine"(you've probably NEVER heard that before, but I couldn't help myself after hearing rumours Brooks is writing a sequel.)

Since the first Spaceballs was making fun of Star Wars, I would not be suprised if the sequel was Spaceballs 2, the search for more money!

Originally posted by js615
Ok gang...I guess I missed all the hoopla on HD Radio thing...I must have been behind my theater gear in a tangled mess of cabling when the memo came out :D

So - who can tell just what the heck HD Radio is and how is better than say, the XM Satellite radio I have now? Am I gonna need a 5.1 system for the ol' Monte Carlo now?? Another purchase that is sure to make the wife happy...

I can help you out this one.

HD Radio is a way to broadcast radio in the same manner as OTA HD: Digitally. I believe the technology is very similar. HD radio boasts about not having drop outs in signal: either you get it or you don't (kind of like WDAF-HD OTA, huh?)

HD Radio gives FM stations CD quality sound.

HD Radio makes AM stations sound like what FM sounds like today.

Not sure if HD Radio is necessarily 5.1, but for your question this analogy will help:

HD radio is to XM satellite radio as OTA HD is to DirecTV STANDARD DEF. XM and regular DirecTV are about providing lots of content (And in XM's case, anywhere in the US). HD Radio and OTA HD provide a huge upgrade to what anyone can receive for free via an antenna.

One thing is almost certain for the near future: satellite radio will NOT be getting into HD radio. XM and Sirius simply don't have the bandwidth. HD radio will be an OTA thing, where in 5-10 years, every established radio station will be broadcasting in HD radio and every car radio receiver will be an HD receiver.

Right now HD Radio car receivers are pricey and aren't that great to be honest. But in 2 years, you'll see HD Radio receivers everywhere (Best Buys, etc), just like HDTV's today. Also, right now in most markets HD radio doesn't exist. In some cities, only the classical stations have gone to HD so far.

This website has good info on HD radio in general:
http://www.ibiquity.com/hdradio/

Is anyone else getting a ton of audio dropouts on FOX HD for the GB/NYG game? I am wondering if it is my DVR, but I think it is just happening on FOX during the game, not during commercials. (No, I am not trying to brag that I get FOX HD)

Anybody know what this HDSE (High-def Special Events) on Comcast channel 208 is? I saw the NFL Network's Game of the Week last week, but since then, it's just been that logo.

Not sure exactally what comcast chn 208 is going to have but i''ve been told that tuesdays and thursdays are NFL Network HD days. Not sure about the details but will post as soon as i hear.

pappy97 - Thanks for the schooling on HD Radio!

Last week, on TWC-KC, MNF didn't seem to have DD5.1 sound. Sure my receiver said it was DD5.1, but I check the back speakers. No sound, although it was fine for other HD channels.

I know many of you will be watching MNF tonight. If you are watching it in HD ON TWC, can you please let us know:
1.) If you receiver says it is DD5.1
and
2.) If it actually is DD5.1, and there is sound coming from the rear speakers?

Thanks!

Heads up...........KCUR FM 89.3 Radio at 11:00AM Tuesday will have a guest from KCPT DT-18 talking about digital television on "Up to Date". http://www.kcur.org/ Also KCUR plans to launch their HD Radio broadcasting by June 2005 (hopefully much sooner if all goes well with the equipment buying plan).

No problem with MNF DD5.1 sound like there was in the past.

Now if only their picture quality wasn't the worst among the networks that provide the NFL in HD...last night's ESPN sunday night game looked 10 times better than tonight broadcast, and it always seems that way.

For me also local station switching from Dolby Digital 5.1 to Dolby Pro-Logic 2.0 is great tonight on DT-07 KMBC Over the Air Monday Night Football. The volume is staying the same on my audio receiver. :)

Hello, I just recently moved to a new area in Olathe, across from Blackbob Park. Our old antenna is not working in this area. I am looking for suggestions on which antenna to get. I would prefer an indoor/ attic antenna because I don't see anyone else in the neighborhood with an outdoor antenna and don't want to start on the wrong foot. Thanks for any help you can give.

Channel 1421 – Chiefs Game Audio Dropouts – I have a HD-DVR from TWC and was experiencing a significant number of audio dropouts and many times associated video “freezing” during the Chiefs game last night. The 4th quarter was especially atrocious. I was also recording the game at the same time, but was watching the game “live”.

For those of you with TWC HD-DVR’s that watched the Chiefs game – was this a common occurrence with you also?

For those of you without HD-DVR’s, but with regular HD boxes, did you experience these dropouts?

I am considering returning the HD-DVR, as my main use is the PIP function and not recording, and the PIP function works terribly. It freezes, is non-responsive, and the “Swap” process rarely works right.

I have a front projector, so I do not have a tuner with PIP – which I really enjoy using.

Maybe I have a bad box?

Thanks,
Mike

On the MNF game last night, my audio was changing levels alot. I would hear what sounded like a hand clap then the audio would get softer. then would rise. It was really weird. I don't know if it was my ABC affiliate or coming from network. Anyone else with weirtd audio levels?
Greg

I have the DVR. I was also experiencing audio dropouts and picture freezes. Like when Priest turned the corner on that run that went from a 2 yard to 8 eight yard game, Michaels started talking about his patience and some other stuff, but my picture froze and then skipped about 3 seconds forward. I tried to watch it again, but the box recorded it that way.

I have found that it seems like if it is actually a problem with the box, you can usually go back and watch the part that got screwed up, and it will work OK. If it is a network issue, the box just records the screwup, so when you rewatch it, it screws up exactly the same. (I know this is not necessarily true, but I find it works most of the time) Also, the major difference I have been able to make with the audio dropouts is to watch the game about a second behind.

It seems like the box may not have enough memory for "live" HD playback, and if you just pause for a second and then start playing it again, the audio dropouts seem to disappear completely.

Thank God the Chiefs finally won last night. :)

I was having those issues with my DVR, (see way back in this thread, when I was beta testing the box) and what seems to have fixed it for me was a hard reboot. Unplugged, plugged back in. I did this any time I noticed the issue, and honestly I haven't had to do it for 2 weeks now. I recorded while watching live last night, and it was as close to perfect as one could want. I don't recall a single instance of trouble.

Our good friend Bob Schneider, chief engineer at KSMO (WB-62) just told me that they are scheduled to take their DT channel off the air on THU OCT 14th to install the new HD (1080i) passthru equipment. He is hoping to have things back on the air by MON OCT 18th, but if any issues or complications arise, it could be back up as late as MON OCT 25th. No idea if TWC will add them to the HD package at that time. It was cool that he remembered that I was from the AVS Forum and said to pass this information along to you guys. He also said he will be checking our thread to see how things are going once things are up and running. So nice to have so many great local station engineers popping in to say hello and hear our thoughts. Thanks guys!

Eyedox, did he (Bob Schneider) say anything about whether they would add any power at the same time? They're at less than 1% of permitted power now (9 kW vs 1000 kw).

Brad

HuskerT- Welcome!

Please take a look at this simple indoor/outdoor antenna. Using this antenna in the attic from Radio Shack along with RG-6 shielded coax cable and a small coax grounding block will do the job. http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-2151

A grounding block ($4.00) helps the shielded coax cable do it's job of keeping local RF interference off your signal (electric motors, switch noise ect...). I have both an indoor attic antenna and a outdoor antenna and I got to tell you the indoor antenna does the trick here in the Kansas City metro area (except WDAF DT-34 but WDAF will be full-power someday soon). Glad to have you here at the local HDTV forum.

Thanks for the reply Jeff. I went to Ultimate Electronics and they were suggesting the Terk TV38 for a lot more. I thought that the antenna might be a little much being so close to the metro. I will look into radio shack. Next question do they do the installation and if not is it a simple procedure?
again thanks for the response.

Anybody using the TWC HD DVR via DVI? I haven't tried it yet (am using component) but my neighbor just got one yesterday and said DVI didn't work hooked to his Sammy DLP.

Originally posted by HuskerT
Thanks for the reply Jeff. I went to Ultimate Electronics and they were suggesting the Terk TV38 for a lot more. I thought that the antenna might be a little much being so close to the metro. I will look into radio shack. Next question do they do the installation and if not is it a simple procedure?
again thanks for the response.

I do not think Radio Shack installs television antennas. I am sure their are local companies who do install television antennas. The main thing to remember is if you do the antenna install yourself is that you are just one click away here from the best minds in HDTV help-the good viewers and engineers of this local Kansas City HDTV community forum. So just let us know if you need any help. :)

Originally posted by kchdtv
Anybody using the TWC HD DVR via DVI? I haven't tried it yet (am using component) but my neighbor just got one yesterday and said DVI didn't work hooked to his Sammy DLP.

Unless it's changed in the last couple of days, the DVI isn't active yet.

Originally posted by Bradtothebone
Eyedox, did he (Bob Schneider) say anything about whether they would add any power at the same time? They're at less than 1% of permitted power now (9 kW vs 1000 kw).
Brad The chief engineer said nothing at the time about boosting the transmitter power (from the current 9kw) when they go HD in the next few weeks. However, I remember talking with another contact at KSMO a few months ago who stated that there was 'no reason for them to broadcast a stronger signal until they went HD later in the fall'. I guess you could extrapolate that to mean that they would be boosting the signal ... or not. :) Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Or if Bob Schneider checks in here, maybe he will let us know. Also, no idea if they have successfully negotiated an HD carriage agreement with TWC yet.

Hi all.

Just moved back to the Kansas City area. It's great to see the local HD enthusiasm! (122 pages worth!) I'd like to join the club... I have everest and I'm pretty happy with it. I didn't notice too many people posting about everest. Do most have TWC?

Levi

Found out that Comcast will be training the Customer Service Reps on the Dual Tuner DVR and new Guide software within 2 weeks and the Dual Tuner DVRs will be available in about the last week of October. Still no word on how many they'll be getting, so i don't know -how- available the boxes will be.

Originally posted by levikc
Hi all.

Just moved back to the Kansas City area. It's great to see the local HD enthusiasm! (122 pages worth!) I'd like to join the club... I have everest and I'm pretty happy with it. I didn't notice too many people posting about everest. Do most have TWC?

Levi

Welcome Levi- Yes HD is growing in Kansas City and we are glad to have you here. I do not have everest so let us now what everest has to offer on HDTV. Oh............the rules of the club are easy you just gotta like HDTV and all the good viewers, station management, engineers, sales people and reporters who make HDTV happen here in the Kansas City metro area. :D

I did talk to Bob Schneider at KSMO (WB-62) again today and he said that negotiations to add their WB-HD to the TWC HD package lineup is being handled by corporate on BOTH sides. He didn't want to speculate on a timeframe. KSMO spent $4 million cheetos on upgrades and TWC doesn't want to pay them anything extra to carry their HD feed ... stalemate. So bombard TWC with your local feedback on www.twckc.com requesting the channel.

Also, Bob DID say that the transmitter power would NOT be boosted from the current 9kw output until probably Q2 next spring (probably June). Their corporate has put them on low priority until the larger city affiliates are funded for a power boost and HD upgrades first.

Thanks for the update, Eyedox.

I checked the FCC site yesterday to see if WDAF had filed any kind of CP modification. They haven't, so I guess, as of today at least, they're still planning on using their own tower for their full-power transmitter.

Brad

Thanks Bradtothebone for the information. If WDAF had an option to broadcast from another local tower would WDAF need a new permit or would the company that owns the tower WDAF plans to use need the permit?

Also their is a web site at http://www.checkhd.com/default.aspx that did for me list the Over the Air digital signals I can receive here in Oak Grove. This site must be accurate for WDAF is not on the list of digital stations I should receive.

Originally posted by jeffdbs
Thanks Bradtothebone for the information. If WDAF had an option to broadcast from another local tower would WDAF need a new permit or would the company that owns the tower WDAF plans to use need the permit?

It would take another permit from the FCC and that could take 6 months or more before it could be issued.

Hello foxeng :) Here in Kansas City we Over the Air viewers are looking forward to seeing full-power and full-bandwidth FOX 720p HDTV being broadcast by WDAF. We are always looking for signs that WDAF is getting closer to full-power.

I just got the Explorer 8000HD from Time Warner. How do people like it do far? I have not really had a chance to play with it, but it looks pretty sweet.

Craash--so do they have plans to enable the DVI port?

thanks.

Craash--so do they have plans to enable the DVI port?

thanks.

Originally posted by jeffdbs
Welcome Levi- Yes HD is growing in Kansas City and we are glad to have you here. I do not have everest so let us now what everest has to offer on HDTV.


Thanks Jeffdbs.

Everest has:
CBS
ABC
NBC
PBS
ESPN
NFLHD
Discovery
HDNET
HDNET Movies

From the Direct Guide & the thread in programming, it looks like the Fox national feed will be up tomorrow on 86 & 87. So now the question is will we get it or will we be begging for a waiver. Guess the answer will becoming in the morning.

Originally posted by kchdtv
Craash--so do they have plans to enable the DVI port?

thanks.


They could, but what I really expect to happen is that users have to exchange the 8000HD for the SA8300HD (when they become available) if they want an active DVI. They are now available for the Passport headends but final approval hasn't been given by the powers that be at TWC to start testing.

From the Direct Guide & the thread in programming, it looks like the Fox national feed will be up tomorrow on 86 & 87. So now the question is will we get it or will we be begging for a waiver. Guess the answer will becoming in the morning.

These are the Fox east and west coast feeds. I talked to a customer retention rep at D* today and was told that according to FCC regulations the local affiliate must approve a request from the satellite company to broadcast network programming that is being provided by that affiliate over the air. Since my direct request to Fox4 for a waiver to provide their programming through D* was denied, my guess is it'll be next Spring before anyone other than TWC customers will be watching any Fox HD.

Originally posted by theo2076
I just got the Explorer 8000HD from Time Warner. How do people like it do far? I have not really had a chance to play with it, but it looks pretty sweet.

I just got mine yesterday. I'm a long-time Tivo user and a DirecTV user. The software is no where near as polished as Tivo, but it does suffice for recording HD at a lower cost than the HD DirecTivo unit.

I watched some HD yesterday afternoon, setup roughly 20 series recordings and recording a couple HD and SD programs. So far everything has gone fine.

Also, the DVI port is not active, so its component only for now.

I have noticed that the digital sounds seems to drop out a lot. I have never used a Tivo, so I can't comment on the software, but to date I find that the software gets the job done.

I do notice some pixilation when watching live tv or a recorded show, but overall the quality seems to be good, I don't think the HD quality is as good as a regular HD box.

Still think there are some bugs to work out. Wish they would fix the sound problem, it is really annoying.

Theo,
I have found that if you pause for a few seconds, then start watching the live program, the audio dropouts stop. It seems like the box just struggles to keep up with the live show, so if you delay it a couple of seconds it works fine.

If you guys all want a little comic relief, take a look at this - it's the (alleged) coverage map for WLAF....er WDAF's 1100 watt digital signal:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS598978.html

:D :D :D

Brad

Maybe someone reported this already, if so I missed it and I appologize for the repeat:

On September 9, 2004, a modification to KCTV's digital construction permit was granted by the FCC. In it, KCTV upped their proposed ERP to 1000 kW (from 820) and increased their antenna height to 1932' above sea level. This is still well below the top of their tower, which is at 2049' above sea level. Should make for a more stable image for all of us!

Thanks, Dogofmadness, and the entire KCTV staff!

Brad

kcjefff:

Your instructions to help the dropouts don't make sense. If you pause and then watch the "live" program you would be back to where you started. Don't you mean pause and then watch the "recorded" program? Thereby time-shifting for a couple of seconds?

Mike

The map is funny, if someone has a fine tip pin we can put a dot on the actual coverage area.

I am very angry that they not allowing waivers. Anyone have ideas on ways we could pressure them? Maybe a web site devoted to bashing them...

Originally posted by 4MUKC
The map is funny, if someone has a fine tip pin we can put a dot on the actual coverage area.

I am very angry that they not allowing waivers. Anyone have ideas on ways we could pressure them? Maybe a web site devoted to bashing them...

Early in our digital history timeline here in Kansas City we had a similar no waiver deal with CBS HDTV. Dish Network had CBS HDTV 1080i while KCTV had 480p 4X3. I asked for a waiver from KCTV5 and I got a simple answer in return; "no".

So not wanting to miss the upcoming NFL football season in CBS 1080i HDTV I called Jody Judge at Meredith Corp (KCTV5 owners). I asked to speak to Jody Judge. I was told Jody was out and I asked when she would be back in the office (very big mistake on my end). I was told Mr Judge would call me back.

Thinking I had just ruined any chance of ever seeing CBS HDTV 1080i I really never expected a call back. The next day while I was working at the service station I got a call and it was Mr Judge from the Meredith Corporation. Mr Judge listened to my reasons for wanting to receive CBS HDTV on Dish Network and politely told me "no". But he did say something that made me feel at ease on seeing CBS 1080i here in Kansas City. Mr Judge said "KCTV does listen to their viewers".

I didn't press for the waiver anymore and a few months later KCTV5 announced CBS HDTV 1080i was coming to town. I guess what I am trying to say here is that WDAF is going full-power soon and WDAF is providing FOX HDTV on Time-Warner so things are moving in the right direction. Bashing WDAF now IMHO is not going to help move things any quicker to full-power.

I myself have learned alot from my mistakes on what helps move a station toward the very expensive and for now HDTV is no help in the local ratings. WDAF does "listen to their viewers'' so friendly letters, calls and e-mails will helps us all keep our eyes on the ball- FOX 720p full-power and full-bandwidth HDTV here in Kansas City.

The future is bright for HDTV here in Kansas City. We need WDAF full-power FOX HDTV to complete the network circle of OTA full-power HDTV here in Kansas City. Let us all wish WDAF "godspeed" on the upgrade to digital full-power. :)

I have sent several friendly letters to WDAF, only 1 was answered, and that with a form mail.

WDAF has decided that there are not enough people in the HD market to go full power at this time, it appears that they are going to wait until the mandated July '05. It's disappointing, but if that's their business decision, fine. I could live with that. I am bothered by them blocking waivers for those "few" fo use that are not worth servicing. Why stop us from watching the Playoffs, World Series and Super Bowl in HD? They are dead last in the metro to turn up their power, I don't think a little pressure is a bad thing.

Originally posted by jeffdbs
Thinking I had just ruined any chance of ever seeing CBS HDTV 1080i I really never expected a call back.
How is calling and asking for something a bad thing?
Originally posted by jeffdbs
Mr Judge listened to my reasons for wanting to receive CBS HDTV on Dish Network and politely told me "no". But he did say something that made me feel at ease on seeing CBS 1080i here in Kansas City. Mr Judge said "KCTV does listen to their viewers".
Of course he is going to say they listen to their viewers. He is never going to tell you to your face that KCTV 5 is a corporation, and the only thing that matters to them is the bottom line.
Originally posted by jeffdbs
Bashing WDAF now IMHO is not going to help move things any quicker to full-power.
Corporations respond to public pressure. If WDAF thinks that spending the money now to get to full power will make more (or lose less) money, then they will do it. Or if they believe that granting waivers to those of us who cannot get their digital signal will keep us quiet and thus stop them from losing money (via advertisers), they will do it.
Originally posted by jeffdbs
I myself have learned alot from my mistakes
What mistakes? Wanting something, and actually doing something about it? No, you did what you should have done. The problem was that the rest of us did not do anything. Individually we can be ignored, but as a community we can have influence.
Originally posted by jeffdbs
We need WDAF full-power FOX HDTV to complete the network circle of OTA full-power HDTV here in Kansas City.
And we will get it. The question is when will it happen. There is nothing that we can do that will keep this from happening. They are federally mandated to be up to power by middle of next year, but that means that I will not be able to see the Super Bowl in HD and that is not acceptable. Let's organize and use our collective voice to put some pressure on WDAF.

Thanks Mike, I was just trying to differentiate between a previously recorded program, and a program that was still currently airing. I should have put quotes around live, but I wasn't worried about semantics.

Thanks Mike, I was just trying to differentiate between a previously recorded program, and a program that was still currently airing. I should have put quotes around live, but I wasn't worried about semantics.

Originally posted by cpumagician
How is calling and asking for something a bad thing?

Of course he is going to say they listen to their viewers. He is never going to tell you to your face that KCTV 5 is a corporation, and the only thing that matters to them is the bottom line.

Corporations respond to public pressure. If WDAF thinks that spending the money now to get to full power will make more (or lose less) money, then they will do it. Or if they believe that granting waivers to those of us who cannot get their digital signal will keep us quiet and thus stop them from losing money (via advertisers), they will do it.

What mistakes? Wanting something, and actually doing something about it? No, you did what you should have done. The problem was that the rest of us did not do anything. Individually we can be ignored, but as a community we can have influence.

And we will get it. The question is when will it happen. There is nothing that we can do that will keep this from happening. They are federally mandated to be up to power by middle of next year, but that means that I will not be able to see the Super Bowl in HD and that is not acceptable. Let's organize and use our collective voice to put some pressure on WDAF.

I've given up on WDAF. D* will have their national Fox feed up in a week or so it seems. Being an O&O market should give us access to that, which is fine by me.

Originally posted by cpumagician
And we will get it. The question is when will it happen. There is nothing that we can do that will keep this from happening. They are federally mandated to be up to power by middle of next year, but that means that I will not be able to see the Super Bowl in HD and that is not acceptable. Let's organize and use our collective voice to put some pressure on WDAF.

I have been reading this from a far and since I do work for another FOX station, NOT WDAF, I can only make generalizations since I truly do not know what is happening at WDAF. Having said all that, I can say that from what I understand of the technical situation, if WDAF started today to get the ball rolling to upgrade (and I truly DO NOT KNOW IF THEY HAVE OR HAVE NOT, I AM NOT IN CONTACT with them at all right now) they would not make it by the Super Bowl. Can't happen. The equipment could not be ordered, manufactured, shipped and installed by then. If they say next summer, then I would have to agree with them. Next summer. That is my take with incomplete information. You probably know more than I do.

Originally posted by zaknafein
I've given up on WDAF. D* will have their national Fox feed up in a week or so it seems. Being an O&O market should give us access to that, which is fine by me.

It seems that's not true Fox O&O or not. WDAF has not given anyone (to my knowledge) waivers to get the D* feed. If I can get the D* feed, I'll wait w/out bashing WDAF (except for the 8/24 Chiefs game against the Falcons). The ST blackouts of the local fox games suck.

Fox pre-game in HD on D* 88 right now.

YES! FOX HD on D*!

I will honor my pledge to only complain about the Chiefs game until next year. :)

Welcome cpumagician :) It is good to have your voice here at the Kansas City HDTV forum.

Yep, I'm getting the game right now. That's all I care about, they can black out the rest of Fox crap programming and I couldn't care less. :)

It's great to see the FOX HD programming finally via DirecTV. No thanks to WDAF Fox 4 which still hasn't delivered a viable HD OTA signal to the KC market.

that's great to hear you guys are getting FOX HD via D*. I hope it stays up. I don't want to jinx you guys, but instead, give you advice. I would be cautious towards getting too excited about it. You never know, it could be up for a couple of days during the initial rollout of the national FOX HD feed, then be blacked out once it has been through testing.

This is not to say I have any knowledge on the subject. I have never even subscribed to D*. I just don't want you guys to get let down, knowing our luck here in KC.

Since this is the first time that I have had a national feed, is it only "on" when there is national broadcasting. I noticed that when the ALCS game was over last night, it just went to a Direct blue screen. Is that how they work, only the national broadcasted shows?

Bummer, I guess the celebration was a little premature.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=457754

To sum it:

DirecTV is pleased to announce they will carry FOX coverage of the MLB American League & National League Championship Series in HDTV & DD 5.1. The HD feed is sourced from the FOX owned and operated station in New York City, and can be found on DirecTV channel 88.

Please Note: This not the beginning of the full time DirecTV carriage of FOX HD feeds. At this time there is no information on when DirecTV will add FOX HD.

Did anyone record "Lost" last night in HD. Over half way thru the show it came back from commercials and never switched back to HD. Did anyone else expericence this and know why this happened?

Somebody fell asleep at the local KMBC control switch. :)

Originally posted by mdbarke1030
Did anyone record "Lost" last night in HD. Over half way thru the show it came back from commercials and never switched back to HD. Did anyone else expericence this and know why this happened?

Actually, I experienced the non-HD problem coming back from almost every commercial break, but would only last for about five seconds. Coming back from the very last commercial break it never did go back to HD mode. Which was roughly three or four minutes of show time.

I thought maybe it was a hardware problem on my end. Glad to hear someone else experienced it.

The local TV station has to throw "the switch" to change between HD 16:9 (720p/1080i) during the HD shows, and SD 4:3 (480i) during commercial breaks. Sometimes, they are a little slow on the draw. Sometimes they forget completely after a commercial break and leave the rest of the show in SD. This happened a LOT when HD shows first started coming down from the networks, when I lived in Des Moines. The local switchboard people were not used to having to pay attention to this kind of detail. I would have to call up their control room after hours (they got to know me very well) to remind them to switch it back on HD. :)

Originally posted by Eyedox
The local TV station has to throw "the switch" .....
KCTV-DT used to have this problem on a regular basis. It still happens but much less often. I know I've called them over 15 times to let them know that their DT signal was transmitting the SD programming instead of the HD.

I think KMBC has the process fully automated. Most will eventually get it automated. It is annoying when your HD show is suddenly in SD and never returns to HD without a phone call.

Does anyone have the numbers of WDAF, KMBC, KCTV and KSHB so we can call them if this happens? I'm sure there are numbers in the phone book, but I wouldn't know who to ask for. If anyone has the numbers into the "control room" where they'll know what we're talking about, that would be a big help!

Originally posted by Jayhawk
Does anyone have the numbers of WDAF, KMBC, KCTV and KSHB so we can call them if this happens? I'm sure there are numbers in the phone book, but I wouldn't know who to ask for. If anyone has the numbers into the "control room" where they'll know what we're talking about, that would be a big help!

I just call the news desk at a station when after a commerical break the program stays in 4X3. The phone numbers are on each television stations website.

Audio from KSHB (NBC)

I just got HD cable two weeks ago and I've since watched Las Vegas and ER on NBC using the 8000HD box. In both instances, the audio is jacked up. The voices are not coming out of the center channel, but rather as a background sound on the main left/right channels. Very annoying. Even in stereo mode it doesn't sound quite right.

I know its not my hardware and/or setup as DD5.1 on ABC and CBS sounds awesome. Is this an issue with NBC or our local affiliate? Anyone else experience this audio oddity?

Originally posted by SWFan
Audio from KSHB (NBC)

I just got HD cable two weeks ago and I've since watched Las Vegas and ER on NBC using the 8000HD box. In both instances, the audio is jacked up. The voices are not coming out of the center channel, but rather as a background sound on the main left/right channels. Very annoying. Even in stereo mode it doesn't sound quite right.

I know its not my hardware and/or setup as DD5.1 on ABC and CBS sounds awesome. Is this an issue with NBC or our local affiliate? Anyone else experience this audio oddity?

I have noticed Over the Air (DT-42) is the same with voices coming out of the rear speakers also. I have called KSHB engineering about this issue. Hopefully this issue will be fixed soon.

Good article in the Kansas City Star on digital television. Aaron Barnhart takes aim at WDAF and talks about local HDTV. Good reading. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/9946641.htm

Hello everyone,
I don't know if anyone cares or not, but when I looked at my D* bill I noticed it said fox HD and no extra charge, it also said partial month and was dated 10/12. Now I know they haven't started yet with the exception of the MLB playoffs, but I thought that it was a bright spot considering that there has been discussion on this topic. I thought that I would pass it on.

Has everyone still been getting the ALCS/NLCS games on D*? Mine has been blacked out, similar to the other national feeds since the weekend. I called them about this but even after a couple of transfers they were not sure why I had lost mine, the sent a troble ticket, but who knows what will come of that.

KSMO WB62 is now broadcasting in HD.

I watched a small bit of Everwood in HD tonight.

4MUKC,
The Fox-HD feed on D* is blacked out for me also. Is anyone else having this problem?

Originally posted by hdtimmy
KSMO WB62 is now broadcasting in HD.

I watched a small bit of Everwood in HD tonight.

Thanks for the news hdtimmy and thank you KSMO WB62 DT47. Oh my..........so many HDTV stations now in Kansas City. With WDAF heading toward full-power HDTV there is one station left that is still in the 480p mode-PAX50 (DT-51).

Now I know PAX doesn't want to broadcast full-bandwidth HDTV. PAX does have the bandwidth and power to really gives us some good 1080i HDTV here in Kansas City. I have called and e-mail PAX asking to see PAX primetime programming in 16X9 1080i HDTV. So maybe someday PAX will join the primetime HDTV lineup here in Kansas City. :)

As far as I know, PAX network has no HD programming, and no future plans for HD. They will probably multicast for the forseeable future until HD becomes the standard rather than the exception.

"The Fox-HD feed on D* is blacked out for me also. Is anyone else having this problem?"

I watched the ALC game on D* channel 88 last night.

I got the ALCS on D* channel 88 last night also

In Olathe: Getting the east coast Fox feed (ch 88) but blacked out on west coast feed (ch 89). Taked with D*TV and was informed this is currently only for the MLB Championship & Series games, but will include normal Fox programing when available.

Jerky,
Do you have any info, or can you get any on when Comcast will start carrying WB 62 now that its HD?
I need my HD Smallville!!.
Also, they are going to carry Lord of the Rings in HD starting in November.

Thanks!

Jerky, while you're at it, can you see if the DVR internal training is going as scheduled with the public rollout expected the last week of October, as you mentioned in an earlier post? Thanks.

As far as PAX goes, does anyone really watch that station?

I never watch PAX, so I don't care if they ever do go HD and catch up with the other networks. I *DO* care when Time Warner Cable is going to add the local WB62 (KSMO-DT) now that it has gone HD. I don't want to have to blow $100 on an antenna for 2 channels (UPN-DT and WB-DT). Are you listening TWC??
BTW ... TWC in KC just revamped their website this last week. They have WDAF FOX 4 still listed incorrectly on their HDTV page as only sending out a 480p SD signal. We all know it has since gone 720p HD. See it at www.twckc.com ... This website is now handled at the corporate site, and redirects you to www.timewarnercable.com/kansascity/

I have a huge favor to ask ... even of those of you without TWC. Would you all take a quick second to fill out the channel request page on Time Warner Cable's website? Please ask them to add the local WB62 HD (KSMO-DT). Remind them that KSMO just went 1080i HD last weekend and we want the channel added immediately to their HDTV package lineup. Thanks in advance for your strength in numbers. http://www.timewarnercable.com/ContactUs/ContactUs.ashx

Well, I have finally decided I am going to chime in on the WDAF situation. I know it has been beat to death but I must vent!!

I live in Lawrence and have Sunflower Cable. In June I purchased a Samsung HLP-5063 which I dearly love. I, like so many, have been frustrated at the refusal of WDAF to increase power. Although I can live without FOX HD football for now as I am a Chiefs fan (obvious glutton for punishment), I can't believe I am not going to be able to see the Super Bowl and/or the Daytona 500 in HD because WDAF refuses to get with the program. I have been corresponding with Sunflower management about adding WDAF. Today I bugged them again and their response made me even more angry at WDAF. They indicate they have been working with WDAF but it appears that WDAF has indicated to them will not be increasing power in time that Sunflower can broadcast the Superbowl in HD. They suggested I and any one else I know that are interested contact WDAF to express our concerns. That's it. I am so tired of this. Frankly, I am to the point I am going to boycott WDAF. It is complete bull that living within 35 miles of a major metro area I cannot get FOX HD because WDAF is refusing to increase power. Unfortunately the Topeka FOX channel is low power and not an option either.

I know people here are sick of the topic but this is ridiculous. Direct TV is not a practical option for me at this point so I guess I do without. I can't believe I spent $3000 on a TV and can't watch the biggest sporting event of the year in HD! I really have had it with WDAF.

I wish Aaron Barnhart would read these frustrating letters (posts) and publish them in the KC Star for WDAFFY and all the world to see. Think of all the thousands of people with HDTV that DON'T know about this thread/forum who feel equally abandoned. At least WLAFFY is working toward full power next summer, and I am grateful that they will be there eventually ... unfortunately not in time for the SuperBowl. It's not like they haven't known about the DT transition for years, and it's pretty sad when the local PAX station is kicking your ass for digital power output.

Originally posted by Gojhawks
Well, I have finally decided I am going to chime in on the WDAF situation. I know it has been beat to death but I must vent!!

It's not beat to death yet. I am more irritated every day. I didn't get the ALCS game last night because Fox has me blacked out (per the D* CSR). I tried to send an email (it was civil) to Cheryl McDonald and it bounced back, I guess she had her email address changed and I couldn't find a new one on their web site.

WDAF has and still does treat the HD community like crap. It's likely that the only way most of us will see the Super Bowl in HD is to pressure WDAF. While they may not be able to turn up the power, they can give waivers.

I found out that Comcast got 500 or so of the dual tuner HD DVR boxes, however, they're waiting on word from corporate as to when and how they can make them available. So as of right now, they're not yet available, but are close. BTW, don't bother calling, the phone ppl won't know anything more. I havn't heard anything about WB or UPN. I'll ask again. :)

PS: The New guide software update will effect all boxes except the few single tuner DVRs that are out there, due to a software problem that should be fixed by the end of the year. The update will occur 16 November plus or minus a few days.