Kansas City, MO - HDTV [Text View] - Page 22

creader

11-03-06, 09:45 AM

My guess is that Comcast will carry NFL Network HD and the Chief's Thanksgiving game on former InHD channel 208. They have been carrying NFL network's HD rerun games on that channel, although for some odd reason they have not used their message guide service to let any of its subscribers know. Most of the rest of the time when not carrying NFL Network's HD signal, they just put up a slide on channel 208 and play what sounds like the same record over and over again.
Of course, as someone indicated earlier on here Channel 4 will carry the Chief's Thanksgiving Day game over the air, picking up the NFL feed, but its problematic that that feed will be in HD.
Like most things with Comcast, you have to guess what they are doing. Even though they are in the communications business, they are not good communicators to their customers.

KSBugeater

11-03-06, 11:57 AM

hdtimmy, my D* doesn't have 93. Is that something only available to those in the KC market? I do have the 5 LNB dish.

hdtimmy

11-03-06, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the feedback!!

Comcast: I have updated my previous post to indicate channel 208.

DirecTV: Here is my source http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=1100029

Farlaugh

11-03-06, 06:21 PM

Why would everyone but TWC have it in high-def? that makes no sense at all!?!

d2s2

11-03-06, 08:54 PM

The Thanksgiving night game will be OTA on WDAF/4; the Saturday night game before Christmas will be OTA on KSHB/41.

hciv

11-04-06, 12:36 AM

Why would everyone but TWC have it in high-def? that makes no sense at all!?!

Basically, TWC has not reached an agreement with the NFL Network. They are in the middle of a long-running battle.

TWC thinks the NFL is asking "premium channel" prices for a "basic cable" channel (which is probably true). The NFL thinks TWC is using this as an excuse to charge customers more money if they add it in a "premium sports tier" package (which is also true). $1 says when it is added at some point, we'll all pay more for it.

Personally, I don't really care which giant monopolistic entity wins out as long as the customers (hey, remember us?!) don't get screwed. Hope springs eternal.

Here is TWC's web site about the issue:
NFL Get Real.com (http://www.nflgetreal.com/)

And the NFL Network's response:
NFL Network FAQs (http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/faq2)

hdtimmy

11-04-06, 09:55 PM

The Thanksgiving night game will be OTA on WDAF/4; the Saturday night game before Christmas will be OTA on KSHB/41.
Yes, but will they be in HD OTA?

Bradtothebone

11-06-06, 05:50 PM

I'll be flabbergasted if the game is in HD on FOX 4, but, if by some miracle that happens, that's where I'll be watching.

Brad

djones0865

11-06-06, 09:37 PM

I have D* & I recently replaced my 3 year old Samsung HD receiver with a $99 one I bought at Best Buy. I bought the new one to utilize the HDMI cable hookup, but after hooking up, I thought the HDMI pic was worse than the 3 cable YGB component hookup with the Samsung. So, I hooked up the new one with the 3 cables and I'm still thinking the new receiver doesn't have the same picture quality as the old one. Best Buy sells one that's more $$$ and is a DVR. Anyone know if the more expensive one would have a better picture quality?

CHFShane

11-09-06, 07:22 PM

Great to hear, Shane. How was Smallville tonight? Better than it was last week, I bet :)

With heavy rain or snow around you may have some dropouts, but overall it looks like you've got plenty of signal for reliable reception.

Are you picking up KMBC 9.1 (which is on VHF 7) by chance? I'm curious because the CM 4228 actually has a fair amount of gain for upper VHF channels, coupled with the extra amplification of the CM 7777. Their antenna only puts out 85kW though, which may not be enough for your distance.

Anyway, thanks for reporting back. Glad you met with success.
Okay, for some reason the past few weeks, my signal on KCWE-DT 29.1 had dropped to an average of about 67-73% on the signal meter.

I just went outside and tweaked the alignment of the antenna, and now I'm getting between 91-95%!!! Keep in mind I'm about 60 miles Southeast of KC, way out in the boons! :D

Wow, this is a great antenna and pre-amp, and I'll definately recommend it to anybody in the future who has hopes of pulling in stations way out in the extreme fringes of the viewing area. It's great. I have it mounted to a 5ft mast on the side of my house, just slightly above the edge of the roof. I'm impressed.

The only channel I'm not able to pull at all, is KMBC-DT. I wonder why? I thought the transmitter was in the same location for KMBC, and KCWE. Though, I"ve read some posts by other users who say they have lost their ability to pull in KMBC-DT, as well. However, I've never been able to pull that channel in, in the last month or two that I've had my HD antenna. Anyone have any ideas on my KMBC-DT situation? :confused:

dlnester

11-09-06, 09:22 PM

djones0865

11-09-06, 09:43 PM

The first thing that comes to mind is KMBC-DT is a VHF frequency broadcasting on RF channel 7. Unlike every other KC digital station, KMBC is the only one in the VHF band and thus makes it more difficult to pick up. Make sure your antenna is a VHF and UHF antenna.

I never could get 9DT in either Belton, MO or Cleveland, MO. I have the appropriate UHF/VHF antenna, professionally installed 40' up. I get all the channels but 9. KMBC won't give a waiver to allow me to pick up HD on D*. Thank goodness D* now has locals available in HD.

bommai

11-09-06, 10:32 PM

I can get KMBC-DT great even with a $10 rabbit ears. I live in zip code 64064 in Lee's Summit.

luv2chill

11-09-06, 11:23 PM

Bradtothebone

11-10-06, 10:22 AM

Shane,

A couple of factors here. First, KMBC-DT only provides 85kw ERP, which can't push its signal very far (or at least not nearly as far as the 1000kw that KCWE-DT has).

In addition, unlike KCWE's omnidirectional antenna, KMBC apparently uses a directional antenna pointed north (see http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=KMBC-TV).

Finally, while the CM-4228 provides a fair amount of gain for upper VHF (7-13), KMBC-DT is on the low end of that range. There are dedicated VHF antennas that will give you more gain on VHF than the 4228 (and since you bought the 7777 amp you can plug a VHF antenna into the VHF-dedicated port).

Check out this link for more info on the 4228:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4228.html

Just to expand on this a little, 85kW ERP is fairly high power for digital VHF. That being said, KMBC is planning to revert back to channel 9 at the digital transition in February, 2009. That in itself should result in a more reliable signal (less subject to interference). I'm not sure if they plan to increase power at that time, also.

HERE (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT600939.html) is a link to their service area contour. As you can see, Knob Noster is right on the edge. You may need a dedicated VHF antenna to get it reliably.

Brad

luv2chill

11-10-06, 02:25 PM

Thanks, Brad. I (stupidly) hadn't considered the different power requirements for VHF and UHF. Indeed 85kw is high power for VHF-High and it should cover a similar distance as 1000kw for UHF (right?).

So it may just come down to the 4228 not having enough gain for VHF 7, Shane. That hdtvprimer site plots the results for a bunch of different antennas, so if you care to receive KMBC-DT OTA you may want to consider a dedicated VHF antenna.

Psyclguy

11-10-06, 03:11 PM

I'll be flabbergasted if the game is in HD on FOX 4, but, if by some miracle that happens, that's where I'll be watching.

Brad

Great news! Got this response from Fox4 about the game:

"WDAF will be broadcasting the Chiefs/Broncos game in both HD and Standard.

Thank you for inquiring,

Matt Rankin
WDAF FOX 4"

Bradtothebone

11-10-06, 05:44 PM

I'm Flabbergasted.

hciv

11-10-06, 10:21 PM

Any TimeWarner folks reading this?

I have an SA 8300 and a Explorer 2100. I've looked through the setup menu (channel 611). The SA 8300 appears to be configurable as a multi-room DVR. The 2100 appears to be able to work with the 8300 for this purpose. But I can not find out any information about how to enable this feature.

Is this something TimeWarner has to set up? Does anyone know if they plan to roll this out in KC? Any ideas of who I could contact to ask about this?

djones0865

11-12-06, 01:16 PM

What is wrong with the CBS NFL broadcasts? Watching through D* and the pictures are all jittery. All the Fox games look great.

dlnester

11-12-06, 03:40 PM

I'm watching KCTV analog via OTA antenna and I'm seeing it too. It has to be the CBS feed.

djones0865

11-12-06, 08:36 PM

Hey NBC...tonights Bears/Giants game in HD looks great......as long as no one moves fast. Can we get rid of Weather Plus now.........please? The PQ sucks. Why not show off your ability to broadcast in HD (without multicasting)......and give us what we want?

js615

11-12-06, 10:16 PM

...been awhile since my last post...hope all are well.

I have a question: Anyone having audio drop issues with FOX HD OTA? Using Winnegard Square Shooter on Hughes D*TV HD Tivo unit - never had issues before, so trying to determine if it's my setup or not.

a) only happens with Fox programs on OTA HD feed
b) image stays crisp but audio drops for 10-15 seconds - image pixelates for a sec and then audio returns and image goes back to normal
c) happens randomly 2 or three times per 1 hour program
d) started noticing about 2 weeks ago
e) not evident with other programs on other networks via same OTA HD feed

Thanks all,
J.

KSBugeater

11-13-06, 11:50 AM

js615, check this thread regarding an update to the HD TiVo software and its effect on FOX OTA...

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=718699#post718699

TheHypnoToad

11-13-06, 11:57 AM

js615, check this thread regarding an update to the HD TiVo software and its effect on FOX OTA...

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=718699#post718699
In a nutshell, DirecTV is aware of the problem and is having Tivo look into it but they don't have an ETA for the fix. :mad:

bommai

11-13-06, 07:19 PM

js615

11-14-06, 01:40 PM

In a nutshell, DirecTV is aware of the problem and is having Tivo look into it but they don't have an ETA for the fix. :mad:

Thanks all! :cool:

I am on the phone with D*TV right now and they tell me the interim fix is to disable Dolby Digital and use PCM until the new software push reaches my boxes. Apparently the last version of HR10-250 HD Tivo software (6.3a) is the cause and the new software has been pushing since last week.

This only affects the Hughes model HR10-250 Tivo HD DVR and not the DirecTV branded HD DVR.

J.

AJRitz

11-17-06, 01:16 PM

Great news! Got this response from Fox4 about the game:

"WDAF will be broadcasting the Chiefs/Broncos game in both HD and Standard.

Thank you for inquiring,

Matt Rankin
WDAF FOX 4"
Woo hoo!
I came by here to search this thread while waiting for a response to the same question. this is VERY good news. :)

djones0865

11-19-06, 09:14 PM

41 (nbc) had to switch to SD for the game.....sure glad weather plus is eating up the bandwidth :(

djones0865

11-19-06, 09:26 PM

41 (nbc) had to switch to SD for the game.....sure glad weather plus is eating up the bandwidth :(
In all fairness....they got back to HD quickly.......I'll be watching.......

hdtimmy

11-20-06, 01:34 AM

Here's more confirmation that the game will be in HD OTA from FOX4.

http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=1493872&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

kmj0577

11-20-06, 08:17 PM

hdtimmy

11-20-06, 09:18 PM

Is it just me or is WDAF now 1080i? I'm watching Prison Break and I was surprised to find it in upconvert SD and in 1080i. I didn't remember the stuff on Fox yesterday being 1080i when I watched Family Guy and the Simpsons.
You are correct, they are in 1080i tonight.

I wonder if this has anything to do with them getting ready for the Thanksgiving Night Chiefs game. NFL Network broadcasts in 1080i.

kmj0577

11-20-06, 11:18 PM

You are correct, they are in 1080i tonight.

I wonder if this has anything to do with them getting ready for the Thanksgiving Night Chiefs game. NFL Network broadcasts in 1080i.
I had the same thought.

jeffdbs

11-21-06, 07:50 PM

You are correct, they are in 1080i tonight.

I wonder if this has anything to do with them getting ready for the Thanksgiving Night Chiefs game. NFL Network broadcasts in 1080i.

Wow is this a first in Kansas City............... a local station does a 720p HDTV broadcast and on the same day a HDTV 1080i broadcast using the same digital stick? Nice work WDAF. :) I would think this would not be cheap to rent the 1080i equipment.

blscook

11-22-06, 03:25 PM

??? Thanksgiving Chiefs game on FOX / Time Warner

Trying to piecemeal info together from various posts over the last 2 weeks.

Understanding TWC does not carry NFL Network.. will the FOX HD signal be passed through by TWC or does their battle with NFL network preclude them from passing the FOX HD signal on?

Eyedox

11-22-06, 07:39 PM

TWC will of course be passing on whatever FOX4-DT sends them including the Chiefs game in HD.

hdtimmy

11-22-06, 08:17 PM

I'm reposting this here to avoid any confusion.

OTA=WDAF-DT 4-1 (34)
Dish=Channel 9426 or WDAF-DT
DirecTV=Channel 95 or WDAF-DT
TWC=WDAF-DT
Comcast=Channel 208 or WDAF-DT
Everest=Channel 652 or WDAF-DT

Some cable/sat companies might black out your NFL Network HD channel to force you to watch WDAF-DT. We shall see.

jeffdbs

11-22-06, 10:06 PM

Some cable/sat companies might black out your NFL Network HD channel to force you to watch WDAF-DT. We shall see.

Oh no.............. I forgot about this blackout rule. I was hoping to see how the NFL Network Live looks on Dish Network. Hey why WDAF the FOX Football channel gets a pure AFC game? I would think KCTV CBS football would get the rights to the AFC game Thursday night.

I am thankful that WDAF is doing the broadcasting and spending the money to bring the game in HD to Kansas City. Thank you WDAF. :)

zaknafein

11-22-06, 10:13 PM

jeffdbs

11-22-06, 10:25 PM

The AFC/NFC contracts are with the networks. The locals are free to negotiate the OTA carriage rights for these NFL games.

Thanks for the info.

hdtimmy

11-22-06, 11:30 PM

Oh no.............. I forgot about this blackout rule. I was hoping to see how the NFL Network Live looks on Dish Network. Hey why WDAF the FOX Football channel gets a pure AFC game? I would think KCTV CBS football would get the rights to the AFC game Thursday night.

I am thankful that WDAF is doing the broadcasting and spending the money to bring the game in HD to Kansas City. Thank you WDAF. :)
I don't think the blackout rule applies because this is a national game, but sometimes cable/sat operators black stuff out for any number of reasons.

Why is FOX4 showing this game? Because they were willing to shell out the most money. :)

As stated above, this particular game was up for grabs by any one of our local stations to purchase. NFL Network provides the HD feed for little to no extra cost when a station buys the SD feed. I'm assuming FOX4 is "borrowing" NFL Networks' HD decoder/encoder for this broadcast.

jeffdbs

11-23-06, 12:09 AM

I don't think the blackout rule applies because this is a national game, but sometimes cable/sat operators black stuff out for any number of reasons.

Why is FOX4 showing this game? Because they were willing to shell out the most money. :)

As stated above, this particular game was up for grabs by any one of our local stations to purchase. NFL Network provides the HD feed for little to no extra cost when a station buys the SD feed. I'm assuming FOX4 is "borrowing" NFL Networks' HD decoder/encoder for this broadcast.

:) Thanks

djones0865

11-23-06, 08:21 PM

Seeing a lot of pixelazation (sp?) on both NFL Network on D* and on 4HD ota. Anyone else? It's an ok pic, but seeing some drop outs. Go Chiefs!

jeffdbs

11-23-06, 08:44 PM

Seeing a lot of pixelazation (sp?) on both NFL Network on D* and on 4HD ota. Anyone else? It's an ok pic, but seeing some drop outs. Go Chiefs!

Same here on OTA WDAF 4.1 and on the Dish Network NFL channel. KCTV CBS is still the best in 1080i NFL Football quality.

kmj0577

11-23-06, 08:47 PM

Seeing a lot of pixelazation (sp?) on both NFL Network on D* and on 4HD ota. Anyone else? It's an ok pic, but seeing some drop outs. Go Chiefs!
Yeah, even the slightest bit of motion makes it pixelate.

djones0865

11-23-06, 08:48 PM

Yeah, nuthin' better than seeing Arrowhead from the air in HD on CBS. CBS has it nailed.

djones0865

11-23-06, 08:57 PM

I expected better from NFLnet. :(

wschwart

11-24-06, 12:23 AM

I wasa watching on Comcast and didn't really notice the pixellization, but the sound level was way low. When we changed channels we got blasted becasuse the volume was turned up way high.

two934s

11-24-06, 12:25 AM

I agree, the first 10-15 minutes or so the audio was a few seconds behind, but after that, it was decent. I was getting pixcelation on channel 95 (D*) and on 4-1 OTA, so I know it wasn't fox-4's fault.

Not bad, but OTA 5-1 is still the best. Now only if they would get more than three games per week in HD...

Tim in Greenwood

dlnester

11-24-06, 10:58 PM

FYI: KSHB and KSHB-DT will have the next NFL Network broadcast for Kansas City which is December 23 I believe. I won't hold my breath for HD on that....

hdtimmy

11-25-06, 06:34 PM

FYI: KSHB and KSHB-DT will have the next NFL Network broadcast for Kansas City which is December 23 I believe. I won't hold my breath for HD on that....
I think they will show us the NFL Network HD feed because:

1) They are the only station in town that has purchased the equipment to overlay their weather bug on top of HD (KMBC's "Tune to analog channel" doesn't count).

2) They are the only station in town that is showing syndicated shows in HD.

3) They are the only station in town that has HD timeshift capabilities.

4) WDAF-DT has now set a precedent in KC that every other station must meet or exceed to maintain viewership.

The one thing I DO NOT like about KSHB-DT is their subchannel. I don't care if it's on during the day, but for the love of god please turn it off during primetime to give us full bandwidth 1080i!!!!

mheasty

11-26-06, 04:20 PM

djones0865

11-26-06, 07:57 PM

Well, it's clear. 41-1 OTA is showing replays on Fuzzy Football Night America, and the quality when there is fast movement is much lower than when I watched the games on D*'s NFL ticket in HD. NBC and 41 need to get the hint ------ GET RID OF WEATHER PLUS......it's subtracting from our enjoyment of the programming on the main channel.

jeffdbs

11-26-06, 09:29 PM

GET RID OF WEATHER PLUS

To all of us full-bandwidth HDTV fans around the country it is now called the "Weather Minus" channel. :(

jeffdbs

11-26-06, 09:31 PM

bocktar

11-27-06, 11:10 AM

Hi, I am looking to buy my first HD tv, 46' xbr3, and I live in Lawrence. I currently have directv standard tivo but will need to upgrade to HD. Does anyone have the new
h20 DVR? Also I could change to Sunflower and use their DVR or Moxie. Does either of Sunflower's dvr's have HDMI output? How is their quality? Sunflower seems more expensive but may be worth it. Thanks.

I recently switched to Sunflower and asked the installer if any of their HD receivers had HDMI. He indicated that "the newer motorolas do", but didn't elaborate further.

As for picture quality, Sunflower is doing an EXCELLENT job. I switched to them from DirecTV about two months ago now, and the difference in HD quality is very noticable.

Sunflower's customer service is prompt and VERY knowledgable. Since switching, I haven't had a call where the frontline CSR didn't immediately know the correct answer, or hunt down someone who did.

KSBugeater

11-27-06, 11:19 AM

My wife likes Reba and was glad to see the series come back on the CW yesterday. Was wondering why it was broadcast in 4:3 SD instead of the HD indicated in the program info. Technical Italian?

KSBugeater

11-27-06, 02:14 PM

Hate to post consecutively, but the next TWO Chiefs games will be in glorious CBS HD, @ Cleveland and Baltimore at the Head. The game after that will probably be NBC's Sunday Night game, then NFL Network again for the Raiders, then probably back to CBS HD for the finale vs. Jacksonville (likely to have major playoff implications).

I'm glad the Chiefs are out of the HD void.

bmwjhawk

11-27-06, 11:23 PM

Does either of Sunflower's dvr's have HDMI output? How is their quality?

The Motorola 3412 has HDMI output. I've been very happy with it and with Sunflower's service and HD channel availability and quality. Highly recommended.

bommai

11-28-06, 11:30 AM

timmy1376

11-28-06, 11:52 AM

Heroes problems on Monday Nov 27th. I was watching Heroes on WSHB-DT OTA yesterday. The dolby digital was going in and out and finally they switched to SD. Is this a problem with the NBC network or KSHB-DT.

Same issue on the Topeka NBC during Heroes. Glad we recorded the SD on the Tivo too, but it had issues also.

technicalitalian

11-28-06, 06:55 PM

My wife likes Reba and was glad to see the series come back on the CW yesterday. Was wondering why it was broadcast in 4:3 SD instead of the HD indicated in the program info. Technical Italian?
The first half hour of Reba are re-runs and are sent in SD. The second half-hour are new and should be in HD......TI

kchdtvguy

11-29-06, 02:46 PM

housecor

11-29-06, 06:34 PM

mizzouboy

11-30-06, 11:25 AM

bommai

11-30-06, 04:43 PM

We currently are TW subscribers and have the SA 8300HD DVR; however, I am sick of all the garbage on cable and forking over $60+/mth to TWC. Other than a handful of HD and SD channels the few shows we watch are on network TV.

SO, we're ready to make the switch to OTA HD. Our Toshiba 50H82 doesn't have a built-in tuner and although I've spent way too many hours reading threads about various STB I don't feel like I'm any closer to deciding what to buy.

First Question: Any suggestions from any of my fellow KC'ians about which HD OTA receiver to buy? I've read about the new Samsung 5th gen box for $180+ as well as the discontinued LG receivers (3410a, 4600, etc..) and am wondering what people have found works best for getting signals in KC? We live in KC North southwest of Liberty so I would think we'd get pretty strong signals.

Second Question: If we made the switch to basic cable and got an OTA receiver with a QAM tuner, what HD and/or digital channels will it pick up from TWC's basic tier? Just the 4 main networks HD/digital broadcasts?

TIA,
Mark

I have been OTA only for the past several years and did not really watch that much TV until about a year ago. That is when I purchased a Sony HD-DVR called DHG-HDD250. It is a OTA/QAM/Cable Card slot HD-DVR that does not require any monthly fees. It gets the program guide from TVGuide Gemstar data embedded in the analog signal of the local PBS affiliate KCPT. I bought this from Best Buy for $499 last Thanksgiving (2005). I have been very happy with it since I also have a HD-Ready Toshiba 57H81. The Sony box has only one HD tuner. So you can only record one show at a time.

Unfortunately, Sony has discontinued this product. Not much demand I guess since most of the US gets its TV from cable or satellite and cable companies are pushing their own set top box over a cable card compatible device.

You can still find them online and on eBay. Search for Sony DHG-HDD250 (250GB version) or the DHG-HDD500 (500GB version).

hdtimmy

11-30-06, 05:35 PM

I second the DHG-HDD250 recommendation.

bdtnr

11-30-06, 09:22 PM

bmwjhawk

11-30-06, 10:25 PM

What is the deal with the NFL Game tonight. I have Everest and both the regular NFL channel and HD channel indicate "Blackout". Why even have a game if nobody can watch it?

I thought those cable companies that had NFL Network would show the games?

A call to Everest Customer service has a recording by their president indicating that Everest would NOT broadcast the 6 non-chief games due to the cost the NFL is charging.

I just wish the cable networks and the NFL could reach a deal!! :mad:

We have the exact same issue with Sunflower in Lawrence. Very disappointing.

mizzouboy

12-01-06, 12:59 AM

I have been OTA only for the past several years and did not really watch that much TV until about a year ago. That is when I purchased a Sony HD-DVR called DHG-HDD250. It is a OTA/QAM/Cable Card slot HD-DVR that does not require any monthly fees. It gets the program guide from TVGuide Gemstar data embedded in the analog signal of the local PBS affiliate KCPT. I bought this from Best Buy for $499 last Thanksgiving (2005). I have been very happy with it since I also have a HD-Ready Toshiba 57H81. The Sony box has only one HD tuner. So you can only record one show at a time.

Unfortunately, Sony has discontinued this product. Not much demand I guess since most of the US gets its TV from cable or satellite and cable companies are pushing their own set top box over a cable card compatible device.

You can still find them online and on eBay. Search for Sony DHG-HDD250 (250GB version) or the DHG-HDD500 (500GB version).

Thanks for the head's up. I'll definitely check for those models. Very helpful info.

mizzouboy

12-01-06, 01:04 AM

Traveler62

12-01-06, 10:31 AM

squeak49

12-01-06, 10:56 AM

What is the deal with the NFL Game tonight. I have Everest and both the regular NFL channel and HD channel indicate "Blackout". Why even have a game if nobody can watch it?

I thought those cable companies that had NFL Network would show the games?

A call to Everest Customer service has a recording by their president indicating that Everest would NOT broadcast the 6 non-chief games due to the cost the NFL is charging.

I just wish the cable networks and the NFL could reach a deal!! :mad:
I sent an e-mail to customer service on Monday complaining about this, and haven't gotten a response. So much for their excellent customer service. Fortunately for me, I have NFL Sunday Ticket through DirecTV and get NFL Network (with the live games!) on it.

kdp02

12-01-06, 04:10 PM

I have experienced the same problem, with the Dish 622. I'm located in Olathe and the signal from KCPT, off air, is usually excellent. Will contact Dish and report what I find.

Traveler62

12-01-06, 04:43 PM

I have experienced the same problem, with the Dish 622. I'm located in Olathe and the signal from KCPT, off air, is usually excellent. Will contact Dish and report what I find.
I will call in to Dish also. I did already call the station last week and the engineer there wasn't aware of any issues other than they use a stream on their signal for TV guide data.

jeffdbs

12-01-06, 07:06 PM

bigitybiggs

12-02-06, 02:50 AM

For all the everest customers I saw in the star that the reason they aren't showing the games is they signed the contract with nfl before they got games and so they would have to pay more money and they claimed that it wasn't worth it.

kmj0577

12-03-06, 01:03 AM

Can anyone with TW basic cable tell me what HD channels you pick up with a QAM tuner here in the KC metro? Do you get ALL the locals (4, 5, 9, 19, 41) in HD? Do you get TNT, Disc, INHD or any of the other HD channels that people in some other TWC affiliates have reported receiving via their QAM tuner?

Just trying to decide if I want to pay a bit more to get an OTA STB with a QAM tuner in case I (or the wife) can't hack going from TWC digital HD package to just an OTA signal. Basic cable with a QAM tuner seems like it might be a good middle point.

TIA,
Mark
You only pick up the locals on QAM for TWC. So you're better off just sticking with OTA. It used to be a lot more (Discovery and TNT), but they've changed it. Of course you'll get all the analog channels too and the digital Disney channels for some reason come in too.

PWSHER

12-03-06, 02:39 PM

Hi All,
I live in St. Louis but have been asked to help relatives that are going to be buying a HDTV set soon. They live in Garden City, MO. I was wondering if they will be able to get OTA HD from Kansas City? Any input that would help (antenna height, type?) me help them would be apprciated.
Thanks, Wayne

Eyedox

12-03-06, 06:40 PM

Was it just me or did the Chiefs look UGLY in high definition today? :)

djones0865

12-03-06, 08:00 PM

Was it just me or did the Chiefs look UGLY in high definition today? :)

I was at a Christmas concert that my daughter was in today. Had to miss the Chiefs. I gave my daughter an extra hug for making me miss it.

BTW.........I emailed KSHB a week ago about Weather Plus sucking our HD signal.......haven't received any response from them. Are they that ashamed? Are they scared?

djones0865

12-03-06, 09:36 PM

Tojolw

12-04-06, 09:51 AM

bongohawk

12-04-06, 09:55 AM

On Saturday, I hooked up a new panasonic plasma to TWC HD using the SA 8300 with HDMI. Everything works great with the exception of KCTV HD Ch. 1451 which has severe video (pixilation) and audio break up. The degree of break up comes and goes. I also began having the same problem with WDAF HD Ch. 1411 last night, although it had been perfect earlier in the day during FOX football? Has anyone experienced something simiar? Does this sound like a singal problem or a problem with the STB? TWC is sending someone out on Thursday.

Where are located? My sister used to live in Roeland park and I remember KCTV HD was very pixelated and they had to either run a new line to their house or buy an amplifier because the lines in the house were old. How old is your house, better yet, how old are your cable lines?

Tojolw

12-04-06, 10:59 AM

Where are located? My sister used to live in Roeland park and I remember KCTV HD was very pixelated and they had to either run a new line to their house or buy an amplifier because the lines in the house were old. How old is your house, better yet, how old are your cable lines?
I'm in Leawood and the cable lines are approximately 17 years old.

darrellk12

12-04-06, 02:16 PM

Anyone from KSHB monitor this thread?? Weather MINUS is really getting on my nerves. The NFL in HD can be such a wonderful sight....but no, not on NBC.....they'd rather show the weather instead of quality NFL in true HD. Someone please let the big dogs at NBC know that we are NOT happy.
I agree and I have another question. I live in Sedalia and I receive all the KC digital stations with excellent signal, with the exception of NBC (41-1) It come in sometimes but very weak. but most of the time not watchable. Are they running low power or is there some other problem? I am using the new Samsung DTB-H260F box with horizonitally stacked 91x antennas. I have order a 0.4NF pre amp :D from Research Communications (England) and expect to receive it this week. I hope this will help.
Regards
Darrell

jeffdbs

12-04-06, 10:53 PM

I agree and I have another question. I live in Sedalia and I receive all the KC digital stations with excellent signal, with the exception of NBC (41-1) It come in sometimes but very weak. but most of the time not watchable. Are they running low power or is there some other problem? I am using the new Samsung DTB-H260F box with horizonitally stacked 91x antennas. I have order a 0.4NF pre amp :D from Research Communications (England) and expect to receive it this week. I hope this will help.
Regards
Darrell

I have a direct line of sight to the KSHB tower at twenty five miles away. Using my UHF outdoor antenna or my VHF/UHF attic antenna my signal strength is low on DT-42 (41-1) verses all other KC digital broadcasters.

hdtimmy

12-05-06, 12:34 AM

I have a direct line of sight to the KSHB tower at twenty five miles away. Using my UHF outdoor antenna or my VHF/UHF attic antenna my signal strength is low on DT-42 (41-1) verses all other KC digital broadcasters.
KSHB is at 450kw while most of the other stations in town are at 1000kw.

darrellk12

12-05-06, 07:29 AM

KSHB is at 450kw while most of the other stations in town are at 1000kw.

Thanks, that probably has a lot to do with my reception problem
Regards
Darrell

Elspode

12-05-06, 05:31 PM

On Saturday, I hooked up a new panasonic plasma to TWC HD using the SA 8300 with HDMI. Everything works great with the exception of KCTV HD Ch. 1451 which has severe video (pixilation) and audio break up. The degree of break up comes and goes. I also began having the same problem with WDAF HD Ch. 1411 last night, although it had been perfect earlier in the day during FOX football? Has anyone experienced something simiar? Does this sound like a signal problem or a problem with the STB? TWC is sending someone out on Thursday.
I'm a Raytown Comcast customer (78th Terrace just North of 350 Hwy), and I had severe picture and audio breakup during the Chiefs game. However, my line has a history of this, although I was previously only aware of it on analogue channels as I didn't have an HD set until a week ago.

When I changed from KCTVHD to KCTVA, there was analogue breakup and noise as well. It just had a worse effect on the digital signal.

Beamon

12-05-06, 06:15 PM

Texas station KXII does 2 HD's and SD in 6 Mhz bandwidth. All it takes is money.
http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/kxii-hd-sd-channel/

timmoradio

12-05-06, 07:42 PM

KSHB is at 450kw while most of the other stations in town are at 1000kw.
Add that to the fact that KSHB-DTs transmit antenna is among the lowest in height above average terrain of all of the KC stations and is directional. The current antenna for 41-1 and 41-2 is side mounted on their tower below both the KSHB-TV (41) and KMCI-DT (36) antenna. That does not help the radiation pattern toward my antenna in Sedalia. If I remember correctly, the KMCI-TV (38) antenna is the only one that is top mounted on that tower so they can get the required signal strength over the city of license in Lawrence. Hopefully this will change with the analog shut off in 2009 and both stations move to the top antenna and broadcast on channels 41 and 42. The digital signal for channel 50 (KPXE) booms into Pettis County with the strongest signal of any KC station, yet is only a few miles from the KSHB tower. That additional 500 KW of signal and 300 feet of vertical real estate makes all the difference.

djones0865

12-05-06, 10:32 PM

KSHB is at 450kw while most of the other stations in town are at 1000kw.
Is that 450kw devoted to 41-1 or is it split between 41 and weather plus?

djones0865

12-05-06, 10:34 PM

CBS HD-Victoria's secret show looking really sharp tonight. :p

hdtimmy

12-06-06, 12:57 AM

Is that 450kw devoted to 41-1 or is it split between 41 and weather plus?
Their digital signal is 450kw. Included in that signal is the data for 41-1 and 41-2.

hdtimmy

12-06-06, 01:27 AM

Add that to the fact that KSHB-DTs transmit antenna is among the lowest in height above average terrain of all of the KC stations and is directional. The current antenna for 41-1 and 41-2 is side mounted on their tower below both the KSHB-TV (41) and KMCI-DT (36) antenna. That does not help the radiation pattern toward my antenna in Sedalia. If I remember correctly, the KMCI-TV (38) antenna is the only one that is top mounted on that tower so they can get the required signal strength over the city of license in Lawrence. Hopefully this will change with the analog shut off in 2009 and both stations move to the top antenna and broadcast on channels 41 and 42. The digital signal for channel 50 (KPXE) booms into Pettis County with the strongest signal of any KC station, yet is only a few miles from the KSHB tower. That additional 500 KW of signal and 300 feet of vertical real estate makes all the difference.
You are entirely correct. Why they didn't build a candelabra tower is beyond me. It wouldn't have been much more money and they could lease the extra space for a return on investment.

KPXE is on a monstrous candelabra tower. They are leasing space on that tower from Richland Towers. My coworker and I went to that tower site during lunch one day. It is enormous. It dwarfs KSHB's tower big time.

While standing underneath it, the Richland Tower is the most impressive tower in KC as far as I'm concerned.

KSHB could have leased space on that tower instead of building their own. They must have really wanted a tower of their very own.

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

Eyedox

12-06-06, 10:14 AM

Their digital signal is 450kw. Included in that signal is the data for 41-1 and 41-2.
Correct ... Wattage (450kw) is NOT split between sub-channels (the power is the power) ... but bandwidth IS (19.7 Mbps).

Gleyser

12-06-06, 01:50 PM

Anyone know how KSHB splits the bandwidth between HD and weather minus.

Eyedox

12-06-06, 02:45 PM

Anyone know how KSHB splits the bandwidth between HD and weather minus.
From the look of the horrible HD picture on fast sports movement (NFL), you would swear it was 50/50!! NBC should shut off the spare channel during primetime HD and live HD sporting events. We can all turn on the weather channel or use the internet if we are dying to know the temperature outside our window.

newski

12-06-06, 03:07 PM

From the look of the horrible HD picture on fast sports movement (NFL), you would swear it was 50/50!! NBC should shut off the spare channel during primetime HD and live HD sporting events. We can all turn on the weather channel or use the internet if we are dying to know the temperature outside our window.
Can't they just do a static weather information screen or something? Am I wrong in assuming that with the compression algorithms used, static images take very little bandwidth. They could switch to a display of just the current conditions and leave that up during HD broadcasts, maybe update it every 10 minutes. Of course I am trying to apply logic and I could be wrong about my assumption.

Bradtothebone

12-06-06, 03:29 PM

Weather Plus (minus) is a service (?) KSHB gets from NBC. It has time allotted for local weather and radar, but it is a national service. I don't know if affiliates are required to run it, but I think most NBC affiliates do.

Brad

kurhurdler

12-07-06, 08:42 AM

Texas station KXII does 2 HD's and SD in 6 Mhz bandwidth. All it takes is money.
http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/kxii-hd-sd-channel/

...and someone willing to sacrifice the quality of all the broadcasts.

squeak49

12-07-06, 10:37 AM

I got a mailer from Everest last night. They're raising their cable rates slightly (including $1/mo for the HD package). But they also mentioned that coming in 2007 (hopefully early) will be MHD, A&E-HD, and Fox Sports HD!!!!

I'll be sure to post if/when any HD channels are added!

rickie546

12-08-06, 01:38 AM

in the kansas city star wednesday they said that the royals and fox sports midwest have signed a new deal starting in 2008 that will bring 140 games per year on tv. Now that a big company will be doing the games....maybe we can hope to see them in HD(hopefully with a winning team too!)

bommai

12-08-06, 05:26 PM

I wanted to share my negative experience with Circuit City.

I was in the market for a RPTV since I just sold my 5 year old 57" Toshiba HD-Ready RPTV.

After doing much research, I decided to get a 65" CRT RPTV instead of one of the newer technology DLP/SXRD/LCD RPTVs. My conclusions from avsforum was that Hitachi 65F59 is a good model. I checked out circuitcity.com and they did not carry it. However, I visited the Circuit City in Independence (near the mall) and saw that they had it in store. They were charging $1599 or $1699 for it. No sales.

I then happened to look at the newspaper sale ads and noticed that Nebraska Furniture Mart had it for $1199. That was an incredible price. I figured since I live near the Circuit City, I will take the ad and get it price matched (the Circuit City policy clearly states local store ads will be price matched and they will also give me 10% of the price difference.

To my surprise, I was denied the price match and they just said that it is upto the manager's discretion. I was offered an open box model for $1199 and the new one for $1299. I left in disgust. I then called the Circuit City in Overland Park and the lady said they will price match. But I told her that the Independence manager is giving me trouble. Then she said they won't match if the Independence store won't match. Then I called the 800 number. The corporate guys told me that is a local store issue and we cannot help you.

With a bad taste in my mouth, I ordered my TV from Nebraska Furniture Mart. They delivered it today. Very professional guys. I did not have to make the 35 mile trip from Lee's Summit to NFM, I just ordered it online. They even called me again to take a survey of how the delivery went.

Circuit City and the Independence store manager Todd - booo!!!

dlnester

12-08-06, 05:46 PM

Gleyser

12-09-06, 06:34 PM

"I wanted to share my negative experience with Circuit City."

BOMMAI

Your post reminded me of a problem I had with Circuit City a few years back.
It was about 11 years ago. I was working in Virginia and went into a CC there and brought a set of BOSE speakers. I needed them delivered to my wife in Louisiana. The salesman said that wouldn't be a problem. After the purchase the manager tells me that the delivery will be to the local store in Louisiana and my wife will have to pick them up there. The nearest store was 100 miles from where my wife lived. Around 8:00 that night I was in a mall and talking to a salesman in Sharper Image about my adventures at CC. He sold me the same system for $100 less then CC did and had them at my wifes door by 10am the next morning. I haven't been back to Circus City since.

Glenn

jeffdbs

12-10-06, 10:20 AM

Is anyone out there with a Vip-622 OTA having any issues with 19-1,19-2,19-3 & 19-4 being pixellated? I can use my tuner on my Toshiba 62HM195 and the picture is fine, but something about it going through the 622 makes it erratic. It has been this way about 3 weeks now. It forced me to have to buy the locals from Dish because my little girl likes the morning cartoons and I like to record them to the DVR.

Thanks!

Been sending e-mails. I hope this problem is resolved soon.
Dear Mr. ,
Thank you for your e-mail. I have forwarded your e-mail to the appropriate department for further information. Someone should contact you shortly.

We hope we have properly addressed your concerns. If you have further questions you can respond to this e-mail or access our online technical support at the following link: http://tech.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/techportal/index.shtml.

Thanks,

Mark B.

Technical E-mail Support

Dish Network

**To avoid any delay in our response please include all previous e-mail correspondences so that we can reference your original concerns**
-----Original Message-----

Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 7:57 PM
To: Tech
Subject: Technical Support,

Full Name: Jeffrey

Account Number:

Question: Alot of us Vip-622 customers can not receive our local pbs here

in KC KCPT DT-18. Please help. E-mail received from KCPT follows.

Mr

We have examined our PSIP in detail and cannot find anything that might be

causing problems. However, if you have a contact at Dish Network on the

technical side, I would be more than happy to sent him a disk of our

captured

stream for analysis Since each of the STB manufacturers have their own

set of

parameters that they incorporate for PSIP recognition, we are always eager

to

help with the proper capture and decoding of our PSI, PSIP and programs.
Engineer

KCPT TV19

Public Television 19, Inc.

125 E. 31st St.

Kansas City, MO 64108

(816) 756-3580

http://www.kcpt.org

>From: "Jeffrey"

>Subject: DT-18 PSIP data stream

>Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 18:21:37 -0600

>Dear KCPT, Please check your PSIP data stream. Our Dish Network 8-VSB OTA

>receivers are having problems on receiving DT-18 as reported here at

>http

SamuraiXmas

12-11-06, 02:10 AM

I was in Circuit City today (the Independence one) and the guy told me they only had one of a very discounted 42" DLP from Samsung (Buying for my mother) and that I had to get it right then or he couldn't guarantee that I'd get it. There were 3 salesmen talking to people who wanted that particular TV, and one of them bought it while I was thinking about it. I went to leave the store, and the salesmen went "Where are you going?" and I said "Well, you only had one left, and that guy just bought it" so he replied "Oh did I say 1? I meant 2" I looked at him for a minute, blinking extremely fast, when finally I told him "I'll buy from Bestbuy, nevermind" and left.

In conclusion, you can't trust salesmen ANYWHERE. CC doesn't even have salesmen that work on comission, but still they lie to you needlessly.

I'll just get my mom a necklace like I did last year. CC can shove it.

Addendum: I've read a ton on Costco, and apparently you can take back anything no-questions asked up to a year after purchase, so I'll be getting her a TV from there probably. That is the kind of customer service I love; No questions asked returns.

shawn67

12-17-06, 09:10 AM

Apparently TWC has completely revamped their channel listing.... FSN is now on 31 in Overland Park The Weather Channel is now on Channel 2. Can't find a lisitng for it though.

djones0865

12-17-06, 09:23 AM

Anyone seen a schedule for D* to get more HD channels online?

JChapman@starban

12-17-06, 03:33 PM

Installed an outside HD antenna a year ago and our reception was very good on 5-1, 9-1, 19-all. The reception on 4-1 and 41-1 were ok but not great (some pixelation). For about 6 months we have only been able to get 9-1 and that isn't that good. I am able to measure signal strength through an HD card in a multimedia computer hooked to our 42" Samsung Plasma TV. The signal strength has dropped off so far that I am not getting any signal for any channels except 9-1. I would appreciate any help in getting these channels back.

Thanks JC in Kearney

jeffdbs

12-17-06, 03:37 PM

Welcome JC. Are you using an VHF/UHF amplifier on your antenna setup?

JChapman@starban

12-18-06, 12:53 PM

Hi Jeffdbs,
Thanks for responding. The antenna is suppose to be an amplified HD antenna and I had an RCA model DT 100M amplifier in line near the TV. Here is the product profile from Best Buy:
Designed for use with cable modems, as well as for cable and antenna installations
Amplifies cable and antenna signals to eliminate signal loss over long runs
Bidirectional design amplifies signal and provides a return path for cable modem
54-1000MHz performance
12V DC input (adapter included)
All-metal construction

The antenna is mounted at the top of a chimney and we are located down in a little valley. Raising it I know would help, but what happened six months ago to change my reception. Any suggestions on a better antenna and mounting would be appreciated.

Beamon

12-18-06, 03:51 PM

Check your 12 volts out of the adapter.

rickie546

12-18-06, 04:31 PM

does anyone know if this saturday's game will be in HD on 41? i e-mailed them but have not got a response back

Eyedox

12-18-06, 05:43 PM

Apparently TWC has completely revamped their channel listing.... FSN is now on 31 in Overland Park The Weather Channel is now on Channel 2. Can't find a lisitng for it though. TWC didnt revamp anything. They had a meltdown Sunday morning with their equipment that assigns channel slots. Tons of channels were misdirected to different slots ... audio from one channel with video of another. Dogs and cats living together ... mass hysteria!! They had it fixed several hours later in the day.

rickie546

12-18-06, 07:03 PM

okay its going to be in HD. hopefully the production is better than last time

Tenchi-kun

12-21-06, 11:06 AM

does anyone know if this saturday's game will be in HD on 41? i e-mailed them but have not got a response back

From what I've been hearing them say on the news the past couple of nights, it should be. I'm looking forward to it, as I just got my HDTV yesterday. ;)

ksuwolfy

12-21-06, 12:25 PM

Congrats on the new TV, Tenchi-kun!!! What did you get?

Eyedox

12-21-06, 12:32 PM

Got a new Sammy HL-S6188W with CableCard from Time Warner. Took them a few days to realize that they hadn't activated the scrambled channels. But after half-a-dozen phone calls and hours on hold, they finally figured it out. Not sure if I like the TV Guide On Screen as well as Pioneer's Passport, but it sure beats spending $10 extra bucks a month renting another stupid box.

Tenchi-kun

12-21-06, 02:28 PM

Congrats on the new TV, Tenchi-kun!!! What did you get?

I picked up the Samsung HL-S4666W from one of the alliance members listed above. I'm quite pleased with the set so far. Still have to do some fine tuning though, as I've not gone through any calibration disks as of yet. Waiting until I have some time this weekend to do that.

jeffdbs

12-21-06, 07:15 PM

bphisig

12-23-06, 01:25 PM

turnitup

12-23-06, 09:45 PM

two934s

12-23-06, 11:21 PM

Thanks KSHB for doing a GREAT job bringing us HD from NFL network. Game looks much better than NBC games. Looks like the 24 hour weather channel is not as guilty as NBC's HD network feed for poor pq during past games.

Turnitup,

Were you watching KSHB OTA or via a cable provider? Correct me if i'm wrong but if you were watching OTA it wouldn't matter if its an NFL Network feed or a NBC feed as its still coming from KSHB's antenna and you could still get the problems we think WX+ is causing.

wschwart

12-24-06, 12:28 AM

I watched the game on Comcast and saw only one bit of pixellization early on.
I also thought the Miller HD ad was very colorful.

EricM407

12-24-06, 09:41 AM

I have TWC in South KCMO, running passport on my SA 8300 HD-DVR. I see a TON of digital noise on my HBO HD West feed, and it seems like channel 1400 (the Time Warner HD channel) causes freezing on my box. I've also noticed ESPN HD causing freezes on my box from time to time. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? I'm at a loss.

I don't know about your ESPN-HD problem, but my HBO-HD west has been absolutely terrible (a bunch of blocks and no sound) for over a week, and 1400 says "This channel is temporarily unavailable due to system upgrades" or something.

kchomer

12-24-06, 07:14 PM

I'm in Shawnee with TWC.

Just noticed NFL Network on channel 200 is working.
I assume this is the "free" week, to show the K-State Rutgers game Thursday...

I knew they were doing it in New Jersey, but didn't realize they had it worked out here as well...not that I'll be watching.

Sorry if this has been posted, just skimmed the last few pages and didn't see it.

turnitup

12-24-06, 11:41 PM

Turnitup,

Were you watching KSHB OTA or via a cable provider? Correct me if i'm wrong but if you were watching OTA it wouldn't matter if its an NFL Network feed or a NBC feed as its still coming from KSHB's antenna and you could still get the problems we think WX+ is causing.
I was watching on Time Warner. My point exactly. Even with WX+ in the mix the game looked better than any NBC game.

SamuraiXmas

12-25-06, 01:52 AM

Does anyone happen to have a list of channels a QAM Tuner should pick up with Comcast on the Missouri side? (Kansas City Metro Area)? I realize it might be in this thread somewhere, but I've gifts to wrap and at some point before morning I hope to sleep =P I bought my mother a 32" LG LCD and my sister a 42" (Black Friday Insane discount) Olevia LCD and both have the QAM tuner, but to set it up for them I might need the channel info. We've got the HD package if that helps at all.

Both of them will probably be getting the HD Box whenever I can get back to Comcast to pick it up, but for tomorrow morning and that "OoooH Perrrty!" factor, I'd love to have the info.

Obviously I realize that noone is probably around and that noone will read this (atleast noone with the info I need) untill tomorrow night at the earliest, but it never hurts to dream right? =P

Thanks

rkhoury

12-25-06, 09:56 AM

First of all to I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all other AVS readers.

I noticed while poking around on Sunflower Cables revised web site that they are now offering a different HD decoder box (which is also a DVR).

This one is made by Pace and carries the model nomencature of TDC-775 which is also known as the Tahoe (www.sunflowerbroadband.com/cable/dvr.html). After reading through the on-line manual it certainly seems to have some interesting features over the current Motorola 3412's.

So of course I'm curious if anyone one has any comments one way or another on this unit.

Bob from Lawrence

bphisig

12-26-06, 12:51 PM

I don't know about your ESPN-HD problem, but my HBO-HD west has been absolutely terrible (a bunch of blocks and no sound) for over a week, and 1400 says "This channel is temporarily unavailable due to system upgrades" or something.
Thanks. I was most concerned with my HBO feed, but at least I'm not alone. Someone at time warner told me to check my connections, but that can't be the problem because all my other channels work just fine. It really stinks that HBO-HD West doesn't work worth a darn.

Gojhawks

12-26-06, 07:04 PM

Bob, I am in Lawrence as well. After reading your post I called Sunflower this morning and they said they do not have any of the Pace in stock but hope to have them in January. I put my name in to reserve one. I have the Moto 6412, which is pretty good, BUT I can't get the HDMI to work with my Sammy HL-P5063. I am hoping that it is a problem between the Moto and my set and that a different HD DVR will work as opposed to a problem with my HDMI hookup. Once I get it I will post here.

PWSHER

12-26-06, 07:08 PM

rkhoury

12-26-06, 07:39 PM

After reading your post I called Sunflower this morning and they said they do not have any of the Pace in stock but hope to have them in January

I also phoned in and received the same answer. I also inquired about pricing and the rep I talked too (who had apparently only gotten out of bed 10 minutes earlier) indicated that these ran $17.95 or about $5 more than I'm currently paying.

But as I said the CSR I talked too did not sound like she was quite awake yet so I figured I would phone back after 1/1 to clarify things.

She did say however that they did have quite a few already out and about and to the best of her knowledge they were performing quite well.

Bob

hdtimmy

12-26-06, 08:43 PM

I was watching on Time Warner. My point exactly. Even with WX+ in the mix the game looked better than any NBC game.
I get KSHB OTA. I watched the NFL Network Chiefs game and the NBC Philly game Christmas night, both on KSHB-DT 41-1.

The NFL Network Chiefs game had very little pixelation. The NBC Philly game on Christmas was a pixellated mess.

I would have to agree that maybe WX+ is NOT the culprit, it's the NBC network feed system.

Bradtothebone

12-27-06, 10:34 AM

Hi All,
My duaghter has just moved to the Kansas City area and she wants to get a Dish satellite with HD and a DVR. Since I am a cable susbscriber I don't know anything about satellite systems. Should she just call the national number or are there local reps where she might get a better deal or terms?
Thanks,
pwsher

If she's a new subscriber, there are some great deals out there now. IIRC, you pay $199 up front for the HD-DVR (VIP-622 - Great machine, BTW) and get $20/mo off your bill for the next 10 months). I believe that E* is going to raise prices in February, but that new customers can lock in today's rates for one year. Check out dbstalk.com or satelliteguys.us for lots more info.

To answer your question, I'd call the national number, and they'll set you up with a local installer (probably Jack Boring's). If the first CSR you talk to doesn't seem to know much about the packages, hang up and try again. ;)

Brad

KSBugeater

12-27-06, 10:40 AM

Not only is it blue because the Chiefs will probably miss the playoffs by the narrowest of margins for the second straight year, but also, if anybody in KC got a new HDTV for Christmas, they'll have to wait until NEXT FALL to watch the Chiefs in High Def as CBS has NOT chosen to televise Sunday's game from Arrowhead in HD. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati is the early CBS HD game, and Indy and Baltimore fighting for a bye week (separate games) are the late HD games. If Jacksonville had won vs. New England last week, they would be controlling their own destiny and most likely their game with the Chiefs would have been chosen over Cincinnati's. Of course, if the Chiefs had beaten Cleveland, they wouldn't be on the outside looking in either...

Eyedox

12-27-06, 11:03 AM

I love my Chiefs too, but after that rediculous & embarassing loss to Cleveland, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs. As for CBS, you should be ashamed not having ALL NFL games in HD by now like FOX does. Quit being so cheap and get with the 21st Century already. The NFL should MANDATE that the networks broadcast ALL their games in HD or lose their contract to a better network. What? Are we all toothless hicks here in the midwest who watch Black & White TV with our coathanger antennas? Please.

EricM407

12-27-06, 07:42 PM

As for CBS, you should be ashamed not having ALL NFL games in HD by now like FOX does.

I don't think FOX has all their games in HD. And I think some of their HD games are not all HD (shots from some of the cams look like SD widescreen to me).

KSBugeater

12-28-06, 11:53 AM

CBS only has the ability to distribute 3 HD feeds right now. How much sandbagging they are doing is not my call, but if Fox can do 6, CBS should at least keep pace. (Fox does show SD if there are 7 or more games in their Sunday lineup.)

bphisig

12-28-06, 04:54 PM

The reason for 3 games/week in HD from CBS is that their production building is ancient, and they do not have the size to increase capacity.

wschwart

12-30-06, 12:38 AM

I was watching Mizzou blow a lead in the Sun Bowl when almost right at 5:00PM the picture was lost and a message was displayed 'Loss of Signal'. I switched to the analog station but missed the two point conversion by Oregon State in the process. I then switched back to digital and the picture waw back but in SD 4:3 format.
It was almost as if the CBS HD feed was on a timer. I was watching on Comcast, but I don't think that would have anything to do with it. Anyone else notice this problem?

mikfort51

12-30-06, 11:04 AM

dlnester

12-30-06, 05:05 PM

two934s

12-31-06, 12:13 AM

I have dishnetwork and the same thing happened. I too did all the same things you did, switch to the SD feed(it also showed loss of input). I couldnt beleive Mizzou lost!

I have D* and had the same problem. Talked to my Dad today and he has Charter (Sedalia, MO) and was watching on CBS SD and didn't have any issues with the game.. so it sounds like it was definately an HD problem..

lindend

12-31-06, 11:43 AM

Hi Bob,

This one is made by Pace and carries the model nomencature of TDC-775 which is also known as the Tahoe (www.sunflowerbroadband.com/cable/dvr.html). After reading through the on-line manual it certainly seems to have some interesting features over the current Motorola 3412's.

So of course I'm curious if anyone one has any comments one way or another on this unit.

Bob from Lawrence

More info on the TDC775 can be found on this thread:

TDC775 Tahoe Pace 700 Series - High Definition DVR (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=659367)

If you have additional questions, I'd be happy to answer them there.

luv2chill

01-01-07, 12:42 PM

I live near the Lawrence Airport now and I've been struggling with OTA HD. I can get KCWE-DT pretty good, and sometimes KTWU-DT from Topeka, but nothing else. Anybody else in the area have any better luck?

What kind of antenna are you using? I'm in Lawrence (about 15th & Kasold) and am blocked by trees and a house on a hill, but I can still pull in all of the KC stations reliably (some picture breakup, especially on KSHB, but not enough to bother me).

Here are some tips:

- You need to get your antenna up on your roof. If that's not possible/desireable you could try your attic but that can cut down on signal quite a bit.

- If you don't care about KMBC 9 (ABC) then all you should look for a good UHF antenna (try the channel master 3021--you can special order it for $25 at Ace Hardware). If you do want KMBC, you can either buy a separate VHF antenna for that channel or get a single antenna that can pull in both VHF and UHF. As I suggested to another poster several pages back, you can pick up the Channel Master 4228, which is similar to the 3021 but twice as wide. As well as increased gain for the UHF stations, its design actually gives it a fair amount of gain for VHF-High. I am able to pull in KMBC with it just fine. Unfortunately, the 4228 is not available locally so you would have to order it (recommend www.warrenelectronics.com - no affiliation though). It doesn't disassemble so the shipping is pricey as well--expect to pay about $60 total. Also, if you intend to try the 4228 in your attic keep in mind that it is too wide to fit through most attic hatches.

- I highly recommend a pre-amp, specifically the Channel Master 7775 or 7777. The latter model is only a few bucks more expensive and amplifies both VHF and UHF, so it's the better buy. These have a very low noise figure and will work wonders at boosting your signal reception. You may even be able to pull in all your stations just by adding this to your existing antenna (I'd give it a try, anyway).

If you search around google and this forum, you will find thousands of posts about the 4228/7777 combo, because it just works well. It will set you back about $120 (plus masts and a mount of some kind), but from your location there's no reason you can't pull in all of KC's stations with that combo on your roof.

Keep in mind that these antennas are highly directional, so you will have to pick either KC or Topeka and orient the antenna accordingly. If you want to pull in both locations I suggest putting the antenna on a rotor or you may have some luck buying two antennas, pointing them in opposite directions, and joining them up (keep in mind that can present problems though--not for the faint of heart).

One last thing to consider is your HDTV tuner. If it's an older model (more than a year or two) it's probably using an old chipset. I have noticed that newer HD tuners don't need as much signal strength to display a flawless picture.

DFresh4130

01-01-07, 09:26 PM

luv2chill

01-01-07, 10:09 PM

Read my post right above yours. You'd do well to try the Channel Master 3021 from Ace Hardware (it's not stocked but just ask them to order it--should take about a week to get in). Cost is about $25 and you can return it if it doesn't work for you. In Olathe you shouldn't need an amp, so the CM 3021 on the roof or a tower should give you plenty of gain. Although if you need KMBC you'll need to get an antenna that can do VHF.

Maybe others in Olathe will have other recommendations, but my advice is that you can't go wrong with Channel Master stuff.

And Terk antennas are crap. You may want to try a different indoor antenna. The Zenith Silver Sensor is highly regarded as one of the best.

DFresh4130

01-01-07, 10:34 PM

Thanks for the info. The Zenith Silver Sensor is the exact same shape as my Terk except the Terk also has rabbit ears. I'll check out the Channel Master lineup to see what they have to fit my needs. Thanks again.

vfxguy18

01-02-07, 12:04 AM

bongohawk

01-02-07, 12:31 AM

Hi all,

Looking for an outdoor antenna recommendation. I live in Olathe a couple miles southeast of I-35 & 119th. I've got an indoor Terk antenna and I can get all channels except for 9 & 62. All the channels stutter or lose sound when I get up and move around so that's why I'm wanting an outdoor antenna. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks

I am in Olathe futher south at 143rd and Pflumm and once had the $50 Terk Silver Sensor and I could get all locals except struggled with 9. Well I decided to try a $14 RCA with a selector knob from Target and now I get all of the locals including 9. I liked the Terk for UHF but for VHF it sucked because you couldn't really move the rabbits ears as much.

Just a thought for ya.

rrostie

01-04-07, 12:32 AM

I've been helping my folks set up a new HDTV, and trying to convince them to upgrade to digital cable with an HD package. In the meantime I've found almost all of the local channels with the TV's QAM tuner, but I still cannot find the local FOX affiliate WDAF. They are in Prairie Village with Time Warner cable, anyone have any idea? There doesn't seem to be a channel list anywhere online that I can find.
Go to www.titantv.com. Register and put in your address, and you will get the channel listings applicable to you.
For OTA, WDAF is on channel 4.1

I still can only get KSMO on 47.62. Did they give up on trying to fix this? It's been half a year now.

Jerky

01-04-07, 09:26 AM

Just wanted to make sure all were aware of the new HD channels added to Comcast today. (This has been posted in the Comcast Thread too.)

National Geographic HD - 199
Comcast Sports Net HD (Versus/Golf) - 200
Fox Sports Midwest HD (Not Full time) - 201
Universal HD - 208

Enjoy!!

PS: These should be available now.

Eyedox

01-04-07, 03:09 PM

MHD (MTV-HD) supposedly coming to Time Warner Cable any day now.

http://www.gadgetell.com/2006/12/music-high-definition-coming-soon-to-time-warner-cable/

zirjacks

01-06-07, 06:21 PM

two934s

01-07-07, 12:01 PM

Did anyone have any issues with 41.1 OTA yesterday during the chiefs game? Seemed to work fine for me... no pixcelation issues from Greenwood / Lee's Summit

djones0865

01-07-07, 04:54 PM

Did anyone have any issues with 41.1 OTA yesterday during the chiefs game? Seemed to work fine for me... no pixcelation issues from Greenwood / Lee's Summit
Picture looked good....only problem I had was with the Chiefs :mad:

djones0865

01-07-07, 04:55 PM

I love Hi-Def, full screen commercials.

zaknafein

01-07-07, 05:14 PM

Picture looked good....only problem I had was with the Chiefs :mad:

Looked fine for me on TWC as well.

And yeah, the game was UGLY.

olathebob

01-07-07, 10:21 PM

zaknafein

01-07-07, 10:28 PM

Does anyone know if this means we'll see the Royals in HD on channel 201 this summer?

Very unlikely. Last I heard there was still no plans to move RSTN to HD production.

dlnester

01-07-07, 11:18 PM

Very unlikely. Last I heard there was still no plans to move RSTN to HD production.

This is the last season for RSTN to exist before FSN-Midwest takes over the Royals rights for the next decade or so. I doubt we'll see Royals games in HD until the 2008-2009 season.

cltambo

01-07-07, 11:25 PM

Channel Master Stealthtenna Outdoor Antenna. I'm moving into a new part of a subdivision up north of KC that will not have cable ran to it for a couple more months. In the meantime I was just going to use an antenna. Lowes has a Channel Master Stealthtenna Outdoor Antenna that looks ok. If I'm within 20 miles of all of the stations should this work for me. Can I just hook it up to where the cable comes in and run all of the TV's in the house off it..

zaknafein

01-07-07, 11:41 PM

This is the last season for RSTN to exist before FSN-Midwest takes over the Royals rights for the next decade or so. I doubt we'll see Royals games in HD until the 2008-2009 season.

That's interesting. The just brought the production in house before the 2003 season from FSN.

Can't say I'll miss it, the RSTN production values have been only marginally better than public access cable...

kcroyaljosh

01-07-07, 11:50 PM

i would agree,RSTN was not very good. Could you guys check this out for me.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=783046&goto=newpost

squeak49

01-08-07, 10:44 AM

FWIW, Everest added MHD the other day. Looks like a decent channel.

mheasty

01-08-07, 08:22 PM

I am thinking of making the switch to sunflower cable in Lawrence from D*. The new D* HDDVR seems to have lots of problems and a 2 year contract. I see that Sunflower has 2 HDDVR's. Is one better then the other? Also does either have dual live buffers? I have been using D*'s Tivo SD DVR and like the interface. Is either of sunflowers similar? Thanks

Eyedox

01-08-07, 09:25 PM

Time Warner Cable San Antonio is giving local customers two more reasons to stay camped out in front of the television.

Starting this week, the cable operator added two new high definition channels, A&E HD and MHD, to its local line-up. These two channels are available to digital customers with HD converters at no additional charge.

I WONDER WHEN KANSAS CITY WILL GET THESE?!

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/othercities/sanantonio/stories/2007/01/01/daily9.html?b=1167627600%5E1397193

rrostie

01-09-07, 11:06 AM

Ok, I am picking up the OTA channels here in Olathe. I use a RCA ANT706 antenna mounted outside. I am getting all the channels with signal strengths that vary from 89% to 98% (according to the diagnostic featue on my Sony 42a10) but every so often(probably 5 or 6 times during a half hour) I am getting glitches where the video and audio kinda freeze up for just a second.Needless to say this gets pretty annoying when watching a show. Happens more frequently on 41.1 and 4.1, but I have noticed it on all channels. The antenna came with a little powered signal booster. Would a stronger booster help with this or is this just glitches in the stream? Thanks for your help!

I get occasional glitches as well, but usually only it's the sound that cuts out (or at least that's what's the most noticeable,) and I agree it can be annoying. I thought maybe it was my cheap Walmart set-top box but my new Sony DVR does the same thing.
I live in Belton (40 - 50 miles from downtown,) but I have pretty good line of sight to the towers because I am so high up.

js615

01-10-07, 08:56 AM

D*TV with HR10-250 TIVO DVRs with s/w version 6.3b...

Anyone else noticing that KCTV5's program guide information for OTA (this would be 5.1 on your D*TV tuner) is inaccurate? This began last week and has caused my D*TV TIVO to miss recording of several programs. After researching my Season Pass, To Do Lists, and upcoming program guides, I have ascertained this program contents were listed incorrectly on the 5.1 channel (by comparison to the national feeds on 83). For example, next weeks "How I Met your Mother" is listed for KCTV's local channel 5 and 5.1 with a program title of "Brunch" and is shown as a repeat. The actual program title is "Columns" and is a new edition - and is correctly listed in the program guide on the CBS national feed. Here gain, the net is that my TIVO Season Pass will not record as it is set to only record first runs. The same has been noted for a few of the CSI and some other program that I won't publicly admit to watching.

While I have temporarily resolved this issue by changing the season pass manager for these shows to capture repeats and first runs, I thought it would be good to check if any other D*TV users else had noticed...

J.

A couple of thoughts:
1. Is this KCTV5 issue - are they feeding incorrect data to whomever at D*TV or TIVO that provides the DVR service with program information?
2. Is this a TIVO service issue?

...any thoughts?

KSBugeater

01-10-07, 09:14 AM

D* has been having problems with guide data lately. Check out the HR10 board at tivocommunity.com.

js615

01-10-07, 11:01 AM

Thanks - I started the search there and at DBSTalk.com and holy cow!!!! - yet another firestorm of s/w issues for D*TV!!! This apparently affects SD and HD TIVO units from D*TV.

thanks for the lead...

For those interested - check this link out: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=75663

DroptheRemote

01-10-07, 11:05 AM

Just a quick note in the event anyone here is interested...

I'm an experienced ISF calibrator who will be traveling to the Springfield, Kansas City, Lincoln/Omaha and Columbia areas during the period from January 29 through February 7. Dates for each location are currently flexible.

If anyone here is interested in calibration, you can contact me for more details via private message or through the phone number listed below. Local references available on request.

dlnester

01-10-07, 09:30 PM

I have Dish Network and I DO NOT have an HD reciever. I'm watching KCTV-5 prime-time programming which is SD, and it seems the primetime programming is showing the HD channel not the SD channel. Of course the image is 4x3 and it cuts off the CBS logo and text and the rating go off the side of the screen.

Is this just Dish Network using the KCTV-DT signal as the SD signal or is it like this on all providers? Just seems a little weird and I've noticed it several nights and on some shows I've DVRed as well.

Colonia9

01-11-07, 12:00 PM

bdtnr

01-11-07, 11:14 PM

Ref: zirjacks and rrostie. Signal breakup.

Gentlemen, the momentary glitches with OTA transmissions which you describe replicates my own experience described earlier on page 158 item #4730. This was positively established to be caused by passenger aircraft on approach to KC International disrupting the signal between the station and my home. However, based on your respective locations I do find it difficult to visualize any aircraft traffic patterns which could be blamed. That said, may I still suggest you look in the line of sight direction of the TV towers to see if passing aircraft many miles away might explain the problem. Regret do not know of any way to overcome such OTA interference.

I too experience the breakups mentioned, however they are much more noticable on 41.1, which I attribute to a very week signal from their tower and sharing bandwidth with WeatherPlus. I am in O.P., south of 135th with a ATI HDTV Wonder card in my computer hooked to the simple antenae that came with the card. The other stations are much better, only 41.1 seems to have the signal breakup (which for me is a momentary freeze of the video). Extremely frustrating.

wburtis

01-12-07, 04:08 PM

I am around 156th and blackbob, what are my chances of getting some ota hd? Also, what antenna (indoor) would be best for my area. My tuner is the one built in on the JVC Pro HD-ILA.

I hooked up a cheap Radio Shack antenna and didn't get 9, fox was in and out.

Any thoughts?

bphisig

01-13-07, 04:12 PM

av8orr

01-14-07, 11:07 AM

Is there any chance of receiving HD OTA in Warrensburg? I'm not sure how far I am from the antennas, but I'm about 45 miles ESE of Lee's Summit. Thanks.

Eyedox

01-14-07, 11:11 AM

For what it's worth, Time Warner is going to be changing around their program guide as well as some other features in coming weeks. The lady on the phone also said that more HD channels were on the way, but didn't say anything specific, so I'm not going to hold my breath. Personally, I like TWC's guide much better than Comcast, so I hope they don't change it to be more like Comcast.I am not sure what the new guide will look like, but I do know the reason TWC is changing their guide is because they are required to implement a universal OCAP software platform for CableCard 2.0 so that even their own cable boxes will require a CableCard to function for scrambled channels. The FCC will no longer allow any new STB's to have their own internal decoders after July 1 of this year. That way, whether you choose to use your HDTV's CableCard 2.0 port OR their STB, the guide and programming will look and be the same. The new STB's must also have FireWire ports.

dlnester

01-14-07, 06:04 PM

I've read on here that you can get the local HD signals through TWC with a QAM tuner, does anybody know if Everest does the same? I'm going to be moving back into Johnson County and will most likely get Everest but wanted to know what I could get with a QAM tuner on Everest.

jeffdbs

01-14-07, 06:45 PM

Is there any chance of receiving HD OTA in Warrensburg? I'm not sure how far I am from the antennas, but I'm about 45 miles ESE of Lee's Summit. Thanks.

Welcome av8orr. :) I would say yes in answer to your question. With a good outdoor VHF/UHF antenna, RG-6 shielded cable and a good Over-the-Air digital receiver.

lovemymac

01-15-07, 02:51 PM

im in Gardner off 183rd and gardner rd and i have a 4 bay UHF antenna on a 10 ft pole to clear the house in back of me and i get 62.1, 41.1,41.2, 16.1 through 16.5 and 19.1,19.2 5.1,4.1, and 29.1 all good. The only one that comes and goes is 9.1. But i do know that if i had an 8 Bay antenna that i could easily get it.

darrellk12

01-15-07, 03:45 PM

Is there any chance of receiving HD OTA in Warrensburg? I'm not sure how far I am from the antennas, but I'm about 45 miles ESE of Lee's Summit. Thanks.

Hi, I am in Sedalia and receive all digitals here from Kansas City and Columbia.. However, I had problems with NBC in KC until I upgraded my OTA antenna system. I went with horizontally stacked 91X antennas and a 0.4db NF pre-amp.(from England)
Regards
Darrell

Archaea

01-15-07, 04:50 PM

What channel is the Superbowl on this year in HDTV?
Will it be available for us HDTV free air folk?

dlnester

01-15-07, 04:53 PM

Super Bowl is on CBS-HD this year.... KCTV-DT

bommai

01-15-07, 06:06 PM

I just want to convey a big thanks to WDAF for broadcasting the season premiere of "24" last night without any weather advisories and down conversions. Thanks!

wburtis

01-16-07, 11:19 AM

I have basic Comcast cable and I also have an ATSC/QAM tuner in my tv. I connected the coax directly into the tuner card--I have been able to receive the local channels in HD but last night, the locals quit working because of a "low signal strength." Has anyone else with Comcast in Olathe experienced the same?

Should I expect this to occur frequently or is this just the result of the recent weather?

ND23

01-16-07, 04:01 PM

wburtis

01-16-07, 05:23 PM

Comcast does send the locals unencrypted in Olathe, while I subscribe to basics I receive the locals but my problem is consistenty and finding them with a QAM tuner. Seems to me that you would have to at least subscribe to Comcast basics to get "a signal" period.

Anyone else in Olathe having issues with QAM tuning and weak signal strength for local hd channels?

LSonsthagen

01-16-07, 05:38 PM

wburtis

01-16-07, 05:41 PM

As for as your attic antenna, can you pick up 9.1 as well or is the stealth antenna only UHF?

Also, did you get the ChannelMaster Stealth 3010 w/inline amp at Lowes?

LSonsthagen

01-16-07, 05:53 PM

The Stealth is UHF/VHF. 9.1 has been rock solid with a signal strength of around 90.

I did purchase the antenna at Lowe's. I'm pretty sure that I had to order the amplifier board online - seems like they did not stock it at the time, but that was almost two years ago.

bommai

01-17-07, 11:33 AM

I also have been receiving local HD (QAM) through my Comcast BASIC service. I am using an EyeTV 500 box connected to a PowerMac G4. I have not noticed any problems with signal strength, but I only view it occasionally when I am at the computer or recording something HD to my hard drive.

ND23: As far as OTA, I get all the major networks with plenty of signal from 163rd and Ridgeview. I have not had any problems receiving KCTV-HD. I do have an attic mounted antenna (ChannelMaster Stealth 3010 w/inline amp). I've never experienced the 'ghosting' issue you have described - if your signal is weak or interrupted you will have problems with pixellation and/or freeze ups.

Nice to hear a fellow mac user using an eyeTV 500. I have a eyeTV Hybrid and it works great. I don't have cable. I use OTA exclusively. I also have a PowerMac G4 (Dual 1.25GHz). Works great with a PCI USB 2.0 card.

I bought a JVC LCoS TV with HDMI. I am tempted to buy a Mac Mini and connect it to the TV and use the eyeTV Hybrid with that.

I am using a Winegard Sensar III (from Lee's Summit) for antenna.

Harrypt

01-18-07, 09:08 PM

I just tried to watch 24, I know I'm late I recorded it...

Anyway, doesn't it bug anyone else that WDAF puts a pure white logo in the corner? First it is really bright and totally annoying and second, I'm not gonna watch a 2 hour show on my brand new plasma with a pure white logo in the corner for fear of burn in.

Seems to me the folks at WDAF are really not thinking.

kurhurdler

01-19-07, 08:22 AM

Eyedox

01-19-07, 10:46 AM

The CW logo has way too much contrast also. The FCC should make rules that there be NO color, NO motion advertisements, no sound, maximum 25% density contrast, be in the far corner of a 16:9 TV (not relative to 4:3) and take up less than 5% of the real estate. Is there really no common sense in the world?!

ynneknat

01-19-07, 01:24 PM

KSBugeater

01-19-07, 02:17 PM

hi,
i can get 15 channels - great quality, relatively high signal - EXCEPT Fox. i read that the digital channel for WDAF fox is 34 but then someone else said 4.1? could this be because of my location (rainbow blvd, kansas city, ks)? - although isn't this close to the WDAF tower? or is it my antenna? any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

Depending on where you are located along Rainbow, yes, you're probably right under the WDAF stick (antenna). What kind of tuner are you using, built-in to your TV or a set-top box? The signal may be TOO strong and you may want to try an attenuator, which would reduce the signal to a level acceptable to your tuner. Also, you may be getting multipath if the signal can bounce of a building or grain elevator.

Harrypt

01-20-07, 10:47 AM

I concur, CBS's is only slightly less annoying. Do we really need a branding on everything we watch ALL the time?

I agree, I don't think putting the logo in the corner is of that much marketing value but I can live with it if it is semi-transparent and unobtrusive. WDAF on the other hand has crossed the line from annoying into no doubt it will burn into my plasma if I watch it too long. I guess that just means bye bye fox, quite the opposite of their intentions.

Eyedox

01-20-07, 11:55 AM

djones0865

01-20-07, 08:20 PM

kurhurdler

01-20-07, 08:41 PM

I know several people who don't watch WDAF FOX4 (including myself) for that very reason. No one wants a permanent logo burned into their screens. I can give up American Idol and Family Guy to save my plasma. Sorry WDAF!

Has anyone contacted WDAF in regard to this suggestion? perhaps we need to contact "call to action" or whatever their particular investigative reporting name is.

Harrypt

01-20-07, 08:48 PM

Unfortunately I'm on cable and don't get the west coast feed.

djones0865

01-20-07, 08:57 PM

Has anyone contacted WDAF in regard to this suggestion? perhaps we need to contact "call to action" or whatever their particular investigative reporting name is.

I went to www.myfoxkc.com and posted the following at "CONTACT US".........I beg all of you to do the same.......

I'm very concerned with the logo that you put in the lower left corner of shows such as "24" on the HDTV feed. It is very bright white in color and besides being distracting, I'm afraid it will burn into my plasma TV. Last week on Sunday and Monday during the 4 hours of "24" I watched it on the Directv feed on channel 88 which is from New York, because their logo was grey in color, and not near as distracting. I subscribe to a HDTV discussion group, and many on that site have brought up the same concern. What would it take to "dim" the logo? Thank you very much for your time.

ND23

01-20-07, 08:58 PM

I've tried searching through this thread, but I can't seem to narrow the search parameters to get a managable list of results...

I do not currently have a Hi-Def display, but I do have an Infocus 4805 projector (854x480 resolution) with an M1 (DVI compatible) input.

I host the neighborhood Super Bowl party each year, and since it's on CBS this year, I need a solution that's better than the reception I get with my Dish Network standard-def receiver. Every time I watch football on CBS, I see ghosts in the image, and it drives me crazy. I have two standard-def Dish Network receivers, one hooked up to a standard-def CRT TV, and the other hooked up to my projector. On CBS, I get ghosts on both displays, and I've seen the problem at neighbors' houses, so I doubt it's a problem specific to my house or equipment. I think it's a problem with the CBS channel via Dish Network.

Since my projector can handle a 16:9 aspect ratio, and has the digital input, I'm considering getting an HDTV tuner and hooking it up to send video to the projector and audio to my surround-sound receiver. I know my projector is not a Hi-Def display, but I may upgrade the projector next year to one with native HD resolution.

Tuning in HDTV over the air sounds like a pain, but is do-able... if I do so, am I likely to see the same ghosts in the CBS NFL games? Do those of you who watch the Chiefs every week on CBS on OTA HDTV see these ghosts?

Final question: I'm in Olathe, and I once had Comcast cable (years ago). So I still have the cable line running into the house, and I've heard that some cable operators leave the local HD channels unencrypted, and these (free) channels can be tuned by an HDTV tuner that can do QAM. Does Comcast in Olathe leave the local HD channels unencrypted like this, and has anyone here had success in accessing them with a QAM tuner, even without subscribing to Comcast?

Thanks in advance,
ND

Update on the above question(s)... this past week I was able to get a Samsung DTB-H260F Digital Set Top Box at Best Buy (open box, no less!) and I got a Philips MANT410 indoor amplified antenna at Lowe's. I hooked up the tuner to the antenna, and ran it to the projector via my component cables (had to unhook the DVD player).

The antenna is in my basement wiring closet, next to one of those traditional basement window well windows. After playing with the rabbit ears and the UHF oval antenna a bit, I'm able to tune in everything I was hoping for. I didn't even bother with trying QAM.

Even though my projector is only EDTV-capable, I can't believe how nice this is! The optical sound output from the Samsung tuner into my A/V receiver sounds better than (standard definition) satellite broadcasts, and the picture is brighter than the same program viewed over (standard definition) satellite.

I watched a college basketball game on CBS this afternoon, and it was a terrific picture! Can't wait for the Super Bowl now... I'll be checking out that Patriots-Colts game on CBS tomorrow night to see how CBS football looks.

Thanks for your help,
ND

bommai

01-22-07, 12:19 PM

I went to www.myfoxkc.com and posted the following at "CONTACT US".........I beg all of you to do the same.......

I'm very concerned with the logo that you put in the lower left corner of shows such as "24" on the HDTV feed. It is very bright white in color and besides being distracting, I'm afraid it will burn into my plasma TV. Last week on Sunday and Monday during the 4 hours of "24" I watched it on the Directv feed on channel 88 which is from New York, because their logo was grey in color, and not near as distracting. I subscribe to a HDTV discussion group, and many on that site have brought up the same concern. What would it take to "dim" the logo? Thank you very much for your time.

Thanks for the info. I sent a message from their website also. BTW, it is the lower right corner, not the left!

Bradtothebone

01-22-07, 05:45 PM

hi,
i'm new to all of this so please be patient - i just set up my new hd tuner today using a Terk hdtv indoor amplified antenna. i can get 15 channels - great quality, relatively high signal - EXCEPT Fox. i read that the digital channel for WDAF fox is 34 but then someone else said 4.1? anyway, i tried tuning into both of these channels but can't get any signal whatsoever. i've looked up on antennaweb where to point the antenna, but even after doing this i am still not getting anything. could this be because of my location (rainbow blvd, kansas city, ks)? - although isn't this close to the WDAF tower? or is it my antenna? any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

Your amplified Terk is almost certainly overloading your tuner with WDAF's tower so close. I'm surprised that KCTV doesn't do the same thing. Can you disable the amplifier and see what happens? If not, you may want to try a Silver Sensor or other non-amplified indoor antenna. Multipath, as suggested by someone else, is also a definite possibility, especially if you are amplifying the second signal.

BTW, WDAF-DT broadcasts on channel 34, but it "remaps" in your tuner to channel 4.1.

Brad

jeffdbs

01-22-07, 07:05 PM

LukeSkiewalker

01-22-07, 11:46 PM

I know someone already asked this but anyone know anything about Everest via QAM? Also does anyone know if Everest has a CableCard exemption like Verizon FiOS does? I don't see anything on Everest's site on whether or not they provide cable cards.

For those of you wondering how strong of antenna to buy you might want to check here to find how far your are away from the towers: Do a google search for "Kansas city hdtv" - no quotes and it will be the second link. Sign-up for an account and you can have it map to your exact address. I found that I am between 8-15 miles from every tower (95th & Antioch) which explains why my 10 year old, $20 RadioShack antenna has worked just fine.

If anyone can answer the Everest question it will be much appreciated.

(Sorry for the Google instructions but I can't post links yet.)

Eyedox

01-23-07, 02:12 PM

I know someone already asked this but anyone know anything about Everest via QAM? Also does anyone know if Everest has a CableCard exemption like Verizon FiOS does? I don't see anything on Everest's site on whether or not they provide cable cards. If anyone can answer the Everest question it will be much appreciated.
Everest does indeed have CableCards, however they charge $5/mo compared to TimeWarner's $1.75/mo for rental fee. This is a complete ripoff in my opinion. The FCC should have mandated a maximum $2/mo fee for the cablecards or a percentage of what an equal cablebox would be (say 25%). $5? Please!

LukeSkiewalker

01-23-07, 05:09 PM

Everest does indeed have CableCards, however they charge $5/mo compared to TimeWarner's $1.75/mo for rental fee. This is a complete ripoff in my opinion. The FCC should have mandated a maximum $2/mo fee for the cablecards or a percentage of what an equal cablebox would be (say 25%). $5? Please!

Thanks for the info. Yeah that is kind of a rip-off. Maybe they justify it by letting their users have one free SD cable box per house.

Anyone have any luck with using QAM on Everest without a CableCard, or am way off base and in order to use QAM you have to have a CableCard? The reason I ask is I have am thinking about buying a Sony DHG hdd250 to replace my Phillips DVR. The units are pretty much the same (same on screen guide, options, etc) but the Sony has an ATSC tuner and QAM on the cable input as well as a CableCard slot. I like my current DVR but I am tired of only being able to record in SD and I just don't want to pay for an HD box plus have to pay another fee to have a DVR.

guardian_owl

01-24-07, 01:26 AM

Howdy folks, just bought my first HDTV, a Samsung 26" LCD and I'm trying to comb through all the information, but it's a lot to process. I live in Lawrence, KS across the street from South Junior High on Louisiana Street and I've had off-and-on success picking up OTA channels with a Radioshack UNF/VHF Indoor Antenna (15-1852) I dusted off from my time in College.

I can pick up Fox WDAF-DT and CBS KCTV-DT with reliable frequency (available 95% of the time with occasional pixelation). KCWE-DT, KTKU-HD, and KCMO-DT I can pick up about 60% of the time. NBC KCHB-DT I can pick up about 30% of the time. I would like to try and keep antenna's indoor if possible, is there a particular one ya'll would recommend to more reliably connect to these channels? And is ABC KMBC-DT pretty much beyond my reach unless I spring for an outdoor antenna? Thanks.

hdtimmy

01-26-07, 12:57 AM

ScreamDream

01-26-07, 11:33 AM

What is channel 18.12? I live in Olathe (151st and Murlen) and am using a old amplified indoor Terk Antenna. I get all channels in great (have to tweak the antenna slightly for a couple channels to avoid the occasional breakup). Other than that works great but what is channel 18.12? I get it in at 78% signal strength with no picture.

dlnester

01-26-07, 11:50 AM

Well it sounds like a sub channel of KCPT-DT (RF 18) but .12? Maybe some kind of engineering thing?

LukeSkiewalker

01-26-07, 01:19 PM

Hello all, I'm asking these questions for a friend of mine.

1) He is being told that there are no available HD-DVRs in Kansas City and there won't be any for a couple of weeks. Is there any truth to this?

2) He is also being told that the HDMI connection on the HD-DVR boxes is no better than the component video connection. Is it true that HDMI on TWC's boxes is not that great?

Thanks guys!!

1) Time Warner has admitted their is a shortage nationwide. Whether this is affecting KC I am not sure. Engadget HD had an article on it today.

2)I can't speak for TWC boxes. But the answer to HDMI vs component overall is it depends. It depends on your equipment. I it depends on your home theater setup. I use HDMI when possible simply because my TV has an optical out that to goes to my receiver. It's an older receiver and only has one optical in, which makes having good sound a challenge. So even though a few of my connections are going to me tv with simple RCA, At least my DVDs play in 5.1 and My OTA channels come through in 5.1

hdtimmy

01-26-07, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the quick response. I will pass the info on.

DurhamHusker

01-26-07, 10:26 PM

HuskerT

01-28-07, 08:21 PM

squeak49

01-29-07, 10:05 AM

Does anyone have the D* HD DVR HR-20? If anyone does, I was wondering how do you get the fox sports midwest channel in HD? I just got mine today and am watching the UCLA/Stanford game. It says it is suppose to be in HD, but it isn't. I didn't know if it was suppose to be channel 647 or another channel to pick it up in HD. Channel 95 is NFL network so I know it is not that channel. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
I'm not a D* sub, but I try to keep my eye on things there. FSN HD is a regional thing (but sometimes carries national-type games), and I think it's hit-and-miss in terms of what they carry. Channel 95 is where they put HD events where they don't want to carry the whole channel -- NFL Network games, NHL on Versus, NHL Center Ice, NBA League Pass, MLB Extra Innings HD games, etc. I'd think anything that was carried on FSN HD would be on channel 95 or maybe 96. I'd look there in your guide. For the Midwest region, I think all that is in HD is Blues Hockey for now, but they're growing.

HuskerT

01-29-07, 12:20 PM

Thanks squeak
It never did show up in HD, but was a good game. I think because it is super bowl week, they are showing NFL network on channel 95. At least it was on there all day yesterday showing press conferences and past superbowl highlights. D* still only has fox,nbc,cbs and abc in HD through the satellite.

KSBugeater

01-29-07, 03:07 PM

HuskerT, don't forget to mention that D* has ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT as part of the HD pack. Nebraska basketball makes their first HD appearance (to my knowledge) tonight against the mighty Squawks.

Oh, wait, their Big 12 semi last year vs. KU was in HD BUT NO ONE IN THE XII REGION COULD VIEW IT IN HD B/C ESPNHD WAS BLACKED OUT!!!! (so the locals would get viewers of their ESPN+ broadcast... Sorry, still a little frustrated.)

On Saturday D* ch. 95 carried the Senior Bowl, which looked pretty good despite the rainy weather in Mobile. Ever since then, they've been running the Super Bowl history & hype from NFLN in HD.

HuskerT

01-30-07, 03:06 PM

I watched that senior bowl the former huskers did us proud. I didn't watch the game last night and am glad I missed it.
I can't tell a difference in OTA and directv locals with this recorder. I use HDMI connection

newski

01-30-07, 09:09 PM

Hello all, I'm asking these questions for a friend of mine.

1) He is being told that there are no available HD-DVRs in Kansas City and there won't be any for a couple of weeks. Is there any truth to this?

2) He is also being told that the HDMI connection on the HD-DVR boxes is no better than the component video connection. Is it true that HDMI on TWC's boxes is not that great?

Thanks guys!!

My brother in-law picked one up a week or so ago. He said that the couple of people in front of him in line were told they had none. He was told they in fact had a small number, but they were keeping them for people who already had the HD tier and upgrade to the DVR. (Or something like that.)

Point is, that it sounded like they had a small number and are rationing them out.

wburtis

01-31-07, 12:16 AM

Once again, I have Comcast basic and I bypass the cable box into the atsc tuner. For the past couple of weeks, I have been able to receive HD Locals w/no problems but tonight the signal strength is in the 45s vs the 70s.

What gives? Is signal strength affected by the weather? It is cold outside with potentially some frost. I guess I don't understand how the signal strength can be at 75 and now at 45 with absolutely no change in the system.

Also, anyone use a cable card with Comcast? I was thinking about having one installed. Is it shady of me to bypass the box to get HD? Can I really call up and complain about signal strength over the atsc tuner?

4MUKC

01-31-07, 01:50 AM

Weather/atmospheric conditions do effect reception. For me KCTV 5 is the most sensitive, if there is wind - any wind. I get break ups. My signal strength will jump between 0 & 70.

KC-Technerd

01-31-07, 03:24 AM

Weather/atmospheric conditions do effect reception. For me KCTV 5 is the most sensitive, if there is wind - any wind. I get break ups. My signal strength will jump between 0 & 70.

Sounds like you may have a bad connection. Wind shouldn't have any effect unless it's appreciably moving your antenna, or causing an open or a short in the antenna circuit.

wburtis

02-01-07, 01:18 AM

Strange the signal strength is back to 65. Go figure-it will probably go out for the superbowl.

I tried to call Comcast and the CSR wanted to charge me $5.00 to help me, I just wanted the signal strength checked. She wanted to sell me a HD box. I don't need one if the signal strength is good.

Oh well, maybe I should be so cheap and pony up the $5.00 but then if it doesn't work I paid $5.00 for something that doesn't work.

Jerky

02-01-07, 02:56 PM

- wburtis

If you can get the channel without a box, then it's ok for you to watch it. Period. I'm under the impression that the local HD channels are required to be treated the same as the local SD channels by the FCC or at the very least Comcast's contract with the local channels.

The $5, I don't believe, will get you any more channels than what you have now. All that will do is get you a box you don't need.

The way to get a tech out to take a look at things like this is to complain about the services that you have as far as the CSR is concerned. ie. Snowy Picture on analog channels (like 35, or 65) noticed after a cold snap. That is more apt to be a path of least resistance for you.

I can tell you that there isn't a single CSR at the local call center, or likely at any call center you talk to, that knows what you're talking about when it comes to HD channels. They do not train them on anything technical because as far as Comcast is concerned, call centers are a Sales Department. Ok, I'll jump off the soap box now.

:)