I am trying to access HD channels without the converter box that cox supplies. I'm using a 19 inch Samsung HD TV connected directly with the coaxial cable. I have found the following in HD:

83-2 NBC HD
83-3 CBS HD
84-5 FOX HD
111-100 KCET
114-3 ABC NEWS HD

I don't understand what these subchannels mean and why I get these in addition to the normal numbered channels. Also, are there any more HD channels I can pick up without the box?

As I understand it, Cable company's are required to broadcast local channels in HD even for analog-only subscribers. These local signals are broadcast using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), which I believe many TVs do not include a QAM tuner. So count yourself lucky you have a QAM tuner.

I guess the short answer is, these should be HD versions of analog channels found elsewhere on the dail. You probably won't find other QAM channels, but enjoy what you have.

Cool, thanks for the info!

And even more perspective, KSBY's digital signal from cuesta ridge runs at 1,000 kW with over 7,000 times more power than KEYT repeater.

Can someone explain the reasoning behind KEYT running such a low power antenna at all? I can only figure it adds to their total number of viewers for advertising revenue calculations?

matt

Back in March I spoke w/KEYT. No plans to upgrade their SB tower to improve signal. I don't recall getting an exact answer why, but there aren't plans to upgrade. I don't think the benefits outweigh the costs from a business perspective. I think originally they had problems with getting sufficient power, but it's a small amount of viewers not reached by their signal, so it's probably not worth the investment. (It reaches AG, but not quite to SLO.)

However, I understood that an upgrade of channel 57 to digital is very, very cheap. Channel 57 is intended to feed Paso Robles, but after speaking with KEYT they were happy to know I can receive channel 57 on the outskirts of SLO. Thus, they could hit the SLO market over the air with a digital upgrade to Channel 57.

I see an application on the FCC site for a digital translator construction permit on Channel 31 for KEYT (K57BC station), so perhaps it's going through soon. It makes sense for them to convert in February since most people should have the equipment for digital by then (or else they lose all of their non-relay stations.)

Good to hear PBS will broadcast digital. I hope that means we'll get the multicasting KCET stations.

I hope also that KEYT's digital upgrade will occur and allow for multicasting, since I can't get the SB feed (or at least I don't want to upgrade my equipment when I'm not quite sure that I can get it). I will wait to see what happens to Channel 57 in February before investing more time or equipment.

KCAL HD, MTV HD, SPIKE HD, VH-1 HD, and MLB HD coming to Cox as early as December 1 per my latest cable bill.

Cool! Thanks for the update :)

With the Feb. 2009 cutoff fast approaching, more information is becoming available as to what we (antenna users in SLO) can expect.


KCET/PBS (ch.16) - has applied for and been granted a "construction permit" for a digital repeater on Cuesta ridge. It appears the analog repeater will change to ch.15 and the new digital signal will be ch.16 (virtual 16.1). The new transmitter will have a broadcast power of 15 kW.
KEYT/ABC (ch.3/ch.57) - has applied for and been granted a "construction permit" for a digital repeater on Cuesta ridge. The new signal will be ch.31 (virtual 57.1) and broadcast with a strength of .14 kW. That is a very weak signal, the existing signal (which is hard to get with my line of sight antenna mounted on my roof only 8 miles away) is .8 kW. To put .14 kW into perspective, that's equivalent to a 100W and a 40W light bulb together.


In addition to these changes, I've read that both KEYT and KCOY will increase the digital broadcast signal of their main towers which will make reception easier.

The one I can't find info on is KKFX (Fox). I don't know what, if anything, is going to happen to their analog signal on Cuesta ridge.
Since the question was about what's happening to Fox Channel 24, did you know that KKFX (Fox) is being multicast with KCOY (It's channel 12-2)? Also, CW network is being multicast on NBC (Channel 6-2).

KCAL HD, MTV HD, SPIKE HD, VH-1 HD, and MLB HD coming to Cox as early as December 1 per my latest cable bill.

Great to see KCAL HD there. Hopefully they do it right, and transmit it unencrypted (clear QAM).

Since the LA and SB DMAs get their HD Locals from the same satellite, it should be a no brainer to deliver it here. Can someone with DirecTV HD Locals take a look?

Great to see KCAL HD there. Hopefully they do it right, and transmit it unencrypted (clear QAM).

It's nice to get Laker road games in HD now. Has anyone checked to see if it's coming in unencrypted? I tried the other day, but wasn't able to find it on my HTPC.

Since the LA and SB DMAs get their HD Locals from the same satellite, it should be a no brainer to deliver it here. Can someone with DirecTV HD Locals take a look?
I am not getting PBS in HD, and in fact have never had a local station PBS from D*. In this DMA D* users have the national feed

It's nice to get Laker road games in HD now. Has anyone checked to see if it's coming in unencrypted? I tried the other day, but wasn't able to find it on my HTPC.

Yeah, just tried it now and couldn't pull it in on my PC. I assume it is encrypted. I got the frequency off the cable box:
KCAL-DT is at 783 MHz (ch. 122 I believe), PIDs 108/109 for video/audio.

Cox, come on. KCET-HD is unencrypted here, KCAL-HD should be as well.

Since the question was about what's happening to Fox Channel 24, did you know that KKFX (Fox) is being multicast with KCOY (It's channel 12-2)? Also, CW network is being multicast on NBC (Channel 6-2).

I suggested to KCOY back in 2002 that they should multi-cast KKFX. I moved in 2004, so I never got the benefit of it.

With the switch to digital just over 2 weeks away, I was wondering what other people are expecting to occur on that day. From everything I've heard, the following will happen to TV signals on the central coast:

1. NBC's (6) analog transmitter on Cuesta ridge will be turned off. I also believe they will increase the signal strength of their digital signal.

2. CBS's (12) analog trasmitter east of Santa Maria will be turned off. I also believe they will increase the signal strength of their digital signal.

3. ABC's (3) analog trasmitter north of Santa Barbara will be turned off. I also believe they will increase the signal strength of their digital signal.

4. The ABC repeater on Cuesta ridge (57) will have to change as channels 52-69 are being deallocated for TV use. But how it is changing is less clear. I've heard about 1) moving the analog signal to another channel and B) replacing the analog signal with a low-power digital repeater. Or maybe we are getting both? The FCC database shows a "construction permit" for a low-power digital repeater, but will it be finished in time?

5. The PBS repeater on Cuesta ridge, I've heard they are going to replace the analog signal with a digital repeater (and indeed a "construction permit" has been filed with the FCC). But will it be completed by Feb. 17th? Since this is a repeater station and not in the eliminated area of the spectrum, they don't technically have to do anything with this channel.

Has anyone heard any other news regarding local channels?

With the switch to digital just over 2 weeks away, I was wondering what other people are expecting to occur on that day. From everything I've heard, the following will happen to TV signals on the central coast:

1. NBC's (6) analog transmitter on Cuesta ridge will be turned off. I also believe they will increase the signal strength of their digital signal.

2. CBS's (12) analog trasmitter east of Santa Maria will be turned off. I also believe they will increase the signal strength of their digital signal.

3. ABC's (3) analog trasmitter north of Santa Barbara will be turned off. I also believe they will increase the signal strength of their digital signal.

According to the FCC database, all three are full-power already and will see no increases.

- Trip

Just as an update, here's what I was able to tune in unencrypted with the digital tuner on my TV on COX Santa Barbara:

Tuned Channel,COX channel,Callsign,Description
103-2,2,QVC,Quality Value Convenience Network
103-3,3,KEYT,KEYT
103-4,4,USA,USA Network West
111-2,5,CW,CW Plus
104-7,6,KSBY,KSBY
111-9,9,KCAL,KCAL
111-10,10,KCET,KCET
104-11,11,KKFX,KKFX
104-12,12,KCOY,KCOY
104-13,13,MYRTN,KEYT DT2
103-15,15,KTAS,KTAS - Telemundo 33
103-17,17,CMAC,Cox Cable Ch.17 CMAC TV
104-18,18,Local,COX Community City TV Ch.18 Cox Communications
104-19,19,CITYGL,City of Goleta
104-20,20,CCH,County Channel
104-21,21,EDACC,Santa Barbara Channel Ch 21
104-22,22,CNN,Cable News Network
104-41,41,LIFE,Lifetime Television West
104-42,42,MSNBC,Microsoft NBC
70-43,43,TELEFU,Telefutura - Pacific Feed
107-44,44,AZTECA,Azteca America Network - West Feed
107-45,45,SPK,Spike TV West
107-46,46,TWC,The Weather Channel
107-47,47,CSPAN,Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network
107-48,48,CSPAN2,C-SPAN 2
107-49,49,truTV,truTV
109-96,96,TVGN,TV Guide Network
109-100,100,LO050B,Leased Access - Cox
121-110,110,TBN,TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK
86-111,111,EWTN,Eternal Word TV Network
83-411,220,BOOM,Boomerang
83-9,701,HDPPV,High Definition Pay-Per-View
114-3,703,KEYTH,KEYT HD ABC
83-2,706,KSBYHD,KSBY HDTV NBC
111-100,710,KCETHD,KCETHD PBS
84-5,711,KKFX,KKFX FOX
83-3,712,KCOY-HD,KCOY-HD CBS
115-13,901,MC,Music Choice: Sounds of the Season
115-36,902,MC,Music Choice: Today s Country
115-37,903,MC,Music Choice: Classic Country
115-17,904,MC,Music Choice: Bluegrass
115-23,905,MC,Music Choice: Hip-Hop and R&B
115-22,906,MC,Music Choice: Classic R&B
115-21,907,MC,Music Choice: R&B Soul
115-14,908,MC,Music Choice: R&B Hits
115-25,909,MC,Music Choice: Rap
115-26,910,MC,Music Choice: Metal
115-16,911,MC,Music Choice: Rock
115-30,912,MC,Music Choice: Arena Rock
115-29,913,MC,Music Choice: Classic Rock
115-27,914,MC,Music Choice: Adult Alternative
115-56,915,MC,Music Choice: Alternative
115-15,916,MC,Music Choice: Retro-Active
115-24,917,MC,Music Choice: Electronica
115-28,918,MC,Music Choice: Dance
115-31,919,MC,Music Choice: Lite Hits
115-32,920,MC,Music Choice: Adult Top 40
115-53,921,MC,Music Choice: Hit List
115-51,922,MC,Music Choice: Kidz Only!
115-33,923,MC,Music Choice: Party Favorites
115-34,924,MC,Music Choice: Showcase
115-35,925,MC,Music Choice: 90s
115-39,926,MC,Music Choice: 80s
115-38,927,MC,Music Choice: 70s
115-40,928,MC,Music Choice: Solid Gold Oldies
115-44,929,MC,Music Choice: Smooth Jazz
115-45,930,MC,Music Choice: Jazz
115-46,931,MC,Music Choice: Blues
115-20,932,MC,Music Choice: Reggae
115-43,933,MC,Music Choice: Soundscapes
115-41,934,MC,Music Choice: Easy Listening
115-55,935,MC,Music Choice: Big Band & Swing
115-42,936,MC,Music Choice: Singers & Standards
115-54,937,MC,Music Choice: Show Tunes
115-48,938,MC,Music Choice: Contemporary Christian
115-47,939,MC,Music Choice: Gospel
115-19,940,MC,Music Choice: Classical Masterpieces
115-18,941,MC,Music Choice: Light Classical
115-49,942,MC,Music Choice: Pop Latino
115-50,943,MC,Music Choice: Musica Urbana
115-57,944,MC,Music Choice: Salsa y Merengue
115-52,945,MC,Music Choice: Mexicana

Hope this helps,

Phil/TW

The White House wants your opinion on The DTV Delay ACT Bill
President Obama wants to hear what the public has to say, you can comment here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/dtv_delay_act/

Too late. The bill has already passed.


The White House wants your opinion on The DTV Delay ACT Bill
President Obama wants to hear what the public has to say, you can comment here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/dtv_delay_act/

Too late. The bill has already passed.

No it hasnt the pres still needs to sign it or veto it.

We've been Dish customers for a number of years and have HD DVR. Upset, thought, that Dish doesn't have local channels or PBS in HD. No word when or if that's going to come.

Tried to see DirecTV quality at Costco but most channels were blocked as higher than TV-PG. What little we saw in HD looked awful.

No great fan of Cox and would prefer not to go there.

Questions: 1.) is DirecTV any better than Dish in our area? 2.) If I invest time and money in putting up an antenna for HD/DTV, will KEYT and the others look any better than they do on Dish? 3.) I'm on a ridge above Goleta with a pretty clear view toward L.A. so will I be able to pick up HD signals from there? 4.) Am I wrong in avoiding Cox?

Thanks!

Here's what I know at this point:
Dish Network has HD locals scheduled to go online in March (next month). I would stick it out with them. DirecTV is more for the sports enthusiast in my opinion, and Dish is probably more for the anti-cable person, like me. As far as the OTA channels go, none of the transmitters have plans to increase their power levels in the near future. I'm in Arroyo Grande and can currently get KSBY @100%, KCOY/KKFX @75%, and cannot get KEYT because of terrain problems. A high gain antenna on a second story can get you KEYT in our area, but it's not guaranteed. DirecTV already has our locals in HD, so you could always go for that, but if you're already Dish, I'd wait.

I agree with giant25. I read that our locals are already uplinked to Dish's new sat at 129. They just have not gotten our spotbeam going yet.

Neither Dish nor DirectTV have PBS (KCET) HD, so you might want to try an antenna for that.

Feb. 17th has come and gone. Even though local stations didn't have to switch on Feb. 17th, the local major stations all announced they would switch. Here's what I've noticed so far today:

1) Analog NBC (6) is gone.
2) Analog CBS (12) has been replaced by a repeating message telling people to buy a converter box.
3) Analog ABC repeater (57) is just gone.

#1 and #2 are as expected, but #3 is wrong. According to KEYT's webpage the SLO analog repeater should not have been affected. According to the FCC DB K57BC will be moving to a digital transmitter at channel 31. But as of now I can't find ABC anyhwere (I ran a full digital/analog rescan). Does anyone else have ABC in SLO? I hope it's back in time for Lost tonight!

Freezer,
I spoke with KEYT regarding their plans for the switchover. They don't have any plans to upgrade their SLO repeater anytime soon, even though there is a permit listed. At this point, you're out of luck for getting KEYT over the air unless you can get it from Santa Barbara (I know someone who gets KEYT from SB with a 6 ft long Radio Shack special on the second story in Arroyo Grande, but I can't get it in AG). You might try calling KEYT and asking again, and maybe enough calls will get them going, but it sounded like they didn't want to pump any money into it. I was told that 95% of the Central Coast population is already covered by cable or satellite and would not be affected by the transition. Not sure if it's that high....

Freezer,
I spoke with KEYT regarding their plans for the switchover. They don't have any plans to upgrade their SLO repeater anytime soon, even though there is a permit listed.

Actually, they have to do something. The FCC has mandated that channels 52-69 are to be evacuated. That was to occur on Feb. 17th, but deadline got pushed back to June 12th as well. So the question remains, are they just going to move the analog repeater to a different channel number, or at the same time are they going to switch the signal from analog to digital? I think those of us in SLO county need to call/email and request the latter.

Low powered stations (like the 57 translator) on 52-59 can remain on the air until the new spectrum owner tells them to get off.

- Trip

Freezer, they don't have to do anything other than shut down the repeater eventually. What I was getting at is that they don't have any plans to upgrade their SLO repeater to digital. It's not like they can flick a switch and ouput a digital signal on it, there are hardware changes and $$ involved that they don't need to spend. Most coverage maps will show the entire SLO area being covered by the Santa Barbara signal, even though we know that's not realistic without a serious antenna setup. I'm just telling you what I heard out of KEYT's mouth, so please call them at 805-882-3933 if you'd like to get an update or make a case for upgrading the repeater. Good luck and let us know if you get any info.

I'm on antenna now in San Luis Obispo, but am considering Charter's $9.99 basic cable offer. I of course am going to want to tune in clear QAM but am not sure if the "basic cable" filter (only channels 2-26 are included) will filter out the clear QAM frequencies or not.

I figure getting this question answered over the phone might be near impossible so I wondered if anyone on the forum has any experience receiving clear QAM with just the basic 2-26 package in SLO. Anyone? It'd be nice to have HD-FOX and HD-PBS, along with analog KCAL for $10/month.

The clear QAM channels are all above 74. Here is my list:

ABC 78.13
CBS 103.1
FOX 103.5
NBC 104.5
PBS 104.1
TBS 75.1

That said, they may use a notch filter to cut out 27-74. Why not try it and see? I don't think there is a long term commitment.

Ya, I think I'm just going to go for it and see what happens. $30 for install, but no contract. The sales guy just didn't have a clue about QAM. It's amazing how little sales people know about what they're selling.

The clear QAM channels are all above 74. Here is my list:

ABC 78.13
CBS 103.1
FOX 103.5
NBC 104.5
PBS 104.1
TBS 75.1

That said, they may use a notch filter to cut out 27-74. Why not try it and see? I don't think there is a long term commitment.

Its not just the sales guys. I asked a cable co installer what channels were availabe in clear QAM. He had no idea what QAM meant. When I clarified it to "unencrypted digital" he still did not know. All he "knew" was "you need a box for HD".

I just noticed that the 5 broadcast HD networks are listed in the Basic group on my Charter Line-Up card. So it looks like it is a notch filter probably including channel 75 to knock out TBS HD.

Did KPMR/38 & KTAS/33 end analog operations as well?

I for one am getting fed up with KEYT and their low-power signals. It's been almost 3 weeks now since they made the switch to digital and K57BC (the SLO repeater) is still off the air. I contacted the lead engineer at KEYT about this matter and here's his response:

"With the shutdown of our analog channel 3 we've had to pick up our digital channel broadcast all the way from Santa Barbara. This is the feed we need for rebroadcast on channel 57. It is proving to be more difficult than we expected. We'll get it going again. Just give us a few days."

That email was almost 2 weeks ago. This is not very comforting, KEYT from on top of a high mountain cannot even pick up their SB digital signal, so the changes of anyone in SLO picking up that signal are low. But currently we are without ABC altogether.

I've been without ABC for 3 weeks now, initially I was angry about missing Lost. Fortunately you can watch HD episodes over the Internet. So my anger is quickly turning to disgust. If KEYT doesn't get their act together soon, I'll stop watching their signal even if they do start broadcasting again. I hope they realize they are losing viewers and ad revenue.

I think I'm going to write a letter to KEYTs management and complain about this.

Man, maybe they need to move their tower to my house. I've been picking up KEYT-DT pretty darn fine this whole time. I don't watch ABC much, but know I watched the oscars in high def without a hitch.

wormzer, I think you and a few others are the exceptions! I recall you having a large antenna (91XG?) and a preamp while in a prime location as well. Give KEYT and offer your signal up for a while and see what they'll pay you!
Freezer, if I can be of any help or yell at the same people you did, please let me know. Maybe the more folks they hear it from, the better. I'll hopefully be getting HD locals from Dish Network within the next week or so, so it'll probably slow me down...

Does anyone else have a problem with 712 KCOY on cox. When watching live sports I get lots of Macroblocking.

Thanks

As someone stated that KEYT said, maybe they really are having problems feeding the digital signal. I imagine that they had to shut-off 57 to make equipment changes. I can't imagine that they'd just shut-off 57. I check channel 31 every once in awhile to see if it's been started-up in lieu of 57.

I haven't watched ABC in ages. With their fuzzy signal on 57 and irritation over trying to get the SB signal, I have gotten used to not watching them.

I watch a lot of shows on Hulu and Netflix. (I use my TV as a monitor, so it's like watching a DVD.) I'm very happy with this set-up. I watch the Daily Show, Damages (FX network), and other shows without paying for cable. What a great deal this is.

But, I have to admit that it is nice flipping through channels sometimes, so I hope ABC gets it running and that PBS goes digital too.

Ya, I think I'm just going to go for it and see what happens. $30 for install, but no contract. The sales guy just didn't have a clue about QAM. It's amazing how little sales people know about what they're selling.
@ Wormzer
any final word on what you are able to tune with the HD Homerun on Charter in SLO with Basic?
I'm considering this solution.
thanks!

@ Wormzer
any final word on what you are able to tune with the HD Homerun on Charter in SLO with Basic?
I'm considering this solution.
thanks!

haha. I actually tried to sign up, and after a 20 minute sign up process, charter customer service HUNG UP ON ME. I got routed to another CS and they wanted to take my order and I didn't feel like going through the whole thing again so I GAVE UP.

So I figure I dodged a bullet. Still proudly a non-charter customer! I signed up for mlb.com for $110 for the year and am super happy with my antenna + DSL setup.

is anyone actually receiving the K57BC digital repeater for KEYT in SLO? It's fairly low power, but I've got a good view of the ridgeline and I can't get it and can't find out whether anyone else is receiving it either. Thanks!

So, can anyone summarize what is available in the Pismo Beach area using an OTA antenna ?
I've read about the ABC situation in this thread (why would they even bother constructing a .14kw transmitter - does it just fulfill an obligation?).
What about the Channel 16 digital feed of KCET-PBS ? Is that working ? Is it HD ?
Thanks for any info.

So, can anyone summarize what is available in the Pismo Beach area using an OTA antenna ?
<snip>
What about the Channel 16 digital feed of KCET-PBS ? Is that working ? Is it HD ?
Thanks for any info.
I live in nearby Oceano
I did a rescan to confirm with rabbit ears I get 12.1, 12.2, 6.1, 6.2 & 33.1
I do get a PBS signal on 16 but it is analog, so if KCET is doing digital in this area, I can't get it.
Mike

I'm in Arroyo Grande which ota antenna are you guys using to pick these up any news on ABC?
thanks

I live in nearby Oceano
I did a rescan to confirm with rabbit ears I get 12.1, 12.2, 6.1, 6.2 & 33.1
I do get a PBS signal on 16 but it is analog, so if KCET is doing digital in this area, I can't get it.
Mike

So, I have that as:

12.1 - CBS in HD
12.2 - FOX in ? (KKFX)
6.1 - NBC in HD
6.2 - The CW in ?
33.1 - KTAS-DT Telemundo in ?

The FCC database has the PBS digital translator status as "Construction Permit" and there is a map:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1234266.html

although antennaweb.org lists it as a digital channel at 16.1 that is the same strength as 12.1

Had a question for Santa Barbara locals. I'm trying to determine whether it is Cox or KSBY which has the issue. On most of the HD programming from NBC on KSBY, there is often a few seconds where the image goes "fuzzy" for a bit. It's not static and it happens once the image switches between two very different images which made me think it was just Cox overcompressing the stream. Yet, I haven't seen it on any other channel other than KSBY 6.

Any input?

I'm not a local anymore, but I spent some time in SLO and I try to keep up with things on the Central Coast, so close enough, right? What you're seeing is a common sign of an incorrectly configured encoder at the station. My canned answer for this:
Blurring on high-motion shots is almost certainly due to your local affiliate using an improperly-configured Harris Flexicoder. The station's engineer needs to go into the config for the encoder and set the prefilter (aka "prefilt") to 1 or disabled. Having it set to 0 or adaptive causes the encoder to blur when high motion is shown, such as a fast pan across a detailed screen, or a logo flying across the screen after a replay or whatever. This issue (and the fix) is known by all the networks, and the station engineer should be able to contact the network's engineering department to confirm this.

KSBYs chief engineer is bingram@ksby.com

Has anyone in SB had any success receiving the CW OTA or otherwise?

I'm a DirecTV subscriber and apparently they won't carry the CW and they claim the locals won't let a waiver thru so I can get the LA feed.

Obviously this is a serious issue for a married man whose wife expects to watch Top Model... do I have any options?

KSBYs chief engineer is bingram@ksby.com



Should I bug this guy? KSBY multiplexes CW into their digital channel, right?

Has anyone in SB had any success receiving the CW OTA or otherwise?

I'm a DirecTV subscriber and apparently they won't carry the CW and they claim the locals won't let a waiver thru so I can get the LA feed.

First, don't bug the engineer about this issue, he has no say, it is a policy issue.

Second, the CW is part of the strongest KSBY digital feed, which is the strongest digital feed in the San Luis Obispo area, so a good indoor or even rabbit ears antenna should pick it up, barring some chance obstruction, but if you are actually in Santa Barbara, you would need a good outdoor antenna.

Third, you did not say where you are located, and we need to know that in order to give specific advice.

Fourth, any DirecTV packages without a CW channel in the locals, should have Channel 385, XETV in San Diego, the "CW West Feed" authorized in their receiver. Do you have that channel available in your Guide ?

I don't think Bill would take it as bugging if you ask a question. He might be interested to know how Cox is handling his signal. I have not noticed the phenomenon you describe via Charter Cable.

Multiplexing is only need for the OTA broadcast (NBC/CW). I think the cable providers get a raw feed (not OTA).

I don't think Bill would take it as bugging if you ask a question. He might be interested to know how Cox is handling his signal. I have not noticed the phenomenon you describe via Charter Cable.

Multiplexing is only need for the OTA broadcast (NBC/CW). I think the cable providers get a raw feed (not OTA).

There are two different questions and "0db"s question cannot be answered by the engineer. The engineer would be the ideal person for "Ink Noise"s question and "CoyoteAZ"s specific reply.

There are two different questions and "0db"s question cannot be answered by the engineer. The engineer would be the ideal person for "Ink Noise"s question and "CoyoteAZ"s specific reply.

Right, A_Dude. Thanks for clarifying.

There are two different questions and "0db"s question cannot be answered by the engineer. The engineer would be the ideal person for "Ink Noise"s question and "CoyoteAZ"s specific reply.

Yeah, now that I look back on the thread I see that the engineer is clearly not someone I need to be harassing. :)

Yeah, now that I look back on the thread I see that the engineer is clearly not someone I need to be harassing. :)

So, do you have Channel 385 available in your DirecTV onscreen Guide ?

So, do you have Channel 385 available in your DirecTV onscreen Guide ?

Oh yes of course, it is just "not purchased" and DirecTV won't let us add it. They said they could submit a waiver request but it won't be approved. I think this is Cox's way of keeping a stranglehold on young female viewers.

:confused:

Silly wife, I warned her that she shouldn't tell DTV that we moved from Ventura - particularly since we still have a mailing address there. But she wanted the SB local channels. Oops.

Oh yes of course, it is just "not purchased" and DirecTV won't let us add it. They said they could submit a waiver request but it won't be approved. I think this is Cox's way of keeping a stranglehold on young female viewers.

:confused:

Silly wife, I warned her that she shouldn't tell DTV that we moved from Ventura - particularly since we still have a mailing address there. But she wanted the SB local channels. Oops.

That is odd that DirecTV will not give you the national CW (385), when Dish Network gives the national CW in Santa Barbara.

Perhaps call DirecTV and say that if you switch to Dish Network, you would automatically get the channel, so why won't they add it for you ?

It sounds like a bureaucratic mistake...

is anyone actually receiving the K57BC digital repeater for KEYT in SLO? It's fairly low power, but I've got a good view of the ridgeline and I can't get it and can't find out whether anyone else is receiving it either. Thanks!

I live in SLO with line-of-sight to the antennas on Cuesta ridge. I have a CM 4-bay antenna pointed right at it. I am not able to pick up a digital signal for K57BC. The FCC DB lists only a construction permit, so I'm guessing it's not online yet. If it is broadcasting, I can't receive it.

I live in SLO with line-of-sight to the antennas on Cuesta ridge. I have a CM 4-bay antenna pointed right at it. I am not able to pick up a digital signal for K57BC. The FCC DB lists only a construction permit, so I'm guessing it's not online yet. If it is broadcasting, I can't receive it.

So, can you list which channels you do get ?

Thanks !

So, can you list which channels you do get ?

Thanks !

I get NBC CBS FOX CW and telemundo but no ABC in Arroyo Grande

TV Fool has a great new tool where you put in your address and it produces an interactive Google Map and a list of all the stations with radio buttons. When you click a radio button of a station, it gives you a coverage area map for that station, with your location also marked on the map.

I did this for Ch 27 (virtual 3.1) ABC and it was very interesting. It seems that every bit of elevation of your house helps the reception. All the upper middle class hillside homes in Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande have a better signal, while the working class homes down in the flats need a high antenna or an amplifier. Being up on the plateau helps, all of the Nipomo area has a good signal, but being in the lee of the plateau, like eastern Oceano is worse. The flats of Santa Maria is also not good, being in the lee of their surrounding hills and also in the lee of their local broadcasting antennas (interference).

Anyway, the TV fool interactive tool is at:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90

As far as PBS goes, it seems clear that they are going to use the same frequency and antenna location to broadcast digitally on channel 16 that they are now using to broadcast analog, so they must simply not be ready to convert over.

I read the above discussion on PBS on Channel 16, and decided to contact them directly and ask, and I was able to get very clear information.

The short form is that we should have PBS on KCET in HD by spring, and several other SD PBS channels as well. Read on:


We have just been awarded a federal grant to secure the needed funds to upgrade all of our local translators to digital. We have already begun ordering the necessary components and other than the potential for the winter rainy season slowing things
down, our goal is to change K16FC to K16FC-D by spring. We have also done a secondary engineering study for your area based on the recent events of reduced signal quality due to KSBY moving from channel 6 where they used to broadcast analog to channel
15 when they switched to digital operations in February.

With the change to digital operation, the overloading induced by KSBY's digital signal in the analog TV receiver causing snowy pictures or loss of signal altogether for some viewers should be a thing of the past.

We will be launching a media and member campaign in your area in advance of the switch over in order to get as many people ready as possible.

Thank you for your interest in KCET's plans for digital operations in your area and of course for being a dedicated KCET viewer.

Jeremy Howard
RF and Transmission Supervisor
KCET-TV

I then asked whether the channel would be in HD, and this was the reply:

Actually, when we go digital, we will have 4 different KCET multicast channels on the air. KCET will be better than ever, and I'm not just talking about digital quality.

Our primary KCET channel will be 16.1 for your area and it is the same program schedule as the analog or SD 4:3 aspect ratio that we currently broadcast but in HD and 16:9. We will also be airing our Orange channel which offers art, cooking, travel, and
other more adult oriented programming. PBS V-Me is a PBS Spanish language channel and offers both adult and children's programming. Last, but not least is PBS World, which offers news and public affairs programming. No more waiting for 5pm for the
kids programming to end to get your news and financial information. These services will be offered in SD or standard definition which means 4:3 aspect ratio.

I don't mind if you post this as it really helps to get the word out.

I read the above discussion on PBS on Channel 16, and decided to contact them directly and ask, and I was able to get very clear information.

The short form is that we should have PBS on KCET in HD by spring, and several other SD PBS channels as well. Read on:



I then asked whether the channel would be in HD, and this was the reply:

A_Dude, does Jeremy Howard Know by any chance, If Bakersfield viewers will receive KCET 28 HD. KCET anolog station UHF channel 46 is broadcasting from the Bank OF America building off of Truxtun Avenue, in Bakersfield, Cal.
Thanks:)

I was watching Flash Forward on my Samsung TV directly connected to the cable, and I noticed on my AV receiver that the audio was 2.0 rather than 5.1. This was on KEYT ch# 114-3, I know CBS HD and Fox HD come in at 5.1, is this just an issue with this show, (I'm pretty sure this show is supposed to be 5.1), or is this a KEYT thing. I haven't been able to see if any other shows are coming in at 2.0 on this channel yet, though I watched it yesterday and didn't notice anything, but I also don't specifically remember looking at what the shows were outputting their audio at, so I might just not of noticed it.

Shorties
Long story short, I think it is a KEYT thing. I get KEYT another way yet have only 2.0 audio from them also.

A_Dude, does Jeremy Howard Know by any chance, If Bakersfield viewers will receive KCET 28 HD. KCET anolog station UHF channel 46 is broadcasting from the Bank OF America building off of Truxtun Avenue, in Bakersfield, Cal.
Thanks:)

He replied:

Same basic plans for Bakersfield as well as all of our existing translators. I am coordinating all of them right now. The only difference is that the Bakersfield signal isn't being pounded to death by an adjacent high power digital station like you folks [he is referring to San Luis Obispo]. The one factor that affects Bakersfield is that the receive site we use on Frazier Mtn. to microwave our LA signal to the channel 46 transmitter is over 8000' so if winter arrives too early, we may have to wait until spring in order to complete that part of the project.

Until I get solid delivery dates for the various parts for all of the translator upgrades, I can't give any estimates of when each site will be switched to digital.

Jeremy

It turns out that Engineers rarely get emails and are happy to answer them, but the commercial aspect of the business of the channels other than PBS, makes them reluctant to post anything publicly or allow anything to be posted. (This is somewhat illogical, because when I emailed them, I was just some anonymous viewer, so how is it different to tell one anonymous viewer from all anonymous viewers ?)

So, I have to paraphrase, and just the give the overall situations:

- FOX in SLO is owned by the people who own CBS in SLO. Right now, CBS is in HD on the digital transmitter and Fox is in SD. This is because CBS allows them to run a slightly lower bandwidth HD signal, while FOX national office will not. They hope to get a permit to build a separate digital transmitter for FOX, but since they do not even have the permit yet, we are talking a couple of years before it would be operational.

- ABC does have a permit to convert its existing K57BC transmitter to digital, which would then provide coverage for SLO. In this case, it is simply whether funds will be budgeted to do the job.

- As mentioned before, KCET-PBS was able to get a federal grant to convert its analog repeaters to digital, and so this will happen in 2010 (with luck in the first half of 2010).

However, the commercial stations all state that 95% of their customers get local stations from cable or satellite, and that they have very little motivation to do anything about OTA service.

I get the impression that if it were impossible to convert an analog transmitter to digital, then all local stations today would only be on cable or satellite.

SUMMARY:

- PBS to convert SLO in 2010, with luck first half of 2010.
- ABC hopes to have funds to convert SLO in 2010.
- FOX "plans" to build a digital transmitter in SLO, more likely in 2011.

Please do not send angry emails about any of these situations. In this economy, money is tight for everyone, and local stations are struggling to pay the bills amidst increasing competition. So, at least be polite.

Another viewer in Bakersfield curious about the KCET translator situation. "Please do not send angry e-mails"? That must be why KCET never responded to mine! In Bakersfield KVPT PBS from Fresno has a digital translator on RF and virtual channel 18. They started broadcasting that signal in April 2008 and they shut off analog channel 34 in February 2009. In my e-mail to KCET I said that I will not watch snowy letterboxed and sometimes pillarbox in letterbox KCET in analog when I can get KVPT in digital snow free HD that I can choose how to display on SD sets. I guess they don't respond to e-mails that are only gripes!

Another viewer in Bakersfield curious about the KCET translator situation. "Please do not send angry e-mails"? That must be why KCET never responded to mine! In Bakersfield KVPT PBS from Fresno has a digital translator on RF and virtual channel 18. They started broadcasting that signal in April 2008 and they shut off analog channel 34 in February 2009. In my e-mail to KCET I said that I will not watch snowy letterboxed and sometimes pillarbox in letterbox KCET in analog when I can get KVPT in digital snow free HD that I can choose how to display on SD sets. I guess they don't respond to e-mails that are only gripes!

They already answered !!

Read my post above that has the word "Bakersfield", post # 816.

I sent KCET thta e-mail in early September and they never responded to me.

I sent KCET thta e-mail in early September and they never responded to me.

Perhaps it ended up in their SPAM folder by accident.

Anyway, the Bakersfield information is in the post. Summary of the status is that they are waiting for the transmitter parts company to give them a firm delivery date.

Shorties
Long story short, I think it is a KEYT thing. I get KEYT another way yet have only 2.0 audio from them also.

Ugh, I wonder if they have any plans to upgrade that before Lost premieres next year.

Is anyone in the Santa Barbara area seeing KBAB-LP 50 on the air digitally? If so, what is it airing?

- Trip

Ugh, I wonder if they have any plans to upgrade that before Lost premieres next year.

Unlikely.

It turns out that ABC used to provide affiliates with a single 5.1 stream that they could simply patch directly to the transmitter. Six months ago, they changed to providing ten separate channels (the six channels of 5.1 plus a stereo downmix and a Spanish language stereo downmix), and evidently due to the recession, KEYT apparently does not have the extra funds to acquire and install the necessary professional level equipment to encode the 5.1 feed themselves, so they provide the stereo downmix instead.

PS Where I lived before, the ABC affiliate only provided mono audio until the digital transition required them to make changes.

They are running the same digital stream as KJLA-DT 49 from Mt. Wilson.

Another station in Santa Barbara has filed a license app. KVMM-LD 41. I am betting the station is airing MTV tr3s, but I could be wrong. Can I get a confirmation as to whether it's on the air, and if so, how it's mapping and what it's airing?

- Trip

Another station in Santa Barbara has filed a license app. KVMM-LD 41. I am betting the station is airing MTV tr3s, but I could be wrong. Can I get a confirmation as to whether it's on the air, and if so, how it's mapping and what it's airing?

I'm not in front of my TV right now (I'll check later), but there is a channel in the area that airs MTV tr3s (I just can't remember the channel number).

Out of curiosity, why does someone in Virginia care about Santa Barbara ??

Because I run www.rabbitears.info which lists stations nationwide. :)

- Trip

Unlikely.

It turns out that ABC used to provide affiliates with a single 5.1 stream that they could simply patch directly to the transmitter. Six months ago, they changed to providing ten separate channels (the six channels of 5.1 plus a stereo downmix and a Spanish language stereo downmix), and evidently due to the recession, KEYT apparently does not have the extra funds to acquire and install the necessary professional level equipment to encode the 5.1 feed themselves, so they provide the stereo downmix instead.

PS Where I lived before, the ABC affiliate only provided mono audio until the digital transition required them to make changes.

Ouch (To the mono thing), well, thats good to know. Another thing I noticed just recently is that KEYT doesn't look HD, it says its an HD stream, but it feels and looks like a 720p stream that has been downgraded to 480p. Especially compared to Fox or CBS HD networks, it just seems low quality. Is KEYT ABC HD actually HD? Do they just produce a lower quality broadcast compared to the rest of the networks? Or am I just mistaken.