There is no way for the broadcaster to send the 4:3 content sans pillarboxes and somehow tell the TV, "hey, this is 4:3" and then the TV will treat it the same as the other 4:3 DTV channels?

That's it. You understand precisely. There are 18 ATSC modes, but you can't switch a TV station back and forth between modes dynamically with program content.

That's it. You understand precisely. There are 18 ATSC modes, but you can't switch a TV station back and forth between modes dynamically with program content.

Ah, got it. That explains why 3-1 works the way it does with 4:3.

So before, KOLR-DT was stretching 4:3 to fit a 16:9 screen, making everything squashed? If that's the case, I'm glad it was changed! I definitely prefer pillarboxed over an incorrect aspect ratio.

so, what are the QAM channels I should be looking for? My Panny TV did a scan, but I cannot preview the cahnnels, and it picked up a TON of channels digitally. KY and KSPR have disappeared, and I cannot locatre them

Things seem to come and go on my Samsung SIR-T451. KSFX is on 62-1 and KOLR on 62-2. KYTV on 16-1, KY WX on 16-2 and KSPR on 16-3. Strangely 18-3 has noisy video of KYTV with no sound.

I suspect they are going to re-arrange the channels a bit. The pay per view stuff on channel 75 and up is clear, but all the local broadcasters get pixellated on a regular basis.

Less than 10 more days and OTA will be here.

I still can't figure out why Mediacom doesn't have KOZK. I've talked to tech people at both KOZK and Mediacom and they are not the problem. It's the management folks who can't come to an agreement and just say "Do it".

...I noticed that SD channels 3-2, 3-3, 21-1 and 21-3 are 4:3 and my TV knows it, it automatically pillarboxes those channels as per my requested setting.That's because those are standard definition channels and you have your TV set to pillarbox SD (non-720p/1080i) channels.

There is no way for the broadcaster to send the 4:3 content sans pillarboxes and somehow tell the TV, "hey, this is 4:3" and then the TV will treat it the same as the other 4:3 DTV channels?Not on 720p/1080i channels, because 16:9 is the standard format for those channels, regardless of the program being sent. Some HDTVs allow zooming of all channels, SD or HD, regardless of the aspect ratio of the channel being watched.

I recently read that "4:3 flagging" for 16:9 channels was submitted to the ATSC for addition to the standard, but not sure if it ever got added. And even if it did, current TVs and external tuners could not recognize (or do anything with) the flag, because it wasn't part of the original ATSC standard.

I guess I shouldn't complain, because hopefully by the end of all of mediacom's changes, it is possible that we will have 4 major networks in HD. But they have managed to screw my QAM recording up, in the mean time.

Before they made changes to add cbs and fox (which I still can not tune) I was able to reliably tune, schedule and record shows on NBC and ABC. Now NBC is MIA (it appears to be tuning in on 18 as virtual channel 1-01, with a channel name of ATSC, but with no sound and a picture that looks like crap. ABC seems to be the only channel on 16, as virtual channel 33, with a channel name of KSPR-DT.

I used to get NBC on 16-2, ABC on 16-1 all the time. And they looked and sounded great. I have changed nothing in my setup, and I hope they soon sort theirs out. Especially before my favorite shows come off of their "christmas break."

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

There is a very good technical reason that KOLRDT/KSFXDT have to be moved off Channel 62. Mediacom has to offer those in a tier available to ALL subscribers (which means if you have cable in Springfield, everyone is required to get 2 through 22).

If a subscriber doesn't opt to have full cable, they would not receive the signals of the broadcasters, and that's a no-no by FCC regulation.

Everyone here opened my eyes, I now do see that all our local digital channels that is in 480i is sent in 4:3. My sat receiver was stretching the CW network because that is where I had it set for my sat channels. My tv tuner was set for full so it fills the screen on all 480i material.

Just a simple poll on how you have your receivers set up.

Do you leave your receiver to Native and let it pass the 10801, 720p, 480i/p onto your television and let it take over?

or

Do you set your receiver to the native scan of your TV?

Just a simple poll on how you have your receivers set up.

Do you leave your receiver to Native and let it pass the 10801, 720p, 480i/p onto your television and let it take over?

or

Do you set your receiver to the native scan of your TV?

My receiver, a Samsung SIR-T451, is set to output 1080i component to my 30" Toshiba CRT HDTV.

Just a quick question. Why are the football games not being broadcast in 16:9 HD? Is it the signal from the network or something Mediacom is doing? Just curious.

Just a simple poll on how you have your receivers set up.

Do you leave your receiver to Native and let it pass the 10801, 720p, 480i/p onto your television and let it take over?

or

Do you set your receiver to the native scan of your TV?
1080i because my tuner and TV combo look best on that setting. YMMV

There is no clear cut rule for this because every TV & tuner interact differently. Use your eyes and choose the format that looks the best. If you can't tell any difference, set the tuner to output everything as close as possible to your monitor's native resolution; either 720p or 1080i. This will usually result in smoother, quicker channel changes.

Just a quick question. Why are the football games not being broadcast in 16:9 HD? Is it the signal from the network or something Mediacom is doing? Just curious.

As I recall, FOX does all of its games in HD, whereas CBS doesn't. CBS does I think its 2-3 games a week in HD, the rest are SD.

Less than 10 more days and OTA will be here.



This still the timeline? Earlier posts has sometime this week.

Can we start a countdown?

thanks

thx

I think they are going to save on the electric bill as long as possible. I would say the 1st we will see full power on 10 and 27. I would like to see it sooner, (say 4 years ago), but I guess I will wait.Maybe it will be good when we get it.

This still the timeline? Earlier posts has sometime this week.

Can we start a countdown?

thanks

thx
If I remember right, the last thing to happen is an inspection by an equipment representative. If HD is gonna happen this week(end), then the inspection must take place this week.
So, when does the inspector's plane land?

Let us hope he isnt coming out of Denver.

If I remember right, the last thing to happen is an inspection by an equipment representative. If HD is gonna happen this week(end), then the inspection must take place this week.
So, when does the inspector's plane land?

Actually I found out the transmitter manufacturer's rep has already spent several weeks here. He went home for Christmas.

I don't know when he returns. I'm on vaction this week, but believe that when I return to work on New Year's day, we will have two full power HDTV stations on the air.

rhoops, that sounds encouraging.

Thanks for putting up with all us jaded HDTV owners in the Springfield DMA. Many have been waiting for decent OTA HD in this market since DTV began in 1998, and good OTA HD is still not available here on any channel. The closest thing to it is multicast-o-rama on KYTV-DT.

I still cannot find KY-3 on my QAM tuner. Am I stupid, or just blind? I have the other 3 going, but cannot find KY-3. I'm dying here, men. I have to have it!! (Just a little overreaction there, you understand....)

Not sure what tuner you're using, but try this:
Unplug the tuner (or TV, if it's a built in tuner) for a few minutes.
Reconnect to power and rescan for QAM cable channels.
Since the channel numbers may vary from tuner to tuner, you may have to just search for KYTV-DT.

If you still can't find it, it's possible your cableco may have temp. removed KYTV-DT from the digital cable lineup or moved it to a frequency your tuner can't find. If so, get an antenna (which seems more reliable than cable around here, anyway).

One good thing about this long,long wait is maybe they are installing the latest and greatest equipment.

When you do get this up and going rhoops,you should announce this on the news and run ads to let everyone know to rescan. Lots of people with new tv's may not know you have to rescan for the new channels.People might go for months or years and not know what they are missing.

Well, they'd have to install the latest and greatest. The stuff KY installed several years ago I doubt is still being made anymore!

New to forum - Live in Stoutland - Have been rubber necking for about a week - Great info guys!! Just did a scan for new HD channels and got 23-1-2&3 dupes of 21-1-2&3. Wonder what gives. Does any one know? plr

plrtch,
Welcome to the forum!

The KOZK may be "mapping" to both the (virtual) familiar analog channel 21 and the (actual) digital channel 23.

One good thing about this long,long wait is maybe they are installing the latest and greatest equipment.

When you do get this up and going rhoops,you should announce this on the news and run ads to let everyone know to rescan. Lots of people with new tv's may not know you have to rescan for the new channels.People might go for months or years and not know what they are missing.

There will be a sizeable promotion package after we get up and running. Point well taken on the re-scan issue. I suspect lots of folks have very limited knowledge of OTA HDTV. After all, the stores keep telling them that they need satellite or cable to get any programming in HD.

I had a satellite dish installer tell me that OTA would do me no good with my DirecTV HD-DVRs because I'd need the dish. I hooked up my antenna and at least showed him mulitcastorama on 3 and 21. He seemed astonished I was watching PBS in quasi HD.

Keep in mind Directv is just now activating the OTA tuner on their MPEG4 HD-DVR. So up until now, he is pretty much correct unless you had the DTV HD-Tivo

sneaky snooper,
Do you have the HR20 DVR?

If so, jliehr is correct. The OTA tuner has only just recently been activated, and the installer may have not been aware that it was working yet.

Things seem to come and go on my Samsung SIR-T451. KSFX is on 62-1 and KOLR on 62-2. KYTV on 16-1, KY WX on 16-2 and KSPR on 16-3. Strangely 18-3 has noisy video of KYTV with no sound.

I suspect they are going to re-arrange the channels a bit. The pay per view stuff on channel 75 and up is clear, but all the local broadcasters get pixellated on a regular basis.


First post- I've been lurking here for awhile, but finally wanted some further clarification.

I just bought an Olevia 232v 32" LCD. I'm guessing it does have a built-in QAM tuner since I'm able to pick up some of Mediacom's digital on-demand channels. I subscribe to Mediacom's analog family cable package (channels 2-74). I was planning on getting an antenna to pick up the OTA locals, but I want to avoid using a switch on my catv and ant feeds (my tv only has one coax input). I was surprised to hear that I should be able to pick up the local hdtv channels through Mediacom even though I don't subscribe to their HD package. I have done several scans and my tv does get a signal for 1.1, 16.1, 16.2, 33.1, 62.1, 62.2. Unfortunately, like rhoops mentioned, all these HD channels are pixelated and come in and out. I might get a second or two of clear picture and then nothing for several seconds. Does this sound like something wrong with Mediacom or my setup. Like rhoop mentioned, the pay per view stuff on 75 and up are clear as a bell, so I don't think I have a problem with a weak signal. (I live in a new house with all new rg6, good connectors, and limited splits.)

Sorry for the wordiness of my post. My main question is, should I count on Mediacom for these local HD channels or get an antenna for the OTA locals.

Thanks in advance for any input.

sneaky snooper,
Do you have the HR20 DVR?

If so, jliehr is correct. The OTA tuner has only just recently been activated, and the installer may have not been aware that it was working yet.

I have both the HR20 and the HR10 (tivo) models.

... should I count on Mediacom for these local HD channels or get an antenna for the OTA locals.
The FCC requires cablecos to carry OTA digital broadcast channels unencrpyted or "in the clear." So all the subscriber needs is a subscription to basic cable.

Eventually, once your cableco gets the bugs worked out on the locals, you should be able to receive them reliably (or at least as reliable as cable gets).

Call your cable provider and complain. If nothing else, it will let them know that viewers are trying to watch the local digital channels.

And welcome to the forum.

I was planning on getting an antenna to pick up the OTA locals, but I want to avoid using a switch on my catv and ant feeds (my tv only has one coax input). I was surprised to hear that I should be able to pick up the local hdtv channels through Mediacom even though I don't subscribe to their HD package.

OTA vs. Cable is something I keep going back and forth on. Mediacom will give you KSPR / ABC, but OTA will give you KOZK / PBS. I think I will go with OTA, giving up ABC in favor of PBS.

I do have a coax switch so I can go between cable and antenna, but it's a pain to have to re-scan every time you go back and forth.

I'm assuming your TV has video input jacks (S-Video or Composite). I use a TiVo for recording and viewing SD content on cable. You could use a VCR's tuner in a similar manner to tune in the cable channels.

OTA vs. Cable is something I keep going back and forth on. Mediacom will give you KSPR / ABC, but OTA will give you KOZK / PBS. I think I will go with OTA, giving up ABC in favor of PBS.

I do have a coax switch so I can go between cable and antenna, but it's a pain to have to re-scan every time you go back and forth.

I'm assuming your TV has video input jacks (S-Video or Composite). I use a TiVo for recording and viewing SD content on cable. You could use a VCR's tuner in a similar manner to tune in the cable channels.

There's option #3: DirecTV with OTA functionality. Which begs the next question...there's talk that DirecTV is going to offer SGF HD locals. Now, we know that when 10/27 are up and running (and that's any minute now, right?) they will be receivable by DirecTV, but how is KSPR going to be handled? One possiblity is for the LP transmitter to have the HD content thrown at it? Or could we see KSPR just not even offered in HD to Directv?

One possiblity is for the LP transmitter to have the HD content thrown at it? Or could we see KSPR just not even offered in HD to Directv?

I don't think you will see HD on the KSPR's LP transmitter. That would require a different "exciter" and that's a capital expense for a short term goal. KYTV's engineering staff is now in charge of KSPR. They may or may not have some tricks up their sleeve to provide ABC / HDTV to the satellite distributors.

Since the "pick up point" for both Direct TV and Dish Network is at the KYTV studios, a solution would require fiber / microwave or IP link between the KSPR studio and the KYTV studio. I don't expect that to happen.

In another 6 months they will probably get permission to combine their operations and at that point will start the build of KSPR's HDTV high power transmitter.

I'm assuming your TV has video input jacks (S-Video or Composite). I use a TiVo for recording and viewing SD content on cable. You could use a VCR's tuner in a similar manner to tune in the cable channels.


Yeah, I had already thought about the VCR tuner method since I have the extra S-Video and Composite inputs available. I thought I had retired the VCR for good. I didn't want to have another piece of equipment hooked up unless it was absolutely necessary. Other than the tuner, I don't have much use for a VCR.

I was also hoping to keep things simple for the wife. Having to keep track of a coax switch or another method of changing channels will make things even more complicated than they already are.

You mentioned that you have to do a rescan every time you switch from OTA to CATV. I'm fairly certain that I can just scan for the CATV and manually add the OTA HD channels. At least I think I can. Is this not possible with most TVs?

Thanks for the input. It looks like my best bet is to be patient and see what happens, but that is awfully hard when you have a new toy.

First post- I've been lurking here for awhile, but finally wanted some further clarification.

I just bought an Olevia 232v 32" LCD. I'm guessing it does have a built-in QAM tuner since I'm able to pick up some of Mediacom's digital on-demand channels. I subscribe to Mediacom's analog family cable package (channels 2-74). I was planning on getting an antenna to pick up the OTA locals, but I want to avoid using a switch on my catv and ant feeds (my tv only has one coax input). I was surprised to hear that I should be able to pick up the local hdtv channels through Mediacom even though I don't subscribe to their HD package. I have done several scans and my tv does get a signal for 1.1, 16.1, 16.2, 33.1, 62.1, 62.2. Unfortunately, like rhoops mentioned, all these HD channels are pixelated and come in and out. I might get a second or two of clear picture and then nothing for several seconds. Does this sound like something wrong with Mediacom or my setup. Like rhoop mentioned, the pay per view stuff on 75 and up are clear as a bell, so I don't think I have a problem with a weak signal. (I live in a new house with all new rg6, good connectors, and limited splits.)

Sorry for the wordiness of my post. My main question is, should I count on Mediacom for these local HD channels or get an antenna for the OTA locals.

Thanks in advance for any input.
having QAM probs myself. No longer geting 16.1 or 16.2. Everything else is fine. In fact I have enjoyed my neighbors selections of movies the last week or so! LOL!! Just need NBC in HD (or near HD-whatever the multicast may be) to be reasonably happy. The re-scan after the switch to antenna is a pain in the rear.

...there's talk that DirecTV is going to offer SGF HD locals...

... could we see KSPR just not even offered in HD to Directv?Probably the same thing will happen that happens in towns where D* can not reach a carriage agreement with a particular local channel. They are not carried on D*.

It's possible to do a fiber link from KSPR to the local D* uplink facility, but doubtful in a market this small. It has been done in a few cases in other markets, though.

having QAM probs myself. No longer geting 16.1 or 16.2. Everything else is fine. In fact I have enjoyed my neighbors selections of movies the last week or so! LOL!! Just need NBC in HD (or near HD-whatever the multicast may be) to be reasonably happy. The re-scan after the switch to antenna is a pain in the rear.

I don't have cable available to me here, but if I did I'm sure I would still use satelite for my programming. You just hook your antenna on the back of your receiver,the tuners are built in your receiver so no need for rescanning,guide info for 7 plus days. I've never had D* but I love my 622vip from E*. I get 30 plus HD channels (HD LITE) but still looks good. I hope 10 and 27 blows them out of the water for looking good.

On a big screen that can display full 1920x1080i resolution, KOLR-DT 10-1 OTA should look a little better than WCBS-DT (CBS-HD) on D* from New York.
(1920x1080i OTA, vs 1220x1080i on D*)

There shouldn't be any noticeable difference between KSFX-DT 27-1 OTA and WNYW-DT (FOX-HD) on D* from NY, because both channels will be 1440x720p. D* doesn't downrez 720p channels.

So what are we down to now? 3 or 4 days before the estimated full power for 10 and 27?

just waiting to rescan!

if I didn't know better I'd say there's some testing going on down there. KOLR is pulling oodball readings upto 100% on my meter than dropping down to 13% or so.

KSFX has been quasi watchable all day.

if I didn't know better I'd say there's some testing going on down there. KOLR is pulling oodball readings upto 100% on my meter than dropping down to 13% or so.

KSFX has been quasi watchable all day.

I would say they should test some, it might blow a fuse when they turn up the power, huh.

I need a good HD antenna to pick up the Springfield Locals from Bolivar (Including KSFX and KOLR when they launch at full power.) and was wondering what you all would suggest. I work at radioshack here in Springfield and none of our antennas will cut the mustard for reception where I live.

Any Thoughts?

shackman I live in Cabool and picked up the $100 antenna sold at Radioshack in Willow Springs and pick up KY3 and PBS-HD feeds right now. BTW I live below the school directly behind it so have major multi path. Hope that helps.

TheShackMan -

I like the Antennas Direct 91x http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_antenna.html
I play around with TV dxing (analog and digital) and with this antenna at 19 feet above the ground I easily get the full power Springfield stations and 10 and 27 at their current power level most of the time, as well as KMOS from Sedalia and usually KOMU from Columbia. I'm about 20 miles north of Cabool and my property is on a ridge (height is very important). The drawback to this antenna is that it is very directional. That's fine if you want only the Springfield stations or if you want to use a rotator.

Another fine antenna is the Channel Master 4228. It has excellent performance and isn't quite as directional. So there's a good chance that you'd be able to pick up Springfield as well as KMOS from Sedalia and perhaps others without having to move your antenna. It's probably the best choice for most people needing a good outdoor antenna.

I previously used Radio Shack's largest VHF/UHF combo, but to be honest it's been laying on the ground unused since I got the antenna from Antennas Direct. It just didn't work as well for me.

I know the VU-190 that we sell will pick it up. I was just trying to avoid putting up a "Scare Crow" Rig.

Thanks for your advice. I'll look into those other antennas

You don't need a big honkin' lowband VHF antenna, because all the digitals here are currently on UHF. And after 2009, only KOLR is moving back to UHF ch 10, which can easily be received by either the 91xg or Channel Master CM 4228 antenna that techpuppy recommended. Both are excellent. The CM 4228 (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm) is a bit cheaper and should work just fine.

Terrain makes a big difference. If you're down in a valley with mtns between you & springfield, reception may be more difficult.

I need a good HD antenna to pick up the Springfield Locals from Bolivar (Including KSFX and KOLR when they launch at full power.) and was wondering what you all would suggest. I work at radioshack here in Springfield and none of our antennas will cut the mustard for reception where I live.

Any Thoughts?

A little bit of height will work wonders. The Radio Shack $25 UHF antenna can work pretty well. Try a pole 10 feet above your roof. If that doesn't work add another 10 feet. At 40 feet you could use a wet noodle.

Is 27-1 full power?

I was able to pick it up this morning. But still no signal on 10-1

Is 27-1 full power?

I was able to pick it up this morning. But still no signal on 10-1
Nothing new on my scan this morning. What channel do I key in on a manual tune?

KOLR-DT 10-1 is actually broadcasting on channel 52. If you have manual channel entry, try "52-1"

Try 28-1 for KSFX-DT, if 27-1 won't work.

KOLR-DT 10-1 is actually broadcasting on channel 52. If you have manual channel entry, try "52-1"

Try 28-1 for KSFX-DT, if 27-1 won't work.
It didn't work this morning, but thanks anyway.

just checked again and looks like the 27-1 signal dropped.

I'm getting readings on KOLR-DT on one tuner but it can't pull the PSIP to find out what it is yet. I think we're alot closer than we think!

27-1 is showing stuff in SD still, but its much more watchable now. I wonder if they're throwing SD at it in test mode.

I'm getting zilch on 10-1, 27-1, 28-1, or 52-1. Not even a hint of a signal. I hope that's not a sign of whether or not I'll be able to pick up 10-1 or 27-1 when they go full power!
I get all subchannels of 3 and 21 with no problems though.

I am getting 27-1 now and then here in south Springfield

Which network has the Super Bowl this year?

CBS does this year.

CBS does this year.
Yeah, I just found that on (duh) superbowl.com. Feb 4. I don't feel real warm and fuzzy about seeing it in HD, even though I am convinced that the KOLR engineers are working their butts off. Stuff keeps happening.

I'm currently getting 27-1 just fine in downtown with a near 50% signal strength, and KSFX is still in SD.

Lets hope they go full power in hd this week

I'm sure the stations will be anxious to get reception reports.
rhoops will likely post when they are on the air @ full power.

Something's going on at KSFX. My HR10 is showing Frequency 28: 28-3 (yes 28-3 not KSFX-DT)

Thoughts?

Rescanning now to see what is out there


didnt pick up anything on 10-1 27-1 28-1 or 28-3

Since they were originally supposed to be up in September (in time for football), wouldn't it be nice for some to see at least one day of NFL in local OTA HD? At least for all the BCS bowls on Fox starting this week...

rhoops or anyone- Are they subject to fines if they don't get it up by midnight tonight? Any kind of deadline that's the end of 2006?

just a quick question. heading over to my brothers to watch the Chiefs game on mediacom.

he is using the motorola HD DVR on his television. what channel should it be on in HD?

Chiefs game isn't in HD today. I can confirm this, since my DirecTV guide doesn't offer it in HD on SuperFan.

Just turned the Chiefs game on Mediacom channel 709 and was pleasantly surprised to see an HD feed! :)

Seconds later after a commercial it was back to an SD feed. :mad:

yeah noticed that too. but at least they WON and so have 2 of the 3 others that needed to.

Now just need the Broncos to lose

New to this forum but not AVS.

I live in Nixa, which is about 10 miles south of Springfield. My AntennaWeb report is as follows:

yellow - uhf
KOZK-DT 21.1 PBS 58° 24.0 miles
KYTV-DT 3.1 NBC 58° 24.2 miles
red - uhf
KSPR-DT 19.1 ABC 8° 14.7 miles
blue - uhf
KWBM-DT 31.1 MNT 171° 39.2 miles
violet - uhf
KSFX-DT 27.1 FOX 51° 25.5 miles
KOLR-DT 10.1 CBS 51° 25.5 miles

I bought a cheapie Phillips HDTV antenna at Wal***t just to see what I could get. I get KY3 and KOZK 21 with about 85% signal. I can't get anything else really. I know KOLR and KSFX are really close to full power. Should I wait and see if I can get them, or is that not really a reasonable idea based on distance and other factors.

My alternative is to pick up a CM 4228 (based on this forum) and mount it outside, but the wife doesn't really want a huge eye-sore. Can those antennas be mounted on the side of a wall if directionally close to the angle I need. (ie can I mount it nearly flush with the north side wall of my house so it functions but does not look ridiculous.) I live on a hilltop and have zero trees or other obstacles to the North-northeast, which is the direction of the towers from my house. Is there a better (less "ugly") option for a good HDTV antenna to use in our area?

I have D**H Network and an HD receiver that I plan to plug the antenna into. I usually keep it at 720p over 1080i because I think sports look a little better with progressive scanning.

Any advice, tips, or help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I live on a hilltop and have zero trees or other obstacles to the North-northeast, which is the direction of the towers from my house. Is there a better (less "ugly") option for a good HDTV antenna to use in our area?


There are three things important about TV receive antennas.

1. Height
2. Height
3. Height

Other than that, not much matters. A cheap antenna 20 feet above your house will work better than the best antenna in your attic.

With that said, Mary Poppin's slogan "Enough is a good as a feast", applies to DTV.

I have a friend who bought 3 different expensive "HDTV" antennas, installed them at rooftop level (and under the eave in the case of an expensive TERK antenna) and was disappointed. What was needed was a little height. The smallest, cheapest antenna worked very well with a little height.

Anyone getting anything today from Kolor 10 or Fax27? Nothing here in Nixa that I can find.

I think I must be an idiot. For some damn reason, my QAM tuner on my Panasonic 50" plasma will not pick up KYTV in a scan. It gets the other 3, plus all the subchannels from 75 forward, but KYTV is nowhere to be found. Any help would be appreciated.

I think I must be an idiot. For some damn reason, my QAM tuner on my Panasonic 50" plasma will not pick up KYTV in a scan. It gets the other 3, plus all the subchannels from 75 forward, but KYTV is nowhere to be found. Any help would be appreciated.


Yeah my QAM tuner isn't getting it either. It used to be on 19-something. Now I get KY3 on 1-1 and it shows it is an ATSC channel and looks like crap??? What has happened?

There are three things important about TV receive antennas.

1. Height
2. Height
3. Height

Other than that, not much matters. A cheap antenna 20 feet above your house will work better than the best antenna in your attic.

With that said, Mary Poppin's slogan "Enough is a good as a feast", applies to DTV.

I have a friend who bought 3 different expensive "HDTV" antennas, installed them at rooftop level (and under the eave in the case of an expensive TERK antenna) and was disappointed. What was needed was a little height. The smallest, cheapest antenna worked very well with a little height.

I know this is a silly question, but "how high". The answer is probably "as high as possible", BUT...

-our roof has about a 16:1 - 20:1 pitch, so there is zero way I'm getting up there.
- that particular side of our house is 3 stories high so there is little way for me to get the antenna far up the house.
- can any antenna like the 4228 be mounted next to the wall of a home?
- how do these antenna fair in an attic? (brick house, aluminum soffits)


One other question regarding channel 3.
I get these
3-0 KY3
3-1 KY3
3-2 powers down my dish tuner
3-3 16:9 HD, but not KY3

What are the various channels???

Thanks.

GO CHIEFS

Farm,
A small CM4221 (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.htm), at half the size of a 4228 should work well at your distance from the transmitters. You can mount it on the side of the house (if the side of the house faces the towers) and even paint it to blend in with whatever's behind it. The paint will not affect signal strength at all, and may help prevent corrosion. If your attic doesn't have HVAC ductwork in it, and you don't have metal siding, metal roof or foil roof radiant barrier, you can put try putting the antenna in the attic, out of the weather and out of site.

But I would wait until later this week to see how your current antenna works for KSFX & KOLR, before buying something else. It's a shame they didn't makd sure these 2 stations got on the air before christmas. I bet there are a lot of disappointed OTA viewers out there with new HDTVs that don't pick up much. Most probably have no idea two more stations will soon be on the air....

(KWBM-DT 31-1 is not on the air yet.)

One other question regarding channel 3.
I get these
3-0 KY3
3-1 KY3
3-2 powers down my dish tuner
3-3 16:9 HD, but not KY3

What are the various channels???

Thanks.

GO CHIEFS

3-1 is KY3 HD
3-2 is channel 15 formerly the UPN station now the CW
3-3 is Weather Plus Channel

Go SAINTS

With less than a couple of hours left in 2006 I guess that "March 2006" really means first quarter 2007 to Nexstar (10 & 27). Hey maybe we'll get full power HD CBS and Fox in time for the wonderful President's Day programming. Anyone else remember when 10 was still locally owned and was the first with stereo? Sorry for the griping, but the last few weeks have had lots of programs that would have been nice to see in HD and Nexstar's committment to the Ozarks has been less than stellar in my opinion.

I got the Fins/Colts in HD via QAM, did have a lot of audio drop outs and trouble switching from stereo to DD from station. But at least it's a step in the right direction.

Farm, is that saying 85% on the E* receiver and what kind is it. I live about 5 miles south of Crane of in a hole looking at a hill and just checked my signal on WXpl or 3.3 and it is at 120%. I have the 622vip with an XG91 antenna and phillips amp I bought at walmart.

You could put it in your attic if you don't have a tin roof. I agree with rhoops, the 25.00 antenna at radioshack will work for most people very well.It's a good antenna.

With less than a couple of hours left in 2006 I guess that "March 2006" really means first quarter 2007 to Nexstar (10 & 27). Hey maybe we'll get full power HD CBS and Fox in time for the wonderful President's Day programming. Anyone else remember when 10 was still locally owned and was the first with stereo? Sorry for the griping, but the last few weeks have had lots of programs that would have been nice to see in HD and Nexstar's committment to the Ozarks has been less than stellar in my opinion.

Yes I do remember when 10 was first at most everything.I even bought a tv mts stereo ready that cost over 800.00,(it was a Fisher), when they started broadcasting stereo.

I have been very happy with rhoops keeping us informed but not happy with Nexstar for a long time.

Just want to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year. I also would like to say thanks to rhoops for all the info, his knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Well, I know we will at least get the Chiefs in HD next week :) They are on NBC :P


............ well...... sorta HD :)

sorta HD is better than no HD

KWBM-DT doesn't exist. And won't anytime soon.

Where is KWBM?

Is that WB or the new CW. I mean a station desinged to prepubesant kids with really crappy shows?

With less than a couple of hours left in 2006 I guess that "March 2006" really means first quarter 2007 to Nexstar (10 & 27). Hey maybe we'll get full power HD CBS and Fox in time for the wonderful President's Day programming. Anyone else remember when 10 was still locally owned and was the first with stereo? Sorry for the griping, but the last few weeks have had lots of programs that would have been nice to see in HD and Nexstar's committment to the Ozarks has been less than stellar in my opinion.


Agreed. :(

KWBM is Channel 31. its based in Harrison. It runs My Network TV...don't be worried, no one else is watching it even on analog.

KWBM is Channel 31. its based in Harrison. It runs My Network TV...don't be worried, no one else is watching it even on analog.The KWBM (http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/callsign/prod/query.hts?Call_Sign=KWBM) transmitter is in Harrison, but it's owned by Equity Broadcasting, in Little Rock. Same crappy analog station as channel 34 in Eureka Springs and 46 in Fort Smith (http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/callsign/prod/query.hts?Call_Sign=KPBI).

These stations will likely flash cut from analog to digital sometime between now and 2009. You're not missing anything if you can't receive them...

Happy analog new year, Springfield viewers.

Man, and I was so hoping to watch the Nebraska game in HD today... Oh well

I don't think KWBM has any connection to Harrison in real life. I think the transmitter is near the MO border, 20 miles or so north of Harrison; and their offices are in Hollister......

They must get some kind of break somehow by maintaining a loose Arkansas identity............

It's one of Equity Broadcasting's ways of getting into a market. If the FCC site is correct, KWBM's city of license is Harrison (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=78314), but their transmitter is NE of Branson (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TV547317.html). As long as the signal covers their city of license, they can probably put the transmitter almost anywhere they wish.

They do the same thing with channel 34, in Eureka Springs (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TV1034437.html).

31 and 34 were two oddball allotments left to the Springfield Market (34 was re-assigned to Ft Smith market after Mediacom summarily dumped it from cable here).

34 is running My Network Garbage (er, TV) and did so to get back on cable in Ft Smith after it lost FOX to Channel 24.

They both signed on after the deadline so neither has a digital allotment.

Thanks for the input so far. I think I'll just wait until CBS and FOX go live (which is any day now??). As far as my attic, it is a brick house, no HVAC in the attic and no metal on the roof...may or may not work. The 4221 antenna looks good and could be mounted on the NE corner of my house to face the 2 major towers in town.

So what's the deal on FOX HD on Mediacom. The channel is coming in on 702, but I have yet to see anything in HD on it. The bowl game tonight is not in HD.

Also 709 CBS is displaying HD content but the audio is still going out and it is running choppy.

It also looks like 712 NBC has been affected by the adding of the 2 new channels as it is also running choppy.

I hope all of this is fixed by the middle of January when 24 and other shows come back on the air.

Rhoops do you know if this is Mediacom's equipment messing up or are you guys still working on the signal? Why has nothing been sent out in HD on 702 FOX?

So what's the deal on FOX HD on Mediacom. The channel is coming in on 702, but I have yet to see anything in HD on it. The bowl game tonight is not in HD.

Also 709 CBS is displaying HD content but the audio is still going out and it is running choppy.

It also looks like 712 NBC has been affected by the adding of the 2 new channels as it is also running choppy.

I hope all of this is fixed by the middle of January when 24 and other shows come back on the air.

Rhoops do you know if this is Mediacom's equipment messing up or are you guys still working on the signal? Why has nothing been sent out in HD on 702 FOX?

The Boise St/OK game is being broadcast in HD. Its available on my FOX HD feed on DirecTV...makes me think they don't have it switched right down at Divison St.

Something else hit me...the FOX feed on 28-x is still in SD, and the xmitr readings are all over the road, this makes me think entirely they're testing 28-x and feeding everyone the SD feed for now.

The Boise St/OK game is being broadcast in HD. Its available on my FOX HD feed on DirecTV...makes me think they don't have it switched right down at Divison St.

Are you OTA or dish/cable? And are you in Springfield?

Are you OTA or dish/cable? And are you in Springfield?

A combo: I am in Springfield, and I get the WNYW feed from NYC on DirecTV (That's how I know its in HD)

I get the OTA feed of 28-x but it is not showing much at the moment. My receiver picks up a 28-3 (yes 28-3) and the readings are all over the road with it.

ok, thanks!

Maybe we will see it tomorrow after the holiday and everyone is back to work. I sure think rhoops thought they would turn the power up today. Might be having problems getting it all to work, who knows. You would think with all the stations broadcasting HD in the US it would have been pretty easy to set up.

I have noticed most of the CBS programming in HD over QAM, but have only once, to my recollection, seen an HD program on FOX over QAM(at least programming that is shot in HD).

pastorjay,
WNYW-DT (http://www.wnyw.com/) is the FOX-HD affiliate from New York that DirecTV carries.

Thanks for the input so far. I think I'll just wait until CBS and FOX go live (which is any day now??). As far as my attic, it is a brick house, no HVAC in the attic and no metal on the roof...may or may not work. The 4221 antenna looks good and could be mounted on the NE corner of my house to face the 2 major towers in town.Farm,

If you don't have foil-backed insulation in the gable walls of your attic, you could probably put the 4221 up there. But the most reliable reception is nearly always outdoors.

If the gable end of the house faces the right direction, just attach the 4221 to the gable end of the house by nailing or screwing the reflector screen (the back screen on the antenna)to the gable wall. No pole needed, and the roof overhang will protect the antenna from the weather
http://warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.jpg

Paint the 4221 the same color as the house before putting it up
http://www.yellowstoneloghomes.com/images/faqs/GableEnd.jpg

The guys at Solid Signal recommended the following:
"Terrestrial Digital DB4 antenna with a Mast, Mount, and a pre-amp!"

That is a more expensive option than the 4221 option that arxaw mentioned.

I don't have any foil backed insulation in the attic and the house is brick, so no metal there. I think I'll wait to do anything until CBS and FOX go live (soon I hope) so that I can be sure that whatever I setup will work for a while.

What is odd here is that KSFX had a solid 50 signal until about 7am or so then it went to crap, and its all over the road and not able to acquire. Go figure.

I use my qam tuner on mediacom and get cbs on 74-16

Farm,

How far are you from Fordland?

rhoops,

how are things going on your end of all the tech stuff for broadcast?

also

is KOLR going to shoot and broadcast local content (news, etc) with HD cameras?

thanks

Farm,

How far are you from Fordland?


about 25 miles direct path.

rhoops,
how are things going on your end of all the tech stuff for broadcast?

The KOLR transmitter is assembled and "cooking in". Tomorrow it will be tuned. The KSFX transmitter did not have the IOT tubes installed as of Tuesday morning, but they may be in now.

also is KOLR going to shoot and broadcast local content (news, etc) with HD cameras?

Not in the forseeable future. Only CBS or Fox network programming will be in HD for a long, long time.

Am I safe in saying the SD transmitters will be shut down then tomorrow in order to start the testing?

Am I safe in saying the SD transmitters will be shut down then tomorrow in order to start the testing?

The testing is being done on a dummy load. The HDTV transmitters are completely separate and have a different antenna. I expect the changeover to be very quick when it happens.

Thanks for the update. Will be looking forward to a couple of new HD channels.

I didn't make it in tonight till 9:30 and thought sure I see HD on 10&27, just have to wait till tomorrow and check again. Don't have much time for tv now anyway.

rhoops,

so when you say they are being tuned today and being cooked in, does that mean they will be going full power in the next couple of days?

I bought an HD monitor (it has neither an NTSC or ATSC tuner) over the summer mostly to use with my laptop and 360.

Now my girlfriend is interested in getting cable from Mediacom (we live in Springfield) and I'm trying to figure out the best course of action.

HD (at least from the broadcast stations) is a must for me. Getting family cable is a must for her.

I would prefer to go the QAM route since we don't already have an antenna installed.

Would you recommend that I rent the HDTV tuner from mediacom or buy one? After reading this thread I suspect that most of you would recommend the H260F if I were to buy one?

Is the HD package from Mediacom worth it? Do many of you get it?

If we just got the family cable package I would still be able to get the broadcast channels in HD since the FCC mandated that they be digital, correct?

If I ended up getting the H260F I would also have to get the digital cable package since it doesn't have an NTSC tuner. I assume most of you get the digital package or you have NTSC tuners in your HDTVs? This part is confusing to me, if I got digital cable would I get all the channels or is it still the case that some of the channels in the digital package would be analog? I only ask because I know everything doesn't have to be digital until 2009 and I've never had cable before (wow this must be a stupid question :) ).

If I were to get family cable and that was it, my only option would be to use a VCR to get the cable to my TV correct?

Sorry for all the stupid questions but this is my first experience ordering cable and getting it hooked up to my HDTV which doesn't have a coax input is making it more complicated. I'm not sure of all my options and I wanted to get advice from someone other than Mediacom.

An HTPC is also an option but the computer I would be using only has an Nvidia fx5500 which is sufficient (direct x9 capable) but I have my doubts.

Now my girlfriend is interested in getting cable from Mediacom (we live in Springfield) and I'm trying to figure out the best course of action.

If your HDTV has neither ATSC ( digital ) or NTSC ( old school analog ) tuners, you'd need both to NOT use Mediacom's box. You could use an old VCR as an analog tuner, but that's a bit of a kludge.

Their HD service is only $10 in addition to family cable. There is probably a box rental fee of a few dollars too. The convenience of one box that does it all is quite an advantage.

The only drawback I see is that Mediacom doesn't carry KOZK's HD channel.

An HTPC is also an option but the computer I would be using only has an Nvidia fx5500 which is sufficient (direct x9 capable) but I have my doubts.
My Linux-based MythTV box only has an FX5200 in it, and I am quite satisfied with the picture quality. I'm using S-video out to a plain analog CRT TV and VGA to an LCD monitor.

No HD on the Mythbox yet, though, so I can't vouch for anything other than SD and DVDs.

about 25 miles direct path.
The 4221 should be all you need. No reamp, unless your coax run is over 100' or so. Use RG6 coax, not RG59. RG6 has less signal loss for UHF.

If your HDTV has neither ATSC ( digital ) or NTSC ( old school analog ) tuners, you'd need both to NOT use Mediacom's box. You could use an old VCR as an analog tuner, but that's a bit of a kludge.

Their HD service is only $10 in addition to family cable. There is probably a box rental fee of a few dollars too. The convenience of one box that does it all is quite an advantage.

The only drawback I see is that Mediacom doesn't carry KOZK's HD channel.

Thanks for the reply. I agree, I would like to avoid the VCR scenario if I could. I was curious to know if I subscribed to the HD package and rented the box from them (its $7 a month) if that would take care of both ATSC/NTSC tuning. I'm not aware of a STB that does both. I wonder if they will give me both their standard digital stb and an HD box. That would also be a mess. Maybe that is a question better served for Mediacom but if anyone has any insight, please share.

My Linux-based MythTV box only has an FX5200 in it, and I am quite satisfied with the picture quality. I'm using S-video out to a plain analog CRT TV and VGA to an LCD monitor.

Thanks for the feedback. What tuner are you using? An HTPC may be my best bet in the end since my girlfriend would also like to be able to record shows - but that would be more like the icing on the cake at this point. There aren't many tuners out now that do QAM but there was one I saw that got decent reviews. Of course I'd have to get some software to use it and that could cost me or be a chore to set up. I have no experience with Linux otherwise I might consider using it and Myth TV :(. I'm still a little worried about using my fx5500 for HD content but, honestly, I need to do some more reading, I'm just speculating.

The cableco-provided box has everything you need in one box.

rhoops,

Not knowing what the normal burn-in time is for a new HDTV transmitter and not knowing the Plan, it's a little hard to estimate when KOLR might go on line (or go on air). So, what's the plan man? Thanks.

plr

The cableco-provided box has everything you need in one box.

Thanks ;).

Thanks for the reply. I agree, I would like to avoid the VCR scenario if I could. I was curious to know if I subscribed to the HD package and rented the box from them (its $7 a month) if that would take care of both ATSC/NTSC tuning. I'm not aware of a STB that does both. I wonder if they will give me both their standard digital stb and an HD box. That would also be a mess. Maybe that is a question better served for Mediacom but if anyone has any insight, please share.


I'm not sure what "family cable" is, my dad has Mediacom basic cable and it goes straight to his NTSC tuner. If family cable is similar, and analog, I imagine you can use any terrestrial STB. I think many even support QAM. All terrestrial STB's I've ever seen can receive ATSC and NTSC and can be found used for less than $100 on eBay.


Thanks for the feedback. What tuner are you using? An HTPC may be my best bet in the end since my girlfriend would also like to be able to record shows - but that would be more like the icing on the cake at this point. There aren't many tuners out now that do QAM but there was one I saw that got decent reviews. Of course I'd have to get some software to use it and that could cost me or be a chore to set up. I have no experience with Linux otherwise I might consider using it and Myth TV :(. I'm still a little worried about using my fx5500 for HD content but, honestly, I need to do some more reading, I'm just speculating.

I have had both a Dvico FusionHDTV5 Lite and Gold versions. They both do QAM. The Dvico are excellent cards, except in MCE, if you select a channel that doesn't exist (no signal), it can hang the machine. So long as you stick to channels with a decent signal, you'd never have a problem. I have found MCE to be an excellent HTPC front-end, although it requires a lot beefier hardware than MythTV. MCE uses VMR9 instead of overlay, and that requires a rather stout video card. Whereas even my old MX440 could render HDTV perfectly in overlay mode with the Dvico software, MCE could not render HDTV at all with even an FX5200. I have a feeling your FX5500 would be too weak for MCE. Just a guess, but I think a 6200-based card would probably be the absolute slowest card you can use with MCE for HDTV. MCE works great though, and the wife acceptance factor is very high.

I just spoke to Mediacom tech support. (waste of my time) I explained that I was able to partially pick up some of the local HD channels over their cable with my analog family cable package. I told her that I was under the impression that they were required to broadcast the HD locals with their basic subscription. She said that they weren't rebroadcasting any of the local HD channels. She said I would have to have one of their boxes to get those channels. She said that my TV wouldn't be able to receive any HD content through their cable subscription. She said that what I was picking up was the off air HD locals. I explained that I didn't even have an antenna hooked up to my tv, but she assured me that it wasn't their signal that I was receiving. I'm sure that this isn't the case. She said that my tv shouldn't be capable of receiving any of their HD signals. (in fact, I think she said it wouldn't be able to decrypt it.) I told her that my tv had a QAM tuner, but I don't think she had ever heard of such a thing.

Just to make sure that I'm not crazy- I'll try to explain why I think I'm picking up these HD locals through the CATV and not OTA. When I choose to do an OTA scan on my tv, I don't get any of the HD locals. When I do a CATV scan on my tv, I do show several of the HD locals including 16.1 (KYTV), 16.2 (weather +), 33.1 (KSPR), 62.1 (Fox), 62.2 (CBS), plus a few of the SD on-demand PPV. If these were in fact coming in OTA and not through the cable, wouldn't the frequencies be different. What I mean is, Mediacom is placing KYTV on 16.1 rather than the OTA 3.1??? I hope that makes sense.

I know that rhoops mentioned that the HD locals he is getting through Mediacom are pixelated and intermittent. Is anyone getting a solid picture of any of the HD locals through a basic analog family cable package? :confused:


I would like to speak to someone at Mediacom who actually knows what is going on. I'm sure it is to their advantage to play dumb and tell people they need to spend more money to rent one of their boxes. I guess I just don't see the point in spending more money if I should be able to get it without paying extra.

Looking forward to hearing from other Mediacom analog subscribers.

If you rent the STB from Mediacom you will be able to pick up all HD local channels (besides KOZK) for free with a Family Cable subscription. The channels are 702, 708, 709, and 712.

For an extra $10 you can get ESPNHD, Discovery HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, and Universal HD.

I don't think the extra $10 is worth it until they add more channels.

I loved ESPNHD, but not sure if watching an occasional Cardinals, NBA, or Football game in HD was worth $10.

The 4221 should be all you need. No reamp, unless your coax run is over 100' or so. Use RG6 coax, not RG59. RG6 has less signal loss for UHF.

I was going to run a duplexer with my Dish Coax in the attic to the jack in the basement. Total length of cable is less than 50'. What type of Coax do you suppose the Dish folks used on install? Will the duplexer degrade my signal?

thanks.

It can be done, but I do not recommend diplexing an OTA and satellite signal.
Possible reduction in signal strength is only one reason I don't diplex. It may also make diagnosis of trouble more difficult if you have problems later on.

FWIW, most sat installs are done with RG6 coax, not RG59.

Did a quick scan this morning and didnt get anything for 27 and 10.

I guess i just need to be patient

Did a quick scan this morning and didnt get anything for 27 and 10.

I guess i just need to be patient

Yeah, me too. Not one of my better virtues though. :D

Regardless of the fact that this conversion is long overdue, at least the picture quality should far exceed current digital offerings in the Springfield market, once these stations get on the air.

Be glad they're not cramming KSFX onto an SD sub-channel of KOLR-DT, or vice-versa (like KYTV-DT does with the CW on 3-2).

I am just hoping they get it done by the time Monday night rolls around and FOX has the BCS National Championship on!

I am just hoping they get it done by the time Monday night rolls around and FOX has the BCS National Championship on!

Yes, that would be very nice.

My only saving grace is that I will be out of town this weekend and wont be rescanning every hour to see if i can pick up a signal. :rolleyes:

Hi - I'm a regular lurker on this thread, and have been eagerly following the discussions of the imminent availability of two more HD locals OTA. My questions is not strictly related to OTA reception of these channels, but I hoped someone reading might be able to comment on my situation anyway. If this is too far OT, I apologize in advance.

I am thinking of buying a Tivo Series 3 unit (uses 2 cablecards for digital HD cable, and can also tune analog cable and OTA analog and digital channels, if I'm reading the information correctly).

I want to receive Springfield local HD along with family cable and the 4-star Mediacom digital cable package and the Mediacom HD package.

Mediacom tells me they won't (can't) install cablecards in a Tivo (this was a supervisor - the person on the phone didn't even know what a Tivo Series 3 was). Their process is to ask what brand and type of TV you have before taking an order for a cablecard. I told them I would be putting the cablecards in my Tivo, not my TV set, and they didn't have the Tivo listed in their database apparently, so their answer was "We can't install a cablecard in a Tivo".

BTW, I have been using a Tivo Hi-def satellite unit with DirecTV and my Sharp HD set for about 2 years now, and just want to get the additional HD movie channels offered by Mediacom plus the HD locals - that's why I'm thinking of going the Series 3/Mediacom route and dumping DirecTV. DirecTV will require me to swich to their non-Tivo DVR to get the HD locals and new HD channels when they're available. I like the Tivo software too much to switch hardware to stay with DirecTV.

In any case, I told Mediacom I thought their Tivo/Cablecard information was not correct. Does anyone reading the forum use a Tivo Series 3 to recieve digital cable and HD from Mediacom, using Mediacom's cablecards?

I'm also curious about the quality of the ATSC tuner in the Tivo Series 3, since I like to watch the PBS HD channel, and it apparently is not available via Mediacom's HD package.

TIA for any help.

Does anyone reading the forum use a Tivo Series 3 to recieve digital cable and HD from Mediacom, using Mediacom's cablecards?

I'm also curious about the quality of the ATSC tuner in the Tivo Series 3, since I like to watch the PBS HD channel, and it apparently is not available via Mediacom's HD package.

TIA for any help.

I've been using a Series 2 TiVo with Mediacom for several years and am also looking into a Series 3. The cable card is absolutely necessary to make it work properly.

They are required to provide the cable cards, but they don't have to make it easy.
They are also required to provide QAM on basic cable channels, but that's not what they are doing at the moment.

Maybe you could ask the same question, or search for Mediacom at http://tivocommunity.com

Mediacom keeps telling TiVo users that it "won't work" with a cablecard. When pressed they say you won't get program quide or 2 way Pay per view stuff. Of course you don't need THEIR program guide info with a tivo, and the PPV is no big loss.

rhoops,

Any ETA yet?

rhoops,

Any ETA yet?

KOLR's HD transmitter will be ready to go on the air tomorrow afternoon.....
Problem is there is a minor discrepancy in the construction permit and that has to be modified and accepted by the FCC before we can actually throw the switch. That could happen at any time, and may already be straightened out as far as I know. KSFX is a day or two behind as far as installation goes.

KOLR's HD transmitter will be ready to go on the air tomorrow afternoon.....
Problem is there is a minor discrepancy in the construction permit and that has to be modified and accepted by the FCC before we can actually throw the switch. That could happen at any time, and may already be straightened out as far as I know. KSFX is a day or two behind as far as installation goes.

Oh crap! Will they be working over the weekend then? Need KSFX by Monday!!! :)

Hi there, I also have been reading this forum for a while and was wondering, Mediacom now has the local channels in HD... why is ksfx still not. CBS primetime shows are in HD and ksfx still says avaliable in HD? I thought Rhoops might be able to answer this question, but info from anyone who knows would be great

Hi there, I also have been reading this forum for a while and was wondering, Mediacom now has the local channels in HD... why is ksfx still not. CBS primetime shows are in HD and ksfx still says avaliable in HD? I thought Rhoops might be able to answer this question, but info from anyone who knows would be great

Fox is in HD for the two hours or so of primetime each night, and weekend sports. Everything else is syndicated or local and is in SD.

...Problem is there is a minor discrepancy in the construction permit and that has to be modified and accepted by the FCC before we can actually throw the switch. Not directed at you, rhoops, but the "problem is":
A station owner who's literally being dragged kicking & screaming into the digital age.

This isn't the first time they've missed deadlines for digital conversions or failed to file proper FCC paperwork. See the last two footnotes of this .pdf (http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=414927).

Not directed at you, rhoops, but the "problem is":
A station owner who's literally being dragged kicking & screaming into the digital age.

This isn't the first time they've missed deadlines for digital conversions or failed to file proper FCC paperwork. See the last two footnotes of this .pdf (http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=414927).

Good find, I think most of us knew this all along. I do know what hard times are, and this has probably been tough on these tv stations with a high debt load. I do think HD will bring more viewers and should create more advertising. I still think they should have gave us a waiver to get HD off satellite till they were ready for local HD.

Anyway just bring it on and make us all happy. I might watch Letterman tomorrow night. He probably looks alot older since I saw him last.

Letterman aged a little bit, but gawd, you should see Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune in HD (WABC-DT on D*). His makeup appears to have been applied with a trowel.

Vanna, on the other hand, looks as good as ever. :-)

Well I watch the OC and it is very clear, but not in wide screen, In fact i have yet to see anything in 16:9 on fox? that is what confuses me

Fox is in HD for the two hours or so of primetime each night, and weekend sports. Everything else is syndicated or local and is in SD.

No, nothing has been in HD on fox yet. None of the bowl games have been in HD when they should have. And no prime time shows have been in HD when they should have. I have been checking it every night. Rhoops, were they supposed to be in HD? Maybe a setting is wrong.

CBS has been running shows in HD that are supposed to be in HD. (However last night I flipped it to Letterman and it was all green and messed up.)

Well I watch the OC and it is very clear, but not in wide screen, In fact i have yet to see anything in 16:9 on fox? that is what confuses me

I'm confused too. Currently all I have to watch Mediacom on is a Samsung QAM receiver and it's not working well. Mediacom will bring me a real HD set top box on Monday.

I'm not exactly sure what point in the chain I'm monitoring (where I do see good 16:9), but it's what comes back on Mediacom that matters. Perhaps Mediacom is getting something different than what I'm seeing.

I've alerted the engineers to this problem.

I've been told the license / constuction permit issues won't be resolved for 7-10 days. That's Jan 15th.

It's all about the tower height specs. We had been planning to put the antenna at the place where KOZK used to be. The area manager for American Tower cleared it with us a long time ago. Unbeknownst to us the national office of American Tower had contracted with KSPR for that space.

KSPR probably doesn't want that space anymore, but they are in a contract that American Tower is not inclined to let them out of.

So we put the KOLR / KFSX antenna lower on the tower. Now we find out the construction permits weren't properly modified.

I thought a quick exchange of faxes with the FCC would fix things, but that's not happening.

"No Tickee, No Watchee". Evidently there is nothing that can be done to speed up the process at this point.

Blah! No BCS in HD!

I expect KOLR-DT/KSFX-DT to get on the air around Feb 2009.

I expect KOLR-DT/KSFX-DT to get on the air around Feb 2009.
I think you are giving them way too much credit there.

Well it looks like they are at least trying. What is the status of getting 33 KSPR OTA in HD?

OK at least I don't have to check again for a couple weeks.

sometimes I wish I didn't check this forum..... just seems like for the last 3 months my hopes have been hyped up then crushed not long after :) All of the sports worth watching in HD will be gone by the time it is up.

shocker----the ineptitude is astounding. Who would have guessed.

Back in December, I successfully fought the urge to be pessimistic. I'm through fighting it.

KOLR will go HD on Feb 5. The day after the Super Bowl.

Well it looks like they are at least trying. What is the status of getting 33 KSPR OTA in HD?
Well, it looks like both KSPR and KOLR/KSFX are waiting on FCC approval of some sort, I have been told by someone who would definintely know that the HD shopping list has already been made at KY3/KSPR and I would wager a fair sum that their transition will be smoother to put it nicely. . If you recall, it was annouced by KOLR/KSFX that this would be completed by September, 4 1/2 months later... Sure they are trying, I could try to fly the space shuttle, but at least I know when I am out of my league.

Thank you rhoops for all the info - even the bad info. Any info is better than just guesses and waiting. I realize you are only the messenger.

It's no wonder that Mission Broadcasting is in the red. I wouldn't advertise much without the broadcaster being in HD in this type of market. Now they will maybe get things up and running about the time there is no sports worth watching (IMO) and nothing but reruns in prime time.

At least we can watch the Chiefs tomorrow in (kind of) HD on NBC.

They were testing full power about 4 this afternoon, I found Judge Judy on my Tivo from KOLR in DT!!!!!!!!!!

Full Power is almost here!!!!

So what would happen if they just turned them on with the paperwork in process. I work for government and we see that all the time.

Just ask for forgiveness. Plus I dont thank anyone will be calling the FCC complaining about a new HD signal being recieved. (yes i know they do monitor that stuff and they would probably know the second it is turned on)

I am going to go now and wimper and then drink heavily hoping when i recover from this stooper it will be 7 - 10 days later and my blurred vision will be in HD

I am not sure why everyone on here seems to be down on NBC's HD. Other than PBS they are the only ones giving us HD OTA. I would be happy if fox looked half as good as NBC. I am even happy with smallville on 3.2 OTA. It looks 100 times better than the CW on mediacom, which looks like it is being tuned in on a wire coat hanger wrapped in aluminum foil.

I am not sure why everyone on here seems to be down on NBC's HD. Other than PBS they are the only ones giving us HD OTA. I would be happy if fox looked half as good as NBC. I am even happy with smallville on 3.2 OTA. It looks 100 times better than the CW on mediacom, which looks like it is being tuned in on a wire coat hanger wrapped in aluminum foil.
KYTV gets kudos for being full power HD for over 2 years. My only beef with them is that the sound is not 5.1 surround.

Yeah KLOR HD on mediacom has amazing sound, most of mediacom's HD channels are lower volume than the SD channels but KLOR HD makes me turn it down more than the SD. The 5.1 is amazing, I have to turn my sub down or it hits too hard. I wonder why that is?

I think you are giving them way too much credit there.
You may be right.


.

I am not sure why everyone on here seems to be down on NBC's HD. Other than PBS they are the only ones giving us HD OTA.I guess you don't have anything to compare it to.

I can compare both of these channels to the Fayetteville, AR affiliates and the difference is very noticeable on a decent HDTV that can resolve full HD. Neither KYTV-DT NBC 1080i or KOZK-DT 720p can hold a candle to true HD. KNWA-DT and KAFT-DT in Fayetteville look significantly better, due to better equipment and less (or no) multicasting on HD broadcasts.

There's no way to do decent MPEG2 HD with the multiple sub channels KOZK & KYTV are multicasting on. There simply isn't enough bandwidth, and the PQ suffers.

No, nothing has been in HD on fox yet. None of the bowl games have been in HD when they should have. And no prime time shows have been in HD when they should have. I have been checking it every night. Rhoops, were they supposed to be in HD? Maybe a setting is wrong.

CBS has been running shows in HD that are supposed to be in HD. (However last night I flipped it to Letterman and it was all green and messed up.)

Thanks for the information. I thought what the Fox Master Control Operator had on their 16:9 LCD screen was what Mediacom was taking. That's obviously not the case. The HD signal has a translucent KSFX bug in the lower right hand corner (in addition to being 16:9).

Between the intermittent breakups on my Samsung QAM box, I can see that's just not whats there.

The Mediacom guy will come over on Monday and we'll knock heads.

You said in an earlier post, rhoops that Mediacom was taking the feed of CBS before it got your encoder...could this be the case with FOX?

I'm almost wondering if they're getting the straight network feed.

I hope you guys can get it straitened out. I like a lot of shows on fox, but i did not buy a 32" wide screen to watch a 25" square in the middle of it

Looks like it will be another week before I see Letterman. Just hope KSFX is full power by the Daytona 500. The way things are going KSPR may beat KOLR & KSFX.

Well I wonder if the game on fox today will be in HD 16:9 on mediacom?

Well I wonder if the game on fox today will be in HD 16:9 on mediacom?
yeah, I wonder :confused: . The games were nice in HD yesterday. Too bad KSFX and KOLR have their heads where the sun doesn't shine.

I'm watching the Pats and the Jets in HD on Mediacom 709 right now! :)
I guess they got the CBS national feed going. How about OTA?

sigh we could only wish

Yeah CBS on mediacom has been HD since it showed up on 709. All of there primetime programs like "The King of Queens" have been in 16:9 with amazing 5.1 sound. Fox is the only ones with there heads up there butts. But nothing OTA yet, only NBC and PBS

No reason for fox on mediacom not to be in HD, just someone asleep at the switch I guess

Just as I thought... game is starting on fox (702) and it is in 4:3. So off it goes.
I personaly will not turn Fox back on until someone on here lets me know they have there HD in 16:9.
All I watch on fox anymore is "The O.C." and "The War at Home" and i can download HD copies of each with out commercials. Sorry fox, get your act together and I will tune back in, till then you are dead to me.

rhoops,

any word on the paperwork issue with the FCC?

A watched pot will not boil........ look away........

Just as I thought... game is starting on fox (702) and it is in 4:3. So off it goes.
I personaly will not turn Fox back on until someone on here lets me know they have there HD in 16:9.
All I watch on fox anymore is "The O.C." and "The War at Home" and i can download HD copies of each with out commercials. Sorry fox, get your act together and I will tune back in, till then you are dead to me.

Heavens! We can't have people turning Fox off. Homer and Marge would starve.
You leave me no choice but to fix the problem.

You've got your 16:9 HD now. (Primetime and weekends only).

Heavens! We can't have people turning Fox off. Homer and Marge would starve.
You leave me no choice but to fix the problem.

You've got your 16:9 HD now. (Primetime and weekends only).


Hehe, ok now, let's fix the whole problem and get the OTA up and running! :p

A watched pot will not boil........ look away........
The pot appears to have been left on LOW.
Which never will boil.

Heavens! We can't have people turning Fox off. Homer and Marge would starve.
You leave me no choice but to fix the problem.

You've got your 16:9 HD now. (Primetime and weekends only).


Woohoo! So, are talking about OTA, Mediacom, or both?

looks like only Mediacom :( If it is OTA, then it is the worst ota HD on the planet :(

OK, getting it in HD 720p on Mediacom. Pre-game looks and sounds good.

Now, all we need is for Mediacom to descramble KY3 and add PBS!!!

Yes, Fox looks very good on Mediacom. No noticeable pixelation (like KY3HD) or sound skipping (like KOLRHD).

Hopefully they are still tweaking the settings and CBS will lose the sound skipping.

Thanks for notifying Mediacom about FOX not being in HD rhoops!

Heavens! We can't have people turning Fox off. Homer and Marge would starve.
You leave me no choice but to fix the problem.

You've got your 16:9 HD now. (Primetime and weekends only).


:D Yeah man, MAD props to you, it is very cool to have this forum to be able to talk to someone who has to ability to make things happen. You kick A55 :D

Heavens! We can't have people turning Fox off. Homer and Marge would starve.
You leave me no choice but to fix the problem.

You've got your 16:9 HD now. (Primetime and weekends only).

Ummm yeah, if you could fix the OTA problem for those of us who don't live in the Mediacom area, that would be great. Oh, and about those TPS reports...

I'd like to add my voice to those thanking rhoops for his information and efforts!

And now that I've buttered you up, any chance you can find out what mediacom did to screw up QAM tunning? Still can't get anything other than 33 via QAM...

rhoops,

any word on the paperwork issue with the FCC?


rhoops' peeps asked me to answer this one. Apparently, the paperwork was sent to the FAA, not the FCC...an easy mistake. The crack team at KSFX and KOLR, as always, is on top of it though, so don't worry. New paperwork will be drafted as the old paperwork was not copied in any format. To make sure there are no more boo boos, the new paperwork will be sent by horseback this time. ETA at the FCC in Washington D.C. is sometime in mid-Feb, weather permitting.

So DirecTV is getting local HD channels in our area this year plus 100 additional HD channels.

Maybe I should move out of my apartment this year (free Mediacom) so I can get all these HD channels.

DirecTV looks to be the way to go come the latter half of this year.

Here is the link for some of the HD channels they are adding.

http://tv.ign.com/articles/753/753818p1.html

rhoops' peeps asked me to answer this one. Apparently, the paperwork was sent to the FAA, not the FCC...an easy mistake. The crack team at KSFX and KOLR, as always, is on top of it though, so don't worry. New paperwork will be drafted as the old paperwork was not copied in any format. To make sure there are no more boo boos, the new paperwork will be sent by horseback this time. ETA at the FCC in Washington D.C. is sometime in mid-Feb, weather permitting.
ROFL! :D

So DirecTV is getting local HD channels in our area this year plus 100 additional HD channels.

Maybe I should move out of my apartment this year (free Mediacom) so I can get all these HD channels.

DirecTV looks to be the way to go come the latter half of this year.

Here is the link for some of the HD channels they are adding.

http://tv.ign.com/articles/753/753818p1.html

unfortunately I can't read this article at work :( But I thought the 100 HD channels were just all of the other affiliates from around the country. What are some they are adding, and will our price go up? I couldn't find anything on Dtv's website about it.

Here is the article:

"Satellite provider DirecTV at CES 2007 announced that it plans to launch 100 new HD-dedicated channels in the coming months to support what it has dubbed "the year of HD." The company will effectively be offering three times more HD programming than any other distributor by the third quarter of the year. And there are spectacular additions coming, as we'll list below.

Look out for HD-ized versions of major network channels, including A&E, National Geographic, Bravo, NFL Network, Cartoon Network, Food Network, TBS, FX, The History Channel, HGTV, The Weather Channel, USA Network, MTV, and our personal favorite, the Sci Fi Channel.


For more than a year, nerds like us have begged for DirecTV to carry the Sci Fi Channel in HD so that we can watch HD versions of Battlestar Galactica as soon as they debut. It seems that our prayers and cries for a response have finally been addressed. Thank you, DirecTV.

The provider will also extend its sports-based HD programming by offerings hundreds of new games from the Regional Sports Networks around the country. DirecTV will additionally serve up an expanded line of premium movie channels in high-definition.

"This is DIRECTV's break-out year for HD," said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. "The launch of our two new satellites will complete the largest capacity expansion in DIRECTV history, and no other video service will be able to match the sheer volume and quality of our HD programming. With HD adoption now reaching critical mass in the U.S., and 40 million homes projected to have HD-capable TV's this year, DIRECTV will be uniquely positioned as the best choice for HD programming."

The company has not yet revealed when HD versions of these channels will debut, but we'll keep you posted as more details become available. "



I'm sure there will be a price increase or different HD packages. It is still exciting though.

unfortunately I can't read this article at work :( But I thought the 100 HD channels were just all of the other affiliates from around the country. What are some they are adding, and will our price go up? I couldn't find anything on Dtv's website about it.
In the investor relations part of the D*TV website, news realeases, it was announced yesterday as part of their CES presentation, they claim to have signed and/or agreements in principle with 70 networks including National Geographic, AE, Bravo, FOOD, ...

well, as far as i am concerned we pay too much for this stuff as it is. With the HD package, we are paying around $60 a month or more. I hope they increase the HD package channel count to around 20-30 before jacking the price up. B/c if they do increase the price drastically for HD content than I am switching to a different provider. They should at least reward the ones of us that have been ripped off for 8 HD channels for the last year. And a large majority of the content on those channels was just converted older programing to HD, not True HD content.

rhoops' peeps asked me to answer this one. Apparently, the paperwork was sent to the FAA, not the FCC...an easy mistake. The crack team at KSFX and KOLR, as always, is on top of it though, so don't worry. New paperwork will be drafted as the old paperwork was not copied in any format. To make sure there are no more boo boos, the new paperwork will be sent by horseback this time. ETA at the FCC in Washington D.C. is sometime in mid-Feb, weather permitting.


LOL,

but seriously, what is the status of the paperwork?

LOL,

but seriously, what is the status of the paperwork?

Still looking at a date between the 12th and 19th of January. No new information.

Nexstar/Misson crystal ball says:
Feb 5, 2007 (the day after the Stupor Bowl).


:-)

Still looking at a date between the 12th and 19th of January. No new information.

And its unlikely to be Monday, since its a federal holiday.

rhoops, thanks for clearing up my tears

2006/2007 Season - HD & 5.1 Surround Sound Entertainment Programs



CBS ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING
AVAILABLE IN HDTV AND 5.1 SURROUND SOUND
(All times listed are ET/PT unless otherwise noted)


MONDAY-FRIDAY
*THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (12:30-1:30PM ET/11:00AM-12:00N PT)
*LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (11:35PM-12:37AM)

SUNDAY
COLD CASE (9:00-10:00 PM)
WITHOUT A TRACE (10:00-11:00 PM)

MONDAY
THE CLASS (8:00-8:30 PM)
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (8:30-9:00 PM)
*TWO AND A HALF MEN (9:00-9:30 PM)
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (9:30-10:00 PM)
CSI: MIAMI (10:00-11:00 PM)

TUESDAY
NCIS (8:00-9:00 PM)
THE UNIT (9:00-10:00PM)
SMITH (10:00-11:00 PM)

WEDNESDAY
JERICHO (8:00-9:00 PM)
CRIMINAL MINDS (9:00-10:00 PM)
CSI: NY (10:00-11:00 PM)

THURSDAY
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (9:00-10:00 PM)
SHARK (10:00-11:00 PM)

FRIDAY
GHOST WHISPERER (8:00-9:00PM)
CLOSE TO HOME (9:00-10:00 PM)
NUMB3RS (10:00-11:00 PM)

SATURDAY
CRIMETIME SATURDAY (8:00-9:00 PM)
CRIMETIME SATURDAY (9:00-10:00 PM)

*Note: Indicates show is NOT available in 5.1 Surround Sound.



CBS PRIMETIME PROGRAMS
NOT AVAILABLE IN HD OR 5.1 SURROUND SOUND
(All times listed are ET/PT)


SUNDAY
60 MINUTES (7:00-8:00PM)
THE AMAZING RACE 10 (8:00-9:00PM)

THURSDAY
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS (8:00-9:00PM)

SATURDAY
48 HOURS MYSTERY (10:00-11:00PM)

**Note: CBS provides an Upconverted Feed of the above programs. However, during NFL Football season, due to the logistics and technical facilities available, 60 MINUTES will not (repeat not) be Upconverted – stations must do so locally.

I have not seen any reports on OTA reception of the KOLR signal (just Mediacom's feed) so I thought I would share my current results.

I live in a very low area in South Springfield that does NOT have clear line of sight to the tower (blocked by large houses that sit much higher than mine). Tonight I was able to adjust my Terk indoor antenna just enough get the the signal. My Vip 211 set-top box says I am getting a signal strength between 56-58. It very briefly cuts out once about every hour or so, but rarely enough not to be annoying.

Although it was not in HD it was nice to get a clear picture of CBS! Thanks to the crew working on this! :)

*LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (11:35PM-12:37AM)
*Note: Indicates show is NOT available in 5.1 Surround Sound.

Paul Schafer and the CBS Orchestra only in plain stereo? What gives?

Does anyone have any idea when we might see HD programing on 3.2 (CW) or maybe on mediacom? I would love to see smallvile in HD. 3.1 is HD

Does anyone have any idea when we might see HD programing on 3.2 (CW) or maybe on mediacom? I would love to see smallvile in HD. 3.1 is HD

I believe Smallville can be seen in HD on UHD (for those of us that are DirecTV subscribers)

Paul Schafer and the CBS Orchestra only in plain stereo? What gives?

I wish I knew. None of us at KOLR can figure it out. When Letterman came to CBS the Sullivan theater was re-done with the best technology and I believe his contract called for first rate stuff all the way. The KOLR audio guy and I had our GM contact affiliate relations and the technical folks at CBS. All we got back was the page I just posted. I feel cheated!

I believe Smallville can be seen in HD on UHD (for those of us that are DirecTV subscribers)


Yeah I can see smallville on UHD on mediacom, But not the new episodes, they are just reruns... but they do look great

Does anyone have any idea when we might see HD programing on 3.2 (CW) or maybe on mediacom? I would love to see smallvile in HD. 3.1 is HDKY3, Inc. owns K15CZ and K17DL. They broadcast K15CZ/K17DL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K15CZ) OTA digitally on ch 3-2, a sub channel of KYTV-DT. OTA digital channels only have the capacity to transmit 1 channel in HD, which KYTV does (half-a$$ed) with NBC on 3-1. So they can't do 3-2 in HD.

K15CZ/K17DL do not have their own digital transmitters (they don't even have construction permits or applications with the FCC to go digital). So, don't look for the CW in HD in Springfield any time soon, OTA. And it's unlikely they'll be in HD on cable for the forseeable future, either. Most of KY3 Inc. money will probably be going into construction of KSPR-DT's full power HD station.

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.

As slow as the FCC's wheels grind, we may not have OTA before the Super Bowl.

I'll take the under, but just barely. Anyone want to take the over......?

2006/2007 Season - HD & 5.1 Surround Sound Entertainment Programs



CBS ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING
AVAILABLE IN HDTV AND 5.1 SURROUND SOUND
(All times listed are ET/PT unless otherwise noted)


MONDAY-FRIDAY
*THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (12:30-1:30PM ET/11:00AM-12:00N PT)
*LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (11:35PM-12:37AM)

SUNDAY
COLD CASE (9:00-10:00 PM)
WITHOUT A TRACE (10:00-11:00 PM)

MONDAY
THE CLASS (8:00-8:30 PM)
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (8:30-9:00 PM)
*TWO AND A HALF MEN (9:00-9:30 PM)
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (9:30-10:00 PM)
CSI: MIAMI (10:00-11:00 PM)

TUESDAY
NCIS (8:00-9:00 PM)
THE UNIT (9:00-10:00PM)
SMITH (10:00-11:00 PM)

WEDNESDAY
JERICHO (8:00-9:00 PM)
CRIMINAL MINDS (9:00-10:00 PM)
CSI: NY (10:00-11:00 PM)

THURSDAY
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (9:00-10:00 PM)
SHARK (10:00-11:00 PM)

FRIDAY
GHOST WHISPERER (8:00-9:00PM)
CLOSE TO HOME (9:00-10:00 PM)
NUMB3RS (10:00-11:00 PM)

SATURDAY
CRIMETIME SATURDAY (8:00-9:00 PM)
CRIMETIME SATURDAY (9:00-10:00 PM)

*Note: Indicates show is NOT available in 5.1 Surround Sound.



CBS PRIMETIME PROGRAMS
NOT AVAILABLE IN HD OR 5.1 SURROUND SOUND
(All times listed are ET/PT)


SUNDAY
60 MINUTES (7:00-8:00PM)
THE AMAZING RACE 10 (8:00-9:00PM)

THURSDAY
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS (8:00-9:00PM)

SATURDAY
48 HOURS MYSTERY (10:00-11:00PM)

**Note: CBS provides an Upconverted Feed of the above programs. However, during NFL Football season, due to the logistics and technical facilities available, 60 MINUTES will not (repeat not) be Upconverted – stations must do so locally.
CBS HD in Ozark:
None

Arkie,
I would hope before SB.

But now that they have an excuse ("waiting on the FCC"), nexstar-mission can take as long as they want.

Thank goodness for WCBS-DT NY on D* and KFSM-DT from Ft. Smith.

Funny/sad story:

Well I got cable installed on Monday. Both techs Mediacom sent didn't even know what a DVI or HDMI cable was ;). They were both self described "just installers." The first guy didn't even bring an HD receiver with him, dragged out a digital receiver and hooked up with some "cable he had laying in his truck." They were composite LOL. Anyway my TV doesn't have any tuners so he was quite perplexed as to how he could get cable to my fancy TV in the living room that lacked a coax input.

A different tech came out today with an HD/DVR receiver. For some reason I can't get about half the HD channels but I can get the others. He replaced all the coax in the house. I didn't think it would help any but I thought what the heck new coax. Anyway, they are sending a troubleshooting tech later. He left with the outputs on the HD receiver sent to 4:3 (my TV is 16:9) and 480p - I kid you not! Good thing I found the user guide for my receiver on the internet.

My Question:

Anyway, the reason for this post is to see whether anyone is having any luck getting the broadcast channels through a QAM device? I thought I remember some people saying Mediacom has even those encrypted. I'm thinking very hard about going the HTPC route after these experiences seeing as how I apparently know as much (if not more) about HD than half of Mediacom's techs.

As slow as the FCC's wheels grind, we may not have OTA before the Super Bowl.

I'll take the under, but just barely. Anyone want to take the over......?
I took Feb 5 back in post 1405.

My Question:

Anyway, the reason for this post is to see whether anyone is having any luck getting the broadcast channels through a QAM device? I thought I remember some people saying Mediacom has even those encrypted. I'm thinking very hard about going the HTPC route after these experiences seeing as how I apparently know as much (if not more) about HD than half of Mediacom's techs.

I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering if anyone at Mediacom knows what is going on. Everyone I've talked to is pretty much clueless as to what is going on with their HD channels. I was actually holding on to a thread of hope that one of their installers/techs might have a clue. I guess that might not be the case. I too am wondering if anyone is getting the local HD channels through a QAM device. My tv with QAM tuner picks them up in a scan, but they won't hold a picture for more than a second at a time. I've tried pretty much everything with my wiring including a straight shot from the cable from the ground to the tv. Still no luck. I guess I'm somewhat releived that I'm not the only one with this problem, but I'm worried that even one of their own STBs won't pick up all the channels.

Is anyone having luck picking up the unscrambled locals with a QAM tuner?

Bueller??? Bueller???

I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering if anyone at Mediacom knows what is going on. Everyone I've talked to is pretty much clueless as to what is going on with their HD channels. I was actually holding on to a thread of hope that one of their installers/techs might have a clue. I guess that might not be the case. I too am wondering if anyone is getting the local HD channels through a QAM device. My tv with QAM tuner picks them up in a scan, but they won't hold a picture for more than a second at a time. I've tried pretty much everything with my wiring including a straight shot from the cable from the ground to the tv. Still no luck. I guess I'm somewhat releived that I'm not the only one with this problem, but I'm worried that even one of their own STBs won't pick up all the channels.

Is anyone having luck picking up the unscrambled locals with a QAM tuner?

Bueller??? Bueller???
I am getting KOLR and KSFX in very good right now. (channel 62-13 and 62-14) KSPR shows as KSPR -DT in the scan, but the picture is not HD, and KY3 is nowhere to be found.

I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering if anyone at Mediacom knows what is going on. Everyone I've talked to is pretty much clueless as to what is going on with their HD channels. I was actually holding on to a thread of hope that one of their installers/techs might have a clue. I guess that might not be the case. I too am wondering if anyone is getting the local HD channels through a QAM device. My tv with QAM tuner picks them up in a scan, but they won't hold a picture for more than a second at a time. I've tried pretty much everything with my wiring including a straight shot from the cable from the ground to the tv. Still no luck. I guess I'm somewhat releived that I'm not the only one with this problem, but I'm worried that even one of their own STBs won't pick up all the channels.

Is anyone having luck picking up the unscrambled locals with a QAM tuner?

Bueller??? Bueller???

Well I'd like to give you a vote of confidence and make you feel better but unfortunately I can't.

Not only do none of their techs seem to know what is going on, the channels I was previously not getting have come in off and on (ESPN HD, UHD to name a couple). But even when they do come in I get a lot of skipping, pixilation, and audio cutting out. Sometimes its watchable, sometimes its not. Regardless, its a problem no one paying the premium for the service should have to deal with. Stars HD and Discovery HD run without hiccups and look finger lickin' good.

I am getting KOLR and KSFX in very good right now. (channel 62-13 and 62-14) KSPR shows as KSPR -DT in the scan, but the picture is not HD, and KY3 is nowhere to be found.

What QAM tuner are you using? The H260F?

I've have gotten all of the local channels in HD over QAM for the past few days. I would say a few weeks but like others KSFX HD,before it was just digital SD 4:3, has only been for the last few days(thank you rhoops). For those who are newer I live in Cabool and have regular family cable through Mediacom.

TUESDAY
NCIS (8:00-9:00 PM)
THE UNIT (9:00-10:00PM)
SMITH (10:00-11:00 PM) ????????

I thought Smith was dead and gone???

Leon

rhoops, did the company think of applying for an STA so you could go ahead and broadcast while waiting for the paperwork to sort out?

Now langlin, that would just make too much sense.

DOH!

well, as far as i am concerned we pay too much for this stuff as it is. With the [D*] HD package, we are paying around $60 a month or more. I hope they increase the HD package channel count to around 20-30 before jacking the price up. B/c if they do increase the price drastically for HD content than I am switching to a different provider...
Brody,
I'm with you about paying too much for TV. But I read a rumor on another board that D* may increase the price for TotalChoice basic by $5 a month and drop the charge for HD channels.

Time will tell.

Well, as long as they increase the HD count I will be happy. But if they think I am going to pay more for the extra HD channels they have another thing coming.

I don't think they'll increase prices for HD. I've heard that a lot of people drop the HD tier after a few months, due to not enough programming for the price.

For those wanting to go the HTPC route for QAM, I can offer my expierence.

I am using a MYHD-130 to record QAM, and a MYHD-100 to view on a second machine, accross a gigabit network.

Before mediacom screwed with things to add KOLR and KSFX, I could get KY3 in HD, the KY3 sub channels, and KSPR33 in HD (Lost looked awesome.) It was great. Using the Cliff Watson guide/scheduler program for MYD, I had a workable, tivo like solution. I could schedule matches based on title, and they would record only new episodes, etc.

However, since they screwed/change things, I can only tune KSPR33. It appears to be in HD, however for me (spot checks no real recordings yet.) In preperation for my superbowl party, I've setup an antenna in the attic and can tune the KY3 channels/subs at 99% strength, and get KOZK as well.

Since the MYHD-130 has two inputs, I have dedicated one to over the air and one to cable. Once Fox and CBS are live via the air, I should be set. I'll tune everything but KSPR over the air, and get KSPR via QAM. I'm also going to split the antenna feed to the MYHD-100 (which does not do QAM, only over the air.) This will allow me to record two things at the same time.

Over all I really like the solution. The myHD130 will output component, vga, dvi (with daughter card) and since it is hardware recording you don't need a fast machine. You can also have the MYHD output two your TV directly, and still do things on your computer, while it plays/records. It also does timeshifting of live feeds.

However, I'm an IT guy, so consider that when you go the HTPC route, and I say it's easy ;)

I don't think they'll increase prices for HD. I've heard that a lot of people drop the HD tier after a few months, due to not enough programming for the price.


I should have dropped it, but it is nice having ESPNHD and DiscoveryHD. That is about all I ever watch on there, except on rare occasion when HDNET will have an MLS game or two :P

Of course, call D* and complain they give you the package free. I have yet to pay a dime for the D* HD Package.

I did call them and complain about 2 months ago, and they told me that new stations were on the way, and just said they were sorry.

However, I'm an IT guy, so consider that when you go the HTPC route, and I say it's easy ;)


I'm an IT guy also I used the Divco HTDV Fusion card and have nice results with Media portal as a front end. Feeding my TV via 6600gt/component output. The setup has performed beyond my expectations and on top of that has the WAF seal of approval :D

Anyone else watch KY3 OTA tonight during Earl, Office, Scrubs, and 30 Rock? I finally put an old, nearly fallen apart, set of rabbit ears on my tv tonight. I was surprised when my tv picked up 3.1 with this crappy set of bunny ears. (really, it looks like a dog has chewed on them for a while) Anyway, that is beside the point.

Tonight is the first time I've been able to watch any HD programming on my tv. I was quite disappointed during the first few minutes of Earl. The picture was small and blurry. There were black bars on both the top and bottom of the 16:9 picture on my 16:9 tv. I tried every aspect option on my tv, but I quickly realized that the signal was being sent with the black bars on it. Not only that, it was a pretty lousy picture. Finally, halfway through the first commercial break, I heard the sound change. I looked up and noticed the picture was filling the entire screen, and it was much clearer. 10 seconds later, it was back to the small blurry picture. After the commercial break, the show returned in this small format, and then a few seconds later it finally filled the screen with a nice clear picture.

It seems like someone kept forgetting to flip the switch back on after the commercial breaks. Throughout Earl and The Office, I noticed the switch back and forth during commercial breaks. There was also a very dramatic difference in volume between the commercials and the shows (the commercials being much louder). This is something I haven't ever noticed with SD programming on my tv. I know that Scrubs isn't broadcast in HD. However, when 30 Rock came on, it was halfway through the show before it showed up in HD. Literally halfway between 2 commercial breaks, the picture changed.

Please tell me that I am not the only one who noticed these issues. Is someone at the KY3 studio slacking on pushing the button? They must have been taking an extended smoke break or bathroom break at the beginning of 30 Rock.

I'm new to HD, but I didn't think KY3 was so new to it. Am I doing something wrong, or am I just expecting too much.

I watched "Earl" on KNWA-DT in Fayetteville/Rogers. Looked fine on that station.

I never watch KYTV-DT because even when they remember to "flip the switch" it just doesn't look as sharp and crisp as KNWA. Even HD-Lite WNBC-DT on D* looks better than KYTV.

How many of yall can receive KNWA DT? arxaw is right it is better than KYTV DT.

Please tell me that I am not the only one who noticed these issues. Is someone at the KY3 studio slacking on pushing the button? They must have been taking an extended smoke break or bathroom break at the beginning of 30 Rock.

I'm new to HD, but I didn't think KY3 was so new to it. Am I doing something wrong, or am I just expecting too much.

I have been watching KY3 in HD for over 2yrs. It's always been like that as long as I can remember. It doesn't always happen, but it happens frequently. Earl and The Office frequently start in letterboxed SD and after commercial (sometimes) will suddenly become HD. I don't know if it's a problem in the station or if it's their feed. I always thought it was their feed from the network, but I don't know how those things work. You can tell it's not a problem with your TV because when it goes to letterboxed SD, the station logo is partially in the black bars.

boyersmile, that happens all the damn time with KY3. It's very irritating.

Asleep at the switch.

I am just happy that The O.C. looked awesome last night on fox (mediacom). I am curious why commercials seem to be almost twice as loud as the show, it is quite a hassel to keep turning the volume up and down at every commercial

...I am curious why commercials seem to be almost twice as loud as the show, it is quite a hassel to keep turning the volume up and down at every commercialA solution to this problem appears to be on the way. Article (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/08/BUGBMNE3T71.DTL).

A solution to this problem appears to be on the way. Article (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/08/BUGBMNE3T71.DTL).

They should just implement this at the station so we don't have to buy new equipment.

The volume of KY3's programming is far lower than their commercials. It's downright obnoxious. I don't remember it being this bad on analog.

On a similar note, I also don't like how PBS-HD is so quiet. It's at least 12dB softer than satellite (that is, if my receiver's volume indicator is in dB).

well, today is the 12th and (so it has been said) that sometime between today and next Friday 10 and 27 will get their paperwork in order. cough cough

we shall see - literally

They should just implement this at the station so we don't have to buy new equipment.They should, but they never will.

That's why Dolby thinks people will want to buy TVs with Dolby Volume™. The feature could easily be added to satellite and cable STBs, DVD players, etc.

Some equipment already comes with sound leveling (example: Magnavox SmartSound TVs), but it never has worked very well with the huge dynamic range of digital sound.

Still looking at a date between the 12th and 19th of January. No new information.
Rhoops,
So all the equipment is installed, tested, tuned, and approved. The second the FCC stamps your paperwork, you will flip the switch and we have full power OTA HD.

Correct?

Rhoops,
So all the equipment is installed, tested, tuned, and approved. The second the FCC stamps your paperwork, you will flip the switch and we have full power OTA HD.

Correct?

You are correct sir!

Asleep at the switch.

Good grief, why isn't it automatic?

You are correct sir!

Cool. :)
Thanks, man.

I am just happy that The O.C. looked awesome last night on fox (mediacom). I am curious why commercials seem to be almost twice as loud as the show, it is quite a hassel to keep turning the volume up and down at every commercial

There are typically two local breaks in an hour of network programming. The majority of commercials come from the network. If the network breaks are louder that's the way the network is sending them.

Unfortunately there is no volume control for this embedded digital stream. The level of the local commercials can be controlled locally, but network has to be passed "as is".

Well I'd like to give you a vote of confidence and make you feel better but unfortunately I can't.

Not only do none of their techs seem to know what is going on, the channels I was previously not getting have come in off and on (ESPN HD, UHD to name a couple). But even when they do come in I get a lot of skipping, pixilation, and audio cutting out. Sometimes its watchable, sometimes its not. Regardless, its a problem no one paying the premium for the service should have to deal with. Stars HD and Discovery HD run without hiccups and look finger lickin' good.



What QAM tuner are you using? The H260F?
just the tuner in my 50" Panny pplasma....

You are correct sir!
And the status of the paperwork...?

You are correct sir!

Now that I think about it, I'm sure more full-power testing needs to be done this weekend.

I suggest testing KOLR-HD from 3:30-7pm Saturday and Sunday. Test KSFX-HD from 7-11pm Saturday and Noon-3:30 on Sunday.

You know, just to be sure.

good one, motorhead :-)

Anyone have a guess as if the playoff football games this weekend (2 on FOX & 2 on CBS) will be HD thru Mediacom?? Seems like a roll of this dice sometimes!

Do the QAM channels on Medicom have similar picture and sound quality as channels 702 thru 712? I do not have a QAM receiver to test. TIA!

You are correct sir!


So when you get permission to flip the switch, does that mean OTA for KLOR only or is that FOX too?