One of my buds, up here, worked with Garland on the MTV launch. I don't know if his recollections are positive or negative. I just gave him an email nudge about it!

Originally posted by IAM4UK
SkltLqr, for your HD-DVR needs, have you considered building a home theater computer (HTPC)? There is a boatload of info on these forums if you are interested. I built one, and it is now the centerpiece of my home entertainment system. You can PM me if you want to discuss it without cluttering this Albuquerque HDTV thread.

I've been looking into HTPC as an option for a while, but have generally ruled it out for WAF reasons. I'm already in the doghouse as it is since I put the UHF antenna close enough to the front of my house so it can be seen from the street! The horror!

:eek:

Since the two or three Fox shows I watch (Simpsons, Arrested Development, Family Guy) seem to have ended their seasons, I have time to address the HD-DVR issue before next fall. That gives me plenty of time to work on the Mrs.

The new Sony dvr here (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DHGHDD500&CategoryName=tvhav_HDDVRs&DCMP=CNET_DF&HQS=OT_DHGHDD500) is due out next month. A lot of people are watching for this. Too bad it doesn't have two tuners though. JR

Ot... but have any of you gotten the V*10 pack?.... I did yesterday, the PQ is steller...

Last night was pretty sad for the Albuquerque DT market. I still can't get KOB-DT most of the time. "Hope and Faith" was on KOAT-DT but the center channel wasn't working so you couldn't hear anything except the applause. Lastly, Numbers on KRQE-DT was not in HD like it usually is. Anyone know why almost every station had problems last night?

I had a very small problem only with KOB--Third watch. mostly good hd picture

My wife HD-Tivo's Number3, and I particularly enjoyes having the flood/tornado warning on screen for about 15 minutes.

Wonder how many folks in the SE corner of the state are actually pulling KRQE digital via an antenna, such that they could benefit from the warning?

And although I had a period about a month or so ago where I could actual get KOB perhaps 75% of the time that I tried, I am back to being in a "black hole" for their signal.

BGL

I had a problem with KOB-DT on Wednesday night during Revelations. There was a bad lip sync issue where the audio was almost one second ahead of the video for the entire episode. It was very strange during dramatic moments to hear the words and then see the emphasis in their facial expressions.

Brian

Originally posted by BGLeduc


Wonder how many folks in the SE corner of the state are actually pulling KRQE digital via an antenna, such that they could benefit from the warning?



BGL Heh Heh... I think I am the only one around Carlsbad that knows koct broadcasts in digital... sometimes...(no HD)and then the Pq is not too great. I think Roswell actually gets Kobr dt in Hd as for the rest of us down here No Ota Hd... I get my Hd networks from both D* and E* all but abc... I fee your pain about stuff on the screen.

Originally posted by dfergie
Ot... but have any of you gotten the V*10 pack?.... I did yesterday, the PQ is steller...

Yup, yup. Turned it on this week. I re-aimed my dish pointing at 148 degrees west to look at 61.5 and got a clear shot right between two big spruce trees on my front lawn. The look angle is low, but I have 125 signal strength (pegged) on transponder 12 and the PQ is very good.

.....G

what is the V.10 pak?

Is that with D*?

It sounds like the Voom Channels E* just picked up off the corpse of Voom. Glad to hear they're good PQ. Folks are pretty much expecting them over at D* -- if not after the recently launched bird gets baked -- then, the next. which is launching in June.

It is the Voom pack on E*... I have D* hd also and these knock anything D* has in the dirt... Keeping D* though when they get the new sats going it might be a different story... ( and I get my hd networks from D*)

cool..I have E* what channels are they?

Do I have to do anything to get them....(like pay)?

Originally posted by moonhawk
cool..I have E* what channels are they?

Do I have to do anything to get them....(like pay)? They are on 61.5 $5 extra but worth it Imho.... Channels 9470=Rave, 9471=Equator, 9472=Gallery, 9474=Animania, 9476=Rush, 9478=Ultra, 9479=GuyTV, 9480=Majestic, 9481=Monsters and 9482=Hdnews. These channels are on Rainbow 1 and are Pq is very good (like discovery and the hdnets used to be)... you can request a free install of the dish as some of the Albuquerque locals are on the E* 61.5 sat...For more info there are threads at SatelliteGuys ....

I can't wait till we get "Monsters" on D*.

Thank

Originally posted by moonhawk
Thank NP... :) I'm Recording an old Western "Apache" as I type this on my 921... incidentally the rest of the V* channels are supposed to be on E* by early 06... Probably threads here in the Hd section...And this friday is the 13th so you can Imagine what movies will be on Monsters... :D

Originally posted by dfergie
They are on 61.5 $5 extra but worth it Imho...
Yes, I agree. Especially since the 61.5 dish install is free due to the "must-carry" rule.

Now I have 25 channels of HD programming on my 921 (20 sat and 5 OTA.) I'd have 26 if I could receive KOB up here in Espanola, but Sean Anker says they will raise their transmitter power later this year, so I hope to be able to receive KOB then.

.....G

I get 22 (counting Cbs east and west) on E* and 12 on D* (counting Cbs, Nbc and Fox x2) but have been steady watchin the V*10 additions...

I signed up for the VOOM channels on Dish (I already had a 61.5 satellite but it wasn't connected) and accessing whether the additional channels are worth $5 more a month. We will see.

Well, I'm now receiving KOB for the first time ever. I replaced my old rooftop antenna (a huge VHF/UHF Winegard HD8200p) with a much smaller, UHF-only model 91XG from Antennas Direct (http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_antenna.html) The new antenna has 3dB more UHF gain than the Winegard and it pulls in all the ABQ DTV stations. I'm using a Channelmaster 7777 mast-mounted preamp.

I had about 20 pigeons on my old Winegard every morning - they loved it. They can't find anywhere to sit on the new one - God bless 'em. :p

.....G

Breaking News!!!!!

Emmis is selling KRQE-DT and other 14 TV stations around the country since they are loosing money and want to recoup the cost.

I wonder who will be the next new owner of KRQE-DT?:rolleyes:

It's would be nice if CBS network buy this station and would become a O&O with a out of town TV from LA via, D* or E* DBS satellite with a blanket waiver for everone in Albuquerque TV market DMA!

Any ideas who would be the next new owner of KRQE-DT?

I will update on this breaking story or anyones has the latest story please bring it in!!

Thanks!

5-11-05

->guruka -- There are no 61.5 nor 148 must-carry channels for our DMA that I know of. Dish 20?
->dfergie -- What 22 on Dish, counting Sho and HBO twice? How do you get CBS E/W, white area?

I used my former must-carry 148W dish to spot 61.5W and get good signal, near pegged on TP12.
"Standard" transponder channels are 11 and 12 because they are available on most birds.
Voom odd TPs (1 3 5 7?) come in but cannot be signal checked yet.
OTA reception is great with an old under-deck moderate VHF/UHF, 49 miles from the Crest.

My anomalies are for closed captions: 720p (ABC, FOX) does not work well and the Dish 921 has a 4 second delay on CBS not on the 811. (This may be mine only? CSIs only? All other have no delay.)

I get Alb OTA mapped: 2.1 4.1 5.1 7.1 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 13.1 19.1 50.1 plus unused 32.1 and others?
Dish: TNT-HD DiscHD HDNet HDNetMovie ESPN-HD HBO-HD(2) plus HD-Demo Voom10 (no CBS-HD-E/W nor Showtime-HD(2))

Wish PBS had a better copy of analog on digital. Wish Dish had PBS-HD listings. Wish Dish had full copy of info for 7-1.
-Ken

Hi Ken - Welcome to the forum!

Originally posted by KKlare
->guruka -- There are no 61.5 nor 148 must-carry channels for our DMA that I know of. Dish 20?
There are two Spanish language channels (KLUZ and?) that are must carries in our DMA. Dish installed my 61.5 dish for free because of them.
Originally posted by KKlare I used my former must-carry 148W dish to spot 61.5W and get good signal, near pegged on TP12.
"Standard" transponder channels are 11 and 12 because they are available on most birds.
Yup. I'm at 125 (pegged) on tp 12 on 61.5 too. Comes in fine at this low look angle.
Originally posted by KKlare ...the Dish 921 has a 4 second delay on CBS not on the 811. (This may be mine only? CSIs only? All other have no delay.)
It's not just CSI. I see this same 4 sec delay on CC for all CBS prime time programming on KRQE on my 921.

.....G

Hi, been here a while, just don't have a lot to say.

The quoted elevation was only 1 degree worse for 61.5, 27 vs 28 for 148, as I remember. The worry was a house or worse a chimney. Did not have a good azimuth measure, so all OK.

I did have to move the base because of a tree. Then I had to search the sky. The D500 with one LNB was pointed higher by the original 148 install and was needed here, too. I leveled the short pole but either the dish has a geometry problem or the pole didn't stay -- it is too short to check and I don't want to lose the final pointing.

For anyone trying a scan work in 2 deg elevation steps and scan your azimuth. Once you get any signal you can then home in on it. The wrong satellite may be indicated. Do the check switch after you get a good signal.

Thanks, good to know some else has the KRQE problem with a 921. I've not gotten a response on that from the national boards.

-Ken

The 4 second delay is because your 921 is buffering the program stream thru the Hard Drive...

Originally posted by dfergie
The 4 second delay is because your 921 is buffering the program stream thru the Hard Drive...

Naw... CC is fine on all the other channels and everything is buffered to the hard drive. That's not it.

.....G

Same thing here too on a 4 second CC delay that is caused by KRQE-DT in my Zenith 520 reciever.

Just wondering how fast the KRQE-DT station will get sold?

Anyones?

5-13-05

Would you buy it?

I mean -- with someone else's money.

Nope don't have that kind of money, but I bet you this station worth around $120 Million just I am gussing on how much they are worth.:D

5-13-05

I get KRQE HD OTA and while there is a bit of a delay, it's nowhere near four seconds. Sammy T151. Actually I'm just thankful KRQE has any CC. For awhile there was none. Drives us old, hard-of-hearing guys crazy trying to hear the dialog while the background (?) music is drowning out the voices.

Originally posted by N5XZS
Nope don't have that kind of money, but I bet you this station worth around $120 Million just I am gussing on how much they are worth.:D

5-13-05

Emmis Communications would probably prefer a buyer who could purchase most or all of the TV stations if they can find one. If they couldn't find such a buyer, then they would consider selling single stations. That's the impression I got from their announcement, anyway.

http://www.emmis.com/press/home.aspx

Brian

Originally posted by guruka
Naw... CC is fine on all the other channels and everything is buffered to the hard drive. That's not it.

.....G I Missed the part about Krqe :) I was assuming it was from CBS hd... Somthing interesting about delays... My 921 is ahead of my D* hd box on all common channels by close to 4 seconds...

Originally posted by edwardacampbell
Would you buy it?

I mean -- with someone else's money.

I'd buy KRQE-tv with my own money - I'm offering $250 for the station and profit sharing is no problem if I get the higher percentage. I'd like to turn it into the station it should be.

Originally posted by edwardacampbell
It sounds like the Voom Channels E* just picked up off the corpse of Voom. Glad to hear they're good PQ. Folks are pretty much expecting them over at D* -- if not after the recently launched bird gets baked -- then, the next. which is launching in June.

if folks expecting them on D* hold their breath, they are going to die!

I highly doubt Echostar is going to sell the channels to D* (makes much more sense to keep it exclusive to Echostar since they own them now). I can only see echostar selling them to D* if echostar is having a going-out-of-business selloff.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news -- at least, it sounds as if you think it's bad news -- but, the folks who own and produce those channels do not have any sort of exclusive relationship with E*.

SD channels have already started being added to D* from the package uprezzed by Voom -- back in February. D* has no need of the HD productions until they can cast them. As I said, that's likely either with the bird launched in April or the next, in June.

Virtually, NO producer or packager signs up for exclusives, nowadays. Probably the last one developed was the contract with the NFL that D* signed -- through 2010. There's little or no benefit for a producer to do anything like that, anymore.

I don't especially read PR releases from any of the broadcasters, satellite-casters, etc.; but, perhaps E*'s description of what they purchased from Cablevision wasn't clear. Check out http://www.dailywireless.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3561 and you'll see that E* bought Rainbow 1. That's it. They've since signed contracts to carry the V10 package; but, I haven't seen any releases claiming an exclusive.

Here is a thread, I'm looking for on that says E* contols V* distribution...
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=68406

The thread says E* bought into 20% ownership. Cablevision and E* both have if/out clauses depending on who loses whose money, too.

Like I said, I've been watching GOL TV since February on D*. There's nothing in the Rainbow 21 arrangement -- in print, that I've seen -- that can keep the individual producers and packaging firms from selling their services to other folks.

GOL TV's website is the same mediocrity they've had ever since they added English -- it still says they're available on Dish and Cable networks. In reality, they're available on Dish and DirecTV and cable networks -- and will be to anyone who wants to buy in.
_________________________________________________

Chuckle.

Actually, I just took a look at what the V10 actually comprise. I hadn't looked at the list since my one and only visit to Sears the first month VOOM was around [and wasn't that a stellar marketing decision -- giving Sears a 1-year exclusive?]. I still don't see anything there more tempting than Monsters!

I change my mind. I hope D* DOESN'T try for the V10 Pak. They should be able to come up with something better than that.

Originally posted by edwardacampbell
_________________________________________________


I change my mind. I hope D* DOESN'T try for the V10 Pak. They should be able to come up with something better than that.

I certainly agree with you.

Any idea what happened to KASA, this morning?

I TiVo'd Bob Vila, OK, at 5 AM. But, the station ain't there, right now!

It's looks like they are getting ready to add the new sub channel that will be called the "The Tube Music Network" and it will be free in the clear.

Speaking of free in the clear I just found tuned in on and found Lifetime Movie Channel and the Fox News Channel is in the clear, however some digital receiver may or may not get this channels.

It's located on KOAT-DT's channel 21 and try to punch in 21.20 and 21.21 or 7.2 and 7.3 or some weard number show up on your receiver depending on the receiver's software.

My old trusty RCA DTC-100 will pick up this 2 unscrambled channels when not using the channel guide info, My second receiver Zenith 520 will not pick up the 2 free channels and I will update the news on my 3rd receiver ATI All in the wonder HDTV computer card later.

Have fun tuning in and pretend that you are in UK, free view TV system!!:D

5-16-05

The Silver Sensor Rules, Tim:

21.20, Lifetime, loud and clear. 21.21, nothing being broadcast [or received, anyway].

95 signal rating on the HDTiVo for both. Checked through both, again, and, now, no content on either [for the moment]. I'll try to check back, again.

It's a lovely Monday in the neighborhood. Campbell's working in the home/office, this morning. I have an appointment in the kitchen in about 45 minutes to bake a schiacciato aglia olio -- and Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday in the 2nd leg, playoff semi-final for the old 2nd Division at lunchtime.

Hello Edward Campbell,

Well I tested on my ATI all in wonder HDTV computer card and I do get 2 unscrambled channel!!

The picture quality is somewhat poor on lifetime Movie Channel and the Fox channel is little better mostly due to low bitrates 2~MBs.

No sign of new channel yet called the "Tube Music channel" on KASA-DT.

Anyway I have 3 different indoor TV antennas Silver Sensor,Radio Shack 2 Bows style and Terk-50 log bar antenna.

But the funny thing is everyones say Terk is the worst antenna around and my Terk seems to pull in everything execpt for KNMD-DT channel 9 and KCHF-DT channel 10 go figures.:D

Anyways I am getting ready for the Ham radio skip season on 6 Meter band "50 to 54 MHz" my trusty rig Kenwood TS-60.

The Itallian food that you are cooking looks very good!!

The Football game looks good too and but the bad news I have to work on that day and I hope they replay the game covereges on Directv.

Update edit:

Oops, it's on today at 12:30PM!! That's the good news!

Happy TV Dxing!!:D

5-16-05

Originally posted by Osoman
I get KRQE HD OTA and while there is a bit of a delay, it's nowhere near four seconds. Sammy T151. Actually I'm just thankful KRQE has any CC. For awhile there was none. Drives us old, hard-of-hearing guys crazy trying to hear the dialog while the background (?) music is drowning out the voices.
There is no CC "delay" on the Dish 811 (diskless) and probably on many other receivers, just the 921 (and Zenith 520: N5XZS) and just KRQE for me. There many be some on live captioning but that is excusible.

Channel 9 is OK here but it has been a while since I have looked for 10 and the unblocked over-air cable. I don't have a lot of use for PBS-Kids E/W and PBS-U is on Dish. Wish PBS digital was as broad a band as one of those.

Did anyone know when Forsyte Part 2 #2 was broadcast? Got #1 and #3 but last week's was not listed and no repeats or did I just miss it? If they have it overhight in the prime-time repeats, I would like a schedule.

-Ken

Originally posted by KKlare
Did anyone know when Forsyte Part 2 #2 was broadcast? Got #1 and #3 but last week's was not listed and no repeats or did I just miss it? If they have it overhight in the prime-time repeats, I would like a schedule.

-Ken
Did you try a search at TitanTV (http://www.titantv.com)? I use my customized schedule there for just such stuff.

.....G

May Meeting - New Mexico DTV User Group

The New Mexico DTV User Group will hold its May meeting this Thursday (5/19) at
7:00 PM at the KNME-TV studios, located at 1130 University Blvd. KNME is located on University about 1 block north of intersection of Lomas and University Blvd.

The month's topic is "HDTV on Low Cost LCD Displays". Special guest and DTV User Group Member, Ellis Dawson, will demonstrate the new Maxent Model-MX26X3 26” 16x9 HD Monitor with the RCA Model ATSC-21 digital tuner. This exciting display device is under $1,000 and comes with both a wall mount and a table stand. Ellis has more than 40 years experience in technology, including time early in his career as a KOAT-TV engineer. His many years experience as a control systems design engineer at Sandia National Laboratories has given him a unique perspective.

After the break, Jim Gale will give a recap of the proceedings of the National Translator Association annual meeting held last week in Denver, and how exciting new developments at the FCC will impact the roll-out of low power terrestrial DTV service in New Mexico.

Also, there will be a demonstration of the smallest digital IRD (Integrated Receiver-Decoder) on the market, the VBox “USB 2.0 Digital Terrestrial Receiver”. Measuring in at only 4”x5”, it is the smallest and lowest power consumption digital tuner on the market. This IRD is very low cost and looks better on Laptop LCD displays that any tested to date.

There will also have a national and local markets update.

We appreciate all your support as viewers and HD enthusiasts. Hope to see you at the meeting Thursday night!

Jim Gale
KNME-TV
Director of Engineering

Originally posted by N5XZS
Speaking of free in the clear I just found tuned in on and found Lifetime Movie Channel and the Fox News Channel is in the clear, however some digital receiver may or may not get this channels.

It's located on KOAT-DT's channel 21 and try to punch in 21.20 and 21.21 or 7.2 and 7.3 or some weard number show up on your receiver depending on the receiver's software.


These two subchannels show up on the MyHD MDP-120 card as physical channels 21-2 and 21-3, virtual channels 99-11 and 99-12. They are both in the clear for me when I checked a few minutes ago.

Brian

More update news on Emmis's possible sale of 15 TV stations some buyers are very interested listed are: Hearst-Argyle,Gannett,Tribune,Belo,Meredith and LIN-TV.

Emmis 15 TV stations is worth about $ 1 Billion dollars on the market.

There are possibility KRQE-DT stay with CBS or switch network depending on the new future owner of KRQE-DT.:cool:

If Hearst Argyle were to buy this station KRQE-DT must be non network station or minor network station "UPN,A1 and so on" due to a FCC rule says you can't have 2 major TV network TV stations on a VHF TV band.

Gannett tends to be a NBC but may let KRQE-DT stays with CBS for the time being but again who know what will happens if Gannett buy the station.

Tribune is a well known company for their superstations WGN,WPIX and KTLA and many other non superstations.

Most stations are WB network and some are CBS like one in New Orleans WGNO-TV.

If Tribunes buy KRQE-DT it will just stays the same with CBS for now.

Belo is a big Texas TV broadcaster and has a short history here in Albuquerque its used to own KASA-DT before Raycom buy the station.

They do a very good job on local news and might help KRQE-DT on the local news ratings.:D

If Belo buys KRQE-DT it might stay with CBS or move to ABC.

Meredith I have no information on this company so please anyone chime in please?:confused:

Same thing on LIN-TV too.....

You are welcome to chime in your guess in the future of KRQE-DT and have fun!

BTW,

2 sub channels are still in the clear today so far, is USDTV falling asleep or what?:D

5-17-05

Originally posted by N5XZS
If Belo buys KRQE-DT it might stay with CBS or move to ABC.


KOAT-DT might have something to say about that. ;) Do you think that they would want to swap affiliations?

Meredith I have no information on this company so please anyone chime in please?:confused:


Here is a list of stations owned by Meredith Corporation. It is mostly CBS and FOX.

http://www.meredith.com/broadcast/quickstats.htm

Same thing on LIN-TV too.....


http://www.lintv.com/stations.html

Brian

Thanks, again, Tim. My wife will kill me if I acquire one more hobby that keeps me indoors. But, someday, I will drag my old Winegard 1-meter dish out of the garage, slap a post in the ground out back, motorize the critter -- and spend some time peering at all the birds up there, high in the sky.

I notice Koct(koat) has been showing infomercials in the 30 minutes they took away from the noonday news the last 2 days... used to have teen news.

Originally posted by bkzoller
KOAT-DT might have something to say about that. ;) Do you think that they would want to swap affiliations?



if I were KOAT, I might want to do so (higher lead-in ratings to late news).

I hope Tribune ends up with the station (my perceptions of them from LA, Chicago and NYC makes them seem like they are a very responsible broadcaster who wants to do things right and satisfy viewers). Maybe they'll want to make sure CBS HDTV gets delivered properly with no potential future stealing bandwidth for other stupid services.

btw, reading about THE TUBE from another thread... whoo-pee.... if you're expecting MTV, don't hold your breath. they've been on non-DBS satellite for a year or two now and it seems very low budget (i don't waste my time watching that channel).

i'd rather see weather radars or alternating city cameras (a city cam that changes every 1-2 minutes among various ones throughout the city or state) on HDTV subchannels - something very cool to look at.

Hello Sthscan,

Yes I do wish to see KOB-DT carry Weather Plus channel or just a plain good old weather radar 24/7 channel.

How about Crest cam feed? :eek:

Let's just say that our local stations are little lazy to put up this stuff. :p

Now back to TV DXing fun!!! :D

5-22-05

Anyone else not seeing the LOST final in HD? I tried a call to engineering but got voice mail. Man this sucks! Hope they can rebroadcast at some point.

Should be in HD any minute now... around 8ish.

Is anyone interested in buying the antenna that came with ATI HDWonder card? I live in Socorro and will be using something MUCH bigger.

Breaking News!!,

The news may be little late due to a AVSforum.com internet problems, but here's the news............

The Tube Music Channel is now on the air on KASA-DT'S sub channel.

It's on digital channel 27.2 or remapped on 2.2 at 480i and the picture is somwhat okay, but boy it's reminds me of the good old days of the early 80's MTV was used to be! :)

The over compression is from the satellite feed not from our local station KASA-DT and please compare to KNME-DT's subchannel which I think is lot better and I am sure they will improve the video codec bit rate via satellite.

Since the 720p "15+ or - MBs bit rate" don't take much bandwith compared to 1080i "17 to 18 MBs" for a high picture quality, so there is some room for extra sub channels under 720p world or under 1080i with ONLY 1 sub channel.

Thing may change in the future when MPEG-4 or better digtial video compression comes along our way.

6-2-05

Wow, I'm I glad I have 5.1 sound and HDTV! Bravo to KOBTV for an excellent concert last night. Had a few audio drop outs near the end, but overall it looked and sounded fantastic!

Would love to see more concerts like this in the future if possible.

Again, Well done KOBTV.

Spawnman

Didn't find 27.2, up and running, this morning.

Concert was fine and mellow.

Hello Edwardacampbell,

You might want to rescan your receiver in order to get this new sub channel.

That way it will clear up.

6-2-05

DTV Enthusiats,

KOB-DT will be going off the air on Monday, 6/6. We will be moving our existing transmitter to make space for our shiny new full power digital transmitter. We expect to be off for about three days.

Our schedule has everything being completed by the end of July, at which time we will be at full power into our permanent antenna.

There will also be a period of time where we plan to be operating on a temporary antenna. This antenna will be positioned on our analog tower which has the potential of affecting viewability, especially in the NE Heights of Albuquerque.

We will do whatever we can to minimize any inconvenience, but some disruption of service is inevitable while we perform the upgrade.

Thanks for watching!

Sean Anker
Director of Engineering and Production
KOB-TV, Working For You

As usual, Sean, thanks for keeping us up-to-date. It's nice to see one of the networks care enough to communicate. Especially, when the core of it all is good news.

Here's wishing you a smooth installation and transition.

There will also be a period of time where we plan to be operating on a temporary antenna. This antenna will be positioned on our analog tower which has the potential of affecting viewability, especially in the NE Heights of Albuquerque.

Sean Anker
Director of Engineering and Production
KOB-TV, Working For You

Any chance the new rig, when completed, may help someone in the NE Heights (just west of Tramway/Academy) that is in a perpetual black hole for KOB's signal?

Sure would like to get you guys, but thus far its been a losing battle. Unfortunately, you are the only digital local I can't get, and I have jacked my antenna around seven ways to Sunday!

Good luck with the changeover.

Brian

Any chance the new rig, when completed, may help someone in the NE Heights (just west of Tramway/Academy) that is in a perpetual black hole for KOB's signal?

I sure hope so. We are building a 150' tower on the west side of the mountain -- it should have a perfectly clear look in to the entire city. We also spent a good amount of time making sure that the antenna pattern had good infill right up to the base of the mountain.

But DTV is a strange critter -- we'll have to wait and see what happens in reality.

Have a nice weekend,

Sean

Thanks, Tim: I rescanned and got Tube at 2-2, other signals locked in at 32-2, 99-10 and 99-50; but, no content apparently being broadcast.

I see that 99-50 should be Starz. That's useful. Meanwhile, here I am, watching old Rod Stewart videos. Pretty nice. Yes, I remember when MTV actually played music!

Incidentally, before [and after] I rescanned, I note I'm getting KASA's 2-1 broadcast at 27-3.

Thing may change in the future when MPEG-4 or better digtial video compression comes along our way.

6-2-05
Not likely to change from MPEG-2 for OTA digital.
Satellite is a year or three off for MPEG-4 requiring a complete replacement of all receivers -- make that longer.
-Ken

Anyone heard from ACME communication when they will have their HD broadcasts fixed?

Once again tonight, the Dolby Digital audio for Gilmore Girls was just static. Usually they don't even notice and the whole show will be static. Tonight they did notice, but instead of fixing the audio, the just turned off the HD transmission and sent out up-converted SD instead.

Based on their reaction, I am guessing it is a problem with the feed they are receiving from WB. So is it TheWB's fault, or KWBQ's?

I sent an email to ACME last week, using the form on their web page, but never received a response. I also tried sending an email to:

Chief Engineer:
Anthony Liparato
anthony.liparato@newmexicoswb.com

But that just bounced.

Try aliparoto@kwbq.com

That one works for me.

.....G

Sean, we know about the problems between KRQE and Comcast, but where is KOB-HD on cable? More politics? Thx, JR

Try aliparoto@kwbq.com

That one works for me.

.....G

Thanks, that worked. He got back to me right away. Equipment failure. They hope to have a new "switcher" today.

John

Sean, we know about the problems between KRQE and Comcast, but where is KOB-HD on cable? More politics? Thx, JR

Our goal is to be on cable. Their goal is to have us on their system (I heard that directly from a Comcast manager). We are in active negotiations with Comcast that have multiple dimensions. I am not at all involved in the negotiations, but I hear that they are overall positive.

That's all I know.

Sean

Thanks for the reply Sean. I just got the SA 8000 dvr from Comcast, and would like to see KOB on cable soon. JR

Speaking of KOB-DT, last night I had a strong signal but no picture and no sound. This was when I checked between 8 and 11 pm.

On TitanTV, the KNME-DT listings have gotten confused. They are listed as physical channel 35 and virtual channels 9.1 through 9.4. The listings for 35-1 are split up between 9.1 and 9.3, alternating between the two rows. The listings for 35-2 seem to be on 9.2. I know there is a KNMD-DT on physical channel 9, but that is completely separate. Also, KNMD is currently not listed on TitanTV unless it corresponds with the listings for 9.4.

Also, the USDTV channels being carried on KOAT-DT 21-2 and 21-3 are encrypted again. I think it was Fox News Channel and Lifetime Movie Network. :)

Brian

New Mexico DTV User Group Meeting Notice

The New Mexico DTV User Group will hold its June meeting this Thursday (6/16) at
7:00 PM at the KNME-TV studios, located at 1130 University Blvd. KNME is located on University about 1 block north of intersection of Lomas and University Blvd.

The month's topic is "Video Systems Test and Measurement". Jim Gale will make a presentation about analog and digital video (base-band) testing for SD and HD systems.
Also featured will be a less that $100 (demo version is free) PC-based MPEG-2 Transport Stream Analyzer software package. You may want to start looking at MPEG streams from may sources, including off-air and satellite.

There will also have a consumer electronics update and a national and local markets update.

We appreciate all your support as viewers and HD enthusiasts. Hope to see you at the meeting Thursday night!

Jim Gale
KNME-TV

Breaking News!!,

I just noted that KOB-DT is testing a new sub channel with a Europe style color bar test with all the red bar at the bottom reminds me of ITV's testing of channel network in london in the early 80's!!

I think it's going to be weather Plus channel or just local style weather radar 24/7.

The KOB-DT's signal is very strong in the upper 80's and low 90's here in 4 Hills areas.

I wonder how long is the test be for they put somthing on the air?

6-15-05

What's the digital ID? I wanna peek, too.

KOB-2, physical 26-2, virtual 4.2

You might have to do a channel scan to add it, depending on the receiver.

Brian

Any news on NMDTV user groups meeting at KNME-DT last night?

Some of us can't make it to the meetings at the KNME-DT's location.

Thanks!!

6-17-05

New Mexico DTV User Group Meeting Notice(...)

Also featured will be a less that $100 (demo version is free) PC-based MPEG-2 Transport Stream Analyzer software package. You may want to start looking at MPEG streams from may sources, including off-air and satellite.



did that happen to be Rod Hewitt's TSREADER program?

thx.

Robert

Getting tired of our color bars yet? :D

This Friday (6/24) the BRAC Commission will be holding their meeting in Clovis, NM, and we are going to multicast it. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am. We will broadcast the Clovis and White Sands portions of the meeting on KOB-2, and should wrap up coverage around 10:20. While we will not be carrying this on KOB-TV, we will be carrying it on KOBR.

A question for you folks: Do you know if this is the first locally originated multicast? I know the answer to that question can take a few different forms, but I'm not counting national program services in this. However if a station did local cut-ins into a national service that would count. I have a hazy recollection about a basketball game being multicast, but that's probably wrong.

I'm really just curious, and if anybody's going to know the answer it's going to be one of you!

Thanks,

Sean

Hello SeanA,

As far I know WRAL-DT in NC, has done local news without interupting their CBS programings.

They are now broadcasting 2 subchannels out of 3 channel 5.1 Main CBS HDTV, channel 5.2, 24/7 WRAL local news and 5.3 local weather radar channel with using multiplex encoder.

I would just suggest using 4.2 for local breaking news and when there no breaking local news just fill in with local weather radar with a NOAA weather radio audio feed in.

The weather radar don't take much bandwith IMHO just run at ~2 MBs or less the better.

That way it's whole lot better than looking at boring color bar all the time and you will bring in weather TV fans in!! :)

Good luck on live BRAC TV covereges! ;)

6-22-05

WRAL-DT in NC

Sorry, I really just meant here in NM. I know of many cases of true multicasting in other parts of the US.

Thanks for the input on the coverage,

Sean

Now that we got Sean on-line, I thought I would ask if we're still on target for mid-July for the new tower?

Thanks
lujan

Now that we got Sean on-line, I thought I would ask if we're still on target for mid-July for the new tower?

Things have slid just a bit, but not too much. For example our transmitter is somewhere between Pennsylvania and Albuquerque on a broken down truck at the moment. This will drop us a few days but we might be able to make it back up.

Either way there's nothing at this point that looks like it will take us beyond the end of July.

Sean

Tim is right about weather junkies. Two of the three widgets I run -- since moving up to OS X Tiger -- are Santa Fe and NM weather bots!

Hello SeanA,

As far I know there is no local multicasting sub channels except for KNME-DT PBS HDTV channel 5.1 and KNME SDTV on channel 5.2 "Due to a FCC req," KASA-DT FOX HDTV channel 2.1, The Tube Music Channel on 2.2 free in the clear and the rest of some other digital TV stations are not carrying sub channels and some stations are using scrambled pay channels.

In sum it up there is no localy produced subchannels here in Albuquerque TV market IMHO.

I think you will be the first to broadcast local contents on subchannel for the first time unless someone will beat you in the TV broadcasting business market! :)

Local contents means like local news 24/7,public affiars,local weather radar,city and state goverment, C-SPAN like style,High school live sporting events and many other ways to broadcast. :)

BTW, way I noted that you were testing on the sub channel 4.2 showing the local news in the late afternoon with no audio and the picture looks pretty good and I am wondering what's the codec bit rate was on?

6-22-05

It's the first locally originated long-form programming I can think of in this HDTV market (and I was stoked when I saw the late news tonight mentioning the BRAC hearing will be on 4-2). I'll just tune it in with my HDTV set rather than hope you put up a feed on DSNG capacity. 8^)

I certainly hope to see more long form news feeds on 4-2 (raw, non-anchored feeds would be fine with me for wildfires/ large commercial building fires like those in recent times at an auto dealer and a restaurant / swat situations/ balloons hung on top of radio towers). I am a veteran of watching raw satellite news feeds with natural sound so it would be cool to have local long-form on 4-2 if it isn't important enough to send to satellite for NBC NC needs.

Sean, I hope your new transmitter is the high altitude version. I've heard bad things about txs on the crest that were not. JR

Yes I remebered, at that time when the transmitter was normarly set for sealevel when at 10,900 feet the transmitter just burns up.

That's what's happen to KGSW-TV channel 14 "IND" back in the early 80's when they try to go on the but keeps going off the air for 30 mins to cool off the transmitter. :p

I hope they should know better this time.........

6-23-05

The FCC today released the "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First Round of DTV Channel Elections". The Albuquerque stations listed in the FCC's release:

KASY-TV ALBUQUERQUE NM 45 50 45
KAZQ ALBUQUERQUE NM 17 32 17
KLUZ-TV ALBUQUERQUE NM 42 41 42
KNAT-TV ALBUQUERQUE NM 24 23 24
KNME-TV ALBUQUERQUE NM 35 5 35
KOAT-TV ALBUQUERQUE NM 21 7 7
KOB-TV ALBUQUERQUE NM 26 4 26
KRQE ALBUQUERQUE NM 16 13 13

Channel Format above is:

Current Digital Channel, Current Analog Channel, Tentative Channel Designation

It appears only KOAT and KRQE don't want to make their permanent digital channel frequency what it currently is.

Looks like KOB-DT is doing a fine job on broadcasting BRAC covereges and I am pleased they are sending out realtime Close Captioning and I hope they use them fulltime on our localnews broadcasts!

No more missing answers in script controled Captioning when they only shows qwestion but not the answer!

Now lets hope they add weather radar on the subchannel after the BRAC covereges!

6-24-05

Tim, are you getting much of a delay/difference between video and sound? I'm running an HDTiVo and picking this up with the OTA receiver[s]. I see just about the same delay, whether recorded or live, as I would expect.

Do you think it's a function of processes at KOB's end or mine?

The FCC today released the "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First Round of DTV Channel Elections". The Albuquerque stations listed in the FCC's release:


Did KASA-TV and KWBQ-TV not make their choices yet? I didn't see those stations on your list.

Brian

Did KASA-TV and KWBQ-TV not make their choices yet? I didn't see those stations on your list.

Brian

I only cut and pasted the Albuquerque stations (forgetting KASA and KWBQ are Santa fe licensed).

the santa fe stations:
Current Dgt Current Analog Tentative Channel
KASA-TV 27 2 27
KCHF 10 11 10
KNMD-TV 9 n/a 9
KWBQ 29 19 29

I have a friend in west Placitas and he was wondering if local OTA HD is possible there. He cannot see the transmitter towers from where he lives so is he out-of-luck???

I don't know about you guys but I think KOB-DT sub channel 4.2 just broadcasting the same thing as the HDTV channel 4.1 and what a waste of bandwith when you are not broadcasting 24/7 weather channel or the 24/7 local news channel.

So I think we need to tell Sean Chief Of Engineering, just simply add the weather radar or if you are not using the subchannel for any reason, just simply return the bitrate to HDTV to full use.

While the BARC covereges was great at that time subchannel is very usefull.

This is for SeanA of KOB-DT,

What happen to Real Time Close Captioning is a one time thing or what?

When is going to be on local newscasts anytime soon for Realtime Captioners to be used instead of script type?

Sean, please answer those questions that I have typed.

Keep up the good work Sean!! :)

6-27-05

I have a friend in west Placitas and he was wondering if local OTA HD is possible there. He cannot see the transmitter towers from where he lives so is he out-of-luck???

Not necessarily. Radio waves can bend slightly over the horizon (UHF less than VHF).

What kind of reception does he get from other OTA analog stations from the crest.

Find your EXACT location on the maps in Antennaweb.org. That will give you some idea of what might be possible.

He may be < 10 miles from the transmitters but behind the mountain.

Actual real life testing would be the only way to tell for sure.

Minor news update......

For those of you are radio lovers out there......

KZZR-FM 94.1 and KSYU-FM 95.1 has gone digital using IBOC "HD-Radio" for the first time in the Albuquerque radio market.

I do not know how good is the IBOC system compared to European DAB system?

If you do know about this system please do tell us thanks!! :)

As for local digital TV here not much going on at this time....


6-30-05

KZZR-FM 94.1 and KSYU-FM 95.1 has gone digital using IBOC "HD-Radio" for the first time in the Albuquerque radio market.

I do not know how good is the IBOC system compared to European DAB system?

If you do know about this system please do tell us thanks!! :)


You can read about it on the iBiquity site (http://www.ibiquity.com/index.htm). Apparently, they combine the digital signal with the analog signal before it is broadcast. It is supposed to be "CD-like quality". I haven't heard about any comparisons between HD Radio and DAB.

Brian

I'm relocating to Albuquerque from san diego soon and was wondering if there is a website with message boards dedicated to all things HD for the area. In San Diego we have a great message boards site: http://hdtv.forsandiego.com

I was looking for something similar for my new homestead. If there isn't a site up, is there interest for one? A site to easier discuss the different stations and issues in a much more organized format rather than a single thread here?

http://forum.adnm.com/viewforum.php?f=22&sid=cb7d8affdc36213ae664864d42e14233

Has been around for a spell. Many of us belong and get informational updates from there; but, since so many of us belong to a myriad of forums within the avsforum network, I think we tend to congregate here.

Not specific to Abq or any area, the other major web site for all things in home electronics is HometheaterSpot.com. I am a regular there as well as here. JR

Can anyone tell me what unencrypted QAM256/QAM64 channels, comcast in Albuquerque offers?

Is ESPNHD or TNTHD unencrypted?

Thanks,

John

surprised to hear there is FM IBOC (I was only aware of AM IBOC and I've heard sound samples of traditional AM raido and IBOC AM radio and I prefer IBOC AM radio far and away over traditional AM analog radio.)

can't see why you need it for FM other than the fact I doubt analog spectrum signals will be around forever - they'll all convert to digital eventually.

Hello sthscan,

Digital FM can be used for near CD quality or use 2 radio sub channels at the same time. :)

I just noted they just added 3 more FM stations going digital.....

The stations listed here are......

KBQI-FM 107.9

KPEK-FM 100.3

KTEG-FM 104.7

Happy fourth weekend!!! :)

7-2-05

Hello people. I'm new to this area and after spending several hours reading this thread I would like to summarize what I perceive as the status of HDTV in the Albuquerque area. It appears that all major networks, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX and NBC are broadcasting to some extent in high definition. But, the only way to receive all stations is by using a high definition tuner with an over-the air UHF antenna. When I moved into my apartment last week I casually ordered HD service through the local cable company (Comcast) and didn't think to much about it as the cable company where I moved from (Las Vegas NV) included all the above network affiliates in their HD program package. Well...surprise, surprise as Comcast does not include CBS nor NBC high definition in their package. What a bummer!!! So, since the apartment complex I'm living in while waiting for my house to be built does permit DBS installations my question is will I be able to get over the air HDTV using an indoor antenna? I live near the Cottonwood mall area. If anyone else is getting DBS HD service while living in an apartment do you need 2 dishes? Any info would be appreciated. :)

Hello people. I'm new to this area and after spending several hours reading this thread I would like to summarize what I perceive as the status of HDTV in the Albuquerque area. It appears that all major networks, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX and NBC are broadcasting to some extent in high definition. But, the only way to receive all stations is by using a high definition tuner with an over-the air UHF antenna. When I moved into my apartment last week I casually ordered HD service through the local cable company (Comcast) and didn't think to much about it as the cable company where I moved from (Las Vegas NV) included all the above network affiliates in their HD program package. Well...surprise, surprise as Comcast does not include CBS nor NBC high definition in their package. What a bummer!!! So, since the apartment complex I'm living in while waiting for my house to be built does permit DBS installations my question is will I be able to get over the air HDTV using an indoor antenna? I live near the Cottonwood mall area. If anyone else is getting DBS HD service while living in an apartment do you need 2 dishes? Any info would be appreciated. :)

Yes, you can pick up HD with indoor antennas. Many have had good luck with the Silver Sensor and DB2 antennas. You do not need two dishes for DBS HD unless you want to pick up 10 extra VOOM channels with DISH Network. PM me for more details if you want. I've used indoor antennas for my HD and have friends with DBS in their apartments. Welcome to Albuquerque! :)

HD signals might be more sensitive to bounce and reflection than analog -- in the city. I'm about 45 miles -- but, with terrific line-of-sight to the antenna farm on Sandia Crest -- and all I use for OTA is a Silver Sensor sitting atop my amp. I'm receiving local via the OTA tuners on an HR10-250 DirecTiVo.

Being in Abq, there's not a chance of a virtual snowflake in TX that you'd ever get waivers from DirecTV for national HD feeds for the networks. On the other hand, we have the impression that the ongoing negotiations between Comcast and Ch.4 might eventually bear fruit. Channel 13 -- IMHO -- doesn't give a damn about HD, home theatre fans, whatever. So I wouldn't count on anything CBS except what they deign to offer OTA. UPN is worse. WB seems to have it together.

None of the above have been pushing out any kind of power -- exception being the ongoing project at KOB, which should be up and running in a few weeks [give or take]. But, hey, it's digital. If you get it at all, you have the whole thing.

I could rap about what I use and where it's going; but, those are all choices that maybe should be local. Consider getting together with folks at the monthly meeting at KUNM. You can get ideas from folks on the spot.

I presume you're building in the Albuquerque area. I'm always good for suggestions about contractors and subs, up here in Santa Fe. The only trade I could ever give you suggestions about in Abq -- is garage doors!! PM me if you have questions. I can really bore you to death on that topic.

I've been in Albuquerque less than a year now and have had two apartments in your area. I found the reception to be a bit hit or miss and comcast to be disapointing . In one apartment I was constantly adjusting to get reception and was never able to pick up cbs even with a square shooter on my balcony. At my new place I have great reception indoors using the Silver Sensor. I also have had the best results with the Zenith SS and tried about 6 different antennas before finally ordering it.

NASCAR not in HD yesterday. Did KOB drop the ball, or did NBA decide not to cover it in HD, contrary to what DirecTV was saying in their guide. Sean?

Welcome to Albuquerque, Biglougi. Yes, do try to make the dtv meetings at KNME on University street. We meet at 7pm the third Thursday of each month. The chief engineer, Jim Gale is a digital guru that has forgotten more than most of us will ever know. JR
PS. I have an ota hd rx that I don't need any more if anyone would like it for $200. It is a Samsung SIR-T150, list $600, gave $540 for it. Works great.

I watched the Race On NbcHd lite from D*, so Kob must have dropped the ball.

I watched the Race On NbcHd lite from D*, so Kob must have dropped the ball.

What is NBC Hd lite? How do you get it? Or, is it a waivered channel?

What is NBC Hd lite? How do you get it? Or, is it a waivered channel? I was grandfathered in ... I get all but Abc distants(which MNF is all i watch on Abc)the "lite" refers to D*'s downrezzing... ( I have E* hd so I can compare)

All of the NASCAR races this year will be broadcast in HD. FOX did it 720p for the first half of the season and NBC is doing the second half at 1080i. I am somewhat involved in the production of the NBC NASCAR broadcasts and it was a real disappointment that KOB was asleep at the switch last Sunday. Hopefully, it won't happen again.

I'd also like to see KOB turn off their SD sub-channel and throw the extra 3 Mbits at the HD channel. There was a fair amount of motion artifacts on the Daytona race. Car racing is a worst case scenario for HD and MPEG2 encoding, so the higher the bitrate, the better.

John

Anyone else noticing the sound cutting out on KRQE any? Was watching Rockstar INXS and the sound kept cutting out.

spawnman

KOB blew a golden opportunity tonight to utilize 4-2, IMHO.

With several fires going on in the area, I'm surprised they didn't run extended coverage on 4-2 (a bottom scroll with the video alternating among various shots such as chopper 4, city cams, live remotes, etc). a live reporter break in once in a blue moon would be fine but not necessary.

I was hoping 4-2 would be a breaking news/longform news channel (without necessarily being anchored if a bottom scroll was utilized to deliver information about what was going on at the various fire sites).

if I wanted to watch network programming, I could just as easily tune 4-1. 8^)

thoughts?

Yes I was disappointed not using the 4.2 for extra news coverages and they failed to use them.

But however they are finaly using realtime Close Captioning instead of running off the script reader.

All I can say is just keep bugging at them to get the 4.2 channel to a full use for it maybe for fulltime news or use NBC's Weather Plus.

I guess Sean was too busy to answer any of our questions. :)

7-15-05

I guess Sean was too busy to answer any of our questions. :)

7-15-05

yeah, based on an item on tonight's KOB newscast, it appears Sean was probably involved in fixing Farmington's KOBF transmitter for the good part of the last week. That would certainly explain why he hasn't had any time to offer an insight or two to recent postings.

bTW, anyone having problems receiving 4-1 at some times of the day on saturday 7/16? during golf and when I was flipping around late saturday night, KOB 4-1 was dropping out about every 6 seconds (my sig strength meter would be on the strong end, then would just drop to "no signal" and right back to strong signal about every 6 seconds and picture was lost during the very brief moment of "no signal". I have a LG tv (30fz4d) and I checked the other LG in the house connected to a different antenna at those times and had the same symptom. no problem dropouts at all during the late KOB newscast or the first part of SNL that I watched on saturday and no dropouts when I watched late KOB newscast sunday (the only time I was watching KOB on sunday).

Any reports from last night's meeting at KNME? JR

Is KRQE digital up right now???

Hello Fjerina,

KRQE-DT is coming in nice and strong here in Four Hills other than that nothing new around here.

Just wondering what's the latest news on NMDTV meeting at KNME-DT?

7-23-05

Jim said there is a new sound system installed in the lobby. Wish I had been there to hear it. They are also having difficulty broadcasting the digital guide. They were promised an analyzer to look at it, but it hasn't materialized yet. I was in Baillios yesterday and all their receivers said NO DATA. I was a little relieved that it wasn't my receiver gone bad. JR

The guide is back, Yaa! Kudos to KNME.
JR

Anyone heard if KOB has finished with their new digital transmitter? It is/was supposed to be completed by mid or end of July. I am one of the few that can't get a good signal in Four Hills using the old transmitter and hoping that the new one will get a better signal.

Minor news update...............

Entravision which owns KLUZ-DT got fined by the FCC for not timely implement the PSIP standard.

The fines was $3000.00.

So that's the ouch for them!

Not much else going on here in the Albuquerque TV market at this time.

Anyway, does anyone know when the Lobos games will be on HDTV this fall season ahead?

7-26-05

Anyone heard if KOB has finished with their new digital transmitter? It is/was supposed to be completed by mid or end of July. I am one of the few that can't get a good signal in Four Hills using the old transmitter and hoping that the new one will get a better signal.

still not receiving it? I did find 4-1 off the air for a little while about a week ago, but haven't heard if that was related to the new digital transmitter or not. If you are still not receiving it, maybe the new transmitter isn't online yet.

Anyway, does anyone know when the Lobos games will be on HDTV this fall season ahead?

7-26-05

i would guess any Lobos games that might involve ESPN/ESPN2 would be in HD if ESPN is going to contract enough trucks to regularly carry every CFB or College basketball game on the ESPN networks in HD.

highly doubt you're going to see it from KRQE, sportswest, or CSTV. probably just scaling to fit the screen at best for those.

Minor news update...............

Entravision which owns KLUZ-DT got fined by the FCC for not timely implement the PSIP standard.

The fines was $3000.00.



can KNMD-DT be far behind? It still appears they don't have any PSIP stuff going.

Is KRQE digital up right now???

they mut have dropped their signal output recently - i lost them about 3-4 days ago and I live roughly in the area you do. since I don't watch any of their HD programming right now, no loss. it will be a loss come NFL season so I hope they jack up their power or fix whatever by then.

I have been seeing KRQE just fine lately up here in White Rock. Has anyone else been seeing pixelation on KOAT? Its been almost unwatchable at times. All other channels are OK. Its happening on both of my 921's.

they mut have dropped their signal output recently - i lost them about 3-4 days ago and I live roughly in the area you do. since I don't watch any of their HD programming right now, no loss. it will be a loss come NFL season so I hope they jack up their power or fix whatever by then.

I get a good signal strength on KOAT, but do see the breakup you mention. Wonder what they changed? JR

Yea,

Me too. It will be good for a while and then bad.

I get a good signal strength on KOAT, but do see the breakup you mention. Wonder what they changed? JR

I have been seeing KRQE just fine lately up here in White Rock. Has anyone else been seeing pixelation on KOAT? Its been almost unwatchable at times. All other channels are OK. Its happening on both of my 921's.

Hey ib. What can you receive in White Rock? I'm thinking of "donating" an SIR-T150 to my father in law. He lives on West Trinity, and gets terrible analog reception. doesn't have an HDTV, but it'd be worth it to me to give it to him just to be able to see analog stuff until it goes away.

Thanks, Greg

I think KOAT-DT is having some kind of STL's signal dropouts since my signal meter still shows in upper 80's.

So it not our reception problem it's their probley the microwave dish not lined up properly to Sandia Crest tower or it the other way around to the station's location from the Sandia Crest tower. :eek:

Now back to TV DXing..............

7-29-05

Anyone know the status of the new KOB-TV transmitter?

Anyone know the status of the new KOB-TV transmitter?

I asked this question about a week ago, but have not gotten a response from Sean or anyone else on this forum.

Hello all, I'm Warren Marts and I've been getting HD in Socorro with a large antenna and the ATI HD Wonder as my receiver. Viewing is from the component out of an Nvidia 6600 video card to a 40" Toshiba crt based rptv.

The my antenna is Winegard's largest an HD 8200. It's on a small tower with rotator on top of my garage, about 15-20' above ground level. AntennaWeb tells me I'm about 83 miles from the towers on Sandia Crest.

I'm interested in going to a dedicated receiver, rather than this PC-based setup. Jim Gale of KNME recommended the USD receiver available at Wal-Mart. I tried to email him through the address given on the KNME webpage but didn't get a reply.

There have been several versions - can anyone tell me if this USD receiver is the most current version?

I'm interested in going to a dedicated receiver, rather than this PC-based setup. Jim Gale of KNME recommended the USD receiver available at Wal-Mart. I tried to email him through the address given on the KNME webpage but didn't get a reply.

There have been several versions - can anyone tell me if this USD receiver is the most current version?

Welcome to the forum. :)

There are a couple people in the area using USDTV receivers who also participate on the forum. They may be able to help with the different receiver versions. I also found a thread discussing the receivers. The following post says that a new model will be available shortly. Does yours have a model number on the box?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5716333&&#post5716333

Brian

Dish gripe corner as I posted to DBSTalk 921 board in response to lujan:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=44466&page=2&pp=25

KNME 35-1 =>005-1 is the PBSHD channel, which I believe is not mapped for any DMA but all they need is one national list to be mapped to all.

There are no listings for the 4 KNMD subchannels (PBS-U, PBS-Kids-E, Kids-W, another) but no need to remap for 009 with analog analogue. Again that could be national.

KOAT 21-1 => 007-1 is the current ABC-HD synchronized to Mountain Time and otherwise the same content as ABC-SD analog. The content was the Eastern Time HD feed many months ago, well before most updates. The SD-DT content was correctly mapped from 8810 to 007-2 at that time. It still is but that is now a USD channel and there is no SD-DT channel. All they have to do it reroute the 8810=>7-2 to 8810=>7-1 and that will be fixed.

Additionally, has all of UPN-50 bandwidth gone to USD so we only get SD now?
-Ken

Welcome to the forum Warren. I have a Samsung SIR-T150 hd rx for sale, $200, like new. Let me know if interested. Jim Gale said they were one of the best made, and he has tested most of them. The USD is supposed to be good too. JR
Check out also HometheaterSpot (.com) for more good ht reading.
PS. Try this address for Jim:
JGale@KNME.org

The KOB-DT antenna delivery has been delayed until mid-September. This unfortunately will delay our full-power operations as well, although the new transmitter is on the air currently running at about 25%.

The model number was actually not anywhere on the box - I went ahead and got the receiver and it turns out it is the DB-2010, the older model. It works great with my setup, so no regrets.

It's much faster channel-to-channel than the HD Wonder, and the output is beautiful. I've dropped my cable and I'm going to try living without A&E, Discovery Channel or the like... for a few months. It's been an interesting technical challenge at least, and I have a friend who'd probably buy the box from me if I pick up Dish Network.

they mut have dropped their signal output recently - i lost them about 3-4 days ago and I live roughly in the area you do. since I don't watch any of .

as a followup...

frank lilly emailed me - he said the transmitter output has not been lowered and he recommended I check the pointing of my antenna or do a rescan of the channels with my LG and see if 13-1 pops back in.

There are no listings for the 4 KNMD subchannels (PBS-U, PBS-Kids-E, Kids-W, another) but no need to remap for 009 with analog analogue. Again that could be national.


Additionally, has all of UPN-50 bandwidth gone to USD so we only get SD now?
-Ken

on KNMD-DT 9, it's PBS-SkedX-E, PBS-SkedX-W, PBS-You, and PBS Kids-E 8^)
(SkedX is the PBS national schedule that's found on c-band satellite).

as for KASY UPN, it's always been SD. time to light the bonfire under the b___ of the GM there at KASY UPN as UPN is going to be sending out much more HD programming next tv season and IMHO there is no excuse our local station can't send it out in HD over their transmitter. time to bang the FCC with emails to get them forced to transmit the HD shows?

Well guys I just got back from Denver and I found some interesting stuff about digital sub channels they were carrying NBC Weather Plus "KUSA-DT" and other just rebroadcasting local news 24/7 "KMGH" on my friend's comcast cable services.

The picture looks pretty good and did not hurt KUSA-DT's HDTV due to a sub channel.

The wow factor was KUSA-DT's local news in HDTV!!

I hope our local stations buy HDTV cameras for the studio and on the remote feeds ENG, and I know they cost alot but it's good investments to upgrade.

They are still in the tower mess issue on the Lookout Moutain and we are pretty lucky that our stations don't have to deal with NMBY issue crap.

KOB-DT and other need get make their mind up on what to do with subchannels use it or don't use it and give full bit rate for HDTV if you are not using the subchannels.

Our TV market has someways to grow to be a first class TV stations like in the Denver despite the tower issue they have. :)

Now the other news...............

For those of you have the Directv with a HDTV waiver. :(

The bad news is you will lose out of town HDTV from NY and the LA on 8-25-05 however you will get to keep west feeds PROVIDED that you subscribe SD local Albuquerque channels before 8-25-05.

Is a very messy issue with the copyright censorship right now "SHIVRIA" so please compain to congress critters to overhaul the dumb law and let anyones have the right to choose any U.S. citys he or she wants to see!

Screw the NAB! :mad:

Anyway that's the news! :D

8-6-05

For those of you interested in the latest about *D and DNS, read this thread in the HDTV Programming forum

Letter from D* about DNS ( 1 2 3 4 ... Last Page ) - cdharris

Question: Does anyone here know if the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250 box being used by Comcast has the DVI port enabled? If so, is that port HDCP protected?

Thanks.

Dan Houck

Went to the Comcast office and verified the SA Explorer 3250 outputs over either component or DVI and NO HDCP!

Thanks.

Just a head's up that the DTV meeting is this Thursday at KNME, 7 PM. Don't flake out like I did last month. Let's make an effort to be there. Besides, they have a new audio system in the lobby from John Ashman.
JR

New Mexico DTV User Group - August Meeting

The New Mexico DTV User Group will hold its August meeting this Thursday (8/18) at 7:00 PM at the KNME-TV studios, located at 1130 University Blvd. KNME is located on University about 1 block north of intersection of Lomas and University Blvd.

The month's topic is "Audio Dialnorm - FCC Mandate, Challenges and Solutions”. Special guest by teleconference will be Mr. Lon Neumann, representing Linear Acoustic. We will learn about a unique solution using Dolby Labs and Linear Acoustic technologies, that will fulfill the FCC mandate for dialogue normalization in program streams. The talk also will include an interesting Power Point presentation.

After the break, there will be a general consumer electronics discussion and a local and national markets update.

We appreciate all your support as viewers and HD enthusiasts. Hope to see you at the meeting Thursday night!

Jim Gale
KNME-TV
Director of Engineering

Well, I made an effort but still couldn't make the meeting. Anyone else make it and can give us a report? JR

Let me 'splain. No, no time. Let me 'sum up'..........

It was pretty interesting. Basically, the ex-Dolby guy got into great detail about how "dialog normalization" works. I had thought that this was a process that tried to "normalize" (whatever THAT means) dialog, but what it actually does is digitally describes the volume level of regular speech in TV shows and commercials in a number that your HT processor can understand. So, if the "Jerry Springer Show" is at +5dB *as measured by the voice level* as compared to the theoretical reference of 31dB below maximum, then it will lower the volume of that program by 5dB so that you get a consistent volume.

Also, there is a version of Dolby Digital for broadcasters called "Dolby E" which, theoretically, gets sent to the affiliates, then they process and convert that to "Dolby D" that we hear over our processors. BUT, what they figured out later was "why not encode in Dolby Digital and *keep* it that way so affiliates don't have to buy expensive gear?"

So, this company made a machine that synchronizes Dolby Digital data packets, even if they aren't synchronized, so that PBS, let's say, can encode in DD at the main facility and PBS local can switch effortlessly from that signal to another. Moreover, it can automatically "rate" the dialogue level as it comes in and, if it's off (which, apparently, it often is) it assigns it the proper value so that a receiver handles it properly. AND, said machine, with an add-on device, can convert all stereo or Dolby Surround signals to DD 5.1 so that your receiver isn't switching back and forth between Dolby 2.0 and Dolby 5.1 with commercials, announcements and such.

So, this machine, for $25K, fixes all the variable level problems, makes sure receiver is always in Dolby 5.1 mode and allows it all to come from the original source so that they don't have to spend $100K+ on extra gear. The total price - $25K. So, if if you're watching CBS, let's say, and your receiver is going berserk trying to keep up with the DD output and the volume levels are all over the place, call the station and tell them the fix is only $25,000

www.linearacoustic.com

ABC will be upgrading its HDTV release facility including a replacement of the HD router. In order to accomplish this work in a timely manner, a four (4) day shutdown of the HD release facility will be required.
Accordingly, beginning Tuesday 8/23/2005 and continuing through Friday 8/26/2005, ABC will not offer an HDTV feed for either ECM or PT feeds. In addition, an upconverted SD feed will not be transmitted either. No HDTV transmission will take place in prime time, because doing so requires the use of the HDTV router and the release facility.

I have contacted lionav about the possibility of one of their ISF affiliates coming to albuquerque to professionally calibrate my HDTV. None of them currently have any plans on coming to this city, but would be willing to schedule a trip as long as at least four people wanted to have this service performed.

Anyone else want to have their TV ISF calibrated?

John

is anyone seeing KOB-DT 4.1 going out once or twice every 30 mins? i've been having that issue this evening. the outage only lasts about 10-15 seconds each time and then the signal pops right back in.

my sig strength is "good" when the signal is being received properly in a "Bad ->Normal ->Good" scale on my LG tuner.

KNAT has added two new signals to their digital stream.

23.2 has TBN's "Church Channel"
23.3 has JCTV

i am hoping for a real torrential thundershower as I bet they are sourcing this from a ku-band satellite feed (and a really bad shower should make them lose their ku-band signal of these two channels for a few moments to minutes).

Ditto on KOB-DT 4.1.

Breaking News....

Emmis has agreed to sell all of it's TV stations for a $260 Million dollars to LIN broadcasting company.

KRQE-TV will be the new owner of LIN as soon the FCC say's the ok to transfer the licences.

Does anyone know how good is the LIN broadcasting company and how they treat HDTV and any digital subchannels on their part?

So going to be interesting to see how it goes. :)

8-26-05

Here's program info from their stations in Western Mass. Home base and corporate is Providence. Head man is an "industry spokesman" type; but, he seems to be up to speed slightly more than our indigenous "leaders".

This is from a page on HDTV at their website:

On WWLP-DT you will find 2 channels:

* 22.1 WWLP's high definition channel

This channel is broadcast in 16:9 format at 1920x1080i at 16.5 mbps.

Many shows are broadcast in wide screen HD format.
When HD programming is not available this channel will simulcast
WWLP's normal SD (standard definition) programming.

Audio is Dolby Digital AC3 format at 384 kbps. Depending on the source programming this can include up to 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound (Dolby Digital 5.1).

* 22.2 WWLP live local radar

This channel is broadcast in 4:3 format at 704x480i at 1.5 mbps.
There is currently no audio on this channel.


TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO
LAW & ORDER: SVU
LAW & ORDER: CI
LAW & ORDER
ER
THIRD WATCH
LAS VEGAS
CROSSING JORDAN
AMERICAN DREAMS
LAX
FATHER OF THE PRIDE
MEDICAL INVESTIGATION
HAWAII
JOEY

Not to compete with John Poet, but I got this e-mail a few minutes ago and am passing it on:

Hey John,
We (CRT'ers) are bringing over a professional calibrator and was wondering if you knew of any of your digital clients that would be interested in a calibration of their projectors.
He's told me that a digital projector or rear projection TV should run about $200 + the share of the travel cost (approx $300-$500 total devided by the # of people signing up).
He will be here on the weekend of Sept 16-18th.
If you know of anyone that would be interested please forward them this info and have them contact me.
John Gannon is the name of this guy, he's also an audio contributor and product reviewer for one of the audio mags, but forget which.

Thanks,
Aldo
luv2bike@aaahawk.com

Not to compete with John Poet, but I got this e-mail a few minutes ago and am passing it on:

Hey John,
We (CRT'ers) are bringing over a professional calibrator and was wondering if you knew of any of your digital clients that would be interested in a calibration of their projectors.
He's told me that a digital projector or rear projection TV should run about $200 + the share of the travel cost (approx $300-$500 total devided by the # of people signing up).
He will be here on the weekend of Sept 16-18th.
If you know of anyone that would be interested please forward them this info and have them contact me.
John Gannon is the name of this guy, he's also an audio contributor and product reviewer for one of the audio mags, but forget which.

Thanks,
Aldo
luv2bike@aaahawk.com

I have not been able to find enough people via my plea, so I may be interested in this. My TV is one of the new Samsung DLPs. The reason I contacted the companies I did, is because they are suppose to be particularly good with Samsung DLPs (among others). I wonder if John Gannon has any experience with my TV?

Thanks for info.

John

I should mention that John Gannon is the only person I know that Peter Lee will allow to touch his video stuff. Anyone who knows Peter Lee knows what *that* means. :)

not sure if this LIN thing is good or bad. Since KRQE doesn't have their own radar, I doubt there will be a radar subchannel. I suppose they could purchase a radar for this market and put it on a subchannel, but who knows how much LIN wants to invest in the station.

Just a quick note for those of you who are Directv customers and may have missed this but you can get the HDTivo for roughly 85 dollars out of pocket cost i called in today and the guy will be out next sat for the install. Here's how the deal breaks down.

$299 HD-TiVo
$14.95 s/h
$21.98 tax
__________
$335.93
- $100.00 MIR
__________
$235.93
-$30.00 ($5 off HD Pack/6 mo.)
-$60.00 ($2 a month on hbo/6 mo....normally $12)
-$60.00 (free showtime/6 mo.)


Total out of pocket cost $85.93

Anyone catch David Letterman last night? Supposedly it went HD for the first time. Was wondering if our good friends at KRQE were passing it along in HD as well.

Will be watching tonight for sure.

Anyone catch David Letterman last night? Supposedly it went HD for the first time. Was wondering if our good friends at KRQE were passing it along in HD as well.

Will be watching tonight for sure.

KRQE is having hardware problems for which they had to order parts so even if Letterman is in HD, KRQE will not be able to show it in HD.

Breaking news......

Emmis of KRQE-TV was fined by the FCC for not making EEO Public Inspection File Rules.

Emmis was fined at $18K. "Ouch!! :eek:

Other news.....

Albuquerque TV market rankng went up to top 46 in the country we used to be at top 47 at that time. :)

That's the news!!

8-30-05

Is there some problem with KOB? I had been receiving them fine in Los Alamos for quite a while, but starting last night it was so weak it couldn't lock on.

KRQE is having hardware problems for which they had to order parts so even if Letterman is in HD, KRQE will not be able to show it in HD.

good to know that. I've watched Letterman the last two nights since Leno has been dark and I have been very unimpressed with Letterman (13-1 is a little clearer than analog KRQE, but still seemed quite far from HD clear to me). since it's not in HD on 13-1 makes sense with what i'm seeing...

Is there some problem with KOB? I had been receiving them fine in Los Alamos for quite a while, but starting last night it was so weak it couldn't lock on.

no problems with KOB-DT for me in the last week (the dropout problem seems to have gone away and signal strength as shown on my LG tuner readout is the same as typical for KOB.

If they have put in their new transmitter, I wonder if coverage has changed a little bit.

I rencently moved to ABQ from Indiana. I am living in the Gym Lofts near Downtown. I have 55" Sony. I purchased the TERK HDTV indoor antenna but could not get a consistent signals. I would have to adjust the position of it to receive different stations, so I took it back.

The building is brick, and my only windows face west toward downtown. Can anyone recommend a different antenna or provide further guidance?

Also - what is with Comcast only offering 2 local HD channels??

Brian

Hi Brian,

Welcome to NM!

If you really want an indoor antenna go to Sears and pick up one of the Zenith Silver Sensors. Great little indoor antenna and I have seen it pull in perfect signals as far away as the Sears in Santa fe some 50 miles down the road.

As far as Comcast, it more than likely has to do with retransmission agreements with the local stations. More and more of them are trying to recoup the cost of their HD transmitters by chrging the cable companies for the HD signal. Since they are used to getting the SD signal for free, they think the HD should be as well. Don't look for an easy solution anytime real soon on that issue.

Hope you are liking the change in climate and scenery!

ibglowin,

I notice you're in Los Alamos as well. How are you doing on KOB-DT?

I tweaked my antenna tonight and everything else is coming in 61-68% signal strength on my hr10-250, but kob is bouncing all over the place from 0-30, but with no signal lock.

I'm also in Los Alamos and I just checked KOB-DT. I'm getting 69-76% on the HR10-250 and 49-53% on the MyHD MDP-120 PCI card. My strongest signal is KOAT-DT at 75-88%.

The one that gives me the most trouble is KRQE-DT. That one bounces between 0-32% and has too many dropouts to be watchable. It's strange the kind of fluctuation we get between different channels in different locations.

Brian

I've finally moved to Albuqerque from San Diego. As far as Comcast is concerned, the HD DVR is the only thing keeping me with them at the moment. In San diego I had 18 HD channels. Comcast offers 11. 4 of those being Pay channels taking it to 8, and only ABC and FOX for networks. BAH.

I live in the Aspens aparments by Cottonwood. Just tonight I found a spot on window ledge for my antenna to sit. I seemed to have found everything but UPN. From that window theres only a small corner of another building blocking my view of the crest with all the transmission towers on it.

Anyone know what UPNs actual channel assignment is?

UPN's VHF channel# is 45



Anyone know what UPNs actual channel assignment is?

I'm in White Rock. KOB is coming in just fine for me. I am seeing an occasional "acquiring signal" for a second or two every now and then but thats about it. I have a Dish 921. I am pulling in everybody with 90% to 105% signal strength. I use a Channel Master 4228 on top of a 30 foot mast. Amplified signal of course.

If your only getting 61-68% you need to check your alignment it sounds like.

ibglowin,

I notice you're in Los Alamos as well. How are you doing on KOB-DT?

I tweaked my antenna tonight and everything else is coming in 61-68% signal strength on my hr10-250, but kob is bouncing all over the place from 0-30, but with no signal lock.

Thanks. I am now able to get all the local broadcasts OTA. Now to find a way to be able to record the HD myself for cheap. Then I can get rid of comcast's crazy packages. just stick to basic cable.

ibglowin,

I notice you're in Los Alamos as well. How are you doing on KOB-DT?

I tweaked my antenna tonight and everything else is coming in 61-68% signal strength on my hr10-250, but kob is bouncing all over the place from 0-30, but with no signal lock.

I've got the same problem with KOB-DT. My dish-942 reads 30-50% bouncing and unable to lock. Rest of my channels are fine at 80-100%+ and strangle my Mits TV tuner is able to lock on the KOB-DT. Unfortunately my Mits doesn't have a signal strength indicator so i'm not sure if the Mits just has better tolerance for weak signals or what.

Sean Anker said they were part way through the upgrade and should be done by 10/1. What upgrade are they doing?

My antenna is a 4228, but with no amplifier. It is also only on a 6 foot mast on top of the house. What amplifier would you recommend here in White Rock?

A friend of mine in Santa Fe just got an HD DVR from Comcast yesterday. He said that he is now getting the channels ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, TNT HD, InHD 1&2 and two of the local networks' HD feeds. That's the first report of HD over cable in Santa Fe that I've heard, although I may have missed a posting about it here.

Brian

So what's up with KRQE DT? I haven't seen them transmitting in high-def for a few days.

Well I got myproblem fixed. My old antenna was a CM4248 with a max range of 45 miles. I'm actually about 45.3 miles from the towers. Since I know some of the stations are changing to VHF, I replaced the antenna with a CM3020 with a range of V-100miles and U-60miles. Now I get everything the 90s except for UPN which is 89. What a difference the right antenna can make.

I wrote KRQE and they responded with something along lines of their HD-Tivo, or time-shifting equipment is hosed. They are working to fix it soon. I just wrote back again asking WHEN will it be fixed.

I wrote KRQE and they responded with something along lines of their HD-Tivo, or time-shifting equipment is hosed. They are working to fix it soon. I just wrote back again asking WHEN will it be fixed.

why don't they just pass-through the CBS-E HD feed (big deal that it's an hour earlier)

I sent KRQE a message via their web site asking when they will start resuming HD transmissions. Hope it is sooner than later especially with the new season soon upon us.

Minor news update.....

KAZQ-DT has added a new subchannel and it's just other church channel.

So nothing exciting to say though.

Boy I do wish KOB-DT would do somthing about their 2nd subchannel like putting up a weather channel. :(

Oh well now back to satellite TV DXing! :D

9-10-05

The folks who are buying KRQE [right?] do things like a sub-weather-channel back around their home turf in New England.

Looks like KRQE is transmitting in HD now. Saw it last night, Sunday. Also...

New Mexico DTV User Group - September Meeting

The New Mexico DTV User Group will hold its September meeting on Thursday (9/15) at
7:00 PM at the KNME-TV studios, located at 1130 University Blvd. KNME is located on University about 1 block north of intersection of Lomas and University Blvd.

The month's topic is "Audio Performance Testing - Consumer & Professional”. Our special guest via phone conference, will be Mr. Mike Wolf, Senior Applications Engineer for Audio Precision, manufacturer of the "World's Most Powerful Audio Analyzers". Mr. Wolf, an Albuquerque native, has a long career in professional audio both on the practical side (public broadcasting) and in the laboratory setting. He pioneered new testing methods for broadcasters at KCTS (PBS) in Seattle, a leader in the development of HD content.

We will also have a demonstration of one of the first LCD 26" HDTV's with a built-in digital tuner (Integrated ATSC Receiver-Decoder).

After the break, there will be a report on the progress of HD DVD players to be introduced to market soon. There will also be local and national markets updates.

We appreciate all your support as viewers and HD enthusiasts. Hope to see you at the meeting Thursday night!

Jim Gale
KNME-TV
Director of Engineering

Also, maybe John Ashman will give a lowdown on what he saw at Cedia last weekend at the DTV User's Group Meeting.

Minor news update......

As you know the old channel that used to be 3ABN K17DD before KAZQ-DT came on the air, now has plans to go on the air as a new digital low power TV station on channel 38.

They plan to go on the air sometime this winter and their transmitter will be on sandia crest running at 45.5 KW ERP.

I think they use 5 or six sub channels to be used.

That's is the news!! :)

Oops I forget to tell you there are some future Digital low power stations they are listed here.......

K56FB channel 56 analog is now off the air for few months now may move to channel 47 as a new digital channel.

KTEL-LP channel 53 still on the air plans to move to a new channel 39.

As for channel 43 K43HW they may flash cut to digital on the same channel same goes for KQDF-LP channel 25

KTVS-CA channel 36 will also do the samething too.

Hope the infomations helps for everyones here. ;)

9-12-05

Hello all. Greetings from Boulder.

My father in-law lives in Los Alamos, and just got a DTV receiver. He is happy that he gets a great picture on the channels he gets, but doesn't know if there are more to get (making a bigger and/or better antenna purchase/mount worthwhile). I went to http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp to see what was available from Los Alamos, but it doesn't provide "experimental" evidence.

Can anyone list the channels he should expect to get in LA with a large outdoor VHF and separate UHF antenna mounted about 20' above the roof?

OT -- I sure wish I could get me some roasted Sandias and Big Jims ;)


Thanks, Greg

Roasted watermelons?

Roasted watermelons?

:D :D :)

Sandia Hots -- Don't ask me how they got that name...


Thanks to Google:
Sandia Hot
Very hot, thin walled, good green or red, fresh or dried, a chile lover's standard.
Big Jim
Big Jim is our most popular variety of chile. Everyone loves Big Jim because it is so meaty. Excellent chile for rellenos, excellent flavor for stews, salsas and enchiladas.
Big Jim is about 7-10 inches long. Is a lighter green in color.
Because of the size this is the chile of choice for Rellenos.

It's that time of year again. I miss getting the 40# bag for $10 straight from the field.

And you guys have high power DTV too ;)

Any KOB News?

I have never been able to get a consistent lock, and when I did, it would be bouncing around from 30 to 50%. This afternoon, out of the blue, solid lock at 90%.

I am wondering if the new tower and/or tramsmitter is on line.

Sean, anything going on that would account for my (finally!) getting signal?

Brian

Any KOB News?
I am wondering if the new tower and/or tramsmitter is on line.

Sean, anything going on that would account for my (finally!) getting signal?


wouldn't surprise me if it was up. 4-1 wasn't coming in for me one newscast within the last week or so, so maybe it was KOB finalizing the connections and bringing up their new transmitter. the brief "no signal" dropout also seems to have disappeared (I haven't seen one of those for the good part of a week now).


no change in sig strength for me, so it's hard for me to tell any difference using that.

Hi Greg,

I live in White Rock just down the hill a few miles from LA. The best place to see what's broadcasting is probably TitanTV.com or AntennaWeb. Just enter the right zip code and go from there. We are lucky in that we get ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS and WB in HD. There is no need for VHF antenna at the moment, all channels are on UHF. I am using a Channel Master 4228 with preamp. I have a buddy that is using one of the Winegard Sensor III's and he is very happy with it. He lives on the Hill proper and pulls everything in loud and clear. Since we are around 45 miles from the towers a good preamp is pretty much a must have in order to lock and hold the signal.

Hope this helps.

Hello all. Greetings from Boulder.

My father in-law lives in Los Alamos, and just got a DTV receiver. He is happy that he gets a great picture on the channels he gets, but doesn't know if there are more to get (making a bigger and/or better antenna purchase/mount worthwhile). I went to http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp to see what was available from Los Alamos, but it doesn't provide "experimental" evidence.

Can anyone list the channels he should expect to get in LA with a large outdoor VHF and separate UHF antenna mounted about 20' above the roof?

OT -- I sure wish I could get me some roasted Sandias and Big Jims ;)


Thanks, Greg

Thanks IB!

Greg

It's was interesting to see KAZQ-DT's new sub channel "17.2 or 32.2" is carrying an Canadian church channel named Miracle.

Is that ok to import a channel from other country on a U.S. digital channel? :confused:

Not much else is going on here and haven't heard a thing from Sean of KOB-DT about his transmitter upgrade.

9-20-05

I just hooked the cable up to my Mitsu's DTV input. I didnt find any HD channels in the Clear just some SD garbage. Does comcast even offer anything in the Clear for those of us with QAM tuners? I seem to be watching more off my rabbit ears than I do on cable. In San Diego, Time Warner cable offered all the local digital channels that they carried in the clear for QAM tuners. Just used ears for one channel, the WB for Smallville. Here Im on ears at least once a night.

I also seem to be missing KOB 4.1 and 4.2.

Anybody have a clue when (or why not) KRQE will start bringing Letterman to us in HD?

I believe KRQE has been sold; so, [1] the present "old" owners aren't likely to spend a cent more than they already do -- which is nada; [2] the new owners seem to put all available HD on their stable of channels. I guess we wait.

In the same vein, anyone have a suggestion on how to send an email to the louts at UPN corporate?

I just hooked the cable up to my Mitsu's DTV input. I didnt find any HD channels in the Clear just some SD garbage. Does comcast even offer anything in the Clear for those of us with QAM tuners? I seem to be watching more off my rabbit ears than I do on cable. In San Diego, Time Warner cable offered all the local digital channels that they carried in the clear for QAM tuners. Just used ears for one channel, the WB for Smallville. Here Im on ears at least once a night.

I also seem to be missing KOB 4.1 and 4.2.


Bigglare,

I think the only HD channels carried in the clear by Comcast are KOAT (ABC) on cable 7.1, KNME (PBS) on cable 5.1, and KASA (FOX) which comes in on my QAM tuner somewhere in the 200's. Of course, all of these plus KRQE (CBS), KWBQ (WB), and KOB (NBC) are available OTA. For me, KOB drops out sometimes, maybe because their transmitter is not at full power yet?

Brent

For me, KOB drops out sometimes, maybe because their transmitter is not at full power yet? Brent

They may be up and running. KOB has been the only local digital station that I could not get. Not sure if its a multipath issue or not, but I am just west of Tramway and Academy, and its never been available. Once in a blue moon, I could get lock, but normally, it would drop right back out. Signal strength has been bouncing all over the place.

But this weekend, just for yucks, I punched it in and amazingly got a solid, steady 90%. Other than for a bit yesterday AM when it went off, it has been solid. I am actually HDTivo'ing some NBC shows and all seems to be well.

I hope Sean is able give us an update, but whatever is happening for me to get lock, I also hope they do NOT change a thing!

Brian

KRQE is presenting Letterman in HD except for last night. I saw it several times last week. Sometimes the person in the control room forgets to switch the output on the digital channel to HD mode.

Ive already started writing to them that I intend to cancel due to lack of HD content versus my pair of rabbit ears.

Right now Im torn between Dish with the most HD and Directv with UniversalHD for Battlestar next time around.

Battlestar in HD is Awesome!

Ive seen the few episode NBC aired in HD the other month. Was very impressed too. Shame we're in such a bigger state of change with satelite. D* is going MPEG 4 in a few months. E* has more HD but still mpeg2 I beleive. I wish Voom was still around. hee hee.

Here is a link to an interesting post regarding the fight between cable and broadcasters over fees for their digital TV signal. It implies that CBS and Comcast will not be making peace any time soon.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6255385#post6255385

Brian

Sean Anker emailed me that the new antenna was supposed to be placed on the tower last night. He says KOB absolutely will have the new antenna on the air by next Monday, the 3rd, but he hopes to put it on the air this Saturday, the 1st. That means KOB will go to full power with their ATSC signal.

.....G

Bad news I think, LIN Broadcasting which is buying KRQE-DT agreed to carry USDTV cancer crap.

That's means KRQE-DT's HD picture will be downgraded thanks to USDTV's exessive subchannels! :mad:

I guess there is no future for KASY-DT to carry UPN's HDTV programings anytime soon.

So what else is new around here? :p

9-27-05

I guess there is no future for KASY-DT to carry UPN's HDTV programings anytime soon.

I contacted KASY a couple of weeks ago, asking if they had any ETA for HD. They responded very quickly, and told me that their contract with USDTV expired at the end of this year. At that time they would *start* to get everything in place to transmit in HD.

John

Anyone notice any weirdness with KOB's Digital broadcast?

I posted last week that for the first time ever, I am finally getting solid lock on KOB's digital signal. I assume the new antenna and transmitter were up, but per the previous post, it's not due until this weekend. Note to Sean: Whatever you are doing now, please, PLEASE, do not change it!!!!

OK, last night we watched a Tivo'd episode of Surface. On a couple occasions, during what looked like a lateral pan, the picture seemed to stutter a bit. Audio was solid, and this only happenned twice, but it was quite noticeable. We Tivo a lot of HD content, and this was the first time I have ever seen anything like it.

Then, a more obvious problem. After coming back from commercial, not only was the show in SD, but the audio was from some sort of commercial! Looks like someone at the station noticed something was amiss, and they resume HD from the beginning of that segment.

But later in the broadcast, they did it again!

Lastly, Shrek was on this past weekend, and while it was unfortunately in SD, I noted quite a lot of audio drop outs.

So, anyone notice any of this?

Here's to hoping that the new antenna will not plunge my home back in to multi-path hell!

Brian

Anyone notice any weirdness with KOB's Digital broadcast?

I posted last week that for the first time ever, I am finally getting solid lock on KOB's digital signal. I assume the new antenna and transmitter were up, but per the previous post, it's not due until this weekend. Note to Sean: Whatever you are doing now, please, PLEASE, do not change it!!!!


For me it has been the opposite. Up until a couple of weeks ago, my reception of KOB was fine. Ever since then it has been a struggle. I can get a HD picture, but I get a fair number of drop-outs.

I have been waiting anxiously for the new antenna to go in place, to hopefully fix this problem.

John

>> during what looked like a lateral pan, the picture seemed to stutter a bit.

Yes, I noticed this on the season premiere of West Wing on Sunday evening. Very annoying.

.....G

Thanks guruka, thats a relief. There have been some reports of "stuttering" with HD Tivos, but I have never seen anything like this in over a year of ownership. Hopefully its just KOB sorting out the bugs.

jpoet, I hope the new KOB antenna and transmitter will make EVERYONE happy! My wife loves Medium and Surface, but the SD feed of KOB from DirecTV is just horrendously bad.

Brian

Anyone notice any weirdness with KOB's Digital broadcast?

Brian

I glad others are having the same problem. A few weeks ago, I got one of those Accurian Radio Shack boxes, which, combined with my attic antenna, gave me great DT on everything except KOB. KOB either wouldn't come in at all, or was unwatchable because of dropouts and pixellation. Playing with the built-in signal meter, it was in the middle of the "yellow" (middle) range (about 52 on the meter), where every other station was 80 or higher. In the past week or so, its been in the green, but bounces from about 86 to 71 every couple of seconds (70 is the bottom of the "green" range). Every other station is solid, varying from, for example, 81 to 83. I have also noticed a few audio dropouts and video glitches on KOB.

I live near Paseo del Norte and Louisiana. I'll be watching over the next week to see if they get their act together.

Guruka

Have you had squirrely things going on with your 921 lately?

Mine's been freezing up a lot when I go to the menus, and I am wondering if its from a software download, or just going bad?

Guruka

Have you had squirrely things going on with your 921 lately?

Mine's been freezing up a lot when I go to the menus, and I am wondering if its from a software download, or just going bad?
Nope. It's not the software. My 921 is running smoothly. All timers firing perfectly recording both off-air and sat flawlessly and I've not had any problems with navigation nor menus.

All the problems I've seen seem to be broadcast issues. Occasional load bursts of white noise in KWBQ D5.1 audio during HD broadcasts and the "stuttering" artifact during horizontal pans on KOB HD programming. Those are not 921 issues.

My 921 is stable and a great receiver. I would not trade it for a 942 since the 942 has no S-Video output (which I use for hard disk program dumps to DVD.) I'm holding tight till the MPEG4 receivers become available.

.....G

Thanks for the reply, G

Guess I need to call Dish. My timers work fine as well, it's just the menus that freeze up, which always happens (or seems to) at the worst time, so I can't unplug and reboot without interrupting a timer that's happenning.

Sorry for the OT, folks.

moonhawk, I have a 921 and the menus for the recorded programs get stuck for me too. After I finished viewing a recording I cannot scroll down to the cancel button so I have to turn off the 921 via the power button then turn it back on again. I would think it is a software problem. I haven't called it in because I can recover from it. Good Luck.

Yeah, well, I wish I could just turn it off at the power switch...that does get me out of the menu and back to the current program, but to be able to use the menus I have to unplug the unit, which stops any current timers, so I have to watch what's on, or wait till the timer is over.

Well this afternoon I'm finaly able to lock KOB-DT with my Dish 942. First time in what seems like months. Anybody else have their KOB problems solved? Am I just lucky today or did KOB get their stuff fixed?

Also an Intresting note about "stuttering" I noticed this on KOB-DT on my Mits's tuner. The Mits was allways able to lock KOB-DT but i'de see the stuttering durring fast camra panning on HD content. Though my 942's OTA tuner couldn't never even lock onto the signal. So I would guess that the stuttering might just be an effect of a bad signal on certan tuners.

Well Sean was obviously successful with KOB's new antenna installation and the move to full power for their ATSC signal. I now see a 20 point signal strength increase (now around 100 on my Dish 921) along with a reduction of multipath. On my Dish 921 up here in Espanola the signal locks solidly under varying atmospheric conditions and it stays locked.

If you're reading here Sean, thanks very much for undertaking this expensive upgrade. KOB's digital signal is now excellent in Espanola and I'm beginning to see messages from other AVS forum members saying their reception is significantly better as well.

I am sooooooooo looking forward to the Turin Winter Olympics in HD!

.....G

The first few days after the L2.70 software upgrade my 921 had issues, but it has settled down and I have had no problems since...

Well this afternoon I'm finaly able to lock KOB-DT with my Dish 942. First time in what seems like months. Anybody else have their KOB problems solved? Am I just lucky today or did KOB get their stuff fixed?

My KOB-DT signal is now steady at 85-86. But I'm experiencing frequent (every 10 seconds or so) audio dropouts on 4-1. No apparent problems on 4-2. I haven't had much time to examine this, but their upgrade may not be complete. Anybody else having this problem?

Nope.

FWIW, I just tried KOB, and I am not getting lock. I think it was posted previously that they were switching over to the new antenna this weekend.

I hope that I am not back in multipath hell after getting signal for the last couple weeks for the first time ever.

EDIT: By about 5PM, it was back to normal, although slightly lower in signal strength than it had been (82 vs. 90).

Brian

FWIW, I just tried KOB, and I am not getting lock. I think it was posted previously that they were switching over to the new antenna this weekend.

I hope that I am not back in multipath hell after getting signal for the last couple weeks for the first time ever.

EDIT: By about 5PM, it was back to normal, although slightly lower in signal strength than it had been (82 vs. 90).

Brian

At 6:15, I was back to the old pattern, fluctuating every few seconds between about 85 and 71.

Hi all I'm new here and have read that some are getting KOB and some are not getting the signal. I have a 811 reciever and when I scan digital chanels I get KOB-2 and KOB-d but when I tune into the chanels it tells me digital signal lost.
I tryed adjusting my antenna but still nothing. thanks

I think they're spending a delightful weekend, tuning and tweaking -- since I believe sean said they're supposed to be up and running, tomorrow. I stopped at the channel a couple of times, last night, and they were shoveling letterboxed SD out into the airwaves on a program listed as HD.

Like everyone else, I'll try to remember to give them a peek in the morning or the last minute tonight.

They have been off the air for at least a couple hours. Bummer, as I was looking forward to Talledega in HD.

Brian

PS: GO RED SOX!!!!!

KOB-DT seems to be pretty steady at around 80%, and I am wondering what are they going to do with the 2nd sub channel, keep it and make as a weather channel or just get rid of it to make room for the HDTV bandwith.

Other than that, not much going on here. :D

10-1-05

My KOB-DT signal is now steady at 85-86. But I'm experiencing frequent (every 10 seconds or so) audio dropouts on 4-1.

i was having that friday/saturday, but I don't seem to be having it tonight (sunday evening, watching late newscast).

my big problem this weekend was saturday with KRQE-DT (lots of blocking. behavior like I was locked to a weak signal, but my LG tv signal strength meter was above the "normal" line so I shouldn't have been having any dropouts). don't know if it was KRQE's encoder fault or my TV's fault, but it was gone by sunday for the NFL game.

the other great news (other than KOB-DT audio dropout appearing to go away) of the weekend was KOAT-DT removing those ugly gray bars (4:3 material in a 16:9 format and KOAT had configured gray fill-in bars to keep the video aspect proper). tonight it's black bars and I like it! i hope they don't go back to the gray bars.

no new digital channels spotted. you'd think knat would use their second channel for the channel 36 service rather than downlink off the canadian sat the Miracle Channel.

a new analog service I found was TV-30 (KCHF TV 11 apparently has set up an analog transmitter on sandia crest using channel 30 for those of us who can't get channel 11 because it's behind the sandia mountains).

For those of you who did not see improvement in KOB's ATSC signal, I noticed thngs back to the old situation too yesterday after the period when their DT signal was off the air. I wrote Sean about this and he replied this morning. Here's his reply:

Well, our transmitter was running at 100% for about a day and a half
-- and then it croaked. Hopefully we'll be back up to 100% by
tonight. An 'expert' from the transmitter manufacturer is on site
right now

Thanks!

Sean
.....G

Regarding KOAT's grey bars: I think they use those for local broadcasts (esp. news). When they are just passing along a feed from ABC that is in 4:3, it may have the black border. It's similar to KQRE--their local broadcasts are always partially stretched and off-center, but when they send the national feed of 4:3 source material, it's proper aspect ratio and centered. Of course, KRQE is pretty worthless. They don't provide Dolby Digital audio, and they are the absolute worst at pre-empting national sports broadcasts. I'd rather we had no CBS affiliate, and could get KCBS or WCBS via DBS.

That's used to be KYNM-CA channel 61 that used to broadcast MTV church music type channel just moved to channel 30.

They dropped the MTV church music channel and changed to just being a dumb relay for KCHF-TV which coverages toward Albuquerque and the some part of eastside of the mountain.

They are running amost 150 KW ERP on the Sandia Crest mountian.

As for KNAT-DT, they don't own KTVS-TV channel 36 it's really owned by KAZQ-DT channel 17! :D

I wish KOAT-DT would get rid of ugly grey bars too and UDTV cancer as well too. :rolleyes:

10-3-05

Regarding KOAT's grey bars: I think they use those for local broadcasts (esp. news). When they are just passing along a feed from ABC that is in

the black bars I saw were not related to ABC programming. it was there for sunday's locally-originated balloon fiesta coverage, it ws there for some syndicated show I saw on KOAT later in the day, and (checking right now), it's still black bars surrounding the noon newscast.

so it appears KOAT has changed their encoder configuration (rather than it being due to ABC-sourced programming).

[QUOTE=N5XZS]That's used to be KYNM-CA channel 61 that used to broadcast MTV church music type channel just moved to channel 30.

They dropped the MTV church music channel and changed to just being a dumb relay for KCHF-TV which coverages toward Albuquerque and the some part of eastside of the mountain.

As for KNAT-DT, they don't own KTVS-TV channel 36 it's really owned by KAZQ-DT channel 17! :D

/QUOTE][

ok, on KYNM-CA. makes sense now why I lost anything on channel 61 and your description tells me why I thought KCHF launched a new albuquerque transmission to serve the rich parts of town that don't get their signal. maybe KCHF paid KYNM to transmit them as it's probably cheaper than the FCC transactions and buying/operating equipment to get on the air with a transmitter to serve the northeast foothills and four hills area.

as for KTVS, it was a brain fart here. alpha-omega broadcasting and I had 23 on the mind instead of 32. i still think they should put KTVS on the other encoder input of their dt 17 channel rather than the canadian miracle channel.

Hello sthscan,

As for KTVS-LP is a fulltime proft channel and will never be on a non proft digital sub channels due to a FCC rules for what I understand if not, correct me on this.

KTVS-TV was a typo "TV meant to be full power analog" so a brain fart for me too!! :p

10-3-05

I have a 921 and the menus for the recorded programs get stuck for me too. After I finished viewing a recording I cannot scroll down to the cancel button so I have to turn off the 921 via the power button then turn it back on again. I would think it is a software problem. I haven't called it in because I can recover from it. Good Luck.
You are stuck in Resume and cannot cross the disabled Erase button because it is protected -- funny, you can go the other way.
Use the cancel button to take you back to the DVR recording selection and hit Select to take you back to the Start Over button. One down to Unprotect, and then 2 up to Erase.
You can always use the Cancel key to do the Cancel button and often the Done button but not if Done saves values. No need to reboot or even power off here.
-Ken

I wrote Sean asking if they were back up with the new xmitter and also mentioned the video jittering during horizontal pans in HD broadcasts. Here's his reply from this morning...
Well, we may be back on tonight. They had to do a full tear down on the transmitter.

Re: the jitter -- I thought I was just seeing things on my Motorola IRD. I haven't seen it yet on the test gear, but I think I know which setting is wrong. I'll change it and we'll see what happens.

Thanks,

Sean
.....G

Was just flipping through the Channels to see whats on tonight and noticed KOB listed in the HD channels. YAY. Now just CBS WB and the UPN.

Was just flipping through the Channels to see whats on tonight and noticed KOB listed in the HD channels. YAY. Now just CBS WB and the UPN.

If you have a built-in digital tuner and a good digital antenna, you can get all the HD that CBS, WB and UPN have now.

Was KOBHD actually being broadcast? I've seen KOBHD listed in the programming guide before but nothing on Comcast Channel 211. I can't check for sure cuz my HDTV is still in the shop.

If you have a built-in digital tuner and a good digital antenna, you can get all the HD that CBS, WB and UPN have now.

UPN? In HD in Albuquerque?

.....G