If you're on Comcrap cable, you should be able to find NBC ABC Fox and PBS via QAM. Along with a lot of Comcrap's OnDemand viewing which is unencrypted QAM. Which means if youre lucky you can watch movies someone else is watching. I often find Showtimes Soft Porn movies playing via QAM. The occasional fastforward as who ever is actually watching it fastforwards to the good parts. (oh to be a teen today).

Is there any update as to whether KWBQ will be back in HD for this weeks Smallville/Supernatural?

Is there any update as to whether KWBQ will be back in HD for this weeks Smallville/Supernatural?

Last I heard when I spoke with them was that it might be back up by yesterday (Monday). If I were you, I would call them and ask again and then let us all know.

Hello RiceWeather,

Is there a way to show realtime wind speeds, instead of snapshot on the citys' name on the left of the screen?

Here's the crude display "L" means L bar graphics from the top to bottom and to the right. :)
-----------------------------------------------------






ABQ,

77*F
S.E. 9 mph L----------------------------------
7 days forcasts graphics
^reatime wind speeds instead of snap shot. "Proposed idea"

Sorry for the crude display that's best I could do! :D

10-3-06

Well Kob does it again... Studio 60 in SD when it premiered and now Friday night lites... won't watch Studio 60 and now won't watch FNL as its SD...fire that switchman...

WOW!

Talk about a great customer service expirience. I just got a phone call from the GM with KASY and KWBQ regarding my emails about their HD issues. I got personal assurances everything on CW side is working up to snuff for smallville and such tomorrow night.

How many times have we sent an email to a station or cable company and only got a canned email reponse. To have the GM call and personally ask to be called directly if issues arise is amazing.

Thank you to all of you at KASY and KWBQ.

So are you sorry for the "nasty" email you sent, or do you think that is what did the trick? :D

I'm not sorry for mine because I'm still waiting for a response...

He definately was concerned about the quality complaints I had and wanted to assureme that the issue is resolved and that smallville should be in HD.

I still find it amazing to get a call from anyone least of all the GM. I send countless letters to comcrap which I pay $150 a month to and all I get is a canned email. Viewers pay nothing to stations as far as monetary concerns. This was what customer service should be everywhere. If only other stations had this much care for the viewers.

And to be given his personal cell phone number to call to report problems?! unheard of. I hope now that I don't have to call him with problems.

KASY/KWBQ : 1 KOAT/KRQE/KKOB: 0

Well, at any rate, congrats to you guys for getting results, and to the GM for responding personally...

I rarely watch those channels, but it's good to know there's folks in the industry who give a damn. :)

WOW!
Thank you to all of you at KASY and KWBQ.

Has KASY fixed their "Stretch-O-Vision" yet? Last time I checked, a couple of days ago, it was still there.

John

Hello RiceWeather,

Is there a way to show realtime wind speeds, instead of snapshot on the city's name on the left of the screen?

10-3-06

:D The data (temp-wind-etc... ) come from the hourly observations reported at airports around the region. If a special observation comes in however, with a significant change in some parameter (like during a storm front passage) the latest information should be displayed. It is always going to be a "snapshot" ...as you describe it.

Real time weather data is available on our website (KOBTV-DOT-COM) from the WeatherBug weather sites we have at schools in the area. Those sites display "live" real time weather conditions, but the weatherbug information will not interface with the WeatherPlus display system.

Thanks for asking though.

LR :cool:

He definately was concerned about the quality complaints I had and wanted to assureme that the issue is resolved and that smallville should be in HD.

I still find it amazing to get a call from anyone least of all the GM. I send countless letters to comcrap which I pay $150 a month to and all I get is a canned email. Viewers pay nothing to stations as far as monetary concerns. This was what customer service should be everywhere. If only other stations had this much care for the viewers.

And to be given his personal cell phone number to call to report problems?! unheard of. I hope now that I don't have to call him with problems.

KASY/KWBQ : 1 KOAT/KRQE/KKOB: 0

Congratulations and thank you very much for your help! I'm glad to know that KASY/KWBQ is such a customer and viewer oriented organization.

Hello TillyVick,

What about KASY-DT? All you said it about KWBQ-DT progress on HDTV.

Why are the not promoting the classic Star Trek about what time they will be on?

10-5-06

I just kicked the crap out of the HD receiver for the CW channel. All you dorks will have to go without watching Smallville and Supernatural in HD. I hope you survive.

JR,

Are you going cable card? The S3 Tivo is my fallback for the day D* finally tells me I can't have my HD-Tivo anymore. I am reading various things that imply that getting a cableco to give you a CC for something other than a TV is like talking to the wall.

Brian

BG -- you didn't wangle a freebie HR20 out of D*. I've had mine 2 weeks, now.

BG -- you didn't wangle a freebie HR20 out of D*. I've had mine 2 weeks, now.

Ed, you slay me! :)

If I ever got rid of Tivo, I would be sleeping in the garage!

On top of that, I get all my locals 5x5 via OTA, and there is no new HD content that is presently MPEG4, so I have no burning desire to get rid of the HR10.

I would like to keep an open mind, and would be willing to try one, but I do not have enough coax lines in the HT room to allow me to have both the HR10 and HR20 running at the same time, and like I said, Tivo is the only piece of gear that "she who must be obeyed" considers indispensable.

Who knows...I may even get the damn 6.3 update some day, although the D* Gods have yet to smile upon me.

Brian

On top of that, I get all my locals 5x5 via OTA, and there is no new HD content that is presently MPEG4, so I have no burning desire to get rid of the HR10.

Brian

I have read that current HR10 owners can upgrade to the HR20 for $200.

I have also read that the current HR20 software can *not* record OTA, yet. They hope to have that fixed by the end of the year.


John

I have read that current HR10 owners can upgrade to the HR20 for $200.

I have also read that the current HR20 software can *not* record OTA, yet. They hope to have that fixed by the end of the year.


John

Again, while I will keep an open mind, I have not read good things about the HR20 over at the HDTivo forum. Maybe if they PAY ME $200 to take it? :)

We have had Tivo in our household for 6 or 7 years. Even my eight year old daughter knows how to use it. There would have to be some pretty damn compelling new features for us to even remotely consider a different DVR solution.

I am hedging my bets that a S3 Tivo (Comcast w/cable card) or the Comcast Motorola w/Tivo box will be our fall back if D* someday completely cuts the cord with Tivo.

Brian

As I said, mine was FREE. And I kept my HR10.

The bets, right now, on when the OTA portion of the software is turned on range from next Wednesday to the 25th. My source -- as unreliable as anyone else's -- says the 18th. So, I'm watching Sat mpg2's and missing the several programs I usually watch OTA. Next summer reruns will catch that up.

I was going to try to carry-on the HR10 for OTA; but, the CSR elves managed to un-activate it whilst activating the HR20 -- and re-activating it would involved carrying the HR10 elsewhere where there's a landline, etc., etc.. So, I left it off -- keep it as a spare.

Even though I'm a longtime D*TiVo user, I have to admit I love the speed/responsiveness of the new box and most of the added features. The long-range goodies are starting to be opened up to my fellow maniacs, literally as Alpha experimenters, e.g. they've turned on the external SATA port to do with as you wish!! I'm waiting on power-up for the ethernet port before I jump in. Everything moved over to my Harmony 880 OK.

Yes, they brought the critter out essentially still in Beta mode. Losing time with the last 2 birds didn't help. The pressure from all us early adopters didn't help either. But, unlike our experience with response rate from TiVo code-forgers, the current crowd are putting out updates on a 1-2 week basis. We all wait for Wednesday AM to see what's awaiting us!

Sneaking up on this, I checked out possibilities with Comcast; but, the crew here in Santa Fe can hardly find their shoes. They don't have one of my critical [proper football] channels and it's not in sight. If you ever tried to call their office on a Monday morning -- as I have as a test -- you don't get through for hours because of complaints. Their cable broadband works fine for me; but, sometimes I think it's only because they haven't figured out how to screwup that particular cash cow.

When OTA is up and running, I'll let y'all know how it compares to my HR10 experience. Meanwhile, I'd suggest that anyone staying in touch with product, check in at http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

Earl still can't spell; but, he runs a decent forum and has an inside track. D* does check in daily to see what we have to say. That alone is an improvement.

May as well give you a couple of guesses on why and when the mpg4 changeover happens.

Press releases from D* intimated we'd get turned on for the greater Abq DMA in October. I think this was screwed-up by the sales and shuffling of 13 and 2. Now, all I can weasel from folks is -- by springtime.

When the AT9 dish was being installed [by a really solid guy from SC whose crew is here helping the NM D* crews to catch up!], he showed me that 2 of the Abq channels are already sending their test signals, rock-solid 90 and up. Incidentally, that is the case with every one of my signals. Everything has gone up 10-15% in signal strength. Most folks figure that's because of more square inches in the dish.

He wouldn't say; but, my guess is that the 2 who were Hot were 4 and 7. D* has NO priority for PBS -- which is a great reason for me to want OTA.

Watching the HR20 board, my guess is that things are running pretty solid. You know as well as I that forums are for complainers and innovators, helpers and fanboys. The satisfied masses don't even look for us! :) It looks like early mpg4 problems are with exactly what you'd expect: defective hardware [rare] or poorly installed dishes [less often than past] -- and the instrumentation my installer had to lock things in was pretty darn good. He'd already learned enough about the dishes to change "the book" on how to do it.

If anyone wants to add ota (best hd picture available) recording to their sysem, I still have that LG3410 dvr available. Is ota the only way to get ch. 13 in hd?
JR

Hello Jerrich,

Yes KRQE-DT is the only way to OTA Not on Comcrap,DIrectv and Dish Network at this time. :)

10-6-06

I was able to view KWBQ in HD last night for Smallville and Supernatural but the signal did not appear to contain the 5.1 DD audio. Did anyone else have this problem? Usually these shows are in 5.1 but were in stereo last night.

missed smallville last night. My wife had to have her birthday last night. hee hee. (Happy birthday sweetheart) Im glad to hear it was back in HD.

Are you reading your PMs bigglare or you do not want to send me the contact information?

Sorry. I have had family in town limiting my computer time and I have bookmarked to Last Post in this thread so I didn't notice any PMs. I will try to find out if he has an email address or somthing for public disemmination.

Seems the Mods do not approve of refering to Comca t as comcra p anymore. Funny because most people I talk to with cable and HDTV refer to them as such. How about the Evil-Overcharging-Non-Network-Carrying-Non-Compliant-Law-Ignoring-Cable-Monopoly?

Seems the Mods do not approve of refering to Comca t as comcra p anymore.

since the mods frown upon that, I'll call them COMMIECAST. That's what the ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL published in a comments to the paper column recently, so I guess that's acceptable in public forums (and we can call them COMCR P in PM's or other private areas where we know we won't offend anyone. :D

btw, score another one for HD. KOB's analog transmitter went down during Larry's weather forecast on the 10PM news, so I just tuned to the digital carrier to finish watching his weather forecast and the sports and the tonight show. Normally when I'm at the PC, I watch the analog signal (so I can't spool it out the HDTV set's rear output to a TV in my cmputer center). Time to find a 15" HDTV set for my computer center, I guess (since HD is way more stable than analog as far as uptime, at least lately it seems).

DIRECTV HD local update...

For what it's worth, DIRECTV press released today that Albuquerque HD locals will be rolled out along with 24 other markets in the 4th quarter 2006, making 67 total HD markets for DIRECTV by the end of 2006.

IMHO, the most interesting part of the press release (other than the "updated" info about Albuquerque) is that about a third of the 25 markets set to roll out in the 4th quarter are brand new HD cities to DIRECTV (that is, cities to get HD not mentioned in prior DIRECTV press releases). I wonder why those were added when DIRECTV has tons of previous mentioned cities (like Albuquerque) that havent' even yet been rolled out in HD. If a company can't handle prior named cities, why are they adding and rolling out new ones before all the old ones?

I think you'll find that the additional cities have local stations that got serious about the HD bandwagon.

When my HR20 was installed a couple weeks ago, the installer pointed out the two Abq channels that were up and ready for HD spot beams -- on the appropriate transponder. He didn't say which they were; but, that's half of the 4 D* is starting up with. From the "other 2" -- nada.

Just because we're already receiving [erratic] OTA broadcasts doesn't mean those same local stations have fulfilled whatever commitments they have to achieve for HD spot beams, yet.

Anyone know if CBS (KRQE) is included in the digital (HD) locals on D*'s satellite? I know they are not currently included on the E*'s satellite or on com**ap.

I am wondering Directv, will carry two Denver sports channels for Albuquerque MPEG-4's spot beam in HDTV? :confused:

10-10-06

I am wondering Directv, will carry two Denver sports channels for Albuquerque MPEG-4's spot beam in HDTV? :confused:

10-10-06

No, they don't currently spot beam HD RSNs outside of the home teams city. (i.e. Hartford doesn't get NESN or YES HD, Vegas doesn't get FSN West or Prime Ticket HD.) If the HD RSNs are moved to a CONUS beam in 2007 when DirecTV 10 and 11 launch, presumable HD RSNs will be availble to all markets they serve.

KOB blew it again tonight. Friday Night Lights was not in HD.
KWBQ blew it again tonight. Veronica Mars was not in HD.

John

Personally the one thing that has been keeping me off satellite more than anything is the lack of ALL 7 big networks. CW PBS and MyNetwork. If I still need an antenna any local offerings just doesnt cut it. If Im going to pay for locals via dish I want the all Locals via dish not just some in HD and all in analog. All HD or try again later.

I
When my HR20 was installed a couple weeks ago, the installer pointed out the two Abq channels that were up and ready for HD spot beams -- on the appropriate transponder. He didn't say which they were; but, that's half of the 4 D* is starting up with. From the "other 2" -- nada.

Were those 2 coming down on the DBS freqs or the Ka-band freqs? If it's DBS freqs and you can tell me which slot, I can tell you what Albuquerque HD locals are being tested. If it's Ka, I am unable to look at those right now since I don't have a Ka-band LNB installed on my dish.

Personally the one thing that has been keeping me off satellite more than anything is the lack of ALL 7 big networks. CW PBS and MyNetwork. If I

my gut feeling tells me that the first complete HD system other than off-air may be FiOS (yes, I know it has to launch in albuquerque, let alone add stuff). DBS may be quite a ways away (considering I'm sure the priority is to roll out HD in all markets before adding the lesser-desired other network HD channels) and Commiecast just wants to seem to increase rates everytime one sneezes without making an effort to earmark some of the additional revenue to paying for retransmission or to increase bandwidth to carry more complete local HD offerings on their system.

The impression I get from insiders who know other insiders [is that vague enough?] is that once D* gets the next 2 birds up in 2007, folks expect them to roll out PBS -- followed by the other non-"major" networks pretty quickly.

Were those 2 coming down on the DBS freqs or the Ka-band freqs? If it's DBS freqs and you can tell me which slot, I can tell you what Albuquerque HD locals are being tested. If it's Ka, I am unable to look at those right now since I don't have a Ka-band LNB installed on my dish.

Sorry, I don't remember. If I have time, today, I'll take a look. It's the only bird with just 2 channels showing activity -- or at least that's what it looked like 2 weeks ago.

YAWN....

Well I was, WAS impressed with the personal call from CW's general manager about their getting everything in line for Smallville in HD last week. While I missed it last week so I can't say if it was or not. But tonight its not in HD.

BAD CW BAD.

Anyone know if CBS (KRQE) is included in the digital (HD) locals on D*'s satellite? I know they are not currently included on the E*'s satellite or on com**ap.
Saw elsewhere something about Lin holding out in another market... we can only hope...

Well Mr Stan Gill from KASY called me again tonight to explain their technical issues from last couple of nights over on kwbq. Lets hope they manage to get things straightened out over there.

I've watched two episodes of Battlestar Galactica through iTunes now. Compared to the Sci-fi Channel via Comc*** I am ready to just cut the cable. It's time to just watch my non-broadcast shows via Itunes.

I have a HR10-250 that does OTA but I've never hooked it up here because I didn't think there was much of an OTA offering in ABQ. Is it worth it? I'd cut off Commiecast in a heartbeat but I use it for internet and they require you to bundle with their basic service to do that (whereas some other providers in other markets don't).

I have a HR10-250 that does OTA but I've never hooked it up here because I didn't think there was much of an OTA offering in ABQ. Is it worth it?
OTA HD in Albuquerque:
2-1 (uhf 27) KASA (FOX)
4-1 (uhf 26) KOB (NBC)
5-1 (uhf 35) KNME (PBS)
7-1 (uhf 21) KOAT (ABC)
13-1 (uhf 16) KRQE (CBS)
19-1 (uhf 29) KWBQ (CW)
50-1 (uhf 45) KASY (myTV)
I'd cut off Commiecast in a heartbeat but I use it for internet and they require you to bundle with their basic service to do that (whereas some other providers in other markets don't).
Comcast will let you *just* do internet, but they charge so much extra for it, that it is cheaper to get their bottom tier TV lineup for $12 to combine with it, instead.

John

Comcast will let you *just* do internet, but they charge so much extra for it, that it is cheaper to get their bottom tier TV lineup for $12 to combine with it, instead.

John

or just get Qwest DSL - more bandwidth than I know what to do with and pretty darn easy on the wallet compared to Commiecast.

btw, for off-air HD's, don't forget to add multicast channels, too (Weatherplus and the TBN station has multicasted sister religious channnels in their digital signal)

That's right. Plus KNME has 3 low power vhf subchannels on 9.
JR

Seems Each week the folks over at KWBQ and KASY try to convince us they are ready for HD. But it seems each night I turn to 19 for one of my shows lo and behold its not. If they can't seem to get it together I will start waiting on iTunes and DVD sets for my shows.

I spoke with some girls on campus the other day who said they watch a lot of TV shows, but through itunes not television broadcasts or cable. Im starting to see the point. Ive decided to watch Battlestar off itunes rather than sci fi on commiecast. guess Smallville and gilmore girls and such will be next.

Yeah, strange because KWBQ had their prime time programming in HD last season. Why not this season? :confused:
.....G

Yeah, strange because KWBQ had their prime time programming in HD last season. Why not this season? :confused:
.....G

The CW HD feed is distributed from the old UPN HD facilities, so former WB stations need to reconfigure their equipment.

tomorrow's smallville is in HD or I wait for the Box set. sick of non hd shows.

The CW HD feed is distributed from the old UPN HD facilities, so former WB stations need to reconfigure their equipment.

wait a second, maybe KWBQ could use sister-station KASY's old UPN HD satellite reception setup to downlink the CW in HD.

oh wait, KASY didn't show UPN in HD, probably didn't even bother setting up the HD downlink to receive the feed! :D

the only problem I could see in KWBQ downlinking is if the HD satellite receiver used for The WB was property of and had to be returned to the WB folks. CW uses the same satellite HD format so it's just a matter of tuning in the right HD feed if KWBQ still has the receiver in-hand (unless the CW HD setup has all sorts of CC and SAP issues that the WB HD receiver isn't capable of handing).

tomorrow's smallville is in HD or I wait for the Box set. sick of non hd shows.
Ditto.
CW showed Smallville in HD a couple of weeks ago; they can do it.

UPN and WB merged into CW. They chose to keep the WB affiliates. This would stand to reason the HD equipment and links would remain the same. The fact that since the CW started Smallville which has been in HD almost its entire run has not been in HD that I have seen. Even with personal calls by the general manager over there, its pathetic how bad this "new" crew is handling HD. Light help us come 2009 when they still have their head up there collected bums.

UPN and WB merged into CW. They chose to keep the WB affiliates. This would stand to reason the HD equipment and links would remain the same.

go read GeorgeLV's October 18th post again. You are missing the point of how things went down.

UPN and WB merged into CW, and got rid of WB's network operation center when CW got on the air (GMDX, who handled WB's network origination, was not given the CW contract).

CW network operations is handled by the same people (CTDG?) that handled UPN operations. So CW is using the same satellite paths that UPN used on both the SD and HD versions of the network.

Its no wonder they are comcasting it all up over there. Somebody needs to pull their head from their comcast and straighten things out.

At least they didnt comcast anything up tonight and smallville was in its HD glory.

When will KRQE-DT start providing 5.1 sound? Does anyone have an idea?

At least they didnt comcast anything up tonight and smallville was in its HD glory.

It didn't look like hd to me. I thought it was 480 upconverted to 1080i. Being digital, it was clean looking though.
JR

When will KRQE-DT start providing 5.1 sound? Does anyone have an idea?

When they complete building their new digital suite, some year. Call Frank Lilley down there if you want it from the horses' mouth.
JR

It didn't look like hd to me. I thought it was 480 upconverted to 1080i. Being digital, it was clean looking though.
JR


Alot of Primetime television shows are shot on film and transfered to video. Unlike alot of nonscripted shows, ie Sports center, Dances with stars and such are shot with full HD video equipment. The source of primetime shows being film gives that illusion of not being 1080i since the picture looks similar to the 320i you see on your analog set. But view the 320i analog feed of a station versus the 1080i feed on an HD and you see the difference.

I finally got a chance to watch Smallville and Supernatural last night and it looked great. I don't know how anyone can say that it didn't look like HD to them. They must not have the correct equipment or there is something else happening that we're not aware of?

When they complete building their new digital suite, some year. Call Frank Lilley down there if you want it from the horses' mouth.
JR

Look for around the first of the new year, barring major issues. Equipments already arriving daily.

Speaking of horses, here's a funny.

The interim pastor at my church told this story Sunday and I thought maybe some of you would enjoy it:

A Dude ranch in western Texas had fallen on hard times financially. Seeking advice from some of the local merchants in town, they were told they need to advertise more to draw in new customers. The following week this ad appeared in the major cities' newspapers..

XYZ Dude Ranch
For large people...we have large horses.
For small people...we have small horses.
For fast people....we have fast horses.
For slow people....we have slow horses.
For people who have never ridden a horse...we have horses that have never been
ridden!


JR

?

This has what to do with HDTV?

It's also not funny...

For people who have no HDTV, we have the Albuquerque market.

For people who have no sense of humour, we have this forum......:D

For everyone else, There's Mastercard.

..... :)

Where did Fox HD go? I lost it OTA and Cable. Anyone have any idea?

I noted that same thing too.......

KASA-DT must have some kind of transmitter problems of this keeps up like this would be a bad news for world series baseball fans. :(

On the other hand, they must be letting someones to work on the towers so they must turn the transmitter of to keep the RF expose down for the worker's safety issue. :)

10-23-06

I left an email for both the station manager and the person responsible for signal problems but I don't hold much hope since I usually don't get responses from most of the stations. I recorded "Prison Break" but when I started to watch it, nothing was on the screen except a lot of digital green blocks.

It's still down this morning. Better get it up before the game tonight or there'll be hell to pay.

I may have to go my back up channel KTTV-DT out of L.A. in order to watch the game tonight. I am grandfathered broadcast waiver TV viewer, but it's still not right for the rest of other TV viewers who can't get out of town stations. :(

My best suggestion is to get a free to air KU FSS band satellite dish to get out of town stations, but no HDTV feeds unless you are very lucky to have C-band dish with a FTA HDTV receiver. :)

I just hope they fix this transmitter before it's starts to rain or snow on the mountian! :confused:

10-24-06

It's also not funny...

Well, humor is a funny thing.

JR

Well, humor is a funny thing.

JR

Sorry, I just don't get this humor.

Kind of a waste of bandwidth.

speaking of bandwidth. Is fox back up?

I left an email for both the station manager and the person responsible for signal problems but I don't hold much hope since I usually don't get responses from most of the stations. I recorded "Prison Break" but when I started to watch it, nothing was on the screen except a lot of digital green blocks.

Here is the response I got back from Mark Gardner, station manager at KASA:

"... we have experienced technical problems at the digital transmitter and are working to correct. I know of no plans at this time to re-air the episode from last night, as FOX makes those decisions. I think the only hope is that there is a rainout during the World Series and they need backup programming."

I was asking about "Prison Break"

I think broadcasters are really screwed in the future. They can't compete because they can't use MPEG4. So everything is going to come in over sat or fiber from telecoms. The FCC has pretty much doomed broadcasters, IMO. I don't see how they can deal with all of this expense, complication, hassle to keep HD up an running.

I'm still waiting for HD closed captions from KOAT (ABC) and KOB (NBC). Finally have KASA (Fox) and KRQE (CBS) working. Now if KRQE (Lin) would sign with Dish it would help.

I found that changing the sound profile on my Samsung HL-S5687 to a custom one with much of the higher frequencies rolled off made the speech more legible and as most of the watched show are ABC and NBC, this will help a lot given no CC as received by Dish satellite nor OTA when tried. The default speech mode actually emphasizes the high and tinny frequencies it is hard to understand.

-Ken

P.S. further sound and picture info on the "Samsung 1080p Owner's Thread --- HLSxx87W/HLSxx88W DLP Models" http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8731900&&#post8731900 .

I dont have any problems getting CC from KOAT or KOB. In fact I am seeing them right now. Depending on your set up, you may need to turn them on via the set top box and not the TV itself. I know I have to turn on the CC thru the Comcast box when watching HD on my Panasonic (no built-in tuner). But my sony (built-in tuner) passes the CC fine.

I was asking about "Prison Break"

I wouldn't worry about it too much - the whole season of PRISON BREAK is likely to be repeated at some point before the 2007-2008 TV season (assuming the show is renewed for that season) so I'm sure you will get an opportunity to see last night's show reaired if you have patience.

hideftv: I need the TV's CC only for SD signals--clearly different white on black background vs HD STB yellow on transparent. The Dish VIP622 does CC for HD broadcasts and satellite programming. If you noted my message I said it works for CBS and Fox. I should add it used to work for NBC and intermittently for ABC in the past. That is why I questioned it. To turn off/on 622 CC you have to use menu-8-8-1-left-select-right-select-view-cancel, so I know when I change it. Are you sure you are not confusing the captions from SD, which do work? I'll check out the OTA direct to TV to be sure and I would then owe all an apology if I'm wrong.

Apologies at least for NBC, I get it OTA to TV but still not to 622. What is wrong there? Will have to wait on ABC program--Dancing did not have it any HD way. TV's HD caption are also yellow (my choice) but a different font.
-Ken

Not sure if local Commiecast still has INHD2 in their lineup, but I saw a note that iN-DEMAND is going to consolidate INHD and INHD2 channels into just one service (INHD), effective at the end of the year.

I wouldn't worry about it too much - the whole season of PRISON BREAK is likely to be repeated at some point before the 2007-2008 TV season (assuming the show is renewed for that season) so I'm sure you will get an opportunity to see last night's show reaired if you have patience.

I was able to watch it last night on the Fox website. I didn't want to wait until re-runs because then it would be out of sinc and I wouldn't know what happened when I watched it next week.

KKlare, I saw CC all night last night on KOAT via OTA. Never checked KOB though. But if you're getting them on FOX/CBS on the dish and not ABC there may be a problem with the transport stream that dish/directv picks up from the locals here in town. Maybe check with them and they can check with the engineers at the stations.(?) And no, no confusion on the CC's. I'm rarely on the SD versions of the locals anyway.

Can anyone verify that the Sci-fi channel on comcast in Albuquerque is in stereo? I wrote to comcast and they said that channel (along with several other channels) originates in mono and therefore it is not transmitted on their system in stereo. When I had direct tv I remember hearing it in stereo. Please let me know if indeed its in stereo and Im just not hearing it correctly.

Threads merged.

I think broadcasters are really screwed in the future. They can't compete because they can't use MPEG4. So everything is going to come in over sat or fiber from telecoms. The FCC has pretty much doomed broadcasters, IMO. I don't see how they can deal with all of this expense, complication, hassle to keep HD up an running.
I hope local broadcasters go the way of the dodo. I'd much rather get the network content in a reliable, high-quality way, without pre-emption for infomercials or Dora the Explorer. Even if I had to pay for a direct network feed, that would be preferable over having to depend on the worthless pieces of trash at KRQE, for example.

You think dish will give you high quality? Look at the data rate for SD locals (can't speak for HD locals via dish). I'll take the broadcasters over dish for the quality of locals.

No, macnerd, I don't think current satellite transmission (D*, E*) provide the kind of high-quality signal I pined for in post #3839. In fact, I fired D* this year because their HD signal is sub-par. But everything in that post reflects my wishes for better network television viewing.

Commiecast doesn't provide Sci Fi in stereo or good quality. Sci Fi channel is provided in stereo contrary to Commiecast's blatant lies. I enjoyed Sci Fi in stereo the many years I lived in San Diego.

Do yourself a favor and get your sci fi shows off iTunes or cancel Commiecast. They aren't coming into my new home Ive already decided. Bye Bye Commiecast. Wasn't nice knowing you.

My Dish HD locals generally look quite good, though I prefer the OTA by a slight margin.

No, macnerd, I don't think current satellite transmission (D*, E*) provide the kind of high-quality signal I pined for in post #3839. In fact, I fired D* this year because their HD signal is sub-par. But everything in that post reflects my wishes for better network television viewing.


For a significant number of people, cable or satellite is the only way to go because OTA is either not possible or signal strength results in worse PQ. I can't get any OTA signals, and cable is not available for me. So I'm stuck with E* or D*. I know the HD PQ is better if you can get it OTA, however, I'm glad that I can get it via E*. It's better than nothing. I just wish they would hurry up and get KRQE, and the other locals, PBS etc... online.

New News update!!

I just stumbled on KLUZ-DT has just added a new sub channel which is simacasting the analog channel 48 Home Shopping Network.

It's now in 41.4 or the real digital channel 42.4.

I am wondering what are they going to do with the old analog channel 48 and boy it's gonna be a interesting time to think it will be! :D

I am guessing they dropped the USDTV pay channels!

On the other news, KASA-DT has went off the air last night right in the middl of World Series Game! :(

Right now as I am typing they are still off the air! :(

Find someway to get HDTV baseball is go to your frend that have a broadcast waiver on Directv or Dish network or they got a HDTV C-band dish or even a Canada DBS services.

That's the news!!

10-27-06

New News update!!

I just stumbled on KLUZ-DT has just added a new sub channel which is simacasting the analog channel 48 Home Shopping Network.

It's now in 41.4 or the real digital channel 42.4.

I am wondering what are they going to do with the old analog channel 48 and boy it's gonna be a interesting time to think it will be! :D

I am guessing they dropped the USDTV pay channels!

I doubt it.

Entravision's Las Vegas Univision affiliate is still carrying all of their USDTV channels. (Six subchannels in total on the mux, Univision on 15-1 and Telefutura on 15-2 are free to air. Disney on 99-4, Toon Disney on 99-5, Discovery on 99-7, and TLC on 99-8 are USDTV pay channels.)

For a significant number of people, cable or satellite is the only way to go because OTA is either not possible or signal strength results in worse PQ. I can't get any OTA signals, and cable is not available for me. So I'm stuck with E* or D*. I know the HD PQ is better if you can get it OTA, however, I'm glad that I can get it via E*. It's better than nothing. I just wish they would hurry up and get KRQE, and the other locals, PBS etc... online.

I'm right with you brother, I'm in Farmington with no OTA's. I hope KRQE signs with Dish before the super bowl, or I'll be watching in the game in SD. :(

I'm right with you brother, I'm in Farmington with no OTA's. I hope KRQE signs with Dish before the super bowl, or I'll be watching in the game in SD. :(

What's wrong with that? Baseball fans like me here in Albuquerque had to watch the most crucial part of the World Series in SD this year, thanks to KASA-"DT"! :(

Anyone having trouble with KOB HD OTA?

My Dish VIP622 keeps saying lost signal, or some such.

Just wondering if I need to go up on the roof to adjust my antenna.

On a side note, I called them last night to ask why "Kidnapped" was in SD. I was told it was because it was delayed one minute to allow for showing of the lottery drawing (stupid tax) and they couldn't transmit HD on a delay.

Maybe they should get a Tivo....:rolleyes:

I am getting KOB-DT just fine this morning, and the signal meter saying it's at 87 to 90 so it's strong and healthy. :)

10-29-06

Thanks Timothy..

I was getting temporary dropouts the last couple of evenings...

I was getting KOB DT reception problems last night with my Dish 622 also. I think it was KOB's problem.

Thanks Timothy..

I was getting temporary dropouts the last couple of evenings...

Sorry, duplicate posting...

Thanks Timothy..

I was getting temporary dropouts the last couple of evenings...

Ditto, I haven't checked it this morning (or afternoon already).

Maybe they should get a Tivo....:rolleyes:

Hey KOB, call me. I still have that LG hd recorder.
JR

I am seeing major dropouts on KOB as well all weekend on both 622's. My other set top boxes seemed to lock and hold just fine (using same antenna) I have been watching KOB using the Dish HD Local MPEG4 channel.

I was out of town last week and I had a 0 second recording for Prison Break on Monday 10/23. Anyone remember is KASA-DT was dead on that night?

I am seeing major dropouts on KOB as well all weekend on both 622's. My other set top boxes seemed to lock and hold just fine (using same antenna) I have been watching KOB using the Dish HD Local MPEG4 channel.

I was out of town last week and I had a 0 second recording for Prison Break on Monday 10/23. Anyone remember is KASA-DT was dead on that night?

I have a voice message in with Sean Anker, but who knows whether I'll get a call back? I'm also having problems with the 622 and KOB OTA. Yes, "Prison Break" did not record for me as well because KASA was having transmitter problems. I had to go to the FOX website to view the show.

Anyone know why "Cold Case" and "Without A Trace" were moved to 11:05pm last night? Also the move caused the shows to be aired in SD instead of HD.

I think they were bumped by the movie Glengarry Glenross, but I don't know why.
JR

Isn't it sad that in today's digital television culture, sometimes we get better picture quality and service when we download and watch shows via iTunes or a networks own website?

Where's the dedication to digital tv? When will stations start to take DTV as serious as analog? What would a station do if their analog transmitter went down? Replace it with a spare? But when their digital transmitter goes down we have to wait a day or two for them to get parts. And God forbid theyhave to delay a show or preempt it with a crawl they dont even have the equipment to maintain the HD feed and shove an analog sd picture on us.

WAKE UP BROADCASTERS! I have itunes!

...

When will stations start to take DTV as serious as analog? ...

WAKE UP BROADCASTERS! I have itunes!

2009 unless it's extended again.

Anyone know why "Cold Case" and "Without A Trace" were moved to 11:05pm last night? Also the move caused the shows to be aired in SD instead of HD.

I recorded both shows starting at 11:05PM. I watched "Cold Case" today and it was broadcast in HD. The part of "Without A Trace" I saw was also in HD.

I recorded both shows starting at 11:05PM. I watched "Cold Case" today and it was broadcast in HD. The part of "Without A Trace" I saw was also in HD.

You're right, when I said this I had only seen the first couple of minutes of "Cold Case" and it switched over to HD later.

When will stations start to take DTV as serious as analog?

January 2, 2009? :D

I bet broadcasters will be super serious when it's about a month until analog cutoff (as they can't figure it out as they go anymore, it changes to sink or swim when you have no analog backup for the eyeballs that make you money).

I do like the reliability of digital lately - when KOB-TV's analog transmitter cut out pretty often recently, the digital was rock solid and allowed me to continue to watch KOB programming.

...

I do like the reliability of digital lately - when KOB-TV's analog transmitter cut out pretty often recently, the digital was rock solid and allowed me to continue to watch KOB programming.

I have not had any reliability with KOBs digital station lately. I keep getting the signal acquisition lost message on my E* 622 receiver on the OTA station.

I had major breakups from KOB's digital signal last night while watching Jay Leno. It got so bad that I switched to Letterman on CBS. What is the problem at KOB???

I watched "Heroes" last night on KOB HD Sat feed thru Dish 622...no problems for me.

I watched "Heroes" last night on KOB HD Sat feed thru Dish 622...no problems for me.

The satellite feed is working semi-ok. It's the OTA signal that's not locking on a good signal.

I watched Leno ota through a tivo3 and it was fine. Hmmm.
JR

Maybe it's only those of us that use the E* 622 receiver?

Sean Anker of KOB Engineering was nice to respond to my question as to the KOB digital signal dropouts. Here is his response...

We’re trying to figure out what the heck is going on. We can’t pinpoint anything with the test gear that we have available. Next step this afternoon is to reboot everything in the signal chain and see if it goes away...

Sean

I have found Sean Anker to be really responsive to my questions both on the phone and by email. Too bad the other station engineers aren't the same.

Whatever KOB did seems to have worked. I'm no longer getting the lost signal error message.

Me too.

Signal for me was less than the magic 80% (usually around 78%). Last night was back up to 94% on the 622's.

It was good to have the Dish HD locals during this time. They worked just fine for me.

Al-Jezzera English coming to Comcast before CBS-HD or CW-HD.

Al-jezzera is launching its english equivelant Nov. 14th to 40 million homes in US. Chances are we will get it here in albuquerque on comcast before we can get CBS. I will definately cancel commiecast then.

It was pretty fun watching "Smallville" and "Supernatural" on the CW with the video about 30 seconds ahead of the audio. The station has not been reliable or the same since it switched from the WB. Does anyone know of a direct phone line to engineering at CW so that we can call when we notice these things and maybe they can correct it right away?

Oh good it wasnt me. I recorded it with my RCA DVR and delted the shows rather than try to watch them. I will call KASY/KWBQ's GM, Stan Gill, Tomorrow to complain.

Come to Albuquerque, the land of incompetance.

Can anyone recommend a calibration professional in the ABQ area? I'm in the market for a new TV (probably the Sony SXRD 50"), and was hoping to get it properly calibrated after purchase. I've never done this before, so I want to make sure the tech is reliable, trustworthy, and very good at what he does.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have personal experience with the tech.

Thanks!

My friend/partner Jason will do it for you. He's quite good. 505-620-1012

If you don't mind saying so, we will also have the new NuVision 1080p DLP 52" with a real 5000:1 contrast ratio and LED backlighting (~60,000 hours). I haven't compared it side by side with the Sony, but I will say that NuVision's LCD panels are quite a bit better than Sony or Samsung, so I have little doubt that this will outperform the Sony RPTVs as well and have a much lower cost of operation.

Maybe it's only those of us that use the E* 622 receiver? Nope. I watched Leno OTA on Monday and it was fine on my 622.

.....G

Thanks Alimentall! I will keep the number on file. As I said, I haven't bought the set yet (and am not sure exactly when I will), but I appreciate the referral.

Hello everyones,

As you may or not be aware that this year for the first time there will be no free over the air for UNM mens basketball this season! :mad:

I just looked the Albuquerque's Sunday Journal's Lobo basketball preview mens TV showing NO local stations, just only Mountain West Channel, CSTV and ESPN-2!!

Mountain West Channel is only on Commiecast, CSTV is on Commiecast, Directv and Dish network and ESPN-2 is also shown on 3 pay TV systems.

You and I may be lucky to get this UNM game TV covereges, but not so lucky ones that's can't afford to get cable or satellite TV because they are on fixed income or don't want to spend anymore money than need too.

I think there should be state law for a fair free access on over the air TV stations it should be 50/50 quotas of live sport TV programings IMHO! :)

Any better ideas?

If so bring it on!! :)

11-6-06

Write to UNM Athletics. They are the one's I would assume that are signing the contracts with broadcasters. Refuse to go to games in person as well. This year UNM Basketball is giving students FREE tickets in order to combat the growing disinterest in students to attend games at the pit.

Find out who is sponsoring the games both in person and on TV. Write to them telling them you will not support their businesses and you will tell others not to until the games are available via OTA networks.

Of course then this will end up games on KRQE, KWBQ or KASY and wont be available to those with cable or satellite. hee hee.


Mountain West Channel is only on Commiecast, CSTV is on Commiecast, Directv and Dish network and ESPN-2 is also shown on 3 pay TV systems.

You and I may be lucky to get this UNM game TV covereges, but not so lucky ones that's can't afford to get cable or satellite TV because they are on fixed income or don't want to spend anymore money than need too.

I think there should be state law for a fair free access on over the air TV stations it should be 50/50 quotas of live sport TV programings IMHO! :)



Mountain west and CSTV are buried in Commiecast's digital channels. How many people even watch those channels to begin with. Low fixed or stable income people probably don't even know they have those channels. I personally have them because Commiecast has a gun to my head in order to have an HD-DVR and their pathetic Commicastic HD pickings.

We dont need a law for fair free access. Then its no longer Fair for the schools to arrange tv deals. Go to sponsors not the lawmakers. They would likely just try to come up with another 16/100th % tax increase to go with it.

Go after the advertisers. Money is where to get the change. Go after the schools revenue.

BTW, for those of you who used to frequent the NM A/V Forum before it was hacked, I have it back up and running - http://forum.adnm.com - though the original 5000+ posts were lost :(

http://www.tivo.com/5.11.6.asp

"TiVo Service Only" Payment Plans: Monthly or Prepay

1. At the time of activation of a TiVo Service Only Payment Plan, you will be required to commit to the TiVo service for a minimum of one (1) year.
2. You may choose to either: (a) pay for your TiVo service on a monthly basis for three (3) years at $12.95 per month; two (2) years at $14.95 per month; or one (1) year at $19.95 per month; or (b) prepay for your TiVo service.
3. If you choose to prepay for your TiVo service, you may prepay for your TiVo service for either one (1) year at $199, two (2) years at $299, or three (3) years at $349.


TIVO readies their Post FCC Digital Tuner Mandate business model early.

Time to start looking for other means of recording HDTV. Hmm I think Best buy has Pinnacles new HDTV USB Tuner for $99. Might go good with my Media center PCs.

Looks like KOB Digital is flaking out again. I had to turn off Jay Leno last night because the signal dropped out every 10-20 seconds. Too bad. Wish they could make a permanent fix to their signal stability.

It was weird, they were dropping out to the point of being unwatchable on my 622's but not like last week. Last week was a constant signal of around 75% (for me). Last night they were at 100% for a moment, then it would drop to 0%.

Very weird indeed. Was able to watch Heroes at least on the Dish HD LIL's though without much problem.

No problem with Leno ota through my Tivo3. Do you need more antenna or could it just be your location?
JR

My Dish signal completely crashed last night at about 12 minutes into "Heroes."

Came back pretty quick, but the whole Sat signal was completely gone.

(I have a 622 as well.)

No problem up here in Espanola recording Leno last night on my Dish 622. Looks fine.

.....G

No problem up here in Espanola recording Leno last night on my Dish 622. Looks fine.

.....G

Are we talking apples and oranges here? The problems are probably via he HD locals on the satellite (where I have all of the problems) rather than the HD OTA locals where there are seldom any problems.

I thought Fred was talking about OTA via antenna. That's the context in which I was responding. i.e., NOT Dish network sat signals.

......G

Write to UNM Athletics. They are the one's I would assume that are signing the contracts with broadcasters.

It's the MWC, not UNM signing the contracts. MWC and CSTV signed a 7 year multimedia rights deal for sporting events.

CSTV went and partnered with Comcast to launch "the Mtn." to help air some of those games. CSTV has final say on telecasts. If UNM doesn't have a game set to be televised on CSTV, the mtn., or Versus, UNM can go to CSTV to ask permission get a game televised or streamed over the internet. Depending on how the wind blows, CSTV can say yes (KRQE's first-half-only Lobos-Aggies football game telecast, or the two football games streamed on the internet by UNM) or can say no.

It's in Comcast's best interest not to sign contracts to put the mtn. on satellite - keeping it cable-exclusive keeps people wanting to subscribe to commiecast instead of ditching the coax for the dish. It's in the MWC's best interest to be on satellite as it covers more region for recruiting and publicity of the conference across the country.

I'm hoping attendance will hurt the pocketbooks of the conference. The way I see it, lost revenues at the gate may help MWC institutions work with CSTV to get some road games aired on local TV (to get the fans more involved and thus making fans want to attend the games when the teams are playing at home).

Yes, I was talking about the OTA reception of KOB's digital signal. I have no problem with the other local digital channels just KOBs. Seems like they are aware of some sort of problem over there.

Im more concerned to get CBS-HD from commiecast before superbowl or end of nfl to worry about some kids playing football on saturday.

STB's are pretty cheap now for ota. Don't hold your breath for Comcast and CBS hd.
JR

For those interested in new HD tech, we just got in the NuVision 52" LED-driven DLP RPTV! Pretty cool technology w/ no moving parts. I was going to bring it to the HD meeting next week, but it's at Gay's place so I won't be able to do it until January, I guess.

Anyone have any idea when D* will roll out its HD locals in ABQ?

Anyone have any idea when D* will roll out its HD locals in ABQ?

last directv release I saw said "by end of 2006". It didn't state which locals they have retrans agreements with, so your guess is as good as mine as to if they'll make it out by year end and if the major network HD's will be completely carried or if some station is holding out.

Well it looks like KWBQ finally properly broadcasted Smallville and Supernatural in HD last night after wacky sound delay problems the week before. I still haven't been able to get a 5.1 sound signal from KWBQ since the CW switch however. Is anyone else having this problem? Under the WB banner I could always watch these shows in HD w/ 5.1 sound.

I actually had 5.1 last night. I too was suprised KWBQ pulled their head out for last nights shows.

USDTV has expanded its channel offering by adding The MountainWest Sports Network (the mtn.), which will be available to existing customers as early as this weekend.

Finally some good news!!! Go RAMS!!!!

Spawnman

USDTV has expanded its channel offering by adding The MountainWest Sports Network (the mtn.), which will be available to existing customers as early as this weekend.



At an additional $4.95 per month.

I do believe that event will save USDTV's hide from another round of bankrupcy or going off the air - Lobo fans surely will feel better about paying $25/mo rather than $60/month.

Yea, just found that out after being on hold for 45 minutes!

spawnman

How many Lobo games are shown?

Is it in high def?

USDTV has expanded its channel offering by adding The MountainWest Sports Network (the mtn.), which will be available to existing customers as early as this weekend.

Finally some good news!!! Go RAMS!!!!

Spawnman


Good news for who? Those who want to watch analog-no-definition sporting events? Those who actually pay for USDTV? USDTV for finding something to attract new business?

Certainly not for those who view USDTV bandwidth renting as a cancer leeching away valuable HD bandwidth. Certainly not those who had hoped KASY would be free of USDTV soon to finally join the HD world.

How many Lobo games are shown?

Is it in high def?

There are at least 7 lobos football games, at least 15 lobos mens basketball, and at least 3 lobos women basketball games on the mtn. this season.

None of the mtn.'s games are in high definition. It's being transmitted just like any other SD signal on USDTV's digital leased bandwidth if you elect to avoid commiecast.

Thanks for the reply.

I can't get Commiecast here where I live in the East Mountains.

Good news for who? Those who want to watch analog-no-definition sporting events? Those who actually pay for USDTV? USDTV for finding something to attract new business?

Was going to be good news for me. Since I do pay for the "cancer" and I would love to be able to see some CSU games. Not really willing to pay an additional $4.95 per month though.

Spawnman

I refused to pay any more money to any pay TV services other than Directv and besides I will have wait for awhile for the Directv to carry this channel or do the TV DXing on the FTA KU FSS band.

I bet 10 to 1 that on USDTV is over compressed on Mountain West channel making the game unwatchible. :eek:

11-13-06

I would love USDTV if they did 2 things...

1: Get their own stations rather than leasing from a network afilliate that would be in HD otherwise.

2: Added Sci Fi Channel, but then the shows on Sci fi I get from Itunes now.

Im just waiting for the Smaller ATSC tvs and VCRS to come along. Its going to be slim watchings on my remaining analog TVs until then since Im not going to get CommieCast in new house unless they add KRQE-DT and KWBQ-DT.

USDTV is charging an extra $5 just for the Mtn? Thats a bit steap dont you think?

As far as quality goes, the Mtn is pretty bad. In fact the basketball game vs Sacramento ST was so dark, it was almost unwatchable.

Im tired of paying Commiecast (heh I like that, Commiecast), a small fortune for several hundred channels I dont watch, just to get a few sports and hi-def channels. And STILL no KRQE.

USDTV could get my business by offering FSN Southwest, and the NFL Network. Put them all on a sports tier, thats fine.

Also, are their channels in 4x3 letterbox? Or some sort of anamorphic picture. I'd be happy with a widescreen picture thats less than 720p.

I sent this to Sean at KOB this morning...

Sean, I hate to say this but I have had a problem receiving your digital signal over the past week. I emailed you before and you replied that you were working the problem. I have a Dish 622 DVR and receive a 89% signal strength whereas my other OTA channels I get a 100% (which not necessarily mean signal strength but also the quality of the signal). Are you aware that there is still a problem? I have not seen a problem with your signal with my old Dish 921 DVR and hope it isn't a DVR problem. I do not have any problems whatsoever with my other OTA channels so something is going on with the KOB signal specifically. I hope you can enlighten me. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

I sent this to Sean at KOB this morning...

Sean, I hate to say this but I have had a problem receiving your digital signal over the past week. I emailed you before and you replied that you were working the problem. I have a Dish 622 DVR and receive a 89% signal strength whereas my other OTA channels I get a 100% (which not necessarily mean signal strength but also the quality of the signal). Are you aware that there is still a problem? I have not seen a problem with your signal with my old Dish 921 DVR and hope it isn't a DVR problem. I do not have any problems whatsoever with my other OTA channels so something is going on with the KOB signal specifically. I hope you can enlighten me. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

The same thing is happening to me and my 622 for the last 3 - 4 weeks. It's seems they corrected it about two weeks ago and then it started happening again. I've already left him a voice mail but he's not very good at returning phone calls.

I sent this to Sean at KOB this morning...



refereing to a dropouts problem (about twice per 30 mins) right?

I get that on my off-air KOB 4.1 reception using my LG tv's tuner (and my signal strength bar for KOB-DT shows strength is almost 100% of the bar). For a while, it was perfect but it has been back for the last several weeks.

USDTV is charging an extra $5 just for the Mtn? Thats a bit steap dont you think?

USDTV could get my business by offering FSN Southwest, and the NFL Network. Put them all on a sports tier, thats fine.



$5 is probably to help them defray the cost of adding the channel (why should they lump it in their $20 package when they are probably just barely making a profit on that tier by itself without even adding The Mtn?)

If you want FSN Southwest, go to dallas or subscribe to out-of-market sports packages on broadband or commiecast or dish or directv (if it's rangers, stars, astros, rockets, mavs that you want). USDTV covers many cities, so a choice of FSN isn't available since it wouldn't be the same for all of them unless they somehow would carry FSN National that has only the national FSN shows and nationally carried sporting events (so it would lack regional sports and most fans would hate that). You're much more likely to see NFL Network than you are FSN on the USDTV systems.

I also see an issue with USDTV having maxed out their leased bandwidth - I don't see how they can add a few more channels without leasing capacity from other broadcasters in our area to get more bandwidth to use.

I've had trouble with KOB OTA on my 622, but not the Dish feeds of KOB HD on the same receiver.....strange.

I've had trouble with KOB OTA on my 622, but not the Dish feeds of KOB HD on the same receiver.....strange.

I don't find that strange. KOB is probably sending to the DISH local receive facility a HD feed direct from the station (so you don't get the dropouts that the transmitter off-air path provides).

If Dish's KOB satellite signal is better than KOB's OTA signal then I may just have to subscribe to the local channels on Dish.

Anyone notice a ticking sound on KRQE Digital? I noticed it while watching yesterday and tonight. Only ch that doing it as of now wonder if it's me or the station.

I heard it tonight..thought I needed a reset, but was recording so I didn't shut down.

If Dish's KOB satellite signal is better than KOB's OTA signal then I may just have to subscribe to the local channels on Dish.

The picture is slightly better OTA, but the dropout issues of late have not been present on the dish feed.

I also like having the backup, and the ability to record one show OTA, and another one--or two--from the dish.

Anyone notice a ticking sound on KRQE Digital? I noticed it while watching yesterday and tonight. Only ch that doing it as of now wonder if it's me or the station.

Yes, the poping sound started on Sunday and was there also on Monday. Frank Lilley said that they were aware of the problem and that it should be corrected by Tuesday night. I don't know if it was because I didn't watch anything from KRQE last night?

Anyone notice a ticking sound on KRQE Digital? I noticed it while watching yesterday and tonight. Only ch that doing it as of now wonder if it's me or the station.

Yup...made my wife crazy while watching CSI. It seemed to come out of the rear channels, which are pretty close to our couch. She was less than pleased!

Brian

Yeah, I hear it too. I heard a tech at KRQE has a clicker that he plays with in the control room just to piss us off here in Albuquerque.

I got this reply from Sean Anker at KOB today about their digital signal problem...

We’re still fighting this. I think I found a lead yesterday...

Sean


On 11/14/06 09:46, "FRED R JERINA" <FREDJERINA@MSN.COM> wrote:


Sean, I hate to say this but I have had a problem receiving your digital signal over the past week. I emailed you before and you replied that you were working the problem. I have a Dish 622 DVR and receive a 89% signal strength whereas my other OTA channels I get a 100% (which not necessarily mean signal strength but also the quality of the signal). Are you aware that there is still a problem? I have not seen a problem with your signal with my old Dish 921 DVR and hope it isn't a DVR problem. I do not have any problems whatsoever with my other OTA channels so something is going on with the KOB signal specifically. I hope you can enlighten me. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

Yeah, I hear it too. I heard a tech at KRQE has a clicker that he plays with in the control room just to piss us off here in Albuquerque.

You know somehow in a strange way that would make sense.

Seeing the exact things you guys are seeing on both my 622's.
All other OTA receivers are just fine and dandy.

Dish HD locals are working much better than they were several months ago.

Not seeing any dropouts really to speak of on this channel.

The KOB OTA will be high >90% for a second or two then totally fall off the charts to 0% and you get the signal lost message, then back up to 90% for a second or two then gone again.

Very weird problem.

The same thing is happening to me and my 622 for the last 3 - 4 weeks. It's seems they corrected it about two weeks ago and then it started happening again. I've already left him a voice mail but he's not very good at returning phone calls.

"The KOB OTA will be high >90% for a second or two then totally fall off the charts to 0% and you get the signal lost message, then back up to 90% for a second or two then gone again." That sounds like multipath to me. I wonder if KOB has made any transmitter changes. I am not seeing this problem up in Espanola.

.....G

I was able to recieve the KOB digital signal on 4.1 just fine last night but the HD feed was not turned on for Friday Night Lights for at least the second week in a row. Does anyone know why?

Most likely an engineer "asleep at the switch". All other KOB HD seems OK.

I was able to recieve the KOB digital signal on 4.1 just fine last night but the HD feed was not turned on for Friday Night Lights for at least the second week in a row. Does anyone know why?

KOB has only transmitted one epsisode of "Friday Night Lights" in HD. Two of the episodes they did not transmit at all.

John

I was able to recieve the KOB digital signal on 4.1 just fine last night but the HD feed was not turned on for Friday Night Lights for at least the second week in a row. Does anyone know why?

Why do you care about that stupid show? No one watches it, and it's going to be cancelled soon anyway. I say good riddance.

Why do you care about that stupid show? No one watches it, and it's going to be cancelled soon anyway. I say good riddance.

NBC believes in the show - it is believed NBC will at least renew through the end of the season and see if ratings can pick up as the season goes on and if not, they won't bring it back for the sophomore season.

Why do we care? It's available in HD but not being shown in HD locally on a regular basis!

I don't understand why certain programs available in HD are not locally shown in HD. It seems that KWBQ has been having this problem frequently as well. My two favorite shows, Smallville and Friday Night Lights, seem to be plagued with HD problems. Is it almost always the station engineer or engineering problems that are to blame?

My two favorite shows, Smallville and Friday Night Lights,

How old are you, son?

How old are you, son?

Don't bring age into this!! I don't know about Friday Night Lights, but Smallville is one of my favorite shows if not the favorite and I'm 45.

well. My two favorite shows, Smallville and Friday Night Lights, seem to be plagued with HD problems. Is it almost always the station engineer or engineering problems that are to blame?

It's the local station(s) here that have the issues with getting it terrestrially transmitted in HD. The shows that are in HD are coming over the satellite properly from the network to their affiliates.

Don't bring age into this!! I don't know about Friday Night Lights, but Smallville is one of my favorite shows if not the favorite and I'm 45.

I'm just saying. He likes shows about Superman and high school football? I mean, come on, how immature can you get?

superman and football...How much more Redblooded American can you get?

Immature? hardly. Maxpower, You probably watch Reba and The Oprah.


Oh sidenote. http://www.passwird.com yesterday had a USB HDTV tuner from Artec for 39.99. I ordered one. Will let you all know how it works out.

KOB digital signal is rock solid !!!

I am watching the KOB digital signal right now and there hasn't been any breakups so far. From my Dish 622 PVR I show a signal strength of 95% whereas it was only in the low 80% before when I was having the breakups. Sean Anker must have solved their problem. I am a happy camper now. Thanks, Sean of KOB !!!

KOB digital signal is rock solid !!!

I am watching the KOB digital signal right now and there hasn't been any breakups so far. From my Dish 622 PVR I show a signal strength of 95% whereas it was only in the low 80% before when I was having the breakups. Sean Anker must have solved their problem. I am a happy camper now. Thanks, Sean of KOB !!!


Ummmm, I'm sorry, who are you again?!?

I'm still not seeing Closed Captions on KOAT (ABC) on any HD programs, even prime time. Both on the Dish VIP622 and OTA direct. Will need to recheck OTA during prime time.
-Ken

According to this posting on dbsforums that I just read:

http://www.dbsforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=69662

DIRECTV has retrans agreements with KOB and KOAT, is working on trying to sign retrans agreements with KRQE and KASA, and KWBQ retrans contract status is unknown.

I don't know what this poster's source is (whether he's making assumptions based on station owner or whatever), but it sounds like when the Albuquerque HD locals roll out on DIRECTV soon, it could be slim pickings to have 2 of 5 stations available. You'd be better off with ABQ HD locals on DISH if you just have to get them by satellite instead of by off-air antenna.

Ken, I dont know what to tell ya, but I have been seeing CC on KOAT during all hours of the day, both on comcast and OTA.

RE: Friday night Lights: I know KOB starts prime at 659p (1 minute early) on Tuesdays...at least that day, maybe others too...to get that extra ad revenue and have heard that they take NBC HD live so there would be the problem. It seems that they are back on time at 8p though for Law&Order. Heroes has no prblems on Monday @ 8p and Earl on Thurs @ 7p has been HD all season. And as we all know $$$ comes before viewers!

KOB digital signal is rock solid !!!

I am watching the KOB digital signal right now and there hasn't been any breakups so far. From my Dish 622 PVR I show a signal strength of 95% whereas it was only in the low 80% before when I was having the breakups. Sean Anker must have solved their problem. I am a happy camper now. Thanks, Sean of KOB !!!

I wouldn't be so quick to Thank Sean because this happened about three weeks ago and then corrected for a short time and then happened all over again. I have to see a solid signal for several months before I'm ready to thank Sean.

Yeah, like he did it on purpose....

I wouldn't be so quick to Thank Sean because this happened about three weeks ago and then corrected for a short time and then happened all over again. I have to see a solid signal for several months before I'm ready to thank Sean.

How about just thanking him for trying? Don't be such a grump.

Yeah, like he did it on purpose....

I didn't say that. I'm just saying that KOB should be as reliable as the rest of the digital stations here in Albuquerque.

How about just thanking him for trying? Don't be such a grump.

I'll thank him when it doesn't keep happening over and over again. If someone came to your house to fix something and two days later, it wasn't working again (the same error was occurring), would you thank him? You don't know me so don't call me a grump you a..hole.

I'll thank him when it doesn't keep happening over and over again. If someone came to your house to fix something and two days later, it wasn't working again (the same error was occurring), would you thank him? You don't know me so don't call me a grump you a..hole.

Hey! C'mon. Isn't calling me an a..hole too strong a response for my saying "Don't be a grump?"

I'll thank him when it doesn't keep happening over and over again. If someone came to your house to fix something and two days later, it wasn't working again (the same error was occurring), would you thank him? You don't know me so don't call me a grump you a..hole.

Actually I would call him a CommieCast Employee.


On another note, anyone notice that KASY can't seem to make up their mind how to broadcast Startrek. Maybe they figure anyone up at 1am on sunday morning wont notice the 4:3 stretch-o-vision one week, 4:3 pillarboxed 16:9 the next. I just wish they would broadcast the 4:3 show as a 4:3 without any pillarboxing or stretching. My SDTVs display pillarboxed letterboxed so I get a few inches of black all around.

I need the latest advice on whether to go with Directv, Dish, or Comcast. I live in Los Alamos and I'm buying my first HDTV. Signal quality is very important to me. I can't get anything OTA (no "good" LOS, in that my wife has nixed any idea of a big antenna). I currently have Directv and Comcast internet. I don't watch much local channel stuff, except KNME, and occasional football (I don't want NFL ticket). A decent DVR is also important, but not so much that I want to pay for a TIVO3.

Any advice? Thanks.

Right now, Dish seems to have a big advantage - locals *and* way more channels. I think I have over 30 channels of HD. I think Directv is more like 10 or 15 maybe. Sunday Ticket is about the only advantage Directv has and has successfully wielded it. But if you don't need it, I'd get Dish.

One really cool feature is the "standby" which makes it very easy to turn on with a macro while letting it shut off automatically. No more on/off toggling problems, despite the lack of a discrete on/off button.

Also, FWIW, I spoke with Dish at CEDIA and quizzed them about HD transmission throughout the house and they said they are working on encoding the incoming channels so it could be transmitted throughout the house over a single coax, even in HD. It would require an adaptor and they're waiting for the lawyers to sign off on the encryption. It would require an adaptor box, however. It would input to HDMI, I believe. Also, they're working on some sort of retransmission of recorded material over Cat 5 to other units, I believe. Cool stuff.

furboo: To my (lack of) knowledge Comcast offers no HD. I have had Dish since 2002.

/Rant On They just jumped my cable Internet from 32 incl. tax to 58 before tax with no prior notice. So I am attempting to get DSL, allegedly today, but Qwest did not call back--a possible line problem as I am 5 mi. from the central office but there is likely a mini-CO. The local DSL ISP says yes, the other web sites quote Qwest as no. Qwest doesn't really know if Pair-Gain. But I did have 50 kb/s dial-up 3 years ago when I went to Comcast for high speed as the only game then. Qwest now suggests that I had/have a PG but if you do you cannot get more than 28.8 kb/s on 4 kHz of bandwidth. /Rant Off

-Ken

Just curious, why don't you think you can get OTA from LA? I am in White Rock and get everything perfect. Yea I have the CM4228 Antenna but its really not that bad!

I know several people up on the hill that get OTA just fine with a small amplified Antenna on the roof. I wouldn't nix it just yet for sure! To answer your question about Dish vs Direct vs Comcast, I see it as a "no brainer" at the moment. First Comcast doesn't offer HD in LA so nix them. Dish has 3 times the HD content as Direct does right now. Direct won't add anything until sometime in 2007. Dish has 3 of the 4 major local OTA HD stations now available through the Dish. No HD locals still for Direct TV although they should be added next year sometime. The HR20 is a complete Lemon at the moment and the OTA module is not even active! Don't believe me, check the post over at DBSTalk.com on the HR20. The 622 on the other hand is an excellent receiver that does just what you want it to do, it works out of the box. With an OTA antenna you can record 3 HD programs all at once and watch a recorded one at the same time. The Dish HD locals (which are MPEG4) have improved tremendously over the last few months. Dish HD quality is excellent, as good as it gets really. The only way to get KNME in HD is with an OTA antenna.

Believe me (its worth it!)

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions you would like answered on your set up or possilbe antenna choices.

I need the latest advice on whether to go with Directv, Dish, or Comcast. I live in Los Alamos and I'm buying my first HDTV. Signal quality is very important to me. I can't get anything OTA (no "good" LOS, in that my wife has nixed any idea of a big antenna). I currently have Directv and Comcast internet. I don't watch much local channel stuff, except KNME, and occasional football (I don't want NFL ticket). A decent DVR is also important, but not so much that I want to pay for a TIVO3.

Any advice? Thanks.

I too have an antenna pointed at the peak--I can see the towers with binoculars. It is under the deck but pointed between two house on the next mesa. Signal was better than the attic which disappeared in a remodel but the low-VHF channels are ghosty.

My dishes are also on the edge of the deck--makes for easy access.

Sure wish there was a national PBS listing for HD--I do watch the daily travel shows there overnight (2-3 AM). BTW, channel 9 (a little weaker) offers 3 more PBS digital channels--I watch the business report at a reasonable hour there (4:30 PM?), instead of the wee hours.

-Ken

Thanks folks for all the advice! I was definitely leaning towards Dish, but I was hoping to save a little by merging Comcast internet+TV. I didn't realize they had no HD here.

Ken, I've been paying 58 for Comcast internet for a while, so consider yourself lucky, or me a chump :o I did have Qwest DSL before I moved into my latest house 3 years ago, but it wasn't available at the time I moved. This stuff is improving all the time, but at that time, Comcast was a big improvement over DSL, even though my old house was near a switch.

As far as an OTA antenna, my marriage has lasted 22 years for a reason ;) . It was bad enough convincing her that I could hide the satellite dish pretty well. Nevertheless, I'll think about it some more. I'm on the north side of a mesa, on a down slope, so my view south to ABQ is not so good.

Also, FWIW, I spoke with Dish at CEDIA and quizzed them about HD transmission throughout the house and they said they are working on encoding the incoming channels so it could be transmitted throughout the house over a single coax, even in HD. It would require an adaptor and they're waiting for the lawyers to sign off on the encryption. It would require an adaptor box, however. It would input to HDMI, I believe. Also, they're working on some sort of retransmission of recorded material over Cat 5 to other units, I believe. Cool stuff.


I'm confused...what do you mean by "transmitted throughout the house"? Wireless? I take it there would be a single coax going into the house from the dish. Right now I have 2 coax coming in, record on one / watch another...but all SD. Will this change with HD?

Great advice on Dish, too, Alimentall. Thanks!

[QUOTE=furboo]I'm confused...what do you mean by "transmitted throughout the house"? Wireless? I take it there would be a single coax going into the house from the dish. Right now I have 2 coax coming in, record on one / watch another...but all SD. Will this change with HD?

{/QUOTE]

Here's my intrepretation of the situation (considering I looked at a VIP dish receiver manual recently out of curiosity).

The DISH HD DVR allows for a HD signal to be displayed for "TV1" using the Y/Pb/Pr or HDMI receiver outputs, while "TV2" is a coax or composite video that downconverts into a 480i or whatever non-HD signal. I'm sure that the original poster asked DISH Network why they couldn't have both TV1 and TV2 output a HD signal when the service being tuned ia HD signal. It sounds like the response from DISH is that they were waiting for papers to be signed to allow them to take the "TV2" HD signal, package it up somehow to transmit over the coax to the TV2 area, and then unpackage it in such a way that it can be fed into a HDTV monitor via Y/Pb/Pr or HDMI so that the signal is truly displayed in HD and is not a downconverted 480i or whatever format signal.


BTW, anyone having problems with KWBQ SD signal? on my 625, I'm seeing the VBI in the image on my tv set and the closed captioning doesn't work (KWBQ being channel 19 or channel 8814, depending on where you tune it). I've had the issue since Tuesday and I"m convinced it's DISH's local receive faility or the uplink having an issue that shifts the image enough to screw things up. All other ABQ locals display fine and have perfect CC ability.

The 622 has a built in Ethernet port. Right now, its inactive. If the laywers get their act together its possible (if you have a Cat 5 wired house) to send a full HD signal over it to some type of adaptor box (which would decrypt and display) to another HDTV.

I am doing something similar right now. I wired my house years ago with Cat 5. I have 4 networked Macs that can view recorded HD programs (via EyeTV) on any of them, including over 300 ripped DVD's on my media server via Front Row as well. You need Gigabit ethernet switches in the computers as well as in the house.

What EyeTV are you using? I haven't decided on the Eyetv 500 (plus a 500gb external HD)or a Sony HD DVR DHG-HDD500. I'm using a Macbook Pro so I'm undecided if I want to connect a bunch of peripherals but the extra space on the HD could be used for other things. :)

I am doing something similar right now. I wired my house years ago with Cat 5. I have 4 networked Macs that can view recorded HD programs (via EyeTV) on any of them, including over 300 ripped DVD's on my media server via Front Row as well. You need Gigabit ethernet switches in the computers as well as in the house.


Can you tell me what software you're using? I have a customer who wants to put her movies on her Mac and use Front Row, but I didn't think it was possible.

I am using EyeTV 500's. I actually have 2 in different rooms of the house. I bught them refurbed from Elgato awhile back. They are no longer being made but you can probably pick them up on Ebay or perhaps from Elgato.com. The latest EyeTV software allows you to move back and forth between Front Row and your EyeTV recordings using only the Apple remote. :D

What EyeTV are you using? I haven't decided on the Eyetv 500 (plus a 500gb external HD)or a Sony HD DVR DHG-HDD500. I'm using a Macbook Pro so I'm undecided if I want to connect a bunch of peripherals but the extra space on the HD could be used for other things. :)

I use HandBrake. Convert them to MPEG4 at a high bitrate (2000kbs ave) and you end up with a file size between 1-2Gb depending on movie length. This is then added into your iTunes library (DVD artwork from Amazon) and can then be pulled up via Front Row anywhere in the house. HandBrake can't do all movies especially some of the new movies but usually Mac the Ripper (latest edition, first) followed by HandBrake can do it. If Mac the Ripper can't do it I have an old PC with some really good backup tools to backup the tough ones then HandBrake them on the Mac Mini.

Can you tell me what software you're using? I have a customer who wants to put her movies on her Mac and use Front Row, but I didn't think it was possible.

KOB is having problems again with their digital signal. Here is a note from Sean Anker acknowledging the problem...

Yeah... believe me, I know.

We don’t know what’s going on. We have tried all kinds of things — and actually found several minor problems that have been repaired, but apparently not the major one. We’re still working on it. Our next steps involve renting some heavy duty test gear with more capabilities than what we have now.

Thanks for the note,

Sean Anker

KOB is having problems again with their digital signal. Here is a note from Sean Anker acknowledging the problem...



I wonder if their encoder has a power outage problem (bad solder joint?). When I get dropouts, it's like the signal goes away (just not a black screen probably due to datastream errors).

I had a satellite receiver that would drop out occasionally (bad solder joint) and the problems on KOB-TV give me bad memories of that receiver since they seem so similar from the end-user side of things.

Do you think Sean runs enough encoder-settings logging that reporting the day and time dropouts are noticed could be helpful in troubleshooting?

Its definitely worse now on my end. Last week at least the Dish delivered HD local was stable with no drop outs, but this week even it has been going "dark" for a minute or so then it comes back as well.

Time for the shot gun approach to trouble shooting IMHO.

Sean should ask Jim Gale for a little friendly help in troubleshooting and test equip. No shame there. I had to get help many times when I worked in electronics for the gov't.
JR

jerrich, I replied to Sean telling him the same thing about contacting Jim Gale. Jim is a warehouse of knowledge in that area. Hope Sean can find the problem soon.

Anyone live down in the Petroglyphs area around Unser and the 40? Im moving into a house in january or February off Ladera and Kipuka between 98th and unser and wondering how good the DSL or OTA reception is there.

I do have a clear line of sight of the towers up on crest. Antenna web shows yellow for all the DT stations. I live accross from Cottonwood mall now and just use a pair of rabbit ears for all my channels.

If you want to stay using an indoor antenna I would suggest the Silver Sensor. I had been using a cheap RCA amp'ed antenna and the difference between the two is incredible. The little SS picks up a signal so much better and it's designed for HD.

I also ended up getting a Sony OTA DVR I figured it would be easier for my wife to use. Should be here by then end of the week. Can't wait to get it. Jerry the t150 finally went out on me. I figured that how long I had it and how often it was on :) it was well worth it. Thanks again.

I also ended up getting a Sony OTA DVR I figured it would be easier for my wife to use. Should be here by then end of the week. Can't wait to get it. Jerry the t150 finally went out on me. I figured that how long I had it and how often it was on :) it was well worth it. Thanks again.

Dang, sorry to hear that. It did have a beautiful picture didn't it? Did you get the Sony 250 or 500? I don't think they make them anymore, like my LG3410.
JR

Can you tell me what software you're using? I have a customer who wants to put her movies on her Mac and use Front Row, but I didn't think it was possible.

As long as you saved a format you can import into iTunes, there's no problem using Front Row. I have a couple of IPTV shows I download weekly -- and run through my Mini/Front Row/Cinema display. Just looks a little silly when we have guest geeks over -- sitting crammed into my office/study.

Waiting for production spec on Apple's iTV before I compare with alternatives -- hopefully including HiDef.

I guess I'm wondering what program can import a DVD, strip its protection, and save to an iTunes approved format.

I guess I'm wondering what program can import a DVD, strip its protection, and save to an iTunes approved format.CloneDVD Mobile (http://www.slysoft.com/en/clonedvd-mobile.html) used with AnyDVD (http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvd.html) works perfectly for this purpose. I use it all the time. AnyDVD is constantly updated so it works every time.

.....G

Like I said, Handbrake can do quite a bit all in one shot but it doesn't work 100% of the time anymore. It will remove the CSS and convert to MPEG4 so it can be imported into iTunes easily. Sometimes you have to give it a "cleaned" up version removed of all blank cells and other nonsense.

I guess I'm wondering what program can import a DVD, strip its protection, and save to an iTunes approved format.

Windows only App! :eek:

CloneDVD Mobile (http://www.slysoft.com/en/clonedvd-mobile.html) works perfectly for this purpose.

.....G

Gosh, you don't have a Windows box around? <chuckle> I'm computer agnostic myself.

Will it work with Virtual PC?

.....G

Sure I do! Necessary evil still...... My main "backup tool" is a PC due to the superior software out there. I use AnyDVD as well as the rest of the usual suspects. Since he mentioned Front Row I was assuming he was on a Mac looking for Mac tools solely. VirtualPC is pretty much dead these days (no longer updated) and been replaced with either Dual Boot (Boot Camp) on Macintel machines or Parallels Desktop (which is the latest in virtualization software on Macintels). Parallels works great for most apps and is almost as fast as a Dual Boot machine only no reboot is required. Downside is that not everything will run in Parallels just yet including DVD burners. I suppose you could rip and fix a DVD to the HD then swich back to Mac OS and burn under it still as long as you could access the PC partition of your drive.

Gosh, you don't have a Windows box around? <chuckle> I'm computer agnostic myself.

Will it work with Virtual PC?

.....G

It did and I miss it. It's been a couple of weeks since it quit. I knew it was about too a couple months ago so I started looking. I ended up getting a 250 Sony. Best buy outlet had a bunch of em on eBay and I managed to get one for around $300 which I was happy about. I plan on getting an eyeTV too for my own use but I figured getting the Sony the wife would be able to use it too. :D

Dang, sorry to hear that. It did have a beautiful picture didn't it? Did you get the Sony 250 or 500? I don't think they make them anymore, like my LG3410.
JR

How's quality when you rip em at 2k? I'm going on vacation back up to Boston for the hoildays and been thinking about ripping some movies for the kids to watch on my MBP.
Think I could get away with 768 for a 15"WS?
---Kevin

Yep, I usually rip to an ISO file first and then burn since image files work on any platform.

.....G

I discovered the secret to getting Commiecast to provide service. The past two months Ive been fighting with them over extremely slow comcraptastic internet speed. They always send techs out who do nothing but run a few speed tests and says its working fine. But the latency is horrible. Pages take minutes to locate and load. Even threatening full cancellation didnt do anything. Until I found the list of corporate officers and sent an email to each. I got a call from their COO's office and the local office now is begging to come out to fix my problem after three no show appointments with techs this past week.

I should repeat asking where KWBQ and KRQE is. yet they can offer other HD channels but not the remaining local HD networks.

2K is perfect for watching on a bigscreen TV. 1K is about the lowest you can go and watch on an average 23" computer screen without noticing much image degradation. Make sure you do 2 pass encoding (anytime you rip) as it helps smooth out the jaggies a bit. You will end up with a movie less than 1GB. I ripped the new Cars a few weeks back to take on a trip on my 15" MBP. It ended up weighing in right at 750Mb.

How's quality when you rip em at 2k? I'm going on vacation back up to Boston for the hoildays and been thinking about ripping some movies for the kids to watch on my MBP.
Think I could get away with 768 for a 15"WS?
---Kevin

Hey,

Anyone else notice that 4-01 was not breaking up last night on their 622? I have almost stopped going to 4-01 but last night gave it a try and for the first time in a month or more it was rock solid like it used to be.

Hope it wasn't a fluke!

A couple of us in the Abq DMA got in on the "Santa Earl" beta download, last night, for D* HR20 receivers. Finally, back to receiving OTA locals -- though, I didn't miss the local car lot commercials. :)

Just for reference, when it goes national -- OTA appears to be rock solid: with my good old Silver Sensor [47 miles line-of-sight to the antenna farm], most channels at 100 readings. 4-1 was/is flaky, this morning; but, I can move the SS to get it reliable w/o losing much from the rest.

Some new tweaks to the D* menu -- and the several hardware bits now "unofficially" turned on not only include the Serial ATA port; but, they opened the Ethernet port, last night -- allowing Viiv-certified PC's to transfer slide shows and music; but, NOT videos. Some of the crew have had success running WMP via this route, already. Only photos and music, though.

I'm hoping this will be a tie-in method for the Apple "iTV" probably going to be released 1Q 2007. I have a few IPTV shows I download regularly that I'd like to stream seamlessly to my HDTV at HD resolutions.

Phew!

Hey,

Anyone else notice that 4-01 was not breaking up last night on their 622? I have almost stopped going to 4-01 but last night gave it a try and for the first time in a month or more it was rock solid like it used to be.

Hope it wasn't a fluke!

I noticed it as well last night. KASA (2-01) was also back up after being down for a couple of days as well.

A couple of us in the Abq DMA got in on the "Santa Earl" beta download, last night, for D* HR20 receivers. Finally, back to receiving OTA locals -- though, I didn't miss the local car lot commercials. :)



You didn't miss the Beaver Toyota gal????? :p

Brian

I noticed that KOB digital is also pretty stable lately. I almost gave up on them. Guess it pays to tune into the station once in awhile and see if anything changed. Hope it stays stable.

Omigosh!

Guess What Commie Cast Went And Did Today?


They Added The CW In Hd!

No Really They Did.

God's Honest Truth.

Why Don't You Beleive Me?

Just Tune To Channel 214 If You Don't Beleive Me.

Omigosh!

Guess What Commie Cast Went And Did Today?
They Added The CW In Hd!



guess Commiecast is getting ready for another price hike! :D :D

i'll believe it when I see it in HD off-air (meaning that KWBQ finally got their HD gear up and running on a more regular basis).

I'm going to miss probably being about the only household in New Mexico that was watching CW programming in HD.

Where the hell is KRQE-DT Commiecast!!!!! This is getting ridiculous! Super Bowl XLI is only 2.5 months away, come to terms with LIN. If this was KRQE SD that was NOT on everyone's TV you can bet they would come to terms immediately. I am so tired of waiting for this.

I'm going to miss probably being about the only household in New Mexico that was watching CW programming in HD.

I'm going to miss probably being about the only OTHER household in New Mexico that was watching CW programming in HD.

KRQE HD still looks spectacular OTA. Anyone want my LG3410 before Super Bowl? PM me.
JR

Any ideas who would be the first local news TV staton in Albuquerque DMA, to be shown in HDTV?

I think KOAT-DT would be the first or you think KOB-DT will beat KOAT-DT on adding a HDTV newscast? :D

As for KRQE-DT I think LIN is too lazy to add HDTV cameras and same goeas for KASA-DT.

Any ideas on that HDTV local news?

BTW,
Reno TV market #110 KREN-DT and KRNV-DT is adding local news in HDTV, shocking to see that TV market is smaller than Albuqurque TV market #45 is able to do that!! :eek:

I asked this question from KRQE, KOAT and KOB. KOAT and KOB said it was going to be years from now. KRQE (believe it or not) is currently working on a new studio with HD cameras, etc. Of course, LIN broadcasting (the one having problems negotiating with E* for HD satellite service) is the one that will be broadcasting local stuff in HD. Wouldn't you know it?

Don't know about the news, but I bet KNME will be the first with locally produced hd shows.
They have the cameras to do it.
JR

I was thinking KRQE a well. The new studio should be finished 1QTR 2007 and they will have tons of new capabilities.

Will 5.1 sound be among KRQE's new capabilities?

Almost everything about KRQE has aggravated me:
-- They won't allow their digital signal to be sent out via cable, unless Comcast forks over more money.
-- They don't have 5.1 sound yet.
-- They often don't flip the switch for HD content.
-- They mis-frame every NTSC broadcast on their ATSC channel.
-- They pre-empt nation-wide CBS Sports programming for infomercials and educational programming.

I wish we did not have to put up with local network affiliates, and could get national network feeds. No locally-originating television programming has much value.

Will 5.1 sound be among KRQE's new capabilities?

Almost everything about KRQE has aggravated me:
-- They won't allow their digital signal to be sent out via cable, unless Comcast forks over more money.
-- They don't have 5.1 sound yet.
-- They often don't flip the switch for HD content.
-- They mis-frame every NTSC broadcast on their ATSC channel.
-- They pre-empt nation-wide CBS Sports programming for infomercials and educational programming.

I wish we did not have to put up with local network affiliates, and could get national network feeds. No locally-originating television programming has much value.


Sounds like you could substitute any of the local stations for KRQE.

Vader forbid anyone actually charge money or make a profit off their content. KRQE will allow ANYONE to carry their digital signal. They just have to pay for it. I pay $85 a month to get my HD and DVR from Commiecast. All I watch are the HD channels. $85 for now 12 channels. Thats 5 local networks in HD (6 OTA) and 8 other HD channels. Ok thats 13 now forget they added CW finally. Thats about $6.54 per channel. I find it hard to beleive KRQE wants anywhere near that price for carrying CBS-HD considering Cable One in Rio Rancho seems to afford it.