Has KWBQ gotten their audio back to 5.1? They have been responding to all my past emails with Soon. I havent had a desire to tune into them over the summer for reruns of smallville or any of their girlie shows. I dont want to suffer through another season of Smallville without 5.1 audio.

Has KWBQ gotten their audio back to 5.1? They have been responding to all my past emails with Soon. I havent had a desire to tune into them over the summer for reruns of smallville or any of their girlie shows. I dont want to suffer through another season of Smallville without 5.1 audio.

Not only was the audio in 2 channel, but they had major video problems last season. It seemed like I was calling or emailing every week after the disappointing video/audio on "Smallville" and "Supernatural".

I got a response back from KWBQ. They hope to have their 5.1 audio hardware configured by the start of the fall season. Listen for it in January! But at least they didn't say Soon!

I saw a commercial on KOAT that their new set will be "HD Ready". Gee, I wonder if they will actually go HD or if that is later down the road?

Guess that means all they have to do is buy a few of those HD camera thingy's....

I wonder what brand that they will use for KOAT-DT to buy a HD cameras?:)

I guess KOB-DT and KRQE-DT are still foot dragging by putting off to buy HD cameras?

Oh well, now back to TV DXing!!:D

8-21-08

I'm just surprised at the lack of local HD radio channels (and who cares) channels in this town. It makes the price per channel to be over $10-15 each if you take the price of radios I've seen divided by the number of HD radio channels (the "xxx-x" ones).

I'd like to see every station offer at least one HD subchannel and offer something cool (to me, it would be like the new FM sports station offering two HD subchannels with different pro sports or local sports games on each one or airing best-of local sports talk when there isn't a live sports game going on). With lots of HD subchannels to chose from and something decently interesting, it would make the price per channel to acquire the HD radio hardware reasonable.

It seems to me that this problem is a "razors vs razor blades" issue. This is like the days when Gillette gave away the razors and sold the blades to make money. The laser printer and ink-jet printer industry is the same way. Why not HD radio too.

If all the land AM/FM radio stations were to subsidize the cost of a low-end HD-to-AM/FM radio converter and give it away or sell for real cheap (say $10) then people would use it. The monthly service charge would have to be free. I think then you'd see the high priced Sirius/XM market prices drop like a lead balloon. They can keep their advantage of no commercials for $13-15/mo and the remainder of us would be the HD radio / converter crowd. If a user really liked the HD stations. then they might be more interested in buying a real $100-$200 HD radio. And more AM/FM stations would add HD to their station.

So I was sitting here tonight at my desk going through an old parts bin from all my stereo parts. I found a 75ohm transformer, one of those little parts with the male Ftype coax connecter and two screw terminals. Well I remember watching a youtub video of a guy making an antenna with coat hangers and had an Idea.

I took two paperclips from my drawer and straightened them then bent into a V. I connected each V to one of the terminals on the adaptor, and then connected the adaptor to one of my TVs. I was amazed to find that I got all the channels with this little miracle on the TV. So I scrounged up another adaptor from the bin and made another. Now Im thinking of trying to put this on the house antenna mount where I have just a VHF antenna which unfortunately come feb, when stations go back to their legit channels Im going to need UHF reception.

I wonder if we can post pictures here on AVS? Otherwise stay posted for more details.

Those interested in hd radio should remember that it is not hd. It's the same old bandwidth chopped up to make more surround channels. It's like mp3 on each channel. REAL hd audio like dvd-a, sacd, Dolby Tru and DTS MA, blow most peoples' socks off.
JR

The mountain channel is now on the air on Directv channel 616!!:)

Looking forward to seeing Lobos football and basketball upcoming this season!!:cool:

Enjoy the new channel on Directv!!!

8-27-08

The mountain channel is now on the air on Directv channel 616!!:)

Looking forward to seeing Lobos footbal and baskitball upcoming this season!!:cool:

Enjoy the new channel on Directv!!!

8-27-08


In HD?

In HD?

Hah!

Lobo games are shot on a cell phone.

Wonder if Dish will get the mountain anytime soon?

From what I hear, they plan to add a HD channel sometime in late 08 or early 09 time frame..... So just enjoy what we got for the time being!!:)

As for HD radio, I will give you some more update soon....:cool:

8-27-08

From what I hear, they plan to add a HD channel sometime in late 08 or early 09 time frame..... So just enjoy what we got for the time being!!:)

As for HD radio, I will give you some more update soon....:cool:

8-27-08

Well, I can't if they don't put it on Dish, HD or no. :(

I was amazed to find that I got all the channels with this little miracle on the TV.

My son was asking me what type of HD antenna to buy as he wanted the cleanest picture. He didn't believe me that any antenna will work the same as long as there is enough signal there. I told him to get a cheap pair of rabbit ears. To prove my point I took a piece of wire about four inches long and stuck it into the center of the F connector. To his surprise everything came in just as clear. Digital is great. If it works it's perfect!

Enjoy Non HD video shot with a cell phone? ACK NEVER!

Yeah the Paper Clip works great. now I need to find a way to get the VHF channels like channel 9 on other TVs.

Enjoy Non HD video shot with a cell phone? ACK NEVER!

Yeah the Paper Clip works great. now I need to find a way to get the VHF channels like channel 9 on other TVs.

Even if it was transmitted with a paper clip antenna? :D

I guess I'm NOT in the "Know"? I just switched to "ABC World News Tonight" and it was in HD. I usually watch "NBC Nightly News" but they have football tonight (8/28/08). Anybody know when ABC news switched over to HD?

I guess I'm NOT in the "Know"? I just switched to "ABC World News Tonight" and it was in HD. I usually watch "NBC Nightly News" but they have football tonight (8/28/08). Anybody know when ABC news switched over to HD?

Apparently WNT switched to HD August 25th from the various news articles I seem to recall.

Yes, I also watched WNT since NBC NN was preempted (podcast, here I come!) and *GASP* I even watched KOAT news for the first time since they ended their 1am late news replay a few months ago.

Even if KOAT was the first to go HD, I doubt I would watch them unless they bring back the replay or if KOB's news is preempted - it's kind of a boycott to being a regular watcher of theirs since they took away the replay.

I do think KOAT might be near - I ran across an article about HD and it mentioned KOAT and HD camcorders in the same article, so it looks like they might be acquiring HD gear for the field or they are teaching their staff the process of HD capture in the field, edit the files on a PC, and get it ready for server-to-air. I hope when they do go HD that they will use the live shot trick to make their live shots look widescreen (the trick is to capture the reporter in the field and squeeze the 16:9 to 4:3 for transmission over current ENG circuits then resize back to 16:9 at the studio).

It may not be SD live shots initially, but it'll at least be widescreen. It's funny watching satellite transmissions for other broadcasters around the country and their talent look extra skinny and taller because of taking a 16:9 widescreen captured shot and converting it to 4:3 for the satellite path.

Well I just heard that Nelson TV markets rankings are out and Albuquerque is still the same # 44 in the country!!:D

Also the other news Lobos game might be in HD tomorrow on Versus at 4 PM mountain time.

They play TCU... So let's kick some butt on them!!!!:D:D

8-29-08

Apparently WNT switched to HD August 25th from the various news articles I seem to recall.
..
Even if KOAT was the first to go HD, I doubt I would watch them unless they bring back the replay or if KOB's news is preempted - it's kind of a boycott to being a regular watcher of theirs since they took away the replay.

I do think KOAT might be near - I ran across an article about HD and it mentioned KOAT and HD camcorders in the same article, so it looks like they might be acquiring HD gear for the field or they are teaching their staff the process of HD capture in the field, edit the files on a PC, and get it ready for server-to-air. ...

I don't think it will be anytime soon based on this email from Gary Williams, Chief Engineer at KOAT:

Good Morning lujan and thanks for the email. While I would love to tell you we are going HD I am afraid not quite yet. We are in planning stages and you have most likely heard we are putting in a new HD “Ready” set but we are still a ways away from going full HD in news. It is not just a matter of changing our studio cameras but having to change our whole news infrastructure including all our live trucks, field cameras, editing and satellite equipment. Keep watching though, you will start to see small changes here and there as everyone keeps moving toward HD.

Thanks for the email and feel free to drop me a line.

I guess I'm NOT in the "Know"? I just switched to "ABC World News Tonight" and it was in HD. I usually watch "NBC Nightly News" but they have football tonight (8/28/08). Anybody know when ABC news switched over to HD?

And I even saw Nightline in HD! I guess it started the same day, Aug 25.

I don't think it will be anytime soon based on this email from Gary Williams, Chief Engineer at KOAT:

I think it could be soon if KOAT wanted to do SD widescreen live field shots and SD satellite feeds with curtains and just do HD from the studio and for taped packages shot in the field with HD camcorders.

The good news is the microwave system locally is going digital from its current analog, so it could be easier to do HD over microwave links if you put HD cameras and HD encoders in the various live vans and helicopters.

and for another post about the possible Lobos/TCU on VS. in HD - it was not in HD but rather SD - widescreen SD. With the widescreen format and the 4:2:2 video profile, the game looked very good on my HD monitor for something sourced as SD resolution.

Wow. you should try out the new google browser, Chrome. Very fast!

Still no 5.1 over on CW I see.

Wow. you should try out the new google browser, Chrome. Very fast!

Still no 5.1 over on CW I see.

How about HD resolution?

DIRECTV is showing a free preview of HBO & Cinemax this weekend starting today. (HBO Ch. 501-508; Cinemax Ch. 520-533.)

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/07/oprah-and-ellen-and-dr-phil-and-entertainment-tonight-and-the-insider-e/

Are any of our local stations capable of meeting the new HD versions of these shows?

I'd be really proud of Albuquerque if no one here ever watched those shows.

Hey, I can dream can't I? :D

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/07/oprah-and-ellen-and-dr-phil-and-entertainment-tonight-and-the-insider-e/

Are any of our local stations capable of meeting the new HD versions of these shows?

I don't watch them (no really) but I checked and "Ellen" and "Oprah" were both in SD. I'm anxious to see if "ET" will really be in HD.

I talked to an engineer at KOAT tonight and they do NOT have the technology to be able to present the new shows in HD to us here in Albuquerque, like Ellen and Entertainment Tonight. I emailed their Programming department to complain and suggest you do the same (go to http://www.koat.com/contact/index.html).

Seems like our local stations here in Albuquerque have disappointed us again.

Makes you wonder how hard it is to get a commercial HD tivo to record the syndicated shows for broadcast.

I dont think they are disappointing us again as much as continuing to disappoint.

I talked to an engineer at KOAT tonight and they do NOT have the technology to be able to present the new shows in HD to us here in Albuquerque

hmmm, they can take the ABC HD feed and delay it, yet they can't take a day and date syndication HD feed like ET or Ellen (using the same satellite delivery setup as ABC HD, only a different satellite and transponder) and send it out in HD over 7.1.

Maybe I should record ET in HD daily for them and take my Hard Drive to KOAT so they can play it to air off my hard drive. ;)

Maybe when Ellen goes to repeats will you be able to get it in HD from KOAT (when it can be encoded and sent to tv stations as files for later playout like taped syndication programming and not day-and-date programming like Ellen first run, ET, Access Hollywood, TMZ, etc).

I talked to an engineer at KOAT tonight and they do NOT have the technology to be able to present the new shows in HD to us here in Albuquerque, like Ellen and Entertainment Tonight. I emailed their Programming department to complain and suggest you do the same (go to http://www.koat.com/contact/index.html).

Seems like our local stations here in Albuquerque have disappointed us again.

Yes, I wrote again to Gary Williams to express my disappointment and to ask the station to enter into the 21st century. I had switched from KOB to KOAT for the local and national news in anticipation of the ET in HD. I guess it's back to KOB again (I like their news team better).

:mad:

Nice to see that KOAT was a perfect 0-3 yesterday! Way to go guys. Not even was it not in HD it wasn't even letterboxed! I will be sending them a note as well......

I think that the general public will be calling KOAT and wondering WHY they can't get those various syndicated programs in HD on their new HD sets they recently bought. I would rather KOAT spend the money to support this than on their new set they just built. I rather see Entertainment Tonight in HD than John Fernandez presenting the news.

I think Albuquerque is one of the largest laziest TV market in the country!!

Pretty lame IMHO......:(

Not much going on here, so just hang out guys till the analog shutdown date then we will have a fun party!!:D

9-9-08

I think that the general public will be calling KOAT and wondering WHY they can't get those various syndicated programs in HD on their new HD sets they recently bought. I would rather KOAT spend the money to support this than on their new set they just built. I rather see Entertainment Tonight in HD than John Fernandez presenting the news.

I second that. Here is Gary's response from KOAT:

"Good Morning lujan. Thanks for the email. Sorry to disappoint you on the HD but several things come into play with these syndicated folks. King World and CBS distribution sprung these HD shows on us with little notice, yes they have been promoting it for some time but they did not even have a distribution plan until a few weeks ago. They started putting out a HD show with a specific encoder that was incompatible with many of the stations receivers. They also assumed everyone was 1080I well they found out a lot of stations are 720P again no way for us to turn the product around on a delay basis. I know this sounds like hollow excuses but we have already dumped millions of dollars into transmission and intercity links and are now taking the Digital SD feeds from distributors but for the immediate future until distribution companies come up with a standard we will continue taking the digital SD feeds and airing them."

I think Albuquerque is one of the largest laziest TV market in the country!!

Pretty lame IMHO......:(

Not much going on here, so just hang out guys till the analog shutdown date then we will have a fun party!!:D

9-9-08

Not necessarily, they could still present the digital station on SD. HD and digital are NOT synonymous.

based on Gary's new response about syndication in HD, I"m guessing KOAT doesn't have the second HD receiver to take the ET HD feed - or doesn't have the scaler or HD receiver with scaling built-in to go from 1080i to 720p if the excuse is going to be the resolution of the HD feed.


King World/CBS TV Distribution has been distributing HD syndication now in their 2nd or 3rd season (Wheel and Jeopardy were their first ones and I know those have been in HD syndication awhile). Gary's issue might be this is the first season King World/CBS TVD are sending their day-and-date shows in HD rather than just the taped shows like game shows.

If there is an issue keeping station receivers across the country from getting the HD syndication feed, I'm surprised King World/CBS TVD didn't just send receivers to their affiliates to get rid of any incompatiblity problems.

At least in this worst case, the satellite digitally-received SD syndication feeds look good when sent out over digital terrestrial delivery than they would look if watching them on analog channel 7 with the ghosts and softer picture.

Just a bunch of excuses IMO. They the broadcasters had 12 years now to prepare for the digital transition. Yes Digital doesnt always mean HD, but come on. Any moron can tell you that HD has been the biggest thing in Television for the last few years. There's no reason that stations shouldn't already have all the equipment to handle HD shows of any type.

Yes Albuquerque stations are one of the laziest bunch in the country. It was nice when I was in Milwaukee to see syndicated Two and a Half Men in HD. Not to mention nightly local news in HD also.Maybe someday the Big Networks will buy local stations and produce a National CBS or NBC station thats identical everywhere and let smaller independents produce a local newscast if they want.

Larry Oliver from KWBQ to me


Reply

That is correct, unfortunately we have had other issues take priority but we will get it done as soon as we possibly can. Thanks for your interest and as always thanks for watching.

V/R

Larry

Other issues? HD recording equipment for HD syndicated feeds of shows like Two and a Half men? nope still SD. HD syndicated movies? Not the last time I saw. Although KWBQ shows LOST as coming in syndication saturday. I wonder if it will be in HD or if we'll have to suffer through SD reruns. I mean skip sd reruns.

Larry Oliver from KWBQ to me


Other issues? HD recording equipment for HD syndicated feeds of shows like Two and a Half men? nope still SD. HD syndicated movies? Not the last time I saw. Although KWBQ shows LOST as coming in syndication saturday. I wonder if it will be in HD or if we'll have to suffer through SD reruns. I mean skip sd reruns.

KWBQ is the only station I still have problems with. I have audio and video loss on their DT station and when I contact Larry, he says I'm the only one reporting this to them. Is anyone else having problems with this station? I'm wondering if it's just a matter of deleting the station from my 622 and then unplugging it, plugging it back and adding the station back?

. Although KWBQ shows LOST as coming in syndication saturday. I wonder if it will be in HD or if we'll have to suffer through SD reruns. I mean skip sd reruns.


Who is syndicating it? I did a google search and all I could find is that Sci-Fi Channel and G4 are syndicating it (so you should be able to watch it in HD on Sci-Fi Channel).

The syndication show for the new syndication season I'm looking forward to is AMERICAN CHOPPER and it's available to affiliates in HD and SD. I have to figure out who has the rights in this market and then see if they are takign the HD feed or only the SD feed. Please don't be KOAT with the rights! ;)

Hello all:

With huge thanks to sthscan, my site now contains full technical data for the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area (with the exception of KCHF-DT).

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?mktid=53

Enjoy!

- Trip

With huge thanks to sthscan, my site now contains full technical data for the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area (with the exception of KCHF-DT).


I don't get KCHF-DT from here (the north edge of the Sandia Mountains is in the way from where I live! Do you think the Sandia tribe would mind some major dynamite blasting of the mountain to free up my line of sight? ;)



Maybe if KCHF ever gets with the program and puts their transmitter on the crest for everyone to see from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, then there would be complete tech info.


EDIT: I've updated my Albuqureque HDTV page (updated info, new TSREADER screen image caps). The TSREADER exported data is what can be found on rabbitears.info.

I just think KCHF-DT is foot dragging, and don't care about poor KNMD-DT PBS forces their will to upgrade the TX power going from 200 watts ERP to 20 to 30 KW ERP on the Sandia Crest.:(

KNMD-DT should file a complainant to the FCC that KCHF-DT is not doing the the job right!

Most church stations, don't care at it all they, think its making ripping off old people out of their pocked wallet full of moneys to feed their dumb preachers which they are all fruit cake IMHO.:p

Nuff said......

9-13-08

Poorly, but more than "Nuff"...

Disappointed as usual that KWBQ would ruin Lost by not airing it in HD. Oh well one less show to watch on 19.

KOAT has been touting in the commercials their new news set which is supposed to be digital ready which is premiering today at 6 pm. Are they going to be transmitting the news in HD today or are we just going to see a pretty set?

I am still very disappointed that they cannot present their syndicated shows (Ellen, ET, Oprah) in HD.

KOAT has been touting in the commercials their new news set which is supposed to be digital ready which is premiering today at 6 pm. Are they going to be transmitting the news in HD today or are we just going to see a pretty set?

I am still very disappointed that they cannot present their syndicated shows (Ellen, ET, Oprah) in HD.

I doubt it. KOAT has a reputation for touting that they have "big news" and then it turns out to be a "mountain out of a mole hill". Remeber the last time they said they had big news, I got all excited thinking the it was going HD and it turned out it was because Cynthia Issegirre (spelling?) was leaving.

I doubt it. KOAT has a reputation for touting that they have "big news" and then it turns out to be a "mountain out of a mole hill". Remeber the last time they said they had big news, I got all excited thinking the it was going HD and it turned out it was because Cynthia Issegirre (spelling?) was leaving.

What ever happened to her?

What ever happened to her?

She moved back to her home state of Texas.

Speaking of TS-Reader Albuquerque's website http://www.nmia.com/~roberts/albuquerque-hdtv.html

I am wondering our local stations are testing new sub channels?:)

Here what I saw the bit rate codecs........:D

KRQE-DT

16.1 17.39 MBs

16.2? 1.51 MBs, might be a copycat of of starting a local weather channel just like KOB-DT?

Please remember, it will not show 16.2 on your receivers since they are testing....

KAZQ-DT

17.1 7.61 MBs

17.2 7.60 MBs, GOD-TV

17.3? 3.61 MBs, Testing? Probably more church sub channel?

KOAT-DT

21.1 14.99 MBs

21.2? 3.90 MBs, Testing? Could be 24-7 local news channel, any ideas?

KASA-DT

27.1 16.22 MBs

27.2? 2.83 MBs, Testing? Remember they use to carry The Tube music channel at that time. I am guessing they might add Retro TV Network?:)

KWBQ-DT

29.1 12.5 MBs

29.2 6.25 MBs, Testing? I have no idea what kind of new channel it will be, any ideas it would be?

KLUZ-DT

42.1 7.61 MBs

42.2 7.61 MBs

42.3? 3.54 MBs, Testing? 3rd new Spanish channel?

KASY-DT

45.1 12.27 MBs

45.2? 6.84 MBs, Testing? Again I have no idea what kind of new channel it will be? So help yourself to guess what it will be?:D:eek:

Have fun guessing!!!:)

9-15-08

Speaking of TS-Reader Albuquerque's website [KWBQ-DT

29.1 12.5 MBs

29.2 6.25 MBs, Testing? I have no idea what kind of new channel it will be, any ideas it would be?


More wasted bandwidth, like their lack of 5.1 audio! They have other priorities like playing Mobsters on Myspace!

Are you sure your not confusing null packets with a program? 0x1fff is stuffing/null packets. It is always there to meet the 19mb clock rate needed by 8VSB.

0x0031 is the first program.
0x0041 is the second.
0x0051 would be the third, and so on.

Unless I have this wrong?

As expected, KOAT is NOT transmitting their new program from their new pretty sets in HD. I will be watching KRQE or KOB instead of KOAT until they can start presenting their syndicated shows (ET, Ellen, Oprah) in HD (which is available). Sorry KOAT, but you need to come into the 21st century.

... Sorry KOAT, but you need to come into the 21st century.

That's exactly what I told Gary Williams, chief engineer at KOAT.

That's, what I called a broadcasts tease to a TV viewers by KOAT-DT by fooling them thinking is a first ever new local HDTV broadcast, but turn out be a joke!!!:p:(

I think I will stick to KOB-DT, for sometime till someone is really broadcasting in true local 16:9 1080i or 720p format.

It's really embarrassing, that we are in top # 44 in the country gets beaten by lowly top # 99 in the market from El Paso, TX KTSM-DT just went to a first ever true local HDTV local news just a few week ago!!

Oh well now back to TV DXing, or HD radio on AM band.....:D

9-15-08

Are you sure your not confusing null packets with a program? 0x1fff is stuffing/null packets.

yes, those are null/stuffing packets on 0x1fff.

The posting was good in that I never thought about terrestrial test usage and I should take TSREADER and look carefully at the other pids in each signal just in case there is a valid PID in there that is not officially defined in the SI but actually has audio or video or data on it. I can then define it in TSREADER, watch, listen or IP check it, and report that something is testing but not officially launched yet.

Testing video,audio or data on non-defined PIDs is the kind of stuff that happens all the time in the satellite world and I'm sure terrestrial wouldn't be any different.

Disappointed as usual that KWBQ would ruin Lost by not airing it in HD. Oh well one less show to watch on 19.

are you sure it's available in HD to stations who take the syndication feed? I forgot to look this weekend to see who is syndicating it so I could go check on HD availability.

My baited-breath new syndie AMERICAN CHOPPER doesn't appear to be taken in this market (unless it's on KASY and waiting for MLB season to end so they can air it on Saturday evenings in the time being taken by Rockies baseball for the next couple of weeks). I definitely hope if they are signed for this market that the local station takes the HD feed. 6:30am is too early for me to watch it in HD as it's being fed to their syndication affiliates.

as for KOAT - I tuned in for a few moments at the beginning just in case they were going transmit the studio part in HD. The new set is kind of disappointing anyway (the Albuquerque backdrop looks a lot like their other set IMHO) - it looks like they pretty much just added wings to that set, based on a few second look at it before I flipped to KOB for the rest of the news.

are you sure it's available in HD to stations who take the syndication feed? I forgot to look this weekend to see who is syndicating it so I could go check on HD availability.


on a whim, I checked Disney-ABC's syndication slate and found LOST. I don't ever recall Disney-ABC syndication feeding HD shows to their syndication affiliates so I don't think LOST is available in HD this season.

your best bet is Sci Fi Channel HD - the most widely available HD channel for LOST syndication that I can think of.

I am wondering our local stations are testing new sub channels?:)


I just finished scanning the channels with TSREADER. All the PIDS are accounted for except one unmapped pid.

KWBQ has a unmapped PID that is AC-3 audio at a 192 Kbps bitrate. The mapped KWBQ audio pid is a 384 Kbps AC-3 audio. Both audio PIDs are Dolby 2.0 (so no, KWBQ isn't testing Dolby 5.1 with that unmapped audio pid).

Does anyone know what is going on in this market to prepare Albuquerque-area off-air viewers for the upcoming digital shutoff?

I just saw an article where a Memphis (?) TV station is going to drop their analog signal for 2 minutes during newscasts to try to bring the point home (if one is already ready for DTV, they'll see the news during those 2 minutes, otherwise if
satellite or cable is not ready or if off-air viewers are not ready, then there will be no signal or snow for those 2 minutes).

I'd have to think in late february, Albuquerque's 911 is going to have:

911: 911, what is your emergency?
Unprepared Viewer: I lost my television signal.
911: Are you an off-air televison viewer and did you
obtain a digital converter box?
UV: Yes, and it's not hooked up.
911: ok, hang tight. We're sending out AFD to assist you.
Stay on the line until they come.
UV: (moments later). They are here. Thanks and bye.

LOL.

But do satellite and cable providers have to do anything?

LOL.

But do satellite and cable providers have to do anything?

No

I bet you ten to one there will be some stupid peoples, calling 911 about analog TV signal shutdown.....:( They would be better off calling 311 or you can call the local station's phone number.

But good funny story though!:eek:

BTW,
KABQ-HD FM 104.7 MHz, radio is now sending digital signal and it has 2 sub channels.

9-19-08

There are rumors going around that MojoHD may be going bye bye. Apparently it has already disappeared on some Comcast and Cox systems. Anyone on here with Comcast, is MOJO still on the system?

Link to story: Is MOJO HD on the verge of shutting down? - Engadget HD (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/18/is-mojo-hd-on-the-verge-of-shutting-down/)

Mojo still on Comcast as of Sat. morning at 8am.
JR

I got a response back from KWBQ. They hope to have their 5.1 audio hardware configured by the start of the fall season. Listen for it in January! But at least they didn't say Soon!

While DD5.1 would be nice, right now it is a victory if they just broadcast in HD!

Supernatural was HD for the first half, and SD for the second. I am told that this weeks Privileged was SD for the whole hour!

I emailed Anthony Liparo about it, but does he even work there anymore?

John

While DD5.1 would be nice, right now it is a victory if they just broadcast in HD!

Supernatural was HD for the first half, and SD for the second. I am told that this weeks Privileged was SD for the whole hour!

I emailed Anthony Liparo about it, but does he even work there anymore?

John

Email Larry Oliver at Larry.Oliver@newmexicoscw.tv. He's the nicest guy but rarely comes through with his promises.

Email Larry Oliver at Larry.Oliver@newmexicoscw.tv. He's the nicest guy but rarely comes through with his promises.

Thanks. I have emailed Larry.

John

No

Of course satellite and cable headends have to do something!

They have to convert their local channel receive facility from taking in an analog off-air signal (unless they already get a feed from the TV station directly) and put in a DTV converter box to take the digital terrestrial feed of that station.

DISH Network SD locals were off the air a couple of months ago late at night. My speculation is that they were converting analog receive gear for the SD locals to DTVPal or some such DTV converter box for each channel at the LIL facility and I've seen things here and there watching the SD locals since then that convince me more that is why they were off the air that one night.

I bet you ten to one there will be some stupid peoples, calling 911 about analog TV signal shutdown.....:(

But good funny story though!:eek:



The story was based on the analog shutoff in Wilmington, NC. People were calling complaining about loss of signal and the Wilmington Fire Department was going around hooking up DTV converter boxes for people who couldn't figure it out or didn't do it by the moment of analog shutoff.

The government (and hopefully other cities like Albuquerque) are supposed to be watching what happens in Wilmington so it won't be as bad when February 2009 arrives, but we all know our legislators are called _Con_gress rather than _Pro_gress! ;)

There are rumors going around that MojoHD may be going bye bye. Apparently it has already disappeared on some Comcast and Cox systems. [/URL]

I haven't seen anything published in the industry rags about MOJO HD going away, but...

that would be interesting, considering Comcast and Cox are part owners in MOJO HD. Are Comcast/COX pulling it because they are angry that DISH and DIRECTV may end up getting MOJO HD in their lineups if negotiations go well?

Pulling a channel from a lineup when a stake is involved is not unprecendented - DISH pulled VOOM at a time when they had an equity stake in VOOM. Does anyone know if VOOM is still on Cablevision or has VOOM died by now?

Of course satellite and cable headends have to do something!

They have to convert their local channel receive facility from taking in an analog off-air signal (unless they already get a feed from the TV station directly) and put in a DTV converter box to take the digital terrestrial feed of that station.

DISH Network SD locals were off the air a couple of months ago late at night. My speculation is that they were converting analog receive gear for the SD locals to DTVPal or some such DTV converter box for each channel at the LIL facility and I've seen things here and there watching the SD locals since then that convince me more that is why they were off the air that one night.

I assumed "moonhawk" was referring to people receiving programming from satellite and cable providers. I didn't think he meant the providers themselves, but I could be wrong.

Thanks. I have emailed Larry.

John

Let us know what he says...

I assumed "moonhawk" was referring to people receiving programming from satellite and cable providers. I didn't think he meant the providers themselves, but I could be wrong.

Actually I was referring to something the origiinal poster said about cable and sat providers being ready, and didn't know what he meant, as I didn't think that was necessary.

Let us know what he says...

He said the reason Supernatural was switched to SD, was to help track down a problem Albuquerque satellite customers where having.

John

He said the reason Supernatural was switched to SD, was to help track down a problem Albuquerque satellite customers where having.

John

He told me I was the only one having a problem, humm?

BTW,
KABQ-HD FM 104.7 MHz, radio is now sending digital signal and it has 2 sub channels.

9-19-08

I have not been able to find the HD-3 for 104.7, only HD-2.

He told me I was the only one having a problem, humm?

CW in HD on DirwreckTV? It's not on DISH. So they punish digital viewers with SD while tracking down problems with analog feeds to providers? Shameful.

At least they kept Smallville's picture in HD the whole time. I just have to suffer through two channel audio. Might have to go get a BLuray player and season 7 set to enjoy it.

CW in HD on DirwreckTV? It's not on DISH. So they punish digital viewers with SD while tracking down problems with analog feeds to providers? Shameful.

At least they kept Smallville's picture in HD the whole time. I just have to suffer through two channel audio. Might have to go get a BLuray player and season 7 set to enjoy it.

I'm now enjoying "Smallville" on blu-ray from season 7 because I had so many video/audio dropouts last season.

CW in HD on DirwreckTV? It's not on DISH. So they punish digital viewers with SD while tracking down problems with analog feeds to providers? Shameful.

At least they kept Smallville's picture in HD the whole time. I just have to suffer through two channel audio. Might have to go get a BLuray player and season 7 set to enjoy it.

Yeah. In a follow up email, he said that they give the satellite operators their "HD" feed, and the satellite operators then down-rez it to SD for broadcast to ABQ customers. Something was not working right in that process, and they where trying to diagnose it.


John

Hello hideftv,

I should have meant to say KABQ-HD FM, the 1st main digital sub channel is a simulcast of analog radio programing while the 2nd sub channel is a different radio programmings.:)

So there is no 3rd sub channels, that I know of in this Albuquerque's digital radio market.

I hope, that's clear up for the time beings!!

9-23-08

When the frack did KNME stop broadcasting the HD programming on 5.1 and move it to 9.1?????????????????

I was REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WARNER BROTHERS 5 PART SPECIAL (Hello....Jim Gale!!!!!!!!!!)

Looks like the only way to get it is to get a VHF/UHF antenna...................
:mad:

When the frack did KNME stop broadcasting the HD programming on 5.1 and move it to 9.1?????????????????

I was REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WARNER BROTHERS 5 PART SPECIAL (Hello....Jim Gale!!!!!!!!!!)

Looks like the only way to get it is to get a VHF/UHF antenna...................
:mad:

It looks like you need to redo your tuner settings.

KNME hasn't changed anything on digital channel 35 and KNMD hasn't changed anything on digital channel 9.

PBS-HD is still on channel 5.1.

Nope,

5-1 is showing the exact same thing on 4 different TV's. 5-1 is now the same as 5-2.

Look at the KNME program guide on KNME.org.

The HD program I was hoping to record is only available on VHF 9-1.

NBC KILLED KNIGHT RIDER!

That was the worst show ever, I'm glad that the President gave a speech to cut the show's recording off early. The whole batcave/enterprise bridge where the controllers sit. Billy "sulu" is the sad Super-brain archetype. While sexychic "Chekhov" was smoking but very underdressed for a serious job.

just plain lame i cant even be bothered to use punctuation or any other grammar or spelling anymore describing the show this program made me want to go vote for a communist in nov so they shut down entertainment television.

Yet Chuck returns but not journeyman.

Nope,

5-1 is showing the exact same thing on 4 different TV's. 5-1 is now the same as 5-2.

Look at the KNME program guide on KNME.org.

The HD program I was hoping to record is only available on VHF 9-1.

hmmm, maybe PBS got their second PBS-HD feed going!
Or KNME finally time delays some HD programs to match their SD schedule.

I get my HD schedule to print out from the PBS-HD schedule website, but I haven't done it for a week so I haven't noticed (yet) if KNME 5.1 and PBS-HD do not match anymore.

as for the 9-x channels, there are no HD channels there (they are all SD-resolution channels - Schedule X East and Schedule X West - better known as the PBS C-band Home Large Backyard Dish channel).

The next night 5-1 did show part 2 of this wonderful series. I am still looking for parts 1 and 3.....

I looked at the KNME online guide and it showed a replay of part 1 yesterday morning on 5-1. The guide data on Dish and TitanTV showed Nova and something else. I recorded it anyway on the chance and the Dish and TitanTV data was correct. You cant even trust the KNME online guide for 5.1 it seems. Since I don't have a VHF antenna (UHF only) I can't look at 9.1 and I doubt I will ever unless more local channels switch over to VHF......

I sent an email to Jim Gale asking what was up and have never heard a response back from him......

KOAT and KRQE move to VHF next year.

- Trip

I'm trying to get this guy some more bookings in this area so that I can get my TV calibrated. Any one else interested? Here is the link: http://www.cir-engineering.com/

Please contact him directly at the above link if interested.

Don't forget KCHF-DT on VHF channel 10.1 "Remapped to 11.1" they run at 30 KW ERP from just south of Los Alamos.

So it's a total 4 VHF digital stations, after the analog shutdowns date of 2-17-09.:)

Boy it's going, to be fun watching this event.......:cool::D

9-26-08

The next night 5-1 did show part 2 of this wonderful series. I am still looking for parts 1 and 3.....

Is it this American Masters show:
You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story; You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet (1923-35); Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-50)

It is supposed to air Monday at 4am on "5" and "5.2" according to a KNME schedule on PBS' website.

I'm trying to get this guy some more bookings in this area so that I can get my TV calibrated. Any one else interested? Here is the link: http://www.cir-engineering.com/

Please contact him directly at the above link if interested.

More information: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=899744

Has anyone, note that KAZQ-DT channel 17.1 was off the air for a few days and same thing for analog channel 48 KFTA-LP?

I am guessing someone is working on the towers?

Still no sign of digital LD stations testing yet......:)

It's should be fun to watch analog and digital stations working on it between now and till to 2-17-09.

9-28-08

"We are back to the regular schedule on KNME 5.1, we were just simulcasting our pledge drive in September on the HD channel.

Thank you for your interest in KNME.

Denise

Denise Mills
Programming
KNME-TV"

If KOAT and KRQE are both going back to VHF it looks like we will all need new antenna's come Feb 2009..........

If KOAT and KRQE are both going back to VHF it looks like we will all need new antenna's come Feb 2009..........

If you already have a VHF/UHF antenna, you won't need another.

I purchased a Channel Master 4228 back in 2003 since everybody was on UHF and I was a long way away from the Crest. I didn't know at the time I purchased it that stations would be jumping back to VHF at the end of the digital transition.......

If you already have a VHF/UHF antenna, you won't need another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

You don't need to spend for new antenna. I followed this guy's idea, and placed it in my attic. Works great. Now I just have to get rid of Dish and go Free TV totally!

Any chance's that our local stations or national broadcast networks will broadcast live balloon fiesta in HD?

Any news on that?

9-30-08

Any chance's that our local stations or national broadcast networks will broadcast live balloon fiesta in HD?

Any news on that?

9-30-08

I doubt it...

As that weather guy Steve Zucker says, theres a 95% chance of Local SD programming for the foreseeable Future.

Be sure to pack your HD camcorders and HD video shooting still cameras(that doesnt make sense) and produce your own HD video. Perhaps we can pool it together to make our own AHVCHD or HDDVD discs. Unless someone has a blueray burner.

Any chance's that our local stations or national broadcast networks will broadcast live balloon fiesta in HD?

Any news on that?

9-30-08

Probably way too expensive (or technically impossible right now to do it with microwave) - do you have about $5K burning a hole in your pocket to make it happen for a HD production truck and satellite time to send the feed to a local station???? :D

As that weather guy Steve Zucker says, theres a 95% chance of Local SD programming for the foreseeable Future.

Be sure to pack your HD camcorders and HD video shooting still cameras(that doesnt make sense) and produce your own HD video. Perhaps we can pool it together to make our own AHVCHD or HDDVD discs. Unless someone has a blueray burner.

I've got a blu-ray burner but don't use it much because the media is so expensive. May use it more once the media prices come down.

How much did the burner cost you? I wonder if sony and BDA will keep blank media prices high to discourage piracy like they wanted originally for DVD.

One reason I like my HDDVD player, I can record HD from TV and burn eps to a DVD in full HD as an HDDVD disk. and DVDs are great at $.20 a disc.

What are you using to record and burn to HD-DVD?


One reason I like my HDDVD player, I can record HD from TV and burn eps to a DVD in full HD as an HDDVD disk. and DVDs are great at $.20 a disc.

DVD Movie Factory from Ulead/corel.
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1208530085689#versionTabview=tab0&tabview=tab6

Theres settings for HDDVD on DVD. Since a 1 hour TV is only 45minutes without commercials it fits nicely on a DVD. One of the strengths hddvd had was that it reads the contents of the disc rather than the disc. BluRay players check for a BD disc before playing. For a Bluray player to read hd on a dvd it needs to be in AVCHD format if Im not mistaken. Which means you have to reencode the HD TV recordings.

I have a Fusion Express HDtuner from Dvico. It's software records the show in its native mpeg2 transport stream. when using media center uses the funky dvrms format which I havent found any programs to efficiently work with. Which is why Im planning to get the tivo/LiquidPC package from nero when it goes on sale.

How much did the burner cost you? I wonder if sony and BDA will keep blank media prices high to discourage piracy like they wanted originally for DVD.

One reason I like my HDDVD player, I can record HD from TV and burn eps to a DVD in full HD as an HDDVD disk. and DVDs are great at $.20 a disc.

It's an LG brand so it will read HD DVD and burn DVD and Blu-ray. I think I paid around $169.00 which is a lot less than they cost when they first came out.

240 fxnhd (Foxnews)
255 schd (Speedchannel)
256 fxhd

:)

I just noted that KNMD-DT channel 9, has just switched over from PBS West feed to PBS World, I was just hoping for MHz World View channel.....

10-1-08

9-1 or 9-2?

And you should call and ask them to add MHz WorldView. They have the bandwidth for it.

- Trip

9-1 or 9-2?

And you should call and ask them to add MHz WorldView. They have the bandwidth for it.

- Trip

It's a little bit harder than that. MHZ Worldview is not on the same satellite as the PBS transmissions to affiliates (the "PBS Satellite" as I like to think of it), so KNME would have to setup another dish on another satellite to receive MHZ Worldview to put into their multicast setup.

It would be much easier for KNME to add PBS multicast services to their signal (PBS Create, and add back in PBS Sked X West, for example) since those multicast services all come from the "PBS Satellite".

In other multicast channel news, THIS TV launches around October 20th. I wonder if any Albuquerque stations have contracted for that channel.

It's an LG brand so it will read HD DVD and burn DVD and Blu-ray. I think I paid around $169.00 which is a lot less than they cost when they first came out.

External burner component or computer drive burner?

$169 seems pretty sweet - i haven't priced BluRay burners lately but I thought they would be $400'ish.

I have some HD material I want to burn - I just have to wait for good price points for BluRay burner and player so I can get those HD things off my hard drive. ;)

It's a little bit harder than that. MHZ Worldview is not on the same satellite as the PBS transmissions to affiliates (the "PBS Satellite" as I like to think of it), so KNME would have to setup another dish on another satellite to receive MHZ Worldview to put into their multicast setup.

It would be much easier for KNME to add PBS multicast services to their signal (PBS Create, and add back in PBS Sked X West, for example) since those multicast services all come from the "PBS Satellite".

In other multicast channel news, THIS TV launches around October 20th. I wonder if any Albuquerque stations have contracted for that channel.

I heard from the engineer in Chicago that the launch date was 11/1.

As for the MHz WorldView issue, yes they'd need another dish, but is that such a difficult proposition? I know it's not the same, but I could see MHz WorldView with about $250 worth of equipment and a view of the southern sky, assuming I already have a TV to hook it all up to.

It's still worth suggesting. I imagine they'd consider it, especially if multiple people called suggesting it.

- Trip

Hello Rabbit Ear,

It's on KNMD-DT channel 9.2 for PBS World View.....

There is no room for 9.3 due to Teacher's so called over the air Internet services at their homes, then how can they pull in 200 watts ERP?

Thanks to foot dragging due to KCHF-DT channel 10.1, for this mess by not allowing this poor KNMD-DT, to upgrade the transmit power.:(

I guess we all have to wait see what happens next after 2-17-09......

10-2-08

External burner component or computer drive burner?

$169 seems pretty sweet - i haven't priced BluRay burners lately but I thought they would be $400'ish.

I have some HD material I want to burn - I just have to wait for good price points for BluRay burner and player so I can get those HD things off my hard drive. ;)

Internal computer drive, had to install it myself but I'm pretty computer savvy.

Yeah its nice to beable to archive HD to dvds. I'll have to just rip the hddvds to bd someday.

DVD Movie Factory from Ulead/corel.
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1208530085689#versionTabview=tab0&tabview=tab6

Theres settings for HDDVD on DVD. Since a 1 hour TV is only 45minutes without commercials it fits nicely on a DVD. One of the strengths hddvd had was that it reads the contents of the disc rather than the disc. BluRay players check for a BD disc before playing. For a Bluray player to read hd on a dvd it needs to be in AVCHD format if Im not mistaken. Which means you have to reencode the HD TV recordings.
.I have made both HD DVD Format and AVC HD Format Dvd 5 and 9's with MF6... works pretty good for me...

sthscan,

Can you explain what the new network called "THIS TV" all about?

Is there a website link for "THIS TV"? Boy, you got my head scratching on this weird name for this new TV sub channel network!:)

10-2-08

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_TV

- Trip

I watched this weeks episode of PowerRangers: Knight Rider. NBC should give, yeah give not sell, this show to MyNetworkTV. It's so bad for NBC it could only help MyNetwork. Not even CW should air this program. I gave it two shows. I just don't see how this will last. They did another Jump-into-the-middle-of-the-story start again. I remember from the original and watching it via Netflix instant view that there was usually a set up act before the foundation is called for help. This show is just another pathetic secret government agency fighting "bad guys" like Bionic woman. Please save us from this show.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_TV

- Trip

Hey, When I was back home in Milwaukee in august, I watched a lot of the MeTV that was mentioned in the wiki article. Great channel. My Mom really enjoys it also. It really fills the gap for those who dont use paid cable or satellite. Milwaukee also has an ION network channel that has 4 or 5 subchannels with great programming. I would love to see those networks here in albuquirky.

Long as we're talking channels, Is it just me, or did 32 disappear from the digital side of life? Im not getting anything from them.

I heard from the engineer in Chicago that the launch date was 11/1.


- Trip

The FCC uplink application for THIS TV said they wanted authority so they could use the uplink starting October 20th for THIS TV. Yes, they could go live 11/1 since that is after October 20th, but the application narration led me to believe they want to start their service the week of October 20th.

The application is very vague as to satellite being used (just that it will be on c-band) so I don't know the satellite coordinates yet, but that will be trivial to find out knowing the longitude range of satellites in the app and that the uplink will be on c-band.

Long as we're talking channels, Is it just me, or did 32 disappear from the digital side of life? Im not getting anything from them.

yes, they seem to be off the air as I type this, probably just maintenance or upgrading digital transmission equipment.

I guess my neighbor is going to go into withdrawl for a little bit - she's addicted to GOD TV. ;) I think I'll suggest the TBN suite while GOD TV is down.

Hi , I have a 40 inch sony bravia. I get good digital for all the networks broadcasting digital. One exception is KASA. I get noise on the audio for
KASA. Really bad today during the Bronco game. Anyone else here in Albuquerque having the same issue with a sony bravia? thanks

No, I have a Sammy, but I had an SD signal for most of the fourth quarter.

I suspect they were having some kind of problem.

Hi , I have a 40 inch sony bravia. I get good digital for all the networks broadcasting digital. One exception is KASA. I get noise on the audio for
KASA. Really bad today during the Bronco game. Anyone else here in Albuquerque having the same issue with a sony bravia? thanks

I have a 46 inch Sony Bravia and haven't noticed any problems (including KASA's audio).

KAZQ-DT's digital channel 17.1 and .2 is back on the air, but no PISP programing guide yet.

Analog KTFA-LP channel 48 is still off the air, and never ending K43HW-LP still sending color bars for months, looks like they are throwing their moneys away to PNM electricity bill!!:p

That's the news!!:D

10-7-08

Breaking News!!!

NBC network saying, they are shutting down Weather Plus!!:(

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/10/nbc_shutting_down_weather_plus.php

I wonder what KOB-DT will replace, it with or just dump the 4.2 subchannel altogether?

The weather news is very important here in state of NM IMHO.....

10-7-08

Well its official, MOJO HD is going to the grave by year end.

Link (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/07/indemand-confirms-mojo-hd-cancellation/)

I hope Three Sheets continues somewhere else.

I heard about the weather plus from this article. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6602781

It's sad news for those without cable or satellite. Having the weather at our fingertips was a nice addition. We will miss you weatherplus. Yet NBC is still showing PowerRangers: Knight Rider, but you have to go off the air.

Yeah like the article says, this is a direct result of Universal buying the Weather Channel. It's too bad really. Local weather free OTA was a nice plus, no pun intended.

Breaking News!!!

NBC network saying, they are shutting down Weather Plus!!:(

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/10/nbc_shutting_down_weather_plus.php

I wonder what KOB-DT will replace, it with or just dump the 4.2 subchannel altogether?

The weather news is very important here in state of NM IMHO.....

10-7-08
GOOD!

Hopefully they'll broadcast at the full 19.3Mbps. I wouldn't mind a weather channel on any of the 720p stations (would be a perfect fit for My50), but the 1080i channels need 19.3Mbps!

But honestly, I have this thing called an internet connection if I want weather info.

Yeah like the article says, this is a direct result of Universal buying the Weather Channel. It's too bad really. Local weather free OTA was a nice plus, no pun intended.

I bet KOB will put their radar on that channel (with less bandwidth needed) and maybe hopefully also turn it into a breaking news channel when news warrants or use it to show time-shifted newscasts if you already miss some of the many newscasts they have each day.

I E-mailed to KOB-DT, asking what their plans are for the 2nd sub channel.

They respond back they are looking into options what to with this 2nd channel.

So I guess just wait see and, what happens next....

10-9-08

Any college football fans notice that KOAT seems to not be broadcasting ANY of the ABC regional football games in HD, even if they are available to affiliates in HD. I noticed this a week or two ago, and again today the USC game is not in HD, but when I watch ESPN highlights, the game in question is shown in HD. What is the deal with KOAT?

Personally, I am getting really tired of the weather banners popping up. They consume far to much real-estate on the screen, and drop the resolution back to standard-def, instead of HIGH-DEF. The banner stays on the screen way to long, and when it is finished, there is a good chance that the station will forget to re-enable HIGH-DEF.

As annoying as the weather banners are, the ones telling us we need to go digital by February are even more irritating, since they drop from HIGH-DEF to standard-def to tell us that!

I briefly had this idea that come February those problems would be solved. Then I realized that was probably untrue. Since all the "translators" in the state will still be standard-def, our local stations will still probably make 99% of the people suffer with a low-resolution picture, to accommodate the 1% of the people in the state using a "translator".

John

I think we are the most oddball TV market in the country, because of our local stations are too lazy to upgrade HD equipments, for graphic on weather banners so we don't downgrade HD videos.:p

Second thing, no new sub channels has yet to be added on. That goes toward to 720p KASA-DT, KOAT-DT and KASY-DT stations.

Oh well back to football and TV DXing!!:D

10-12-08

Personally, I am getting really tired of the weather banners popping up. They consume far to much real-estate on the screen, and drop the resolution back to standard-def, instead of HIGH-DEF. The banner stays on the screen way to long, and when it is finished, there is a good chance that the station will forget to re-enable HIGH-DEF.

As annoying as the weather banners are, the ones telling us we need to go digital by February are even more irritating, since they drop from HIGH-DEF to standard-def to tell us that!

I briefly had this idea that come February those problems would be solved. Then I realized that was probably untrue. Since all the "translators" in the state will still be standard-def, our local stations will still probably make 99% of the people suffer with a low-resolution picture, to accommodate the 1% of the people in the state using a "translator".

John

Amen to that! I would say complain directly to the stations, but it probably wouldn't do any good.

KTFA-LP channel 48, is back on the air the signal is little weaker though......

KTFA-LP has yet to file for digital CP to the FCC, I wonder if they plan to shut down the analog station and move to KLUZ-DT 42.3 right next to LATV which is on 42.2.

I wish they would dump HSN and just replace it with Retro TV Network. "RTN":)

Not much else going on here in Albuquerque's TV market, but I bet you things will pick up faster as we get closer to analog shutdown date of 2-17-09!:D:cool:

10-13-08

Not much else going on here in Albuquerque's TV market, but I bet you things will pick up faster as we get closer to analog shutdown date of 9-17-09!:D:cool:

10-13-08

9-17-09? I didn't know Albuquerque got an extension. AFAIK, Feb 17 is the shutdown of the major stations and the low-power stations get for an undetermined time to stay in analog and attract more than the 5-10 viewers they have now. ;)

Oops my bad, thanks to my sloppy typos, it's should say 2-17-09 and I will fix this silly error right away......:o:p

As for the analog low power stations in order to go digital it's should be around 2010.

10-14-08

FOX News HD is scheduled to go live on DIRECTV Ch. 360 on Friday, Oct. 17th at 6AM.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/dadd101608.htm

FOX News HD is scheduled to go live on DIRECTV Ch. 360 on Friday, Oct. 17th at 6AM.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/dadd101608.htm

I hate to disappoint you, but it's not true HD. It's FOX News SD with info curtains to fill up the remainder of the 16x9 screen.

How about Dish?

I've noticed Fox News PQ has gone WAY down lately on E*, especially on some remote feeds--So distorted and blotchy it's almost unwatchable.

I'm not able to get the KOAT digitial station (7.1) this morning. Anyone else notice this? I've left a message with KOAT engineering (Tony) but have not heard back.

I'm not able to get the KOAT digitial station (7.1) this morning. Anyone else notice this? I've left a message with KOAT engineering (Tony) but have not heard back.

When you talk to him, ask him to PLEASE stop switching back to SD, just to tell us we need to be HD by February!

Thanks,

John

When you talk to him, ask him to PLEASE stop switching back to SD, just to tell us we need to be HD by February!

Thanks,

John

You didn't answer my question about whether anyone else is having problems with 7.1?

You didn't answer my question about whether anyone else is having problems with 7.1?

Sorry, I was not at home to try it. Today (Saturday), it is working fine, for me.

John

Sorry, I was not at home to try it. Today (Saturday), it is working fine, for me.

John

It started working again for me on Friday around noon. BTW, Tony (from engineering) never called back, that's why I hate leaving message because half the time, they never call back.

How about Dish?

I've noticed Fox News PQ has gone WAY down lately on E*, especially on some remote feeds--So distorted and blotchy it's almost unwatchable.

I haven't seen any mention of DISH looking to add FOX NEWS to their HD lineup.

As for some of the remote feeds, it may be that they are using videophone or low bandwidth internet transmission for those feeds rather than high quality portable Satellite Newsgathering uplinks or fiber feeds from a fibered arena to FOX News' incoming feeds room.

Since I am AT100, I don't get FOX news so I can't see what the material is and figure out its source in real time. I only get FOX News occasionally when the C-band satellite feed is unencrypted and I check it out to see if they've gone real HD yet or just continue to use info curtains as a space waster.

OK

Thanks for the reply. :)

More latest news on analog shutdown dates.....:)

KOAT-DT plans to shutdown analog NTSC by one week early!!!:eek:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=693518

Will update more new goodies story's as we comes along till the analog shutdown dates gets closer!!:D

10-12-08

More latest news on analog shutdown dates.....:)

KOAT-DT plans to shutdown analog NTSC by one week early!!!:eek:



Or stay analog one more month. ;)

I've been reading a few articles that would have stations stay in analog about one more month. A slate or an informational video would run in analog on and after Feb. 17th telling those that haven't transitioned yet what they need to do to view the normal programming from the digital signal. There would be no network or local programming, just the slate and/or informational video. Around mid-March, most stations would cease their analog transmission for good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTSS8E7bKXg

:)

.....G

I just found out that CBSsport channel, on Directv is showing the Lobos Vs Air Force game is being shown live in HD at 1080i on channel 613 right now!!:eek::D

It's in 2nd quarter as I am typing!!:):D

Have fun watching the game!!!

10-23-08

On Dishnetworks HD version of KRQE, I keep getting a sort of judder picture. When I look at the down converted SD picture of the HD source, I can clearly see that only half the lines are being passed though. This is quite apparent with text and graphics. When I look at KOB, I don't see any of this, since it's the only other 1080i local HD source. KASA & KOAT also look fine. Is anyone seeing this over the air, or just on Dishnetwork? Could Dishnetwork be trying to save on bandwidth? I have a 622DVR. This only started recently. Thanks.

I don't see it ota with a tivo 3 or on comcast with a SA8300. Call Dish and see what they say, if they even know what you are talking about.
JR

The "Sword of Truth" books by Terry Goodkind are very good. They have turned them into a syndicated TV show, which starts this Saturday. It will air both on WGN and our very own KWBQ.

The series is being recorded in HD, but we will not get to watch it that way here. I emailed KWBQ and asked them if they were going to air it in HD, and they said:

Our current playback equipment is only SD capable and it's unknown at this
time when that will change. The HD during our prime programming block is
fed from satellite from the network but Legend is not a network prime show.
Thanks again for watching.

V/R
Larry


Bummer.

John

I will get legend from itunes if its available in HD. I wont watch anything that's not HD. Its a shame that KWBQ is falling behind the times with little regard to stop it. Maybe they are waiting for an Obama Bailout next year. :-)

I recorded it in HD from the Superstation WGN feed on Dish Network. They forgot to 'flip the switch' from SD to HD during the first 10 minutes or so, but the rest of the two hours was in HD. Not nearly as good as the books, IMHO, but a lot of fun nonetheless.

.....G

If its on WGN america on dish Im going to have to check it out.

Vote Sarah Palin, and that McCain guy she's running with!

Did anyone see the HD ticker on KOAT! When did they start doing that?

Not only KOAT but KOB has a HD ticker too!

Didn't watch much of KOAT but KOB was totally sweet. They even had a full 16x9 image with 4x3 inset for the local cutaway! First time I have seen anything like that for any local NM station. I am sooooo tired of the first 2 minutes of a good show being wrecked by their DTV transition banner and switch to SD for the entire ad.

Lets hope this is not the last time we see this!

My very good UHF antenna won't cut it come February, since KOAT will be moving back to broadcasting on channel 7.

I have been looking for the best performing Hi-VHF/UHF antenna I can find in the smallest "package". So far, that has been the Antennacraft HBU22:

http://www.antennacraft.net/HBU.html

Which can be had for $33 plus shipping:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HBU22

I am also considering the CM-2018, but it is physically larger, and more expensive, while not offering significantly better performance:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=119545&d=1221161770

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=CM-2018

I was just wondering if anyone else had come up with any better options?

John

I'm using this from 55 miles away and it's smashing!

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB8_HD_Antenna.html

best OTA antenna I've ever used.

That's not going to work come February!

we'll see....

"Enhanced High VHF performance"
"Optimized for post 2009 DTV frequencies"

we'll see....

"Enhanced High VHF performance"
"Optimized for post 2009 DTV frequencies"

What channels are "High VHF"?

Which ones are going back to VHF in our area?

KOAT-DT will move back to channel 7 and KRQE-DT will move back to 13 in digital format.:)

Right now, there are 2 VHF digital stations on the air right now KNMD-DT channel 9, 200 watts ERP and KCHF-DT channel 10, 30 KW ERP.

As for VHF low channel 2 to 6 will be mostly for TV DXings, in the TV skips seasons, May to late August and mid December to mid January!!:D:cool:

11-5-08

Thanks! :)

I'm using this from 55 miles away and it's smashing!

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB8_HD_Antenna.html

best OTA antenna I've ever used.

I currently have:

http://www.antennasdirect.com/42XG_television_antenna.html

While it is an excellent UHF antenna, it will not pull in any of the VHF ATSC channels.


John

I'm using this from 55 miles away and it's smashing!

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB8_HD_Antenna.html

best OTA antenna I've ever used.

Are you able to pull in channel 9 or 10 with that?

I am not really concerned about 13 -- it is close enough to UHF, that my current antenna would probably grab it. Channel 7, though, is out of the question.

Thanks,

John

John - Yep. Just tested it and I can pull in channel 10 with a good lock at about 70%. I suspect KNMD is too low power to pull in here. True... I may have to add another antenna to pull in 7. We'll see when it's hot. The DB8 is not so directional as the 91XG I was using before and it actually pulls everything in better with much less multipath. KNME HD 35 was particularly nasty in that respect varying from 50%-60% in signal strength with the 91G. Now it comes in at around 92% and locks solidly with the DB8.

QUOTE from antennasdirect.com: "It is important to note that most of our UHF antennas will capture high frequency VHF signals (Channels 7-13), so we typically only recommend using VHF antennas to capture the low end of the VHF band (Channels 2-6). Occasionally, a VHF capable antenna may also be required on channels 7 and 8."

.....G

Anyone wanting to get by on the cheap, there's always the uhf/vhf Radio Shack vu-90 (or even the 190), which is probably overkill for the metro area.
JR

Breaking news!!!

KNME-DT saying it will add new HD channel, for KNMD-DT and upgrading their high tech stuff!!:D

Here's the link.....

http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/11/05/daily.12/

Have fun reading.....:)

11-6-08

We don't need another HD channel what we need is for the one we have to not be so fracking bit starved that it looks like the old crap Fox widescreen SD of years ago......

KNME 5-1 has been a joke since they added 5-3 and took away even more bandwidth from 5-1......

Breaking news!!!

KNME-DT saying it will add new HD channel, for KNMD-DT and upgrading their high tech stuff!!:D

Here's the link.....

http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/11/05/daily.12/

Have fun reading.....:)

11-6-08

Now that's good news. Hopefully the new switcher will allow more efficient use of their bandwidth. I too remember the original KNME HD signal which was "reference quality."

Jim really is a pioneer in all this.

.....G

Now that's good news. Hopefully the new switcher will allow more efficient use of their bandwidth. I too remember the original KNME HD signal which was "reference quality."

Jim really is a pioneer in all this.

.....G

Signed!

We don't need another HD channel what we need is for the one we have to not be so fracking bit starved that it looks like the old crap Fox widescreen SD of years ago......


that is certainly how I'm not reading the article. I keep thinking "HD channel" in the article is being confused for "digital transmission".

I am not familiar with the gear in question, but it seems to me it allows KNME to run KNME-DT and KNMD-DT digital tranmissions (the 19 mbps or so for each) from the same control room (or master control suite) rather than have separate ones, each with duplicate gear.

If "HD channel" is really meant that way, then maybe KNME-DT will have the HD feed in pattern with KNME SD through a file server automation system and KNMD-DT will probably offer either the east or west version of PBS-HD (as the time-shifted west version of PBS-HD is launching in the not too distant future).

I had the weirdest dream last night.

I dreamt KOB replaced WeatherPlus with Universal Sports multicast channel.

please please please be true. ;)

Now that's good news. Hopefully the new switcher will allow more efficient use of their bandwidth. I too remember the original KNME HD signal which was "reference quality."

Jim really is a pioneer in all this.


And KOB's Sean Anker seems to be a pioneer in AFD (or at least the testing of it):

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6604469.html

Albuquerque is pretty cool for digital tv stuff (too bad we weren't DTV lights out market #1. ;)

Minor stuff updates,

As I was browsing the FCC's database website, for you guys living in Farmington might want to check out the low power digital station relaying KRQE-DT on K29HR running at 4.4 KW ERP, and the TX location is south of Farmington.:)

Please give us your reception reports!!!

Now for the most shameful low power analog station, goes to K43HW channel 43 here in metro Albuquerque is still sending wasteful colorbar signal for six months or more now I think.:p

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101216582&formid=910&fac_num=32280

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101155798&formid=346&fac_num=167597

Even they filed CP for digital channel 28, they should have moved the transmitter to Sandia Crest and signed on with RTN TV network IMHO.

Now back to TV DXing!!!:D

11-09-08

KOAT to Air Live DTV Test on Thursday
TVNEWSDAY, Nov 10 2008, 9:49 PM ET

Hearst-Argyle ABC affiliate KOAT Albuquerque, N.M., will air a DTV Test on Thursday, Nov. 13, during Action 7 News Live at Ten. The test will allow all viewers to ensure that their television sets are ready for the digital transition in February 2009.
"Taking the test is simple — viewers just need to make sure all of their television sets are tuned to KOAT 7," said Mary Lynn Roper, president-general manager. "When the test starts viewers can go room to room and check to make sure they are seeing the Action 7 News story."

If not, the viewer will be told what they need to do now to make sure they'll be able to view their favorite shows after Feb. 17, 2009.

"This is just one part of our commitment to a smooth transition in February," said Roper. "In addition to our public service announcements, news stories, speaking engagements and other events held all year long, we also held a DTV Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 8, in which we explained how to prepare for the digital transition. Literally thousands of viewers attended the five-hour event. Of course, the most important question we all have is whether we'll be able to keep watching in February and taking the DTV Test is the easiest way to find out."

It's will be interesting, to see how many people respond to KOAT-TV DTV test at 10 pm on their local news.:D

I plan to record it on my DVD for historic fun!!!:cool:

11-11-08

Should say KREZ, the only difference being some local inserted commercials in Albuquerque. They ship the signal to Durango via fibre-optic, broadcast on channel 15 digital in Durango, CO. That channel 15 is received at Huerfano mountain south of Bloomfield about 30 miles, then inserted into 7ghz microwave and shot up to the bluff above Farmington. Looked at the signal 40 miles north of Farmington in a little valley with a 4 bay bow tie and a channel master pre-amplifier. Had 80% signal strength. Signal looks good and is dependable.( no dropouts ) Signal shows up as 6.1 which is what the analog is in Durango, no subchannels yet. The only issue I have is low audio modulation level, sounds like about 5db below any other broadcaster.

It's will be interesting, to see how many people respond to KOAT-TV DTV test at 10 pm on their local news.:D



yeah, hopefully KRQE and KOB do it so they won't lose viewers to KOAT that night. Figures it would be a sweep night that KOAT pulls the stunt. KOB and KRQE are enterprising with investigation stories that are interesting while KOAT has to resort to a DTV test.

KOAT at least doesn't have to repeat the test at 1am since they don't do replays anymore. Maybe they can repeat the test at 1am by shutting off an infomercial from their analog transmission. :D

Well, if a lot of people aren't ready maybe they won't register with neilson, if they can't receive KOAT..

Someone wake up the switchman at KOB... they had the usual top of the hour digital screw up HD crawl and have left it in SD for the Today show... (was HD before the hour)

Speaking of "the switchman", who knows what's up with KNME-HD? For the last 2 weeks, at least, there hasn't been any hidef-tv! It's really been painful watching MotorWeek upconverted. [Sure I can zoom, but who wants to do that?]

Unless I'm mistaken, Motorweek has never been in hd, only 480p widescreen, which can look pretty good.
JR

Speaking of the SD crawl they force on us, they demonstrated HD technology during the election with results... was that just borrowed? And if you are watching the HD feed, why the crawl as you are watching a digital signal...

And if you are watching the HD feed, why the crawl as you are watching a digital signal...

Because the FCC requires it...

- Trip

Because the FCC requires it...

- TripUncle Sam at his brightest...:rolleyes:

Unless I'm mistaken, Motorweek has never been in hd, only 480p widescreen, which can look pretty good.
JR

Ok fine, 480p widescreen. But no one has an answer as to why it's not "480p widescreen" and just their upconverted analog signal on the digital side?

hidef: i noticed the same thing on knme-hd mainly no hi def. on god on trial the show was letterboxed unless expanded. i hope they get back to hi-def soon. yeah i think motor trend is always 480p and expanded but their other programming was hi-def until recently. i have not called them to see what is going on. maybe we should. thanks jack

Speaking of "the switchman", who knows what's up with KNME-HD? For the last 2 weeks, at least, there hasn't been any hidef-tv! It's really been painful watching MotorWeek upconverted. [Sure I can zoom, but who wants to do that?]

Annoying isn't it? I have not been watching MororWeek, but I have noticed that NOTHING on KNME-DT has been "high def". It has all been window boxed. Hopefully they will get this fixed soon.

John

i talked to a nice lady at knme and she says the lack on hd is because they are merging the national feed into the local station's programming. this will be done perhaps by mid-dec but could go into the feb 09 transition date. so it appears we will have no knme-hd for some time but they are getting ready for the digital age. looks like we will have to be patient until the changeoveris done. when done there will be no national pbs feed only the local feed. hope i got this straight but bottom line no hd for some time.

i talked to a nice lady at knme and she says the lack on hd is because they are merging the national feed into the local station's programming.

Does that mean KNME is a beta test site for PBS' file-based program delivery and automation system?

If that's the case, I would hope KNME would go back to PBS-HD (out of pattern) in the meantime until the beta test setup is ready to go live to air.

no matter what, I was wondering why 5-1 and 5-2 was in pattern the last few days and now I know why - no HD!

Because the FCC requires it...

- Trip

are you sure? I think I saw a crawl on SD only the other night (but not on the HD feed) of a local station when I mispunched in the local station channel number and my TV tuned the SD feed (with crawl across the top about the transition) until I realized it wasn't in HD and tuned to the HD feed that didn't have the crawl.

are you sure? I think I saw a crawl on SD only the other night (but not on the HD feed) of a local station when I mispunched in the local station channel number and my TV tuned the SD feed (with crawl across the top about the transition) until I realized it wasn't in HD and tuned to the HD feed that didn't have the crawl.

Yes.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-56A1.pdf

Page 7:

"Specifically, a station must air one transition PSA, and run one transition crawl, in every quarter of every day. This requirement applies separately to a station’s analog channel and its primary digital stream."

Footnote: "I.e., a station must fully comply for its analog channel, and fully comply for its primary digital stream. Compliant transition-related education pieces may air simultaneously on a station’s analog channel and its primary digital stream, but are not required to do so."

Page 15:

"We find that the record also supports permitting broadcasters to choose to comply with our rules by following the alternative plan offered by the National Association of Broadcasters. Under this option, a broadcaster must air an average of sixteen transition PSAs per week, and an average of sixteen transition-related crawls, snipes, and/or tickers per week, over each quarter through the transition period between 5:00 am and 1:00 am. [...] This requirement applies separately to a station’s analog channel and its primary digital stream."

- Trip

Last email back from Jim Gale said HD returns by mid-January.

Let's see... KNME-HD was originally the standard by which broadcast HD quality in Albuquerque was judged. Then they added the SD subchannel and reduced the bitrate of the HD sub, which compromised the HD quality. As a result, I watched less KNME programming. Then they added the V-ME subchannel for a total of three channels crammed into 19Mbits of space and the further reduced bitrate of the HD channel made it mostly unwatchable. (Why they didn't put V-ME on KNMD is beyond me.) Now there's no HD at all and they've finally lost me as a viewer. Good going KNME!

We discussed this at the dtv user group meeting at KNME last Thursday. Believe me that Jim is on our side about signal quality, but these decisions are made at higher pay grades and he has to abide with them. Incidentally, turning off the hd cost them a world record they held, much to Jim's chagrin. High quality hd should return in Jan. as noted.
JR

We discussed this at the dtv user group meeting at KNME last Thursday. Believe me that Jim is on our side about signal quality, but these decisions are made at higher pay grades and he has to abide with them.

I'm fully aware that Jim is one of "us" and I don't blame him at all. The bean counters always win.

Didn't watch much of KOAT but KOB was totally sweet. They even had a full 16x9 image with 4x3 inset for the local cutaway! First time I have seen anything like that for any local NM station. I am sooooo tired of the first 2 minutes of a good show being wrecked by their DTV transition banner and switch to SD for the entire ad.

Lets hope this is not the last time we see this!

It seems to me this was an election-night-only occurance. I have noticed a reversion back to the SD crawls, SD all-important lottery picks (on wednesday nights during NBC's "Life") - give me a break on the lottery reporting. Why is it so important to report lotto numbers in real-time?

What happened to the HD ticker KOB had on election night?

It seems to me this was an election-night-only occurance. I have noticed a reversion back to the SD crawls, SD all-important lottery picks (on wednesday nights during NBC's "Life") - give me a break on the lottery reporting. Why is it so important to report lotto numbers in real-time?

What happened to the HD ticker KOB had on election night?

I actually sent Sean an email complaining about the LOTTO stuff last Wednesday, because it stayed SD after they displayed the LOTTO. I expressed my displeasure at having that info display AT ALL, but told him that if they had to display it, could they at least do it in HD.

He responded that they're under contract to display it in "real time". I told him that I hoped it was a lucrative contract!

John

He responded that they're under contract to display it in "real time". I told him that I hoped it was a lucrative contract!


I imagine it's probably a contract where a station pays the lottery - you get extra viewers (grannys) for your 10pm newscast when you are the exclusive lotto numbers station.

I could make a point an exclusive contract is no big deal since the other 2 stations air the numbers not that long after KOB, but most people probably have the mentality to see KOB on all their lotto tickets/receipts and assume that may be the only place to get them if you don't want to wait for the morning cage liner to arrive.

I dont get why the no HD-version crawls/weather advisories, lotto numbers in regular use either, other than maybe analog is as good as dead so why bother now and just have the HD overlays ready to go in Feb 2009 when HD is the only stream that matters then.

...

I dont get why the no HD-version crawls/weather advisories, lotto numbers in regular use either, other than maybe analog is as good as dead so why bother now and just have the HD overlays ready to go in Feb 2009 when HD is the only stream that matters then.

Actually, digital and HD are NOT synonymous. You can have a digital broadcast that is not in HD.

Actually, digital and HD are NOT synonymous. You can have a digital broadcast that is not in HD.

Yes, but they're obviously falling back to the analog feed from NBC for their overlay. I almost NEVER see KRQE or KASA drop their HD feed for overlays. KOAT will report weather info if there's a flurry or thunderstorm in one county somewhere.

Yes, but they're obviously falling back to the analog feed from NBC for their overlay. I almost NEVER see KRQE or KASA drop their HD feed for overlays. KOAT will report weather info if there's a flurry or thunderstorm in one county somewhere.

Yes, that is annoying with KOAT doing that for every little unimportant news item. I think they just want to jump on the news before another station so that they can say they reported it first (big deal).

I actually sent Sean an email complaining about the LOTTO stuff last Wednesday, because it stayed SD after they displayed the LOTTO. I expressed my displeasure at having that info display AT ALL, but told him that if they had to display it, could they at least do it in HD.

He responded that they're under contract to display it in "real time". I told him that I hoped it was a lucrative contract!

John

OK, KOB, you are contractually obligated to report lotto #'s in realtime. What happened to the HD ticker that was in use during the election? Why not continue using it?

Having a well-produced HD program implode into SD windowbox is annoying and it destroys any immersion created by the program.

Fix it! :)

I imagine it's probably a contract where a station pays the lottery - you get extra viewers (grannys) for your 10pm newscast when you are the exclusive lotto numbers station.

I could make a point an exclusive contract is no big deal since the other 2 stations air the numbers not that long after KOB.....

KOB airs the NM Lottery numbers @ 850p, which they have exclusivity. The other stations, including KOB, air the Powerball numbers @ 859p.

It's ONLY KOB that airs the Powerball drawing live...like we need to see it, unless you're a winner then I am sure it's exciting. But I digress...

KOB airs the NM Lottery numbers @ 850p, which they have exclusivity.

hmm, I didn't know that. I thought the NM lotto numbers were first released in the cartoon animation in the commercial break between the 10pm weather and sports segments.

I knew Powerball was 8:59pm Wed. and Sa since I was watching that feed off satellite occasionally for years before the NM Lotto joined Powerball (it's fun sometimes to watch the numbers being drawn).

Is 850p a new standard spmewhere between 720p and 1080i? ;)

Not that I've heard of. Where did you see it?
JR

Very funny by saying 850p is the new video format!:D

Just wondering let's suppose if we has used 850p at 60 FPs, will that fit in 19.3 MBs stream? Is that a fair trade off, for the picture quality for live sports covereges?

Just wondering....:cool:

Minor news...

KTFQ-TV channel 14 has filed to FCC asking for to lower their TX power to 50% on December the 1st and shutdown on 2-17-09 and go digital on channel 22 at 1,000 KW ERP.

11-30-08

For viewers in S.E. NM. KOBR and KBIM, will be conducting a coordinated engineering test of both stations transmission and antenna systems.

Starting sometime after midnight Dec. 3rd and finishing before 6am Dec.3rd. This test will use both stations post DTV transition RF channels, 8 & 10. During the test both stations low power DTV transmitters will be shut down, ch.38 (8) & ch.41 (10). A test pattern or SD programming will be passed; HD equipment is not yet in place for this DTV test.

Both stations will be conducting reception reports from cable companies within the viewing area of their VHF DTV signals. We would appreciate any reports from off air viewers who would be up at this time. Please pass this on if you know of anyone interested. Any performance reports of digital VHF reception is of great interest.

Marcus Damberger
KBIM

Bumping it up for S.E. NM, TV viewers, getting KOBR-DT and KBIM-DT please remember to rescan since they will using VHF hi band on channel 8 and 10.

Please send in reception reports here.....

Good luck on getting the signal at late night hour!!:)

12-2-08

For viewers in S.E. NM. KOBR and KBIM, will be conducting a coordinated engineering test of both stations transmission and antenna systems.

Starting sometime after midnight Dec. 3rd and finishing before 6am Dec.3rd. This test will use both stations post DTV transition RF channels, 8 & 10. During the test both stations low power DTV transmitters will be shut down, ch.38 (8) & ch.41 (10). A test pattern or SD programming will be passed; HD equipment is not yet in place for this DTV test.

Both stations will be conducting reception reports from cable companies within the viewing area of their VHF DTV signals. We would appreciate any reports from off air viewers who would be up at this time. Please pass this on if you know of anyone interested. Any performance reports of digital VHF reception is of great interest.

Marcus Damberger
KBIMI'm about 2 miles SE of the Carlsbad Airport, I get VHF 10 good, 8 fair (better on UHF 45) will run the antenna thru either my Direct or Dish receivers and give this a look... Thanks for the heads up! I'll pass this on at Sat Guys...

Fixed above reply... I haven't done OTA in ages... KOCT digital always has black screen... with good Signal Quality. ..

Any rumors lately on when our local stations may go HD for their local news???

Any rumors lately on when our local stations may go HD for their local news???

I don't know but Bill Anderson over at KRQE has been saying they're updating their facility for what seems like years (I talked to him personally about a year and a half ago) and we're still waiting.

Checked last night in Espanola right after midnight and right before 6 am. I get channel 10 as usual, but no signal on channel 8.

.....G

Heh... didn't look at the date right... was thinking it was tonight...

... nice job with Chuck tonight KOB. 2 months left until the digital switchover and you still haven't gotten your act together. Its a crying shame that we are legally bound to only be able to watch NBC content through a lazy/incompetent station.

... nice job with Chuck tonight KOB. 2 months left until the digital switchover and you still haven't gotten your act together. Its a crying shame that we are legally bound to only be able to watch NBC content through a lazy/incompetent station.

It's a crying shame you're admitting you watch that load of crap show. Click down to FOX on 2-1 at 7pm next monday. Then go back to 4-1 at 8pm for Heroes. You will have a much more enjoyable night.

Chuck = Knight Rider = Flaming Bag of Poo

Can't speak for Chuck--I forgot to watch episode 2 last year and never bothered to catch up, but I totally agree with you on Sarah Connors and Heroes.

Really been enjoying My Own Worst Enemy, as well. :)

Chuck is a great show! If nothing else, it has two babes in it.

Chuck and Life are my two favorite "new" shows. I know they started last season, but last season doesn't count. The Mentalist is pretty good, too.

I have all of the Sarah Connors recorded, but have not watched any of them yet.

If you want to talk about garbage shows, then talk about Reaper. I cannot believe they canceled Veronica Mars so they could put that junk in the line-up!

John

I missed Chuck last season as it was up against another show I was watching. Picked it up on Netflix and really enjoyed it. Silly yes, over the top yes, but loads of action and geek speak one liners not to mention two totally hot babes.

Ich bin ein Nerd Herder! :D

How dare you say that R show on the forums. Theres only one good show on the CW and its probably why its their longest running show, aside from 7th heaven, Smallville.

Heroes and Sarah Conner has lots and lots of hot babes. why settle for just two? Chuck makes want to chuck when I watch it. Maybe its because KKOB (keep it local) Chucked up the premeire in SD rather than HD and that and the silly, over the top action, geekspeak one liners, the Best buy geeksquad rippoff turn secret agent reaked of something. Just as the Bionic Blunder Woman last year and Power Rangers: Knight Rider This year.

Ive only watched the first episode of My own Worst Enemy but it seems like it could be a great show. Hopefully NBC wont pull a Journeyman on Slater this year.

My Own Worst Enemy has already been cancelled. NBC did not order the 2nd half season episodes so its done after 13 shows. This was a good one that just never got a chance. If you don't have traction out of the gates these days your a goner.

Hopefully NBC wont pull a Journeyman on Slater this year.

It's a crying shame you're admitting you watch that load of crap show. Click down to FOX on 2-1 at 7pm next monday. Then go back to 4-1 at 8pm for Heroes. You will have a much more enjoyable night.

Chuck = Knight Rider = Flaming Bag of Poo

Lol wut? I like Chucks blend of geek humor and corny action scenes, its not supposed to be taken seriously... comparing it to Knight Rider yikes! It is starting to become a bit stale though. I still record Heroes (talk about a show becoming tired and stale), but unless I hear about it getting better soon it will be deleted. I have a scheduling conflict at 7PM because of Big Bang Theory, and How I Met Your Mother (the two best comedies on TV right now which isn't saying much). I'm going to wait and watch Sarah Connor on Blu-ray, which I think is the proper way to watch it.

I like Chuck. It's fun and light, heck even my 7 year-old son likes Chuck. Heroes seems tired this (and last) season. I almost quit watching it. There will need to be a very compelling cliff-hanger ending this season for me to continue watching next season.

I tried to watch Kath & Kim, but it sucked too much, so I stopped recording it. I wanted to like it, because I do like the stars, but the material was too lame...

I like "Life", and have been also keeping up with "Life On Mars" (I like the 70's setting, and the lead is a very good actor plus it's hard to beat Harvey Keitel in a supporting role, he's great).

My favorite shows this season were True Blood, Boston Legal, Life, The Office, 30 Rock, and The Daily Show.

I like "Life", and have been also keeping up with "Life On Mars" (I like the 70's setting, and the lead is a very good actor plus it's hard to beat Harvey Keitel in a supporting role, he's great)..

I loved season 1 of Life. Its not quite as good this year, but probably the best show on NBC. Life on Mars is barely holding my interest, I've seen the original UK version, and most of the episodes of the US remake are very similar. That will have to change soon though the original was only 16 episodes.

My Own Worst Enemy has already been cancelled. NBC did not order the 2nd half season episodes so its done after 13 shows. This was a good one that just never got a chance. If you don't have traction out of the gates these days your a goner.

Major bummer! :(

You sure about that?

http://www.tv.com/story/11884.html

Thanks for the link--I guess.... :)

http://www.tv.com/story/11884.html

So it's not 13 episodes but only 9. I'm surprised that the article mentions that "Heroes" is not doing well either. I love "Heroes" because I can't stand football or "Dancing With the Stars".

Heroes has been a little scattered and hard to follow lately. Last episode was good though.

The Weather Plus is gone, and now replaced with KOB-DT's home grown local weather channel.

Take a look and see what you think of this new graphics.:D

It's on channel 4.2 or the real channel number 26.2.

Other than that, not much else going on here.....

Back to TV DXing...:D

12-16-08

They look good but maybe they should tweak them more to give more of a local feel to them.

Thank God for the "zoom" feature on my Dish 622. I've had to use it a lot this week because of the irritating crawlers at the bottom of the screen about the weather. When I use "zoom", it cuts out all of the crawlers and lets me watch just the non-HD show.

Looks like KOAT can now display the weather crawls on the digital channel while displaying the HD image (without going to SD). I would have preferred that the HD image was a little bigger (it is reduced in size) and the crawl bar at the bottom has a lot of wasted space at the extreme bottom. Would be nice if they could tweak it a little.

Looks like KOAT can now display the weather crawls on the digital channel while displaying the HD image (without going to SD). I would have preferred that the HD image was a little bigger (it is reduced in size) and the crawl bar at the bottom has a lot of wasted space at the extreme bottom. Would be nice if they could tweak it a little.

I guess I haven't watched KOAT shows using the crawlers yet? I've been watching mostly KOB and KASA with the crawlers.

Wow! You are unbelievable! All you do is complain about the crawlers and flipping back to SD ruining your HD shows, then a station finally comes through and it's STILL not good enough! Unreal! I'm sorry, but I was happy watching GMA on Monday and seeing the school closings (or whatever it was) running in HD. But I guess you'd rather just complain.

They look good but maybe they should tweak them more to give more of a local feel to them.

???


I watched about 10 minutes of the new KOB Weather setup and it was very local (lots of NM city current conditions, a tour of the station quadrant by quadrant with current temp, condition, forecast for the next day and radar). The only thing not local I saw was a quick national look at airport delays and current conditions (temp/sky) and a quick tour of bordering states with their temp/sky and forecast.

I didn't see Pinpoint 4 Doppler Max so they may have taken that out of the rotation for the poorer radar imaging.

I do find it fascinating they got to keep the L bar and seem to use the same data source as when the channel was WeatherPlus. Also gone are the national anchored portions from the prior WeatherPlus setup.

I'll have to check the bitrate another day. The graphics don't look as sharp to me so I wonder if KOB added slightly more bitrate to the HD stream and took away some from the KOB Weather stream.