7.1 is out for me again. Seems to know when I want to watch something. First I get this message "no signal", then I run auto set up and get "channel not available". Unplugging and rerunning auto set up didn't work this time. Perhaps I didn't leave the receiver unplugged long enough ( a couple of minutes)?

This is the only channel that I have difficulty with. Ideas/suggestions welcomed.

3 pm 9/18

it's down for me also lost it after first quarter of Nebraska Game. I really hope they get these problems ironed out soon because losing football is killing me. Especially when it's Monday night HD stuff

Thanks at least I feel a little better knowing I'm not alone. But once you watch HD football regular tv is un-watchable....

It ain't you, "santa fe". After my Saturday morning [proper] football fix on Fox Sports World, we had lunch and a nap -- whilst tonight's ribs talked to themselves in the smoker. I just got up and saw your note -- and checked 7.1 for myself.

Nada!

Just as well, I hadn't noticed Nebraska was playing [American] footie. I would have recorded it to watch, this afternoon -- and been really, really pissed-off at a couple hours of "searching for signal"!

Hey, it just started raining! Will that be their excuse?

Is KOAT digital down???

Feels like forever. Checked it an hour or so ago -- since yesterday morning.

Same thing here too....

No signal carrier at it all and so I guess their transmitter got blown out again sadly to say at least.:rolleyes:

I am sure KOAT-DT chief Engineer's will try to resolve this annoying problem once's and for all to see.

Monday Night Football in now in 50/50 hands of KOAT-DT is yet to remain to see.

9-19-04

In addition to getting the "channel not available" message when I tune to 7.1 I noticed that channel 7.1 no longer shows up as an option on my Direct TV guide. What gives?

No HD Monday Night football?

:mad:

Originally posted by santa fe
No HD Monday Night football?

:mad:

Apparently not. You may have to rescan available channels after they resume transmitting to get 7.1 back into the channel list.

Brian

I don't know, Brian. I still show 7.1 and 7.2 as available -- but, no signal to antenna when I switch to KOAT. I think they're still dead in the water.

Is anyone actually receiving 7.1 tonight -- Monday?

In post #1501, "santa fe" indicated running auto setup while the channel was down. That may have caused the channel to get deleted. I still have it in my channel list but I didn't rescan. I can't receive it, either.

Brian

Ah-hah!

Sounds reasonable to me.

Out here as well on a HTL-HD, has to be a transmission problem.
It's been out for me since at least yesterday.

KOAT is stil DOA as of this AM.

Do not try to re-adjust your set (as they say)

http://html.thenewmexicochannel.com/sh/idi/technology/hdtv/ is KOAT's page on "How HDTV works".

Should I tell them what "their" answer is?

Just sent this email to John B Trambley [jtrambley@hearst.com] at KOAT:

John, many of us on the AVS Forum have noticed that your digital station has been down for some days now. Could you fill us in on what the problem may be and when you believe you may be back on line? Thanks, Fred Jerina.

Its down quite a bit down here In Carlsbad, the koct version....

For those with Samsung stbs, I don't recommend doing a channel rescan. I did my 150 and lost 13 again. Had to call them to reboot their encoder, which allowed my stb to reacquire. I forgot about Sammys and 13 not getting along. I was doing it to acquire 9 and it's 4 subchannels, but I should have just hit 9 on the remote, because I lost them too during the rescan, and had to call them also. I have everything now (except 7 of course), but no more rescans for me. JR

So anybody hear a blip out of KOB as to when we can expect to see any real HD??

Still no news on KOAT-DT's transmitter and KOB-DT's HDTV encoding issue.

I am going try to E-mail both stations today and see what is going on.

Still no luck on locking on channel 9 but still trying though.;)

9-21-04

Got an email back -- just a short while ago -- from KOAT. It's "transmitter problems", whatever that might mean. I wouldn't understand much of the technical stuff, anyway.

Did get a positive response to my suggestion they update folks on problems like this -- at their website. Also invited participation with this website.

Just got this from KOAT...

Dear Mr. Jerina,

According to our chief engineer, KOAT-DT needs a new tube. It is very
expensive and the latest estimate when it will be repaired is sometime
tomorrow. This is just an estimate. It could take longer.

Thank you for your interest in KOAT-DT.

Sincerely,

John Trambley
Program Director

Originally posted by fjerina
Just got this from KOAT...

Dear Mr. Jerina,

According to our chief engineer, KOAT-DT needs a new tube. It is very
expensive and the latest estimate when it will be repaired is sometime
tomorrow. This is just an estimate. It could take longer.

Thank you for your interest in KOAT-DT.

Sincerely,

John Trambley
Program Director


Now let me see if I understand this, DTV transmissions are relying on TUBE TECHNOLOGY!!!!!!!

:confused:

Dan Brown of KOAT-DT,

Responded back saying it should be back on the air Wednesday.

Yes the transmitter tube are very expensive about close to $30K at least.:eek:

Let's hope the transmitter tube don't burn out this time.:rolleyes:

No news from KOB-DT at this time.....

9-21-04

Originally posted by ibglowin
Now let me see if I understand this, DTV transmissions are relying on TUBE TECHNOLOGY!!!!!!!
:confused:

Oh yes, all high powered RF systems use tubes. Beyond about 10-15kw of output power it becomes more cost effective to use high power tubes. Otherwise you need cabinet after cabinet of solid state amplifiers, not to mention the costs gets way more then an equivalent tube based amplifier. The newest tube designs are much more efficient then those just made 10 years ago, even 5. They keep getting more efficient and extending the life of tube technology. Plus it looks like KOAT is going to maximize their service from the FCC database. Tubes are vary expensive, in the neighborhood of 20-40k depending on power level and if it's for UHF or VHF. V's being around 20k.

Just to ease your concern, all the low level amplification is done in solid state. With the main tube being feed about 500 watts of power to drive it to full power.

Originally posted by mdamberger
Oh yes, all high powered RF systems use tubes.


This is incredible but it makes sense I suppose.

:rolleyes:

On the other hand I believe there is a much easier way to generate the 1.21 Gigawatts necessary to power a DTV transmitter. They need to consult with Doc Brown over in Hill Valley!

;)

There may also be a problem with tubes at the 10.6k ft. altitude on the crest. Some items must be specially made to deal with it, but don't know if it applies to power tubes or not. JR
BTW. some FAA equipment still uses vacuum tubes, and high end audio is heavy into their use still.

I have absolutley no background, so I'm probably way off base, but it seems to me that a vacuum tube would work more efficiently at altitude than at sea level, if there is any affect at all. (Being that there is less of a differential betweeen the inside and the atmosphere.) Again, just a guess.

Plus it looks like KOAT is going to maximize their service from the FCC database
mdamberger - can you clarify this? Sounds like they are going to kick up their signal strength. If so, great news for us up North.

One last note, last night the DigiFest Southwest was featured on HD's Across America. I only caught the tail end of the segment, so I'll have to look for it again.

I haven't any more background than you, cbearnm; but, I know from the experiences of my peers around Santa Fe -- you're probably wasting your money trying to get a plasma TV to function properly above 7500 feet or so. One of my buds replaced a set twice before he gave up. That included one that was specially warranted to work at high altitude.

I imagine the same circumstances might prevail in other devices pulling a vaccum.

I sent an e-mail to Anthony Liparoto (aliparoto@kwbq.com) to ask about channel 57, since it looks like a relay for channel 19. Here is the reply:


Hi Brian
57 is a UHF microwave to the cable head end in Espanola from Tesuque peak
Santa Fe.


That seems odd that I am able to receive it. Tesuque Peak is about 90 degrees to the east of where my antenna is aimed here in Los Alamos.

Brian

Why would it seem odd to anyone that the latest, hi-tech broadcast system in the world relies on vacuum tubes?

After all, to receive it, we are all relying on 1950's era TV antenna technology:)

BGL

Originally posted by cbearnm
I have absolutley no background, so I'm probably way off base, but it seems to me that a vacuum tube would work more efficiently at altitude than at sea level, if there is any affect at all. (Being that there is less of a differential betweeen the inside and the atmosphere.) Again, just a guess.


mdamberger - can you clarify this? Sounds like they are going to kick up their signal strength. If so, great news for us up North.


KOAT has a Special Temporary Authority (STA) to operate at 140kW ERP for their digital station; they also have filed a 280kW ERP for digital. That is for maximum service, probably filed at the start of the digital transition. I'm assuming that they then filed for the STA when the FCC allowed stations to operate at a reduced power. A lot of stations in this size market had geared up for full power DTV when the FCC backpedaled and said it was okay to reduce. So, to save power most have a STA to do just that. It would be interesting to know what KOAT's setup is, but I have a feeling they bought a two cabinet ( two tubes) full power transmitter to do the 280kW. Then when they found out they could reduce power, deciding to only use half the transmitters capacity, thus only one cabinet and one tube. 280/2=140

Stations like KOB are operating at even more reduced power levels, it looks like they are running at 10.7kW, but they had filed for another at 80kW. But why run at 80 when you can run at 10.7? It's had to know because there are no dates with these STA's, when did they file them?

But in the next few months we will know more about what stations plan on doing at the end of the transition. The FCC has asked stations to answer a question on what will their final channel allotment be? In the case of KOAT, will they stay on 21 or move back to 7? KOB, 4 or 26? Some stations like KASA probably will stay on their digital channel. Being on 2 is asking for trouble with all the atmospheric propagation. Every wonder why there is no channel 1? Too many issues with interference. KOAT could go ether way, but it seems they have invested a lot into ch.21. Why spend another half mill so you can go back to 7 when all you have to do is turn off 7 and crank up 21? Some of the questions might be, can they replicate their coverage at 21 and do they want to pay the extra power bill. Another advantage to going back to 7 would be they don't need a power tube, they can use all solid state and it costs less to operate.

As for the cooling of tubes on the crest, the blowing capacity is de-rated. So you do need to make sure you have enough air flow and pull in some cool air. But some transmitters use water running though the tube cavity. In that case you could be at 20,000ft and it would not matter. Most of the newer ones use blowers and heat exchangers.

I emailed UPN50 several weeks ago about Enterprise in HD. I just got an e-mail back today saying it will be available Oct 8th, 2004. The weekend replay will not be in HD. Anyone else heard anything?

Thanks,
Ed

I would be surprised as Hell if we saw any HD from our local UPN station. Our local WB station said they were going to be up in HD in September. Well, they have less then 2 weeks to go and it will be interesting if they really come up. ACME owns both our local UPN and WB stations and a good portion of WB's digital bandwidth has been leased to USDTV and I wonder if they will have enought bandwidth to send out their network programming in HD. Some of UPN's bandwidth may also be leased to USDTV. Time will tell when we will really see HD from our local UPN or WB.

I am more interested in our local NBC station (KOB). I wonder what is the hold-up???

I remember when KGSW-TV on channel 14 first went on the air in the early 1980's at that time they were having a lot of problems when their transmitter keep going off the air every 30 minutes.

They found out their transmitter's tube were not designed to be at 10900 feets and worse the tube were built at sea level!!:D

So it think they went off the air for a few weeks at the time.

Other news, if thats true the Star Trek Enterprise will be shown in HDTV at 1080i format on digital channel 45.

9-22-04

KASY-DT digital channel 45 has 5 subchannels (or maybe 6?) when I tune it with the MyHD software. KASY is using 45-1 480i. USDTV is using 45-2 480i. The other 3 subchannels (or maybe 4?) are blank, no audio or video. KWBQ-DT digital channel 29 has 3 subchannels. KWBQ is using 29-1 480i and the other two subchannels are blank. I don't know whether the blank subchannels are allocated and reserved to USDTV. OTOH, I suppose blank subchannels aren't actually using up any bandwidth.

Edit: I don't remember whether KASY-DT has 5 or 6 subchannels.

Brian

Does anyone know if KASA (2) is now broadcasting any HD that the network sends?

KASA has been broadcasting the NFL pregame and the games in HD, starting on 9/12. North Shore has been in HD the past two weeks, on Mondays. Quintuplets and Bernie Mac are supposed to be HD tonight, 7:30 to 9:00.

Brian

Thanks Brian,

Yes, I saw Quintuplets last night and it was crystal clear. I can now get all of the major networks in HD except for KOB where there is some kind of interference in my area of Four Hills where I can't even get the digital signal to come in. I'm just not watching a lot on NBC (KOB) because of this. At least I have the others to choose from.

Originally posted by bkzoller
KASY-DT digital channel 45 has 5 subchannels (or maybe 6?) when I tune it with the MyHD software. KASY is using 45-1 480i. USDTV is using 45-2 480i. The other 3 subchannels (or maybe 4?) are blank, no audio or video. KWBQ-DT digital channel 29 has 3 subchannels. KWBQ is using 29-1 480i and the other two subchannels are blank. I don't know whether the blank subchannels are allocated and reserved to USDTV. OTOH, I suppose blank subchannels aren't actually using up any bandwidth.

Edit: I don't remember whether KASY-DT has 5 or 6 subchannels.

Brian


USDTV used to have like 8 or 9 channels. I was under the impression that the blank ones were scrambled and you needed their $200 receiver to view. It that's the case they are taking bandwidth. I can only see some type of annoying promo channel. PQ is terrible. I wonder if they have any subscribers?

mdamberger
-Thanks for the info, actually makes sense to me. I do appreciate it.

USDTV.

I've had their service for about 3 months now and am very pleased with it. I own two boxes, one on a 20" and one on my 48". Both TV's have excellent PQ. The best thing about the service thus far, is that it has been FREE! Also I don't know why some people think the boxes are $200, both of mine cost me $20 each. The reason that the service has been free so far is that they do not have all the channels on yet. Fox News is one that is still not working right. So until the service is 100% it's FREE!

Even at $20 per month it's a good service since I get the channels that I watch most, like TLC, Discovery and two ESPN channels, not to mention the HD, (which I would get anyways, since my 48" has a built in tuner).

Maybe my PQ is so good because I live directly across the river from the towers on Sandia, so I know that must help out.

I got the service because I refuse to pay for cable TV, (just my own petpeiv) and sat is so expensive for the small amount of channels I actually watch. I've had dish and directtv and find that I don't watch over half of the programs supplied.

So that's my .02.

Spawnman

Wal Mart sells a box for about $200 that will work as an ATSC tuner without a subscription to USDTV. The box for $20 comes with a 12 month contract to the USDTV service. The second box does not work well as an ATSC tuner without a subscription. Cancelling the service sooner than 12 months into the contract incurs a $200 penalty per box. Those were the conclusions on one of the USDTV threads, anyway.

BTW, how many USDTV channels do you get? I can see 12 channels that are not scrambled on subchannel 45-2. They are arranged in a grid inside the 480i subchannel.

Brian

Originally posted by spawnman
USDTV.

Also I don't know why some people think the boxes are $200, both of mine cost me $20 each.


Spawnman


Walmart has them for $199. How did you get yours for $20? Thats pretty cheap for an HDTV tuner.

KOAT was back up last night around 9:00PM. Didn't think to check signal strengths!

Still up, this morning. Phew! I imagine they're still holding their collective breath.

ibglowin,

See post by bkzoller as to how to get your box for $20. The nice part about the 12 month commitment is that mine hasn't even started yet. You get a 30 day trial period that you can cancell during. My 30 days hasn't even started yet since they do not have all the channels online. I was told by USDTV that my 30 days will start once that happens.

As far as how many channels I get, I receive, they offer 23 channels currently. I receive all but 3 or 4.

So far USDTV use digital channels stations channel 29,42 and 45, and I bet you ten to one that you might lose some USDTV channels when KWBQ-DT and KASY-DT have to broadcast HDTV when time comes.

Other idea I think they might transfer the load over to KLUZ-DT when KWBQ-DT and KASY-DT broadcast HDTV programings.

3rd options use better video codecs "MPEG 4 or WMV9" as of this time the new receivers made by LG cooperation will hit the market early winter.

Anyway, I just noted KOAT-DT is coming in just fine now as long the tube does not burn out this time.:rolleyes:

9-23-04

Originally posted by ibglowin
USDTV used to have like 8 or 9 channels. I wonder if they have any subscribers?

Here is a quote from TVBR e-paper about USDTV's service published today.

USDTV Past 10K Milestone

US Digital Television announced that it has surpassed 10,000 subscribers for its multi-channel digital subscription TV service, which is now operating in three markets - - Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and Las Vegas. The service broadcasts some of the most popular cable networks to subscribers using broadcasters' digital channels as a low-priced competitor to cable and satellite services. "Our growing base of subscribers demonstrates that the model works and that there is a strong and viable new business for broadcasters in the pay TV industry," said USDTV Chairman and CEO Steve Lindsley. The company, which sells its set-top boxes at Wal-Mart, says it will introduce its next-generation box in Q4, which will enable it to introduce new services such as video on demand and digital video recording capabilities.

Originally posted by N5XZS
So far USDTV use digital channels stations channel 29,42 and 45, and I bet you ten to one that you might lose some USDTV channels when KWBQ-DT and KASY-DT have to broadcast HDTV when time comes.


I am able to detect a digital channel at 42 but it is too weak to get any picture. USDTV doesn't provide service in Los Alamos or Santa Fe according to their coverage area map. Maybe channel 42 is the reason for that. In the FCC database, they have an STA for broadcasting 6 kW ERP.

Brian

Hello Bkzoller,

Yes that is channel 42 KLUZ-DT at this time they are carrying Univison Spanish network in the clear and 4 USDTV sub channels no picture and some garbled sound for some digital receivers that can pick up some sounds.

They have CP for 321 KW ERP that would make KLUZ-DT the most powerful digital TV station in New Mexico.

9-23-04

Anyone know when KOB is going high-def???

Originally posted by fjerina
Anyone know when KOB is going high-def???

Only Sean and he ain't saying much these days. :(

TitanTV showed KOB 6:00PM News last night as being in HD. Perhaps something is coming.

Even KASA Fox looks awesome these days.

Originally posted by fjerina
Anyone know when KOB is going high-def???

I assumed that it already was in high-def? I can't pick up their digital signal at all in my area of Four Hills so I don't know if I'll ever know about receiving in high-def except by looking at this forum.

and find that I don't watch over half of the programs supplied

That's being charitable, more like can't watch over 1 percent of programming supplied. I have been with D* for 8 years now and it does seem gluttonous to have so many channels and watch so few. But I'll bet over the course of the year, I watch 'something' from most all channels. Even the shopping channels can catch my attention when they are doing sports memorabilia.
USDTV seems like a great alternative for people interested in the select package they offer. But if an affiliate is whoring out their spectrum at the cost of their own picture quality, well, I think this group has already been vocal enough on that concern.

Right on!

News update......

KOAT-DT just started their mountain time zone digital delay HDTV feed tonight but there are little glitchs, Close Captioning is missing but I am sure they will fix this.

Now the main question is what to do with 21.2 or as in remaping to 7.2?

1. Stay the same 480i digital simulcast on 21.2 at the same time on analog channel 7. "Meaning no changes"

2. Put ABC news now channel on 21.2.

3. Drop 21.2 and focus on full data bit rate for HDTV "I think it's over kill since it's 720p 15 MBs out of 19.4 MBs"

Please give me your input on this!!;) ;) ;)

Still no news on KOB-DT since, I send him a E-mail about HDTV issue sadly to say though.:confused:

9-28-04

There is no reason I can think of for 21.2 (or 7.2); I say bag it.

KOB-DT is worse than worthless. NBC has no HD programming of interest, so I don't miss them.

Unless 7.2 runs something different like ABC News or a radar weather loop or even the same as 7.1 only say shift it to be an hour or two behind so you could catch things without the need to DVR them, I say scrap it. No sense in running the same programming at the same time on two different channels.


Originally posted by N5XZS
News update......

KOAT-DT just started their mountain time zone digital delay HDTV feed tonight but there are little glitchs, Close Captioning is missing but I am sure they will fix this.

Now the main question is what to do with 21.2 or as in remaping to 7.2?

1. Stay the same 480i digital simulcast on 21.2 at the same time on analog channel 7. "Meaning no changes"

2. Put ABC news now channel on 21.2.

3. Drop 21.2 and focus on full data bit rate for HDTV "I think it's over kill since it's 720p 15 MBs out of 19.4 MBs"

Please give me your input on this!!;) ;) ;)

Still no news on KOB-DT since, I send him a E-mail about HDTV issue sadly to say though.:confused:

9-28-04

KOB-DTV is quickly becoming the step child of DTV in Albuquerque IMHO. At this rate the religious stations are going to be broadcasting in HD before KOB. I like quite a few programs on NBC but it makes it an easy choice as I like CBS just as much so we watch the "eye candy" on 13-1 live with commericals and then DVR all NBC programing and fast forward through all commericials.

Originally posted by IAM4UK

KOB-DT is worth than worthless. NBC has no HD programming of interest, so I don't miss them.

The picture quality on 7.2 is the worst I have seen on any of the OTA channels here in NM, so I say scrap it. I don't mean to seem rude about the picture quality, just pointing out what i have noticed. Any reason the quality is so low?


Mr Crackers

I've wondered that myself. 7.1 looks great and 7.2 looks worse than any SD broadcast

Originally posted by N5XZS
News update......

KOAT-DT just started their mountain time zone digital delay HDTV feed tonight but there are little glitchs, Close Captioning is missing but I am sure they will fix this.


http://www.zap2it.com (tribune media services) still indicates that shows are starting an hour early on 7.1. I guess we need to get KOAT to contact them and let them know about the change.

I guess I need to go find that post someone made several weeks ago with contact info for the Albuquerque stations.

John

TitanTV (http://www.titantv.com/) is showing the hour delay for both 7-1 and 7-2. Maybe they use a different source for their programming data.

I wish Sean Ankers of KOB would give us an update as to their high-def status. Sean, oh Sean, where art thou.

Come on,Sean.At least answer our emails,even if you tell us to go pi-- up a rope.

The sound on KOAT digital is all screwed up. I can't hear the center channel at all. Anyone else notice this?

I'm probably in the minority here, but I do view 7-2 on occasion, mainly because my set offers more scaling options for 480i material.

Anyone else have audio problems with 7-1 tonight? "Lost", which looked great, had no center-channel, and thus, no dialogue.

Joe M.

Originally posted by bkzoller
TitanTV (http://www.titantv.com/) is showing the hour delay for both 7-1 and 7-2. Maybe they use a different source for their programming data.

I sent an email asking about this situation to John Trambley at KOAT. He replied


our engineers are testing a new piece of equipment which allows us to tape-delay HDTV programming.


He went on to say:


This is only a test. I don't know how long we will be testing.

Sorry for the confusion.


So, I guess we will have to wait and see how this turns out.

John

I had no dialogue on LOST as well.

Had the same problem on two different tuners, great PQ, no (almost no) sound. Ever hear the song "one step forward, two steps back"? I tried to reach engineering (you never know if they are aware they have a problem it seems on the DT channel) and they will not answer these days (KOAT) The phone just rings and rings, not even an option to leave a voice mail. On the other hand NOVA and CSI were great!

I also had no to little sound on 7.1 watching LOST. I guess it's good that 7.2 is still around, pq is bad, but at least the sound is good.

our engineers are testing a new piece of equipment which allows us to tape-delay HDTV programming.

I really hope that "tape" delay is just a figure of speech and they are not really using tape. That is so Last Century. JR

I sent this email to John B Trambley [jtrambley@hearst.com] just now. I hope they get this problem fixed soon.

Dear John, I tried to watch the show "Lost" on your digital channel last night and the picture was absolutely gorgeous but there was a MAJOR problem with the sound. I could not hear the center channel (voices) even when I turned the sound way up. I could not watch the show so I had to change the channel to something else. I wish your engineering dept. could fix this problem as soon as possible. Until then, I have to skip your digital channel for other choices. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

Well, let's see what happens, tonight, with MNF on KOAT. If the D* Guide isn't screwed up -- and I caught 2 big downloads, early this morning -- it shows SIGN OFF for 7-1 at 7 PM and MNF in HD on 7-2.

TitanTV shows the HD MNF on 7-1 and SD on 7-2.

KOAT fixed the sound problem on their digital channel as of last night. The show "Desparate Housewives" looked really good last night on the screen. Sound was good too.

Wonder why KRQE was not broadcasting in high-def last night?

KOB high-def where are you??????????????????????????????????????????

Anyone like to start a charity drive to get KRQE a Dolby encoder so they could broadcast 5.1? You'd think with a new control room, this would be trivial. Maybe they could put us on the air in a phone in drive, ala PBS? JR

Originally posted by fjerina
KOAT fixed the sound problem on their digital channel as of last night. The show "Desparate Housewives" looked really good last night on the screen. Sound was good too.


I caught the last 15 minutes of "Lost" on Saturday evening in HD and the sound was normal. It aired at the same time in HD as it did on the analog channel.

KASA broadcast the Eagles-Bears game in SD on Sunday. It looked like they tried to switch to the HD mode but the equipment wasn't cooperating. The pregame show was also in SD but stretched to a wide format.

Brian

I just sent this email out to these people at our local WB station(aliparoto@kwbq.com, ktucker@kwbq.com, acordova@kwbq.com, jbaldwin@kwbq.com). I will post the reply I get from them.

Dear Sirs:

On April 8 of this year I spoke with John Greenwood, the general manager of WB, about your timeline for going high-def on your digital WB channel.

He told me that you would have the WB channel broadcasting in high-def in September of this year. It is now October 4 and you are still not in high-def.

Could you explain to me why you are not up in high-def and when you plan on transmitting your digital WB station in high-def.

The WB network has expanded its high-def programming offerings tremendously this fall and we here in Albuquerque are anxiously awaiting your network programming in high-def.

I would appreciate a response to my email

Thank You, Fred Jerina.

This is the reply I got back from WB from the previous email I sent and my reply to it.

Hi Fred
Hope to have the HD running by the first of November
Anthony Liparoto [aliparoto@kwbq.com]

Tony, could you please tell me why there have been so many delays. Also, when November 1st comes around will I get response that it will be some future date again??? I feel I am getting perpetual stall tactic responses from you guys. Fred Jerina.

Hello Fjerina,

How about UPN HDTV as well:rolleyes: is also the same date for UPN or it's just for WB?

Thanks!

10-4-04

Has anyone done the math (or know how) to figure out how much bandwidth is left after they (UPN/WB) "pimped" off a chunk of their (free from the US Government) DTV signal over to USDTV? It doesn't seem like they would have enough bandwidth left over to broadcast anything in HD.

So far I this is my best guess they split up at 3.5 MBs per sub channels out of 19.4 MBs.

2MBs leftovers are audios and null packets and PISP.

5 subs channel at 3.5 MBs listed here........

Channel 45.1 KASY main channel

45.2 USDTV

45.3 USDTV

45.4 USDTV

45.5 USDTV

At 3.5 MBs the picture is ok to watch with under MPEG 2 world at 480i format.

hope that's helps!:D

10-4-04

Originally posted by N5XZS
So far I this is my best guess they split up at 3.5 MBs per sub channels out of 19.4.

2MBs leftovers are audios and null packets and PISP.

5 subs channel at 3.5 MBs listed here........


I checked channel 45 last week and they were using 6 subchannels. I didn't follow up on my previous message where I was unsure whether it was 5 or 6. The subchannels are the same as your list except that 45.6 is also being used by USDTV. That one must be scrambled also because it appears blank on my tuner.

Brian

So far I just checked my receiver and it's say 5 sub channels on channel 45 today.

They could be testing 45.6?

If they are, the picture must be awfull to say at least!:rolleyes:

Try to cram at 1.5 MBs must be crazy, unless you are running weather radar. "very unlikley"

Anyway, any changes on the new station KNMD-DT channel 9?

I still can't the station's signal to lock on.

10-4-04

I live south of menaul & east of tramway and can lock onto channel 9 (remaps to 80) without any problems. I use a zenith 420 receiver and the signal strength is towards the lower 1/3 of the meter, maybe 40%. The regular PBS channel is towards the upper end, probably 85% or so.

I really like the 4 additional PBS channels. I have even seen programming in full HD mode on 80-4 & 80-5. Although 99% of the time they are in SD mode.

I haven't been able to lock on to channel 10, only get about 10% on the meter. There is something there because I never get the "no signal" message .

Mr Crackers

Well, the DirecTV GUIDE was wrong and TitanTV correct. MNF really is on 7-1.

My latest email from Tony. . .

"Anthony Liparoto" <aliparoto@kwbq.com> wrote on 10/04/2004 01:57:44 PM:

> With the latest budget cuts only WB will be going to HD this year by
> November and UPN by the end of 2005.

.....G

Originally posted by N5XZS
So far I just checked my receiver and it's say 5 sub channels on channel 45 today.

They could be testing 45.6?

If they are, the picture must be awfull to say at least!:rolleyes:

Try to cram at 1.5 MBs must be crazy, unless you are running weather radar. "very unlikley"

Anyway, any changes on the new station KNMD-DT channel 9?

I still can't the station's signal to lock on.
10-4-04

Like you said, it could be an experimental channel for the new advanced codec's they plan on using. 1.5MB would be about right for MPEG-4 SD.

Hello Mdamberger,

That's true they could be using MPEG 4 or WM9 "VC-1" codecs.

Now I am wondering if HDTV wonder made by ATI will decode MPEG 4 or WM9.

Since this a computer ATSC tuner card it should do the job, if not why?

Other little hobby to play with!!:D

10-5-04

BTW,

Man what a storm last night!!!

It's still raining -- delightfully -- up here. Should be, all day long [I hope, I hope]. The only noisy bit was whilst arriving.

Originally posted by N5XZS
BTW,

Man what a storm last night!!!

Must have been, saw the clips on the evening news, KOBDT and KOATDT kept going off the air then coming back on. KOAT was still offline this AM.

It hit us here in White Rock around 6:15AM. Big thunderstorm, lightning, hail.

Must be Balloon Fiesta time for sure, crazy weather for this time of year!

Its 2:20pm MST, and I still have some hail frozen in the yard.

Been here since '93, and that was no doubt the worst hail storm I have been through. The biggest pieces were about the diameter of a quarter, and fortunately they were few and far between, but I thought sure my skylights were going to blow out. And with the wind, the hail was blowing horizontally.

Amazing!

BGL

Originally posted by N5XZS
That's true they could be using MPEG 4 or WM9 "VC-1" codecs.

Now I am wondering if HDTV wonder made by ATI will decode MPEG 4 or WM9.

Since this a computer ATSC tuner card it should do the job, if not why?

Other little hobby to play with!!:D


I think only MPEG-2 is in the ATSC spec for video, but I'm not sure. USDTV would be out of spec in that case, but I suppose the ATSC spec allows for data transmissions additionally.

Also, the ATI card is similar to the Fusion HDTV III. That means that the software rather than the tuner hardware does the ATSC decoding and playback, and that requires a fast computer. Supposedly, the ATI software is also not very good. I would recommend the MyHD MDP-120 with the DVI adapter card instead. :) Maybe I should try recording channel 45 to decipher the contents of the subchannels.

Brian

Hello Bkzoller,

I never have a problem with my Radion 9800 ATI pro, for gaming and video stuff and I have a very fast machine P4 at 3 GHz Dell dimension 8300.

I just ordered HDTV wonder ATI and give it to try it out, if not take it back and try somthing else.

Nice thing about ATI you can always update the software download.

That's why I am hoping it will decode MPEG-4 and WM9 or varouis kind of codecs.

I also do lot's of expermenting on ham radio sound card softwares downloads on SSTV and digital SSTV.

Same goes for RTTY,PSK-31,MFSK-16 and ACARS "Aircraft data chirp!"

For starters start with Slow Scan TV and ton's of free software to download!

Most of the stuffs is freeware, just go to Google or Yahoo and type SSTV or digital SSTV.

You must have a shortwave radio with a SSB "Upper Side Band" and tune in on 14.230 MHz Analog and 14.233 MHz for digital SSTV.;)

Have fun with it!!

10-5-04

Your machine will be fast enough, in that case. :) I have the same video card and an Athlon XP.

I have a ham radio license, but I haven't used it in a while. I also don't have any ham radio equipment. My call sign is KC5KPT if you want to look it up. Oops, it's time to renew my license. ;)

Brian

Originally posted by fjerina
Wonder why KRQE was not broadcasting in high-def last night?

Any word on KRQE fixing their HD pass-through? As of last night, it was still just up-converted.

John

I called KRQE tonight about CSI but they didn't switch over to high-def. They must be having problems again.

I called as well, they claimed hail damage! Strange they can transmit, just not in HD.

I got this reply from KRQE today about them being down.

Fred, The storm damaged our HDTV satellite. We have repairs in the
works.

Franklin Lilley
Director of Engineering
KRQE/KBIM/KREZ
505-767-9400
frank.lilley@krqe.com

That satellite must be in the lowest orbit imaginable!! Wow. JR

Enterprise wasn't in HD here in albuquerque like UPN claimed it would be. I am rather dissapointed in the local UPN for not supporting HD. If they didn't sell their bandwidth to usdtv I am sure they would be able to support HD now. And those 'pop-up' ads they have at the end of the show during the credits are completely over the edge!! Talk about stupid, just plain greedy.

Anyone here able to watch Enterprise in 1080i through satellite service?? If so what service & station & time?

Thanks in advance,

Mr Crackers

BTW: The Nazi Aliens was one of the best Enterprises I have watched. Looks this year they will have more good stories. Can't wait to see the conclusion.

Our local UPN station says they won't provide the network's programming in high-def until later 2005! I am sure their leasing of their bandwidth to USDTV is the major reason for this.

Was all set to watch Lost last night at 9:00 like the guide says thanks to the debate, and found that it was on at 6:00 and I missed the first half of it. What I was able to do, is watch the analog version on 7 at 9:00. Weird. Not sure why the digital version of channel 7 is moving their programming around.

Any answers?

Spawnman

When I called them last week, when their DT station programs coincided with their analog station programs; it was because they were testing out some equipment that they needed to send back. For now, their DT station will continue to broadcast the primetime lineup from 6 - 9pm, rather than 7-10pm. I also recorded "Lost", but I did it from 6-7 so didn't miss any of it on HD. The Titan TV listings correctly lists their primetime lineup on it's DT station.

Thanks

I still have yet to see an episode of Lost in HD due in part either to no picture or no sound. I resorted to SD last night just to try and stay up with the plotline somewhat.

Hey whats up with KOAT? Yesterday my 811 had 7-01, only and 2 new dark subchannels. They were not broadcasting any picture but I was able to lock on to the signal. It seems like they were 7-11 and 7-12 or something weird like that in my EPG.

Anyone else seeing this??

KOAT was working fine for me on 7-1 at 8:00 last night, but I didn't check 7-2. The 811 receiver is very sensitive to PSIP changes, so maybe KOAT did something with that.

Brian

Not down here. At least, not with my existing gear. Punched up 7-1 and got it. You're right, nada at 7-2 -- using my HD TiVo. Tried for 7-11 and 7-12; but, got "searching for signal" and that was all.

I just looked again at lunch myself and only seeing 7-1 today. Must be doing some testing.....

Brian,

Did you hear that the 811 is now spooling a new software update that includes OTA EPG info. Its being rolled out in phases and not all markets are available as of now but this is great news for us E* 811/921 owners.

KOAT-DT is still sending out weard dual HDTV channels 21.1 and 21.1 "Remapped from 21.1 to 21.2" which is NOT real so I think is PSIP error issue.

But I will keep eye on the it's if somethings happens. ;)

10-15-04

Originally posted by bkzoller
KOAT was working fine for me on 7-1 at 8:00 last night, but I didn't check 7-2. The 811 receiver is very sensitive to PSIP changes, so maybe KOAT did something with that.

Brian

Yes, when I spoke with the engineer at KOAT-DT, he said that they are getting rid of 7-2.

Anyone know why the audio is so goofy tonight on 7-1, Desparate Wives?

Didn't see it; but, one problem many of the local OTA stations still have -- is sorting out their center channel on DD 5.1. That could be it.

Call or email them and complain. Sometimes they don't even notice it at the stations.

What are the chances that KOAT sold off their excess bandwidth to USDTV? I see 21-2 and 21-3 as "blank" subchannels, similar to channels 29 and 45. Did any local USDTV customers see new channels added in the last few days?

Brian

As a matter of fact, I was surfing the channels this weekend and noticed that they are now offering Starz to subscribers. Not sure how much extra they want but it says it's free till Dec 2004. So that is the only new channel I've seen, besides the 3 extra PBS stations they show now. Also 7.2 is gone from their USDTV listing.

Oh almost forgot, they finally have Fox News working and Lifetime Movie channel. So those are two stations that they said they would carry but have since yet to get them working. So I guess that makes 3 new channels in the last few days.

Spawnman

bkzoller, I wouldn't be surprised if ANY local Albuquerque station would sell some or a major portion of their digitial bandwidth the USDTV. I think it would be tragic if any of our local station reduced the quality of their high-definition channel to make a few quick bucks and lease their digital bandwidth to USDTV. We should monitor our local stations to see if their primary high-def channel ever get reduced to an unacceptable leve. Let's all keep each other informed.

I have a bad feeling that Monday Night Football HDTV picture quality will go down the hill thanks to USDTV's cancer is spreading!:(

What are they thinking!?:eek:

Yes I agreed we should be more vocal about HDTV picture's quality and stay on their toe's if they trys to get away like this, so that's means local stations should be more careful about this.

It's kind of weard though, KOAT-DT saying they have no plans to carry for ABC News Now because they worry it might degrade ABC HDTV picture quality feeds and now they jump the gun by going to USDTV sub channels.:mad:

10-18-04

Do we KNOW at this point that KOAT has leased spectrum to USDTV ? Or is it still speculation ? (may be some anectdotal evidence, but any solid information.)
If we know that is the case, the networks should be informed that their affiliates are degrading the network feed. Letters (not emails) to the network get much better response than to the affiliate.

Yes, KOAT now carries USDTV 99-11 (LMN) and USDTV 99-12 (FoxNews). I ended up calling USDTV about the free STARZ offer today and found out it was $6.95 a month after December. I also discovered that my box (from February) is too old to work with STARZ. In futzing with the box over the phone with customer service, LMN and FoxNews have now shown up in two places -- LMN 99-11 and 7-11, FoxNews 99-12, 7-12. The problem I have now, which I didn't have before, is that 99-11 and 99-12 show up as not broadcasting at the moment and 7-11 and 7-12 are asking me to call again because I'm not authorized. I had them without any problem before calling and following the customer service rep's directions.

Starz is broadcasting somewhere on digital 29 (WB), which is where the rep had me look for it after she activated the service.

I am now waiting for a "box-swap" on the 30th to get a new box that will work with the new services without giving me trouble.

Is anyone having any trouble with video studdering on KWBQ (WB) and/or KASY (UPN)? I have an ATI HDTV Wonder in my HTPC and all the other digital stations are very good. I've tried the antenna that came with the card (silver sensor clone) and a pretty good VHF/UHF attic antenna with the same results. Signal strength on KWBQ (WB) and KASY (UPN) does vary between 82-88 whereas the signal strength of the non-studdering stations appears solid. I'm wondering if the varying SS is indicating interference? Only the roof is in the way of a direct line-of-sight to the Crest.

Originally posted by dcpeachy
Yes, KOAT now carries USDTV 99-11 (LMN) and USDTV 99-12 (FoxNews).

This is incredible. When this BullS**T started we thought it would be confined to one or two but looks like the USDTV CANCER is now spreading thoughout the ABQ D-TV spectrum.

Can KOB-DTV be far behind?

At least MNF looked OK last night on KOAT but I fear USDTV will keep sucking more and more bandwidth to add more and more channels.

What ever happened to "just the channels you need" as they first advertised? Pretty soon they'll have 40 channels and we'll have nothing left.

"Let your USDTV go folks" .........

Describing USDTV as a cancer is the perfect word-picture. It might also be likened to a parasite. It's degrading HD quality, before HDTV really even gets widely accepted.

What is up with KOB? When will they start broadcasting in HD?

Thanks for the info, good to hear facts, not conjecture.
I noticed a weaker signal in the first half of the game last night (picture pixelating and dropping audio), but it seemed better in the second half.
I think a letter to ABC may be in order.

Originally posted by ibglowin

What ever happened to "just the channels you need" as they first advertised? Pretty soon they'll have 40 channels and we'll have nothing left.

"Let your USDTV go folks" .........

Having added LMN and FoxNews. This seems to finish out their line-up they have on their web site. With the cost of programming for cable and satellite, I think they won’t be able to add any more channels without raising the rate or reduce their take home. Other then pay-tv like Stars etc.. What is the current channel line up now in ABQ?

KOAT-DT just E-mailed to me, they are saying just added USDTV channels and putting out at least 6 MBs for them.

Did he say 3 MBs PER channels or 6 MBs PER channels?

So that's means 13.4 MBs for the HDTV and the 3 MBs PER channel = 19.4 MBs digital payload overall.

So that's means 720p is barly bogged down even though the picture quailty seems pretty good then they must be using a stats mutiplex codec in real time.

Does any make sense of it?:)

10-19-04

KOB engineer told me today that the reason they aren't sending HDTV is that their equipment that will allow delaying the East coast feed is currently inoperative. They don't want to do as KOAT and give us the East coast feed real-time, and claim they are obliged not to do so. He estimated about 30 days until their equipment works and they start sending out HD content.

I watched a couple of ABC sitcoms tonight and I can definitely see a reduced quality of the high-def picture. I feel our KOAT has sold us out. This is what I submitted to the Alibi's Letter to the Editor. Hope they print it. It is time to write some letter's to the FCC, the ABC network and our congresspeople.

Albuquerque KOAT TV Has Sold Us Out !!!

Our local ABC affiliate KOAT has sold us Albuquerque residents out. KOAT transmits their ABC network programming on both an analog channel (where most viewers watch today) and also on their up-and-coming digital channel (where they broadcast their high-definition version of their network's programming).

We have been enjoying the highest quality high-definition presentation of their network's programming until recently. Within the past week KOAT has leased/sold a good portion of their FCC allocated digital bandwidth to USDTV. USDTV is using this bandwidth to send out their own programming which is totally separate from KOAT's programming.

The net result is that KOAT had to degrade their current high-definition channel's quality due to it's bandwidth being reduced. Their current high-definition channel cannot be called high-definition anymore and is really nothing more enhanced standard definition.

So KOAT has sold us Albuquerque residents out to make a few quick easy bucks. I guess they figure we don't really deserve true high-definition here in Albuquerque. I guess they figure this is a second rate city and we couldn't tell the difference or even care. Well, there ARE people out there that care and are angry. Shame on you KOAT.

High-definition viewership is growing everyday here in Albuquerque. It will be the norm in the future. And we are being short-changed right now. So, you Monday night football enthusiasts, there is really no reason for buying that HD set anymore for that "being there" experience. Just keep that old standard def set for what you will be receiving from our local ABC station from now on.

Thanks again KOAT for your short-sightedness and selfish interests.

Fred Jerina
9604 Lona Lane NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
505-828-6969 (day time phone)

I also sent this to the FCC at fccinfo@fcc.gov:

I want to file a complaint about our local ABC affiliate KOAT here in Albuquerque. They have sold a major portion of their digital bandwidth to USDTV and now their high-definition picture is nothing more than enhanced standard definition. Please something about this spreading virus. Our local UPN and WB stations are still not transmitting in high-def because they have already sold their digital bandwidth to USDTV and have none left for high-definition. I feel I deserve to receive a network's programming in full high-def and nothing less. I feel that if my local station cannot provide it then I should be able to receive the network's feed in full HD from my Dish satellite system. Please call or contact me for any questions. I would appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

New Mexico DTV User Group - October Meeting Announcement

The New Mexico DTV User Group will hold its October meeting this Thursday, October 21th, at 7:00 PM at the KNME-TV studios, located at 1130 University Blvd. KNME is located on University about 1 block north of the intersection of Lomas and University Blvd.

The month's topic will be "XDCam: Sony’s Professional Blue Laser Recording System". This system is being considered for new digital recording and playback systems at KNME-TV
(http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/markets/optical/files/OpticalFamilyBrochure.pdf)

We will also have information on new consumer products and a national and local markets update.

We hope to see you there!

Jim Gale
KNME-TV
Director of Engineering

I just sent this (via mail) to the ABC network and also to KOAT owner's Hearst-Argle which likely instigated the deal with USDTV.

ABC, Inc.
500 S. Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4551
Phone number: (818) 460-7477

Dear Sirs:

I want to bring up an important issue concerning your Albuquerque ABC affiliate KOAT. They are short-changing us in their presentation of your high-definition programming. They have sold a major portion of their digital bandwidth to USDTV so now your beautiful evening high-def programs are nothing more than widescreen standard definition. I hope you can provide pressure on your Albuquerque affiliate to prohibit them from degrading your network feed. If nothing is done I will be likely be switching my viewing to our other local and national (via satellite) high-def stations that are providing the best in high-definition quality.

cc: Hearst-Argle

My Dish 811 HD receiver took the new software download last night. I am happy to report that most all OTA stations are now showing up in the EPG with correct information. Only two stations are showing up still as "Local Digital". KOAT and KNME (5-1 ONLY). Everyone else is now mapped and working properly. It looks like they also fixed the bug that rebooted the reciever if you hit the GUIDE button after viewing OTA for an extended period.

This is great news!

fjerina, you are my hero! I am going to send all the same complaint letters. I can't believe the FCC is allowing HD bandwidth to be robbed for low definition crap!!

I used to think KOAT had integrity, now I know they are just out to make a fast buck. They are no better than the 3rd rate UPN or WB stations here in Abq. Now I can only hope that MNF gets moved to another station, rumors I have seen in other threads. Then I will have no reason to watch KOAT again.

USDTV is the worst deal I have ever seen. You get 9 or 10 channels excluding locals. That comes out to about $2 per channel. That is an insane price when you compare it to any of the satellite or cable providers. They offer zero HD channels, except for local programming. You can get a STB for less than charge for theirs and get all local HD programming without a monthly charge.

Mr Crackers

Fred, keep up the good work. I hope they pay attention to your efforts. JR

Guys, we need to write letters to the FCC, the network head offices to let them know what their affiliates are doing, to our congress-people, to our local newspapers to spread the word and anyone else who could help our cause.

The way I feel is that we need federal legislation that will allow anyone to receive a network's feed (with full digital high definition bandwidth) if your local network does not provide the full bandwidth to you. A satellite or cable company should be allowed to carry any national feed which should be available to us in these situations.

I would like to correct the problem from the start and force the local to carry the full bandwidth but the FCC screwed up and not making the rules from the start what locals can do and not do. Thank you Mr. Powell for screwing that up.

I received a reply back to the complaint I send to fccinfo@fcc.gov. They basically sent me an Acrobat File with the "basics & 101s" of DTV. After seaching the FCC website I found the chairman & commissioners addresses and send the complaint to each of them. We will see if I get any response,.

Chairman Michael K. Powell: Michael.Powell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: Kathleen.Abernathy@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov

Mr Crackers

Thanks for the addresses.

I also sent an email to the above FCC people. Thanks for their email addresses.

I just emailed all of 'em:

"I'd rather see the FCC lead -- than follow. Out here in New Mexico, the broadcasters who should be ramping up for full power HDTV are dragging their sorry butts along at 15-25% power -- with no obvious intent to do anything other than sell off the balance of their allotted bandwidth.

"As usual, that means we, the consumers, get screwed. How about standing up on your hind legs and fighting for us -- instead of leaving it in the hands of incompetents who only concern themselves with next-quarter balance sheets?"

Ed Campbell
Santa Fe

I submitted this to Phillip Swann of www.tvpredictions.com and he actually replied to me within a few minutes.

Mr. Swann,

I feel this is an important issue (maybe you already covered it) but I feel it is threatenning HDTV and it has already here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our local ABC affilate, KOAT, (actually their owner Hearst-Argyle) has sold 6 megabits of its 20 megabits digital bandwidth to USDTV so they can carry 2 standard def. channels for their own purpose. Unfortunately, our local ABC high-def channel's quality has recently been reduced because of this "deal". Their high-def picture looks nothing more than a widescreen standard-def version of the former beautiful full-bandwidth high-def channel.

And, it is not only our local ABC station. Many months ago our local WB and UPN sold (actually their ACME owner) a good portion of their digital bandwidth to USDTV and they do not have enough bandwidth to go high-def now. Even though they keep telling us they will but never do.

This is a threat to high-def enthusiasts across the nation. The FCC should do something about this because the "airwaves" are loaned out to these companies for the "common good of us people" out there. I feel they are violating this pact for their selfish interests.

Also, if the FCC cannot act on this, then I feel I have the right to receive their network's feed in full high-def bandwidth if our local affiliate cannot provide us with it "over-the-air". We could get the national feed either through satellite or cable. Our legislators should pass a bill to allow us to do this. It is only fair to us since we are getting screwed.

What do you think?

Thanks, Fred Jerina

This is his reply to me...

Thanks, Fred. It's a very good point. I might address it in a future column.
Best,
Phil

That really nice picture that has been on 13.1 seems to be gone for today's football game. What is the story?

Incompetence - or they blew something up! Sure does look terrible, though, doesn't it?

I went to use one of the backdoor hacks with my HD TiVo remote to see what resolution, etc., they were broadcasting; but, wouldn't you know it -- the latest "upgrade" [E] to the firmware removed the hack.

Are all CBS games in HD? For a while they were not.

And where the heck are the Pats/Jets?!?!? Two undefeated teams, and we don't get them?

Of course, being a transplant New Englander, I am biased in terms of who I want to watch!

Go Pats! Go Red Sox!

BGL

Originally posted by edwardacampbell
Incompetence - or they blew something up! Sure does look terrible, though, doesn't it?

I went to use one of the backdoor hacks with my HD TiVo remote to see what resolution, etc., they were broadcasting; but, wouldn't you know it -- the latest "upgrade" [E] to the firmware removed the hack.

It was just upconverted standard-def. They tried to switch to the HD feed a couple of times, but finally gave up on it.

John

BG -- don't forget the Revs!

Is it just my setup or was the audio on KASA cutting out fairly frequently on the World Series broadcast?

John Cline

It was cutting out.

Glad it wasn't just me!

I sent an email to KWBQ on October 24th asking if they would have HD working in time for Lord of the Rings. I have not received a reply --- imagine that :(

John

I received a response to the complaints I sent in and here it is:

Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission.

Basically, TV stations are not allowed to "sell" their bandwidth, buy
may provide "ancillary and supplementary services" over their bandwidth,
so long as they maintain at least one free standard-definition broadcast
stream.

Some broadcasters in some markets are providing a portion of their
bandwidth for this new USDTV service - a pay TV service that is trying
to provide a low-cost alternative to cable and satellite. Doing so does
not violate FCC rule or policy.

Your concerns that legislation is needed may best be directed to the
appropriate legislators.

Thanks again for your interest and the opportunity to serve.

C. Howell
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
nformation Access & Privacy Office
202-418-1110


I am going to send him a response but would like have some help. Anyone got any comments or suggestions?

Mr Crackers

What we learn from this response is that no FCC regs are being violated. Technically they are not "selling" their bandwidth, it's still allocated to them, they are just providing an ancilliary service. . . which by the way, brings them CASH. See? They're not selling their BANDWIDTH.

Do you think a legislator is capable of actually understanding this issue???

.....G

John Trambley @ KOAT tells me that the time-delay of their HD broadcast is now permanent. HD programming will now be shown at the same time as the SD programming.

John

That's good news, thanks for letting us know!

Originally posted by jpoet
John Trambley @ KOAT tells me that the time-delay of their HD broadcast is now permanent. HD programming will now be shown at the same time as the SD programming.

John

The information at TitanTV (http://www.titantv.com/) has not been updated with the new schedule yet. It still shows the one hour difference between the analog and digital channels for KOAT. Maybe someone at the station needs to report this change to some scheduling service.

Brian

The information at TitanTV has not been updated with the new schedule yet. It still shows the one hour difference between the analog and digital channels for KOAT. Maybe someone at the station needs to report this change to some scheduling service.

Or you could email TitanTV with the info.

The schedule for KOAT-DT is not that simple to adjust because it is correct for all times except 6pm to 10pm. I doubt TitanTV does anything more than display the data they are provided from another service. The data on my HD TiVo HR10-250 was also incorrect for KOAT-DT over the weekend, and it matched what I saw in TitanTV. KOAT needs to report the correct broadcast schedule, IMO.

Brian

Originally posted by bkzoller
KOAT needs to report the correct broadcast schedule, IMO.

Brian

I should have mentioned that John Trambley also said he was working on getting the listings corrected with the various services.

John

Another Thursday and another mess up with Lost. First it starts out widescreen, then drops out twice, starts playing the ending credits and says the Bachelor is coming on next, then goes off, and back on in 4:3 mode.

I wish they could get it fixed at least once. At least the sound is ok.

Spawnman

Originally posted by spawnman
Another Thursday and another mess up with Lost. First it starts out widescreen, then drops out twice, starts playing the ending credits and says the Bachelor is coming on next, then goes off, and back on in 4:3 mode.

I wish they could get it fixed at least once. At least the sound is ok.

Spawnman

Agreed. I gave up on it, since I am hoping they will do it right for the encore Saturday.

John

Originally posted by jpoet
I sent an email to KWBQ on October 24th asking if they would have HD working in time for Lord of the Rings. I have not received a reply --- imagine that :(

John

I decided to try a different email address at KWBQ. This time I sent the question to JudieSin Baldwin <jbaldwin@kwbq.com>. I actually got a quick response:


Thanks for the email. We will be showing LOTR in HD! We're very excited about Lord of the Rings coming to The WB this Sunday and are glad that you will be watching with us.

Happy watching,

JudieSin Baldwin
Program Manager/Creative Services Coordinator
ACME Television of NM, LLC
KWBQ & KASY
New Mexico's WB and UPN50
8341 Washington Street NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
505/797-1919 main
505/344-1145 fax


So now the question is, will they pull a KOB on us?

John

Another Thursday and another mess up with Lost. First it starts out widescreen, then drops out twice, starts playing the ending credits and says the Bachelor is coming on next, then goes off, and back on in 4:3 mode.

All I can say is that I feel your pain. Digital Broadcasting, HD in particular, is still a work in progress around here.

Last weekend, I had my HD Tivo set to record Monsters Inc in glorious HD. I looked in on the recording in progress, and it was delayed by about an hour due to a college football game (admittedly, that is not KOAT's fault).

But when it did finally start, it was 4:3 SD! And it was that way for at least the first half. I gave up and nuked the recording, only to find that they did eventually "throw the switch" at some point.

Well, the last 20 minutes or so looked GREAT!

BGL

Guys, if you want a 921... the price will be 549$ now...
I would settle for any ota down here...

I can hardly believe they (WB) will be up in high-def for this weekend. WB has jerked us around for many months now. Should be interesting. At least we have a good contact to jump on when it doesn't happen.

Well I am looking forward to KWBQ-DT's HDTV broadcast of Lords of the Ring and hope's there is no hiccup's.

But still little disappointment on KASY-DT plans not to carry Star Trek Enterprise in HDTV.:(

Now I just noted that UNM Lobos mens basketball coverage's is on ESPN in 2-14-05,2-28-04 and 03-12-04 is there any chances that will be shown in HDTV on ESPN-HD?

Now just for fun, which will Albuquerque TV station be the first to shut down analog signal at what date in the future?:D

As for me I predict KNME-TV and KAZQ-DT to be the first stations to shut down their analog signal sometime in the mid 2006.

11-4-04

I actually may watch it, again, just to be watching it OTA. Let's see how it comes through, up here.

Originally posted by fjerina
I can hardly believe they (WB) will be up in high-def for this weekend. WB has jerked us around for many months now. Should be interesting. At least we have a good contact to jump on when it doesn't happen.

JudieSin has told me that all WB programs that they receive in HD, will be broadcast in HD by kwbq starting Sunday.

John

Little off the subject though.......

For the first time New Mexico Scorpions Hockey team will be on TV!!

It will be on a brand new sport channel, called Altitude sport channel from Denver and its on Directv ch. 644 and Dish ch.??.

The game start at 7 PM tomorrow Scorpions VS Colorado Eagles!

Have fun watching even it's not on HDTV!

11-4-04

Originally posted by jpoet
JudieSin has told me that all WB programs that they receive in HD, will be broadcast in HD by kwbq starting Sunday.

John

Now that's great news. They kept their word - November it is.

.....G

I will be watching our local WB this Sunday AND REALLY SEE if the WB programming will be in HD. This should be very interesting.

That's odd. TitanTV shows "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" from 7pm to 9pm on Sunday 11/7. When do we get to see the second half of the movie? I remember it being over 3 hours at the theater. Is it an edited version instead? :confused:

It IS listed, again, on Monday [I think I recall that, correctly]. The listing is identical to that for Sunday.

2-parts might make sense, especially since the listing says "expanded" blah-blah version.

You're right. I didn't see the listing for Monday.

My reading of TitanTV shows LOTR airing from 7 to 9 Sunday but it's not in HD (according to TitanTV). Monday it's on from 7 to 9 but again not in HD.

I guess I'll go with the folks at WB and expect HD.

Originally posted by dfergie
Guys, if you want a 921... the price will be 549$ now...
I would settle for any ota down here...

dfergie, I PM'ed you. I may be interested.

Marcus

The DirecTV Guide shows LOTR as HDTV on 19-1. Be of good hope!

Originally posted by mdamberger
dfergie, I PM'ed you. I may be interested.

Marcus
Ive never gotten a pm on this board will have to find the right place :)edit, found

The 549$ is the new msrp on the 921...

The DirecTV Guide shows LOTR as HDTV on 19-1. Be of good hope!

Hope is really what we need here! D* also shows a bunch of HD on KOB as well.....but there is no need to go there again, is there?:(

I am very curious how LoTR will be handled if we DO get it in HD.

Will it be in its OAR? Will it be in DD 5.1? Methinks it will be hacked to death with commercials ala movies on ABC. I appreciate the effort to do HD, but I can't stand all the commercials. Even Tivo'd, you are constantly FF through the BS. Really ruins the presentation, IMHO.

BGL

BGL: 30-second skip makes the FF easier.

select - play - select - 3 - 0 - select. Will change your little FF button to 30 second skips.

Has to be entered while you're replaying something, anything. Backdoor remote command. Will also need to be re-entered anytime after power failure or reboot.

Most commercials are a combination of 30-second increments.

For football, you can hit the instant replay button -- then, the 30 second skip -- get a sum of 22 seconds, just about perfect for the NFL.

Thanks for the tips Ed...I have seen this, but in the 5 Years I have had Tivo, I guess I just got accustom to the way it works normally. One of these days, I need to give it a shot.

BGL

It seems to be one of the "backdoor" hacks D* has left in the system. The latest upgrade to the HD TiVo software [version <e> replacing <d>] removed the snazzy hack that let you put all the resolution parameters onscreen for whatever channel you were watching. SD or HD.

I guess too many complaints from the stations achieving less than High HD.

Found out about that one AFTER I got "e". DANG!

BGL

I finally updated the URL to the backdoor codes. It's worth dropping by, once in a while, just to see if there's something new. Or if one of the old ones now makes useful sense.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26530

Well, Tim, it's halftime in the Western Conference Playoff of MLS [KC 1 - 0 LA] and I wandered over to channel 644 to watch the Scorps score twice, so far. Blew my wife's mind that she was seeing a NM team playing hockey on TV.

Actually, I grew up with hockey as the primo family sport -- even ahead of proper football [soccer]. But, frankly, we stopped supporting hockey when our distant relative allowed Boom Boom Geoffrion to change the sport -- into something less than it was. My own opinion, of course.

I am posting the following on behalf of John Ashman w/Audio Designs Albuquerque. I have had a brief demo of DEQX, and its very, very cool stuff. Hopefully, I will be able to make it, but it looks to be a fun event (Now, if I could find $5K for the sysetm!

----------------------------------------------------

The NHT Xd debut is going to be Saturday November 13th from 10am to 6pm at the newly remodeled Albuquerque Art Museum at 19th and Mountain (off Rio Grande). The new entrance is on 19th street. They're still doing the landscaping so don't let that fake you out. Just go past the reception desk, then take a left down the hallway. It's right after the bathrooms, on the left in the auditorium. Jay Johnson from NHT will be here with the system.

If you haven't been keeping up with the press, here's a little something I found yesterday
(more at http://forum.adnm.com/viewforum.php?f=32 )

BEST LOUDSPEAKER UNDER $6000

NHT Xd

Once in a great while true breakthrough products come along, products that combine heaping measures of technical innovation, artful industrial design, great value for money, and simply mind-blowing performance. I believe NHT's new Xd speaker/amplifier system represents just such a breakthrough. At first the attractive Xd appears to be a well executed but conventional satellite/subwoofer system, until you discover that the speaker not only features extremely high-performance drivers and enclosures, but uses advanced DSP filters (developed by DEQX) to achieve flat frequency response and exceptionally good impulse and phase response characteristics. DSP filters also provide all crossover functions and will, in the future, allow NHT to offer an extra-cost, add-on room acoustics correction module for the Xd. Rounding out the picture are compact, efficient, very low distortion Class D switching amplifiers developed by Power Physics; the Xd uses four separate 150-Watt amplifiers to drive its tweeters and mid-woofers, and a 500-Watt amplifier to drive its companion subwoofer.

Calling the Xd the most accurate speaker in the world, NHT offers convincing measurements to back up its claim, but the real proof comes in the listening, which is what will win skeptics over. Not only does the Xd sound wonderfully uncolored (as its fine measurements would suggest), but it offers gobs of resolution and finesse, plus imaging and soundstaging that are just jaw-droppingly great (these things image so well that you can enjoy them from almost anywhere in the room).

The kicker is the price: The entire Xd system, complete with satellites, subwoofer, stands, and the DSP/digital amplifier module's slated to sell for around $5500. As one listener in the NHT demo room put it, "it's scary to think how many five-figure speakers there are out there that don't sound nearly as good as this system. Amen, brother.

--Chris Martens, Publisher/Editor, AVGuide (The Perfect Vision/The Absolute Sound)

This week's Alibi has a full page ad for "The Lord of the Rings" on WB saying it will be in HD. Looking promising.

Fred, how is the new tv working out? Still like it? Jerry

Jerry, I really like it. The high-def is amazing. Such detail, realistic colors and bright. Standard def looks OK on it but I mainly watch high-def. Thanks for asking. Fred.

Hmmm... LotR on WB doesn't look like high def on my end.

Joe M.

Nope. KWBQ blew it. Five minutes into LOTR and it's definitely being broadcast in SD. Tsk, tsk, Judie and Anthony!

O,well, three more weeks of November for them to have kept their word.

.....G

Nope. KWBQ blew it. Five minutes into LOTR and it's definitely being broadcast in SD. Tsk, tsk, Judie and Anthony!

O,well, three more weeks of November for them to have kept their word.

.....G

Gee, I am surprised that WB is not high-def??? NO. What a bunch of liars. I have a feeling that Judie person has NO idea what high-def is and what they are doing at their station. What a big disappointment!!!

That's is a shame when KWBQ-DT fails to show Lords of Ring in HDTV!!:mad:

ACME broadcast company is a loser and don't think about TV viewer's need and instead they chose to go to bed with USDTV for greed and profts!! "$$$" :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I just wish some other broadcast company buy the station out and kick USDTV off the digital stream payload.

Fjerna,

You said they pull out an ad on Aiibi right?

That might be false advertising if they did not plan to send out WB's HDTV feed, but then again or might be tech problem on their side.

11-7-04

We all need to call KWBQ to complain today. I know I am. Be interesting to hear what the excuse de jour is.

Yeah, my wife was really looking forward to LOTR last night. Adding inslut to injury - KRQE was downconverting the Broncos to SD. The early game ran late (which means D* will leave the blackout off the satellite feed until halftime). However, at half, it got blacked out, and we had to watch the rest of the game in SD. No big deal to me, but guess who is the Broncos fan in our house.

So, hats off to WB and KRQE (and of course KOB because my wife can't watch ER in HD either) for leaving me hanging in the wind with me searching for the excuse du jour to the question "Now why again did we buy all this stuff"

Irritated and wanting a waiver,
Jeff

Everyone should call WB today and inquire why they were not in high-def last night. Call JudieSin Baldwin at 797-1919 and when someone gets an answer from her then please post her response on this thread.

As long as USDTV is here in Albuquerque there will be no HD on WB or UPN. The majority of USDTV bandwidth is coming from the WB & UPN. Complaints to the local affiates will fall on deaf ears, they are the ones making the $$$ from USDTV. Make sure to compain directly to the WB & UPN networks.

The UPN has a submit complaint script on their website upn.com, the wb email complaint address is customerservice@wb.com . I made complaints to both this morning. In the UPN complaint I stated that I have resorted to downloading Enterprise HDTV episodes off the internet. That is a really hot button with the networks.

We will see what happens.

Thanks,

Mr Crackers

LOTR was coming through letterboxed at my end, too! That's archaic.

Although I was so put off, I didn't fiddle with it to see if it could be changed.

I checked the resolution in MyHD and LOTR was in fact 480i. We might as well watch the DVD version instead. :rolleyes:

Brian

I meant to mention earlier that a tactic I have used in situations in the past is to let the station know I would be contacting the advertisers. My theory is that the advertisers were paying rates based on programming with an estimated viewership. Obviously, the viewership changed as the programming was not in hi-def. Therefore, the advertisers may feel they are entitled to a credit of some sort.

Jeff

LOTR was coming through letterboxed at my end, too! That's archaic.

Thats because that is what they were getting from the Network, I would expect. Same with Enterprise on UPN.

The network sends it out High Def 16x9, but the local just takes it, downrez's it, sticks it in a 4:3 frame, and there you have it. Black bars top and bottom, gray on the sides (or whatever your STB does with 4:3 content). No different than a non-anamorphic, letterboxed DVD.

My TV would allow me to blow it up, but the PQ would be piss-poor. As someone said, better to watch the anamorphic DVD in its proper aspect ratio.

BGL

I sent this just now to the WB email address specified ... customerservice@wb.com:

I have a major complaint against our local WB station here in Albuquerque. They have been dragging their feet in going high-def on the digital station for several years now. As I understand it, they have sold off most of their digital bandwidth to USDTV so now they cannot feasibly even send out your network's programming in high-def anymore to us. What is even more interesting is that they have been promoting the movie "The Lord of the Rings" on our local radio stations and local newspapers that they will be presenting it in high-def and it never happenned. What can you do to get your Albuquerque affiliate to go high-def. I feel we citizens of Albuquerque are being deprived of what your network has to offer us. I would watch your station more if your Albuquerque affiliate would be forwarding your network's programming in high-def over their digital station. Please help us. PLEASE. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

I didn't last to a commercial. Of course, that's what the 30-second skip is for, anyway.

Please note some of the advertisers if you can recall who they might be.

Originally posted by edwardacampbell

Please note some of the advertisers if you can recall who they might be.

As I recall it is was in 2 parts, well, I am tivo'ing tonights half for the sole reason of WATCHING the commercials. While they maybe can claim a technical difficulty with last night's, I am sure this Baldwin lady has got plenty of voicemail about it, so they will not have such excuse this evening.

Jeff

I did some research in the rules & regulations of DTV and here is what I have determined. According to the "The Telecommunications Act of 1996" and "Fifth Report and Order" of 1997, the FCC will allow DTV licensees to offer "ancillary and supplementary" services over their new facilities under several conditions (§ 336(b)). 336 refers to US Code TITLE 47 > CHAPTER 5 > SUBCHAPTER III > Part I > § 336.

What it boils down to is any broadcaster can use the digital spectrum licensed to them for any purpose under the regulations of 336. The only real requirement is the broadcaster must provide the same broadcast under Digital as occurs on the analog channel. There is no requirement for any type of HDTV broadcast at this time, Nov 2004.

So what does this mean for us here in albuquerque? Any station wishing to provide services to USDTV or any other service has the perfect legal right to do so according to the FCC. So without the help of the FCC or the local stations, HDTV here in albuquerque will be inferior to the rest of the country. The only hope we have is the Networks are committed to HDTV and force their affliates to do the right thing.

I fear if USDTV or similar services catch on in a local level, OTA HDTV will be
a thing of the past. Some type of 'waiver' system is needed on a national level. If the local affliate is unwilling to provide HDTV, then I should be able to receive it from a satellite carrier. The local station wouldn't be able to hold our HDTV hostage just to raise the bottom line. I believe the satellite carriers
will try to provide the highest level of HDTV once they have enough satellites in orbit.


Mr Crackers

I have been looking at a lot of the different AVS HDTV Reception sections and the New Mexico DTV section has to be the most negative group of people I have ever seen.

You praise a station in one breath for adding an HD delay server and in the exact same post you rip them to shreds over a third party company's TV schedule web site is not matching up with the programming. Do you think the third party web site has a direct link to the station, get real.

Have you ever said anything nice to any of the broadcasters in your market? A thank you for investing in the future of television for broadcasting HD? Or do all you do is call, email and post how stupid the station staff is? If you don't think they look at this forum, they do, they just don't post. Heck if I was a broadcasting HD in your market, I'd pull out the HD encoder and replace it with an SD encoder just in spite.

Since you all seem to know everything, let me point out that each station has probably invested $800,000 to 1,200,000 in to transmitting facilities, $200,000 to $450,000 for HD switching, upconversion, encoding and microwave and they now have an additional electric cost of $2,500 a month. But there is no additonal source of revenue coming in to pay for all this!!!! It's not like the advertisers are going to pay double because their commercial airs on a digital and an anaolg station. Well maybe you should go tell the advertisers that you are willing to pay double for goods and services you purchase from them if they pay double for their TV time since it run in analog and HD now!!!

A TV station is a business and the station's expenses can not exceed you income, if they do you go out of business. The TV business has not seen the high end profit days of the 60's and 70's for 15 years. The advent of 100+ channel cable systems, DBS, internet has fractured the audience and ratings drastically.

fmebss engineering consulting
and darn proud not to be doing any work in the NM market!!!

No offense, but many of us have been here since before the very first NM HD broadcast (KOAT). If you'll carefully read the thread here, you'll see lot's of praise, constructive suggestions, and otherwise extremely useful input for the NM community. It appears this is your first post in our little, public forum. I would note that anonymous rants are not likely to build your credibility, especially when you offer commentary that's clearly out-of-line with the experience of many of us here.

You must know that forums such as these tend to attract 2 types of folks: early adopters and those with problems. As such, it's not uncommon that posts may refer to issues at a higher rate than you'd get from a random sample. That doesn't imply that we're whinners here. It simply shows that this is a useful forum for discussing a cutting-edge technology and possible ways to deal with early issues.

And welcome to our group...


Joe Martz
Los Alamos, NM

fmebss -- must be working in a market as full of crap as Abq, though.

I haven't watched "local" TV for 10 years because I finally was liberated from the folks who created the infamous "wasteland" by access to satellite TV. But, I do know something about marketing and selling -- and business. It starts with, "sell something". If you haven't the bucks to produce the product or service you just sold -- it's called fraud.

The only thing that brought me back to the moment of watching local TV was HD. Now, that I spent four figures on an HDTV set and an HDTiVo, I'm out looking for vendors of the "product" I want to buy. So far, with a digital signal [at about 25% of potential power], I can receive a lot more of those "local" channels than I ever could in analog. It took a couple of my social security checks to get this far!

So, after 10 years, here I am, again. What do I find. Absolutely everything to do with the content of the product sold -- is crappier than ever. With one exception -- I'll note in a minute. Daytime programming for some of these locals is 10 hours of infomercials. Sports programming is only network feeds. Movies are negligible -- fewer than network feeds.

Maybe there's a lot of new equipment required to come up to the standards -- negotiated with politicians. But, these dudes haven't been spending squat on staff or equipment since they converted to color. As I recall, they dragged their feet as much, then.

How do you want it? Should we be the last country in the world to try to catch up to everyone else -- with the quality and engineering we're capable of? Japanese TV is just about ALL HD, right now. If we're lucky and the wind is blowing from any direction except the White House, we might be there in another year -- or two -- or whatever copouts are allowed. At least, from DirecTV, we'll be there.

Saying all that, some of the stations, here, and their engineers have been straightforward and truthful -- and we appreciate that. The exception I mentioned up above has been the local PBS folks -- who, in fact, sponsor a lot of activities for folks interested in HDTV. Their budget ain't exactly as big as FOX, either. Folks at KOB [well, 1 folk] have volunteered information on their progress.

I've been online for 21 years. There are plenty of forums looking at every aspect of this particular chunk of entertainment and engineering. Folks tear apart the hardware and usually make it work better. Some of us never stopped learning about software or design and we try like hell to help our peers. Some of the folks on your side of the switches help out, too. And some of your peers -- or their bosses -- lie like a rug.

I don't think this Albuquerque group is especially negative or positive -- except maybe in their attitude to each other. That's 99% positive! After all, who else can we honestly expect to help us out?

Sorry for the rant, guys. If folks are joining up to honor the function of this forum, they are as welcome as the morning sun or a meadowlark.

Joining, just to flame an individual -- or the whole board -- gets another description.

Although I've been part of the TiVo Community -- and the D* community -- as an early adopter of each, I'm fairly new over here and have always appreciated the welcome I received. That's in the Forum, itself, and in PM's and emails. I'd say this is a representative crew -- especially as noted by Joe.

One would think that the profit from this year's political adverstising alone would fund the entire HDTV system. Assuming, that is, that it isn't lining CEOs' pockets instead.

fmebss is sooo right, however, a few exceptions to his boad defense of Albuquerque television stations.

1) When a station has the technology, but is just too lazy to "flip the switch" and broadcast in hi-def.
2,3,&4) When a station promises (and especally advertises) a product and does not deliver (i.e. " We will return to full-time HDTV programming for central New Mexico in Summer 2004 with primetime programming and sports from NBC, including the 2004 Summer Olympic Games." direct from KOB's website this morning - How dare we hold them accountable to this???) 2) The LOTR advertised in hi-def, not delivered mess. 3) KOAT whoring out their bandwidth at the expense of pq on their primary channel.

Perhaps if the stations feel the same way as fmebss, they will be happy to grant us a waiver (and get rid of us), rather than be expected to deliver what they have promised (particularly if it compromises their profitability).

I am curious, fmebss, what market do you work in? What do you consult? And, I wonder what inspired you to pop in here, and invest the time to read all our posts about how negative we are? No chance that you work for an Abq station and are venting back, is there?

Jeff

I generally agree with the 'local' sentiments expressed here, but I think fmebss was trying to make the point that we are in a situation where the grass is always greener elsewhere.

As far as waivers, I have them for the 4 major networks on D*. So far we have CBS and NBC in HD on D*. Fox looked good during baseball's postseason, but no date for that full time. Who knows about ABC? WB and UPN aren't even on the horizon, despite constant threads yelling for them.

Go to any of the satellite boards and read the griping about HD PQ (on D*, E* and Voom) Monday night football (OTA) looks as good as anything coming off of D* (except maybe Discovery HD) and improvements won't come until the two new satellites are operational.

The point above about being to lazy to flip the switch for HD is very valid, but the reality is that HD IS A SMALL SECTOR of their overall market. We have no real trailblazers in NM (save, maybe, PBS) just a lot of companies not wanting to be too far behind. This forum has a very focused, very vocal audience that wants what we want. Unfortunately, there are really only a dozen or 2 who are very active and about the same number that are somewhat active. Let's say 100 people total that are PO'd enough of the situation to take some 'action' This is inconsequential to our local affiliates.

We are far ahead in in comparison to to many other markets and behind some markets. fmebss's post is typical of somebody that is new to the online forum communities. Within the group you see a lot of conflicting posts, but they are typically from various members. Most of the individuals are consistent in their praise/disdain in their postings. I didn't read his post as flaming, just observing what many newbies feel when reading through a long and storied past (which this thread definitely has.) He has a different perspective (from the business side) and his points are valid.

Let's be honest, this board can sling some mud as well as the best of them. I don't view that as bad, but can see how a newbie would. I read his post not as a condemnation, just an observation.

I hardly want this board to be a lovefest with the affiliates. We can and should continue to challenge them to improve. There are action items (write stations, advertisers, networks) that may seem futile, but have a compounding affect.

But there is a certain tone on this board that it is a civil right to get 'Star Trek: Whatever" in HD. Notify the FCC of your objections. Let's make it an overwhelming business necessity for the stations to broadcast in HD, not a charity case. Make them aware of the market's desire for this programming.

MrCrackers's post is dead on. I had done this research a while back and came to the same conclusion. This situation was put in to entice the affiliates to pass HD signals. The truth is, without this (unfortunate) compromise, we wouldn't even have digital TV today, let alone HD. It will be a long process.

(Off of my soapbox for now.)

I don't watch the Albuquerque affilliates for NBC, WB and UPN, for the most part. The primary reason is their foot-dragging on HD. I have no right to receive HD broadcasts, even where available to the affilliate; however, they will get nothing from me but disdain while they continue to shun HD.

I know the great expense our local stations have to incur to give us HD and with so few viewers it probably will not benefit the station's revenue. So...all I would like from some of our locals that don't want to go HD is to give us a waiver so I can receive it from the national feed via Dish or DirectTV. I would be happy with that.

The waiver would be nice. But I wonder about the number of HDTV viewers. There seem to be a lot of HDTV sets going out of the stores. And there a lot of upper income users around me with mulitple HDTV units. It seems foolish to ignore them.

I agree with you Santa Fe, as far as the number of sets being sold, but I think a lot of these sets are not being used for HD reception. I hear a lot of people in Best Buy (in SF) saying they will buy the set, but hold off on buying the receiver, "Until we are ready for it." Even in the integrated sets, there are people that don't buy even a Silver Stealth antenna for reception. (I don't work at BB, it's just my little candy store.)

I think the latest numbers show that although HDTVs are crossing into the majority in sales (at least among larger sets) a lot of those sets will not be used for HD in the near future. The mindset is, If I'm buying a new TV, I might as well be ready for HD 'in the future'.

The most compelling case for advertisers is that most HD capable consumers tend to be middle to upper income with larger amounts of disposable income. So on that point we completely agree, it is foolish to dismiss them. There must be a magic formula that determines a threshold for when we become 'important' enough to be courted. I have a feeling that in the next year, we will cross the rubicon.

Until then, we have to keep raising the awareness that we are out here. It will be slow, however, they will get the point.

My $0.02 here.

I have called several ABQ stations to praise them for their HD programming content. I have also called several stations and complained for their lack of HD content. In the case of the recent KWBQ fiasco, I called both engineering and programming and got voice mail on both accounts so I left a polite but concerned message and asked them to please call me back and fill me in as to what happened. So far neither has had the courtesy. What a surprise.

We are now only weeks away from 2005 folks. HDTV sales of sets are rising exponentially these days. Go hang out at a local BB, CC or UE for an hour and watch how many expensive HD sets go out the door in a hour, then do the math yourself. There are lots of folks in NM and everywhere else these days with an HD ready set. Most purchased in the last year or two. And while most people don't jump into HD immediately, most have made the upgrade within a year after purchasing a set and they realize just how bad SD looks like on a 60" screen.

I will continue to heap praise on our local stations where I see fit (KRQE, KOAT, KNME, KASA) for their commitment to the future of DTV and I will continue to question and criticize those stations (KOB, KWBQ, KASY) that seem to think they can deliberately mislead the public about when they will begin to broadcast in HD (if ever). I would rather have the truth instead of a lie just to get rid of us. I vote with my feet as they say. I will always watch something in HD ANY day of the week and TIVO SD programming to watch later and then skip through every single commercial.

So see it really does pay for them to upgrade to HD.

I think the local CEO's are about as shortsighted as they can be. Like any reflective consumer, I tend to appreciate vendors who take care of my needs -- and stop dealing with those who don't. And tell anyone who asks.

Since I acquired my HDTiVo, I've acquired a new respect for Local PBS, the Discovery Channel and Mark Cuban [at HDNet and HDNM]. They deserve my loyalty for working at providing quality viewing content.

Otherwise -- well, suffice it to say that since Microsoft decided to outsource their customer "support" to some genuinely incompetent folks, after 21 years of being a loyal Microsoft customer, I only use [and recommend] non-Microsoft software and hardware. My wireless network is now Linksys. My browser is Firefox. Email client is Thunderbird. Office suite is OpenOffice.org.

Next week, Desktop/LX Linux should be arriving for my new PC.

I guess no one has gotten a return call from WB on why they were not HD for "The Lord of the Rings". What we all should be doing is sending a letter to the owner of our local ABQ WB station (and possibly copy some FCC people on the letter). Send mail to...

ACME Communications Inc.
2101 E Fourth Street
Suite 202
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Thanks, Fred.

I just sent this letter out and you all should do the same...

10 November 2004

ACME Communications
2101 E Fourth Street
Suite 202
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Dear Sirs:

I was really disappointed that your Albuquerque WB station did not present “The Lord of the Rings” in high-definition earlier this week. What was the problem?

Your program manager, JudieSin Baldwin Program Manager/Creative Services Coordinator, at WB in Albuquerque went on local radio stating you would be presenting the movie in high-def and some of our local newspapers had full-page advertisements from you also stating the movie would be in high-def.

Several of us local high-def enthusiasts contacted Ms. Baldwin and we have gotten no response back from her. I feel you are not providing adequate service to our community. I feel it’s pretty bad when you can’t even respond to our questions about your station. I will be contacting the FCC regarding your poor service to the people of New Mexico.

You are one of the few stations here in New Mexico (including your UPN Albuquerque station) that is not forwarding the network’s programming in high-definition. What is going on? Have you sold off all your digital bandwidth to USDTV so that you cannot send out a high-def signal anymore?

I would appreciate a response to this letter.

Sincerely,

Fred Jerina

Perhaps sending a copy to all the local vendors of HDTV's might also stir a small concern. After all if customers where aware before their purchase of the quality of local programming they might postpone that expensive purchase.

I would gently suggest we not push the strategy of talking our local vendors out of selling HDTVs. The more HDTV sales we have in the local market, the greater incentive for broadcasters to support HD formats. There's a bit of the chicken-and-egg problem here, but the more HD sets in our area (and nationally), the better.

Joe M.

Little news update.........

It looks like KNAT-DT is get ready to upgrade the transmitter power to 200 KW ERP on digital channel 24 since they shut down the 600 ERP transmitter.

KYNM-CA channel 61 has moved to channel 30 still testing with color bars with no sound this station is still analog at this time.

Channel 52 to 69 allocated for TV will gone in 2006 or later.

Channel 53 KTEL-LP and 56 K56FB will have move too also.

KTEL-LP will be on channel 39 and K56FB will move to channel 47 and I am sure they will go digital and get bunch of new digital sub channels!:D

That's the news!!

11-11-04

I'm sitting around being grumpy. The semi-final rounds of Major League Soccer were carried by HD-NET in HD. ABC has the exclusive for the final -- and according to Titan, KOAT will be carrying it, Sunday; but, not in HD.

Bah, Humbug.

Bad news everyones KOAT-DT WILL not carry Saving Private Ryan Due to a twins censorships by KOAT-DT and the FCC!:mad:

We should be very upset since we honor our veterans and free speech is being censored.

Please protests to KOAT-DT and the FCC.

This is very sad night to say at least!

11-11-04

It's not the FCC's fault, don't complain to them. Well, indirectly. KOAT is worried the FCC will fine them, but that's highly unlikely. You can kill as many people you want as long as no nudity is involved. ABC has aired it before, so it would be selective application of the law. KOAT is at fault.

I'm disappointed with KOAT's decision. They may blame the FCC, but that is a cop-out. The FCC has already heard and rejected complaints about SPR in prime-time.

jcmartz
Sorry for the less than clear post. My suggestion is simply that the big box sellers of HDTV sets and the members of this group want the same thing and that is lots of people buying and demanding good HDTV programing. The big box sellers are very aware of the fact that consumers of expensive items do a lot of internet research. So if those consumers find themselves worried about local HDTV coverage they will not buy. If we can focus the retailers on this issue and get thier voice heard we have a more powerful voice to put to the local TV stations. Advertisers have more influence than viewers.

SF, we actually have a decent ally in the management crew of the BEST BUY, here in Santa Fe. There is a special status project within the corporation designed to focus better-informed help, more sophisticated product lines, in what are termed Customer Centricity Stores. It's based on more cosmopolitan demographics than usually are found in cities as small as ours. Though below the usual parameters, the Santa Fe store is under consideration for Centricity status.

Most of the department heads there are pretty hip -- I know I'll make it a point to make a suggestion along your lines to the folks I know there. It doesn't hurt to pass along an email to corporate, either.

Until the end of last winter, they rarely had more than 2 sets at a time on display in the Home Theatre section -- actually displaying HD. I stopped by, this morning, and every set in HT was running HD. They even finally got a "Captain Kirk" Samsung on the floor.

As to Private Ryan -

I agree wholeheartedly we should salute our veterans. However, after listening to Rush this afternoon, I have realized there are multiple facets to this issue (on both sides):

1) The FCC is in extreme "watchdog" mode - Thanks, Janet.
2a) The FCC will not issue advance waivers
2b) The FCC responds solely to complaints
I combined these 2 because FCC will not give affilates permission in advance, and, while the FCC does not patrol, they will respond to complaints. Many of the people have said not airing it is to disrepect veterans. However, at the same time, some parent who is lazy (not screening what their children are watching, or dicussing the content as they watch it with them) is going to hear their child drop te f-bomb tomorrow, and make up for their poor parenting by asking the FCC to overreact annd overregulate television.
3) Steven Spielberg will only allow SPR to run un-edited - I support this move - this is one of the greatest movies ever - for its realism, and the impact to the viewer of what D-Day was like. I had 3 (great) uncles at Normandy. After watching this movie, could I only begin to understand what was such a big dea about this. However, KOAT had no compromise - air it unedited or don't.
4) Hearst-Argyle's first priority is to protect their FCC license - Hey, like it or not, they lose their license and they are out of business (but on the bright side, they won't be able to sell their bandwidth to USDTV, of course, they won't have any bandwidth for MNF either, so take your good with your bad.)

Personally, I consider the fact that an affiliate chose not to air it also to be a tribute to our veterans. Be thankful that many have died to give KOAT and others the right to choose whether or not to air it. Many other countries have the government control and dictate what is on television. Find solace that our veterans earned KOAT (and ourselves) to control what we do and don't say, post on this board, or air on television.

I am appalled at the smut on television today. And, while I do not think the content of SPR is appropriate for television, I think the message is important enough, I could forgive it. That being said, I nether condemn or condone KOAT's decision, but I thank our vets that KOAT could make that decision, and that N5XS could voice his ire about it.

Lastly, do not hurt KOAT for the reasons above. Complain to the FCC that they let TV degrade to the point that someone thought they could get away with that Janet Jackson fiasco. Complain to the FCC that they are now "knee-jerking," and intimidating stations, preventing them from showing questionable content with an important message. You cannot condemn KOAT for this decision, the FCC is the bad guy that has pointed a gun at stations' heads in a desperate act to regain control.

Sorry it is so long, but this is an important deal, and I hate to see KOAT take the brunt ofit.
Jeff

The FCC has not been clear on what they will and won't penalize stations for in the past and they still won't say exactly what will make them take action. So stations are left with interpreting and guessing what the FCC might and might not do. A lot of television groups have also taken the choice of not airing SPR for fear of getting hit with a fine. Since Viacom was fined 500K, they don't want to fight that, just in case. Also, the congress would like nothing better to do then to revoke a license of a station to serve as an example for others. Yet at the same time, not be totally clear about the circumstance. This is the year for revocation to happen, things are prime. Just wait.

I'm an old fart. My best friend died several months ago and his wounds from WW2 contributed to that death. He spent 16 months in hospital recovering from injuries sustained at the liberation of Buchenwald. He was also the most highly decorated soldier from his home state in that war -- awarded every medal for courage but the Congressional Medal of Honor.

He dedicated his life to fighting for the freedoms our Bill of Rights guarantees. Rationales and excuses from neo-con copouts like Rush don't impress. Segments of our media who feel that offending portions of the population is more dastardly than depicting one of the truths about war -- don't impress me.

Caving in is cowardly and the sort of misperception of priorities and standards that has brought network broadcasting down to the basement wherein it now resides. What happened at KOAT is just another example of that unprincipled cowardice.

As far as the "Saving Private Ryan" being pre-empted. Unfortunately, we are in the age of conservatism and with the last election it will just be getting worse. Be prepared to see more of censorship in the future. That's what America voted for.

Never mind, decided to flame down the rhetoric. It's getting too personal.

Regardless, my condolences and sincere gratitude for the service of your friend Mr. Campbell.

I'm bowing out.

ABC corporate made it clear they would pay any fines incurred. No chargeback to stockholders. You can lose that excuse.

If ABC Corporate could manage to acquire the minimal amount of gumption to stand up and be counted, I don't think it's a big deal for the locals to back them up. Dollar$ are always one of the excuses offered for copping out, Fred. That's a 2-way street. I don't support advertisers who pick a lame station to market their wares. That means the next time my boss asks for suggestions about where [or not] to advertise, I ain't going to give any support to KOAT.

It's no big deal to warn viewers that language or situations which may offend someone are imminent. BBCA even does it for most of their Mystery programs. They don't just do it before the show -- they repeat it before each segment. That's called being polite. I don't have a problem with polite. I do have a problem with censorship, "voluntary" or otherwise.

Incidentally, it speaks volumes about what KOAT considers responsible behavior, what responsibility it may have to communicate with the community, if you go to their website -- and discover no mention whatsoever of any controversy or question ever having existed.

cbear -- I apologize if I sounded "too hot".

My bud was asked by both parties to run for leading office when he got back into public life after the war and rehab. You may not be old enough to remember this; but, the Democrats made a special push for decorated veterans. On the other hand, my his father had run for office as a Republican. So, they both had an interest.

He told them -- in very public fashion -- he'd run for whichever party would adopt a position limiting the profits that could be made from war. Both parties dropped their offer.

And, thanks for the condolence. I miss him. We were close friends for decades.

Don't recall if folks have mentioned this over here; but, Bravo+HD is becoming Universal HD, debuting 1st December. That means -- if they have it together -- their opening schedule will hit TitanTV around the 17th.

Jaws, Back to the Future, series like Battlestar Galactica -- the Universal library will be potentially available and showing on DirecTV. Should rock.

I wish Dish will carry the new Universal HD channel. They haven't added a new HD channel in a long time. If they don't wake up they will be losing customers to DirecTV (which I believe carry that channel right now).

Right...BravoHD+ is currently on D*, but all I can say is, unless you like "Music in High Places" 24/7, they can't relaunch as Universal HD soon enough!

BTW, anyone catch Harry Potter on ABC last night? As usal, it was not OAR, and it looked a bit dark, but the DVD looks dark too, so its hard to say how badly the PQ was hurt buy their selling some of their bandwidth.

BGL

I tried to watch it a couple of times, last night; but, the PQ was pretty lame compared to presentations in HD on the satellite channels.

Actually, it was nice to see HBO doing a premier in HD, as well as SD -- with "Master and Commander", last night.

Gotta luv HDTivo, right Ed?

M&C on HD and 5.1 is sitting on the hard drive witing for me to watch it! It still won't be OAR, I can live with it.

BGL

You're gonna love it. Though, it brings up a question which may be answered [someday] by me investing even more of my social security checks in audio equipment.

Flicks like M&C are tuned for theatrical release. My hearing isn't the greatest, anyway, anymore. To get the production up to a volume level adequate for me -- without blasting my wife off the couch -- ain't too difficult. But, when the cannons start to roar -- they really ROARRR!!! I know I have it too loud when even the dogs leave the room.

There used to be systems that allowed for range "expansion" for music programs [usually] that were broadcast with their range "narrowed". Anything around that does the opposite? Narrows the audio dynamic so folks don't get destroyed in the shoot-em-up scenes?

I have a "midnight" setting that does a little of this -- on my Pioneer Amp/Tuner. But, there are times when I could use even more [that is, less!].

"Midnight mode" is just a preset that uses Dolby Dynamic Range Compression; its a documented feature of Dolby Digital.

My NAD 762 has an adjustment for it, as opposed to a single preset like "Midnight". I actually have never used it in the NAD, but did muck with it a bit in an older Sony DD decoder.

I guess the trick will be to find a pre/pro or AVR that has the full range of adjustment. Have you dug through the menus on your Pio? Sometimes the adjustment for this is a bit buried.

BGL

I emailed the following letter (that I previously sent to ACME) to the four FCC commissioners listed on the following web page http://www.fcc.gov/. I encourage all of you to send a similar letter to the people at the FCC. If there is someone else that should be copied then let me know. Thanks, Fred.

10 November 2004

ACME Communications
2101 E Fourth Street
Suite 202
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Dear Sirs:

I was really disappointed that your Albuquerque WB station did not present “The Lord of the Rings” in high-definition earlier this week. What was the problem?

Your program manager, JudieSin Baldwin Program Manager/Creative Services Coordinator, at WB in Albuquerque went on local radio stating you would be presenting the movie in high-def and some of our local newspapers had full-page advertisements from you also stating the movie would be in high-def.

Several of us local high-def enthusiasts contacted Ms. Baldwin and we have gotten no response back from her. I feel you are not providing adequate service to our community. I feel it’s pretty bad when you can’t even respond to our questions about your station. I will be contacting the FCC regarding your poor service to the people of New Mexico.

You are one of the few stations here in New Mexico (including your UPN Albuquerque station) that is not forwarding the network’s programming in high-definition. What is going on? Have you sold off all your digital bandwidth to USDTV so that you cannot send out a high-def signal anymore?

I would appreciate a response to this letter.

Sincerely,

Fred Jerina
9604 Lona Lane NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 822-1093 (home phone)
(505) 828-6969 (work phone)

Thanks, BG. There are a couple of features like that I sort of remember from wandering through the manual when I was 1st setting up the critter. Unlike my computing -- but, like most of my entertainment gear -- once everything is pretty much up and running to my satisfaction, I forget about it.

I try to keep a .pdf of most manuals at hand on the computer just for such research. I'll look and see, this week. Pioneer's website is often less than forthcoming when you try to download manuals.

Which also reminds me, I have to holler at them about a timely return of my other solution to the problem of disturbing my wife with sci-fi and monster movies after she's gone to bed. They've had my Dolby-certified headphones for repair a bit longer than a reasonable spell, now. Last time I called [2-3 weeks ago] I believe they promised them back on my noggin in a week.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look and fiddle a bit. If I can set something up as a pre-set, it will be worth it.

Fred -- thanks for all your hard work and responsibility. Another task for Monday I will welcome.

Aside from some work for the folks who put the beans on the table.

New Mexico DTV User Group - November Meeting Announcement

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

The month's topic will be "Progress is DTV Reception". Gary Srignoli, MSEE, independent DTV consultant, and former Zenith research engineer, has loaned his latest presentation regarding 8VSB chipsets. 5th generation chipset will be appearing in products before Christmas.

There will also be a new product demonstration of the Folsom Research "Presentation Master Pro-HD" standards converter.

We will also have a new consumer electronics products discussion and a national and local markets update.

We hope to see you there!

Jim Gale
KNME-TV
Director of Engineering

Reminder, DTV User's Group Meeting tomorrow.