I need to get a job doing IT for Raycom it seems. This is the first company in the history of businesses that apparently lets their IT department run the company.

Have a good time at Raycom... KWWL is owned by QNI. And it's a pretty big leap to think that just because our corporate IT department feels there are serious security flaws in a certain piece of software that could compromise our entire broadcast network, that they run the company. Why employ people to maintain and protect your network interests if you are just going to ignore what they sayor recommend? They are looking for other options out there and will work with us if we need to make something happen.

To put it another way, you want to cross the street in front of traffic and I, as as the guard you hired, says that is not a good idea and to use the bridged crosswalk that is further away instead. Telling me I don't run the road and to just figure out a way to stop the cars isn't always the best plan.

Have a good time at Raycom... KWWL is owned by QNI. And it's a pretty big leap to think that just because our corporate IT department feels there are serious security flaws in a certain piece of software that could compromise our entire broadcast network, that they run the company. Why employ people to maintain and protect your network interests if you are just going to ignore what they sayor recommend? They are looking for other options out there and will work with us if we need to make something happen.

To put it another way, you want to cross the street in front of traffic and I, as as the guard you hired, says that is not a good idea and to use the bridged crosswalk that is further away instead. Telling me I don't run the road and to just figure out a way to stop the cars isn't always the best plan.

I rewrote my entire post to take a different tone. If your security person really thinks Skype is insecure you should probably be hiring someone new. Skype is used by millions of people across the globe every day. It is used by governments, businesses, sales departments, technology departments, underground revolutionaries, and broadcast stations, among many users. The last known flaw was found in 2005. Anyway, whatever. I'm sure using a free service like Ustream is much more secure. It runs in Flash, and it's not like there has ever been an exploit written for Flash. :rolleyes:

I rewrote my entire post to take a different tone, which is equally passive-aggressive. If your security person really thinks Windows is insecure you should probably be hiring someone new, like me. Windows is used by millions of people across the globe every day. It is used by governments, businesses, sales departments, technology departments, underground revolutionaries, and broadcast stations, among many users. The last known flaw was found yesterday. Anyway, whatever. I'm sure using a free service like Open Office is much more secure. It runs in Linux, and it's not like there has ever been an exploit written for Linux. :rolleyes:

FIFY. The argument remains just as flawed.

Security is a moving target, and nothing is 100% secure, ever. Period. Full stop.

If KWWL chooses to run things a certain way, that's their choice. Based on Jarret's posts, it's pretty clear that they ARE aware of the alternatives, HAVE explored them, and made a decision that fits THEIR business needs and risk profile.

If it had just been "well, this is free, so we're using it because we're too cheap to even build a desk to let our talent sit behind," it would be another matter entirely.

This is so far off topic that I deleted my post to prevent being "banned" from this board. My point was simply that if a doctor suggested that since your arm hurts you should amputate your leg, you'd probably question it. If an IT security professional suggests that running Skype can infect your entire corporate network but using a web site can't, perhaps you should question it. That you would insinuate that I am somehow trying to get myself a job is a bit insulting, frankly. I do this stuff for a living, and the users I support and the company I work for, thankfully, knows that to do their job users need the right tools. We don't ban software programs for imaginary security issues. Skype is banned where I work, not because it is insecure, but rather it is TOO secure (encrypted) and if someone was leaking company confidential, or other documents we would have no way of knowing or tracing it back to who did it. If that had been the reason given for blocking Skype, I'd understand. But saying "it's insecure and will infect all of our computers" sounds like the typical MCSE I've had to work with over the years.

Our IT department never said, nor have I that other sites are completely safe... but to say that Skype is without any flaws is amazing (or at least "too secure"). I don't pretend to know more than our IT guys who deal with this everyday for all 12 of our stations, and I trust them enough to do their jobs. They explained to me their concerns and it seemed pretty justified to me. Here is one excerpt that highlighted some issues:

One of security professionals' primary concerns about Skype are it's so easy for a Skype client to find a way around a secure firewall configuration. Skype does this by using ports 80 and 443, which are open in most firewalls to allow Web browsing. In addition, Skype may reroute traffic if the initial port assigned during the Skype installation isn't available. This makes blocking Skype at a firewall more difficult since the ports Skype uses can change as needed.

I'm not sure why this is such a big deal to you... it is just our policy. Nothing personal against you (or about this job thing you keep talking about). Eventually we'll probably use something more commercial to handle this task and it will be a moot point.

My apologies if I offended anyone that wasn't my intent.

So places don't allow for microwave or SNG, or those trucks are tied up, and this allows for more live coverage. Also, I'm sure the quality is going to get better and better as the technology and bandwidth availablity increase.

As far as the audio, we are still adjusting to automation and life without an audio operator. The entire newcast is being run by one person (there is a producer in the room too to assist with the show, but nothing technical). 90% of the work now is before the show with the coding, instead of the old way where 90% of the work was during the show. If someone in news codes something wrong and the director doesn't catch it right away, you will have those issues. A big issue is that we set levels before each show with mics and servers, but sometimes levels will differ once we get into a show. It will get better and better as we get more comfortable (only one month in).

It's been awhile since last visited so my comments may be quite old.....
I saw KWWL went HD in the studio, that is good! Several lost their
jobs with automation, that is bad! Robotic cameras? There is a funny
Youtube about robotic cameras going nuts including moving forward into
a set and pushing it out of view with the talent!

I have seen ads for tech people at KGAN but they always want "work for free"
interns. KCRG had a few openings but I doubt they were paying
more than $10/hour so that would not help those from KWWL looking for
work and have moving expenses. My thoughts and prayers to them.

You can't always get a line of site or even satellite uplink path booked. So
getting an internet piece is better than nothing, but I'd rather see a still of
the reporter and higher quality audio and wait for the next newscast for
recorded video or the web piece the following day.

I'd say all locals are doing the best they can and they may not hear it often,
so I'll start.....Thanks for what you do!

i'd say all locals are doing the best they can and they may not hear it often, so i'll start.....thanks for what you do! +1

Good Morning, Jarrett.

Glad I missed the whole previous discussion. :)

Just a quick question - is there a chance your levels could be off on your HD news? Just got back into town after a long weekend, and both last night's (Monday the 31st) and Tuesday morning's shows looked light. Almost like you were broadcasting (or encoding? I don't know - sry) at PC levels, instead of video levels. At least, fwiw, that's the effect I was seeing on two of my sets, regardless of how it was achieved.

It was especially noticeable on Eileen's weather segment this morning - maybe something as simple as a camera issue?

Not a big deal - but your broadcast is usually so good that something like this stands out; if it isn't you, maybe I need to talk to CFU - maybe the fiber to their end or their switching is off.

Thanks. Hope you had a good weekend.

I'm not sure what you mean exactly by PC levels... washed out? The cutins this morning looking great, so I'm not sure. I'll check out the CFU stuff when I get home tonight. I know there have been some issues on the analog side with CFU, but not the digital. Are you watching with one of their boxes or via QAM on your set? That may be the culprit too.

This might have been posted before, if so please disregard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJdhmsfbPg&feature=player_embedded/

Gotta say, I'm laughing my butt off. "I don't care about those people... I just care about my criminal minds!"

I'm not sure what you mean exactly by PC levels... washed out? The cutins this morning looking great, so I'm not sure. I'll check out the CFU stuff when I get home tonight. I know there have been some issues on the analog side with CFU, but not the digital. Are you watching with one of their boxes or via QAM on your set? That may be the culprit too.

(sry for delay - been busy. will now understand when you don't have time to reply.:o)

Yes - PC levels - washed out, or at least, overly bright. You're right - it was worst on my hd set that is only connected via analog - its HD, but so old that there is no QAM and in the morning, I'm to lazy to turn on the box. But I thought I was seeing a similar thing on my Sony with Cable card.

Either way, its good now. Thanks again.

CFU adding new HD channels July 1:

Haven't seen anything on cfu.net webspace - July 1st analog HBO (+HBO2,3) goes away, as does HD Net and HD Net Movies.
Com Central HD will be added on 451 and Palladia (formerly known as MTVH) will be added to HD Essentials.

*Likely* additions later this year (in HD)are:
Hallmark
TCM
Spike
CMT
VH1
MSNBC

CFU adding new HD channels July 1:

Haven't seen anything on cfu.net webspace - July 1st analog HBO (+HBO2,3) goes away, as does HD Net and HD Net Movies.
Com Central HD will be added on 451 and Palladia (formerly known as MTVH) will be added to HD Essentials.

*Likely* additions later this year (in HD)are:
Hallmark
TCM
Spike
CMT
VH1
MSNBC

Do you know why HD Net and HD Net Movies are being dropped?

I would think that they are pretty popular channels among HD subscribers and I was not aware that they planned to drop them until I read your post today, I knew about the analog HBO channels when they announced it a few weeks ago..

thnx

Mediacom dropped (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,24055966?hilite=hdnet+mediacom) HDNet and HDNet Movies last month. I found posts on the net saying that Time Warner and Bright House dropped them last summer.

I always find the data table on the National HD Channel Lineups thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081) to be very interesting. You can see five of the top service providers no longer the HDNet channels.

A Google search finds a few more smaller providers have also recently dropped those channels: US Cable, RCN Cable, and Midcontinent Communications.

no more HBO analog on CFU? then could they at least spring for the bandwidth to give us more HBO-HD? I'd trade having all 5 HBOs in HD for your entire "rumoured" list of "likely" additions. What you have there is just enough to make me think (again) about DTV.

blech.

I'd even take Encore HD (does such an animal even exist?)

HDNet was good for the Sunday strip of concerts - otherwise not a big loss to me, anyway.

The CFU official that wrote me in May "...that same date, and removing HD Net and HD Net movies, due to changes in the distribution terms, disappointment with the programming and the fact that HD net is changing its content substantially, repositioning itself as more of an adult content network."

Do you know why HD Net and HD Net Movies are being dropped?
thnx

I'd be happy with some additional HD HBO offerings, since all 7 of the offerings are available in HD (and I think available to all cable/sat providers, they just need the bandwidth and head-end equip.)

Hopefully CFU's fiber-to-the-premise (yea! the board approved the $ for the upgrade, and the contractors are going to do this faster than the original 3-5 year RFQ asked for) will bring that along with mucho better data service:
http://www.cfu.net/cybernet/fttp.aspx

As for concerts - I'd just like for IPTV to keep their transmitters (heck, even one of them - since I get 4 of them OTA) on for Austin City Limits. Really? Of all the PBS shows to *not* carry... </Josh_bait> :)

no more HBO analog on CFU? then could they at least spring for the bandwidth to give us more HBO-HD? I'd trade having all 5 HBOs in HD for your entire "rumoured" list of "likely" additions. What you have there is just enough to make me think (again) about DTV.

blech.

I'd even take Encore HD (does such an animal even exist?)

HDNet was good for the Sunday strip of concerts - otherwise not a big loss to me, anyway.

Does anyone watch Mythbusters in HD on CFU? On Mediacom, there are always audio and video glitches on Discovery HD (and also Animal Planet HD). It's not my house and on another forum it is confirmed that this happens to Mediacom customers living hundreds of miles away from each, so it would appear to be Mediacom's distribution of those channels?

ivorygate, I get these symptoms off and on with Mediacom on several channels. I always figured it is because of the aging Mediacom infrastructure and that they oversubscribe their capacity.

The thing is, for me anyway, it doesn't happen on say USA, TNT, TBS, FX or WGN, the other HD stations I regularly record things from. Just Discovery HD and Animal Planet HD. Well, I guess I did notice a few glitches on Comedy Central HD last week, but since we've only had that station in HD here for a couple weeks, it is too soon for me to say it happens as often as it does on Discovery and Animal Planet.
It is almost to the point where I think I'm going to just have to go back to recording Mythbusters on analog. Sad.

I have sometimes (but not always) been able to get some improvement by doing a cold restart on the Mediacom set top box. This only works if you completely unplug the unit, not just power off through the remote. After the reboot, you might not get the channel guide and on-demand listings for a while. Incidentally, Mediacom uses several boxes. They have replaced mine a few times. The current one is Moto. DCX3200 and seems to be better than some of the others they have given me.

I have sometimes (but not always) been able to get some improvement by doing a cold restart on the Mediacom set top box. This only works if you completely unplug the unit, not just power off through the remote. After the reboot, you might not get the channel guide and on-demand listings for a while. Incidentally, Mediacom uses several boxes. They have replaced mine a few times. The current one is Moto. DCX3200 and seems to be better than some of the others they have given me.

I have a TiVo S3. However, I do know folks on CFU with a moto box and they have told me of problems with specific channels that were corrected by doing a power reset. Although, in one case, I'm told the problem didn't completely disappear, it just didn't do it as often as it was before the power reset. In these cases, it sure seems to be a problem with the moto DVRs themselves.

However, on the other hand, once one is able to find individuals in different cities and even states with different wiring in their homes and some using completely different DVR products and yet they all have the same station quality issues, as is appears the case specifically with Discovery HD on Mediacom, it seems fair to conclude that the video/audio stream errors are being introduced before being sent out to our houses.

Were you one of the people suffering from the issue on DSLreports.com? Did you confirm that the problems are happening at the other locations at the same points in the broadcast? Do you know what channel (QAM assignment/frequency) these channels are carried on? I'm wondering if they're higher frequencies that are attenuated more than the other channels. I was suffering from that issue with Mediacom previously, where some channels would pixelate and others not; the breaking-up ones were up past 700MHz, where as the higher quality ones were lower in the 500's if I remember. I had them come out and they found that the signal to my house was low on the top end causing the problems. Not saying this is what you're having but it is worth a shot. Maybe they assign these channels higher QAM assignments in many places for some reason?

I believe you can find the frequencies in the diagnostics page for your Tivo S3.

Maybe they assign these channels higher QAM assignments in many places for some reason?

I had actually gone through and figured out the frequencies for the HD channels a few weeks ago. Discovery and Animal planet are in the lower frequencies and I have no problem with USA HD which is up at 723.

Channel Station Frequency
825 WGNHD 153
830 ESPNHD 717
831 ESPN2HD 717
832 CSNCHD 729
834 BIGIAHD 573
835 TNTHD 591
836 TBSHD 153
837 CNNHD 597
838 USAHD 723
839 SYFYHD 711
840 UHD 705
841 HDT 699
842 DSCHD 567
843 TLCHD 567
844 APLHD 567
847 AETVHD 711
848 HSTRYHD 711
850 SMTHHD 753
851 MGMHD 753
856 FNCHD 723
857 HGTVD 591
858 FOODHD 591
860 FXHD 597
861 SPEEDHD 597
863 LIFEHD 723
870 SPIKEHD 321
871 CCHD 321
872 MTVHD 327
873 VH1HD 327
875 CMTVHD 327
877 NIKHD 321
880 HBOHD 699
885 STZHD 699
890 SHOWHD 705
892 TMCHD 705

Thanks for the list ivorygate. What is the deal with channels 840 (UHD), 850 (SMTHHD) and 851 (MGMHD)? They come up as "Not Authorized" for me? Are they part of a premium package? I have subscriptions to HBO & Starz, but not Showtime.

Thanks for the list ivorygate. What is the deal with channels 840 (UHD), 850 (SMTHHD) and 851 (MGMHD)? They come up as "Not Authorized" for me? Are they part of a premium package? I have subscriptions to HBO & Starz, but not Showtime.

Those three stations, and only those three, are part of the "HD Tier" which costs an extra $7 per month. It used to include HDNet and HDNet movies, but as discussed not too long ago, they dropped those two stations and replaced them with Smithsonian and MGM at the end of April.

Does anyone know why IMON keeps changing their Free HD channels around? It seems I have to search every couple of weeks to find the locals channels.

Does anyone know the current list for the Free IMON HD Channels? Thanks!

IMON HD Channels. Is the list they have on their web site out of date?

801 Discovery HD
802 CBS HD1
803 HDNet
804 HDNet Movies
807 NBC HD
808 FOX HD
809 ABC HD
812 PBS HD1
817 QVC HD
818 WGN HD
823 Food HD
825 HGTV HD
829 ESPN HD
830 ESPN2 HD
834 Disney HD
838 Speed HD
842 Big Ten Network HD
844 Comcast SportsNet HD
846 NFL Network HD
847 Comcast SportsNet Plus HD
850 HBO HD2
857 TNT HD
860 Showtime HD2
861 Cinemax HD
863 A&E HD
866 TBS HD
886 History HD
888 Fox Business Network HD
891 National Geographic HD

I hadn't rescanned and inventoried ImOn and knew some things had changed. It turns out that a majority of channels have shifted QAM channels since earlier this year. Here is a current line up as of this evening ... hopefully not too many mistakes. :) Note that there are five new HD channels not yet listed on the ImOn site that I've been receiving on my set-top-box that are also clear-QAM.

QAM STB
KGAN-HD (CBS) 109.1 802 1080i
KWWL-HD 109.3 807 1080i
KFXA-HD (FOX) 48.1 808 720p
KCRG-HD (ABC) 83.5 809 720p
IPTV-HD (PBS) 92.1 812 1080i

KGAN 109.2 702 480i
RTV (KWWL sub) 109.4 707 480i
KFXA 48.2 708 480i
KCRG 9.2 110.6 709 480i
IPTV 92.2 713 480i
EWTN 48.4 141 480i
QVC-HD 94.4 817 1080i

HGTV-HD 39.1 825 1080i
Food-HD 40.11 823 1080i
Travel-HD 40.5 824 1080i
Speed-HD 41.21 838 720p
Nat Geo-HD 49.5 891 720p
ESPN2-HD 49.6 830 720p
Discovery-HD 75.1 801 1080i
Cartoon/[adult swim]-HD 75.5 836 1080i
WGN-HD 78.2 818 1080i
ESPN-HD 78.3 829 720p
Outdoor-HD 80.1 848 1080i
TNT-HD 81.28 857 1080i
truTV-HD 82.2 872 1080i
TBS-HD 82.32 866 1080i
FOX Business HD 84.1 888 720p
ComcastSportsNet-HD 88.1 844 1080i
FX-HD 88.3 856 1080i
NFL-HD 89.2 846 1080i
HDNet 92.3 803 1080i
Fox News-HD 93.7 887 1080i
BigTen-HD 94.5 842 720p
HDNet Movies 110.7 804 1080i
Disney-HD 122.1 834 720p
History-HD 122.2 886 720p
A&E-HD 123.3 863 720p
ComcastSportsNetPlus-HD 847

Thanks GaryP2, I'm rescanning now and I'll use your list to find the channels.

thank you!

I was curious why ImOn keeps shifting clear-QAM channels around and making it so difficult for customers to find what channel to tune to, so I called them this morning. The response is that they know it’s a challenge for us and that they are intending for it to settle down at some point.

A few months back they communicated that they were going to present the QAM channel number to be the same as their set-top-box channel number. KFXA-HD, for example, would be on QAM channel 808. About 1.5 years ago they experimented with this and I was able to tune into a few HD channels in this channel range for a brief period of time. They said that the newer QAM tuners should be able to do this, but that some older gear may not. I asked them about it this morning and the rep told me he “thought” that may still be in the works. That would sure make life easier remembering channel 808 than it would 48.1. :)

Please let me know if you find any inaccuracies in the list. Of course, it’ll probably change next week if it hasn’t already. ImOn does have a QAM channel lineup on their web site, but it’s woefully out-of-date (I mentioned that to them this morning). http://www.imon.net/Faq/Cable-TV-FAQ.aspx#78

At least they are all free to tune in to without a cable box, and it’s becoming an increasingly impressive list to choose from as they continue to add more. I just need to bite the bullet and update more of my TVs to have QAM tuners to actually make use of them!

I was curious why ImOn keeps shifting clear-QAM channels around and making it so difficult for customers to find what channel to tune to, so I called them this morning. The response is that they know it’s a challenge for us and that they are intending for it to settle down at some point.

A few months back they communicated that they were going to present the QAM channel number to be the same as their set-top-box channel number. KFXA-HD, for example, would be on QAM channel 808. About 1.5 years ago they experimented with this and I was able to tune into a few HD channels in this channel range for a brief period of time. They said that the newer QAM tuners should be able to do this, but that some older gear may not. I asked them about it this morning and the rep told me he “thought” that may still be in the works. That would sure make life easier remembering channel 808 than it would 48.1. :)

Please let me know if you find any inaccuracies in the list. Of course, it’ll probably change next week if it hasn’t already. ImOn does have a QAM channel lineup on their web site, but it’s woefully out-of-date (I mentioned that to them this morning). http://www.imon.net/Faq/Cable-TV-FAQ.aspx#78

At least they are all free to tune in to without a cable box, and it’s becoming an increasingly impressive list to choose from as they continue to add more. I just need to bite the bullet and update more of my TVs to have QAM tuners to actually make use of them!

I'm certainly happy to see that I was right when I asserted that they would be "giving away" their HD channels to people with QAM. Now they just need to bring service to my neighborhood!

Actually, the other thing they need to do is make some decent service maps, so that people know just how achingly close or woefully far away they are from a potential future expansion. Especially when they claim coverage on certain "sides" of town, where some of those sides are inordinately large (NE and SW sides, for example).

It's a moving target right now, but ImOn just added yet a few more clear-QAM HD (and SD) channels and also announced the eight new HD channels on their Facebook page (still not updated on their official site, however). Here's an updated clear-QAM listing that includes everything as of right now.

QAM STB
KGAN-HD (CBS) 109.1 802 1080i
KWWL-HD (NBC) 109.3 807 1080i
KFXA-HD (FOX) 48.1 808 720p
KCRG-HD (ABC) 83.5 809 720p
IPTV-HD (PBS) 92.1 812 1080i

KGAN 109.2 702 480i
RTV (KWWL sub) 109.4 707 480i
KFXA 48.2 708 480i
KCRG 9.2 110.6 709 480i
IPTV Learns 92.2 713 480i
EWTN 48.4 141 480i
Golf Channel 110.31 46 480i
Game Show Network (GSN) 110.32 71 480i

HGTV-HD 39.1 825 1080i
Food-HD 40.11 823 1080i
Travel-HD 40.5 824 1080i
Speed-HD 41.21 838 720p
ABC Family-HD 47.3 826 720p
ESPNU-HD 47.7 832 720p
Nat Geo-HD 49.5 891 720p
ESPN2-HD 49.6 830 720p
Discovery-HD 75.1 801 1080i
Cartoon/[adult swim]-HD 75.5 836 1080i
WGN-HD 78.2 818 1080i
ESPN-HD 78.3 829 720p
Outdoor Channel-HD 80.1 848 1080i
TNT-HD 81.28 857 1080i
truTV-HD 82.2 872 1080i
TBS-HD 82.32 866 1080i
FOX Business HD 84.1 888 720p
ComcastSportsNet-HD 88.1 844 1080i
FX-HD 88.3 856 1080i
NFL-HD 89.2 846 1080i
HDNet 92.3 803 1080i
Fox News-HD 93.7 887 1080i
QVC-HD 94.4 817 1080i
BigTen-HD 94.5 842 720p
HDNet Movies 110.7 804 1080i
Disney-HD 122.1 834 720p
History-HD 122.2 886 720p
A&E-HD 123.3 863 720p
ComcastSportsNetPlus-HD 847

Looking over the posts here, I don't think it's been mentioned, but OTA ION is HD now. Mainly just syndicated shows, but they're all in HD, as well as some of the movies I've seen over the last week or so.

Can anyone tell me is "Discovery HD" the real Discovery channel or is it HD Theater? I've heard both. If they added the real Discovery HD I am only waiting for Comedy Central HD, CNN HD, and Science Channel HD before I drop the trigger and disconnect Dish.

The CNN HD is a deal breaker for me, I like to watch news a lot and they don't offer any news channels in HD.

sgarringer: Zap2It has 801 on ImOn listed as HDT, not Discovery. If that is in fact wrong, someone in CR needs to fill out the Zap2It "incorrect lineup" (http://www.zap2it.com/services/site/help/zap-faq-contact-channel,0,5059403.htmlstory) form.

ImOn channel 801 is Discovery HD Theater and not Discovery Channel HD, so Zap2It is correct.

I’ll make the change to my lineup chart for the next time I post it.

For what it's worth: George Ford of The Gazette posted this piece about ImOn's expansion plans:

http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/06/29/imon-expands-its-network-work-force

Its expansion is still going to seem agonizingly slow to some people. They say they're "closing in" on 60 percent of C.R. and Marion, with 70 percent build-out "in the next several years."

For what it's worth: George Ford of The Gazette posted this piece about ImOn's expansion plans:

http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/06/29/imon-expands-its-network-work-force

Its expansion is still going to seem agonizingly slow to some people. They say they're "closing in" on 60 percent of C.R. and Marion, with 70 percent build-out "in the next several years."

I'll be sure to set up my high-speed cameras and motion detectors to be able to capture them in action as they blaze a trail to and through my neighborhood at break-neck speed... :rolleyes:

Then again, there's something to be said for modest, measured expansion. Companies don't stay in the black forever, and if they're biding time so that they can make capital improvements from cash reserves, instead of making risky financial decisions, then it will be better for everyone in the end.

The lack of choices for some people, especially those who have ImOn available across the street but not to their home, is quite agonizing. Hopefully once ImOn reaches a high enough saturation point, MediaCon will start to see that their prices and offerings are completely out of line, and adjust accordingly. Competition is a VERY good thing, and can't come soon enough.

The lack of choices for some people, especially those who have ImOn available across the street but not to their home, is quite agonizing. Hopefully once ImOn reaches a high enough saturation point, MediaCon will start to see that their prices and offerings are completely out of line, and adjust accordingly. Competition is a VERY good thing, and can't come soon enough.

You think you have it bad? I purchased a house with the knowledge I could transfer my (then McLeodATS) service from my current address to here. I had been a subscriber since 2000. I checked, their pedestals were in the backyard, so we're ready to go! Except, no. They had run the wires but not hooked any of them up. They sat there, idle, while I had to sign up to other providers.

After years, they finally connected the equipment in my area. I can't imagine 5+ years of neglect treated it well. But at least they hooked me up. So there is always hope!

ImOn has a notify form on their web site you can fill out to be notified when service becomes available for your address: http://www.imon.net/Service/ServiceArea_Contact.aspx. I don't know if they are sophisticated enough in their information analysis to use this to determine neighborhoods where there is high interest in their service and use the information in their build-out strategy. But it can't hurt to let them know you are interested.

Was watching WHO-TV in Des Moines today and they ran a bumper that stated, 'WHO is the FIRST and ONLY station in Iowa broadcasting the news in HIGH DEFINITION."

I even DVRed it to make sure I heard it correctly. I figured they would've qualified it with "Central Iowa" but no, it said straight up IOWA.

I am sure that statement is news to KWWL. Their HD broadcast was several months ahead of WHO's.

Was watching WHO-TV in Des Moines today and they ran a bumper that stated, 'WHO is the FIRST and ONLY station in Iowa broadcasting the news in HIGH DEFINITION."

I even DVRed it to make sure I heard it correctly. I figured they would've qualified it with "Central Iowa" but no, it said straight up IOWA.

I am sure that statement is news to KWWL. Their HD broadcast was several months ahead of WHO's.WHO's gives their HD story on their website (http://www.whotv.com/about/station/who-fullhdconversionrelease-052010,0,4990200.story).

They say first local news story in HD on Feb 2008.

Saying the "ONLY" is not fair to KWWL. Possibly WHO's claims to "total HD" may have more merit.

WHO's gives their HD story on their website (http://www.whotv.com/about/station/who-fullhdconversionrelease-052010,0,4990200.story).

They say first local news story in HD on Feb 2008.

Saying the "ONLY" is not fair to KWWL. Possibly WHO's claims to "total HD" may have more merit.

WHO's newscast does have more HD, including many field reports / shots in HD. However, they didn't qualify the statement with anything in regards to "complete HD", "total HD", or "most HD", they just said it was the "first and only newscast in Iowa in High Definition". That's disingenuous because it was not first, nor was it the only.

Let's face it: The Cedar Rapids-Waterloo market has ALWAYS been ahead of Des Moines at least when it comes to technology and hardware. From Conrad Johnson and one of the first on-screen radars, to 2000 foot towers, to local HD, it happened in eastern Iowa first.

Does anyone have a up to date QAM channel listing available for Mediacom(cedar rapids area)? This thread is 150+ pages long, I went back about 10 pages and didnt see one, only ImOn.

Stupid mediacom makes it almost impossible without an HD tuner box for HD channels :mad:

These should be the HD channels available over QAM.

89.4 KRIN (PBS) HD
114.1 KWWL (NBC) HD
114.6 KGAN (CBS) HD
115.2 KCRG (ABC) HD
115.4 KFXA (Fox) HD
119.4 KWKB (MyNetwork/WB) HD

These should be the HD channels available over QAM.

89.4 KRIN (PBS) HD
114.1 KWWL (NBC) HD
114.6 KGAN (CBS) HD
115.2 KCRG (ABC) HD
115.4 KFXA (Fox) HD
119.4 KWKB (MyNetwork/WB) HDWow, no others?

Like a bunch of cable only networks in unencrypted HD QAM?

Thank you ImOn!

Wow, no others?

Like a bunch of cable only networks in unencrypted HD QAM?

Thank you ImOn!

Correct.

There was a VERY short period of time where WGN-HD was available, but they shut it off pretty quickly.

The sub-channels for the locals are available, too (7.2 and 7.3 are on 114.2 and 114.3, for example), and most of the MediaCon Digital Music channels are available, but no other HD programming is available over QAM.

That is part of my whole rant about wanting ImOn to expand as quickly as possible, to offer some competition to the "$30/month for 15 channels and only your locals in HD" dreck that MediaCon offers. Perhaps having a competitor who offered as much free HD to their customers as ImOn does would wake MediaCon up to the fact that HD is here, and it's here to stay, and people want to access it in their homes as a primary service, not as a halo service (the expansion of HD offerings from satellite providers is further evidence of this).

And, honestly, when MediaCon dropped TBS from their Basic lineup, it was about the last straw for me. The complete lack of HD versions of WGN, Fox News (which I don't think people are technically supposed to get), etc. is inexcusable in my book, but QAM is the most reliable way for me to get HD locals at my home right now, so I stupidly stick with those charlatans, until ImOn makes it to my neighbourhood (some time in 2020, from the looks of their expansion plans).

At least I knew enough to get rid of MediaCon's flakey, unreliable, over-priced low-speed internet access...

At least I knew enough to get rid of MediaCon's flakey, unreliable, over-priced low-speed internet access...I agree with most of the points you said about Mediacom and also anxiously await for the competition from ImOn to reach my neighborhood. That said, I have found the Mediacom Internet service to be quite good. Over priced, yes. But for me it has been very reliable and quite fast, I regularly get 15 to 18 Mbps on the Speakeasy download speed test. I also use the Mediacom phone service and find it quite good.

IPTV requests translator for Dubuque area

Northpine.com is reporting that Iowa Public Television has filed for permission to build a translator aimed at the Dubuque area. Dubuque is in the Cedar Rapids market and is barely inside KRIN's contour, but IPTV says viewers in the Key City have had a hard time getting them after the digital transition.

The transmitter, if approved, would operate on Channel 18 at 15 kW -- the limit for UHF digital translators -- from just across the river in Grant County, WI (map (https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101346810&qnum=5100&copynum=1&exhcnum=2)).

Northpine.com is reporting that Iowa Public Television has filed for permission to build a translator aimed at the Dubuque area.
Thanks for the heads up. This was news to me.

I agree with most of the points you said about Mediacom and also anxiously await for the competition from ImOn to reach my neighborhood. That said, I have found the Mediacom Internet service to be quite good. Over priced, yes. But for me it has been very reliable and quite fast, I regularly get 15 to 18 Mbps on the Speakeasy download speed test. I also use the Mediacom phone service and find it quite good.

Same. Qwest only offers 1.5 Mbps to my house, so I am stuck paying Mediacom for internet so I can stream video so I don't have to pay them for cable.

I agree with most of the points you said about Mediacom and also anxiously await for the competition from ImOn to reach my neighborhood. That said, I have found the Mediacom Internet service to be quite good. Over priced, yes. But for me it has been very reliable and quite fast, I regularly get 15 to 18 Mbps on the Speakeasy download speed test. I also use the Mediacom phone service and find it quite good.

Well, I haven't had MediaCom Internet for almost 3 years now, but when I had it, I would drop multiple times a week, usually at least once a day. And, while I wasn't trying to run a server or anything, it still tended to happen at the worst possible times, and I had a lot of issues with bandwidth bottlenecks during that time, too.

Based on your mention of decent service and fast speeds, I checked MediaCom's website, and see that they're actually offering decent promotional packages to EXISTING customers, so I called yesterday and found out that I can upgrade my basic-basic package to add internet and have a 12-month price that is cheaper than both 1.5Mb and 7Mb prices on my DSL. I'll be calling to switch on my lunch break, as the promo expires today.

Thanks! :)

CR_Client, I hope the Mediacom Internet works better for you than it did with your previous experience with them. I know from talking to other people around town it varies quite a bit from neighborhood to neighborhood. I suspect they oversubscribe a little too aggressively in some areas, and the original Cox infrastructure installed in the 70's is getting pretty old. I have had the Internet service since it was first offered by AT&T@home. I will have to say the Internet service has improved considerably the past few years and both Internet and phone have been rock solid for me for several years now. I have had some problems with their cable TV tho (signal drop outs, freeze ups, pixelizing, etc.)

Jarrett,
Are you aware of frequent (every minute or two) audio hiccups of KWWL's main channel over CFU cable (HD 407/7.1/17.1 version at least), and less frequent video pauses? 10pm news Wed 7/21 had many - NBC nightly Thr did too... and I'm not the only one noticing on BookFace.

I might be in the minority but I've never had issues with either Mediacom or ImOn and I've lived all over this city, on all four sides of town. It's a matter of the wiring in your house, and the wiring to your house.

I can't compare that to my DSL service, which Qwest signed me up for, not once, not twice, but 3 times (at 3 different addresses), only to install it and then a few months later determine I was too far from the CO to make it work well. It would train at 1300 usually (on a 7MB plan) and then slowly work its way down to 100k or less, before disconnecting until I power cycled.

What is the DVR situation in Cedar Falls with CFU? I have a friend who keeps running out of space on the anemic Motorola DVR they provide - I believe it has a sad little 160GB HDD? Any chance they are going to start providing a newer model, such as the DCX-3400 that I've read Mediacom is starting to provide? (No, he doesn't want to pay for a TiVo.)

FYI
A friend emailed me today with information that KWWF 22.1 is on the air supposedly from the KXPR tower at Urbana.


I rescanned my set this morning when the rain was coming down pretty good (yea I know not bright) and have 22.1 & 22.2 coming in with no problems. Right now 1529 hrs 7.3 is pixelating pretty bad and 221. is crystal clear.

Both 22.1 & 22.2 are showing the same programing.

Jarrett,
Are you aware of frequent (every minute or two) audio hiccups of KWWL's main channel over CFU cable (HD 407/7.1/17.1 version at least), and less frequent video pauses? 10pm news Wed 7/21 had many - NBC nightly Thr did too... and I'm not the only one noticing on BookFace.

Well aware of it... the main contact I work with is on vacation. Another has been checking into it, but there is still something going on that they are trying to work out.

I also noticed that KWWF was back on the air a couple days ago. The station ID says "Untamed Sports TV", which sounds...intriguing. The info about it on the FCC website hasn't been updated yet, it's still showing up as a construction permit for the Jesup tower.

For anyone who has ImOn (or any provider, really, but ImOn has the most ClearQAM channels) www.woot.com is selling HD Home Runs for $84.99 for the dual tuner model + $5 shipping. These work great for pulling in ClearQAM HD and SD channels.

I was trying to figure out if I should get one of these and did this morning hoping I could use it with ImOn. Glad to hear I can, Bear

And if you don't mind $20 a year subscription, check out CW-EPG (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=659993).

Automated scheduling of HdHomerun, Fusion, and MyHD tuners. Schedules Direct for data subscription and they have a free trial period to see if it is to your liking.

I don't know if anyone here is an HD radio listener or not, but I thought I would mention that 1450 KMRY appears to no longer be transmitting in HD Radio. There is no HD radio carrier on their signal any longer and their modulation seems to be further now. KMRY was the first radio station in the country to transmit in HD Radio...

And if you don't mind $20 a year subscription, check out CW-EPG (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=659993).

Automated scheduling of HdHomerun, Fusion, and MyHD tuners. Schedules Direct for data subscription and they have a free trial period to see if it is to your liking.

How does that compare to just running Windows Media Center (like version 7) on a machine? My plan is to run MC on a virtual machine running on VMWare ESXi and then use an Xbox 360 for watching TV... or a laptop... or another Windows 7 machine. Has anyone here tried anything like that?

CW-EPG is aimed towards automated tivo-like scheduling, i.e. record all new episodes of Lost, record any episode of Lost that I haven't scheduled before, record any show that has Evangeline Lily, etc.

Also spreads captures across all available tuners (HDHomeruns, Fusion, and MyHDs) to reduce missed recordings due to conflicts of other items being captured. Several options such as pre start/end times, Auto wake to record, etc..

No biggie if it doesn't suit your needs, but I couldn't survive without it.

Anyone else having problems with KWWL and KCRG coming in? I'm not receiving any signal from these two stations. My wife was watching earlier today just fine. This has happened a couple times the last week or so..
Is there some work being done on the tower or what?

I don't know if anyone here is an HD radio listener or not, but I thought I would mention that 1450 KMRY appears to no longer be transmitting in HD Radio. There is no HD radio carrier on their signal any longer and their modulation seems to be further now. KMRY was the first radio station in the country to transmit in HD Radio...

Just speculation here, but KMRY might be getting tired of the iBiquity licensing fees to operate HD for very limited gain.

Now if KMRY could get an HD-2 stream on KZIA, buy an FM translator, and bammo they get 250 watts and as a fill-in translator for KZIA, they can have antenna up as high as they want, as long as the translator's defined coverage area doesn't exceed that of the parent station.

OK, so like that'll happen. Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

AM stations are now allowed to have FM translators, so they wouldn't need to be on an HD2.

Anyone else having problems with KWWL and KCRG coming in? I'm not receiving any signal from these two stations. My wife was watching earlier today just fine. This has happened a couple times the last week or so..
Is there some work being done on the tower or what?

KWWL and KCRG are on different towers (albeit only 5 miles from each other). They are both VHF stations though, so you may want to check out that side of you reception setup. We have been at full power (50 KW or so) for the past year. The only nagging complaint I've been receiving the past week or so is random audio dropouts (which we aren't hearing here). Some are cable customers but there are a couple off-air viewers as well. I'm not sure what the deal is there, since they claim the video stays fine. The audio ducks for a second or so and then is back to normal after that. Anyone else out there hearing this?

Anyone know what QAM channels the local HD stations should be on for Mediacom in Cedar Falls? I found KWWL-DT on channel 99.1, but I can't seem to find the rest.

Just speculation here, but KMRY might be getting tired of the iBiquity licensing fees to operate HD for very limited gain.

Now if KMRY could get an HD-2 stream on KZIA, buy an FM translator, and bammo they get 250 watts and as a fill-in translator for KZIA, they can have antenna up as high as they want, as long as the translator's defined coverage area doesn't exceed that of the parent station.

OK, so like that'll happen. Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Why would they want to go over to FM though? I'm completely lost. They're licensed for 1000W AM, that should cover significantly further than a 250W FM station, regardless of the height.

Why would they want to go over to FM though? I'm completely lost. They're licensed for 1000W AM, that should cover significantly further than a 250W FM station, regardless of the height.

Because something like 80% of listening is to FM stations, many people never even tune to AM, and the audio quality is better.

KWWL and KCRG are on different towers (albeit only 5 miles from each other). They are both VHF stations though, so you may want to check out that side of you reception setup. We have been at full power (50 KW or so) for the past year. The only nagging complaint I've been receiving the past week or so is random audio dropouts (which we aren't hearing here). Some are cable customers but there are a couple off-air viewers as well. I'm not sure what the deal is there, since they claim the video stays fine. The audio ducks for a second or so and then is back to normal after that. Anyone else out there hearing this?

I've traced this problem locally with a Chicago station I get. In short, impulse noise. Modest compared to VHF-LO, but still there.

I've traced this problem locally with a Chicago station I get. In short, impulse noise. Modest compared to VHF-LO, but still there.

Did you find the source? Or did you just try to filter it out? I'm trying to help one viewer in particular. On the phone, I could here the audio dropping in the background while the TV here was fine. He has an outdoor antenna, so I was a bit stumped for suggestions.

Did you find the source? Or did you just try to filter it out? I'm trying to help one viewer in particular. On the phone, I could here the audio dropping in the background while the TV here was fine. He has an outdoor antenna, so I was a bit stumped for suggestions.

I've tried to filter it out by using a VERY directional, very large, 20 year old (but always in an attic) VHF-only antenna. In a thunderstorm, WBBM-12 becomes unwatchable. As thunderstorms get within 100 miles of me, the dropouts get worse and worse as they get closer to me. But the minor dropouts? Don't have a clue where they are coming from. I am also using quad-shielded RG-6 cable end-to-end, CM 7777 preamp as well with FM trap "on" to try to filter out any harmonic interference.

I didn't chintz on my setup.

KWWL and KCRG are on different towers (albeit only 5 miles from each other). They are both VHF stations though, so you may want to check out that side of you reception setup. We have been at full power (50 KW or so) for the past year. The only nagging complaint I've been receiving the past week or so is random audio dropouts (which we aren't hearing here). Some are cable customers but there are a couple off-air viewers as well. I'm not sure what the deal is there, since they claim the video stays fine. The audio ducks for a second or so and then is back to normal after that. Anyone else out there hearing this?
Jarrett

I was having some drop outs OTA a couple weeks ago, but to tell you the truth I don't remember which channel I was watching at the time.

Since you posted this problem I have been paying attention a bit more but have not seen the drop outs happen to document them.

Yes it was audio ONLY drop outs

AM stations are now allowed to have FM translators, so they wouldn't need to be on an HD2.

That's true. I was just describing a scenario where a KMRY FM translator could get as much HAAT as possible, as opposed to the usual 100 meter limit.Yes, my scenario was a bit far-fetched, having KMRY couple up with a station under different ownership, but you never know, it could happen.

Probably less hassle to just do the AM on FM route though. 250 watts on the Allliant Energy building or another high spot near downtown (100 meters or less) might cover CR proper a lot better than my scenario above, assuming a spot just below KZIA on their tower. Plus no iBiquity fees!

KZIA transmits from north of Hiawatha, not from the Alliant tower. As for why 80% of the people listen to FM, perhaps people don't enjoy listening to Rush Limbaugh complain about how Obama is a socialist anymore, or Mexicans are going to steal your jobs. That's not the fault of the broadcast frequency, it's the fault of the fact that AM broadcast is a complete wasteland of garbage. Moving it to FM would do nothing to change that. Rush Limbaugh is just as fat and wrong on FM as he is on AM.

OK, I didn't phrase that well. I know KZIA is on the old channel 9 tower. Point that I didn't make too well is this: 250 watts at 250 meters, below the KZIA bays, would have bigger coverage than 250 watts downtown. But 250 watts downtown would make for stronger coverage in CR proper.

Suppose that's enough radio talk for now...

One more radio post and then I'll zip-up. HD Radio is back on KMRY. I shot a brief video to confirm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTPFYGvmGgA

I'm finally getting an antenna to mount in my attic. I live in North Liberty and would like to be able to pick up all the main stations. I have some rabbit ears and can get everything I need other than KWWL. I asked here a while ago and someone had a VU-90 XR ini North Liberty also that was working well for them. The local Radio Shacks no longer have them though and I was looking for an alternative. Thanks

(Dosen't need to come from Radio Shack, I'm open to other options)

I'm finally getting an antenna to mount in my attic. I live in North Liberty and would like to be able to pick up all the main stations.

Your 45 miles from KWWL, but with your elevation in North Liberty, I still think the Winegard HD-1080 would work well for you at that location and it's just $34 (free shipping) from Buy.com. It's compact enough to fit in an attic and you could always through a preamp on there to help things out too. It's not marketed as a digital antenna either... so that's a plus :rolleyes:

Nice to see KWWL 10pm news playing back WHO's HD story on the cleanup/closing of businesses in Ames (I happened to catch the story on WHO @6pm).
Much better than seeing KWWL's Becca live at 6pm in HD on WHO outside Lake Delhi last month - and then give pretty much the same story 5 minutes later.. in SD... on KWWL :(
Oh well, one more piece of equipment here and there and KWWL will be there (of course *there* is always a moving target :) )

So did anyone get a chance to scan and see if they were able to get any DX tv signals this past week? I was listening to amateur radio repeaters from all over, FM radio from Des Moines (in CR) but I didn't get any DX tv stations. =(

Per Northpine.com, it appears two music subchannels will be coming to Sinclair stations in the not-too-distant future: The Country Network and something called "THECOOLTV."

Cool Music Network describes "THECOOLTV" in a press release (link to the full text (http://www.thecooltv.com/THECOOLTV_SinclairTelevisionGroup.php)):

"THECOOLTV is a brand new 24 hours a day / 7 days a week music television network. But unlike other music channels, THECOOLTV is 'hyper-localized,' customizing its programming to reflect local demographics, music events and even local artists. Through their partnerships with local artists, music venues, promoters and major festival events, THECOOLTV has been able to cultivate a unique aspect of localism, thereby appealing to the viewers in each market."

Cedar Rapids and Des Moines are listed as getting THECOOLTV; the press release doesn't say whether it will air on Sinclair-owned KGAN or its operating agreement partner KFXA here. It lists no target date.

A press release for The Country Network (link to full text (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinclair-broadcast-group-to-air-the-country-network-101317669.html)) describes it as "the only television network dedicated exclusively to airing country music videos. TCN will be 'all country music, all the time.' " That press release doesn't list any markets, but 28 markets will get it by October with the rest of Sinclair's markets airing it by early 2011.

I wonder if Sinclair will use this as another excuse to hold Mediacom customers hostage and jack up cable rates.

I wonder if Sinclair will use this as another excuse to hold Mediacom customers hostage and jack up cable rates.

Do bears crap in the woods?

I wonder if Sinclair will use this as another excuse to hold Mediacom customers hostage and jack up cable rates.You know somebody has to pay $inclair so they can start sometime with their HD upgrade, since there in last place.

We had a power outage at the studio last night (scheduled for mid-american to do some work downtown), and our main 7.1 encoder did not come back on after the outage. It's power supply has failed and unfortunately, we don't have another at the moment, nor is anything obviously blown or burnt in the unit. We are busy trying to repair or replace this, but in the meantime, we have 7.2 and 7.3 SD feeds still on the air... and 7.3, which is normally RTV, is now NBC (regular KWWL) until we get things back up and running. Just wanted to let you know, since I'm sure you'll notice soon and wonder what's going on!
-Jarrett

We had a power outage at the studio last night (scheduled for mid-american to do some work downtown), and our main 7.1 encoder did not come back on after the outage. It's power supply has failed and unfortunately, we don't have another at the moment, nor is anything obviously blown or burnt in the unit. We are busy trying to repair or replace this, but in the meantime, we have 7.2 and 7.3 SD feeds still on the air... and 7.3, which is normally RTV, is now NBC (regular KWWL) until we get things back up and running. Just wanted to let you know, since I'm sure you'll notice soon and wonder what's going on!
-Jarrett
I noticed it was 7.1 was dead this morning..............didn't give it a second thought

I am looking for some antenna recommendations. Located on the SE side of CR (52403).

Currently running a VHF/UHF antenna on the roof that I picked up at Menards 4ish years ago. I am getting 100% signal on KGAN, KCRG, and KWWL. But only 50-60% on KFXA and KWKB.

My HD Homerun will detect the signal and will record, but there is a lot of pixelation and drop outs. My TV just displays a black screen.

Would adding an amp into the line help? Any other suggestions/recommendations for troubleshooting? Goal is to get everything up and running before the fall season kicks in.

I am looking for some antenna recommendations. Located on the SE side of CR (52403).

Currently running a VHF/UHF antenna on the roof that I picked up at Menards 4ish years ago. I am getting 100% signal on KGAN, KCRG, and KWWL. But only 50-60% on KFXA and KWKB.

My HD Homerun will detect the signal and will record, but there is a lot of pixelation and drop outs. My TV just displays a black screen.

Would adding an amp into the line help? Any other suggestions/recommendations for troubleshooting? Goal is to get everything up and running before the fall season kicks in.
I live on the SE side next to Bever Park. You should first go to a TV antenna pointing website like: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx

You might find that pointing a bit more to the West (~300 degrees) may help in getting 28.1 (Fox) reliable yet also still work for the other locals except for KWKB.

20.1 (KWKB) is a bit of a problem since it needs to be pointed at around 142 degrees (SE) for best reception. I get it off the back side of my antenna but it does occassionaly break up.

A mast mount preamp will help but you need to get one that is resistant to overload on strong stations. I use a Channel Master CM7777 (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=ANC7777) with great results.

I am not too far east from you, more towards Erskine.

I just eyeballed it (using antennaweb) when I set it up years ago, but finally looking to go completely OTA. From the satellite image it looks like I am pointed more towards 330-340 range, so I will try splitting the difference to see if I can pick up KFXA more reliably.

KWKB isn't a huge deal, since my wife really only watches Supernatural.

I should probably look at the way the cables are split, when I originally set it up it was only feeding one TV. Right now I have it feeding 4 tunners (plus need to add 2 more to get the wife approval factor up).

edit: I removed the splitter right before the HDHomerun and that seemed to clear up the issues for recording on the HTPC, but cut me down to one tuner. I have a drop amp meant for cable TV (Electroline EDA 2100) on hand, but I think it might be more gain than I need.

When you install the rotor, install the mast mount pre amp and you will most likely notice a big difference.

Wifey will like the rotor when she goes to watch KWKB..........................

When you install the rotor, install the mast mount pre amp and you will most likely notice a big difference.

Wifey will like the rotor when she goes to watch KWKB..........................

You could also get a single highly directional antenna (important to watch the front to back gain) and then install it pointing towards KWKB, just use a splitter, feed each "output" with an antenna and then no need to rotate at all. I do this (in fact I have 3, a VHF only antenna and two UHF antennas) connected in this manner. These are all mounted up 40 feet on my ham tower, fed through a couple of filters and an amp, I get 100% signal on all the channels.

You could also get a single highly directional antenna (important to watch the front to back gain) and then install it pointing towards KWKB, just use a splitter, feed each "output" with an antenna and then no need to rotate at all. I do this (in fact I have 3, a VHF only antenna and two UHF antennas) connected in this manner. These are all mounted up 40 feet on my ham tower, fed through a couple of filters and an amp, I get 100% signal on all the channels.

That is one way to do it. I prefer to have the ability to move my antenna to "zero" in on the channel if necessary. Not everyone has a 40 ft tower available. To each his own.

I normally have mine turned to watch Davenport stations ..................the CR stations come in fine off the back side. But I live directly in line between the two areas.

KWKB sometimes needs a bit of help so I have the ability to turn if I really want to make sure I see the station well.

Noticed that KGAN had an HD weather crawl going a couple of nights ago......

Wonder how they'll screw that up.... ;)

Noticed that KGAN had an HD weather crawl going a couple of nights ago......

Wonder how they'll screw that up.... ;)Well I'm sure they'll try it out Friday night (9/11), since there's a 70% chance of showers & thunderstorms. :)
Don't forget: Sinclair & Mediacom go at it again in Dec for another retrans agreement. $inclair will probably burn up the bottom of everyones screen starting Nov 1st warning you that Mediacom customers will be cut off at midnight 12/31/2010.

A friend told me that he had talked to a KGAN engineer who advised that they will be doing programming on 2.2 & 2.3 soon. Sinclair has some type of an agreement to run programing on the sub channels.

"The Cool TV" and "The Country Network." Both music channels.

- Trip

Whatever happened to KCRG's newscast going HD? I thought that was slated for this summer?

Was it just me or was anyone else having quite a few signal break-ups in the KWWL feed of the Cowboys/Redskins NFL game last night (9/12/10)?

I noticed a few too.....

A friend told me that he had talked to a KGAN engineer who advised that they will be doing programming on 2.2 & 2.3 soon. Sinclair has some type of an agreement to run programing on the sub channels.


Also posted here by dline earlier:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=19097686#post19097686

I just eyeballed it (using antennaweb) when I set it up years ago, but finally looking to go completely OTA. From the satellite image it looks like I am pointed more towards 330-340 range, so I will try splitting the difference to see if I can pick up KFXA more reliably.
This seemed to clear up all my issues. Just needed to point it a little more to the NE direction.

Has anyone heard if Mediacom plans to add any 3D content in their lineup, either broadcast or On Demand?

I would settle at this point just for them to figure out their bandwidth issues in order to give me all of the HD stations that they have licenses for, such as AMC HD, which only about 50% of their over 440 lineups currently have access to. On the flip side, far less than half of the Mediacom lineups have the Viacom channels in HD (Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, etc.), but I do. I don't understand how they pick and choose which HD channels each locale gets and doesn't get.

This is the response I got from Mediacom (e-mail inquiry about 3D programming) ...
"Thank you for your recent email to our Customer Service Department. Many factors go into consideration when we reach agreements for the available HD channels for each area, like programming choices, services available, and the capacities of our networks. We at Mediacom Communications try to find the best variety of programs to cover a variety of viewing needs for all our subscribers. At this time, Mediacom is working on negotiations to carry additional channels in all of our packages. Unfortunately, I don’t believe we’ll be adding any 3D Content anytime soon. There is nothing implying that it’s even in the works right now. We appreciate all of your patience as we satisfy the needs of our customers while keeping Mediacom an extraordinary value."

Here's a reply I received from Mediacom back on July 14, 2008, when I let them know I wasn't happy with their then lack of progress at getting us pretty much any HD stations back at that time:

"Many factors go into consideration when we reach agreements for the available HD channels for each area, like programming choices and services available. We at Mediacom Communications try to find the best variety of programs to cover a variety of viewing needs for all our subscribers. At this time, Mediacom is working on negotiations to carry additional channels in all of our packages. We appreciate all your patience as we satisfy the needs of our customers while keeping Mediacom an extraordinary value."

At least they added to their standard reply back to you that they don't have any 3D content plans.

They also added the phrase "... and the capacities of our networks" which is probably the real reason for the paucity of HD expansion. I would consider Dish or DirectTV, but I don't want to give up my broadband Internet. Qwest DSL just doesn't cut it.

You don't have to subscribe to Mediacom video to get cable internet. You can get Dish and Mediacom's internet. The sheer volume of HD channels and the fantastic equipment makes Dish a no brainer for me, even if I do have to pay more for my internet (which I don't since I have ImOn).

Dish ViP 922 FTW. Built in slingbox is awesome.

Speaking KWKB... uh... why is it now broadcasting in 480i or did Mediacom screw something up over the summer? All last year and up through May 2010, the last time I recorded from that channel (820 on my Mediacom lineup), the recordings of Smallville were always in 1080i and yet tonight it recorded Smallville in 480i and I see Supernatural is in 480i as well. Actually, I had recorded Nikita and hadn't watched it... yep, both last week and this week, 480i. WTH.

Last night on Directv Smallville was in HD

New this morning:

TheCoolTV is now up on KGAN channel 2-2.

(Either that, or I didn't get enough sleep last night and I'm just seeing things.)

TheCoolTV is now up on KGAN channel 2-2.
ImOn is carrying this channel on clear QAM 109-2 (STB guide channel 702). They've had that channel on their system for a long time, but until KGAN actually split programming between 2-1 and 2-2, I never knew for sure if it was really 2-2.

Schedules Direct XML program data appears to be accurate for this channel also, showing music videos and such as opposed to CBS/KGAN programming.

By the way, earlier this year ImOn started publishing their clear QAM lineup. Best I've seen it's accurate and been kept fairly up-to-date.

http://www.imon.net/Handler.ashx?Item_ID=646BEA19-D547-492B-AB64-ADAD46FA5152

Does anyone know if CFU's signal graphs are still online somewhere? I can't seem to find them.

Does anyone know if CFU's signal graphs are still online somewhere? I can't seem to find them.

Hmmm... The bookmark I had saved for it isn't valid anymore.

Hmmm... The bookmark I had saved for it isn't valid anymore.

Same here..

I am using www.cfu-cybernet.net/CyberNet/HD/, it still appears to be active, however it appears to be an inaccurate look at OTA signal quality since late last year.

Walt S.

(can't post links yet)

Looks like KGAN's graph is on the blink, but the others look OK
As an example, the graphs for KFXA appear to be up to date to me.
http://www.cfu-cybernet.net/CyberNet/HD/index.php?station=kfxa

And here's a show all stations link:

http://www.cfu-cybernet.net/CyberNet/HD/

Hmm, KRIN signs off from 0:00 to 06:00 every day, but the graph doesn't seem to reflect that.

Neighboring market note:

WOI-DT (ABC5) in Des Moines just became the second station in that market to go HD for local news. WHO-DT, the NBC affiliate, was first, and today's Des Moines Register reports that KCCI (CBS) will go from widescreen SD to HD "early next year."

The ABC5 newscast I saw at midday today appears to include some HD -- or at least widescreen -- field video.

Just thought I'd throw that out for what its worth.

Just a quick check - wanted to confirm that IPTV is for sure broadcasting TVGOS data OTA. Rabbit Ears says it is, but kinda wanted to know before climbing on the roof and turning my antenna. (Rotor has been down for quite a while. :o) I've been using KIMT (?) Mason City, but it isn't always perfect - I'm wondering if perhaps my DVR is getting its data from both IPT and Mason City - which might explain my monthly lockups.

If the local (Waterloo) IPTV is shooting it out, will just turn the antenna so I no longer pick up channel 3 - that should do the trick.

Thanks

Just a quick check - wanted to confirm that IPTV is for sure broadcasting TVGOS data OTA.

I can't confirm for sure, but I believe they are. I'll check on it and post back here once I have confirmation.

I have confirmed that IPTV is carrying TVGOS.

Thanks - the weather is perfect - I'll reset it, and see if the data is better. :)

For people who are having trouble accessing the CFU page, turn off IPv6 from your computer.

I have proper IPv6 routing configured on my network and all my computers are world accessable on IPv6 but CFU's IPv6 webservers are not responding.

See below:


venus:~# ping6 ipv6.google.com
PING ipv6.google.com(iw-in-x63.1e100.net) 56 data bytes
64 bytes from iw-in-x63.1e100.net: icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=37.4 ms
64 bytes from iw-in-x63.1e100.net: icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=36.6 ms
^C
--- ipv6.google.com ping statistics ---
2 packets transmitted, 2 received, 0% packet loss, time 1005ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 36.641/37.059/37.478/0.460 ms


venus:~# ping6 www.cfu-cybernet.net
PING www.cfu-cybernet.net(www.ipv6.cfu.net) 56 data bytes
^C
--- www.cfu-cybernet.net ping statistics ---
4 packets transmitted, 0 received, 100% packet loss, time 3014ms

Northpine.com is reports that KWWL is seeking a synchronized translator in Dubuque on channel 7. Given the city's geography, an on-channel repeater ought to work well. If they can get KGAN and KCRG to add translators, over the air TV might be attractive again in Dubuque. Since the demise of their translators in the 80's and KDUB in the 90's, I would imagine OTA viewing is nearly nil.

http://http://www.northpine.com/broadcast

Has anyone else been noticing audio problems during local newscasts on KWWL? Specifically, whenever they switch cameras or start playback on recorded video, the anchor microphone audio will cut off for several seconds. This has occurred on pretty much every single broadcast during the past couple of weeks. It only happens on KWWL, and only during local newscasts. I'm watching OTA via an ATSC-capable DVD recorder (I'm using it like a converter box). Don't have an HDTV nor 5.1 sound, just basic SDTV and stereo audio for now.

You're right Neil, the topography (hills) makes OTA viewing in Dubuque difficult, at best. Fox-28 should have put a translator in Dubuque when their deal with KFXB wasn't renewed years ago. The City of Dubuque is not even in the prime signal area for Fox-- what a great revenue loss for KFXA. I was hoping that Sinclair would make an effort to cover Dubuque with Fox, but, I guess not, as long as they are listed in the Cedar Rapids/Dubuque ADI.

Dubuque seems like the perfect location for a community translator system. Ottumwa has such a beast:

"Ottumwa Area Translator Systems has been on the air since 1963 rebroadcasting CBS, FOX, and NBC to Ottumwa and surrounding communities. The tower is located 1 mi. east of 63 on Copperhead road in Ottumwa IA."

Has anyone else been noticing audio problems during local newscasts on KWWL? Specifically, whenever they switch cameras or start playback on recorded video, the anchor microphone audio will cut off for several seconds. This has occurred on pretty much every single broadcast during the past couple of weeks. It only happens on KWWL, and only during local newscasts. I'm watching OTA via an ATSC-capable DVD recorder (I'm using it like a converter box). Don't have an HDTV nor 5.1 sound, just basic SDTV and stereo audio for now.

I didn't notice any cutout at all last night during the first 5 or so minutes of the newscast. Is it still happening?

Dubuque seems like the perfect location for a community translator system. Ottumwa has such a beast:

"Ottumwa Area Translator Systems has been on the air since 1963 rebroadcasting CBS, FOX, and NBC to Ottumwa and surrounding communities. The tower is located 1 mi. east of 63 on Copperhead road in Ottumwa IA."

Wow, they've got their own Facebook page! But reading some of the posts would indicate trouble in the revenue department.

Back in '63, TV in O-Town was channels 3, three and III. So donations to OATS I'm guessing was quite strong. (OATS is a non-profit) But with cable and satellite eroding their donor base, I'm amazed it still exists.

And with stations getting retrans fees from cable and sat, it seems to me there would be a disincentive for parent TV stations to support non-owned translators, or for that matter building their own translators.. So kudos for KWWL for stepping up to the plate with an on-channel booster for Dubuque.

Here's the only way, other than taxing the citizens like some counties do here in CO, that I think a new entity like OATS could fly: The parent TV station aligns with the translator operator to force cable operators in the translator service area to pick up the translator signal. Then the translator could independently sell a local 30 second ad per hour. Between the OTA and the cable viewing universes, and with a portfolio of four commercial translators, then there's a chance such a system might fly. (emphasis on "might" :confused:)

And with stations getting retrans fees from cable and sat, it seems to me there would be a disincentive for parent TV stations to support non-owned translators, or for that matter building their own translators..
The problem is that the bean counters probably see it that way. But in reality, if OTA was a real option, more people would stop paying for cable, and in doing so, that should increase viewership of the locals since cable channels are likely eating away some viewers.

I've noticed that KCRG really pushes it's "Dubuque Newsroom" (I don't really watch KWWL, they probably do the same. Actually, I don't watch much TV at all other than the 10pm news..) Since they seem to be trying to pull in viewers from that area a translator does seem like a good idea. Once they are constructed the maintenance is fairly minimal as compared to a "real" transmitter.

I thought Dubuque had a translator, it's called Mediacom :P

Seriously though, I'm surprised Mediacom/Dish/DirecTV don't make this a stipulation of them paying the providers for the privilege of being able to carry their signal. Make areas like Dubuque depend on a provider to carry the service to them. In fact, I'm surprised that they don't start slipping stuff like that in there...

"You're allowed to transmit with 1 (one) watt from your primary transmitter"

LOL

I thought Dubuque had a translator, it's called Mediacom :P

Seriously though, I'm surprised Mediacom/Dish/DirecTV don't make this a stipulation of them paying the providers for the privilege of being able to carry their signal. Make areas like Dubuque depend on a provider to carry the service to them. In fact, I'm surprised that they don't start slipping stuff like that in there...

"You're allowed to transmit with 1 (one) watt from your primary transmitter"

LOL

Joking or not, I'm pretty sure that even MediaCom isn't stupid enough to put something like that in a retrans agreement and risk having the FCC pull their license, as I'm fairly positive that it would be in direct violation of FCC regs for broadcast TV.

What can the FCC do, really? They've been taken to court so many times lately and lost that I doubt any large enough company is too concerned about the FCC at this point. Maybe 20 years ago they stopped this sort of stuff. It wouldn't surprise me to see at least one of the stations go cable only, or something at some point.

It looks like MediaCon isn't going to wait for $inclair to demand more money for KGAN before jacking their rates:

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Mediacom-Plans-3-Increase-in-Family-Cable-Package-106721318.html

One of the gems from the article: "Mediacom spokeswoman Phyllis Peters said Mediacom has kept rates stable since September 2009. The increase is the result of higher programming costs passed along to Mediacom, according to Peters."

Really? You went 14 WHOLE months without increasing rates? How generous...

And, of course, would someone like to explain how Basic Cable rates in Iowa City are still well under $15/mo, while Basic Cable in Cedar Rapids will soon be almost $30/mo?

Lately, I have seen many of the news promos on KCRG in HD. If they have the capability to broadcast local promos in HD, does anybody know when they are going to actually upgrade the news telecasts to HD?

It looks like MediaCon isn't going to wait for $inclair to demand more money for KGAN before jacking their rates:

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Mediacom-Plans-3-Increase-in-Family-Cable-Package-106721318.html

One of the gems from the article: "Mediacom spokeswoman Phyllis Peters said Mediacom has kept rates stable since September 2009. The increase is the result of higher programming costs passed along to Mediacom, according to Peters."

Really? You went 14 WHOLE months without increasing rates? How generous...

And, of course, would someone like to explain how Basic Cable rates in Iowa City are still well under $15/mo, while Basic Cable in Cedar Rapids will soon be almost $30/mo?

I agree with another poster who said it is probably time to cut the ties with Mediacom. So, the question for the group (hopefully not too far off topic) is which satellite service is best, and what are the best internet options?

I agree with another poster who said it is probably time to cut the ties with Mediacom. So, the question for the group (hopefully not too far off topic) is which satellite service is best, and what are the best internet options?

I've had both, currently with Directv. I think the HD PQ is a touch better with Directv, but not much. It really boils down to your preferences. If your a sports nut Directv has more options than Dish. It also seems like Directv has less carriage disputes resulting in channels being pulled, but I think this is going to get worse with all companies.

If MediaCon would start offering more HD channels in ClearQAM, like ImOn does, I might not complain about the rate hikes. With the number of HD versions of channels that are out there these days, it seems ridiculous that a converter box should still be required to get those HD channels.

Hi all, are there any professional outdoor antenna installers in the area? I live in Oelwein. I was hoping Radio Shack's amplified indoor antenna might do the trick but unfortunately I wasn't able to pick up ABC at all and CBS breaks up every minute or so. It actually reminds me of satellite rain fade, but this seemed strange to me since my HDTV's signal strength meter doesn't drop at all when it breaks up. In fact the lowest the signal strength ever registered was 77% which I would think would be plenty high enough to run without issues.

Anyway, looks like I'll need a heavy duty outdoor antenna (was thinking a Winegard) but I would need someone to install since I want it properly mounted for maximum reception and to make sure it doesn't rip off the roof. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi all, are there any professional outdoor antenna installers in the area? I live in Oelwein. I was hoping Radio Shack's amplified indoor antenna might do the trick but unfortunately I wasn't able to pick up ABC at all and CBS breaks up every minute or so. It actually reminds me of satellite rain fade, but this seemed strange to me since my HDTV's signal strength meter doesn't drop at all when it breaks up. In fact the lowest the signal strength ever registered was 77% which I would think would be plenty high enough to run without issues.

Anyway, looks like I'll need a heavy duty outdoor antenna (was thinking a Winegard) but I would need someone to install since I want it properly mounted for maximum reception and to make sure it doesn't rip off the roof. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Got any local Dish or Directv dealers?

Actually yes there's a local DISH carrier in town. I hadn't thought of asking them for installation help. I'll give them a call.

On a side note, with some more fiddling of the indoor antenna I located ABC and am receiving an steady 78% signal which equals what I get with NBC. the issues with CBS last night cleared this morning so maybe it was an issue of rain fade. I still find it odd that the signal strength was not dropping when the breaking up would occur but maybe it's not like the satellite? In either case I am still planning on getting an outdoor antenna since I don't want to lose my signal every time the weather turns bad, but at lease I can use this in the interim.

Any D* customers having trouble with locals this afternoon/tonight? Football has been mostly unwatchable since start of the second games... All other channels have been perfect.

Yes... Both KGAN & KFXA, which share the same facilities.

I checked Mediacom and they appeared fine there.

Everything cleared up now (just in time for me to watch my Steelers), but it was all locals for me.

The FCC has moved quickly in granting Quincy Newspapers construction permits for new translators in Dubuque, IA and Tomah, WI. The Dubuque translator will rebroadcast NBC affiliate KWWL/7 (Waterloo) in synchronous transmission on channel 7 with 300W. (11/10/2010)

I had trouble with D* up until the 8PM time slot, then everything was ok. Don't know what the problem was.

Anyone know what tower KWWL will use for the Dubuque repeater??

Anyone know what tower KWWL will use for the Dubuque repeater??

This one: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=105714

Thanks for your help. This is an unusual location for a repeater if they intend to help anyone living in the city of Dubuque?? They must be going after the St. Catherine market, or maybe St. Donatus. Maybe both!!:rolleyes:

Dubuque lies in a valley and is largely blocked from KWWL's primary signal. See http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1362418&map=Y The translator is situated to cover that valley. See
http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1400237&site=1&map=Y

I find it curious that they're using an on-channel repeater. It will be interesting to see how that works out for locations that will be able to get both signals.

I find it curious that they're using an on-channel repeater. It will be interesting to see how that works out for locations that will be able to get both signals.

I'm interested in that as well. I just read an article about it a few days ago and it sounds like a good receiver can likely deal with it fairly well, as long as the stronger signal reaches it first. The adaptive equalization in ATSC tuners doesn't like leading "echos", and the signal will appear to have echos in overlapping coverage areas. If it were my choice, I would avoid the on-channel repeater, but frequency congestion is a problem and it may have been hard to find a channel they could use.

I'd find it difficult to believe that "frequency congestion" would be an issue in east central Iowa...

I'd find it difficult to believe that "frequency congestion" would be an issue in east central Iowa...I can believe it. The tri-state area is at the edge of our market (and has one station of its own), stations from Madison and the Quad Cities are close enough for some folks out there to watch, and La Crosse and Rockford are probably too close for comfort.

Believe it. It's hard to find an open channel in Eastern Iowa. Lansing and Decorah had their translator channels changed more than once due to interference issues.

Good news on the cable front: Sinclair and Mediacom have decided to spare us the drama as their one-year retransmission extension draws to a close -- they've reached a two-year agreement.

Source: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/461470-Mediacom_Sinclair_in_Two_Year_Retrans_Deal.php

Good news on the cable front: Sinclair and Mediacom have decided to spare us the drama as their one-year retransmission extension draws to a close -- they've reached a two-year agreement.

Source: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/461470-Mediacom_Sinclair_in_Two_Year_Retrans_Deal.php

Still, reading that quote from the Sinclair guy, it's one of those compliments that is really a slam, like, well LAST time they weren't professional or reasonable, but at least during THESE negotiations... right.

So how much is my Mediacom bill going up from this "professional and reasonable approach Mediacom took in these negotiations"? I would gladly give up KGAN and KFXA to teach Sinclair a lesson, but unfortunately most of Mediacom's customers don't share this view. So Sinclair will continue to hold Mediacom customers as hostages.

So how much is my Mediacom bill going up from this "professional and reasonable approach Mediacom took in these negotiations"? I would gladly give up KGAN and KFXA to teach Sinclair a lesson, but unfortunately most of Mediacom's customers don't share this view. So Sinclair will continue to hold Mediacom customers as hostages.

It's not like MediaCom is a "good corporate citizen" or anything. Thirty bucks a month for less than 15 analog channels? The only Free HD that's offered is the locals, unless you pay for the "Digital" package ON TOP of the "Family Package", all for the low, low price of somewhere on the order of $75/mo?

It's a shame that ImOn isn't expanding faster. I don't think they'd actually cause MediaCom to lower their prices in competition, but at least with ImOn, I can get more than just locals in HD via QAM...

Mediacom already raised the price of "Family Cable" a couple months ago.

The only Free HD that's offered is the locals, unless you pay for the "Digital" package ON TOP of the "Family Package", all for the low, low price of somewhere on the order of $75/mo?

Nearly all of the non-broadcast HD stations are in fact part of the "Family Cable" package, not the optional "Digital Plus" package which are stations that are all in SD. Other than the premium movie channels, the only HD stations which cost extra beyond "Family Cable" are the three stations in their "HD Pak" (Universal, Smithsonian, and MGM). The non-broadcast HD stations are of course encrypted, though, so it is true you also need either their HD receiver/DVR or CableCARD(s) for one's TiVo/Moxi/HTPC.

I don't have a TiVo, Moxi, or HTPC. All of my QAM is done right inside of my XBR-960. With ImOn, I wouldn't need to subscribe to any special package or order any extra equipment to be able to get the non-broadcast stations in HD. That, combined with ImOn's price point, makes it a significant competitor to MediaCom; if they only had wiring run to more of the city...

That, combined with ImOn's price point, makes it a significant competitor to MediaCom; if they only had wiring run to more of the city...I couldn't agree more. Mediacom badly needs some competition where I live (Marion). I had high hopes when ImOn took the cable business over from McLeod. They said they intended to complete the buildout that McLeod started. A couple years ago, ImOn did finish the construction of a hut in my neighborhood that McLeod had started and abandoned several years ago. But I don't see any evidence that it is building out the infrastructure to hook up individual residences. Has ImOn added any new service areas since they took over?

Has ImOn added any new service areas since they took over?

Yes two neighborhoods I know of for certain is Rolling Green in SW Cedar Rapids and also the area between Mt. Vernon Rd and Bever from about 24th St to Memorial Drive.

As for Marion, I have no idea if ImOn has a franchise agreement with the city of Marion so that may be why they're not building anything out in that area yet. I thought I had heard a rumor that they were going to be using a company in Marion for all their CLEC phone services so that could explain the new fiber closet they installed (if you're around 10th St and 10th Ave).

Was KFXA (Fox) off the air last night?

Gazette: Mediacom to shut off analog channels above 22 in Linn, Johnson and 7 other counties in March

http://thegazette.com/2011/01/19/mediacom-moving-to-primarily-digital-cable/

It's been talked about for years as viewers clamor for more HD; now it's finally starting to happen.

Gazette: Mediacom to shut off analog channels above 22 in Linn, Johnson and 7 other counties in March

http://thegazette.com/2011/01/19/mediacom-moving-to-primarily-digital-cable/

It's been talked about for years as viewers clamor for more HD; now it's finally starting to happen.

Too bad it doesn't include any more HD than it did before. As your tagline said, they're shutting off analog cable; they're taking away service, and charging more for it (regardless of whether or not the STBs are "free")

I, personally, use analog cable to quickly scan through the local channels, as they are a) logically and numerically ordered, unlike their QAM assignment counter-parts, and b) tune MUCH faster than switching digital channels. Once I find what I want to watch, I'll flip over to the digital, HD version of the local (except for KWKB; their HD QAM feed is completely screwed up about 95% of the times that I switch to it).

There goes Fox News, the silent, black-and-white-but-still-watchable ESPN, and some of the 75-80 channels, all of which came through with the filter in place.

I honestly think that this is their way of clamping down on all of the subscribers who only pay $30/mo for the 17 analog channels but whose filters had been removed for cable internet, netting them channels 23-80 for "free" (as if $30+/mo for 50 analog-only channels is even a bargain).

Mediacom’s clearQAM implementation in Grinnell at my parents’ isn’t that bad. The Des Moines locals’ (5, 8, 11, and 13) HD variants are on 5.1, 8.1, 11.1, and 13.1. Most of the clearQAMs are at least clumped together so that you can channel surf them relatively easy (albeit much slower because they are digital and take time to initially decode).

I wish ImOn would use PSIP or whatever technology is used to remap RF channels to more logical channel numbers. Right now the locals and everything else they offer in the clear is scattered all over the place in a seemingly random fashion and challenging to use without cheat sheets. Digital channels are intermixed with analogs to where channel surfing is a pain.

Mediacom’s clearQAM implementation in Grinnell at my parents’ isn’t that bad. The Des Moines locals’ (5, 8, 11, and 13) HD variants are on 5.1, 8.1, 11.1, and 13.1. Most of the clearQAMs are at least clumped together so that you can channel surf them relatively easy (albeit much slower because they are digital and take time to initially decode).

I wish ImOn would use PSIP or whatever technology is used to remap RF channels to more logical channel numbers. Right now the locals and everything else they offer in the clear is scattered all over the place in a seemingly random fashion and challenging to use without cheat sheets. Digital channels are intermixed with analogs to where channel surfing is a pain.

Hopefully MediaCom will do the same in CR after they kill off analog. The locals right now are on 114.x-116.x, with PBS showing up on 11.1, .2, and .3. Luckily for me, my TV has a "favorite channel" list that I can pull up at the touch of a button to grab one of the local HDs via QAM, because I doub't I'd be able to (or even care to try to) memorize the assignments. The variation with PBS actually makes my analog surfing mode about as cumbersome as it sounds like ImOn has been, but I am loathe to block PBS-HD from my lineup.

There goes Fox News, the silent, black-and-white-but-still-watchable ESPN, and some of the 75-80 channels, all of which came through with the filter in place.

I honestly think that this is their way of clamping down on all of the subscribers who only pay $30/mo for the 17 analog channels but whose filters had been removed for cable internet, netting them channels 23-80 for "free" (as if $30+/mo for 50 analog-only channels is even a bargain).

Most people would suggest that removing FOX News is doing you a favor.

As for the rest of your comment, the channels are not going anywhere. If you get them today, you'll get them after 3/1 they'll just be in ClearQAM. This has nothing to do with signal theft, this has to do with freeing up bandwidth on the line. If your line is trapped for basic, then you'll still get basic channels. If someone has removed the trap from their line, then after the conversion they'll still get the same channels. Also there are traps that can block expanded but let the HSI through. The HSI in this area is at 111MHz downstream, which is within the basic lineup... (between channels 6 and 7 if I remember correctly).

If that's the case, then I sincerely hope that they re-map all of the QAM channels to logical channel assignments.

I doubt that too many people are going to want to have to re-learn the entire channel lineup, especially if they're all on some variation of 5x.yy.

"So, wait, Discovery used to be 29, and now it's 51.11, and A&E used to be 30, but now it's 54.11? And History was 60, but now it's 54.13???"

http://mediacomcable.com/order/channel_lineup_cedar_rapids.html

I'll give MediaCom the benefit of the doubt about that part for now, but I won't be surprised if they leave the QAM assignments on whatever channel the random-number-generator assigned them to.

Their FAQ claims that this change will allow them to bring customers more HD channels and more digital channels, but that you will still need a CableCARD or premium STB and pay for an HD package in order to receive any HD other than the locals. As long as they continue to lock out the HD versions of the Family Cable package, even after the transition to all-digital, they'll remain "MediaCon" in my every day conversations.

As long as they continue to lock out the HD versions of the Family Cable package, even after the transition to all-digital, they'll remain "MediaCon" in my every day conversations.

Is it Mediacom's (or any other cable co) right to send out licensed content from Disney, Viacom, TBS, Discovery, FOX, etc., unencrypted to our homes? Are you saying they have permission to do so, but just choose to encrypt regardless?

Is it Mediacom's (or any other cable co) right to send out licensed content from Disney, Viacom, TBS, Discovery, FOX, etc., unencrypted to our homes? Are you saying they have permission to do so, but just choose to encrypt regardless?

Given that ImOn leaves all of the HD versions of their package channels in the clear on QAM, I would imagine that MediaCom has permission but chooses to encrypt it, for whatever reason they came up with (which, as has been seen in their other dealings, can easily be attributed to greed, rather than incompetence).

Or ImOn is breaking their contracts with every single content provider.

However, considering that ImOn only provides it to their paying customers, I don't see how it would be any sort of "licensed content" issue, any more than it's a "licensed content" issue for ImOn or MediaCom to charge introductory customers one rate, long-standing customers another rate, schools yet another rate, etc, and filter out or not filter out the analog-SD versions of those same exact channels.

So, I'd put my money on the former, not the latter.

As far as I can tell, ImOn has done a very nice job of providing clearQAM for a lot of desirable channels (more than just locals). Bravo! A very happy customer.

How many people use clear QAM for HD though? 10? 20? I just don't see it being a big enough issue for people to switch.

How many people use clear QAM for HD though? 10? 20? I just don't see it being a big enough issue for people to switch.

"I don't have 4-wheel drive on my vehicle, so other people don't need it, either, especially in Iowa."

I'm one of many people who use the QAM tuner on my TV. It's about 100x more reliable than an antenna ever will be for locals in HD. If my bedroom TV had a QAM tuner, I'd use it, too, and I rarely watch locals on that TV when the weather is bad.

For people with more than one TV in the house, being able to use the QAM tuner instead of needing a STB on every single TV is a very attractive alternative. I'd switch to ImOn in a heartbeat if they were in my neighborhood, almost exclusively because of their selection on QAM.

Also there are traps that can block expanded but let the HSI through. The HSI in this area is at 111MHz downstream, which is within the basic lineup... (between channels 6 and 7 if I remember correctly).

My installer couldn't get a full test return with the filter in place, and he didn't seem too interested in climbing the pole to put it back on when he was done registering my service, either. I wasn't about to complain.

The filters might let the signal through, but not at the level that the test equipment wants it to be at.

My installer couldn't get a full test return with the filter in place, and he didn't seem too interested in climbing the pole to put it back on when he was done registering my service, either. I wasn't about to complain.

The filters might let the signal through, but not at the level that the test equipment wants it to be at.

Heh, if you insist. It's not like I worked for them for 4 years and installed probably hundreds of basic+HSD traps. They might have been out of them, or the tech might have gotten an old one which was failing. That doesn't mean they don't exist or aren't used in Cedar Rapids.

"I don't have 4-wheel drive on my vehicle, so other people don't need it, either, especially in Iowa."

I'm one of many people who use the QAM tuner on my TV. It's about 100x more reliable than an antenna ever will be for locals in HD. If my bedroom TV had a QAM tuner, I'd use it, too, and I rarely watch locals on that TV when the weather is bad.

For people with more than one TV in the house, being able to use the QAM tuner instead of needing a STB on every single TV is a very attractive alternative. I'd switch to ImOn in a heartbeat if they were in my neighborhood, almost exclusively because of their selection on QAM.

Whatever you say, I'm sure there is a huge market of people who can afford HDTVs but don't want any features such as PPV ordering and DVR service, guide data, etc. I'm sure all 10 of them are up in arms about this.

Whatever you say, I'm sure there is a huge market of people who can afford HDTVs but don't want any features such as PPV ordering and DVR service, guide data, etc. I'm sure all 10 of them are up in arms about this.

Methinks you severely under-estimate the number of people who don't want to pay a monthly rental fee per box to have PPV and DVR on every single television in their house.

Then again, you talk about "people who can afford HDTVs" as if people still purchase analog TVs and SDTVs, as if manufacturers still even make them, or as if an HDTV even costs thousands of dollars. There are 36 different models of HDTV on one major retailer's website that sell for under $200. Welcome to 2011.

Methinks you severely under-estimate the number of people who don't want to pay a monthly rental fee per box to have PPV and DVR on every single television in their house.

Then again, you talk about "people who can afford HDTVs" as if people still purchase analog TVs and SDTVs, as if manufacturers still even make them, or as if an HDTV even costs thousands of dollars. There are 36 different models of HDTV on one major retailer's website that sell for under $200. Welcome to 2011.

And people who spend $200 on an HDTV will be fine with the SD content that is available in Clear QAM. For instance I have a family member with a recently purchased HDTV (this is a 52" 1080p 120Hz job that cost upwards of $1000 recently) that has their Mediacom HD DVR connected through RF out to their TV. Best Buy also sold them the blue-ray player but since they didn't want to get the $100 Monster HDMI cable they sold them the yellow/red/white audio video cables to connect it to their TV. Simply put most people just don't care.

You are making the common mistake of confusing the interests of people who frequent an Audio/Video enthusiast website with those of the general population, and I assure you, those two sets of interests could not be further apart.

Simply put most people just don't care.

IMHO, I believe most people want to get their money's worth for their investment. They sometimes do not have the expertise to achieve that goal. If someone takes the time to show and explain to them the differences in quality between RF-modulated video, composite, component and HDMI.
Store salesmen compound the problem because they usually don't care.

Remember, at one time we were all 'DTV-ignorant'. We learned through communication with those who did know.

IMHO, I believe most people want to get their money's worth for their investment. They sometimes do not have the expertise to achieve that goal. If someone takes the time to show and explain to them the differences in quality between RF-modulated video, composite, component and HDMI.
Store salesmen compound the problem because they usually don't care.

Remember, at one time we were all 'DTV-ignorant'. We learned through communication with those who did know.

sgarringer weaves a decent enough tale, but there are two major problems with the story.

a) Best Buy offers and sells many different non-Monster HDMI cables for less than $20.

b) Blu-ray Disc players already come with a red/white/yellow cable in the box.

It takes a special kind of a person to not to want to help educate their fellow family members on such a purchase to get the most for their money.

Like you mentioned, tvguy01, most people can tell that they're only putting a 4:3 SD picture onto a 16:9 HDTV, and most people DO care, even without someone pointing out to them that there's a better way.

5 minutes of education would show them that they can use cables already laying around the house to at least get 3/4 of the way towards the goal of a the best quality picture. Because, even if they DID buy a red/white/yellow cable separately, it can still be hooked up to the component R/G/B connections. There's nothing special or magical about RCA component connections and wires.

I can not believe how many of you are still with Mediascum. I switched to Direct a long time ago and could not be happier. I know Mediascum has fast internet and that might be a reason to have them. But there cable is joke compared to satellite.

Can people actually GET the local Fox station OTA out in northern Marion? I've just moved into the area and expect that once the family moves down in March or so we'll hook up DirecTV like we have in the Minneapolis area, but for now I'd like to stick with OTA while I'm pretending to be a bachelor and save some money. I've had no trouble pulling in channels 7, 9, 12, & 68, but nothing else comes in. Since I'm interested in watching the Super Bowl next week, the Fox station is of definite interest, but it doesn't (as far as I've been able to pull in) seem to exist. Help!

You might or might not know about this site, but if you haven't checked it out, go to
http://www.antennaweb.org/ and it will show you the directions from your location to each of the broadcast stations within your viewing area, so you can try to adjust your antenna accordingly.

I have a question actually related to the Forum topic.

Do any of you RF techs/engineers working in "the biz" here in eastern Iowa know why frequently my OTA channels 9-1 and 9-2 experience frequent break-ups, but only after the 10:00 news? They're solid as a rock, with 85-90% signal strength, the rest of the time. When I check the signal strength it still says 85-90%, but the break-ups still keep happening.

Mike

I have a question actually related to the Forum topic.

Do any of you RF techs/engineers working in "the biz" here in eastern Iowa know why frequently my OTA channels 9-1 and 9-2 experience frequent break-ups, but only after the 10:00 news? They're solid as a rock, with 85-90% signal strength, the rest of the time. When I check the signal strength it still says 85-90%, but the break-ups still keep happening.

Mike

I think that the digital stations have the capability to dynamically allocate their bandwidth across their main and sub-channels, but I don't know if KCRG uses that functionality. If they do, then maybe they bump up the bandwidth/power on 9.2, and dial it back on 9.1 after the news for their "Last Laugh" programming?

Just a theory. Either that, or your neighbors go to bed after the news and turn on their electric blankets, space heaters, white noise machines, and/or personal massage devices, causing interference issues at your house. ;)

Re: KWKB

There's a new "KWKB-P2" subchannel on 20-2, currently broadcasting bars and tone. Wonder what it'll be ...

What was up with KWWL last night (Thu, 2/3)? My OTA recordings of KCRG and KFXA programs were just fine, but the OTA KWWL recordings are just barely watchable.

Re: KWKB

There's a new "KWKB-P2" subchannel on 20-2, currently broadcasting bars and tone. Wonder what it'll be ...

Showing infomercials now, with no sound...

I've seen a lot of infomercials, but this afternoon I saw Beverly Hillbillies..... Sound nomal.

I've heard 20.2 is supposed to carry AntennaTV.

http://www.antennatv.tv/affiliates/

That would seem to confirm antennatv status.

IOWA
Cedar Rapids KWKB
20.2 - Launch TBA Cedar Rapids - Launch TBA TBA

Davenport/Rock Island
WQAD 8.2- Coming in mid March

Des Moines
WHO 13.3

I saw that too. However, I did not see Beverly Hillbillies in their lineup yesterday so I am not sure that that is what we're seeing.

I think that the digital stations have the capability to dynamically allocate their bandwidth across their main and sub-channels, but I don't know if KCRG uses that functionality. If they do, then maybe they bump up the bandwidth/power on 9.2, and dial it back on 9.1 after the news for their "Last Laugh" programming?

Just a theory. Either that, or your neighbors go to bed after the news and turn on their electric blankets, space heaters, white noise machines, and/or personal massage devices, causing interference issues at your house. ;)

With the encoders I am familiar with, the dynamic allocation of bandwidth, called statistical multiplexing or "stat-muxing", is not messed with once set up. Priorities are set up (the HD stream being the highest) and sometimes minimum and maximum bitrates are set, then the encoder manages it. If the .1 service needs more bits, it takes bandwidth from the others, and gives it back when it can.

Couldn't tell you about personal-massager interference...I have no experience in such things. :D

As far as I've been able to determine, I do not think that KCRG uses statistical multiplexing. Can't say for sure, but that's the impression I've gotten.

- Trip

I saw that too. However, I did not see Beverly Hillbillies in their lineup yesterday so I am not sure that that is what we're seeing.

KWKB used to run the black-and-white public domain episodes of the Beverly Hillbillies late at night, so maybe they're using that for testing.

Does anybody know why KWKB-DT is still 4:3 (544x480i) on Mediacom? It was briefly HD last year.

Also I'm wondering if KWKB is the same way over the air?

Unfortunately, KWKB (channel 820) is still in SD for me on Mediacom, even though the channel is transmitted in HD (although it is too far away for my OTA antenna).
It was for sure in HD on Mediacom from the fall of 2009 through to May of 2010, but then once shows started up again in Sep 2010 it was back in SD. Over on the DSLReports site, MediacomChad says he contacted my local TOS and was told it should be in HD. I only watch one show on that network and so I just haven't bothered using a vacation day to go down to the main office and have them prove to me channel 820 is 1080i, despite the fact my two TVs show all programming to be 480i now.

Unfortunately, KWKB (channel 820) is still in SD for me on Mediacom, even though the channel is transmitted in HD (although it is too far away for my OTA antenna).
It was for sure in HD on Mediacom from the fall of 2009 through to May of 2010, but then once shows started up again in Sep 2010 it was back in SD. Over on the DSLReports site, MediacomChad says he contacted my local TOS and was told it should be in HD. I only watch one show on that network and so I just haven't bothered using a vacation day to go down to the main office and have them prove to me channel 820 is 1080i, despite the fact my two TVs show all programming to be 480i now.

The last time I checked, the Cedar Rapids QAM version of KWKB, when it was actually broadcasting something (which only seems to happen about 80% of the time) was in 480i, and mono audio that was jacked up about 20-25 dB over every other channel. I can try checking it again tonight and see what it's doing or not doing.

If someone can verify that KWKB is not actually broadcasting in 1080i, that would at least mean there is not some bizarre problem only affecting the Mediacom cable feed into my house. Just to prove that I wasn't dreaming, though, that they at least used to broadcast in 1080i, one can see the TSReader output from 10/01/2009 over on the RabbitEars.info (http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=psip_search&callsign=kwkb) site.

If someone can verify that KWKB is not actually broadcasting in 1080i, that would at least mean there is not some bizarre problem only affecting the Mediacom cable feed into my house. Just to prove that I wasn't dreaming, though, that they at least used to broadcast in 1080i, one can see the TSReader output from 10/01/2009 over on the RabbitEars.info (http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=psip_search&callsign=kwkb) site.

I pulled up 20.1 over the air, and my TV shows 1080i, 16x9.

Pulling it up via QAM (119.4 in CR), my TV says 480i, 4x3.

Since my initial assessment was during syndicated programming, I also confirmed that the Primetime programming was this way. OTA primetime on KWKB was 16 x 9, 1080i, and QAM was 4 x 3, 480i.

Since my initial assessment was during syndicated programming, I also confirmed that the Primetime programming was this way. OTA primetime on KWKB was 16 x 9, 1080i, and QAM was 4 x 3, 480i.

Well, well, well, guess what. Last night, KWKB was back in 1080i HD on my Mediacom lineup, for the first time in at least 7 months! :)

Well, well, well, guess what. Last night, KWKB was back in 1080i HD on my Mediacom lineup, for the first time in at least 7 months! :)

Isn't it truly unbelievable that no one noticed this crap and bothered to fix it in 7 months?

For those picking up KWKB OTA, are you seeing PSIP info?

On my CECB, I'm not getting guide info or date and time. Other stations display all of this info.

Anyone else getting cracking audio on KCRG? I do both on Directv off satellite and OTA 9.1 through the Directv receiver.

It was fairly bad during the No Ordinary Family and V Tuesday night. Heard it again on the Mr. Sunshine show Wednesday.

For those picking up KWKB OTA, are you seeing PSIP info?

On my CECB, I'm not getting guide info or date and time. Other stations display all of this info.

I see the same thing. There does not appear to be any PSIP for 20.1 or 20.2.

Anyone else getting cracking audio on KCRG? I do both on Directv off satellite and OTA 9.1 through the Directv receiver.

It was fairly bad during the No Ordinary Family and V Tuesday night. Heard it again on the Mr. Sunshine show Wednesday.

I don't watch 9.1 very often though and did not watch the shows you mentioned. I just tuned to 9.1 for a few minutes though, yeah, the audio is screwed up. It warbles and pops. Appears to come and go. Some commercials were OK, some weren't and the show (Off the Map (?)) has the problem at the moment. So, it's not you. ;)

Anyone else getting cracking audio on KCRG? I do both on Directv off satellite and OTA 9.1 through the Directv receiver.

It was fairly bad during the No Ordinary Family and V Tuesday night. Heard it again on the Mr. Sunshine show Wednesday.

Yes, indeed. :(

Audio on KCRG was pretty bad on Monday night on Castle, too.

It was bad OTA, via QAM, and on analog cable 9.

If I knew anyone in any other markets that watched the show, I would get a hold of them and find out if it's a network glitch, or local.

Might still be worth e-mailing the chief engineer at KCRG, though. I don't know that he hangs out here as regularly as he once did.

Audio on KCRG was pretty bad on Monday night on Castle, too.

IIRC, Monday night recording Castle OTA on KCRG there were drop-outs which I was also having OTA for KWWL recordings, so I assumed it was all weather related. Wed night, the audio problem on KCRG was a different animal, at least from what I could tell.

I sent Kirk @KCRG an email last night. He responded saying he noticed it also and called station. They made changes towards end of Mr. Sunshine and it did appear to improve. Have to keep listening.

Kirk - If you see frequent the forums... Thanks for replying and confirming you were aware of the issue.

IIRC, Monday night recording Castle OTA on KCRG there were drop-outs which I was also having OTA for KWWL recordings, so I assumed it was all weather related. Wed night, the audio problem on KCRG was a different animal, at least from what I could tell.

On QAM and analog cable, Castle had pops and cracks on a regular basis, almost one per second for the entire hour of programming; I didn't notice any complete dropouts, although some of the pops and cracks were at inopportune times in the dialogue. It didn't sound like clipping, it sounded more like the audio track was sped up to 105% speed, re-sampled, and then played back at normal speed, if that makes any sense. It was quite distracting, but I managed to enjoy the episode nonetheless. I don't watch ABC enough (pretty much only Castle and the News) to know if the audio problems the last few nights were the same, but I think we all seem to be describing the same issue in our own way.

I noticed it Sunday night too, but then forgot about it. I was going to email one of the engineers monday about it. Looks like they are aware.

Question: Has KWKB boosted its output power recently?

I ask because the QC CW (KGCW) is going to be broadcasting ILL girls HS bball tonight instead of SV & SPN, and I'm hoping I can get a steady reliable signal strength OTA for those 2 hours tonight.

I tuned the channel in on my receiver, and it came in fine both times with no breakups. My D* receiver doesn't allow signal level checking on OTA channels (which is a pain). Don't know if its a 'hiccup' or if I can rely on it tonight.

TIA.

I don't think KWKB has increased power, but they might have put new equipment in to support the subchannel they added.

Interesting, on Trip's site, it shows Oklahoma City:

http://www.rabbitears.info/screencaps/ia-wwl/35096-0_0.htm

Don't read too much into that. First of all, it's outdated since my contact in the market can only receive the stations in the north end of the market, and cannot receive KIIN or KWKB. Second, it just means KWKB had an invalid TSID, and that's a lot more common than you might think it should be.

- Trip

Recieved this today about Mediacom's removal of analog channels from 23 & up. Analog 2-22 will remain. This is all supposed to happen B4 April 1st in 3 phases. The pdf also shows Iowa City's qam lineup.

I was just wondering when KCRG Ch 9 will be switching to high def local newscasts. I thought I had read somewhere that it was supposed to have been late last year. Does anyone have any recent info on this?

I've been wondering the same thing. I really thought they would be HD by now.

Recieved this today about Mediacom's removal of analog channels from 23 & up. Analog 2-22 will remain. This is all supposed to happen B4 April 1st in 3 phases. The pdf also shows Iowa City's qam lineup.

Bummer. They started the switch in North Liberty. It doesn't look like I'll be able to get 63-78 (analog) stations anymore. I've lost Food Network and TCM and can't pick them up on the new freq. Going to miss TBS, Syfy and BIG10. Sad day for me.

I was just wondering when KCRG Ch 9 will be switching to high def local newscasts. I thought I had read somewhere that it was supposed to have been late last year. Does anyone have any recent info on this?

I think the plans for HD Local News are in a permanent holding pattern until SourceMedia figures out what they want to do with the Gazette building, and whether or not they want to move the KCRG Studios.



Bummer. They started the switch in North Liberty. It doesn't look like I'll be able to get 63-78 (analog) stations anymore. I've lost Food Network and TCM and can't pick them up on the new freq. Going to miss TBS, Syfy and BIG10. Sad day for me.

At least this time, they put up a banner on the "deleted" channels notifying people that they were converted to digital, and where to find them on QAM, or how to get a set-top box.

Why not just go get a set-top box? They're free, unless a person isn't actually a Family/Expanded Basic subscriber... (which is why I haven't gone and gotten one; also, because my primary TV has a QAM tuner. The bedroom TV doesn't, but I'm not terribly concerned about TV in there; it's mostly for local news and DVDs/BDs)

When they started (and subsequently aborted) the conversion in Cedar Rapids the first time back around March 1, they just shut channels off willy-nilly, completely blacking them out. The method they're using this time seems a bit more thought-out.

At least this time, they put up a banner on the "deleted" channels notifying people that they were converted to digital, and where to find them on QAM, or how to get a set-top box.

Why not just go get a set-top box? They're free, unless a person isn't actually a Family/Expanded Basic subscriber... (which is why I haven't gone and gotten one; also, because my primary TV has a QAM tuner. The bedroom TV doesn't, but I'm not terribly concerned about TV in there; it's mostly for local news and DVDs/BDs)

When they started (and subsequently aborted) the conversion in Cedar Rapids the first time back around March 1, they just shut channels off willy-nilly, completely blacking them out. The method they're using this time seems a bit more thought-out.

I do like the process they are using with the banner on the dead channel. Unfortunately, I am not a Family/Expanded Basic subscriber and my QAM tuner can't pull in the new channels (only unscrambled). If it frustrates the family enough I may have to pony up, but I doubt they'll be getting any more of my money.

I do like the process they are using with the banner on the dead channel. Unfortunately, I am not a Family/Expanded Basic subscriber and my QAM tuner can't pull in the new channels (only unscrambled). If it frustrates the family enough I may have to pony up, but I doubt they'll be getting any more of my money.

The Family/Expanded Basic QAM channels aren't scrambled, actually.

However, if you have a filter in place that blocks channels 24-72, you won't be able to tune in to the "Family QAM", because they're in the 51-55 range.

Just wanted to put that out there in case other people thought that MediaCom was encrypting the Family/Expanded QAM channels. So far, they're not.

Flaky audio on KCRG again tonight (both OTA and through Mediacom).

Same audio problems through DirecTV. Just kind of annoying.

20 HD channels are being added to the Mediacom lineup on April 19th.

Family Cable
Versus
National Geographic
WE
MSNBC
CNBC
Bravo
Cartoon
Lifetime Movie
AMC
Travel
BET
ABC Family
Disney
Hallmark

Digital Plus
Bio
History International
Investigation Discovery
IFC
Golf
Science

http://www.mediacomtoday-lineup.com/lineup/26/cedar_rapids_linn_co__marion_hiawatha_bertram_.aspx

The Family/Expanded Basic QAM channels aren't scrambled, actually.

However, if you have a filter in place that blocks channels 24-72, you won't be able to tune in to the "Family QAM", because they're in the 51-55 range.

Just wanted to put that out there in case other people thought that MediaCom was encrypting the Family/Expanded QAM channels. So far, they're not.

HD QAM channels are encrypted. You get 480i versions of these channels in QAM, but not HD versions (where they exist). Only HD channels that are not encrypted are locals.

The "Me-TV" classic TV network is coming to several more Upper Midwest markets under a set of deals announced Monday. The Chicago-based subchannel network, which went national a few months ago, is currently seen in only about a half-dozen markets but will reach 45 percent of households nationwide under deals with 14 ownership groups. No exact dates for launch were given in Me-TV's press release, but its website is listing the following new affiliates:


Des Moines, IA: KCCI, subchannel number not listed
Waterloo, IA: KWWL/7.3, currently carrying Retro TV
Rochester, MN: KXLT/47.2, currently carrying Retro TV
Omaha, NE: KETV, subchannel number not listed
Madison, WI: WKOW/27.2, currently carrying Retro TV


From http://northpine.com/broadcast/index.html

Did anyone else have a choppy KCRG recording of 'Castle' from April 4?

Not sure, I have 0 signal stregnth for 7 and 9. Channel 2 has full srtregth.

Not sure, I have 0 signal stregnth for 7 and 9. Channel 2 has full srtregth.

0 signal quality in Fairfax for the two VHF's? What are you using for an antenna?

The Country Network now on 28.2

I have a Hitachi plasma HDTV, I have imon for my cable provider, I just have the basic so no cable box. I can recieve quite a few HD channels. I am wanting to cancel my cable and just use a hdtv antanna which I purchased from Radio Shack. I few years ago I have mediacom and I could witch to the antanna and it would pick up the local hd stations. I just tried this and I would get anything to work. I goes from the antanna to the supply power supply then to the tv and I could get anything to pick up the tv goes into stand by mode. Any help would be great.
Thanks

I have a Hitachi plasma HDTV, I have imon for my cable provider, I just have the basic so no cable box. I can recieve quite a few HD channels. I am wanting to cancel my cable and just use a hdtv antanna which I purchased from Radio Shack. I few years ago I have mediacom and I could witch to the antanna and it would pick up the local hd stations. I just tried this and I would get anything to work. I goes from the antanna to the supply power supply then to the tv and I could get anything to pick up the tv goes into stand by mode. Any help would be great.
Thanks

The manual for your TV should explain how to change from cable mode to air mode which is what you'll need to do to get over the air channels. Also you will need to rescan which should also be covered in the manual.

I have a Hitachi plasma HDTV, I have imon for my cable provider, I just have the basic so no cable box. I can recieve quite a few HD channels. I am wanting to cancel my cable and just use a hdtv antanna which I purchased from Radio Shack. I few years ago I have mediacom and I could witch to the antanna and it would pick up the local hd stations. I just tried this and I would get anything to work. I goes from the antanna to the supply power supply then to the tv and I could get anything to pick up the tv goes into stand by mode. Any help would be great.
Thanks

If it really was a few years ago, that was back when all of the locals were in the UHF band. A number of the locals have moved back down into the VHF band now, so if you want to be able to pull in KWWL (7) or KCRG (9), you will need to make sure that you have a VHF/UHF antenna. If you have UHF only, it will likely have problems pulling in all of the current locals.

I'm trying to gather info on what HDTV OTA receivers can pick up the IPTV XX.99 subchannel.

If you have a rig that pulls in IPTV from an antenna, could you see if your tuner can pick up one of the XX.99 subchannels below? It should be audio only, probably sometime before noon daily.

The following tuners have been reported to work. If yours is not listed, and works, please post it here.

DigitalStream DTX9950 digital-to-analog converter box
Accurian handheld DTV
LG TV

Channel 11.99 - Des Moines
Channel 12.99 - Iowa City
Channel 21.99 - Fort Dodge
Channel 24.99 - Mason City
Channel 27.99 - Sioux City
Channel 32.99 - Waterloo
Channel 32.99 - Council Bluffs
Channel 36.99 - Red Oak
Channel 36.99 - Davenport

Thanks! :D

I get KRIN, the Waterloo PBS, as channel 35.99. I have an Access HD converter.

I get KRIN, the Waterloo PBS, as channel 35.99. I have an Access HD converter.

Tommymack, thanks, that's an unreported model! There's about 12 different model numbers of the Access HD CECB, do you know which one you have? It should be DTA10 something.

DTV channel 35 is virtual channel 32. You must have a good antenna rig to pull that in Dubuque! :)

Did you hear audio on 35.99 or is it just finding it in a scan?

~jay

It is a DTA-1080. When I listened, about 5:50pm, some newspaper guys were giving the news, maybe reading the paper.

Thanks! That makes two CECB's that can pick it up, yours and the Digital Stream DTX9950. The people who read the articles are volunteers from all over the state.

We have a few digital TV's here at work that I checked for XX-99 reception. Here's what I came up with:

The Auvio 7" Portable (Model 16-906) picks up 35-99 and shows it as a "Radio Channel".

The Auvio Pocket TV (16-972) picks up 35-99 and shows it as "Audio Only".

The Hitachi LE19S314 19" picks it up as 35-1 (Not 35-99) and shows it as "Audio Only".

All three TVs played the audio without trouble. When I get a chance, I'll check my TV's at home.

Picked up 12-99 and 35-99 on my Sony XBR-960. My old Samsung won't manually tune a channel that's not in memory, and neither one of those came up in the scan when I re-scanned for channels on that TV, but I tried!