My Samsung model SIR-T351 tuner seems to be handling 9-1 and 9-2 all right, so it could be one of those frustrating generational issues.

I have been using my Voom box and OTA antenna, and I've had no problems except for what appear to be ocasionally weather related pixellations. Very infrequent, and haven't had any problems at all for some time.

My Samsung model SIR-T351 tuner seems to be handling 9-1 and 9-2 all right, so it could be one of those frustrating generational issues.


well - I just picked up a 360 and lucked into a 4200a. I'll see what they do tonight - after dealing with KGAN and my LG last summer, I'm always a little scared what I'll actually get when I try to tune a station. :)

I noticed a few video/audio glitches on KCRG late in Housewives. They were minor but lasted a couple of minutes or so.

Bummer.... Medium was SD tonight. :(

I'm pretty much 98% sure it's a 165 problem for the lockups. We had the same problem in Des Moines when adding 8-2. It appeared that the change in PSIP data wasn't picked up by some Dish receivers and users lost the channel for a while. The fix to find the channel back was to turn to the actual physical channel and let the receiver eventually find the PSIP. I might try that trick when I go home again on Monday.

Bummer.... Medium was SD tonight. :(Huh? Was HD in the Quad-Cities (OTA).

Huh? Was HD in the Quad-Cities (OTA).

I didn't check it OTA in CR, but via QAM through MediaCon, I noticed that Medium was in SD on 7.1 last night.

Huh? Was HD in the Quad-Cities (OTA).
That's what I figured. I suspected it was a KWWL problem since I didn't see anything about problems nationally, but didn't want to accuse unnecessarily.

So what happened Dick?

Yep, no Medium in HD in Iowa City through KWWL (Mediacom). It's funny my wife never used to care about HD, but Medium is her favorite show and when she saw it wasn't in HD she got pretty mad. I love converting people to the HD revolution.
-Rod

Yep, no Medium in HD in Iowa City through KWWL (Mediacom). It's funny my wife never used to care about HD, but Medium is her favorite show and when she saw it wasn't in HD she got pretty mad. I love converting people to the HD revolution.
-Rod


Sorry Medium lovers.

We slipped up on this one in Master Control.

Hopefully you will get a chance to see this episode in HD during the reruns! ;)

Sorry Medium lovers.

We slipped up on this one in Master Control.

Hopefully you will get a chance to see this episode in HD during the reruns! ;)

Ouch.

Doubly ouch that this is one of those things that could have been "fixed" the way I usually "fix" my KGAN feed... by calling the station.

I'm surprised nobody from here called up KWWL to have them check with Engineering/Master Control that night...

whoooo - good to know. I should yell, for the scare you gave me - just happened to get my new 4200 up and running - switch to Medium and see letterboxed 4x3. I messed with aspect settings for half an hour....:)

Ouch.

Doubly ouch that this is one of those things that could have been "fixed" the way I usually "fix" my KGAN feed... by calling the station.

I'm surprised nobody from here called up KWWL to have them check with Engineering/Master Control that night...
Not all of use watch live.............

I'm moving to Iowa City in a few weeks and am trying to figure out what my reception options are for my new HDTV (I know nothing about HD and don't have any cool gear other than my new Hitachi 51F59 - 51"/OTA/no-QAM). I see Mediacom is in the area and has SD and HD options... Can anyone who is in the area suggest what you use and if you've had any success with over the air HD in Iowa City (and if you use set-top-box/DVR...)? Thanks!

9-1 and 9-2, no signal at all...

9-1 and 9-2, no signal at all...
KCRG's digital transmitter is off the air and we are trying to repair the problem. You can log onto KCRG.com to check for updates.

KirkTV

KCRG's digital transmitter is off the air and we are trying to repair the problem. You can log onto KCRG.com to check for updates.

KirkTV

Interesting. BTW, why did KCRG not broadcast the Indy 500 in HD?

Interesting. BTW, why did KCRG not broadcast the Indy 500 in HD?KCRG can not help that ABC is morons and did not broadcast the Indy 500 in HD....

KCRG can not help that ABC is morons and did not broadcast the Indy 500 in HD....

LOL! The show started with the announcers saying it was being broadcast in HD! But ABC didnt broadcast it in HD? If that's the case (and I have no reason to doubt you) how can HD ever catch on if the networks are that screwed up? I can't imagine that it is cheap to produce shows like Grey's Anatomy, Desparate Housewives, Lost, etc., in HD, but what good is producing shows and sporting events in HD if the networks screw up and the locals dont care? How many posts have we read on these boards where the locals don't transmit in HD until someone on this board calls in and reminds them to do so? Sorry for the rant, but as much as we all like HD, I have to wonder what chance it has at all if the broadcast industry has this couldnt-care-less-attitude about it.

LOL! The show started with the announcers saying it was being broadcast in HD! But ABC didnt broadcast it in HD? If that's the case (and I have no reason to doubt you) how can HD ever catch on if the networks are that screwed up? I can't imagine that it is cheap to produce shows like Grey's Anatomy, Desparate Housewives, Lost, etc., in HD, but what good is producing shows and sporting events in HD if the networks screw up and the locals dont care? How many posts have we read on these boards where the locals don't transmit in HD until someone on this board calls in and reminds them to do so? Sorry for the rant, but as much as we all like HD, I have to wonder what chance it has at all if the broadcast industry has this couldnt-care-less-attitude about it.
I don't care what the announcers said. Just shows their stupidity. Look at these threads:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=681967
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=668981

As for the rest of your comments... You're preaching to the choir!

I don't care what the announcers said. Just shows their stupidity. Look at these threads:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=681967
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=668981

As for the rest of your comments... You're preaching to the choir!For the record, the moderator in that first thread says the Indy Racing League owns the telecast and the equipment, and that the league (not ABC) is responsible for not upgrading that particular telecast.

GLAD to hear that the Indy 500 was NOT in HD - here I was bumming - was out of town, watched a bit on the delightful motel 24" spl. I was whining and feeling bad that I didn't get to catch the race in its 12' wide HD glory. Now I know there was no glory - is it any wonder that NASCAR is blowing away the IRL?

course, on the 3rd hand, is KCRG-DT back on the air again? ;)

course, on the 3rd hand, is KCRG-DT back on the air again? ;)

I flipped over to my antenna input this evening around 10:40 PM CDT, and saw that the digital transmitter was online again. I hadn't checked at all before that (I watch the KCRG news over analog, since it's 4:3 anyway).

By the CFU graphs, it appears to have come back in the late evening of Tuesday night. I asked my parents and they said ever since they lost KPXR, KCRG didn't cause their receiver to reboot. I'm now thinking the issue with the receiver is more a reception/signal issue than an actual PSIP weirdness one.

That brings to mind another couple of questions: 1.) Does anyone even watch KPXR-DT? and 2.) Is it really off the air, or have recent storms moved their antenna and I'll have to scale the roof again?

By the CFU graphs, it appears to have come back in the late evening of Tuesday night. I asked my parents and they said ever since they lost KPXR, KCRG didn't cause their receiver to reboot. I'm now thinking the issue with the receiver is more a reception/signal issue than an actual PSIP weirdness one.

That brings to mind another couple of questions: 1.) Does anyone even watch KPXR-DT? and 2.) Is it really off the air, or have recent storms moved their antenna and I'll have to scale the roof again?To answer your questions (about KPXR):

1) Yes, if I'm home in the afternoon and one of the subchannels is running an old sitcom.

2) I just checked right now -- it is up, but it seems to be a little trickier for me to receive than it normally is. (KPXR and KFXA-Fox 28 have always had horrible multipath for me on analog just because of my indoor antenna and where I am. With digital I can usually get them.)

Cool, thanks dline. The house being in Butler County probably doesn't help things out too much. We've always had horrible reception for both Pax & Fox. Eventually I'll move the tv antenna up to where my ham antenna used to be, then they will be able to use the rotor. Thanks again for the info. :)

Does anyone know why Discovery and HDNET are so much better than network programing? Also do you think the others will catch up in the future?

We've always had horrible reception for both Pax & Fox.

The KPXR tower is pretty short compared to all the others, so that doesn't help either.

Does anyone know why Discovery and HDNET are so much better than network programing? Also do you think the others will catch up in the future?

The networks (actually, local channels) are required by FCC mandate to devote x number of hours each week to children's programming, public access, etc. Cable doesn't have the same restrictions/mandates.

You're comparing cable/paid programming with OTA/Network/Free programming... Apples and Oranges.

That's like asking why Sopranos or Oz are "so much better than" Prison Break. There's no good comparison.

Further, networks are catering to a wide, unspecific audience. Discovery and HDNet are catering to specific audiences and demographics. It's the difference between going to an all-you-can-eat "international buffet" (Network) and going to a specialty restaurant, like a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Cafe de Paris, etc (cable).

To compare the two and complain about Network programming is a rather specious comparison, IMHO...

I was not referring to the program content, I was referring to the picture being so much better on on Discovery and HDNET?

I'm looking for some guidance on a new home construction project and improving my HD reception. I live in Monticello and can pick up 2-x, 7-x, 9-x, 32-x, and 48-x with no problems. Fox (28-x) is marginal... almost seems to depend on the weather. I'm guessing that if I were to have a rotor I could move to a more south-west direction to hit the KFXA tower better.

Since I have an opportunity to improve on things, like adding a rotor, any other suggestions on what I can do? Is a 4228 going to get me anything better than the 4221? Anything else I should consider? Are rotors working well for others? Surviving the winters OK?

Is a 4228 going to get me anything better than the 4221? Anything else I should consider? Are rotors working well for others? Surviving the winters OK?
The 4228 is bigger and better than the 4221. My #1 suggestion would be a pre-amp. The favorite seems to be the Channel Master products. I believe mine is the 7777, but they nay have newer models now.

I've had a Radio Shack rotor for 2 years and so dar no problems.

I was not referring to the program content, I was referring to the picture being so much better on on Discovery and HDNET?

I suppose I would need examples to know what you mean. The PQ on my TV for dramas on Network programming (CSI:, Law & Order, etc.) and for Late-night talk shows (Leno, Letterman, Conan) is second to none. The PQ on PBS-HD shows that were recorded in HD (instead of being converted to widescreen and sent out in 1080i) is also second to none. Non-HD shows are, well, non-HD, and really can't be counted against anything. Fox Saturday Baseball still seems to be using SD cameras and just shipping out a 720p signal (at least, they looked that way in Wrigley Field).

I haven't seen any significant difference in PQ between native HD shows on Discovery/HDNET and native HD shows on NBC, ABC, CBS, and PBS.

Of course, I pull my networks off the air, and not converted through a STB or cable box, so there aren't multiple conversions and filters that it's sucked through...

Is anyone - closer to the tower - getting anything from either KGAN or KCRG??

I have since late last night, and still nothing this morning.

They are both coming in fine in CR.

Have you tried CFUJoes charts?

OTA Signal Levels (http://www.cfu.net/CyberNet/HD/)

I just didn't have my 'tenna pointed in the right direction.

Pointed "due north", I get a good signal, might get better if pointed it at like 352-256 degrees, but I get a good signal at 000, so will leave it as such for now (plus closer to best orientation for best reception of my "locals").

I could be wrong, but I think KCRG is less-compressed than WQAD, ie less sub-channels.

I've been having some occasional problems with WHBF, which I'm getting on the backside of my CM 4221 (about 8 miles away). Until the past several weeks, I've not had any problems since they went full power in Bettendorf. I'm wondering if the seasonal change somehow makes a difference? Their CE claims no problems with the transmitter, and, when I get the signal, it's pretty strong. Plus, when I DO re-orient the antenna so it's facing the tower, the problems go away. Of, course, then I can't get KWQC, WQAD, FOX and PBS.

I've been having some occasional problems with WHBF, which I'm getting on the backside of my CM 4221 (about 8 miles away).
...
Plus, when I DO re-orient the antenna so it's facing the tower, the problems go away. Of, course, then I can't get KWQC, WQAD, FOX and PBS.

Sure sounds like a case of multi-path. It can be a real problem with 8VSB. It's quite possible that folliage on the trees has changed the signal characteristics in your location. I've seen this happen on analog especially when the leaves on trees get wet.

Multipath reflections are going to be stronger the closer to the tower you are, so even when close in, a directional antenna is important to minimize reflections, which play havoc with digital.

Sure sounds like a case of multi-path. It can be a real problem with 8VSB. It's quite possible that folliage on the trees has changed the signal characteristics in your location. I've seen this happen on analog especially when the leaves on trees get wet.

Multipath reflections are going to be stronger the closer to the tower you are, so even when close in, a directional antenna is important to minimize reflections, which play havoc with digital.Thanks! That could be the case. I spent some time fine-tuning my CM4221 orientation, and I think I have found the "sweet spot" to get everything from Orion and still get WHBF's signal from Bettendorf with minimal breakups.

wow. talk about coincidence. Just got a 4228 from Warren today (fwiw, if anyone needs one, they have a screaming special on right now.) But back ot, I quick set it up in the next room, and my signals fluctuated hugely. From nothing to 65% to 30% - almost with a periodicity. About a 10 second cycle. No matter which way I had the antenna oriented.

Then I reread the directions, and saw I had it backwards. :o Turned it around, and signal still fluctuates a LOT, but at least I don't lose signal. Funny thing is, with QAM and CFU, I get the same fluctuations - pretty sure it is a cabling problem. Am in the middle of putting in quadshield RG6 - hoping that will do the trick.

Vee - So you've got the "bowties" facing the towers, now, eh? Those signal fluctuations seem to describe exactly what I've been experiencing with WHBF. I was watching CSI last night, and it seemed fine until the last 15 minutes or so, then would pixelate, freeze, drop for a few seconds, then come back. I may just have to bite the bullet and rotate the antenna to face Bettendorf when I watch WHBF. That's a nearly 180 degree move from the other towers, but, if that's all I have to do to eliminate the problem, it's a small price to pay. Now, when the TiVo HD Series 3 unit comes out, it will be a challenge. Then, when I have an HD recording scheduled, I'll have to make sure the antenna is oriented correctly. Of course, jumping from one scheduled recording to another (on different channels) would be a challenge. Might have to add a second antenna for WHBF and diplex it (?). And, of course, there's the challenge of them going back down to the VHF band later, too.

Did you pick up the CM4228 in person or have them ship it? Warren is only about five miles from where I live.

Not only are they advertising a great price, there is currently a shipping special - I got it FedEx to my addy the NEXT day. Have to give them a hats off. :D Shipped price beat anyone else's price before shipping. Anyone living within driving distance is crazy not to go pick one up. (end of unsolicited ad ;))

4228 owners - what do you think of "folding" the thing in half, so I can get it up into my attic? and then unfolding it - straightening it back out to original configuration. Either that, or pulling off the chicken wire, and then reattaching it. Had planned to just attic mount it, then belatedly discovered that the door to attic is quite a bit smaller than the antenna. OOPs.

As a further antenna review - main rig is a 12' long Channel Master on a 10' mast, with a rotor. The 4228 pulls in nearly as good a signal right now, 25' lower, inside the house, using a computer chair as a rotor. :) NICE antenna. I have the feeling that if I were to put this puppy on the roof, I could pull off the long distance tricks you've bee posting.

Might have to add a second antenna for WHBF and diplex it (?). And, of course, there's the challenge of them going back down to the VHF band later, too.

I had considered doing that at one time to get KWKB analog which is much farther away from me than my other locals. The question then arose, wouldn't both antennas see the same signals but at different levels and differing phases? What will that look like when diplexed together? It seemed like it could get real messy, real fast. Even more so with digital.

Now you could filter out the WHBF signal from the main antenna, and band pass it in on the second antenna and then combine them. I was always going to do that but never got around to ordering the stuff I needed to do it. Then Dish added CR locals so I forgot all about off air reception. I still haven't gotten an HDTV setup at home but I'm sure the same problem will come up again when I do.

I had considered doing that at one time to get KWKB analog which is much farther away from me than my other locals. The question then arose, wouldn't both antennas see the same signals but at different levels and differing phases? What will that look like when diplexed together? It seemed like it could get real messy, real fast. Even more so with digital.

Now you could filter out the WHBF signal from the main antenna, and band pass it in on the second antenna and then combine them. I was always going to do that but never got around to ordering the stuff I needed to do it. Then Dish added CR locals so I forgot all about off air reception. I still haven't gotten an HDTV setup at home but I'm sure the same problem will come up again when I do.
I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Won't be a problem until I have a dual tuner HD DVR (hopefully the TiVO S3).

fwiw, guys at KCRG-DT - whatever you changed when you added 9-2 is still funky, if not more so. My poor Sammy 165 had to reboot three times when I chose your station yesterday.

And you guys are most likely correct - my 2 LGs with QAM don't have that problem; likewise, my Sammy 360 is fairly good with it, OTA. There is still a noticeable hesitation in tuning 9-1 and 9-2, but no reboot.

Only mentioning it because it never used to be an issue.

And now to Mr Owens at KWWL - are you enabling any content flags on 7-1? My new LG4200 is HDCP compliant, and the last few days, your stations will tune in, and then disappear. Just curious - didn't think I was going to have to dig out my HDCP stripper just to watch Leno. No problems with same configuration, and any other local HDs. Just the three digital KWWLs.

OK - need a spot of help here. My LG only has one input for either ota antenna or cable input. Is there a splitter/combiner thing I can get, that will allow me to have both cable and antenna Y'd into one cable, to feed into my LG?

I tried using a regular splitter, backwards - it worked for nstc cable, and it passed standard ota tv, but wouldn't pass HD tv. So any ideas/help would be appreciated. Thanks

A diplexer will combine the signals onto one line, but I'm fairly certain that is not going to give you the outcome you're looking for. Usually diplexers are used in pairs - on one end to combine the signals, then again on the other end to split them out again.

**EDIT - I just re-read my post, which was of no help to your question. I am worthless. :D

-;) - no, it gives me a start. Since the LG has only one 75-ohm coax input, which can and does accept all three signals (ota sd and hd, plus standard cable) - I was just hoping that there was a way to put all three signals into it, at the same time.

Not being an EE, I don't understand why, when I combined the cable feed and the antenna feed, I could get standard ota and cable, but not the hd channels (the tuner received VHF and UHF, got 32,40, etc, but it flat wouldn't display 2-1, 7-1, etc.) Which I found very odd, since when I removed the splitter, the LG picked up all OTA just fine.

Just asking cuz I know there are a lot of guys out there who know a lot more about this than me. (Unless you've all moved to the Davenport thread - this one is getting pretty quiet.)

(Unless you've all moved to the Davenport thread - this one is getting pretty quiet.)Not as quiet as the QC thread :D

My LG only has one input for either ota antenna or cable input. Is there a splitter/combiner thing I can get, that will allow me to have both cable and antenna Y'd into one cable, to feed into my LG?


Vee, you need an A/B switch from Radio Shack-- High Isolation A/B Switch
Model: 15-1217 | Catalog #: 15-1217. It will allow you to switch between video sources such as cable and antenna. That is the only way I've been able to use both inputs without hooking and unhooking cables and is what I'm using on my LG box, the only downside is that you will have to re-scan for channels every time you make a switch (design flaw if you ask me). I hope that helps.

Great - will try that. fwiw, my 4200 "seems" to remember channels. At least when I have changed cables, I can hit the channel that correpsonds with whatever cable is connected and it works. Hopefully, it will also work with the switch. Thanks.

For the record, the FCC announced that KWWL's license has been renewed. But it appears even the best stations have their critics.

In renewing the license, the FCC rejected an argument from a Waterloo lawyer who claimed that two of the station's "Reality Check" editorials were motivated by what he called "the station's undisclosed financial interests." One editorial he cited opposed a municipal communications utility. The other urged the federal government to maintain its original deadline for shutting off analog TV, which would free KWWL from having to operate two transmitters.

"The public interest is paramount to the private interests of a commercial broadcast licensee," the commission wrote, "but it does not follow that all actions which further a licensee's private interest necessarily violate the public interest. The Commission generally refuses to intervene on the basis that a licensee aired programming motivated by private economic interest unless the licensee's private interest and the public interest are incompatible..."

The commission also wrote that it has "very little authority to interfere with a licensee's selection and presentation of news and editorial programming" because of statutory limits and the First Amendment.

KWWL's license thus stays with Raycom Media, though probably not for long. Raycom is in the process of selling the station to Quincy Newspapers, Inc., and an assignment of license application is pending with the FCC.

Source: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1313A1.pdf

Vee, you need an A/B switch

I agree, that is the best way.

thanks, guys. once I get one, will let you know how well it works. Just as another fwiw, I am really trying to get the 4200 to do the trick for me (it is currently having some problems with QAM, via cfu.) I had it pulled out of the rack, and was using a Sammy 360- which was doing what I'm trying to do with the LG, since the 360 does have both an antenna and cable inputs.

Unfortunately, the Samsung's picture was nowhere near as good as that of the LG - especially with SD, analog cable program material. (yes, some of us still watch that. ;)) While the 360 looks good on the old 36" set, with the projector and 10' screen, the 360 just isn't in the same league. Right now I'm watching the Yanks on ESPN2 sd - with the combo of great signal from cfu, a VP30 with the deinterlacing card, and the 4200, the game looks just like HD, albeit in 4x3 format. And that, my friends, is the whole reason I've been bugging you. :D

I'll shut up now, until I get the switch. Thanks again.

Jon,

I would not recommend combining CATV and OTA with a splitter. Depending on the quality of the splitter, the port to port isolation could be as low as 10dB and as high as 18-20dB. @ 10dB, you would get a door tag from CFU for a leak :)

We have good quality A/B boxes for sale - $5/ea.

Well, I sure don't need that. ;) - and it didn't work anyway, but appreciate the tip. I'll be down to your shop, pick up a good A/B box. Thanks for the heads up.

................
And now to Mr Owens at KWWL - are you enabling any content flags on 7-1? My new LG4200 is HDCP compliant, and the last few days, your stations will tune in, and then disappear. Just curious - didn't think I was going to have to dig out my HDCP stripper just to watch Leno. No problems with same configuration, and any other local HDs. Just the three digital KWWLs.

Sorry for the delay in answering your query, I've been on vacation.

We don't flag any content, so I don't know what the problem could be. Hopefully you are now able to watch KWWL without any problems.

darn - was hoping that was the problem. And your station does come in fine ota - so I guess it was a stupid question in the first place. :o - was just trying to think of what might be different over cable/ vs ota. But at least I have joe's switch now - on my way to hook it up (and cross my fingers. :))

I've noticed recently that my QAM is getting more and more flaky, especially on KWWL. However, I've also noticed that it happens on the PPV channels as well, when more than 50% of the channels are being used. This leads me to believe that MediaCon is trying to push out more signal than the bandwith will permit, and consequently ALL digital channels are suffering.

If this is the case, that the more people are watching PPV, the more macro-blocking occurs over Digital lines, then that is a VERY bad thing, and I shouldn't be the only one affected. I think that MediaCon has once again under-built their infrastructure. If they can't support their customers when they start ordering VOD, then that's a rather major breach of their service agreement, IMNSHO.

<offtopicRant>
Every time Mediacom has introduced a new service they have underestimated demand and been left with subpar service usually for years at a time. Cable modem service in the Iowa City and Coralville areas rolled in around 1998. I was the third person in my neighborhood to get service and it was the bandwidth they had promised, within two months it was half of that. Digital cable, not enough boxes... etc.. etc..

I finally gave up, got DSL and Dish network, I've never been happier and now all I have to offer when someone else in the office's mediacom service is out is sympathy rather than commiseration.
</offtopicRant>

Any word on CA?

I've noticed recently that my QAM is getting more and more flaky, especially on KWWL. However, I've also noticed that it happens on the PPV channels as well, when more than 50% of the channels are being used. This leads me to believe that MediaCon is trying to push out more signal than the bandwith will permit, and consequently ALL digital channels are suffering.

If this is the case, that the more people are watching PPV, the more macro-blocking occurs over Digital lines, then that is a VERY bad thing, and I shouldn't be the only one affected. I think that MediaCon has once again under-built their infrastructure. If they can't support their customers when they start ordering VOD, then that's a rather major breach of their service agreement, IMNSHO.


The QAM signal that Mediacom is carrying their HD content in is most likely seperated from the QAM that carries PPV, VOD, etc. On your set - how many subchannels are there on the ch that carries KWWL? Most likely the cause is they are trying to push too much content through the 38Mbps QAM channel (HD is 19Mbps and a STD channel is usually 2-4 Mbps) that they are pixelating KWWL HD. Another cause could be they are rate-shaping the KWWL signal (so they can mux more channels into one 6Mhz RF channel and are harming the PQ of KWWL-HD.


The issue could also be a signal quality issue. The QAMs that most providers use for HD transport is 256QAM. 256Q is more likely to pixelate under distortion than 64Q. If it happens on PPV channels (broadcast to everyone) at the same time - look for sig quality issues.

The issue could also be a signal quality issue. The QAMs that most providers use for HD transport is 256QAM. 256Q is more likely to pixelate under distortion than 64Q. If it happens on PPV channels (broadcast to everyone) at the same time - look for sig quality issues.

just curious - which one is used by CFU? I take it that this is transparent on the decoding end - my tuners don't have an option as to which one they are receiving. Good to see you posting, Joe. Thanks.

We use 256QAM for HD and 64QAM for SD Digital

For those D* users that have the Sunday Ticket, D* is offering a free HR10-250 receiver. I just called retention (800) 824-9081 and I got it for $19.95 (the price for shipping). I have subscribed to D* for 3 years and Sunday Ticket just last year and there was no hesitation to offer me the deal. I also verified that I would be getting the upgraded MPEG4 receiver for free when they are available. The only problem that I have is that they can't install until July 26th, and they won't let me install it myself. I pleaded with the lady and said that I'm quite sure that i could do the install myself, but I was turned down.

John

I know this is not exactly the right forum, but I didn't think it would be proper to ask in the HD-DVD forum - my focus group is right here.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone around CF/Waterloo had the new Toshiba HD-DVD player. Or, perhaps more to the point, does anyone have one that they would be willing to bring over to my place, to see if it works with my DVI -> RGB convertor? It seems a shame (and almost unethical) to buy one just to see if it works, with the intention of returning what would be a perfectly good unit if it didn't work with my setup. I've been reading that some folks are having problems with the Moome box, and so I am very curious as to whether or not my Ophit works.

If anyone has one, and is willing to burn an hour or so trying to get it working, you can either reply, or feel free to pm. Thanks.

(and this thread is so quiet, one extra post shouldn't kill anyone. ;) )

I'm getting jittery or jumpy images when watching HD through Mediacom HD stb. Any have any idea what might be the cause?

I'm getting jittery or jumpy images when watching HD through Mediacom HD stb. Any have any idea what might be the cause?

Try setting one of the tuners on a SD channel. Do this by hitting the swap button on the remote and changing it. I get this problem whenever my box gets rebooted. The problem seems to resolve itself after the TV Guide gets completely updated.

Hello everyone,
I am from Cedar Rapids and just getting on to HD. I also use internet quite often.. sometime to remote login to my work and work from home.
Now I am confused as to which is the best option for me? Mediacom for both my HD and internet or go with direct TV or Dish Network along with quest.
I do not need a phone land line cause I use of cell phone instead.

Any input will be very helpful .. Thank you

Mediacom will provide KWWL KFXA KCRG and IPT in HD for n/c on cable, and most hdtv's do not need a box the view these either. As for KGAN, well they still are not with the program .....so you would need an antenna. There's also a $10/month +box charge, for a 8 channel HD package which includes ESPN, ESPN2 plus 6 others.

I am typing this in the Quick Reply space at the bottom of the page.
Is this how I should post to the Cedar Rapids, IA - HDTV forum?
If it is not, could someone provide specific directions as to how I should do it?
My specific question for this forum concerns Mediacom's failure to provide KGAN in HD for the towns surrounding Waterloo.
I have tried contacting KGAN but I have received no replies from the three people there that I have emailed.
When I contact Mediacom, I am asssured by their reps that Mediacom is doing its best to sign KGAN's HD programs...
I assume that Mediacom provides KGAN's HD programs for the CR area....
If that is correct, why doesn't it provide the same CBS HD programs for the Waterloo area?

You are posting the correct way....

As far as KGAN, NO they are NOT available on MediaCom in CR. They are owned by Sinclair who has been a PITA when in comes to letting cable carry their signal.

I know this is not exactly the right forum, but I didn't think it would be proper to ask in the HD-DVD forum - my focus group is right here.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone around CF/Waterloo had the new Toshiba HD-DVD player. Or, perhaps more to the point, does anyone have one that they would be willing to bring over to my place, to see if it works with my DVI -> RGB convertor? It seems a shame (and almost unethical) to buy one just to see if it works, with the intention of returning what would be a perfectly good unit if it didn't work with my setup. I've been reading that some folks are having problems with the Moome box, and so I am very curious as to whether or not my Ophit works.

If anyone has one, and is willing to burn an hour or so trying to get it working, you can either reply, or feel free to pm. Thanks.

(and this thread is so quiet, one extra post shouldn't kill anyone. ;) )


Hope you can find someone to let you test it out, and then it works for you ... have had HD-DVD (the HD-A1) since its debut date and if things keep going the way it appears they are - I believe I will find myself in a position where I can't imagine ever wanting to watch SD-DVDs again by the beginning of 2008.

I'm not much of an audiophile, but the PQ can't be touched by network and satellite HD broadcasts - in terms of no compression-caused artifacts/noise on the HD-DVDs. How many times do you see an HD image break into blocks with either fast motion and/or bright flashes of light, when watching HD stuff on network/cable or sat. TV? Absolutely not the case with HD-DVD. I keep expecting it - seeing as its the only way to get it with broadcast-cable/sat. HD - but it never happens; picture stays 100% intact even in the most bandwidth-taxing scenes. Truly the best PQ available to date, if only because of the lack of artifacts/blocking/"noise" in the images.

So what antennas are you all using to get OTA HD around Iowa ?

I've tried several of the amplified indoor models which claim up to 50dB boost but I can't maintain HD signals for nothing. KWWL is the worst, it is terribly hard to lock on to and often requires re-adjustment of the antenna several times. Even daily, to maintain.

Can anyone get KFXA-DT ?

What would you videophiles recommend for an antenna setup to get the best possible OTA HD reception? I'm roughly 25 - 30 miles from the towers IIRC.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I prefer solutions other than getting on the roof and throwing up a ChannelMaster :=)

...EDIT: Forgot to mention, I prefer solutions other than getting on the roof and throwing up a ChannelMaster :=)Then I have no suggestions (that will benefit you). In my estimation, a CM 4221 or CM 4228 on a mast w/rotor is the ONLY way to go (for UHF). Anything else would likely be sub-par. A little roof work will reap multiple benefits for a long time. I installed my setup WAY before I knew that our CBS HD stick would be NNW of my house when all others are south. Boy, amd I glad I put it up with a rotor.

So what antennas are you all using to get OTA HD around Iowa?

The good news is, the stations are all generally due south of Oelwein, and 25 miles is about the correct distance. KCRG, KRIN, and KGAN are all on the same tower about 12 miles south of Independence. KWWL is about 7 miles south of Indee.

KFXA is going to be a little West of South from that location. I would agree that an outdoor (or attic) mounted directional UHF antenna is the only way to go.

If the CM 4221 or 4228 w/rotor is the only way to go for UHF then what about VHF?

If the CM 4221 or 4228 w/rotor is the only way to go for UHF then what about VHF?Here's (http://www.channelmaster.com/home.htm) a great page on ChannelMaster's Web site with links to all kinds of information (click on the products link at the top). Check it out to find some combo VHF/UHF antenna information. I'm not very informed on their VHF offerings, but CM is quality stuff. So is Winegard (http://www.winegard.com/offair/offairmain.htm).

Has anyone tried any of the outdoor Terk's??

Terks are junk.

What if my main go is to pick up KGAN since it's not offered through Mediacom?

Since they're a UHF DT (51) you'd have to use a UHF antenna to pick 'em up.

Speaking of antennas:
I have had CM 4 bay antenna for many years with no problems. This summer I had many problems with KWWL OTA. Some days there; some days nothing. I think I have a problem with a neighbor's tree. I was thinking of getting a pre-amp to boost signal for this year. I have DirecTV. Can and where do I put the preamp. I have a the dishes coming into a huge splitter (provided by DTV). Any recommendations for a pre-amp and how to install. I think the problem will just get worse.

A preamp (not amp) has a weather proof housing that mounts near the antenna. You connect the antenna to that and then your normal coax run into the house goes from there. The powered box goes inside that you run your feed into and then from there to the TV. This box is powered of course and feeds the power thru the coax to the outside unit where the amplification actually is taken place, thus called PRE-amp.

Your DirectTv stuff should not come into play unless they've ran your feed thru their splitter.

ChannelMaster is well known for their preamps. I have 2 "CM7777"s.

KCRG & KFXA via Mediacom in Iowa City are breaking up big time tonight. :(

1st time getting QC locals, amazing, I have a hard enough time getting CR locals.

Picking up 4.1 and 2, 6.1 and 2, 18.1 and 2 (18.2 carrying Cards game, comes in better than 20.1!)...getting a couple analogs too.

Looks like it's time to get a CM 4228 and a pre-amp, have 2 sets of locals...

1st time getting QC locals, amazing, I have a hard enough time getting CR locals.

Picking up 4.1 and 2, 6.1 and 2, 18.1 and 2 (18.2 carrying Cards game, comes in better than 20.1!)...getting a couple analogs too.

Looks like it's time to get a CM 4228 and a pre-amp, have 2 sets of locals...
Bag - that's great!....where in NE Iowa are you exactly?

Don't get your hopes up too high. You are experiencing the effects of the right atmospheric conditions for receiving stations faurther away. I was picking up some Des Moines stations yesterday morning for a while.

I routinely get the QC stations in the evenings, especially in the Summer, but not realiable enough that I would tell you to go out and buy all that equipment. Don't get me wrong, it's good equipment and will help, but don't think you're going to pick them up all the time just cause you got them once or twice.

P.S. You'll probably get them again this morning as I'm getting 8.1 and 18.1 on the back side off my antenna fairly well.

Near the intersection of 380 and 30...

Got them last night as well. Nothing this morning, though, which surprised me.

I thought it might be good tropospheric conditions causing this.

It's just nice to know my Radio Shack antenna, cost me $70 about 5 years ago, VHF/UHF...the main spar is warped slightly downward (very shallow upsidedown U) on the ends because of age, is doing the job. I know I can do better with a better antenna.

Just curious...I've noticed KWWL is suddenly coming in much better lately. From about April through mid-July, it was the most tempermental station of the CR locals I've got. Now, there's a 30 degree window where it comes in rock solid no matter where I aim it at...something change up there I don't know about?

I was hoping I'd have another set of locals for football this fall, but I take it QC locals in CR would never come in here in CR during daylight no matter how good the antenna/amp combo is, right?

Last question. I gotta have VHF on an antenna because of KCRG-DT, right? It broadcasts over 9-1, not 52-1, correct? Reason I asked is I noticed all the QC locals are UHF.

...I noticed all the QC locals are UHF.Until the channel re-assignments...then WHBF goes from 58-1 to 4-1.

Last question. I gotta have VHF on an antenna because of KCRG-DT, right? It broadcasts over 9-1, not 52-1, correct?

No, KCRG-DT is on RF channel 52. They will return to channel 9 when analog goes away, as will KWWL-DT. KGAN-DT will stay on 51 and KRIN-DT will remain on 35.

If I were going to install an antenna I would probably do a V/U antenna now rather than put up a UHF antenna now and have to swap it out in a few years.

Boy, that 4.1 sure does come in good though...was pulling in the 90's some last night. 6.1 and 8.1 were somewhat weaker but still pretty solid. They all were more consistant than 20.1, but that's hampster power from what I remember.

Might just try the pre-amp...I got an old fashioned signal amplifier that seems to do pretty good work, but I got 75 feet of rg6 before it gets to the amp, so I know an in-line pre-amp at the antenna has got to do better. Prolly would eliminate some of the momentary lapses of signal I seem to get still.

Weather conditions will amaze you. I've had times that the QC stations peg at 100%.

Preamp was well worth the money in my opinion. I have one on my static attic antenna and my outside rotor antenna.

I thought it might be good tropospheric conditions causing this.It is.....

I was hoping I'd have another set of locals for football this fall, but I take it QC locals in CR would never come in here in CR during daylight no matter how good the antenna/amp combo is, right?I am VERY near your location. Don't count on the QC stations for football. I can usually get them in/out for a while in the Winter months, but that usually goes away about the time that games start. Certainly worth trying, but don't count on it.

Hello,

I live just north of IC on HWY1- I am able to pick up all QC and CR stations clear using a CM 4228 (8 Bow Tie) pointed to the QC and a 4224 (4 Bow Tie) pointed toward CR. Both are connected via a combiner to a CM Pre-amp. The anntenna's are both on the roof of a 2-story house with a lot of mature trees blocking line-of-sight.

I struggled with solid QC reception untill the installation of the pre-amp. I have the benifit of being 40 miles from the CR towers and 50 miles from the QC but most people in CR should be able to pick up the QC with this setup. Also, I shortened the cable run from 125 to 75' which also helped a great deal.

Question: I have the Antennas back-to-back on a single mast? Is this a problem?

Hello,

Question: I have the Antennas back-to-back on a single mast? Is this a problem?Not if it's working! Combining 2 antennas like that usually doesn't work as they tend to somewhat cancel each other out. Hey... Congrats if it works for you.

just a duh, maybe a fwiw - wasn't KFXA hd on 28-2 (or 27-2, I forget) as opposed to the usual 27-1. Watchin yesterday's NASCAR race, I got all excited and ticked, cuz it was in SD - so just for grins I changed channel to 28-1, and there it was, in HD. Could it be something as simple as not changing their inputs, and running what used to be HD, but is now SD?

Different topic - getting HD over QAM in cf, over CFU. Has anyone else been getting wholesale breakups? Has been virtually unwatchable - OTA is fine on other receiver, but getting freezes, breakups, and macroblocking, as well as "insufficient signal" thru what used to be perfectly good QAM cable.
I may be out of my league here (and forgive me if I am) - but when you say you swtiched from 28-2 to 28-1, what exactly do you mean? I am with MediaCom and have a Motorola DCT6200 HD DVR STB. I only have channel 828 for KFXA-DT - am I missing something here?

KFXA is only on 828 on Mediacom and it is the HD feed.

KFXA-HD is on RF 27.2 & 27.1 is SD.

KFXA-HD is mapped to 28.1 virtual channel and 28.2 for SD. The HD has never been on virtual 28.2 that I have seen since they came up to power with HD.

KFXA is only on 828 on Mediacom and it is the HD feed.

KFXA-HD is on RF 27.2 & 27.1 is SD.

KFXA-HD is mapped to 28.1 virtual channel and 28.2 for SD. The HD has never been on virtual 28.2 that I have seen since they came up to power with HD.
I guess I really am out of my league - because I don't understand what your answer means!

Are 27.2 and 27.1 only attainable when receiving OTA broadcasts? or do I have to reprogram my Motorola set-top box?

Are 27.2 and 27.1 only attainable when receiving OTA broadcasts? or do I have to reprogram my Motorola set-top box?Yes. On Mediacom, there is only one KFXA HD channel (828 in CR) and it is there HD feed. There is nothing to program on a Mediacom box as I understand since they are not capable of receiving OTA signals.

For OTA, KFXA operates on RF channel 27. They send 2 subchannels on this channel..... 27-1 is there 480i SD feed, and 27-2 is the 720p HD feed. The PSIP data contained in these streams SHOULD virtually map them on OTA boxes to the appropriate 28-1 for HD and 28-2 for the SD feeds

Noticed the new look to KCRGs' 9.2 weather subchannel tonight.

Nice look and nothing but local! Blows WeatherPlus away IMO......

gaack - would beg to differ - at least, when I popped in, the radar was in a tiny window. Liked it before - the way it was. With the storms, I wanted to see RADAR. Not Liz Mathis. Very dissappointed to see it go the way of 7-2.

The smaller windowed radar stills beats the heck out of that crappy KWWL radar display.

I notice now that they are replaying the news. Still better than KWWL WeatherPlus, which is a mini Weather Channel to me. Anytime you want to see something, their talking about the weather on the East coast. At least 9.2 is local content.

hd - now that I know you are around again, :), are you or anyone else still having audio problems with KGAN-DT? Folks get it thru CFU - qam - the other night, all that came out was a digital hash, would have probably blown out the tweeters if the ht had been on. :( I admit, I don't watch much of KGAN (the lipsynch drives me buggy), but even that is better than pink noise.

And I WILL be watching again, once football season returns.

Yes. On Mediacom, there is only one KFXA HD channel (828 in CR) and it is there HD feed. There is nothing to program on a Mediacom box as I understand since they are not capable of receiving OTA signals.

For OTA, KFXA operates on RF channel 27. They send 2 subchannels on this channel..... 27-1 is there 480i SD feed, and 27-2 is the 720p HD feed. The PSIP data contained in these streams SHOULD virtually map them on OTA boxes to the appropriate 28-1 for HD and 28-2 for the SD feeds
Thank you very much for the well-needed explanation - I can now read the rest of the posts here without tilting an eyebrow.

If you ever need cardiac defibrillation explained to you, I'm your man!

hd - now that I know you are around again, :), are you or anyone else still having audio problems with KGAN-DT? Folks get it thru CFU - qam - the other night, all that came out was a digital hash, would have probably blown out the tweeters if the ht had been on. :( I admit, I don't watch much of KGAN (the lipsynch drives me buggy), but even that is better than pink noise.I haven't really had any audio problems with OTA KGAN. I did notice the "digital hash" you mentioned a few days ago in the AM timeframe. It was ONLY on 2-1 & not 2-2 and I sent an email to the CE to alert him but I never hear back from him anymore.

Oh BTW.... I've been here the whole time! Just quite around here. I had forgotten about the July 06' deadline for the other stations to be up to full power. I wonder whats happening with KWKB??? Anyone heard?

I haven't really had any audio problems with OTA KGAN. I did notice the "digital hash" you mentioned a few days ago in the AM timeframe. It was ONLY on 2-1 & not 2-2 and I sent an email to the CE to alert him but I never hear back from him anymore.




Well, it was there in the late afternoon - early evening a few days ago also - you are right, it was on 2-1 - I didn't even check 2-2. And it IS quiet. Guess that is good.

If I remember correctly, it seems that Jerry said that you folks had some kind of dynamic bandwidth balancing going on, between 7-1 and your subs. If so, I was only wondering, ;) , is there any chance you could bump up the bandwidth on 7-3 during the times that you only had SD being broadcast on the main channel?

Or is it a case that the Tube feed is of such a low data rate that extra bandwidth wouldn't help? Which I think you and Jerry also mentioned, back when 7-3 was first introduced. I was just watching it the other night, and thought of this - if all you have on is something SD, you probably don't need all the bandwidth for 7-1, and wouldn't it be nice to see 7-3 looking as good? That's all. Thanks for the Tube, even in it's present form. At least one view appreciates it.

I haven't seen or heard anything since I posted this May 1:
Checking the FCC's website, it appears that they're asking for an extension of their DT construction permit until the end of this year due to a number of issues, including a backlog in orders from its supplier and delays in getting funding for the upgrade. They think they'll get the equipment by August, but they're asking for a full extension until December 31 "to allow for any further unforseen circumstances that may arise." (The application is here (http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1127733&Service=DT&Form_id=337&Facility_id=35096).)

This is just to get the 1 MW DT signal on the air and has nothing to do with whether it will be HD or not.

Thanks for the update.

Noticed the updated 9.2 last night as well. First stop today was here. :)

And yes, a little upsetting that the radar is windowed, but

a) it's almost always on local radar in that window, and

b) they now include LOOPING radar. Before, 9.2 used to only be a live feed from their radar PC. If they were running a Windows update, you got to watch them update. If they were roaming around checking on things, you got to watch that. But otherwise, there was no loop, nothing. Just a radar image. A static image is fine for current conditions, but if I'm going to go outside, it's nice to see where the rain is headed.

Also kinda like that they're replaying the news, since I can't always catch the news at 10.

Unfortunately, on a 30" widescreen (20-25" 4:3 equiv.), all the windowing cuts the size on everything pretty small. I'm not sure they need quite as much area on top for the new 9.2 logo (another nice touch), but I think that the bottom programming lineup ticker is nice to have.

All in all, nice to see that KCRG took the time to listen to some of the suggestions from this board (almost seems like they took ALL of the suggestions, though!), and nice to see the increased local coverage. Now to advertise the capabilities of the new subchannel!

I'll leave my whining usual about KWWL and KGAN for another day. "The New Nine Dot Two" is enough to make me forget most of it now. :)

http://www.ighsau.org/sb/2006/sbtvfinals.htm

Iowa Public Television will broadcast the Iowa High School Sports Network production of the 2006 Girls Softball Championships LIVE exclusively on IPTV-Digital Channels across the state. The network will provide coverage on Friday, August 4 beginning at 1 p.m. on IPTV-Digital channels across the state. Viewers able to receive an HDTV signal can watch the live coverage on the following digital channels: channel 50, Des Moines; channel 45, Iowa City; channel 25, Fort Dodge; channel 18, Mason City; channel 28, Sioux City; channel 35, Waterloo; channel 33, Council Bluffs; and channel 35, Red Oak.



Viewers can see a rebroadcast of the championships on Iowa Public Television’s traditional (analog) service August 8 – 11. These rebroadcasts allow viewers to record them at 2 a.m. each day on IPTV’s traditional channels: channel 11, Des Moines; channel 12, Iowa City; channel 21, Fort Dodge; channel 24, Mason City; channel 27, Sioux City; channel 32, Waterloo; channel 32, Council Bluffs; channel 36, Red Oak; channel 36, Davenport.

Getting zero on both receivers...looked at their web site, no notice...southern CR

Wooh - that's bizarre - CFU graphs show no problem; my ota tuner locks onto both 2-1, 2-2 just fine, but tv shows "no signal." Broadcasting a carrier, but someone tripped over the video cable? Heck -just changed channels to KCRG - my Sammy is still doing a reboot upon selecting 9-1, but I can change to 2-1 with no glitch - just no signal.

still down this morning...it's there, just no programming

2.1 working fine

The football on 7.1 looks crappy. Lots of blockiness and dot crawl during movement. The shots with little movement look very nice, and the dd5.1 sounds really good.

(MYHD MDP130 on a 1280x720 projector 120inch screen)

Versa,

I see the same thing. I'm using the 6412 stb with Mediacom.

During the second half I didn't see as much blockiness, but it just seemed like blurs replaced blockiness.

fwiw, now at the end of the game, I'm flatout getting dropouts, and "no signal." the qam feed had been flaky, so switched over to antenna on tower, for ota. Got some nasty macroblocking before the dropouts - something I hadn't experienced in over a year, OTA. sheesh - I want Jerry back. So far, football on KWWL-DT looks as bad or worse than MLB was on KFXA last August.

NOT the best start for showing off your network, guys. NBC paid a lot of money to get MNF on Sunday; would be nice if locals could also broadcast it.

Another question (and uhf may be able to help here,) - do any of the local HD stations ever broadcast a test pattern, and if so, is it at a predictable time? I would like to calibrate my hd stb to my vp and crt; once I stumbled on the KCRG demo clip, late at night.

I just thought it would be helpful if a station could broadcast the standard color bars, with pluge at either the end or beginning of the broadcast day. I'm pretty sure the sat people do that, but that doesn't help us OTA peons...

I've seen it late at night recently, but I can't recall which station is was.

I want to say it was KWWL or KGAN, on a Saturday night after 4 AM (note: that's when I turned on the TV. Not sure what time it actually started). KCRG usually switches over to the radar at that hour, instead of a test pattern.

Another question (and uhf may be able to help here,) - do any of the local HD stations ever broadcast a test pattern, and if so, is it at a predictable time? I would like to calibrate my hd stb to my vp and crt; once I stumbled on the KCRG demo clip, late at night.

I just thought it would be helpful if a station could broadcast the standard color bars, with pluge at either the end or beginning of the broadcast day. I'm pretty sure the sat people do that, but that doesn't help us OTA peons...I don't know if they still do this, but the last time I worked/partied late I noticed that KGAN-TV and DT usually signed off late Friday night/Saturday morning, sometime in the 2 o'clock hour IIRC. They'll usually put up a few minutes of bars just before pulling the plug, and again later that morning when they come back on again.

If you can pick up WHBF-DT out of the Quad Cities (DT 58), I believe they, too, put up bars overnight. At least that's what I saw during our last humid spell, which was the last time I was able to pick them up.

I just thought it would be helpful if a station could broadcast the standard color bars, with pluge

I don't have an HD set at home yet, but I used the Video Essentials DVD to set up my SD LCD set. It has all the test patterns a guy could want if you don't mind them being SD instead of HD.

I live in CR, am picking up the big 4 QC's in HD, plus WEEK 25-1 and WTPV 47-1 from Peoria, plus a whole slew of analogs. Easily the best night for QC I've had so far. Can't believe I'm getting Peoria! 150 miles?

If I could only get them in the daytime...4-1 seems to be able to come in the earliest (comes in at 430p when I get home from work) and best the last couple days, but haven't had a chance to try on weekends. It'd be great to have a 2nd option for locals during football season.

I seem to have been able to finally dial in the QC locals, used Antennaweb site to figure out the compass headings, used the signal meters, voila, channels everywhere and solid signals, too. It'll be nice to try them this weekend.

I don't have an HD set at home yet, but I used the Video Essentials DVD to set up my SD LCD set. It has all the test patterns a guy could want if you don't mind them being SD instead of HD.

it's not that - I have VE and Avia - my issue is that I think the color balance is skewed some with my STB - over in the crt forum, near as I can follow, it seems to be a colorspace issue - with HD actually being defined differently than SD. While I am ok eyeballing to "fairly close," it would be nice if I could actually optimize what comes out of my HD box, using a known benchmark. A few minutes would help me tweak the color and hue, but if anyone left it one for an extended period, I might have time to do some serious grayscale work.

thanks, dline, but I'm NW of Cedar Falls, in a valley - I'm pretty happy that I can pickup the major networks. So far, I have never picked any other stations up, even tho I have a friend in town (on a hill) who gets Mason City on a semi-regular basis. I even tried getting WB out of Ames once, on a reccomendation of a fellow forum member - no luck there either.

You may also get bars off the IPTV network. KDIN-DT at least does colorbars for a few minutes before sign-on sometimes when I've caught it. I don't think I've seen stations do true SMTPE bars, though, mainly it's just straight out full screen color bars.

You may also get bars off the IPTV network.
That's my only suggestion too. But I'm not sure how accurate those are as I have no idea what the source is. I think that they sometimes go to bars at sign off as well, but probably for only a minute or so while the master control op shuts down the transmitters.

So the football game on 2.1 right now, falcons vs NE, looks like crap. The sideline shots look great but the actual game is damn near unwatchable. You can't even see the ball when its in the air.

What is the point of 'HDTV' if they lower the bandwidth so much its barely better then standard tv?

I don't post much - usually just read and learn. I don't complain much, either, but I would have to agree with previous posts on the poor quality of the NFL broadcasts. The whole reason I bought my HDTV was for sports.

KWWL's Sunday Night NFL broadcast was absolutely horrible. HORRIBLE. Granted it was in 1080i which is less than ideal for anything sports related, but goodness sakes. I remember the the Olympics looking just as bad - I chalked that up to having to ship the signal from Europe. Highly disappointed. Looked WORSE on MediaCom 807.

Tonight's game in 1080i on KGAN/CBS is "better" than Sunday's by far OTA, but still looks fuzzy/blocky. Couldn't check it on MediaCom channel 802 because, well, you know - THERE IS NO 802. Sorry. Moving on.

Last night's FOX broadcast looked pretty good, but not great, in 720p.

The baseball games and other HD broadcasts on ESPNHD/ESPN2HD along with games on INHD are wonderful. Cause they are on cable?

By the way, I do not want to spark the 1080 vs 720 debate, just making observations.

Is it bandwidth allocation? Is it compression settings? Is it that I have a newer progressive scan DLP TV? It looked just as bad on my neighbor's older 1080i set.

Go Chiefs. Well, at least until they lose in the playoffs.

just a thought, but maybe they just aren't using the best gear for the preseason games - I sure remember them looking better last year. And I know last year's World Series looked a lot better. (tho there isn't much rapid movement in baseball either ;)) But yes, NBC's first foray into HD was lamentable - lets just hope they get their act together by the real season.

Yes - I don't want it, so am instead sharing with fellow forum members. If anyone wants one of the Toshiba HD-dvd players, there is one open box at the CR BB, for a jaw-dropping price. (following forum rules, but lets say, you could buy this unit and 6 disks for the normal price. :D))

I had it in my greasy little paws, went to the movie section, and DANG - couldn't find a disk I wanted to pay 30 bucks to watch on it. So, afaik, it is still there waiting for someone with different taste in movies than me. Enjoy.

Anyone know if Mediacom will be adding any new HD channels any time soon?

Anyone know if Mediacom will be adding any new HD channels any time soon?

Talked to someone with MediaCom in Des Moines about several issues including TVGuide Online, NFL Network, ESPNU and whether they are going to add any new HD channels this week.

The NFL Network is supposedly coming. They are in negotiations just like every other cable outlet. The NFL-HD will not be carried by MediaCom. ESPNU is in negitiations also. They are considering putting them both on the new sports tier with CSTV and the regional sports networks.

They ARE supposed to be adding "a few" HD channels by the end of the year. Des Moines does not have ESPN2HD or INHD/INHD2 - those are going to be added to the tier there. They really did not give anything specific, but rumor has the possibilities of TNT-HD, National Geographic HD, HGTV-HD, WGN-HD and some sports channels like ComCast Sports Net in HD.

OF COURSE, no luck with those ding-dongs at Sinclair (KGAN / KDSM) adding KGAN-DT 802 to the lineup in Cedar Rapids or KDSM-HD to Des Moines.

Well, another week of preseason football in HD.

The second Sunday night KWWL-DT / NBC broadcast was better, but still not up to my standards. Blocky and sometimes 'out of focus'.

Monday Night Football on ESPN-HD was PERFECT - but, the little score "pod" is irritating. FOX has the best score "bar" and is great on HD. Takes up too much screen in SD.

Thursday night's Chiefs-Giants game was damn near perfect on 28-1, although my Chiefs looked like a Jr. High team.

We'll see how the PGA Championship looks on CBS-HD this weekend.

Yeah, I'm picky. :D

If there not going to add NFL Network in HD why even bother adding it at all? NFL is by far the best thing about having HD.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

I have no hopes for a Mediacom-Sinclair deal any time soon. I hate to put up a antenna just to get one channel.

If there not going to add NFL Network in HD why even bother adding it at all? NFL is by far the best thing about having HD.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

I have no hopes for a Mediacom-Sinclair deal any time soon. I hate to put up a antenna just to get one channel.

Couldn't agree more. My neighbor has Dish Network with NFL-HD [drool]. I am just this side of going the dish route, especially for HD channels, but will cost me nearly $45 MORE a month than MediaCom. You get what you pay for, I guess. :rolleyes:

Ahh, I can't find 809 on Mediacom. I don't see KCRGHD anywhere on the channel guide. I see a channel 109 which is KCRG's weather, any ideas where 809 went?
Thanks,
Rod

809 still on in Waterloo.

Thanks tsduke, I don't see it in the guide and I can't change the channel to it. Hmmmmmmm...Interesting.....

To be fair, 109 is KCRG Local 9.2, not KCRG Weather. Labelling it as a Weather channel might turn people away from it, considering how useless Weather Plus is on KWWL.

From what I've seen of the commercials so far, KCRG Local will have re-broadcasts of Oprah at 9 PM, in addition to re-broadcasting news and weather, and of course the weather radar and programming ticker. It looks like KCRG is still taking suggestions on programming, and they're trying to position themselves to be the local leader in Digital broadcasting, much the same as IPTV has proclaimed their desire to lead the way in HD OTA programming (which they're doing almost 24/7 now).

I was a little disappointed to see that, other than a few of the cameras at the greens, CBS seemed content to use SD 16:9 cameras for most of the PGA Championships. A lot of the wide fairway shots were sub-par (no pun intended) in relation to real HD stuff.

I have a feeling that NBC has been caught with its pants down WRT the pre-season football, as well, which is why we've seen some more quality issues that we'd like. Hopefully NBC is busy right now filling up Notre Dame Stadium with true HD cameras so we can finally watch Penn State lose in HD.

Thanks CR_Client, it sounds like KCRG Local 9.2 will be a lot better then KWWL's weather plus. That still doesn't explain why Mediacom has taken away 809/KCRGHD. Any ideas on that one?
-Rod

Mediacom Iowa City has removed the HD channels from 7.1-.3 and 32.1 and has pushed everything to 114.x and 115.x, but I can't seem to find this new KCRG "Local" channel or whatever, does anyone know where it is on the "free" mediacom channels in IC?

I've been told by MC on the phone that 809 should be back on the cable boxes. We'll see when I get home tonight.

Mediacom Iowa City has removed the HD channels from 7.1-.3 and 32.1 and has pushed everything to 114.x and 115.x, but I can't seem to find this new KCRG "Local" channel or whatever, does anyone know where it is on the "free" mediacom channels in IC?


Nevermind, after another scan I found it on 115.6. I'm really liking this channel, good information (local weather and TV 9 programming) and good programming.

I don't post much - usually just read and learn. I don't complain much, either, but I would have to agree with previous posts on the poor quality of the NFL broadcasts. The whole reason I bought my HDTV was for sports.

KWWL's Sunday Night NFL broadcast was absolutely horrible. HORRIBLE. Granted it was in 1080i which is less than ideal for anything sports related, but goodness sakes. I remember the the Olympics looking just as bad - I chalked that up to having to ship the signal from Europe. Highly disappointed. Looked WORSE on MediaCom 807.

Tonight's game in 1080i on KGAN/CBS is "better" than Sunday's by far OTA, but still looks fuzzy/blocky. Couldn't check it on MediaCom channel 802 because, well, you know - THERE IS NO 802. Sorry. Moving on.

Last night's FOX broadcast looked pretty good, but not great, in 720p.

The baseball games and other HD broadcasts on ESPNHD/ESPN2HD along with games on INHD are wonderful. Cause they are on cable?

By the way, I do not want to spark the 1080 vs 720 debate, just making observations.

Is it bandwidth allocation? Is it compression settings? Is it that I have a newer progressive scan DLP TV? It looked just as bad on my neighbor's older 1080i set.

Go Chiefs. Well, at least until they lose in the playoffs.


Its not KWWL, its NBC. It looks terrible everywhere.

So did KWWL-DT kill one of their hamsters, or is it the feed from NYC? Leno and Conan are unwatchable - major pixelazation and breakup OTA. Its so bad, I'm very surpised I didn't just get "no signal." All the other channels are fine, tho I realize they are all on different towers.

Hi Folks-

New to this thread and to HDTV but need some help. I have a 46" Sony Wega 3 LCD and Mediacom HD DVR here in Cedar Rapids. I live on the NE side, north or Rockwell, in old Bowman Woods. Here are my questions:

- Mediacom vs. Direct Tv? I can't decide......Mediacom seems like a bunch of hacks. Never have answers. Thoughts?
- What Antenna works best for indoor usage and getting HD. I can't go outside because.....well......because I just don't want to. Too much work if I can avoid it. I currently have a little 20 dollar RCA 10db amplified thingy. Cuts in and out and not good reception.
- You keep talking about 80%, 90% etc. Where do you get those numbers?
- Any way to get a HD TV to decode mediacoms box signals? I am running HDMI from my mediacom box but have to swith to "Antenna" to get the channels not supplied by Mediacom.

Sorry for all the questions. I just am somewhat confused and thought I would ask the experts. Thanks for the help.

Its not KWWL, its NBC. It looks terrible everywhere.
Not everywhere. On WREX/Rockford, IL, it's been looking great.

So did KWWL-DT kill one of their hamsters, or is it the feed from NYC? Leno and Conan are unwatchable - major pixelazation and breakup OTA. Its so bad, I'm very surpised I didn't just get "no signal." All the other channels are fine, tho I realize they are all on different towers.

I had zero problems last night with Conan, from the beginning all the way through to the musical guest (when I saw that Nelly wasn't going to make it, I turned off the TV. Not because I wanted to see Nelly, but because I wanted to see how they played it, even though it was an ancient episode). I did have some dropouts with 32-1 last night, though, which is usually more reliable for me than any other channel.

I actually re-positioned my antenna 2 weeks ago because I needed the tripod I had it mounted on in the attic. For whatever reason, I must've found a good compromise amongst the DT channels, as I can get them all in around 20-40%, which, on my new Samsung 3082, is plenty to keep it locked. I still use QAM whenever possible on the XBR960, though.

Hi Folks-

New to this thread and to HDTV but need some help. I have a 46" Sony Wega 3 LCD and Mediacom HD DVR here in Cedar Rapids. I live on the NE side, north or Rockwell, in old Bowman Woods. Here are my questions:

- Mediacom vs. Direct Tv? I can't decide......Mediacom seems like a bunch of hacks. Never have answers. Thoughts?
- What Antenna works best for indoor usage and getting HD. I can't go outside because.....well......because I just don't want to. Too much work if I can avoid it. I currently have a little 20 dollar RCA 10db amplified thingy. Cuts in and out and not good reception.
- You keep talking about 80%, 90% etc. Where do you get those numbers?
- Any way to get a HD TV to decode mediacoms box signals? I am running HDMI from my mediacom box but have to swith to "Antenna" to get the channels not supplied by Mediacom.

Sorry for all the questions. I just am somewhat confused and thought I would ask the experts. Thanks for the help.

Mediacon really kinda ARE a bunch of hacks, IMHO. I've never thought that their serivce was worth the price, esp. their flaky cable modem service. They've outgrown their britches too many times, and don't have the capital to keep the infrastructure up to snuff to handle their customer load. But I digress...

If you go with DirectTV, it might be worth keeping MediaCom's bottom tier package ($12.75/month), which is for channels 2-22 (I still get 23), but includes all unscrambled digital channels. Since your TV has a QAM tuner, it's a great package to have for the free locals in HD (ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX). For me, it means reliable HD for my locals (except CBS...), especially compared to my antenna problems (I'm obscured by a hill and 90 year-old trees). If you go this route, though, you'll need to get whatever package you'd need with DirecTV to get the equivalence of the channels you have now.

Of course, you have the HD DVR, so you already have access to those free locals. Just letting you know that you can also have them for $13 a month if you drop the big digital package, because of the TV you have. The Sony "channel scan" will find a TON of digital channels if you hook up your cable to it, so run that when you have 45-75 minutes to spare. I set it and left the house, myself. I can try to guide you through what it finds if you have questions.

Indoor usage, I personally have the 'Stealth Bomber' looking antenna from Radio Shack. It's supposedly an indoor/outdoor, omnidirectional, but it IS sensitive to rotation changes. Depending on the topography of the land around your house (I know that some parts of the new BW are on hills, not sure about old BW), you may be able to get away with a similar setup in your house as well.

I started with a cheapo $20 "indoor" HD antenna, with a power supply that plugged into the antenna itself. It blew chunks. Bad. When I went to the 'stealth bomber', I was immediately able to receive DTV with the antenna in my living room. I got more channels once I moved it to the attic.

The nice thing about the style I got is that the power supply attaches inline to the coax, and therefore can be located remotely from the antenna. This is a BIG plus for me, as I have no power up in my attic to be able to run the antenna off of locally.

The Radio Shack next to Bed Bath & Beyond (NOT the one that's actually IN Lindale) has some good guys working there, and they were more than willing to let me buy an antenna and return/exchange it if I got it home and it didn't work the way I needed it to. This was a big selling point to me, as a) Best Buy has nothing for decent antennae, and b) I didn't want to end up $300 in the hole because I had useless, unreturnable antennae. Try them out, they're fairly knowledgeable most of the time.

The "percentages" are the signal strength as detected by your digital receiver, which, in this case, is your TV. On my Sony, I can see the percentage by going into the menu, Channel, and then Diagnostics. On my Samsung, there is an "A. Strength" button on the remote that brings it on-screen. You can use this as a guide to help guesstimate optimal antenna positioning. Note, however, that my old Samsung couldn't lock anything with less than about 75% strength. My new one needs only about 30%. My Sony is somewhere in-between, but I only use the antenna for KGAN 2-1.

In any case, for an antenna, in decreasing order of effectiveness: Outdoors on a rotator on a 50' mast in the yard; outdoors on a rotator on the roof; outdoors on the roof; in the attic on a rotator; in the attic; in the main part of the house.

You may find that you don't need a rotator to get a good signal strength from all of your locals, depending on where you live. You should be able to get away with a compromise between the towers to your West. See antennaweb.org for decent antenna coverage maps and pointing guides relative to your address.

As far as decoding MediaCom's cable signals, see above for some information. Run the cable through your cable box (or use a splitter befor ethe cable box), and put it in the Cable input on the Sony (there should be an Antenna and a Cable in). Then do a channel scan, and you should be able to get all of your basic/family cable channels and the unscrambled local HD's. You won't be able to decode any channels that you need the box for, though, such as ESPN-HD, etc. You would ned a CableCard for those, I believe, and the Grand Wega doesn't have a cablecard slot (never mind the lack of cablecards at MediaCom).

Uhm, I think I've overloaded the thread now, so if you need any clarification, just let me know!

Question;

Has KWKB boosted its output wattage yet? (Wasn't it supposed to sometime this summer or fall?) Thanks.

The Sony "channel scan" will find a TON of digital channels if you hook up your cable to it, so run that when you have 45-75 minutes to spare.
.........
You would ned a CableCard for those, I believe, and the Grand Wega doesn't have a cablecard slot (never mind the lack of cablecards at MediaCom).
"Ton" of digital channels?????? Maybe I should do a rescan. I certainly wouldn't call it a "TON" of channels. I get the local HD channels minus crapheads KGAN & KWKB... The biography channel, a bunch of music choice channels and that is it for reliable channels. Then of course you can watch all the On-Demand & PPV channels if someone in your area is watching something, but you have no control over it.

I have a Sony Grand Wega A10 series, and yes it has a cablecard.

I had zero problems last night with Conan, from the beginning all the way through to the musical guest (when I saw that Nelly wasn't going to make it, I turned off the TV. Not because I wanted to see Nelly, but because I wanted to see how they played it, even though it was an ancient episode). I did have some dropouts with 32-1 last night, though, which is usually more reliable for me than any other channel.



boy - I don't know what the deal is then - I also checked Joe's graphs, and they say the signal strength is fine. Must be some wierd atmsopheric in my neighborhood - both my 4228 and my monster on the rotor are giving me fits -the 4228 isn't getting anything well, and my large ChannelMaster on the rotor still isn't picking up KWWL. - at least it is producing an amazing picture on the Fox football game tonight. KFXA-DT's football tonite is the best looking thing I've seen since MNF left ABC.

I have been having the same issues with KWWL. All others are coming in fine.

Not everywhere. On WREX/Rockford, IL, it's been looking great.

Yep - watched it on WHO in Des Moines in HD and it looked great. It IS KWWL - so much for new ownership.

Kwwl has been unwatchable for me for 3 weeks. major lockups and pixelation. Signal strength meter on tv reads between 19 and 27 . KCRG and Kgan in the high 80's to low 90's. Something is definitely up. Have they cut power to save money?

Same thing here in NE Cedar Rapids, everyone else comes in fine, but KWWL will not lock in. KWWL has always been a problem for me but usually I can find an antenna spot where they will come in with the other stations. Now I can move the antenna and not get a lock on them no matter what I do. Channel Master 8 bay antenna in the attic with a rotor.

It has just been crappy weather conditions folks......

I don't think it is just crappy weather. Never had a problem with KWWL until this summer. I thought it was just a tree blocking my view, but if others are having the same problems. I dunno????

I need some help folks.

I recently went down to Warren Electronic in Moline a couple weeks ago, and I bought the CM remote control sending unit. It states in the instructions it's a valid conversion, but I cannot get it to work correct.

I ran the wiring exactly as with the RS sending unit. 1 to 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3. When I plug it in, it seems to after I sync it to send my antenna to about 240 degrees compass, then during the sync, seems to run in reverse (I double checked my wiring at the rotor...1 to 1, etc...its correct). One thing I have noticed...when the RS sender is hooked up, it also stops at 240, but works both directions otherwise just fine. I have the RS at true north and the antenna also at true north when all this starts.

My questions are the following...

1) does the RS rotor have a limiter on it (explaining why my rotor stops at 240 on both senders). No matter what either sending unit states is the direction, thats as far clockwise it'll go, meaning 360 degrees). Which then means I have to get the antenna only to true north, then run the sending unit from 360 to 0 to sync the RS unit up.

2) or, is the wiring using the CM unit in some other order than 1 to 1, etc. Because it seems to run backwards, then not at all after a sync (the sync works in reverse even though the wiring is 1 to 1 etc).

I just do not want to have to drive another 170 miles both ways to fix this unless I'm sure the CM is defective. I have the feeling I'm doing something really simple incorrect here but I cannot figure out what it is.



Also, I too have been having extreme trouble lately with KWWL for about 3 weeks until yesterday afternoon (I think the cloudy conditions may be helping this though, ever since this front moved in its been fine). I lock in on KGAN, KCRG, KFXA and PBS at 100% yet KWWL is 60% and pixeled badly or no pic at all and re-aiming doesn't help...yet I show a solid 60% signal anyway...the signal itself never pops like the pic does. This is with my RS el cheapo yagi UHF only outdoor antenna. I've been using the MXU59 UHF yagi to pull in the Quads locals at night up to all 4 being 90%, and 6.1 is perfect by comparison to KWWL. 4.1 seems to be the strongest, comes in all day though from about 9 to 4 it pops frequently. I haven't been swinging this antenna for CR locals because of the above rotor issues, but this morning I did and the CR locals are all fine (yes I know I shoulda swung it to verify the KWWL issue earlier before the front moving in, but I rarely watch anything on that station when I'm home.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think it is just crappy weather. Never had a problem with KWWL until this summer. I thought it was just a tree blocking my view, but if others are having the same problems. I dunno????You're right... It's not just the weather. It's a combination of the weather and your equipment, terrain, etc., with the weather being the most variable.

Funny how KWWL is one of my best receptions right now since I tweaked the antenna early in the Summer. A couple of days ago, due to the weather conditions, KGAN was extremely crappy. Maybe I should start asking if KGAN has cut their power? Point is that I've notice these problems on ALL the locals, not just KWWL, and more so this year than any other. It's the weather, not cut power but your welcome to send an email asking them if they've cut the juice....

The 1225 does indeed have some sort of limiter on it. I was able to do a 360 degree sweep and it again stopped at approximately 240 degrees, but the RS sending unit kept going to 360. So after that, I reversed it on the dial back to north, and the antenna swept around counterclockwise back to 240. So, I loosened the antenna mast holder (not the base mast holder), moved the antenna mast assembly back to north, locked her down, and it swept from north to north both on the dial and the rotor. So, I then hooked up the CM sender, synced it according to the directions, and tried to use the remote to aim it, and nothing was sent from the sender to the rotor. I can now only assume that the Channel Master is defective. The only exception to this prognosis is that I cannot use the same RS 3 strand wire, or there's a difference between the hookup of the wire (not 1 to 1, rotor to sender), but since the directions state that that is the wiring procedure, I can only assume, since it works with the RS sender but not the CM, all other things working, must be the Channel Master.

Process of elimination...

Well then if it's the weather, Digital TV is going to be the fuster cluck I invisioned it to be. At least with analog you might be able to watch something. Not so with digital when it's a little humid out. This sucks. I figured there would be weather related problems. Just wait until channel 9 and 7 go back to their VHF frequencies in 2009. We probably won't be able to watch anything in the summer. :mad:

Well from what I can get on analog with an antenna, I don't see the difference as it is absolutely unbearable to watch. Just think in a few years, the equipment will be better, MAYBE KGAN will have been bought out and cable & satellite will be a HD heaven.

How is that different than today unless you like looking at static & ghosts.

How is that different than today unless you like looking at static & ghosts.

well, with Leno last week it was a lot different. I had to watch over analog cable, as the behavior of the DT was very entertaining, if not enlightening. For some reason my Sammy 165 never quite gave up - but I would have motion on the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the screen, while the bottom would be a frozen frame from 30 to 45 seconds ago. Not to mention audio locks and drops. Analog looks pretty crappy - agreed, otherwise I wouldn't have 4 HD receivers in the house - but lots of what is broadcast involves moving pictures, and a steady, changing audio stream. None of which I could get over KWWL-DT last week.

Fine - it's my antenna and gear. As others have said, I haven't changed anything. If end users can have well set up rigs, that were working, but then can stop because of a little humidity, HD is going to be pretty rough here in Iowa.

On the plus side, the BB salesmen can push a lot of Monster Cable upgrades - on the downside, there will be a lot of open box returns, unless the weather changes right after the customer switches gear, and thinks the switch is what improved the picture. Inwhich case, the customer can then go buy more crap, when the conditions change for the worse, and picture disappears again. Great deal for the retailers. :rolleyes:

Yep....

Don't shoot the messenger folks. I'm just telling you that it is my strong opinion that most of our problems are weather related. Like I said, send an email or call KWWL and ask, but I know what they are going to tell you.

I can also say that when I'm having problems with the CR locals, that usually means I can point towards Moline and pick them up great! Thats weather for you!

not shooting you - just agreeing with REB that there will be a few unhappy people if weather makes tv go away. heck - that is the big argument against sat tv; if everything goes funky with normal weather, there will just be unhappy people.

fwiw, today, KW is coming in fine. And yes, I understand snow storms, ice storms, the torrential downpours - but blue sky? yeah, the high ragweed count is the problem - all of the ragweed spores are deflecting the signal. ok. we are stuck with what we have. But we don't have to like it.

and hd - I for one voted with my fingers - when Leno went to crap, I switched over to a very nice looking Letterman in HD. Too bad Nielsons don't collect that kind of data.

fwiw, today, KW is coming in fine. And yes, I understand snow storms, ice storms, the torrential downpours - but blue sky? yeah, the high ragweed count is the problem - all of the ragweed spores are deflecting the signal. ok. we are stuck with what we have. But we don't have to like it.I suspected that it would be better for eveyone today as the weather pattern changed. Don't be deceived by having a clear blue sky. Theres a thing called an inversion where there is a layer of warm air aloft. This happens VERY frequently in the Summer, thus that is why we have more problems then. Signals are bent back towards the surface off of an inversion layer causing fits. That is why you see alot more ground clutter on weather radars (when they don't artificially remove them). The signal end up bouncing alot more, thus you have conditions that I described earlier where I have problems getting the locals, yet stations further away like Moline bounce their way right in.

The other point I was trying to make is how many folks are actually using OTA analog now? Not unless they have to because the picture sucks. It won't be much different in a couple of years when digital is MUCH more available thru cable & sats

Indoor usage, I personally have the 'Stealth Bomber' looking antenna from Radio Shack. It's supposedly an indoor/outdoor, omnidirectional, but it IS sensitive to rotation changes. Depending on the topography of the land around your house (I know that some parts of the new BW are on hills, not sure about old BW), you may be able to get away with a similar setup in your house as well.

I started with a cheapo $20 "indoor" HD antenna, with a power supply that plugged into the antenna itself. It blew chunks. Bad. When I went to the 'stealth bomber', I was immediately able to receive DTV with the antenna in my living room. I got more channels once I moved it to the attic.


I picked up this indoor antenna from Radio Shack that looks like the Starship Enterprise, but black. Has a little remote that comes with it. I put it in my basement where my Sony is and after some tweeking, got all the locals to come in in the 90%+ range. Worked great. Thanks for the tip. Also did the channel scan thing and came up with what you said. For the BW area, this antenna is great and I did not have to put anything outside.

how many folks are actually using OTA analog now? Not unless they have to because the picture sucks.

Overall? Around 20% of the US population. I suspect it's higher in Iowa. At least 30% of the people I know use OTA analog.

Digital was not ready for prime time, but the feds forced it to roll out anyway so they could sell the empty TV channels and line their pockets. If we had used COFDM instead of 8VSB we would have a lot fewer problems.

Well then if it's the weather, Digital TV is going to be the fuster cluck I invisioned it to be. At least with analog you might be able to watch something. Not so with digital when it's a little humid out. This sucks. I figured there would be weather related problems. Just wait until channel 9 and 7 go back to their VHF frequencies in 2009. We probably won't be able to watch anything in the summer. :mad:

I always tell people two things:

1. If you put the antenna in the attic, you generally lsoe 90% of your signal.

2. Buy an antenna two sizes larger than recommended.

Doing both *generally* reduces the problems to near zero, including ghosting.
I am 60 miles away from Chicago and with monster amps and ChannelMaster 4228 antennas and a Winegard VHF-only in my attic to get the stations. I can't put them on the roof because I don't own it. Still, I get reliable reception from all but one channel.
If you want the antenna to "hide" or be small, you are just asking for trouble
much of the year if you aren't within 10 miles of the transmitters.

Overall? Around 20% of the US population. I suspect it's higher in Iowa. At least 30% of the people I know use OTA analog.And I suppose they all have excellent pictures and no problems at all receiving those pristine images????

My guess is that a large majority of that 30% has picture problems now, just as they will after the cutover...

And I suppose they all have excellent pictures and no problems at all receiving those pristine images????

My guess is that a large majority of that 30% has picture problems now, just as they will after the cutover...

A picture problem they can live with. No picture at all is a different thing. The majority of people simply don't care about picture quality. If they did, HDTV's would be flying off the shelves. At least around here they are not selling well, other than large screen sets, and 90% of the buyers are watching analog cable and DVD's on those sets.

I always tell people two things:

1. If you put the antenna in the attic, you generally lsoe 90% of your signal.

2. Buy an antenna two sizes larger than recommended.

Doing both *generally* reduces the problems to near zero, including ghosting.


which is why I started whining - I am running the full boat setup - everything except amps. 12' CM combo antenna, mast, rotor, on top of 2+ story house. yet with no changes, except weather, I pretty much lost KWWL. Admittedly, I only watch Leno, the Office, and Earl on that network, so life goes on, but what if they ever got a show on that folks wanted to watch? ( ;) )

hdtv - since I don't know how to quote two posters in one reply - I would imagine most folks that have outdoor antennas, properly oriented, do have pretty good reception. Not counting, of course, the poor souls in hill country around Dubuque and to the NW. But I almost always got a better ota VHF signal than I received via cable. There were Super Bowl parties where I even went so far as to switch, from normal cable to my antenna, just to provide a better viewing experience.

I too have been experiencing problems with KWWl for a couple weeks. Funny thing is I get a signal strength reading of 70, vs around 90 for KGAN/KCRG/KFXA/PBS, but lately it hasn't been watchable at all. Now throw this in the mix: The afformentioned problems are using my DirecTV tuner to watch the signal, but I also use snapstream and beyondtv, in conjunction with a Avermedia HDTV card, and KWWL is coming in fine with this setup, using the exact same antenna.......go figure??

BTW, hdtv, what is the problem tonite? Cool dry weather is also a problem? Or, (could it be,) is it the lack of a competent engineer like ex-tech Jerry? Once again, Kwwl-dt can blame weather on breakups and pixelization (as viewed ota, tower, antenna, outside, yadda-yadda-yadda.) I know - it's the geese flying south for the winter. Yah, that's the ticket.

Really makes me glad that NBC has so few shows worth watching.

BTW, hdtv, what is the problem tonite? Cool dry weather is also a problem? Or, (could it be,) is it the lack of a competent engineer like ex-tech Jerry? Once again, Kwwl-dt can blame weather on breakups and pixelization (as viewed ota, tower, antenna, outside, yadda-yadda-yadda.) I know - it's the geese flying south for the winter. Yah, that's the ticket.

Really makes me glad that NBC has so few shows worth watching.
Don't know. Didn't watch NBC last night. How was the strength??? That has been the issue here, not the quality of signal that they put out. My signal strength is as normal as it has ever been for KWWL. People were asking if they cut power, etc. That is what I have been responding about, not the quality.

Did you email/call them and find out yet if they cut the juice? What was the answer?

Could not get KWWL either last night AGAIN. Signal was in the 20's and 30's vs 70's and 80's for other locals. Since Jerry is gone, does anybody from KWWL monitor this forum and possibly offer a solution. My own anecdotal evidence tells me it is not the weather. But I offer this possible theory: Could the tuners lose their ability to receive over time? I am using both DIRECTV tuners, the HD Tivo and a RCA HD receiver. I read on another forum where a subscriber described similar problems and the problem resolved itself with another HD Tivo unit. Dunno, but with the new season beginning shortly. it will become very frustrating , when Vegas, the office, and Earl won't be recorded over my TIVO unit

hard to believe Wayner - especially since my tuner picks up all of the other stations clearly. tho fwiw, I'll try with my LG tonight - 'tis a 4th gen tuner vs. my Sammy. Haven't tried before cuz the sammy is connected to my personal lcd set - the LG is only connected to the big rig - hate to fire it up just to watch Leno freeze on the top half of the screen. But it would at least answer your question, if only anecdoteally.

hd - my signal strenght bounces for KWWL-DT, which I know, indicates some kind of interference. Maybe multipath off the new casino they are putting up south of Waterloo? ;) Guess I'll have to turn the rotor a degree or two, and see it it'll be steadier. btw, last night the local news was also breaking up, which sort of kills the idea that it is a network feed problem.

I emailed last night, and haven't heard anything back...I'll post the reply if I get one.

Brad

I have a 2 antenna, 2 STB setup.

On one, I get all the locals except KWWL at 90-100%. KWWL is a solid, never varying 60% (no dropouts to 0% signal), yet I get massive pixelization. This is with a RS yagi UHF and a CM 7775 with a one shot run of RG6, no splits, about a 50 foot cable run of RG6. Aimed directly via compass at KWWL's location according to antennaweb.org.

On the other, I get 60% KWWL without the pixelization. Larger AC MXU59, CM 7775, about 10 feet higher mast, about a 75 foot cable run of RG6, no splits. This also has a rotor, and I pick up the QC locals at night at 85-100% and on some nights DM locals, too.

No difference in signal strength. One pixels, one doesn't.

So, is height the difference? It doesn't reduce the signal errors, just eliminates the pixelization.

This tells me that the signal strength of KWWL hasn't changed, but the data riding that signal will not decode properly without the extra height. I have no idea why this would be, but one thing cements this for me.

Why, if no picture or badly pixeled, does the signal strength never waiver? To me, if it was a bad aiming job, or a cable issue, or weather, wouldn't I have 0% signal?

Just got off the phone with a member of KWWL engineering staff. Turns out that they are aware that they have a problem, and are working on it. They are broadcasting at full power, but somehow, end users (us) are reporting declining picture quality and lowered signal strength.

If anyone has answers, or suggestions, who knows - if I was stuck working on that stuff, I'd appreciate help. Since I am more like Sargent Schultz (I know nuzzink!) I'm afraid I can't do much. Hope they get it sorted out soon. Good Luck, guys. :D

Why, if no picture or badly pixeled, does the signal strength never waiver? To me, if it was a bad aiming job, or a cable issue, or weather, wouldn't I have 0% signal?

dunno - but I saw a similar issue earlier this month - think it was KGAN (?) - had full strength signal, boxes would lock on fine, but there was no picture or sound present. A carrier with an improperly encoded data stream? (sounds good - nfi if it's anywhere close to right. ;) )

Question;

Has KWKB boosted its output wattage yet? (Wasn't it supposed to sometime this summer or fall?) Thanks.


I called the KWKB office this morning asking about this as well. Their goal is to be broadcasting at full power by the end of next week (9/8). They are also preparing for the transition to the CW, so he said it may be pushed back a couple days to the beginning of the next week. Will be ready for the season premires though

I knew it couldn't be a coincidence...quite a few of us reporting the same issues.

I switched antennas on my 2 STB's. With the RS, I get all the CR locals on it in full signal, +-95%, no pixels now using the Sylvania. With the RCA I take the AC on the rotor, and I have a heckuva time getting KWWL to come in while everything else comes in fine. I can get KWWL to lock and not pixel up, but the aiming point on the compass is way off what it should be and nothing else comes in!

So, I plugged in the QC zip code I know, selected Davenport, and was able to pull in 4.1 much better for daytime than the Sylvania ever could. 8.1 comes in now and then but doesn't lock. It'll be interesting tonight to see how it goes, but it stunned me, the RCA seems to like QC better than the Sylvania, yet the Sylvania definitely likes the CR locals better on a weaker antenna!

Splitting either one reduced both cities fairly dramatically...not an option.

About 20.1, I've been receiving it at 95% for about a month, but the audio doesn't come through at all...little blurbs here and there. If this is part of their testing, I'll be glad but if it isn't they got audio issues. But again, it's coming in here in SW CR as strong picture-wise as any channel I get. Just no audio with it...both receivers, so its got to be the source.


So, out of all this I'm concluding that 7.1 is indeed having some sort of unknown issue but some people here are not exposed to it (just gonna have to tune it in individually if I need to watch something on it with my RCA) as others. Also, individual setups may be more susceptable (sp?) to this (meaning their tuners themselves may be part of the problem unknown to them...software maybe? No software update on mine in about 18 months, RCA ATSC/DSS 210 IIRC and my Sylvania is ancient by comparison and has no phone line for updates).

I knew it couldn't be a coincidence...quite a few of us reporting the same issues.


So, out of all this I'm concluding that 7.1 is indeed having some sort of unknown issue but some people here are not exposed to it (just gonna have to tune it in individually if I need to watch something on it with my RCA) as others.

Yes - I forgot to mention that. It seems (at first) that the folks at KWWL weren't really aware of the problem, since they didn't see anything wrong on their ZENITH receivers. SO, first thing I'm doing tonite is to indeed try out my LGs, and see if the problem is fixed or still there. Since I have a pair of Sammys and a pair of LGs, should be able to get a fair test.

Be advised that we are having exciter problems with our Thales DCX transmitter. We are unable to load pre-correction at sufficent level to bring our transmission into specs, therefore some receivers will not work while others do. We have a mix of receive equipment owned by various station personnel and most do not have any problem. It appears that the newer generation equipment has the most problems.

I worked on the exciter all day today and it is almost in spec, but not perfect.

I'm sorry that I have not kept you posted on our difficulties as we have been very busy with projects since the QNI group has taken over operation of KWWL and I haven't been on the forum for a while.

We will have a tech from Thales in next week to get the exciter problem fixed.

In the meantime, remember, it's only television.

In the meantime, remember, it's only television.

Don't let your boss and/or new owners see that :eek:

Otherwise, thanks for letting us know what is going on. Naturally, we have the most questions when you have problems, which is also the exact moment that you don't have time to waste reading messages on a board......Understood.

I lied - still havene't tried my new receivers, but am still having problems with my old Samsung 165. But Leno and the show before it (whatever that was) was better last night - still had pixelatzation and freezes, but only lost the audio stream a couple times, and never had a total lockup bad enough that my receiver was forced to reaquire the signal.

I called the KWKB office this morning asking about this as well. Their goal is to be broadcasting at full power by the end of next week (9/8). They are also preparing for the transition to the CW, so he said it may be pushed back a couple days to the beginning of the next week. Will be ready for the season premires though
Thanks for the heads-up. It'd be nice to have that choice without going to analog as I have been.

At most, KWKB-DT flickers my "signal" light, but I've never seen a picture. (They were my best UHF in my pre-DT days in Cedar Rapids.)

Mr Owens - finally checked 3 of my receivers....except when I caught you changing something this morning, around 9:15, my Samsung 360, using a 4228 inside my house picks up all of your signals just fine. Using my old school CM VHF/UHF combo (12' long) on a mast above the 2nd story of my house, I get pixelization and the same intermittent signal using my older Samsung 165, and no signal if I connect the antenna to my normally QAM connected LG4200. Which I find very odd - 4200 uses the 4th gen tuner, yet I get the dreaded "no signal" display when I try to tune any of your channels.

Conclusion - must be as you say, in the tuner, since the worst antenna setup gets the best picture, using the 360. Yet the best antenna gets a worse, or nonexistent picture, with both older and newer boxes. Go figure.

Bagdropper - I am again experiencing what was happening earlier - I just remembered my channels wrong - as of 17:30, I am getting a kicka$$ signal for 32-1 and 32-2, yet no picture or audio. Hope they can fix it by Austin City Limits. :)

as of 17:30, I am getting a kicka$$ signal for 32-1 and 32-2, yet no picture or audio. Hope they can fix it by Austin City Limits. :)

The ICN had problems with the fiber circuits feeding all of the IPTV transmitters. There is a backup source available for the analogs, but there is unfortunately no backup for the digitals at this time.

Everything should be back to normal now.

Yes it is; thanks to whoever for the quick work. So that explains it - transmitter is fine, hence good signal, but no incoming signal, so no pic. If I stay here long enough, I just might learn something. ;)

As for KWWL-DT, decided to be scientific, and pulled my Sammy 360 from the rack, and connected it to the outdoor antenna just to eliminate the last variable. And it worked. So I reconnected my old 165 - AND IT WORKED. Can only guess that Mr. Owens got it fixed in the hour between switching boxes. Oh well - hope it sticks. Thanks.

Rats - posted too soon. 165 acting up again. Good grief.

CR Forum Members:

The DCX exciter has been adjusted for lowest s/n and we are back to normal.

Thanks for your patience!

Thanks Dick. Things seem to be back to normal. Thanks again.. :)

Hello! I am upgrading my Dish Network receiver to the Vip 622, and was wondering what antennas are being used here in the Waterloo area for the local HD channels? I am only concerned and the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids market. Can I get by with an indoor antenna? Or for an outdoor, what one seems to be a decent one (and cheap)? Thanks for you help!

iafire - will depend somewhat on where you are, IN Waterloo. In a valley, up on a hill? North, south, east or west? I'm nw of CF, in a valley, and I get by with a tower and a large CM combo antenna; but I also get by with a CM4228 indoors for now - but it is very touch re orientation. Understand that you just want the locals - that's about all you'll get, barring very good luck, but problem is that KWWL is the farthest east, and Fox is quite a bit to the south. Back when it was just Kwwl and everyone else (no fox) it was easy for me to point between them. In order to get KFXA, I had to aim a few degrees more to the S than was optimal for KWWL.

A 4228 should work well, but may not work after the stations change their frequencies in a couple (?) years. Anything else will STRONGLY depend on where you are. Have you checked out antennaweb yet?

antennaweb says I am less than 30 miles from the farthest. And a spread of about 51 degrees. Most are tight though. It shows "yellow". I live just inside the city limits of Waterloo, near Washburn, atop a hill, clear shot to the south/south east and south west.

Larry - then you are in a good location, distance and view wise. But 51 degrees is pretty wide - you may (or may not) have problems with a highly directional antenna like the 4228. In your location, you could at least try one of the indoor antennas (making sure that you had return priveleges.) I was able to get HD at in-laws farm from about 10 miles away with a 10 dollar set of rabbit ears - on a hill, clear line of sight, you could well get away with much the same.

That said, someone else will have to tell you what antenna is your best bet - I'm far enough away that I'm pretty much forced to use the heavy metal. :(

CR Forum Members:

The DCX exciter has been adjusted for lowest s/n and we are back to normal.

Thanks for your patience!


Thank YOU sir (and all others involved) - so far, MNF (oops, Sunday on Thursday :cool: ) is coming in rock solid OTA, thru my Sammy 165 - where it was so unstable.

Still getting some pretty hairy compression artifacts on tightly zoomed, fast moving players, but pretty sure blame for that can be laid squarely on the network's doorstep.

Watching this, dunno how anyone can NOT upgrade to HD. Nice....

I've officially given up on trying to receive KWWL. I've never been able to get a good signal, and I assumed I just needed some antenna tweaking. Well, I was wrong. Nothing I did would draw in KWWL. I have all other stations at low 90s. Ugh!

Still?? tonite it's fine for me, and I've had as many problems as anyone. You might try tweaking the antenna again. If you are getting KGAN fine, I'd think you could do a little turning and get KW.

I've tried. KWWL is the one station I've never been able to pull in, regardless of my antenna setup. You could go back a couple years in the old thread and see posts of my KWWL issues then too. I just don't get it. I used to get spotty reception (w/ dropping & pixelation), but now I get signal strength of 0. I'm just baffled.

Thanks all for the advice! I am either going to try an indoor antenna or a smalle vhf/uhf aimed somewhere in-between. I had good luck before doing that, so we shall see. Thanks again! :)

I have not been able to get KWWL either( on West side of Dubuque) . I'm 30 feet above ground and get; KGAN, KCRG & PBS HD at 90%, but no KWWL

sheesh - you should be fine - I think KW is even marginally closer, and pretty much in line with the others - at least from your distance. With all your hills, I'd think you would have trouble with all - but if you get one, I'd expect you to get them all. Guess I need to thank D. Owens again, for at least making it watchable in Waterloo.

I have not been able to get KWWL either( on West side of Dubuque) . I'm 30 feet above ground and get; KGAN, KCRG & PBS HD at 90%, but no KWWLWell, you never know. KWWL's tower near Rowley is just a few miles north of the KCRG/KGAN/KRIN tower near Walker, and while the two towers are almost right in line from most of us in C.R., the angle may be just different enough from Dubuque to cause an issue. But it's kind of hard for me to say for sure.

I picked up the foorball game fine on Thursday, but could not get prime time on Friday, but did get Leno both days. Not sure about Sat nite.

I just lost 75, TNT-HD. Called cust svc, they said some sort of re-arrangment of channel assignments along with additions to the regular line-up are being phased in and tested today. Everybody with the HD package will lose TNT-HD today because of this. I asked him whether there was any prior notification to subscribers, he said he didn't know.

More channels, huh? He said everything should be back up tomorrow...1 day issue and apologized.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Thanks for the info bagdropper....

Now to see if the QC stations are coming in since the dumb###es at KGAN are not showing the KC-CIN game (at least according to the listings). :(

Are there any issues with KGAN or KCRG. For some reason these two keep dropping on me today? Would the weather be causing this? They are generally in the 80-90 range, then will just drop to 0. This has been frustrating (KCRG has been doing it for a little while). Any ideas what could cause it? KWWL and KRFX are great.

Hi Everyone,

I just got Dish Network HD, and I have the new receiver that comes with it. I am new to the OTA stuff. Right now I get KCRG generally above 95, but KGAN can only comes in about 75. Aren't they on the same tower? Why would one be higher than the other? I live in SW CR.

Thanks in advance for any help.

FWIW, it's all good here. Fox and KGAN both coming in strong, as well as KWWL. Caught Fogerty on Austin City Limits last night, IPTV-HD. Looks like I get better reception in the rain than I do in clear weather.

and hd - your Cheifs were on, for what good it did. Hope you were cheering for the Bengals.

Not sure about everyone else, but my MediaCon cable was flaking out today. At first I thought I was on my antenna feed trying to watch KRIN-HD this afternoon, or that the KRIN feed to MediaCon was flaking out. But, I swtiched over to regular analog cable programming, and was getting simila dropouts. This was after 13:30 CDT today, 9/11/06.

Anyone else see any problems today?

Speaking of Leno on KWWL...

I know that Dick doesn't have control over it, but I must say that I'm upset and appalled with KWWL for the grief they're going to make all Leno and Conan fans suffer through on Friday nights over the next 3 months.

For those that don't know, KWWL has a LENGTHY Friday night high-school football program on immediately following the 10:00 news. Because of this, all Late-night programming is pushed back 30 minutes.

And, of course, since they're pushing the programming back, it's all broadcast in glorious 2.0 stereo in 4:3 standard def.

I understand that this area has a fascination with "prep sports", but gimme a break... this isn't Texas, after all. KCRG ends their news at 10:20 and has 15 minutes of HS foootball, which means ample time to show highlights as well as an on-time latenight schedule.

I also understand that time-shifting HD programming, while relatively easy for a consumer, is a costly prospectus at times for a TV station, but why not figure that into your plans when you decide how many hours a week you need to spend on High School athletics?

Unfortunately, much like KGAN, KWWL, KCRG, et.al's decision to broadcast Cyclone basketball (in Hawkeye country), and time-shift prime-time programming to 2 AM in 480i, I have a feeling that, once again, I'm in the minority on this issue.

Can someone point me to an ACTUAL market research study that shows that people in Eastern Iowa care more about high school sports and Cyclone Women's basketball than they care about High-Def Primetime programming? I'd like to see the report, so that I can lobby the research firm to include a realistic study group in the future.

[/rant]

Not sure about everyone else, but my MediaCon cable was flaking out today. At first I thought I was on my antenna feed trying to watch KRIN-HD this afternoon, or that the KRIN feed to MediaCon was flaking out. But, I swtiched over to regular analog cable programming, and was getting simila dropouts. This was after 13:30 CDT today, 9/11/06.


Can someone point me to an ACTUAL market research study that shows that people in Eastern Iowa care more about high school sports and Cyclone Women's basketball than they care about High-Def Primetime programming? I'd like to see the report, so that I can lobby the research firm to include a realistic study group in the future.

[/rant]

I'm getting pretty ratty reception over sd cable tonite - attribute to all the moisture, probably oozing into the dried out connectors all along the path from head-end to my house....

I'll agree, and disagree. As soon as I saw Leno in all the beauty of sd 4x3, I TURNED IT OFF. (bold so the marketing dept bozos hired by the new owners can see it.) yup - all the local parents with kids on the teams will watch, so I doubt if it'll change.

But Mr Client - while I am stuck living in what you so knowingly lable "Hawkeye Country," there are more than a few ISU alums in the area. And/or ISU fans. And I'll gladly miss "Dancing with the Stars" or "Wife Swap" if it means I get to watch the Clones play. (they are sd anyway, I think - lord knows I've never watched them. :D) But I agree - it's going to be REALLY hard to give up "Ugly Betty," just to see if the new coach will help the Cyclones. Yeah - imagine me weighing the choices, like the statues of Justice - Clones vs. Kansas in one hand, "Help Me Help You" in the other.

Can't get too excited or worried about those choices. Why not rave about all of the CBS shows that are going to get shifted to SD hell after midnight, just so you can see Alford?

Me - I'm happy - afaik, KWWL does no sports, so The Office and Earl will be unmolested. If they would do the same with Leno, I'd be fine.

Okay, I'll admit, there's not THAT many quality shows on ABC Primetime that I'm that concerned about, but I AM a pretty big CBS fan. Sinclair is doing everything in its power to keep me from enjoying CBS, but I've persevered in spite of their efforts (stretch-o-vision, no cable contract, etc). I was just as upset last season whenever Criminal Minds got pre-empted, or Numb3rs, as you are about Earl, Office (which, until this past season, was still in 4:3) and Leno.

And yes, I know that there are ISU fans out here. Enough that ISU found it fit to put that billboard out on 380 (though I think that's there as much to mess with Cedar Rapidians as it because this is 'Cyclone Country'). I just like to stir up trouble. I'm sure I'll have my come-uppins next week if Tate stays on the sidelines this Saturday.

But no, you couldn't pay me enough to watch Steve Alford, live or on TV. So keep him off of my set.

And now, my train of thought is hopelessly derailed. I should have taken a nap before I tried to write this.

And yes, I know that there are ISU fans out here. Enough that ISU found it fit to put that billboard out on 380 (though I think that's there as much to mess with Cedar Rapidians as it because this is 'Cyclone Country').

I think you're right - I only jumped in so hard cuz I am made fully aware, every day at work, that I am in "Hawkeye" country. I thought I lived in Iowa; I was sad that UNI lost, and very disappointed watching the Hawks last Sat - while I cheer for the 'Clones, I am fully aware of and accepting of the fact that if I'm going to watch an Iowa team playing in an HD bowl games, it will most likely be a team from Iowa City.

As you point out - there just isn't a lot on any network in HD that is worth watching. Any ideas on when we will see HD on every channel? (cables) Anybody??? THAT is the day when people will go out and intentionally buy HD sets.

Starting yesterday 9/11, King World Productions started distrubution of Wheel of Fortune in HD. When will the Kwwl viewers get to see this and other "time shifted HD programming in true HD?

Starting yesterday 9/11, King World Productions started distrubution of Wheel of Fortune in HD.

Wow! maybe we're a lot closer to HD 24/7 than I thought. Not because I watch Wheel, but there always has to be one to start the ball rolling. What's next - Oprah, or maybe the View? Myself, I'd probably watch a few soaps in HD, just to see the quickly troweled on makeup in full HD glory. Now THAT would be scary.

Also of note: Jeopardy started HD also. http://www.jeopardy.com/announcement_20060907HD.php

Whats it take for a local afilliate to record/rebroadcast a HD show?

If you think time shifting is bad now, you should have lived in Eastern Iowa in the 80s, when KWWL felt it was ok to pre-empt the Thursday night line-up each week for Hawkeye Basketball. NBC was only showing the #1,2,3, & 4 shows in the nation at the time.
KWWL would reschedule them to air on the weekend, only to ususally pre-empt them or cut into them if another Hawkeye Basketball game ran overtime.

I don't see why KCRG can't show the game on their sub channel.

What's next - Oprah, or maybe the View?"The View" is already in HD. Not timeshifted of course....

JIP....I just hate it when a local "JIPs" us, as in Joined in progress. KGAN has been real good at this the past couple of years (IA mens BB games)......just love watching some NEW episode when they JIP....10 minutes after the hour. And the only reason they do it is they must think they can't survive if their 10pm newscast starts 10 min later than the other locals. Now you know why I keep my rabbit ears/amp close by in the coat closet.

GMA (Good Morning America) was in HD for a least a couple of months before KCRG let it be shown in HD, and that's Live, not time-shifted. I have no idea what it will take to get the "Broadcast whenever you like, as long as you broadcast it" shows such as View, Oprah, Wheel, and Jeopardy to get shown in HD.

Since they finally found someone to work in the mornings to flip the HD switch back and forth for morning programming (a process I still don't understand... manual intervention in this day and age?), you'd think they would let that person do their job for a few more hours after 9 AM.

It's bad enough that KGAN still can't even put a station bug on the screen in HD (KWWL is quite capable of even this menial task), so I can only imagine how much longer it will take for them to learn how to (and finally get around to) time-shifting content and preserving HD.

GMA (Good Morning America) was in HD for a least a couple of months before KCRG let it be shown in HD, and that's Live, not time-shifted. I have no idea what it will take to get the "Broadcast whenever you like, as long as you broadcast it" shows such as View, Oprah, Wheel, and Jeopardy to get shown in HD.GMA not in HD here was a national thing and had nothing to do with KCRG. When it went HD, they announced that the Central & Mountain zones would be later.

That's come and gone now... The View is on after GMA and I belive is the ABC feed so it has been in HD since they started a few weeks ago.

I believe it takes many $$$ for the right equipment to timeshift HD, so I would not count on seeing it very soon around here.

JIP....I just hate it when a local "JIPs" us, as in Joined in progress. KGAN has been real good at this the past couple of years (IA mens BB games)......just love watching some NEW episode when they JIP....10 minutes after the hour. And the only reason they do it is they must think they can't survive if their 10pm newscast starts 10 min later than the other locals. Now you know why I keep my rabbit ears/amp close by in the coat closet.
Time shifting by tape or server is a pain either way you look at it. Up until about a year ago, KCCI delayed the Late Late show by 30 minutes. Until we got the server, it would take 4 tapes in order to make everything run smoothly. It mostly has to do with making sure you can get your tapes synced up and then during a commercial break switch from airing one tape to the other.

Once we moved to servers, it was a bit easier, but still came close sometimes, as I'd need all of my show segments to be at least as long as the time delay was. We tried delaying Letterman back in July as a test to see if it could be done without segmenting a show. It worked, but the station needs to have 2 broadcast quality playout channels from the server. (We actually have 3, 2 for air and air-backup, and one that we can record backup dub reels of commercials in case the server were ever to crash or have a seizure.)

Basically, what I'm trying to get at, is 10 minutes is most often, not enough time to timeshift without running into problems. And all this doesn't even take into the account that CBS usually has some fairly funky rules about what you're allowed to tape-delay and re-air at a later time.

Thanks for update/repost. As I recall, the same thing came up last year, and you guys shot down my idea of pooling money to buy the station an HD-DVR (figured there were enough of us, we could swing it.;)) Obviously, upon reflection, and with Kc's explanation, there is much more too it. But we can still wish ;)

Oh believe me, I wish it would happen, too. But then again, I wouldn't mind working in a master control that looks like this:
http://static.flickr.com/92/239806007_84abab908c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwestendorf/239806007/)

*Sigh*

Anyway, eventually these things will come. It's more just a time and patience both on the viewers & broadcasters parts. You can either have a 1st gen product now at a premium price, or wait a bit for further generations and price cuts. :)

WOW - now that is cool. Dunno where you work, but I've seen a local's master control room, and it doesn't look like even one of the 4 bays above. Safe to assume that is a network setup? If that's a local, must be in one of the top markets. (and not Waterloo/CR)

If you "click" the above photo, it's this: "Panorama of WESH's new master control area. 4 plasma screen monitors...*drool*" Channel 2 NBC Orlando/Daytona
And yes "wow" :cool:

Yep, it was pretty sweet. I was down there for a week helping them launch the new CW station. I had to promise not to steal one of the plasmas when I left. :p

GMA not in HD here was a national thing and had nothing to do with KCRG. When it went HD, they announced that the Central & Mountain zones would be later.

That's come and gone now... The View is on after GMA and I belive is the ABC feed so it has been in HD since they started a few weeks ago.

Actually, I think Regis & Kelly Live is on after GMA, with View after that...

Not that I would know, as I'm out of the house from 7:30 AM- 11:30 PM, but back when I was laid up on medical leave, I think that's the order they were in... Not that I, as a red-blooded American Male, watched those shows or anything... :cool:

If only the local stations had a "tag-along day" for some of us curious consumers, we might have a better understanding and respect for the reasons behind what we see as "big problems with simple solutions". Alas, I haven't been able to find a way to tag along yet...

Just to clear up the confusion:

- 7-9 am -- Good Morning America (ABC, HD)
- 9-10 am -- Live with Regis & Kelly (syndicated, produced in SD)
- 10-11 am -- The View (ABC, HD since day after Labor Day)

KWWL problems

I'm bummed - spent a ton of time tweaking my two setups last year and finally got HD firing on all cylinders. Now football season is here and KWWL sucks. I've tried to watch college football coverage in HD on Saturdays and Sunday Night Football in HD and it is simply unwatchable. It's very choppy - almost like the signal is dropping frames. I live in Marion near Linn-Mar High School - KCRG, KFXA, KGAN all come in beautiful. I view HD on a Media Center PC connected via component video to a Mits 55" widescreen - I use this primarily for live tv. It has an Avermedia HDTV card for decoding. My other setup is a computer that has a ATI HDTV Wonder and I use it as a dvr. Both systems experience the same problem. My antenna in the attic is DB4 medium range from Antennasdirect.com. Just checked signal strength - KWWL shows it's at full strength. SD content looks fine on KWWL - it's just HD.

I know that there have been issues with KWWL that were supposedly fixed but I'm still having problems - anybody else still having issues? It's good thing Vanished isn't on KWWL - it's the only non-sports HD show I like to watch/record. I'm running all the latest updates and drivers - using Nvidia purevideo decoder on both.

Live in CR near Marion and KWWL has been pretty good since they fixed their issues. I use a CM antenna on the roof with a lot of trees, so maybe its your antenna.

Live in CR near Marion and KWWL has been pretty good since they fixed their issues. I use a CM antenna on the roof with a lot of trees, so maybe its your antenna.

All stations were fine last spring with this antenna - I upgraded from the silver sensor type antenna that came with my ATI HDTV Wonder to the DB4. The DB4 is supposed to be an excellent HD antenna - here's the link:

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html

fwiw, I've still had a few glitches and dropouts from KWWL-DT; wife's response is cute - oh, the tv just died; (actually, the screen becomes black, and there is no sound.) but so far, it has come back in a second or two.

in response to an earlier post re football, KGAN's HD football seems to have more macroblocking on my set - dunno if it is KGAN or the network feed tho. No way for us mere mortals to know...

in response to an earlier post re football, KGAN's HD football seems to have more macroblocking on my set - dunno if it is KGAN or the network feed tho. No way for us mere mortals to know...


Maybe it is the network, but probly not. KGAN has 1 subchannel right?

So does WHBF (QC's CBS), and I watched the Florida/Tennessee game Saturday night... when the camera shots were stationary or near so, the PQ was stunning... but start moving at all, and it desinigrated into macroblocking and artifacting... if the camera movement panned fast, it was just a god-awful mess of digital overcompression sloppiness.

Isn't macroblocking just the nature of 1080i?

I don't don't see it when watching ESPN which is 720p..

Was trying to watch Deal or no Deal and was not able to get KWWL or its subs tonight. Seems to be the same isuues as before. Anybody else experiencing this?

Isn't macroblocking just the nature of 1080i?

I don't don't see it when watching ESPN which is 720p..


Maybe, but its shouldn't be that bad, with adequate bandwidth rates. Trust me, this was horrible.

Was trying to watch Deal or no Deal and was not able to get KWWL or its subs tonight. Seems to be the same isuues as before. Anybody else experiencing this?

didn't get home til late - but Leno was fine. Maybe karma was out to get you, for even trying to watch Deal or no Deal. Gaack. Not that Leno's jokes are a lot better, but I like his guests. :)

All,

I'm down in Coralville and have been using the Quad Cities affiliates as I have a nasty hill on my north side. KLJB, the QC fox affiliate never turned on their HD feed of Bones last night and I'm thinking of tweaking out for the Cedar Rapids affiliates. Any issues lately other than the football PQ?

All,

I'm down in Coralville and have been using the Quad Cities affiliates as I have a nasty hill on my north side. KLJB, the QC fox affiliate never turned on their HD feed of Bones last night and I'm thinking of tweaking out for the Cedar Rapids affiliates. Any issues lately other than the football PQ?No issues with KFXA that I'm aware of, except the one they've always had -- they're transmitting from nearly smack-dab in the middle of Benton County as opposed to the Walker-Rowley area like most of the others.

What a bloody crock....I only want to watch 2 shows a week on NBC. 3 if you count Leno. Here comes Thursday nite, premiers of Earl and Office, and what do we get? Bumpkus. Doodley Squat. KWWL-DT has once again died.

If I was younger, I'd apply for a job myself. Lord knows it looks like they could use someone. And hdtvincr, don't tell me about weather - I can get the other stations - and while I know it is a different tower, it ain't that far from KCRG, from my angle. WTG.

Waterloo weather at 10:00PM......

Wind from the ESE at 20 MPH gusting to 32 MPH

:)

QAM is nice!

Question from a newbie. I just bought a Sharp LC-37D4U which has a built in QAM tuner. My question is does Mediacom pass through local channels in HD "in the clear"? If so how do I do a scan to pick up those channels? Or can anyone give me the channels? I am assuming KWWL is 7.1 but I really don't know. Currently I am getting an error message when tuning into 7.1. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry if this has already been discussed. I went through about 2 pages of posts and did not see this so I posted it here.

Don't know the scan procedures for your TV, you'll have to read your manual.

All locals except KGAN & KWKB are passed thru on MC. They are on channels 114 & 115 as subchannels.

remember to have the scan for digital channels. be sure to be connected to a digital antenna input, if applicable. My new Vizio ( :o ) has to have a cable attached to both 75 ohm inputs, in order to "find" the digital stations.

the channel designation will depend on your tv - my LG receivers give the stations (here on cfu - not MC) as 104-x, 105-x, etc. Parents newer Hitachi, and my Vizio ( :o ) correctly map the qam to the designated frequencies - 7-1, 9-1, etc.

hd - I know - but analog came thru. What will the case be, when they shut off analog completely - last night, I just switched over. Can't wait until there is a good storm coming, and all we have to depend on is DT - will be like going back to the '40s for our weather info. When it gets bad, stick your head out the door, look, and pray.

Really - if losing signal is ok with 30 mph winds, how bout if a wall cloud and gust front is approaching? Maybe the FCC should give out free weather radios, instead of HD tuners.

Question from a newbie. I just bought a Sharp LC-37D4U which has a built in QAM tuner. My question is does Mediacom pass through local channels in HD "in the clear"? If so how do I do a scan to pick up those channels? Or can anyone give me the channels? I am assuming KWWL is 7.1 but I really don't know. Currently I am getting an error message when tuning into 7.1. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry if this has already been discussed. I went through about 2 pages of posts and did not see this so I posted it here.


Look in the 114 and 115 subchannels, that's where they are in Iowa City.