I live on the east side of Iowa City. Has anyone here in Iowa City besides myself lost the signal to KWWL-DT? I receive all my DT channels over the air. As of maybe a week ago channel 7 DT has left me and my Panasonic simply says poor signal quality. All the other DT channels are still being received as before. Thanks.

Honestly, I've been having issues with all the locals, KGAN, KWWL, KCRG and KFXA since the big ice storm. They've never gotten back to a watchable state. Its the first time that I can't pull in at least one. I still get PBS on 32 and the God channels up ata 48 without any issues. I've about given up on getting them OTA, and I'm close to giving up on McLeod/ImOn ever carrying anything local in QAM. Yes, they've got CBS and PBS... who cares. Honestly I'm to the point where I'm going to buy a house just so I can throw up a tower and actually watch HDTV. Theres NO way I'd ever subscribe to mediacom.

If the Big Ten is going to carry all the games they will have to have five channels. Information is hard to find about the Network.Not necessarily.

According to the Big Ten network website, it looks like the Big Ten will still share football with ABC and the ESPN networks, and basketball with CBS and the ESPN networks, with the broadcast nets getting first dibs. The only difference appears to be that the conference will air the leftovers on its own network and will no longer syndicate them to stations like KGAN as in the past.

There's more information here:
http://bigten.cstv.com/genrel/101006aai.html

Honestly, I've been having issues with all the locals, KGAN, KWWL, KCRG and KFXA since the big ice storm. They've never gotten back to a watchable state. Its the first time that I can't pull in at least one. I still get PBS on 32 and the God channels up ata 48 without any issues. I've about given up on getting them OTA, and I'm close to giving up on McLeod/ImOn ever carrying anything local in QAM. Yes, they've got CBS and PBS... who cares. Honestly I'm to the point where I'm going to buy a house just so I can throw up a tower and actually watch HDTV. Theres NO way I'd ever subscribe to mediacom.

Keep in mind that, since "the big ice storm", the cloud (troposphere) and tree leaf patterns have also changed significantly. I have a much harder time pulling in stations in the summer when the trees around my house are full and leafy, and a much easier time in the dead of winter. Also, if you're in Iowa City, trying to pull stations from 50+ miles away OTA, you're going to have a hard time if you're stuck in am apartment without any way to put up a decent antenna. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.

The only difference appears to be that the conference will air the leftovers on its own network and will no longer syndicate them to stations like KGAN as in the past.

Really? Honestly, this is the best news I've heard in a long time. I'm one of those people that absolutely abhors what KGAN and KCRG do with their pre-emptions of network HD primetime.

Is it me or is KGAN's HD switcher broken? During NCIS, there was a delay in switching back to HD after a SD commerical, and Criminal Mines is in SD, when WHBF is showing it in HD? All the above via mediacom cable.

Keep in mind that, since "the big ice storm", the cloud (troposphere) and tree leaf patterns have also changed significantly. I have a much harder time pulling in stations in the summer when the trees around my house are full and leafy, and a much easier time in the dead of winter. Also, if you're in Iowa City, trying to pull stations from 50+ miles away OTA, you're going to have a hard time if you're stuck in am apartment without any way to put up a decent antenna. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.

I live in Cedar Rapids, on a gigantic hill, and had (I pulled it down last weekend out of frustration) my antenna stuck in the window. I got the stations last year without issues. I've been watching local stuff since Aug of 2005 without any issues. I have a 25dBi node amp connected to the antenna which cranks out enough signal to peak the meter on almost every channel (photos of signal strength in Aug 2005 here http://gallery.planetcr.com/gallery2/v/shawn/things/hdsetup/ )

I pulled the stuff down this weekend, and unplugged the amp. I'm through. I'll watch HD again someday, but its just too aggravating today. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm more frustrated than anything at this point, because its so hard to convince people that HD is a good thing, when you tune in and it looks worse than SD (stretched incorrectly with some weather bug on the screen) or broken up or the transmitter is completely off the air... :mad:

Is it me or is KGAN's HD switcher broken? During NCIS, there was a delay in switching back to HD after a SD commerical, and Criminal Mines is in SD, when WHBF is showing it in HD? All the above via mediacom cable.
Quite possible that his finger is broken. Or he had a bad round of food from Las Glorias and didn't make it back from the can in time to flip the switch.

AFAIK, the locals' "HD switcher" is a person whose title or job description is "HD Switcher".

How is your signal on KWWL-HD OTA today? Mine dropped off quite a bit today. It might be the software update my Dish receiver got today, but it's the only station that the signal dropped on.

How is your signal on KWWL-HD OTA today? Mine dropped off quite a bit today. It might be the software update my Dish receiver got today, but it's the only station that the signal dropped on.

Still doing it? Or only earlier today? I haven't watched the DT, but I can tell you that the power from REC has been really unstable for the past 48 hours or so. I noticed that KWWL analog dropped off the air a couple of times today for just a few seconds.

I haven't noticed any issues with L4.03 so far, but I haven't been watching TV closely tonight, it's just on in the background while I mess around on the internet. My wife hasn't mentioned any dropouts, and she was watching KWWL-DT earlier. I did notice that KWKB-DT is back for me, it didn't work at all with L4.01.

For anyone that doesn't have a Dish Vip622, you can ignore the previous paragraph :D

Still doing it? Or only earlier today? I haven't watched the DT, but I can tell you that the power from REC has been really unstable for the past 48 hours or so. I noticed that KWWL analog dropped off the air a couple of times today for just a few seconds.

I haven't noticed any issues with L4.03 so far, but I haven't been watching TV closely tonight, it's just on in the background while I mess around on the internet. My wife hasn't mentioned any dropouts, and she was watching KWWL-DT earlier. I did notice that KWKB-DT is back for me, it didn't work at all with L4.01.

For anyone that doesn't have a Dish Vip622, you can ignore the previous paragraph :DBack to 94 now, but was down between six and seven.

Did anybody else's VIP622 lose all OTA capabilities after the software update?

Everything worked last night when I went to bed, today fired it up and the box's tuner cant pick up anything at all... 18 channels to 0. Nothing is wrong physically with the setup.

Some experieced that inlcuding myself a few weeks ago when updated to the 4.01 software. It has not happened to me yet on the 4.03. A soft reboot fixed it for me.(hold power on receiver for 5 second then rescan locals when it boots back up) If theat doesn't work pull the power to the box for a minute and scan locals again. I've seen 1 or 2 people never get them back.

There are a lot of posts on www.satelliteguys.us and www.dbstalk.com in the Dish forums about the 622 software.

After spending an hour with tech support, i think the box's tuner got killed somehow. Time to call Big Dog. Bummer, it looks like im not the only one either.

Some experieced that inlcuding myself a few weeks ago when updated to the 4.01 software. It has not happened to me yet on the 4.03. A soft reboot fixed it for me.(hold power on receiver for 5 second then rescan locals when it boots back up) If theat doesn't work pull the power to the box for a minute and scan locals again. I've seen 1 or 2 people never get them back.

One of the many reasons that I don't and never will have Dish Network. Two of my neighbors were so fed up with Dish and it's shenanigans they actually considered MediaScam (!) before going with DirecTV (which I have).

Good luck with getting your setup back in business.

Any word if Mediacom will be adding any new HD channels over the summer? I heard a while back they were thinking of adding Comcast Sportsnet HD.

Quite possible that his finger is broken. Or he had a bad round of food from Las Glorias and didn't make it back from the can in time to flip the switch.

AFAIK, the locals' "HD switcher" is a person whose title or job description is "HD Switcher".Actually, the HD switcher is the piece of equipment. The person who switches it -- and the other programming -- is the "master control operator," and he/she has many other jobs besides pressing one button to switch from HD to upconvert and vice versa.

Never underestimate the power of a bad chalupa on a master control operator. Luckily, none of those attacks have ever gotten to me during prime time. 2am, however, is another story. :eek:

One of the many reasons that I don't and never will have Dish Network. Two of my neighbors were so fed up with Dish and it's shenanigans they actually considered MediaScam (!) before going with DirecTV (which I have).

Good luck with getting your setup back in business.

I volunteered to be a Dish software tester, so I was expecting some issues with my setup. Dish has been very good about taking bug reports from me, and have contacted me several times for more information to duplicate the issues I've had. They want to get this major update right before the general public gets it.

dish engineering department got a hold of me via email to get the box's info to test a patch. they said they are working on an update to be ready Monday for the affected boxes.

I'm guessing the switch person was also the problem during the Penguins/Ottawa hockey playoff game this Saturday on NBC? They did pregame interviews and showed parts of warmups in HD, but then when the game came on it was in SD. It was through Mediacom. OTA broadcast through KWWL was also SD and not HD. Strange pregame and warmups were HD but then it was SD.

Has anyone heard anything regarding the VOD QAM channels on MediaCon? It appears that they encrypted them some time last week, as I've lost them all. A re-scan found the channels again, but they're all blank now.

Normal HD QAM and Digital Music channels are coming in over QAM just fine.

Also, has anyone else noticed the horrendous level mixing on SNL on KWWL? I'm not sure if it's a KWWL thing or an NBC thing, but the center channel seems like it's at -10 dB with the surround channels (audience) at +10 dB. And no, it's not my setup, because I've had all sorts of problems with audience louder than dialogue at other peoples' houses on just a TV with no sound system hooked to it.

Has anyone heard anything regarding the VOD QAM channels on MediaCon? It appears that they encrypted them some time last week, as I've lost them all. A re-scan found the channels again, but they're all blank now.


uh, seriously, what can you expect? I rescan every now and then, just to see if the people at CFU had a total lapse of reason; so far, Joe and his crew have been on the ball. No freebies yet. :(

Just be thankful for what you had - now you'll have to pony up like the rest of us. ;)

Has anyone heard anything regarding the VOD QAM channels on MediaCon? It appears that they encrypted them some time last week, as I've lost them all. A re-scan found the channels again, but they're all blank now.

Normal HD QAM and Digital Music channels are coming in over QAM just fine.

Also, has anyone else noticed the horrendous level mixing on SNL on KWWL? I'm not sure if it's a KWWL thing or an NBC thing, but the center channel seems like it's at -10 dB with the surround channels (audience) at +10 dB. And no, it's not my setup, because I've had all sorts of problems with audience louder than dialogue at other peoples' houses on just a TV with no sound system hooked to it.
Don't really pay attention, but since you mentioned I took a look. It seems that some are non-encrypted but blank, and a few are encrypted.

Also, they finally figured out INHD was on and shut that off a week or so ago. Now HDNET is coming in on channel 110. Enjoy it before they figure it out!

Don't really pay attention, but since you mentioned I took a look. It seems that some are non-encrypted but blank, and a few are encrypted.

Also, they finally figured out INHD was on and shut that off a week or so ago. Now HDNET is coming in on channel 110. Enjoy it before they figure it out!

sheesh - how bout sending your guys down there for training, Joe, so I can see some pay channels for free? :p

Good gracious sakes!

Is there some kind of disease going around eastern Iowa where the people at our local affiliates cannot figure out how to keep the HD signal broadcasting *IN* HD? Channel 2 (of course) switched back and fourth I dont know how many times this last weekend during the golf tournament. I called three times and -tada!- 2 minutes after I call, we are back on HD. I have not seen this on Channel 7, 9 or 28, but I guess it is happening there, too. :confused:

What would the national broadcasters think about their affiliates that cannot broadcast their premium HD content correctly?

Haven't we had enough time for "testing" and "training"?

:mad:

GRRRRR. Time for some coffee...

Yes I've noticed this several times as well for KGAN. They seem to be back into their olf funk whereas their switcher gets flip-flopped and switchs to local SD duing the program and to the network HD feed during commercials.

And of course those master controllers are on the ball at catching it!!!! Guess we'll have to hear that excuse again about how the HD side is not high on the priorities at this point. Wonder what the excuse will be in 2009????

Is there a reason why there isn't an automatic switcher when the content goes from SD to HD and vice versa? I'm assuming it exists.

KGAN and KWWL are pretty bad when it comes to manually switching. I rarely see this problem on KCRG and KFXA.

I also noticed the VOD channels were absent last week. I did a rescan and did not pick up any VDO Channels. I will have to check channel 110.

Scott

What the latest on the KGAN-HD audio sync issues?

Randy?

HDNet on 110 is no longer there......

I also wondering if KGAN HD will fix their audio sync issue. I am supprised more are not upset about it, maybe that is why they do not fix it?

I can watch KGAN HD if I don't look at their lips moving :)

Is there a reason why there isn't an automatic switcher when the content goes from SD to HD and vice versa? I'm assuming it exists.

KGAN and KWWL are pretty bad when it comes to manually switching. I rarely see this problem on KCRG and KFXA.As mentioned many times before, the HD is, in many cases, an add-on to an analog plant for the time being. Different stations are going to add it on in different ways. Some will add a separate switch, some will tie it to the network output on the main switcher, and if the station uses an automated playlist system they could presumably put the switch in that code as well. That last one, though, is just as risky as having a human being flip the switch real time -- you risk going to an HD feed even when there's nothing there, or going to an SD feed even when an HD one is available. Whatever the case, it's going to be less of an issue as master controls get redesigned and (ultimately) the need for a separate SD feed disappears. That should be 22 months away (which reminds me, gotta change my sig line ...)

I also wondering if KGAN HD will fix their audio sync issue. I am supprised more are not upset about it, maybe that is why they do not fix it?

I can watch KGAN HD if I don't look at their lips moving :)

When I was picking it up OTA it was okay sometimes and bad at other times. I currently get it through Mediacom and it's much better than OTA. But occasionally it gets out of sync.

dline, thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

When I was picking it up OTA it was okay sometimes and bad at other times. I currently get it through Mediacom and it's much better than OTA. But occasionally it gets out of sync.

From the talk in here it sounds like it sounds like it doesn't matter how your receive KGAN-HD, OTA or cable, the same audio sync problems exist.

KWWL-DT OTA is off the air for tower and antenna maintenance. We expect to be back on in a couple of hours.

From the talk in here it sounds like it sounds like it doesn't matter how your receive KGAN-HD, OTA or cable, the same audio sync problems exist.
I think the reason might just be that they did improve it some, but it's still not 100%. It's not nearly as bad as it was 3 months ago.

Anyone else see breakups on 9.1 during Lost?

Anyone else see breakups on 9.1 during Lost?
YES!!! :mad: I recorded from both OTA & Mediacon QAM and BOTH had the breakups.

There was also a period of about 20-30 secs of loud clicking noise in the 5.1 audio.

YES!!! :mad: I recorded from both OTA & Mediacon QAM and BOTH had the breakups.

There was also a period of about 20-30 secs of loud clicking noise in the 5.1 audio.

Wow, yes that LOUD CLAPPING/CLICKING noise was VERY VERY ANNOYING! :eek:

Also noticed the many video artifacts. The thing is, video imperfections are easier to dismiss, but all of these audio problems, whether is KGAN and the lip sync problems, KWWL with their audio drop-outs every so many seconds, or now last night's KCRG Lost broadcast debacle, I know we are still 'early adopters' in this thing we call HDTV, but come on. :(

YES!!! :mad: I recorded from both OTA & Mediacon QAM and BOTH had the breakups.

There was also a period of about 20-30 secs of loud clicking noise in the 5.1 audio.

Exactly what I was experiencing. I don't think this was the first time either.

Ivorygate - I would agree. The video artifacts I can somewhat deal with, but the audio issues drive me nuts.

...... I know we are still 'early adopters' in this thing we call HDTV, but come on. :(
I know we're still a couple of years away from the cutoff, but the ol' "early adopters" excuse is starting to wear thin. I will give KCRG credit as they have been probably the most reliable, but this digital stuff has been around long enough now that there is no excuse for it.

This has been my biggest fear about Digital TV, That this may be the way it is going to be from now on. No one seems to be able to make it work reliably. Probably the lack of firm standards. Every TV manufacturer seems to be going their own way with this and because of all the differences the broadcasters are having a tough time making things work for every TV. I agree that this should be getting ironed out pretty soon but I'm afraid not. :(

Just touching base here -- I have been having severe breakup, lockups, pixelaztion and dropouts (audio and video) with KWWL-DT ever since the big ice storm. Mr Owens - are you sure there is nothing else you need to do/fix? I realize, you have posted that you have all your fixes installed, I'm just double checking. I checked my antenna - everything looks good, didn't lose any elements in the storm (;)) - so I'm sort of at a loss here. It is always a drag to turn on Leno, start in HD, and end up watching in SD just because it is looks like a broken movie via HD OTA.

[QUOTE=flyingvee]Just touching base here -- I have been having severe breakup, lockups, pixelaztion and dropouts (audio and video) with KWWL-DT ever since the big ice storm. QUOTE]

I know you don't want to hear this but everything, as far as I know at the present time, is good with our DT transmission. The only thing that is not working is our TSID encoder which lost a power supply and is being repaired. Some sets, not all , use this signal to tune the station in properly. Your TV may be one of the ones that need that information.

You know, there are so many different streams of data contained the the ATSC PSIP system that is is almost impossible to foretell how all TVs will react if data is missing or corrupted.

The only thing that happened during the ice storm was we lost commercial power to the DT transmitter and, because it is not on our stand-by generator, it stayed off the air for 4 days. We had a missing phase for two days and TV stations were not at the top of the power companies list at that time.

We try to be vigilant to make sure we look and sound as good as possible at all times, and will continue to do so.

Thanks for quick reply. Maybe, if I'm lucky, it is just the silly encoder. I'm just using a Vizio LCD set - so lord knows what the actual tuner is. Maybe that is the problem - with a Samsung 360 box connected to a 4220, (that is 15' lower) I am doing ok. Maybe I'll reconnect my 165, and see if that works. It is just so much handier to use the set's onboard tuner.

I'll give that a try, and get back to you.

thanks again.

There is a hum in the audio on KWWL Analog, both OTA and via Dish local into local. KWWL-DT sounds fine.

Well, evidently, the ice storm and wind must have moved my antenna (or, perhaps the house it is attached to.) Went up, turned it 10 degrees farther west, and now, so far, KWWL--DT is coming in fine.

While I'm at it, kudos to KFXA-DT -- from antennaweb, KWWL is at 107 degrees, and KFXA is at 147; but even tho I'm farther away from Fox, I'm heavily shaded towards KWWL, yet still picking up Fox nicely.

Moral of story - break down, move antenna a touch, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Apologies to Mr Owen, for my repeated whining. :o Can't wait til SNL, to enjoy some NBC HD. :p

I also wondering if KGAN HD will fix their audio sync issue. I am supprised more are not upset about it, maybe that is why they do not fix it?

I can watch KGAN HD if I don't look at their lips moving :)

Yep, I just tuned in for my monthly sampling of KGAN's HD programming. Sure enough, it's still unwatchable.

I can't stand it, so all I watch now is Survivor and 60 Minutes, which aren't in HD, so I can watch them on my 27" SD set via TiVo.

I'd watch Letterman and How I Met Your Mother if KGAN could get their audio fixed...

Seriously, how do they not notice/fix this? It's like amateur hour...

Maybe tuners have something to do with this? I wathc a few CBS shows and rarely see any earth shattering lip sync problems the way you all make it sound. I've seen minor problems here and there but they are rare.

Maybe tuners have something to do with this? I wathc a few CBS shows and rarely see any earth shattering lip sync problems the way you all make it sound. I've seen minor problems here and there but they are rare. You might be one of the few reporting as such. I see it both OTA and through Mediacom qam.

Haven't seen anything from Randy in here for awhile. Sent KGAN an email about it with no response.

I'm thinking about upgrading to one of the Panasonic 58" 720p sets. Hard to resist at the current blowout prices.

Anyway, the set comes in two flavors, the 60U and 600U, the only significant difference being the 600U has a cablecard slot.

I understand the fundamentals of how cablecards are supposed to work, but how does Mediacom support them? Is there a monthly charge for the card and then an additional monthly charge for the HD tier?

If I could get a few more HD channels to surf for a reasonable price (under $15) I'd consider it. Otherwise I'll live with QAM of the locals.

Not really interested in cable-supplied DVRs.

Well, now I know why KCRG-DT doesn't have lip-synch problems. For some reason, they accidentally broadcast the network's calilbration segment right after the Busch series race. WAY cool. :cool: I switched rooms and tvs after the race (which, btw, had major dropouts via CFU-QAM...bad job, Joe.) Fired up OTA panel, turned from IPTV to 9-1, and here is the test sequence.

First - got to see some engineer type in a white shirt, snapping a director's board thingy (ok -I don't know movies) - but you know, the thing you see when watching a movie of someone making a movie, the dealy they snap at the start of a scene. So that goes on for a minute - just the motion and the sound. Perfect for getting lipsynch. Then we get a clip of a cute blonde, telling us that this segment is just to set lipsynch, and then she reads a story about banana growers. (?) After which we get a very busy test pattern. I only wish I'd had some HD recording gear.

Assuming other networks and local affiliates have access to something similar, one would have to assume that any lipsynch problems are purely the fault of the equipment or the inexperience of the local's engineers. (Or perhaps lack of attention?) At the very least, from the bit of 9-1 that they let "slip" to the public, if there are any controls available at the station, 't would seem but a bit of work to get things spot on.

I only wish I'd been viewing thru my big rig - tuner, VP, HT receiver, and CRT pj, to see if things were in synch there. Would be a definitive way of settling the ongoing lipsynch arguments that we keep seeing here -- my panel had it perfect. Would be nice to know if my more complex rig handled it as well....

It's still there, and big time watching Cold Case tonight. Here in Iowa City via Mediacom we also get CBS-WHBF via Mediacom. There is no lip sinc problems watching CBS-WHBF via Mediacom, so there's no problem with CBS, and no problem with Mediacom. It's a KGAN problem.....period....end of story. One can only hope they may get it right someday.

I watched Cold Case thru my MyHD card (timshifted - Mediacon CR) and noticed only VERY minor lipsync issue, so little that I didn't really notice until your post and I went back to review it.

I watched Cold Case thru my MyHD card (timshifted - Mediacon CR) and noticed only VERY minor lipsync issue, so little that I didn't really notice until your post and I went back to review it.

Any Lip-Sync issues is a major issue. It detracts from the entire watch-ability of the show. Once I notice it I might as well turn off the TV as all I'm going to be thinking about from that point forward is how annoying it is that it doesn't match up.

Personally, and it is definitely subjective, I can get used to (sad that we have to) slight lip-sync problems, but those constant (every 2 to 15 second) audio drop-outs on KWWL-DT are simply maddening. [BTW, I do not remember this being an issue on Crossing Jordan, ER, or Raines, last week, so maybe...I...can...finally...hope???]

In any case, it does seem that the audio feed problems are an industry-wide problem for ATSC broadcasts and hopefully by 2009 it will be a rare-once-in-a-blue-moon type problem instead of a how-many-shows-last-night-were-messed-up problem. I shudder to think of the complaints the broadcasters will start getting from the technologically-less-advanced masses, if the equipment on both ends aren't working better in 2009 than they are right now.

those constant (every 2 to 15 second) audio drop-outs on KWWL-DT are simply maddening.

What constant drops? I hear them when they switch from network to local and back, but I do not hear them during normal programming. It's an occasional issue at best. It is annoying though.

Letterman on KGAN had very bad lip sync problems last night.

I just recently discovered this thread and have spent a couple hours reading about what sounds like some interesting challenges receiving our local HD signals. I just installed a front projection theater system and am looking for recommendations on what others are using for HD tuners connected to projectors using either HDMI or component connectivity. Is anyone locally selling HD settop tuners?

I'm in Cedar Rapids not too far from Westdale Mall and hoping to be able to install an antenna in the attic, perhaps with a amplifier, and have reasonable luck. I subscribe to IMON (McLeod) cable, but I'm not sure I want to subscribe to their $22-$28 per month HD service with limited channels.

Unless your really down in a valley with trees, an attic antenna should work just fine for you. Not sure whats available locally for purchase, but HD set top tuners are a little pricey. A co-worker could not find anything decent for under $160.

From what I undrestand, IMONs HD package only has KGAN & KRIN (IPTV) so I would not waste my money on that either. Mediacom has ticked a lot of folks off lately, but they do offer 2,7,9,28, & 32 in the clear if you have a QAM tuner. All you need is their VERY basic basic package to get this, but they just jacked the price on that to almost $20.

The area I'm in is lower than the surrounding area, and the antenna will essentially be pointed toward a hill about a quarter mile away when aimed toward the Walker towers. I can get good quad shield RG6 and keep the cable run fairly short to hopefully increase my chances of getting a good enough signal.

Most HD tuner set top tuners I've seen elsewhere are about the price you mentioned or more. Not knowing how good of results I'll have is one of the reasons I'd like to try and get it locally if the price is reasonable.

I believe that you are correct about IMON's HD service. An IMON employee recently mentioned to me that they were anticipating expanding their HD channels now that they have separated from McLeod. The potential now exists that they could provide great service enhancements, but I haven't seen much change the past couple of months since this change. Here is their channel lineup:

http://www.imon.net/cabletv/channels.php

I also had a conversation with an ImOn employee. He was saying they are going to move their headend from the old McLeod park and will have to get all new equipment. They moved some offices into the Great America building last week.

You will be able to get CBS and PBS in the clear on ImOn QAM, but they rarely are coming in good (usually both channels break up constantly over the weekend when their customer service is closed)...

I've finally decided to switch to Mediacom. They offered faster internet than I get with ImOn and hopefully their crappy VoIP phone service wont suck too bad. A whole year of all three for $90 is about what I pay ImOn today.

I just recently discovered this thread and have spent a couple hours reading about what sounds like some interesting challenges receiving our local HD signals. I just installed a front projection theater system and am looking for recommendations on what others are using for HD tuners connected to projectors using either HDMI or component connectivity. Is anyone locally selling HD settop tuners?



by far, your best bet on a tuner is to watch the AVS for sale section at the top - usually in the Source Components section. I have picked up a couple of Samsung 360s for 50 bucks apiece; neither have qam, but are fine for OTA, and scaling and switching of SD sources. You can also pickup the RCA HD box, but that is RGBHV out (only, I think?) For a few dollars more, you can wait, and eventually get an LG box - the 3510 is a nice combo upscaling dvd player with QAM and ASTC tuner thrown in. All in all, a good match for any projector that needs a video source.

otoh, there is very little available new in the stores. 'course, since I now have 5 HD boxes, I have also stopped looking. :D

Don' t know what you guys are using, that have no lipsynch problems, but last night Letterman was unwatchable on my lcd panel, via KGAN-DT OTA. This is the same panel that produced a perfectly synched picture on Sunday, when KCRG "accidentally" broadcast their synch signal from the network.

So unless KGAN can say that my panel has a bug with the way they broadcast the signal, I would have to guess they are just broadcasting out of synch.

fwiw, they're missing a bet - I'm getting tired of Leno, but there is no way I can watch an 80-100ms out of synch picture.

I agree, Letterman was very bad lip sync last nite. Maybe if we started calling and complaining? It was so bad that it looked like a badly dubbed kung fu movie :)

What constant drops? I hear them when they switch from network to local and back, but I do not hear them during normal programming. It's an occasional issue at best. It is annoying though.

I've posted on occasion when this has happened, on what KWWL-DT shows. I only watch a handful of shows on NBC, but for whatever reason, it seems it only happens on the 9pm shows. I don't notice it on Heroes or The Office. In one extreme case, which other people also posted they noticed it, Raines was nearly unwatchable the first night that show aired and in that case I had also had confirmed the same exact audio dropouts through Mediacom QAM and OTA (which is the primary way I watch HD shows.) I can't explain why you wouldn't hear it, on a particular show I do, but it is a show-by-show issue, from day-to-day or week-to-week, so without us both making a log...

That is actually something that would be useful, a systematic HD problem logging web site, where we can all post issues on specific airings of shows by channel and time and mode (QAM or OTA).

Letterman on KGAN had very bad lip sync problems last night.

For the first time in quite a while, I did also notice the lip sync problem on KGAN-DT on all of the Monday (4/30) CBS sitcoms, from 7pm to 9pm. Still not to the point where it was unwatchable for me, but definitely not proper.

For the first time in quite a while, I did also notice the lip sync problem on KGAN-DT on all of the Monday (4/30) CBS sitcoms, from 7pm to 9pm. Still not to the point where it was unwatchable for me, but definitely not proper.

while I don't watch the sitcoms, I can agree with your sentiment - usually don't have the tight head shots, lots of other action, etc, so being a little out of synch isn't a dealbreaker.

imho, that's the problem with Letterman - you have Dave's ugly head ( ;) ) filling the screen - the only motion is his lips - and when they don't match the audio track, it can be annoying. If I'm watching, say The Office, I'm often watching in the background for Easter Eggs - I'm not locked into the facial expressions of the speaker.

Something must be happening with KWWL tonight.

I have two tuner devices right now: a Samsung T351 for normal viewing and a Pinnacle "HD" Pro Stick (it actually delivers somewhat less than HD resolution on my PC, but it works fairly well for timeshifting). Both are fed from the same Silver Sensor.

The Samsung is currently receiving a solid 8-bar signal but is not displaying any A/V whatsoever -- not on 7-1, 7-2 or 7-3.

My PC setup, though, IS WORKING on the KWWL-DT channels.

EDIT: I just did a rescan on the Samsung -- it's working now, but that was strange.

I've posted on occasion when this has happened, on what KWWL-DT shows. I only watch a handful of shows on NBC, but for whatever reason, it seems it only happens on the 9pm shows. I don't notice it on Heroes or The Office. In one extreme case, which other people also posted they noticed it, Raines was nearly unwatchable the first night that show aired and in that case I had also had confirmed the same exact audio dropouts through Mediacom QAM and OTA (which is the primary way I watch HD shows.) I can't explain why you wouldn't hear it, on a particular show I do, but it is a show-by-show issue, from day-to-day or week-to-week, so without us both making a log...

That is actually something that would be useful, a systematic HD problem logging web site, where we can all post issues on specific airings of shows by channel and time and mode (QAM or OTA).

I don't watch a lot of KWWL either, but when I do, I haven't noticed the issue.

I agree about the logging web site, that would be very useful! Anyone that is interested in this, please PM me. If there is enough interest I will do it. I already have a webserver available that I can host it on.

Well, as I've said before, I rarely watch NBC> but, I do watch Thursday nites. And hey, Mr Owens, I am seeing the same blasted drop outs and lockups, both audio and video, as others are reporting above. 3 or 4 short dropouts in Earl, but major disappearances of signal in The Office - so bad that I missed several plot revelations, and finally finished the show in SD. Not awesome. Now I can at least imagine why the people complain when Lost, or 24 is messed up. I wait all week for the two network shows I watch, and then the local station buuks them.

Guess I'll at least get more sleep - between Letterman's lips and Leno's lockups, guess I'll just hit the rack. ;)

Well, as I've said before, I rarely watch NBC> but, I do watch Thursday nites. And hey, Mr Owens, I am seeing the same blasted drop outs and lockups, both audio and video, as others are reporting above. 3 or 4 short dropouts in Earl, but major disappearances of signal in The Office - so bad that I missed several plot revelations, and finally finished the show in SD. Not awesome. Now I can at least imagine why the people complain when Lost, or 24 is messed up. I wait all week for the two network shows I watch, and then the local station buuks them.

Guess I'll at least get more sleep - between Letterman's lips and Leno's lockups, guess I'll just hit the rack. ;)


I watched the office last night via CFU QAM (recorded on my DCT6412) and did not notice any audio or video drop-outs. CFU QAM is delivered via fiber from the KWWL facilities. Were you watching off-air?

For those complaining about lip-sync on CBS, apparently there's enough of a problem at multiple stations that there's a thread in the HD Programming forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=842784) about it. Apparently there's been trouble in Shreveport, Seattle, and even Pittsburgh -- and CBS actually owns the Pittsburgh station. But there are viewers in other markets who are not reporting an issue.

I watched the office last night via CFU QAM (recorded on my DCT6412) and did not notice any audio or video drop-outs. CFU QAM is delivered via fiber from the KWWL facilities. Were you watching off-air?

Thanks for the info, Joe...in that case, I need to get your techs out...I too, was watching, or trying to, with CFU QAM, thru an LG4200a. On the chance that my tuner or cabling was bad, I went to my second set, with an LG3510 tuner (on different cable) and also had the same problems.

Will be calling up the shop. Apologies to KWWL-DT and Mr. Owens. :o

Has anyone else using QAM in Iowa City lost the channels that used to show other people's on demand stuff? I used to like looking through there once in a while and watching along, but for the past couple weeks there hasn't been any type of signal on any of them. Thought maybe it was a change in the way Mediacom transmits their on demand or something.

Nick,

I'm in SE Cedar Rapids and the party's over here too. For about the last two week as you mentioned. Frankly I'm surprised it lasted as long as did, especially considering that they were sending out hard core porn unscrambled.

A little off topic, but a good quik read

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

A little off topic, but a good quik read

http://www.tvpredictions.com/worstfive.htm
I concur. It's pretty interesting to watch GMA because the softening filter they use on Diane is so glaringly obvious in HD. I kinda wish they'd cut it out, too, but lately I'm out of the house before the show starts anyway.

[QUOTE=iowahawkeye]A little off topic, but a good quik read


Thanks for posting.

so mediacom stopped on demand but can you still get the local channels with a qam tuner? I have imon and im switching to mediacom if my westy 37 inch will pick up the locals in hd. My wife is sick of me messing with the antenna or drops outs when i tape her shows.

Yes. Mediacom still hs the locals in HD in the clear.

OK. I finally am jumping on the KGAN lip sync bandwagon. It has been terrible lately!

Does anyone at KGAN actually watch their hd output? Not only is the lip sync bad but now they are back to the louder than loud trick again. I hate it when I switch from Lenno to Letterman and have to turn the volume down.

Come on KGAN get with it, it's 2007 for cryin' out loud!!!

so mediacom stopped on demand but can you still get the local channels with a qam tuner? I have imon and im switching to mediacom if my westy 37 inch will pick up the locals in hd. My wife is sick of me messing with the antenna or drops outs when i tape her shows.

Hey, just made the switch myself (vowed I would never ever go back to Mediacom). I signed up for a pretty nice 1 year deal and figure ImOn will have all the locals in QAM by the time that year is up, and I'll jump right back over.

It kinda sucks, though, to get the deal you have to take one of their junker Motorola boxes off their hands. Mine is sitting out in the garage, it was unplugged as soon as the truck was rolling out the driveway. Make sure you don't lose it though, they're $700 to replace.

/edit fixed their to they're

Hey, just made the switch myself (vowed I would never ever go back to Mediacom). I signed up for a pretty nice 1 year deal and figure ImOn will have all the locals in QAM by the time that year is up, and I'll jump right back over.


Does IMON currently have HD 2/CBS, 7/NBC, and 12/PBS available in the clear on QAM? I'm thinking of buying a digital STB and trying to understand if it'll be worth it to put up an antenna. An IMON rep indicated that they were working to get HD 9/ABC on the system soon. What's that leave over the air that'll be missing off IMON - 20/WB, 28/FOX and 48/KPXR and some of the digital-only n.2 news and weather channels? I haven't dealt with HDTV at all yet but put in a small theater that is just begging to see some high def video beyond DVD.

Does IMON currently have HD 2/CBS, 7/NBC, and 12/PBS available in the clear on QAM?

ImOn has CBS2 and PBS32 in HD on QAM. They've been telling me they plan on adding the others for the last almost 6 months. Last I heard they're moving their head-end across town and to do that have to buy a LOT of equipment, so I wouldn't hold my breath for them to add any additional clear QAM channels anytime soon. Probably once they're done moving they will have the spare equipment to add the channels... but then it comes down to signing new contracts with the local channels and all that crap, so who really knows.

On top of that, the HD channels that are clear have so many reception issues over the weekends that usually they're not watchable. They're fine during the week, probably when people are in the office, but by Sunday night they're breaking up and not watchable. A call to customer service netted a lot of silence as they don't know what QAM is, just saw that I didn't have digital cable so couldn't help.

And the nail in the coffin is that KGAN has really bad lip-sync issues, basically the audio is ahead of the video, sometimes its reversed and the video is ahead of the audio. This is guaranteed to be happening despite what people say in this board who apparently don't notice it. So right there, one of the 2 channels is not watchable at all. PBS is AWESOME in HD and is stunning, but its really annoying that I couldn't watch Heroes and The Office and House, my favorite shows, in HD on ImOn.

On top of that, the HD channels that are clear have so many reception issues over the weekends that usually they're not watchable. They're fine during the week, probably when people are in the office, but by Sunday night they're breaking up and not watchable.

Is this an issue with IMON, or is this a problem with the local stations managing their HD service to us in general? Are people recieving over-the-air ATSC signals seeing the same problems at the same time or different issues? Unless IMON has issues receiving either an OTA or fiber feed from the local stations to rebroadcast over QAM, once it's on their network, unless they have some equipment failing, it should be more reliable overall than getting it OTA from neighborhoods that my have issues related to low signal, multipath, etc.

I've read enough about the challenges everyone is having here and across the country with HDTV and DTV in general but what it 1.) doesn't feel like stations are managing their DTV service the same way they do their legacy analog service, and 2.) if things don't get better in the next almost 2 years, discontinuing analog isn't going to be a smooth transistion at all. The lip sync issue isn't limited to Cedar Rapids only ... other stations around the country have issues with this also. If they can't stabilize these issues to where they are the exception, going to DTV is going to be viewed as a step back for many.

That said, it still sounds interesting to me. Seems like about the only current generation STB available right now is the Samsung DTB-H260F, which will do both ATSC and QAM, and for a pretty high price. Anyone have experience with this STB on IMON? Are the 29 Digital Entertainer and 45 Digital Music (Music Choice) channels that you get as part of their $5 per month more Digital Entertainer package encrypted or in the clear on QAM.

Is this an issue with IMON, or is this a problem with the local stations managing their HD service to us in general?

The problem is with ImOn, when the channels are unwatchable I can switch to antenna and watch them without issues. (Well, the lip-sync is off on KGAN, but besides that).

I think the thing that makes me the most upset is that everyone here knows there is a problem with KGAN -- and they managed to strongarm Mediacom into increasing their rates by about 50%, but yet I feel like they're not spending any of that money to enhance their digital signal.

Back to ImOn though, the only other QAM channel you'll get on ImOn is FLIX, which is a decent channel and amazingly enough the one I watched the most on QAM.

I'd recommend that if you can throw up an antenna that is the way to go. I'm in an apartment and somewhat limited, but if you have a house you can probably get an antenna and a rotor and even have the ability to pull in locals from other markets which can get you around things like KGAN's horrible lip-sync or when local channels delay broadcasts and down sample the show into SD...

Thanks for the info. It sounds like Mediacom may have a better service overall over IMON right now, but I like the idea that we have a local company to choose from and am optimistic that they will be improving the service soon. It's unfortunate what happened with McLeod ... lots of folks lost a lot the past five years. IMON can take off where McLeod stopped a few years ago.

I will probably build a couple different types of antennas and see what I can get from mounting them in the attic. I'm in an area that is a bit lower than the immediate area with a lot of trees and will have that going against me from the start. It'll be nice to know that I can fall back to cable service, at least to some degree, if the antenna doesn't work out consistently. I've built attic-mounted antennas in the past - they'd never survive the weather outside but can work out great otherwise. May need an amp too, but that should be no problem.

OK guys, need some help. Having a frustrating time getting everything working just right. Any help would be appreciated.

The location:
Just north of 1st Ave in Marion (east of East Post Rd/10th ST)
Antennaweb puts me about 25miles from everything, most at 325 or 333 (KFXA is 279).

The Setup:
DB4 mounted just above the peak of the roof (on the north end)
Quad-sheild RG6 running from the antenna to the distribution panel.
Temporarilly connected directly to the RG6 running to my ViP 211 sat box (splitter bypassed to eliminate variables).
Antenna pointed approximately at KFXA/280*

The results (today, just played with the antenna):
Right now, KFXA and KRIN show 100% signal strength on my ViP 211.
KGAN/KCRG tend to run in the mid 70's.
KWWL - this is the problem child. I just can't get it reliably, it can be anywhere from 50 to 80, on second it's there, the next second its gone. It's especially frustrating because I've got a friend, just a couple blocks SE of me (and lower behind me on the hill, I'm about at the ridge/peak) who says he doesn't have any trouble, and he's just got a silver sensor in the window. Here I am with a DB4 in what one would think would be a more optimal location, and I can't get KWWL worth a....

My dad stopped by today and we played with positioning, basically went all the way from due north to due west, and the current 280-290 orientation resulted in the best signal all around.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, some things that have run through my mind:

Is my antenna too "big", if a SS works, do I really need a DB4? Of course at the same time, I'm 25 miles away and I'd be very surprised if I'm getting too much signal.
Maybe it's horrid multipath - am I screwed?
Is the signal still too weak? I'm running through probably 50' of RG6 all said and done, but KFXA and KRIN are perfect. But then again, according to TV Query, KWWL is running the lowest power of the bunch.

So what do you guys think, at this point I'm at a loss for what to try next.

OK guys, need some help. Having a frustrating time getting everything working just right. Any help would be appreciated.

The location:
Just north of 1st Ave in Marion (east of East Post Rd/10th ST)
Antennaweb puts me about 25miles from everything, most at 325 or 333 (KFXA is 279).

The Setup:
DB4 mounted just above the peak of the roof (on the north end)
Quad-sheild RG6 running from the antenna to the distribution panel.
Temporarilly connected directly to the RG6 running to my ViP 211 sat box (splitter bypassed to eliminate variables).
Antenna pointed approximately at KFXA/280*

The results (today, just played with the antenna):
Right now, KFXA and KRIN show 100% signal strength on my ViP 211.
KGAN/KCRG tend to run in the mid 70's.
KWWL - this is the problem child. I just can't get it reliably, it can be anywhere from 50 to 80, on second it's there, the next second its gone. It's especially frustrating because I've got a friend, just a couple blocks SE of me (and lower behind me on the hill, I'm about at the ridge/peak) who says he doesn't have any trouble, and he's just got a silver sensor in the window. Here I am with a DB4 in what one would think would be a more optimal location, and I can't get KWWL worth a....

My dad stopped by today and we played with positioning, basically went all the way from due north to due west, and the current 280-290 orientation resulted in the best signal all around.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, some things that have run through my mind:

Is my antenna too "big", if a SS works, do I really need a DB4? Of course at the same time, I'm 25 miles away and I'd be very surprised if I'm getting too much signal.
Maybe it's horrid multipath - am I screwed?
Is the signal still too weak? I'm running through probably 50' of RG6 all said and done, but KFXA and KRIN are perfect. But then again, according to TV Query, KWWL is running the lowest power of the bunch.

So what do you guys think, at this point I'm at a loss for what to try next.
1) No. I don't think your antenna is too big. The signals are not strong enough to be a problem for a DB4



2) 50 feet of cable will cause some signal loss, probably around 4-5 dB of loss at the upper UHF frequencies. That's not terrible, although technically you could do better if you install a pre-amp next to the antenna.



3)Is your distribution panel amplified? You might want to try bypassing the distribution panel and go directly into the tuner to see if that helps.

Passive 2-way splitters can cause the signal level to drop by about 4-5 dB. 4-way splitters lose about 8 dB, and 8-way splitters lose about 11 dB. If you plan on distributing the signal to multiple destinations, you should definitely use a distribution amplifier or a pre-amp. If your current distribution panel is passive, then getting a pre-amp is a good idea since it will make up for both the cable and splitter losses.



4) There is a low power analog transmitter (KCDR-LP) that is also on channel 55, so it may be giving you a little bit of interference on KWWL. KWWL should be much stronger, so I'd be surprised if it's really causing the problem, but it's still a possibility to consider. A higher gain, more directional antenna, would help if this is the case.



I hope this helps!



Best regards,
Andy

1) No. I don't think your antenna is too big. The signals are not strong enough to be a problem for a DB4

Like I said, I didn't really think so, but thought I might as well ask.

2) 50 feet of cable will cause some signal loss, probably around 4-5 dB of loss at the upper UHF frequencies. That's not terrible, although technically you could do better if you install a pre-amp next to the antenna.

That's kind of what I thought, long enough to be just on the edge of needing a preamp.

3)Is your distribution panel amplified? You might want to try bypassing the distribution panel and go directly into the tuner to see if that helps.

Panel is/was bypassed for the test. It was antenna directly into tuner.

Passive 2-way splitters can cause the signal level to drop by about 4-5 dB. 4-way splitters lose about 8 dB, and 8-way splitters lose about 11 dB. If you plan on distributing the signal to multiple destinations, you should definitely use a distribution amplifier or a pre-amp. If your current distribution panel is passive, then getting a pre-amp is a good idea since it will make up for both the cable and splitter losses.

Yeah, but I'm not that far yet, well, I shouldn't say that, I've been messing with it for a while I can get most of what I care about pretty good, but it's just that knowledge that I should be able to get everything perfect that drives me on.

I've been running with a 4-way splitter and for the most part, it works fine, I think the gain of the DB4 coupled with my proximity to the transmitters that makes up for the splitter's loss.

4) There is a low power analog transmitter (KCDR-LP) that is also on channel 55, so it may be giving you a little bit of interference on KWWL. KWWL should be much stronger, so I'd be surprised if it's really causing the problem, but it's still a possibility to consider. A higher gain, more directional antenna, would help if this is the case.

Actually you might be on to something here. Taking a step back, I previously had been using a Rat-shack 120VU-ish thing, and had it mounted in my garage attic. Had reasonably good success with that, but not perfect.

Next step was to get the DB4, and well, it didn't really help any. So once it got nice out, the next step was to eliminate the "inside" issue and to mount it on the roof, in the clear as it were. Again, didn't really help a whole lot, in fact, it rather made things worse.

Here's where I think you might be on to something. KCDR is roughly due south of me, with my antenna mounted inside the garage, I had 40' of house in between the antenna and KCDR. Now that it's on the roof, I've probably got a clear LOS of it. And of course, now I can't get KWWL worth a crap.

One more bit of info, I've found, now that I've played with the positioning some more, that for optimal reception of the "Urbana" towers, that I need to have the antenna aimed much farther west than I would have thought.

Plus, if this is right:
...signals above about -70 dBm should be strong enough to receive with an indoor antenna, signals above about -90 dBm should be strong enough to receive with an attic antenna, and signals above about -110 dBm should be strong enough to receive with a rooftop antenna.

KCDR is -90.4 according to TVFool... Wonder what will happen if I point my MyHD at 55 in analog mode?

Guess that leaves me with two experiments:
1) Try the VU-120 thing on the roof and see if it helps.
2) Put the DB4 back inside (sheltered from KCDR by the house) and see if that help.

I hope this helps!

Well, it's given me some ideas if nothing else :)

Oh, and TVFool is very cool, being an engineer I really like the pretty charts :D

judging from that map, sounds like the front/back thing could well be it. not familiar with your antenna, but something with good front/rear rejection would probably do a lot better. Isn't the Channel Master 4228 pretty decent that way? (I have one, and seem to recall that it is, but am more than willing to defer to others.) Good news is they keep getting cheaper every day - Warren now has them for under fifty bucks. :D - no reason to get or use anything else.

Just curious, why do so many of you invest in a UHF only antenna such as the Channel Master 4228 when everything will be switching back to vhf in 2 years?

... There is a low power analog transmitter (KCDR-LP) that is also on channel 55, so it may be giving you a little bit of interference on KWWL...
Something must be screwy with the FCC database or something.

Under FCC rules, low-power stations are secondary and may operate only where they won't interfere with full-power stations. There is no way any station other than KWWL-DT should be allowed to operate on channel 55 in Cedar Rapids or anywhere else in KWWL's contour.

If they really did give KCDR-LP a license to operate on 55, someone at the FCC isn't doing their job.

Just curious, why do so many of you invest in a UHF only antenna such as the Channel Master 4228 when everything will be switching back to vhf in 2 years?

Because antennas are "cheap" and a lot can change in 2 years (like Dish/DTV adding HD locals for the CR market).

Just curious, why do so many of you invest in a UHF only antenna such as the Channel Master 4228 when everything will be switching back to vhf in 2 years?Just to clarify: not everyone will be going back to VHF, just channels 7, 9 and 12 in our market (and under the right circumstances you "may" be able to get them even with a UHF antenna), and channel 4 in the Quad Cities. Everyone else, including KGAN, is staying in UHF.

Just to clarify: not everyone will be going back to VHF, just channels 7, 9 and 12 in our market (and under the right circumstances you "may" be able to get them even with a UHF antenna), and channel 4 in the Quad Cities. Everyone else, including KGAN, is staying in UHF.

How do they stay on uhf if that spectrum is what they want freed up?

How do they stay on uhf if that spectrum is what they want freed up?

Only Channels 52-69 are being freed up. Since KGAN has an in-core allocation for DT they will be able to stay there after 2009.

Only Channels 52-69 are being freed up. Since KGAN has an in-core allocation for DT they will be able to stay there after 2009.
Thanks for the breakdown. I couldn't remember what the range was.

How is KWWL-DT on your Dish 622 lately? It breaks up a lot on me even though it's showing a strong signal. 90-95. Luckily I'm currently only watching a couple shows on KWWL, but Nascar will be on it later this summer and I won't be happy if this is still going on.

.... but Nascar will be on it later this summer and I won't be happy if this is still going on.
Stay happy.... ESPN/ABC has NASCAR now, not NBC thankfully! :D

Stay happy.... ESPN/ABC has NASCAR now, not NBC thankfully! :D
Hey, your right! :D :D :D :D :D

I was thinking NBC still had a few for some reason. It's nice, this year most races except the all star are broacast in HD.

There's these races covered by TNT, which Mediacom HAS NOT added the HD Pak. :mad:
06/10/07 Pocono 500 Pocono Raceway TNT/12:30 p.m.
06/17/07 Citizens Bank 400 Michigan International Speedway TNT/12:30 p.m.
06/24/07 Toyota/SaveMart 350 Infineon Raceway TNT/3:30 p.m.
07/01/07 Lenox Industrial Tools 300 New Hampshire International Speedway TNT/1 p.m.
07/07/07 Pepsi 400 Daytona International Speedway TNT/6:30 p.m.
07/15/07 USG Sheetrock 400 Chicagoland Speedway TNT/2:30 p.m.

TNT was one of the deciding factors in my switch to satellite.

FWIW, in early February I was told by a programming director(I can't remember her exact title) in Cedar Rapids that TNT was on top of their national HD list and they hoped to have it by June. I wasn't going to keep my hopes up so I left.

How is KWWL-DT on your Dish 622 lately? It breaks up a lot on me even though it's showing a strong signal. 90-95.

Same thing here. Is Dick still around there? I saw KWWL advertising for a Chief Engineer.

Anybody know where to pick up a decent preamp in CR?

Mid State in Hiwawatha used to be the place to go, but I think I heard that they are no longer selling to the public.

If you don't have any luck, let me know. I have an extra CM 7777 that I no longer use after the ice storm took my mast down. :(

How is KWWL-DT on your Dish 622 lately? It breaks up a lot on me even though it's showing a strong signal. 90-95. Luckily I'm currently only watching a couple shows on KWWL, but Nascar will be on it later this summer and I won't be happy if this is still going on.[/QUOTE]

I'm having the same trouble. I have a 622 and a 211 and the signal is in the 90's and I'm having the same troubles. I rarely if ever have the same problems on the other OTA digital channels. Only KWWL.

Well I feel a little better. I was having similar problems on my 211, one second it would be in the 80's next it would be gone.

Anybody know where to pick up a decent preamp in CR?


Believe it or not, Menards carries a Magnavox pre-amp that works like a champ for me. It's over by the outdoor antennas.

Mike

How is KWWL-DT on your Dish 622 lately? It breaks up a lot on me even though it's showing a strong signal.

I am having the same trouble. I have a 622 and a 211 and the signal is in the 90's and I'm having the same troubles. I rarely if ever have the same problems on the other OTA digital channels. Only KWWL.[/QUOTE]

We were having problems (intermittent audio dropouts and video pixelization) with our microwave feed to the transmitter site in Rowley. It was cleared up yesterday afternoon and should be good now.

On another subject, I am retiring on May 31st after 43 years in the tv broadcast business. It's been a lot of fun but now it's time for other things.

Best of luck to all the AVS local members.

Thanks for spending some time here Dick to keep us up to date. I assume you'll have some face time with the new guy before moving on, so please do us a favor and suggest to him (or her) to check in here every once in a while to see how things are going. It's invaluable to have the CEs posting here and letting us know when things are awry. Good luck to you and thanks again!

Believe it or not, Menards carries a Magnavox pre-amp that works like a champ for me. It's over by the outdoor antennas.

Mike

Maybe I'll give that a try, I know the Ratshack ones aren't thought highly of, and I didn't really feel like ordering one. Thanks!

Maybe I'll give that a try, I know the Ratshack ones aren't thought highly of, and I didn't really feel like ordering one. Thanks!

amen to that - I went thru two RS models, before I gave up and went without. Could see no visible improvement - not much degradation either, but no signal boost whatsover, using the metering scales on my receivers. They may be awesome; they're sure easy to find, and the price is ok, but for me they didn't do much more than an empty black box of similar size would have done.

On another subject, I am retiring on May 31st after 43 years in the tv broadcast business. It's been a lot of fun but now it's time for other things.

Best of luck to all the AVS local members.

Sorry to see you go - but it sounds like you've put in your time. ;) Kinda sad, pretty soon it'll be nothing but them there young whippersnappers running things. :p

I am having the same trouble. I have a 622 and a 211 and the signal is in the 90's and I'm having the same troubles. I rarely if ever have the same problems on the other OTA digital channels. Only KWWL.

We were having problems (intermittent audio dropouts and video pixelization) with our microwave feed to the transmitter site in Rowley. It was cleared up yesterday afternoon and should be good now.

On another subject, I am retiring on May 31st after 43 years in the tv broadcast business. It's been a lot of fun but now it's time for other things.

Best of luck to all the AVS local members.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the feedback Dick. We all appreciate it. Hopefully The Office is free of the issues tonight.

Good luck and best wishes on your retirement!

i got a 4 way amp at Home depot for 19.99 and it works pretty well on my home made hd antenna. Wood and copper wire and instructions off the net works pretty well. Mediacom is at my house right now installing so hopefully ill get everything hooked up and cancel my imon tomorrow.

what are you using instead of their box?

Sorry to see you go - but it sounds like you've put in your time. ;) Kinda sad, pretty soon it'll be nothing but them there young whippersnappers running things. :p

Hey! I'm one of those whippersnappers! I'm lucky to be working with some guys that have been in broadcasting for 30+ years, so I can absorb some of their knowledge.

Good luck and best wishes to Mr. Owens. The other area local channels whose CEs don't want to get in the trenches with the lowly consumers on these boards could sure take a lesson from him -- professional, courteous, helpful, and prompt.

anyone lose their qam local hd channels over the cable? Thrusday when i got it installed i had 2,7,9,12,28 fine but now they are gone. They gave me a junk box for cable and internet that lock up all the time and this is day 3 of the switch. Hopefully Imon will start getting more stuff when i switch back.

Mine are still coming in fine.

I doubt IMon will ever give you unscrambled QAM. The guy I talked to was proud that he had all of them scrambled.

i got 12 and 2 with imon. Ill reboot my tv and check again.

Hey guys, any info on OTA from Dubuque? Has anyone out here got good luck with an antenna to get the big 4 OTA from Dubuque? I would love to get it but the wife wont let me put up a huge antenna, any alternatives to something smaller like the size of my dish500?

amen to that - I went thru two RS models, before I gave up and went without. Could see no visible improvement - not much degradation either, but no signal boost whatsover, using the metering scales on my receivers. They may be awesome; they're sure easy to find, and the price is ok, but for me they didn't do much more than an empty black box of similar size would have done.

Was that a preamp, or just an amp? What I'm really looking for is a mast-mounted preamp. Unfortunately no luck finding one locally. Kind of a PITA to order a CM.

Hey guys, any info on OTA from Dubuque? Has anyone out here got good luck with an antenna to get the big 4 OTA from Dubuque? I would love to get it but the wife wont let me put up a huge antenna, any alternatives to something smaller like the size of my dish500?
I just bought a Hitachi 51 inch and hooked up an old uhf antenna and set it on my deck. I live in a high area about 2 blocks from Kennedy Mall. I receive KGAN 2.1 and 2.2, KWWL 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, KCRG 9.1 and 9.2, KIIN 12.1 and 12.2, KWKB 20.1, and KRIN 32.1 and 32.2 . This is the first day I hooked it up but so far a great picture...

I just bought a Hitachi 51 inch and hooked up an old uhf antenna and set it on my deck. I live in a high area about 2 blocks from Kennedy Mall. I receive KGAN 2.1 and 2.2, KWWL 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, KCRG 9.1 and 9.2, KIIN 12.1 and 12.2, KWKB 20.1, and KRIN 32.1 and 32.2 . This is the first day I hooked it up but so far a great picture...
Welcome to the site. I live by Hempstead and get the same channels as you, BUT, not KWWL unless the weather is just right. Also, get WHBF from the Quad Cities, it is a duplicate of KGAN, BUT, doesn't have lip sync problems, and, not so many WX crawls and local sports. It's a good CBS alt. for Dubuque. :)

Again, welcome to the world of HD in the Tri-States.

I just bought a Hitachi 51 inch and hooked up an old uhf antenna and set it on my deck. I live in a high area about 2 blocks from Kennedy Mall. I receive KGAN 2.1 and 2.2, KWWL 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, KCRG 9.1 and 9.2, KIIN 12.1 and 12.2, KWKB 20.1, and KRIN 32.1 and 32.2 . This is the first day I hooked it up but so far a great picture...

All those are in HD? I live of HWY 61/151 and south grandview what do you think the ods are of getting most of those in HD?

Ohh yeah, welcome :p All i care about is LOST, Heros, and my daughter is into American Idol :D

Thanks for the welcome a uhf antenna might be worth a try depending upon how high you are. My uhf antenna was bought 20 years ago but looks just like the Channel Master CM3021 which runs around $25-$35 and is about 3ft. high and 2ft wide. So far I haven't lost any of the channels. I'm getting a signal a little over half (approx. 55) on channels 2.1 and 9.1 and just under half (approx. 45) on 7.1 on my Hitachi, no loss of any picture yet but only 1 day so far. When I get time will try aiming south toward the Quad Cities and see if I can pick up anything. Right now I just have the Antenna sitting on the floor of the deck pointing southwest...I want to mount it somehow but I'm in a Townhouse and there are some restrictions...

I'm going to be a freshman at the U of I in the fall and I was looking at over the air HD. I'm a noob on the subject, and instead of reading 40+ pages I thought I would throw in a quick question.

What types of channels would I be able to recieve? I was thinking of a card to put in my pc and buying some kind of antenna (obviously). Any suggestions on any of this?

I'm going to be living in Rienow if that helps location wise.

I'm going to be a freshman at the U of I in the fall..

What types of channels would I be able to recieve?

NBC, ABC, CBS, and PBS are all close enough to Cedar Falls that you shouldn't have any problems with them. I would think FOX would be okay there too. The CW affiliate is 60+ miles away.

Except that U of I is in Iowa City. UNI is in Cedar Falls...

The antenna will depend on where you are in the building, but I'm not sure how well you'll be able to pick up anything with what you'll be able to fit in a dorm room.

Might want to find out if you get MediaCom cable included in the room. If that's the case, I would go with a QAM-capable PC tuner card, and then get the HD's over cable. It would be the most reliable way that far away from the antennas and in a concrete and steel building.

If you want The CW, it's a LOT closer, and might be available OTA.

I know that most colleges provide free basic cable, so I would assume that U of I would, as well. And I think MediaCon is the only game in town down there, but I could be wrong.

I'm going to be a freshman at the U of I in the fall and I was looking at over the air HD. I'm a noob on the subject, and instead of reading 40+ pages I thought I would throw in a quick question.

What types of channels would I be able to recieve? I was thinking of a card to put in my pc and buying some kind of antenna (obviously). Any suggestions on any of this?

I'm going to be living in Rienow if that helps location wise. http://www.its.uiowa.edu/tns/videoservices/cableservices.htm

You would have to call ITS-Video Services at 319-335-5898 for additional information and ask if they pass digital/HD on their system so you could see HD via qam.

I understood all of that but "qam".

QAM is the modulation scheme most cable companies use to send digital signals to subscribers. It requires a different type of tuner than over-the-air reception, which uses a system called 8VSB, so if you want to see both OTA and cable, you'll need a card or receiver with both ATSC and QAM tuners.

Have any reccomendations for one?

Except that U of I is in Iowa City. UNI is in Cedar Falls...

note to self: do not post before having morning caffeine...

Obviously I did mis-read that as UNI..

Anyone having trouble with OTA digital (HD) channels tonight? Mine are all out.

Everything was ok here in Dubuque, watched 2.1, 7.1, and 9.1 All ok...

anyone getting channel 7 on Imon now with qam tuner? Im switching back to imon after 5 days of mediacom because they dont want to agree to the deal they offered me now. I wasnt getting 7 on imon when i had it but i hear it was just added week ago.

I just called RadioShack on HWY20 by Target and they said they have no antenas available that would catch anything in HD and that all of the HD antennas they have sold people brought them back because they cant get any HD channels? He said to call back in 6 months when we might get something in Dubuque. Are they wrong?

I just called RadioShack on HWY20 by Target and they said they have no antenas available that would catch anything in HD and that all of the HD antennas they have sold people brought them back because they cant get any HD channels? He said to call back in 6 months when we might get something in Dubuque. Are they wrong?

The folks at RS are probably correct in that there is no indoor antenna that will reliably receive any of the Cedar Rapids-Waterloo DT stations OTA in Dubuque. You would almost certainly need an outside antenna in your area and I'm talking about the West End where you have a little elevation.

Of course downtown Dubuque is a complete write-off as far as Analog or Digital OTA. I routinely approve satellite waivers for those folks.

I don't know of anything that will change this condition in the next 6 months. What is needed are translators for the DT signals installed on one of the high ridges South of the city to put acceptable signal levels into the area. I don't think that will happen in the near future.

Mediacom QAM question - If I drop down to basic cable (2-22), will I still be able to pull the QAM HD channels?

My Vizio LCD has a shared RF input and makes using two sources a pain.

Yes.... The "CLEAR" QAM channels work just fine on the 2-22 basic package. Just remember that they recently jacked the price for that package up to almost $20 a month though... :(

I just called RadioShack on HWY20 by Target and they said they have no antenas available that would catch anything in HD and that all of the HD antennas they have sold people brought them back because they cant get any HD channels? He said to call back in 6 months when we might get something in Dubuque. Are they wrong?
Hi, DAFTEK:

Dick is correct, an indoor antenna will not work in Dubuque. However, I have a RS Yagi, outdoor antenna, I live by Hempstead and get the stations on the Walker tower(KGAN, KCRG & KRIN), but not KWWL.

Try Warren Electronics, 1876 Central. Price a 4-bay Bow tie UHF antenna, deep fringe. Mounted on your roof top you should get all the local stations, and if your elevation is higher than mine, you will most likely get KWWL. ;)

Thanks for your input guys :)

Tommymack, I live by Murphy park and clear view of the south west with no trees in my way except for some big walnuts on the south east and north east so i was thinking i should be fine up here.

OFF-TOPIC: Well i own a Mitsubishi WS-65807 and i just started to get the BowTie effect on it like the many others on this forum. My last Mitsubishi WS-65*** also had it but it was fixed under warranty by the store i got it from next to Target, i think it was "Ranners?" and the guy who did it was a young guy and looked like he knew exactly what he was doing, that TV is still running today with no glitches.

So my question is does anyone know anyone in town that can fix this? I would appreciate any thoughts and help :)

Next to the HyVee across from the JFK mall?

Reiners
Reiniers

Something like that. Last I heard they went out of business about the time best Buy was built.

Yes thats the one, but the owner which i have ran into not to long ago at the Grand Theater one day and chit chat about electronics "BTW the guy is a genius when it comes to high end stuff" had some really good repair service guys that has fixed one tv for me so far with the same issue. Anyways, service guys are hard to come by these days.. If some one knows a guy in DBQ please let me know :)

For now i opened up the TV and came up with a trap of saran wrap under the guns, i am told they tend to leak a anti freeze substance on the boards and this is one of the problems with these tv's? for now it seems to have worked after running the tv nonstop for 24hours and i think it dried up whatever was on there...

Now i need to make a shopping list for antenna, pole, cable and what else would you guys suggest i need to get CR and Waterloo? I am 62 miles from CR and i have a good clear view south west from me up by Murphy Park...

Yes.... The "CLEAR" QAM channels work just fine on the 2-22 basic package. Just remember that they recently jacked the price for that package up to almost $20 a month though... :(
Ouch. It was $12 the last time I had it about 2 years ago.

My wife and her TV addiction will be the end of me buying all my fancy toys.

This is not so much an HDTV question, but I just want local opinions. I am moving to North Liberty in a month and considering signing up with DirecTV rather than continuing on with my standard Mediacom package. I figure you get more channels (and eventually more HD channels) than with Mediacom for about the same price. So, my question is: for those of you who have DirecTV or who have had both - am I missing something? Is it too much of a hassle to have satellite TV with dropouts and receivers and everything?

I would go with Dish Network, has 38 HD channels I think because they bought Voom and even thou DirecTV will claim 150 channels by the end of the year Dish will still be on top with over 200HD channels. also they are very good at not raising their prices every other month :)

I would go with Dish Network, has 38 HD channels I think because they bought Voom and even thou they claim 150 channels by the end of the year Dish will still be on top with over 200HD channels. also they are very good at not raising their prices every other month :)

First off, I have Dish, and am overall satisfied with it, but I've got a couple questions...

Yes, Dish has Voom channels, but you're lucky if a day goes by with something on any of them worth watching.

Now who are you talking about, I haven't heard anything from Dish claiming more HD channels, it's DirecTV that's claiming they'll have 150 by year-end?

Where did you hear Dish would have 200 HD channels by year-end?

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/05/16/16hdtv.html

"We will continue to supply as much HD as is possible," EchoStar spokeswoman Cory Vasquez said, noting that the company would have the capacity to offer as many as 200 HD channels nationally next year.

New channels emerge to feed demand for HDTV
Popularity of high-definition shows is straining the technology that delivers them.

By Sam Diaz
THE WASHINGTON POST
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

There's nothing flashy about "Sunrise Earth," a show that airs weekday mornings on Discovery HD Theater. The program simply captures a sunrise, with no narration, no music, no host.

What's special about it is that it's captured in vivid high definition. And for an increasing number of viewers, that's enough.

In the past few months, consumers have found new reasons to upgrade their television-viewing experience. The number of channels broadcasting in HD are on the rise, spurred by the drastic drop in price of high-definition TV sets. Plasma screens priced near $4,000 three years ago now go for about $1,500.

Today, 26 percent of U.S. households are watching sets that offer higher-resolution pictures, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. The number of HD sets shipped in the United States is expected to more than double by 2010.

With more viewers comes increased pressure to make more channels available in high definition. The average cable subscriber receives fewer than a dozen channels that can broadcast in high definition, and then not every show on each channel is produced in the higher-quality format. But that's changing, as the rollout of more HD channels and programs becomes one of the top priorities for studios, as well as cable and satellite providers. DirecTV, for example, has pledged to offer 100 HD channels by the end of the year.

As with the introduction of color TV in the 1960s and cable TV in the late 1970s, the shift to the new format will transform mainstream television viewing. The improved quality comes with a higher price tag, however, not just for those buying the sets but also for those making and transmitting the programs.

"People want to justify their expense," said Phillip Swann, president and chief executive of TVPredictions.com. "They're sitting around saying, 'I've got to watch something in high-def because I just spent $2,000 on a high-def TV.' "

The leader in high-definition channel offerings today is Dish Network, with more than 30. DirecTV and Dish Network plan to add channels later this year and early next year, including offerings from ESPN, ABC Family, the History Channel and the Disney Channel.

In Central Texas, Time Warner Cable has 24 high-definition channels, ranging from sports to Showtime.

For networks, especially those with numerous niche channels under their umbrellas, the payback is becoming more evident. Discovery Communications, for example, has noted that viewers are tuning in to the five-year-old Discovery HD Theater to watch shows such as "Sunrise Earth" and "Deadliest Catch," a show about Alaskan crab fishermen that they otherwise might never have discovered, said Clint Stinchcomb, executive vice president for the HD network at Discovery.

Ratings are carrying over to Discovery's other standard-definition channels after segments from those channels appear on Discovery HD Theater, he said, pointing to a boost at "Animal Planet" after one of its shows was broadcast on the theater channel.

Viewers who experience television in high-definition tend to stick with it, he said. It's hard for them to go back to regular old programming.

"What that enabled us to do . . . was to develop a deep emotional connection with the 11 to 12 million who are able to access the service today," Stinchcomb said.

But as the number of channels offering HD shows increases, so does the strain being put on the technology that delivers those shows. The number of channels that a cable or satellite provider can offer on its lineup is limited by the amount of programming transmitted to set-top boxes at any given moment. High-definition programming, because of the amount of data needed to create the higher quality, eats up six to seven times the amount of capacity of standard programming.

To increase capacities, DirecTV and Dish Network are launching more satellites. DirecTV said the first of two satellites is scheduled to be launched next month and the other later in the year, a timetable that is critical to ensuring that it can deliver on its 100-channel promise. DishNetwork's parent company, EchoStar, has said it plans to launch two satellites before the end of the year.

"We will continue to supply as much HD as is possible," EchoStar spokeswoman Cory Vasquez said, noting that the company would have the capacity to offer as many as 200 HD channels nationally next year.

The cable industry, meanwhile, is developing its own technology to help it deal with increased demands on its systems.

Comcast Corp. is set to begin testing a technology called Digital Switch Video that helps it preserve capacity. Instead of delivering all channels to all subscribers simultaneously, the technology would send the channel as the viewer tunes into it.

Over time, consumers will be able to find high-definition content from a number of sources, not just cable, satellite or over-the-air high-definition signals broadcast by the traditional networks.

As video programming over the Internet also expands, consumers will be able to see Web-based content on their HDTV screens. AppleTV, introduced this year, allows users to wirelessly transmit movies and television shows downloaded from iTunes. High-definition DVDs, although still limited in their selection, are made for the higher-resolution screen.

Cool, hadn't heard that, thanks :)

Of course, as I've said in other threads/forums: "Where are these channels going to come from?"

;)

HaH I'm not sure if we will see even 100 by the year end so i wont really take too serious all the HD Hype :)

I know i will sign up for the DVR622 by September since this summer I'm not gonna do much indoor activities ;)

HaH I'm not sure if we will see even 100 by the year end so i wont really take too serious all the HD Hype :)

If we get 1/10th that, and they're "real" channels (ie like the once DTV "announced"), I'll be rather surprised, and happy.

If you are a Hawkeye fan, you might consider Direct over Dish. Direct already has a contract to carry the new Big Ten Network. Dish does not have an agreement yet. They may have one by the start of the season, or may not. I am a Dish customer, but will go to Direct if I have to.

And now for some news of local interest:

Gov. Chet Culver has signed Senate File 554 (http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=BillInfo&Service=Billbook&ga=82&hbill=SF554), which allows video providers to seek a statewide franchise to offer cable television.

Up to now, cable companies have had to negotiate a franchise for each city in which they operate, but large telecommunications companies are hoping to avoid dealing with hundreds of cities as they seek to compete with incumbent cablecos such as Mediacom.

An FCC report (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-179A1.pdf) released in December found that cable rates have grown 93 percent since the mid-1990s. The report also found that satellite services don't compete effectively enough with cable to hold down rates, but a wireline competitor can.

Critics have warned that the bill doesn't give cities the say they currently enjoy on issues such as access channels. They've also warned that the bill specifically bans communities from enforcing mandatory build-out provisions. Some fear that provision would allow providers to bypass some areas in favor of more affluent neighborhoods whose residents would be more likely to buy premium services.

But the bill also specifically prohibits providers from denying access to potential customer groups because of income.

The bill also reinstates the full five-percent franchise tax on video services. The tax is allowed under federal law, but state courts have ruled that cities can't charge any more than is needed to regulate the service.

Thanks for all the input, I think I may just stick with Mediacom until I see how things pan out with the new HD offerings from the satellite co's. There's also cable TV available from the South Slope Coop in North Liberty, but no HD channels at all, though the channel line up is pretty good. How long do you expect it will be until someone takes advantage of this new bill and a new cable co comes to the area?

Yes, Dish has Voom channels, but you're lucky if a day goes by with something on any of them worth watching.

Where did you hear Dish would have 200 HD channels by year-end?

I agree, the VOOM channels are a joke. I wish I could save a few bucks and not get that junk.

200 HD channels is sort of a joke. That is counting all the local-into-local HD channels, not nationwide HD channels. We don't care about HD locals unless they are from this market, so even if they do add 170 more HD channels, we will be really lucky if we get to see any of them.

I agree, the VOOM channels are a joke. I wish I could save a few bucks and not get that junk.

Every once in a while there's something decent on, but I can clearly see why Voom didn't make it as a provider.

200 HD channels is sort of a joke. That is counting all the local-into-local HD channels, not nationwide HD channels.

Yeah, but DTV claimed 100 National HDs by year end. I'll believe it when I see it.

Thanks for all the input, I think I may just stick with Mediacom until I see how things pan out with the new HD offerings from the satellite co's. There's also cable TV available from the South Slope Coop in North Liberty, but no HD channels at all, though the channel line up is pretty good. How long do you expect it will be until someone takes advantage of this new bill and a new cable co comes to the area?Well we already have Imon as well as some of the phone co-ops like South Slope in limited areas, but I wouldn't be surprised if Qwest started to move when this takes effect. You've seen the advertising, with Mediacom getting into the internet and phone business, and Qwest trying to branch out into video. But Qwest can't get into wired video yet without going through dozens of local franchising authorities, as Mediacom must do (and is used to doing), so they're getting around that for now by offering a bundle with DirecTV. I am suspecting that will change if they can get a state franchise.

Whether they come to you, however, is another issue altogether since this bill doesn't allow for any kind of buildout mandate.

Yeah, but DTV claimed 100 National HDs by year end. I'll believe it when I see it.

This article (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=851257) mentions "up to 100" channels. It also has a quite impressive list of HD channels if they live up to their promise of "by year end". Problem is, I've heard these promises before....

An FCC report (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-179A1.pdf) released in December found that cable rates have grown 93 percent since the mid-1990s. The report also found that satellite services don't compete effectively enough with cable to hold down rates, but a wireline competitor can.

At CFU we take a different approach to rates that definately would not work for a private company. We charge what is necessary to recover our costs and pay off our dept - that's it. We don't have a war chest of cash tucked away some where. That said, our rates for CATV are driven by the programmers. When networks like FoxNews grow in popularity their rates tend to follow.

The bill also reinstates the full five-percent franchise tax on video services. The tax is allowed under federal law, but state courts have ruled that cities can't charge any more than is needed to regulate the service.

What the bill also does is allows the Cities to use the franchise 'fees' in their general fund (doesn't that mean it is really another tax?). There were several cities that were sued, and lost, that were using their franchise fees in their general operating fund. Waterloo's case was pending. The Bill retroactively makes this practice legal...

It will definately be interesting when any other provider asks for a state franchise in our market.

This article (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=851257) mentions "up to 100" channels. It also has a quite impressive list of HD channels if they live up to their promise of "by year end". Problem is, I've heard these promises before....

for sure - like the rest of you, been seeing the DTV ads, of the mythical hundred channels. Unless one counts the local Fox sport feeds, and throw in the HD premiums, they are quite a ways under 20. When I emailed customer service (I was bored ;) ) they did respond, and said to keep watching -

"The details for these new channels are still being worked out, so I can’t provide you any more information than what’s been released right now. I would recommend staying tuned to directv.com/hd for the latest news as soon as it’s available."

I would like it if someone would add some hd channels - I like cfujoe, but ~23 bucks a month for a 7 channel HD tier is a bit pricey - 'specially when NFL channel is one of those 7. - its ok for 6 months a year, but one does get bored watching last year's games in June. :)

Who is charging $23/month for 7 HD channels?

I'm sorry - just checked. $21.95 plus tax. My bad - both ESPNs, NFL, Discovery, Mojo, HDnet and HDnet movies. Plus you get some of the OTAs - which you can get over QAM for free anyway. = so if you count OTAs, more like a dozen channels. But really, not a compelling package or value. Plus extra for each HD box; more for an HD DVR.

So - (and was it answered?) - is everyone with a dish happy? Hate losing small town, personal service, but I'd sure like some content to go with my HD sets.

What the bill also does is allows the Cities to use the franchise 'fees' in their general fund (doesn't that mean it is really another tax?). There were several cities that were sued, and lost, that were using their franchise fees in their general operating fund. Waterloo's case was pending. The Bill retroactively makes this practice legal...

It will definately be interesting when any other provider asks for a state franchise in our market.Yeah, that's exactly right. A lot of cities just treat it as just another pot of money to spend. Ames, where I used to live, used to use the money for a government access channel, a public access channel and studio, and a cable commission to oversee those two channels and the franchise agreement with Mediacom, which was TCI when I lived there. But since I left Ames they, too, started salivating over that money, and the city council recently eliminated the cable commission and cut public access to a shoestring. (As you might expect, they didn't cut back on the government access channel with the same fervor because, after all, it televises their meetings.)

Oh, well, it's all legal now, and if you go over to the Omaha thread you may notice there's been some pressure there recently to gut some of these local channels to put more national HD on. As much as I love HD, that proposal is not a bandwagon I'll be riding. We should be upgrading the local access channels to HD instead. ;)

What happened to KWWL's newsperson Ann K.? Noticed she just disappeared off the radar screen a couple of weeks ago.

She left back in the middle of April. http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/04/16/news/metro/fcfdfa03da73bdb1862572bf0050fcfe.txt

This is not so much an HDTV question, but I just want local opinions. I am moving to North Liberty in a month and considering signing up with DirecTV rather than continuing on with my standard Mediacom package. I figure you get more channels (and eventually more HD channels) than with Mediacom for about the same price. So, my question is: for those of you who have DirecTV or who have had both - am I missing something? Is it too much of a hassle to have satellite TV with dropouts and receivers and everything?

Just to add another option, Southslope also offers cable TV and is going to be adding HDTV soon or at least they say. I know they have a waiting list at least for when it comes out. Considering the price and number of channels, I have been very happy with it. Now if they would just get around to adding HD channels soon I would be very happy.

She left back in the middle of April. http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/04/16/news/metro/fcfdfa03da73bdb1862572bf0050fcfe.txtThanks for the reply.The subject came up this past weekend with some relatives down from Waterloo.

hawkeye - that's surprising. The Kerrian firing/dismissal/quitting was quite a soap opera up here; there were a number of stories in print, and it seemed that everyone I met had "insider" knowledge as to what really happened. I would have thought that anyone in the area that watched KWWL would know at least one story, and likely have an opinion, and possibly have a side. ;)

Just to add another option, Southslope also offers cable TV and is going to be adding HDTV soon or at least they say. I know they have a waiting list at least for when it comes out. Considering the price and number of channels, I have been very happy with it. Now if they would just get around to adding HD channels soon I would be very happy.

I actually just stumbled across their website the other day and am considering them for phone & internet. I called and talked to someone about it and they never said anything about getting HD, just that they didn't have it. Have you heard about what kind of HD channels they are planning on getting and when? Do you have phone or internet from them? I didn't know this would be such a tough choice!

Well KWWL again shows why they are in last place; last night they overran the news by a few moments and showed SD recorded versions of the Tonight Show and of course that meant they had to run Conan in SD also. This shows their complete lack of concern for any HD programing.

Why couldn't they just start the Tonight Show in progress rather than recording the whole thing just for a couple minutes overrun is a mystery, instead they ruin the two shows for us HDTV viewers.

Of course we have their Friday Night Lights, or whatever their sports extra overrun is called, and many SD Tonight Shows and Conan's to look forward to.

Now if I could just afford a big enough antenna to reach out and find a real NBC affiliate.

My guess is that they had other issues rather than just running long on the news. The Stanley Cup hockey game switched to SD about 1/2 way thru and never went back to HD. So it very well could have been some equipment issues.

I actually just stumbled across their website the other day and am considering them for phone & internet. I called and talked to someone about it and they never said anything about getting HD, just that they didn't have it. Have you heard about what kind of HD channels they are planning on getting and when? Do you have phone or internet from them? I didn't know this would be such a tough choice!


I have phone, internet and TV from them. You get a discount if you get all 3. I have no idea what HD channels they are going to get but I'm on a waiting list and so is a friend of mine. I much prefer them for internet than Mediacom. I had mediacom internet and had all kinds of problems with getting disconnected. The digital TV is pretty high quality as SD goes and has a lot more channels than I received before switching from Mediacom. That said, if you are anxious to get HD you might be better off getting Mediacom because there is no set time table for Southslope to have it available. I talked to a guy that works there and he said all the hardware is ready to go but they were waiting for their provider to have the content. At least I think that is what he said. I'm sure he said the hardware was ready at least.

uh - off topic, and just pure irrelevant curiousity on my part, but wth is Southslope? Have I crossed over into some crunchy granola Aspen Colorado thread? ;) A competing cable provider, or another sat co I haven't heard of?

I know I wouldn't go with a Qwest bundle - I have their DSL at work, and it is abysmal, compared to CFU's cable internet. --if "work" was withing CFU's territory, there is no way I'd be using Qwest. But like many, had so much fun with Mediacom back when they were TCI, and whoever else in the interim, that they really were never an option.

I actually did sign up with South Slope for phone & internet but decided to go with E* for the TV though the channel line up did look promising.

hawkeye - that's surprising. The Kerrian firing/dismissal/quitting was quite a soap opera up here; there were a number of stories in print, and it seemed that everyone I met had "insider" knowledge as to what really happened. I would have thought that anyone in the area that watched KWWL would know at least one story, and likely have an opinion, and possibly have a side. ;)

The Ann Kerrian thing was sudden and so was the departure of Brian Allen from Channel 2 - They are both now advertising for new anchors.

Where did Brian Allen land? Or, did he just get sick of the crap at KGAN?

There is an exodous happening in the DSM market, too - I know a couple of people went to KC...

HDA

see - goes to prove my local spin angle. ;) - had no idea that Brian Allen had left, but truly, had no idea that he was there in the first place. KGAN has to have the worst local news numbers in history (unless you count Fox local news.) By the numbers, its the Big 2 -3/4, and then KGAN. Course, that said, I haven't seen the local book since KWWL got it latest owners, and they started working their "magic."

The Ann Kerrian thing was sudden and so was the departure of Brian Allen from Channel 2 - They are both now advertising for new anchors.

Where did Brian Allen land? Or, did he just get sick of the crap at KGAN?

There is an exodous happening in the DSM market, too - I know a couple of people went to KC...

HDAI know in Des Moines that Andy Fales left WHO-TV (channel 13), which I believe is a big loss for their sports department and especially for Sports Sound-Off on Sunday nights after the late news.

A couple of things to note: 1) WHO has just been sold and is no longer part of the New York Times Company, and 2) Fales is moving to KMBC in Kansas City, which "just happens" to be owned by the same company which owns WHO's arch-rival, KCCI (channel 8). The print media in Des Moines completely ignored that second part, but it may be material.

anyone getting channel 7 on Imon now with qam tuner? Im switching back to imon after 5 days of mediacom because they dont want to agree to the deal they offered me now. I wasnt getting 7 on imon when i had it but i hear it was just added week ago.

Just scanned ImOn I was really hopeful to get KWWL but just CBS and PBS on there right now. Can you double check and see if KWWL is still on there?

The website NorthPine.com (http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/index.html) is reporting that Sinclair has filed a petition with the FCC in an effort to get WHBF (CBS4) booted from the cable system in Iowa City, even though the FCC considers them a "significantly viewed station" in Johnson County.

Does anyone know what channel Mediacom is airing KGAN-DT qam in Waterloo?

Is it even there?

The website NorthPine.com (http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/index.html) is reporting that Sinclair has filed a petition with the FCC in an effort to get WHBF (CBS4) booted from the cable system in Iowa City, even though the FCC considers them a "significantly viewed station" in Johnson County.
They are really inconsistent! In Dubuque, Mediacomm carries their analog signal, but not their HD?? The HD signal is from WISC-DT, Madison, WI. Is it true that Sinclair would not allow Mediacomm to carry their HD signal in any market??? :confused:

They are really inconsistent! In Dubuque, Mediacomm carries their analog signal, but not their HD?? The HD signal is from WISC-DT, Madison, WI. Is it true that Sinclair would not allow Mediacomm to carry their HD signal in any market??? :confused:Yes, it is. Here's a recap:

Until this year, Sinclair didn't charge Mediacom for the right to retransmit its analog stations. However, it was Sinclair's position that the retransmission agreement covering its stations did not cover its stations' HD/DT signals. Their position was that cable companies should have to pay Sinclair for those signals. Then late last year, as KGAN's retrans agreement with Mediacom came due, Sinclair hardened its stance and demanded payment for carrying its analog AND its digital signals. The result was that KGAN and other Sinclair stations were off Mediacom ENTIRELY for about a month in January and early February.

The good news is that the new agreement -- signed after all that unpleasantness was over -- covers both analog AND digital/HD KGAN signals.

Now here's where it gets tricky: In the thick of the battle, Mediacom realized that Dubuque and Iowa City were close enough to Madison and Rock Island, respectively, that the FCC recognized WISC-3 and WHBF-4 -- both CBS affils -- as "significantly viewed" in those cities. By law, a cable or sat company can carry a "significantly viewed" station. So that's how Mediacom got around the Sinclair blockade in those limited areas.

TVGuide OnScreen
Has anyone with Mediacom in the CR or W'loo area been able to get TVGOS to work?
I have a CableCard working in my new Pioneer PDP5070HD, but the TV Guide did not load at all last night or the night before.
Does Mediacom carry TVGOS? If it does, has anyone been able to use it with a Pioneer plasma?
I have followed the setup procedures exactly, I think, but have had no luck whatsoever in downloading the guide.
Any suggestions?

Has anyone with Mediacom in the CR or W'loo area been able to get TVGOS to work?

I was not familiar with the Digital version of TV Guide before your post.

TV Guide contracts delivery of guide data over analog broadcasts through PBS. IPTV carries the analog TV Guide data on their stations.

From what I can gather local PBS stations are usually the ones delivering digital TV Guide data as well. IPTV is not currently carrying that data stream, so the TVGOS is likely not going to work in this area at this time.

If I can get any more info on this I will post back in this thread.

Actually, in central Iowa it says my TVGOS Host Channel is 11, which would be KDIN. When I originally got my TV, it did take several nights before I actually got data. Note that your receiver has to be turned off when the downloads take place. A 3 hour download window is usually scheduled for 3:21am, 8:01am, 11:06am, and 2:46pm. If you want to see if your set has even found any data to lock into:

Go into the guide by pressing <GUIDE>, then move the cursor to the setup menu on the top bar. Press <DOWN> then 753159852. This will give you a gray screen with information on it. Press the <RIGHT> button and there will be more info, but you're looking for the line that says "Host Channel".

So, for example, my host channel is listed as 1:0-11. The 11 in that line corresponds to the physical channel that have the TVGOS data embedded in the VBI. It also appears that the value at the top left of this screen shows when data was last downloaded.

Now here's where it gets tricky: In the thick of the battle, Mediacom realized that Dubuque and Iowa City were close enough to Madison and Rock Island, respectively, that the FCC recognized WISC-3 and WHBF-4 -- both CBS affils -- as "significantly viewed" in those cities. By law, a cable or sat company can carry a "significantly viewed" station. So that's how Mediacom got around the Sinclair blockade in those limited areas. There's one unknown: What did WHBF demand of mediacom so mediacom could carry WHBF in Iowa City?? I'll bet mediacom is not paying WHBF, but the problem is mediacom HAS to carry WHBF in Iowa City, but for how long? Would love to trade WHBF for TNT-HD :)

Actually, in central Iowa it says my TVGOS Host Channel is 11, which would be KDIN. When I originally got my TV, it did take several nights before I actually got data.

Last night, all of my channels loaded but none of the actual program listings were available, but this is progress of sorts.

Have any of you had a similar experience--channels one night, program listings another?

What do those of you who download TVGOS do about the order of the channels since they are not downloaded in the order that Mediacom has them in?
Nothing?
I think I might do nothing if I can do these two things, using the order that they are downloaded in...
1) If I am on a particular channel, say a movie channel, can I push the INFO button on my remote and get some of the same sort of info that I can get by using the Mediacom box--title of movie, date, starts, length, etc.?
2) If I want to do a basic search, as for example, for a title of a movie or program or of a sport (say, boxing), will I be able to do that?
Or is it necessary to re-arrange the downloaded order so that it matches the order that Mediacom uses?
If it is, is there a simple way to do this--something other than manually treating each channel?

You'll be able to do both of those tasks for searching & finding program information. The search is actually pretty handy as you can search by keyword, content type, or even if something's in HD. I rearranged my guide listing to match the mediacom lineup, but only because I've been so used to where shows are. It is nice being able to rearrange them, though, since then I was able to put my channels with HD at the top and then the rest of the lineup following that.

Actually, in central Iowa it says my TVGOS Host Channel is 11, which would be KDIN.

Interesting... Here is what I was told last night:

"The Gemstar supplied TVGuide information is a separate service and Gemstar recently signed a deal with CBS network for delivery. I don't know if this precludes PBS from a similar carriage deal but I haven't heard where they are on this."

Does anyone know what channel Mediacom is airing KGAN-DT qam in Waterloo?

Is it even there?

Anyone?

Interesting... Here is what I was told last night:

"The Gemstar supplied TVGuide information is a separate service and Gemstar recently signed a deal with CBS network for delivery. I don't know if this precludes PBS from a similar carriage deal but I haven't heard where they are on this."
Odd... guess I'll have to check it out at work now. ;) Digital may be different, but I know before when Gemstar had approached KCCI they declined since the VBI is already being utilized by a live radar feed for county emergency management agencies.

Anyone?

Last I checked (although I record and watch OTA):

21.4 KGAN-DT

114.1 KWWL-DT
114.2 NBC Weather Plus
114.3 The Tube Music Network
114.4 KRIN-DT
115.2 KCRG-DT
115.4 KXFA-DT
115.6 KCRG Weather

Anyone? I see it as 89.4 (fairly sure-Im at work) via mediacom in Iowa City

Last night, all of my channels loaded but none of the actual program listings were available, but this is progress of sorts.


Is it working now? Do you know if this is using the analog or digital version of TVGOS? I got a report this morning of problems in the Waterloo area with TV Guide on analog, the viewer says Sony confirmed it was a problem with the data coming from PBS in his area (I'm not sure how they determined that).

It's possible that the little box at the transmitter that inserts the TV Guide info into the VBI has given up the ghost, or has corrupted information in it. GemStar is supposed to be checking it out since that is their equipment.

FYI: Mediacom (at least in Iowa City) lost KFXA-FOX on 6/26 both analog & HD. I'm told Mediacom analog is back on, but still working on HD (#828) & qam

At first, it was very static filled. Now, it seems as if there's a tape dragging, I believe they call it wow and flutter. Basically, it makes it unwatchable, happens up to 10 times every song! Has to be at the source, I'd think.

Just curious if anyone else seeing this. Kind of a drag, this has become one of my favorite channels nowadays.

Does anyone have the Mediacom HD DVR with HDMI output and can confirm with me that my box is working as intended. I am coming from Tivo so am finding the box to be very weak. When pausing the video, sometimes it continues for a few seconds, then jumps back. Rewinding and fast forwarding have no compensation for peoples reaction times, so when you hit play, it starts from exactly what you saw while in the FF or Rew mode. Also, my box appears to drop frames from 1080i sources, about one out of every 30 frames gets dropped, its very noticable (causes a jerky motion about every second) and annoying. Also, from time to time the HDMI output quits sending audio out, and also from time to time the Firewire output quits sending anything out to my DVHS VCR. Mediacom had me reset the box and redownload the software to it, but it is acting about the same still...

just 2 and pbs for ImOn qam still. Wish they did 9 and 7 so i dont have to switch back and forth or get a stb since my tv only has one tuner.

Anyone else lost all of their OTA digital stations?

Not very specific in your details, but I am getting all local channels just fine via OTA & Mediacom QAM....

I don't know what has changed from last night to today, but all OTA digital channels are coming in fine now...

KCRG is having their tower painted. This will require some off-air time that will affect all signals from the tower at various times, this would be KCRG and KRIN analog, and KCRG-DT, KGAN-DT, and KRIN-DT.

Most of the service affecting work is being scheduled for overnight hours, but wanted to give a heads up.

Work was to begin at midnight tonight, but it looks like it may be raining in that area so my guess is that they will hold off until tomorrow night.

In Waterloo: I assume weather is responsible, but last night OTA I could only get KFXA in. Oddly, although my KWWL OTA was out, it still came in through QAM on Mediacom, but neither KCRG and KGAN came in either OTA or QAM.

In Waterloo: I assume weather is responsible, but last night OTA I could only get KFXA in. Oddly, although my KWWL OTA was out, it still came in through QAM on Mediacom, but neither KCRG and KGAN came in either OTA or QAM.

There was a power outage that affected the Walker and Rowley areas. Most of the locals do not have generator backups for the DTV transmitters (yet.)

KWWL likely feeds the Waterloo cable headend via fiber.

What are the Mediacom channels 961 through 980 going to be? They just showed up in line after the hd channels on Mediacom.

What are the Mediacom channels 961 through 980 going to be? They just showed up in line after the hd channels on Mediacom.
Nobody knows. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18700811-IA-what-are-the-NEW-900-channels-more-HD

I just lost the OTA ATSC digital broadcasts from KGAN, KWWL, KCRG and PBS this afternoon. I still have KFXA. Of course this happened shortly after I agreed to record something for somebody on the digital stations tonight.

I still get KWWL over QAM cable in addition to KFXA.

Anyone else know what is going on. I'm guessing a power outage.

As of 4:15, I have KCRG and a good signal on KRIN but no picture. KGAN & KWWL are off air, which is strange since they are on different towers so I would not think it would be a power outage.

Obviously something big must have happened.

The good news is, it looks as if KCRG-DT is back up as of just after 4 p.m.

However, KRIN-DT appears to be putting out a signal but that signal has nothing decodable on it, and KGAN-DT and KWWL-DT are still out.

IPTV Digital is still operational on channel 12-1/12-2 out of West Branch (east of Iowa City) if you can get it.

The Eastern Iowa REC had a power failure this afternoon that affected the Walker tower that KGAN, KCRG, and KRIN transmit from, it also affected the Rowley area where KWWL's tower is located.

After power was restored an MPEG router at the KRIN transmitter site decided to come up on the wrong channel, so the transmitter had no data to transmit. A local engineer went out and pressed a button (too bad all fixes aren't that easy!)

KCRG is having their tower painted. This will require some off-air time that will affect all signals from the tower at various times, this would be KCRG and KRIN analog, and KCRG-DT, KGAN-DT, and KRIN-DT.

Most of the service affecting work is being scheduled for overnight hours, but wanted to give a heads up.

Work was to begin at midnight tonight, but it looks like it may be raining in that area so my guess is that they will hold off until tomorrow night.

You know, I hate painting a room in my house. Despise it, so I hire others to do it.
Do it at 2 AM 600' in the air...no thank you. :D I'm glad others have the courage to do it!

You know, I hate painting a room in my house. Despise it, so I hire others to do it.
Do it at 2 AM 600' in the air...no thank you. :D I'm glad others have the courage to do it!

You have to wonder how good of a job they do painting in the dark. I'll never know, I'm not going up there to check!

The Eastern Iowa REC had a power failure this afternoon that affected the Walker tower that KGAN, KCRG, and KRIN transmit from, it also affected the Rowley area where KWWL's tower is located.

Another power failure today during the thunderstorm. Power restored just before 6:00pm.

Was it just me, or was KWWL analog also off?

It's now official.

The FCC released its "final" list of channel designations (in .pdf) (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-138A2.pdf) which all U.S. digital TV stations will have after 2-17-09.

(I say "final" in quotes because there's still a comment period.)

No real surprises for the Big Four Eastern Iowa cities:

- KGAN will (thankfully!) stay on 51 at 500 kW ERP.
- KWWL will return to channel 7 at 3.2 kW, which I kind of wonder about. (There's a channel 7 in the Hannibal-Quincy area which also plans to go back to 7; wonder if that has anything to do with it.)
- KCRG will return to channel 9 at 19.2 kW.
- KIIN will go back to channel 12 at 17.8 kW.
- KYOU (Fox Ottumwa) will return to channel 15 with 50 kW.
- KWKB will stay on 25 at 1 MW.
- KWWF, the former UPN affiliate in Waterloo, will need to flash cut on channel 22 to an 80.9 kW DT signal.
- KFXA will remain on channel 27 at 1 MW. WKOW in Madison will keep its digital channel 26 and abandon its current analog service on 27.
- KRIN will remain on channel 35 at 250 kW.
- KFXB, now a religious station in Dubuque, will stay on 43 at 800 kW.
- KPXR will stay on 47 and will be allowed 500 kW.

I am curious if anyone living in North Liberty has been able to pick up any HD signals with an INDOOR antenna. If so, what antenna do you use? My wife would never go for an outdoor one but I thought I might picking up something with a more inconspicuous antenna I can hide on top of a bookshelf or something. Thanks!

Greetings everyone,

My name is Jarrett Liddicoat and I'm the new chief engineer at KWWL in Waterloo. I'm the official replacement for Dick Owens who retired earlier this year. I was originally at WXOW in La Crosse, WI (another Quincy Newspaper Inc. station) and was there for 12 years. During that span, I spent a great deal of time improving, rebuilding and revamping the entire technical core of that facility. Of course, just as I finish that job, Quincy came to me to see if I'd being willing to come down to Waterloo and do the same thing here.

So here I am now with a facility that needs a lot of work, but the corporate office is poised to put a lot of money into the facilities here now including both major building renovations and the same technical rebuild I just finished in La Crosse. This will be a big job that will probably span the next couple years... so I ask for your patience if we have some growing pains!

Being I spent some time on the La Crosse-Eau Claire forum thread to keep people informed and help answer questions, I figured I should pop in here and introduce myself. I like looking through these threads, because many times, you help us catch things that might otherwise slip through the cracks.

I'll be checking in from time to time to see if anyone has questions, or you can feel free to call me at the station of email me if you'd like.
-Jarrett

Greetings everyone,

My name is Jarrett Liddicoat and I'm the new chief engineer at KWWL in Waterloo. I'm the official replacement for Dick Owens who retired earlier this year. I was originally at WXOW in La Crosse, WI (another Quincy Newspaper Inc. station) and was there for 12 years. During that span, I spent a great deal of time improving, rebuilding and revamping the entire technical core of that facility. Of course, just as I finish that job, Quincy came to me to see if I'd being willing to come down to Waterloo and do the same thing here.

So here I am now with a facility that needs a lot of work, but the corporate office is poised to put a lot of money into the facilities here now including both major building renovations and the same technical rebuild I just finished in La Crosse. This will be a big job that will probably span the next couple years... so I ask for your patience if we have some growing pains!

Being I spent some time on the La Crosse-Eau Claire forum thread to keep people informed and help answer questions, I figured I should pop in here and introduce myself. I like looking through these threads, because many times, you help us catch things that might otherwise slip through the cracks.

I'll be checking in from time to time to see if anyone has questions, or you can feel free to call me at the station of email me if you'd like.
-Jarrett

Welcome Jarrett,

You can bet we'll let you about reception problems LOL.

I do have a question... Why is KWWL going back to 7 for DTV when it already has equipment for UHF transmitting DTV?

Chris

Can someone tell me if FSN on Mediacom's system going to carry any of the NFL preseason games (Like the Vikings/Rams this Friday)?

Chris

[QUOTE=4lids]Greetings everyone,

My name is Jarrett Liddicoat and I'm the new chief engineer at KWWL in Waterloo. I'm the official replacement for Dick Owens who retired earlier this year. I was originally at WXOW in La Crosse, WI (another Quincy Newspaper Inc. station) and was there for 12 years. During that span, I spent a great deal of time improving, rebuilding and revamping the entire technical core of that facility. Of course, just as I finish that job, Quincy came to me to see if I'd being willing to come down to Waterloo and do the same thing here.

So here I am now with a facility that needs a lot of work, but the corporate office is poised to put a lot of money into the facilities here now including both major building renovations and the same technical rebuild I just finished in La Crosse. This will be a big job that will probably span the next couple years... so I ask for your patience if we have some growing pains!

Being I spent some time on the La Crosse-Eau Claire forum thread to keep people informed and help answer questions, I figured I should pop in here and introduce myself. I like looking through these threads, because many times, you help us catch things that might otherwise slip through the cracks.


Welcome, Jarrett!!! Members of this site enjoyed a great relationship with Dick Owens and look forward to your tenure at KWWL.
I do not receive the OTA signal here in Dubuque. Maybe when you return to channel 7 I will get a signal.
Best of luck, Jarrett! :)

Welcome Jarrett,

You can bet we'll let you about reception problems LOL.

I do have a question... Why is KWWL going back to 7 for DTV when it already has equipment for UHF transmitting DTV?

ChrisThey're currently transmitting DT on channel 55. When the transition ends, the "core" TV band will be channels 2 through 51. Channels 52 and up are being taken away from TV use, with some of those channels going to public safety uses and others being auctioned off.

KCRG is giving up its current digital channel 52 and going back to channel 9 for the same reason.

Welcome Jarrett,

You can bet we'll let you about reception problems LOL.

I do have a question... Why is KWWL going back to 7 for DTV when it already has equipment for UHF transmitting DTV?

Chris

I wasn't involved when the decision to move back was made (actually done under Raycom and not QNI), but the other reply is correct about the core channels (2 through 51) as well as the fact that it takes a heck of a lot more power to operate a UHF transmitter than a VHF. Adding to that, the existing Comark transmitter has exciter issues (carrier drift) and has a history for being troublesome overall at other stations in the group, and I wasn't disappointed at all to find out that channel 7 was the final destination. The nicest part is that the transition for this station will be fairly painless, as there isn't a lot of tower work that needs to be done.

I wasn't involved when the decision to move back was made (actually done under Raycom and not QNI), but the other reply is correct about the core channels (2 through 51) as well as the fact that it takes a heck of a lot more power to operate a UHF transmitter than a VHF. Adding to that, the existing Comark transmitter has exciter issues (carrier drift) and has a history for being troublesome overall at other stations in the group, and I wasn't disappointed at all to find out that channel 7 was the final destination. The nicest part is that the transition for this station will be fairly painless, as there isn't a lot of tower work that needs to be done.

Hi, and welcome,

I thought KWWL, formerly part of the Raycom group, bought the Thales DCX Millenium series of digital transmitters, not Comark.

If yes, I found a fix for the troublesome drifty exciter problems, and have successfully implemented that fix in our two DCX units.

Let me know if you are interested in this fix.

From "down-under"

Ian

Hi, and welcome,

I thought KWWL, formerly part of the Raycom group, bought the Thales DCX Millenium series of digital transmitters, not Comark.

If yes, I found a fix for the troublesome drifty exciter problems, and have successfully implemented that fix in our two DCX units.

Let me know if you are interested in this fix.

From "down-under"

Ian

You are right that the Raycom group bought the Thales DCX millenium series... technically... Comark was the old name of that company... Comark's name was changed following a merger with Thomcast and became what is known as Thales Broadcast.

As far as the fix, I would be interested in any input you may have, since I'm stuck with this thing for another 553 days or so (but who's counting!).

You are right that the Raycom group bought the Thales DCX millenium series...

I'm sorry... :D
What are they looking at for the VHF digital transmitter? Certainly the Harris and RCA rigs need to be retired (15 years ago!) Put a Harris Platinum in there, turn it on, and walk away.

I'm kinda surprised that nobody has commented on the recent changes that KWWL has made to their HD channel.

To wit, I noticed that local 4:3 content now has KWWL Channel 7 and NBC logos in the pillars to fill in the remainder of the 16:9 picture. Also, they appear to have their HD character generator working properly, as I saw weather alerts overlaid on Saturday Night Live this past weekend. Of course, the weather alert map they showed had the wrong counties shaded in (and a different set than on the SD side), but at least they stayed in HD the whole time.

Kudos on the improvements, Jarret, and keep up the good work! Now if we could only get the other locals to take notice and make similar improvements (especially given the rivalry between KCRG and KWWL)...

As far as the fix, I would be interested in any input you may have, since I'm stuck with this thing for another 553 days or so (but who's counting!).www.dtvanswers.com :D (That's who's counting!)

I'm sorry... :D
What are they looking at for the VHF digital transmitter? Certainly the Harris and RCA rigs need to be retired (15 years ago!) Put a Harris Platinum in there, turn it on, and walk away.

The RCA rig is beyond a need for retirement... I just got done ripping one out in La Crosse a few years ago. :mad: The only reason it is still in place is because there are interlocks intertwined with the Harris, which has it issues too!

The VHF transmitter for DT changeover is going to be a Harris HTEL 250 watt rig that is a single cabinet. Being that we are only authorized for 3.2 KW as of this moment, this is more than enough to do the job. We'll probably try to petition the FCC maximize power, since it is only rated at the existing DT's coverage, which isn't quite where the existing analog is. Being the FCC just finalized the table, it will probably take a little while before that process can begin... but in any event, this new rig should be incredibily stable and will include a nice Harris APEX exciter. We may be installing this early as well (not to air yet of course... that waits until Feb 17, 2009), so that we have everything laid out in advance.

What's up with the KFXA signal?

http://www.cfu.net/CyberNet/HD/index.php

in any event, this new rig should be incredibily stable and will include a nice Harris APEX exciter.

Those are sweet, but if possible get dual exciters. Especially if that transmitter uses DD1 drivers. Those have an issue with biasing that makes them go offline, and also use a flat-pack power supply that is known to be failure prone. Which reminds me, I have a DD1 in a Diamond that needs to be re-biased, why am I on the Internet? ;)

Someone mentioned it before, but today is the first chance I've had to actually see the HD weather overlays.

Very Nice!!! Beats the heck out of dropping to SD.

I think you still need a little work tho Jarrett. You were scrolling tstm warnings three counties, while flashing Linn county (which was not one of the three).

It's now official.



- KGAN will (thankfully!) stay on 51 at 500 kW ERP.
- KWWL will return to channel 7 at 3.2 kW, which I kind of wonder about. (There's a channel 7 in the Hannibal-Quincy area which also plans to go back to 7; wonder if that has anything to do with it.)
- KCRG will return to channel 9 at 19.2 kW.
- KIIN will go back to channel 12 at 17.8 kW.
- KWKB will stay on 25 at 1 MW.
- KWWF, the former UPN affiliate in Waterloo, will need to flash cut on channel 22 to an 80.9 kW DT signal.
- KFXA will remain on channel 27 at 1 MW. .

Please pardon my ignorance, but from reading these numbers, I have to wonder - is there no correlation between power and signal quality and coverage? Seems like I recall some relationship between broadcast frequency and power required, but it sure looks like KWWL will be disappearing from my antenna - unless my math skills have atrophied as much as my hairline, it looks like they're going to be at 1/6 the power of KCRG, yet they are going to be on pretty much the same frequency....

Whazzup? (its been way too long since I got my 3rd class license - so long, that I've been told they no longer even exist. ;) )

Please pardon my ignorance, but from reading these numbers, I have to wonder - is there no correlation between power and signal quality and coverage? Seems like I recall some relationship between broadcast frequency and power required, but it sure looks like KWWL will be disappearing from my antenna - unless my math skills have atrophied as much as my hairline, it looks like they're going to be at 1/6 the power of KCRG, yet they are going to be on pretty much the same frequency....

Whazzup? (its been way too long since I got my 3rd class license - so long, that I've been told they no longer even exist. ;) )

They had until a certain date to "maximize" their UHF DTV signal, and it appears they failed to do that. Since they didn't maximize the UHF, they jeopardized their VHF-DT power level. My guess is Raycom knew it would be someone else's problem so they didn't bother. Hopefully KWWL can petition the FCC for an increase in power.

We will probably be pleasantly surprised at just how well 3.2kW on VHF gets out.

I hope you're right - if not, I may finally have to fix my rotor. :)

They had until a certain date to "maximize" their UHF DTV signal, and it appears they failed to do that. Since they didn't maximize the UHF, they jeopardized their VHF-DT power level. My guess is Raycom knew it would be someone else's problem so they didn't bother. Hopefully KWWL can petition the FCC for an increase in power.

We will probably be pleasantly surprised at just how well 3.2kW on VHF gets out.

Hey UHF,

I get to speak intelligently to an engineer. Whoo hoo! :D

If you look at many of the VHF signals, you can see the FCC gave them 3.2 kw as replication power...as if by default. I have been told by two VHF stations that got the same power that they'll be able to boost power after analog shutdown.

And out in Cedar Rapids land, you are right...3.2 kw at a tall height should go out 50 or 60 miles with no problem on an outdoor antenna.

Good to hear that KWWL will most likely be increasing that 3.2 kW transmitting power. They are my favorite OTA station presently, but at 75 miles and surrounded by large oak trees, I can only get them at night.

And out in Cedar Rapids land, you are right...3.2 kw at a tall height should go out 50 or 60 miles with no problem on an outdoor antenna.

I've heard that Digital has 18db better signal to noise, so in theory, you could run 18db less power than with analog. So 3.2kw DTV would approximately equal 200kW of analog, or about 60% of what they run now.

Of course, other factors come into play as well, such as multipath problems being more severe with DTV, etc.

Interestingly enough, I'm 11 miles from the Walker tower (I live in Independence). I get KGAN, KWWL, KCRG, and KFXA DT's just fine. But KRIN-DT breaks up all the time, even though my signal meter reads 95%. How ironic that I have problems with that one station :D

I'm using a "Square Shooter" for an antenna, and it's only about 5' off the ground. My guess is that if I moved the antenna a bit everything would work fine, but frankly, I just don't care about watching TV all that much. It's too much like work ;)

Today's Gazette detailed ImOn's rate changes. The new rates are also on their web site:

http://www.imon.net/cabletv/rates.php

I've been thinking about getting the HD package, but $22 a month just didn't feel right for just eight HD channels that they had. Most recently they now added KCRG-TV9 HD, KFXA HD, National Geographic HD, and of course Big Ten Network HD, which should make watching Hawkeye sports fun. Now the cost is $9.98 for 12 HD channels. Of course, they upped the cost of basic, preferred, and digital entertainer to where for me (with digital entertainer), I'll end up paying about $3 more overall with these new rates than I would have with the original rates. Feels pretty good.

I'm just wondering if anyone can comment how ImOn's HD service is these days and if all the new channels (except Big Ten Network, which will show up Aug 30) are working out. I was thinking about getting a Samsung OTA STB tuner and antenna, but now seeing I can get HD for about $10 more per month and get most of what's over the air plus some other pretty good stuff, I may just do this instead. Is ImOn still using the Scientific Atlantic 8300 STB for HD?

I received the rate increase letter from ImOn today. The new HD channels (KCRG, KFXA, and National Geographic) won't be on the system until "late September". Big Ten Network will debut August 30 on ImOn as well as everywhere else where it'll be carried (I'm sure some sort of deal will be stuck with Mediacom at the last minute).

I screwed up on my calculating the price differences. Now with "digital entertainer" and HD, it'll be about $2 less rather than about $3 more that I indicated yesterday.

Big Ten Network will debut August 30 on ImOn as well as everywhere else where it'll be carried (I'm sure some sort of deal will be stuck with Mediacom at the last minute).

I'm not so sure about Mediacom and BTN getting this squared away. The cost to Mediacom at $1.10 per subscriber could amount to millions of dollars monthly for Mediacom unless the fee is substantially reduced or inclusion is on a market by market basis. For ImOn to add it with so few subscribers doesn't amount to much, but it gives people a reason to switch from Mediacom. Even if the interest in the BTN is a small fraction of the public, that small fraction is big to ImOn. Mediacom is put in a tough situation. For me personally, if Mediacom adds this to basic cable, I will drop Mediacom.

Hey, good to see you here! Hate to bring a complaint/question, but since you asked...

Is there anything that can be done about the lip sync issues with 7.3? It almost always seems to be misaligned...sometimes horrifically, sometimes not bad but noticeable...rarely in sync.

It really makes it unwatchable most of the time? It never occurs on any other OTA or DSS station with my receiver, so I can only assume its the originating broadcast.

It is easily my favorite OTA digital station in this market.

Update: The Des Moines Register (http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070822/SPORTS020502/70822034/1003) is reporting that the U of I may be close to striking a deal that would make the Big Ten Network available in the dorms. However, both the Register and Gazette Online (http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070822/SPORTS/70822054/1001/NEWS) are reporting no deal yet with Mediacom, even though some unnamed source from the U of I said there was one.

Hey, good to see you here! Hate to bring a complaint/question, but since you asked...

Is there anything that can be done about the lip sync issues with 7.3? It almost always seems to be misaligned...sometimes horrifically, sometimes not bad but noticeable...rarely in sync.

It really makes it unwatchable most of the time? It never occurs on any other OTA or DSS station with my receiver, so I can only assume its the originating broadcast.

It is easily my favorite OTA digital station in this market.

Believe me, I've noticed it too... and the big issue with it is that it is inconsistant. One video is off by a huge margin (almost a sec) and then one a few minutes later is only off by a few frames. Add to that, the encoders in use right now are largely foreign to me... so I have a steep learning curve. I'll keep an eye (and ear) on it to see if there is anything I can do or figure out.

So, I'm not alone in seeing this. The last couple days, like you say, just off a smidge.

BTW, nice "Real Genius" quote...

That is a fabulous channel. I just wish they'd play some old Van Halen.

I have noticed several stations across the country going HD for their local news (I know, I know, in much larger markets for the most part). I wonder who will be the first to take the plunge here in Eastern Iowa. Friend of mine in DSM tells me KCCI is planning to be the first over there.

I saw in an earlier post someone commenting on KWWL's small, but significant improvements to their HD channel like the fill-in graphics for 4:3 and the weather map / mini-scroll. Very nice - their new engineer has gotten off to a good start. I would have guessed KCRG would have countered with something by now, and am not holding my breath for KGAN - they can't hardly get their SD stuff figured out.

Not HD info and reception related, but, speaking of KGAN - I posted a while back about Brian Allen flying the Channel 2 coup without much fanfare - turns out he is now the Associate Coordinator for the Archives Of Iowa Broadcasting in Waverly, Iowa. They just hired a new anchor, Tim Seymore from Louisville, KY that fled WHAS - a station down there going down the drain. They have been running promos during the Chiefs game tonight.

~HDA~