Tucson, AZ - HDTV

[Carey P]

Welcome to the Tucson, AZ official all-in-one HDTV Thread. The next few posts will provide a central reference for the current state of affairs in Tucson. Please post any new info or corrections so we may keep this updated frequently. Thank you.

This post contains the current OTA DTV status for Tucson. The following posts are reserved for Cable and other station info.

OTA DTV (Mt. Bigelow):
{Station – Ntwk - (UHF Ch)}
{V-Name - V-Ch – Audio – Prog - Res}

• KVOA-DT – NBC - (23)
  KVOA-DT - 4.1 - 2CH - HD - 1080i
  
• KUAT-DT – PBS - (30)
  KUAT-SD -2CH - SD - 780x480
  KUAT-KID - 2CH - SD - 704x480
  KUAT-V-Me - 2CH - SD - 704x480
  KUAT-Create - 2CH - SD - 704x480
  
• KGUN-DT – ABC - (16)
  KGUN-DT - 9.1 - DD5.1 – HD - 720p
  
• KMSB-DT – FOX - (25)
  KMSB-DT - 11.1 - DD5.1 – HD - 720p
  
• KOLD-DT – CBS - (32)
  KOLD-DT - 13.1 - DD5.1 – HD - 1080i
  KOLD-DT2 - 2CH - SD - 704x480 (Weather/NewsNow)
  KOLD-Tube "To Be Announced" - 2CH - SD 704x408
  
• KTTU-DT – UPN - (19)
  KTTU-DT - 18.1 - 2CH – SD - 1080i

OTA (Non-Mt. Bigelow DTV Stations):

• KUAS-DT - PBS - (28)
  KUAS-DT - 27.1 - 2CH – HD - 1080i
  
• KWBA-DT – CW - (44)
  KWBA-DT - 58.1 - 2CH – SD - 1080i
  KWBA-DT2 - 58.2 - 2CH - SD - 704x480
  
• KHRR-DT – TEL - (42)
  KHRR-DT1 40.1 - 2CH - SD - 704x480 641mhz
  KUVE-DT1 - 46.1 - 2CH - SD - 704x480 671mhz
  KUVE DT2 - 46.2 - 2CH - SD - 704x480 671mhz
  

Links:
See http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels for up-to-date list of OTA channels - Enter zip code.
See www.antennaweb.org for pointing info relative to your location.
See http://titantv.com for HD programming info.

[Carey P]

• Comcast Local DTV and other non-premium HD Channels
  KGUN-DT ABC (210) (9-1 QAM tuner - 720p)
  KVOA-DT NBC (211) (4-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KOLD-DT CBS (212) (13-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KMSB-DT FOX (213) (11-1 QAM - 720p)
  KWBA-DT CW (214) (58-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KTTU-DT MYTV (215) (18-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KUAT PBS-DT (220) (6-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KUAT PBS-DT1 KUAT6 (202) (98-4 QAM - 480i)
  KUAT PBS-DT2 Kids (200) (2-0 QAM - 480i)
  KUAT PBS-DT3 V-Me (201) (3-0 QAM - 480i)
  KUAT PBS-DT4 Create (?) (0-0 QAM - 480i)
  
  Mojo (226) (1080i)
  FOOD (217) (1080i)
  A&E (221) (1080i)
  HGTV (222) (1080i)
  NGCHD (223) (1080i)
  DHDTV (225) (1080i)
  MHD (227) (1080i)
  UHD (250) (1080i)
  VSGLF (251) (1080i)
  ESPN-DT (252) (1080i)
  ES2HD (253) (1080i)
  
  
• COX Local DTV
  KTTU-DT MYTV (702) (108-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KVOA-DT NBC (704) (103-4 QAM - 720p)
  KUAT-DT PBS (706) (105-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KWBA-DT CW (708) (76-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KGUN-DT ABC (709) (106-2 QAM - 720p)
  KMSB-DT FOX (711) (76-2 QAM - 720p)
  KOLD-DT CBS (713) (106-1 QAM - 1080i)
  KUAT-DT2 PBS Kids 80 (105-3 QAM)
  KUAT-DT3 PBS V-Me 81 (76-3 QAM - 704x480)
  KUAT-DT4 PBS Create 82 (106-3 QAM - 704x480)
  
  For more COX listing info see THIS page.
  COX Contact info:
  COX.net page, or for issues regarding HD content:
  anne.doris@cox.com
  Debbie.Cullen@cox.com

[Carey P]

Current status of HD programming:

• KOLD (13)
  Bad lip sync issues. Uses same tower as 4, 11, and 18 at Bigelow. Fiber optic feed direct to Comcast cable.
  Contact: Chief Engineer, Stewart Romain 744-1313 Ext. 283, or choose the breaking news option after hours and complain when HD is broadcast in SD.
  
• KVOA (4)
  Stable signal.
  Uses time delay server.
  Contact: Gary Nielsen, General Manager of KVOA, at GNielsen@KVOA.com
  
• KGUN (9)
  Stable, good sound. Current D-16 now VHF antenna on 200ft tower completed by July 20, 05(?), with 10KW power and de-icer. Repeater by Mar’06 on Tumamoc hill for NW side. Can anyone get them off-air anymore?
  Contact: webmaster@kgun9.com
  
• KMSB (11)
  Stable picture, good sound, strong signal. Signal provided by KTVK in PHX. Antenna on same tower as 4 , 13 and 18 at Bigelow.
  Contact: Jim Cole at KTVK Ch. 3 Phoenix 602-207-3369.
  Or manager@kmsb.com for local issues.
  
• KTTU (18)
  No HD on the few programs that are broadcast that way. Though upconverted SD is very sharp compared to KOLD or KGUN due to different equipment used. Antenna on same tower as 4, 11 and 13 at Bigelow.
  
• KUAT (6)
  University station. Has its own tower on Bigelow. 5 subchannels.
  
• KUAS (27)
  Tower on Tumamoc Hill (behind ‘A’ Mtn.).
  
• KWBA (58)
  Broadcasts in HD.
  Contact: mpowas@kwba.com

[Carey P]

Hold for future use.

[Carey P]

Hold for future use.

[Carey P]

Hold for future use.

[Dave Milne]

So Ryan, you went ahead and got the 165. I, too, was wondering if the 165 offered any advantages over the 151 (disregarding the digital out). Component switching is not an issue; I've got four component inputs on the scaler and four more on the pre/pro.

I am concerned about being able to receive signals from Mt. Bigelow here on the North side (Sunrise/Craycroft). I'm willing to put up a serious antenna, although I can't go crazy with height in deference to neighbors. Any suggestions?

[Burke55]

HMmm, I live out west of Tucson .....South and west of the Desert Museum. I have a Sony HD 200 STB for OTA and Directv and I noticed htis morning in my channel guide .....a channel 13.1 KOLD digital designation. However no signal is present. I thought KOLD would be channel 32. Is this just the way the Sony handles this? Is the fact that the Sony was able to scan and find a channel 13.1 an indication that I will have a strong enough signal once they go live? www.antennaweb.org strangely indicates the direction of broadcast for channel 32 KOLD to be north, north west of my location which woold not indicate Mt. Bigelow. I know that is where the tower is. Of course antenna web is indicating I will not need a new antenna as it falls in the yellow zone for my address. I would think that the Tucson Mt range might well get in the way.

[ryan94z]

Originally posted by Dave Milne
So Ryan, you went ahead and got the 165. I, too, was wondering if the 165 offered any advantages over the 151 (disregarding the digital out). Component switching is not an issue; I've got four component inputs on the scaler and four more on the pre/pro.

I am concerned about being able to receive signals from Mt. Bigelow here on the North side (Sunrise/Craycroft). I'm willing to put up a serious antenna, although I can't go crazy with height in deference to neighbors. Any suggestions?

Besides the firewire output for SVHS (which I don't have, or want) and the component in, there are no advantages to the 165 over the 151. I do use the comp in though, and I'm not suffering any of the "wavy picture" symptoms that many people are seeing. Maybe I just got lucky, let's hope so. It's a good unit from what I have seen, but until we get some more HDTV stations broadcasting around here I won't be able to see how much I like it for nightly TV watching.

[Mario]

Any news on the front here?

[Burke55]

As of right now KOLD DT CBS is showing "Under Review" on the www.antennaweb.org site. I am beginning to think we will not see CBS HD in time for the big dance here in Tucson. Last I had heard from the chief engineer at KOLD was that they would go live sometime in March. Truth is I am beginning to wonder if they will ever go live.

[Carey P]

Actually, it looks like all the stations that had Feb 28 before are showing "Under Review" now. That includes KVOA and KUAT.

I wouldn't put too much stock into that website anyway. After all, they list the orientation for KOLD-DT as being somewhere on the west side of town. In any case, I have a feeling we won't see much happening until the snow melts sometime in June . I think I may call KOLD next week.

[Mario]

I keep going and scanning, Grrrr Nothing.. though PBS has 4 chanels up, only one broadcasting.. I say all of us with HD tv's and tuners go visit KOLD and the thoers with torches, rocks and clubs.. We can then escort them to the mountan to turn the tower on

[Burke55]

I am not sure torches and vigilantes will help out any. I guess we will get DTV OTA when we get ...whenever that happens to be. I spose you guys are aware that DIrectv is finally going to offer locals in Tucson by the end of June? That wont help with OTA DTV but its a step oout of the stone age for us D users.

[Carey P]

Maybe I missed some big announcement, but how does DTV locals help anything? Dish already has all locals plus CBS in HD. Are you trying to say that DTV is offering all locals in HD? That would definitely change the outlook on things .

[Burke55]

Nope, only that Directv is finally going to have the locals via satellite by the end of June. That does not mean they are to be HD only that they will finally be available for those of us who have been unable to get NBC and ABC and PBS, FOX clearly via a roof top antenna. I have yet to invest in a high powered UHF antenna and I cant get good singnals for anything other than CBS channel 13 , UPN 18, and WB channel 58. Everything else is to poor to watch at the moment with what I have on the roof. I got waivers from NBC and ABC locals to allow Directv to provide me the east and west coast feeds of those networks years ago but they are not HD ....nor is the
feeds from west and east for FOX. I live in the shadow of those mountains between the Desert Museum and Tucson so all I get cleanly with my current antenna is analog 13, UPN 18 and channel 58. My Sony Sat HD 200 must have scanned something from CBS DT at some time because the channel guide shows 13.1 KOLD DT but currently obviously no signal is present. I am going to wait and see if on the off chance I will be able to get a viewable HD signal from KOLD once they do start up. If not It will be off to radio shack for the biggest , meanest preamped antenna they carry with a rotator.

[Carey P]

Originally posted by Burke55
... If not It will be off to radio shack for the biggest , meanest preamped antenna they carry with a rotator.

I already did exactly that, but I am still wondering if I will have good luck. And I am on the other side of those mountains (Tucson side), but have the Catalinas mostly in the way. I have to use cable to get all those stations you spoke of.

[Carey P]

Left messages and emails for Chuck Amy at KOLD. Never get any replies. Anyone else want to give it a shot?

[Burke55]

www.antennaweb.org now says March 14th ...next Friday.....I guess we can hope this is accurate.........

[Carey P]

Originally posted by Burke55
www.antennaweb.org now says March 14th ...next Friday.....I guess we can hope this is accurate.........

Interesting.

I wonder why KOLD-DT is always shown at the other end of town. I'm sure this error is why it doesn't even show up in the list for my address or zip. I have to enter some mid-town zip to get it to show up. The other stations are all in the right place for Bigalow. It makes me wonder how accurate their other info is.

[Burke55]

Yup, Its a mystery to me. I even sent an email to web.org to advise them that their info seems flawed. Chuck at KOLD replied to me as much via email. He said they are wrong....they never replied. All I know is that my HD STB has scanned something that indicates KOLD 13.1 DT....I just hope the signal happens to be strong enough to allow a clear image when they go live on the fourteenth. I am going to assume this is the case. lets keep our fingers crossed. On another note my boss entered his address and he lives out in Oro Valley right in the backyard of the Catalinas.....web.org gives no indication of KOLD DT for his address

[Burke55]

I sent an email to the station manager at KOLD about their live date and he confirmed that weather has been a problem but that they still expect to be live by late March.

[ryan94z]

So I guess that is a "No" on going live this Friday. But if they go live before April we'll still get the Final Four in HDTV.

[Carey P]

Originally posted by Burke55
I sent an email to the station manager at KOLD about their live date and he confirmed that weather has been a problem but that they still expect to be live by late March.

Thanks! I'm glad someone got through to them. Maybe we'll see a test pattern or two by summer

[Burke55]

Well, we are experiencing true Spring weather the last three days so I would expect a thaw on Mt. lemmon at this time. I kind of wonder what would cause issues anyway.......unless the road is under so much snow that last little trek to Bigelow.

[Burke55]

chuck also replied to my email today and said that the big snowstorm up there of several weeks ago caused the delay and that they still hope to be live in time for the final four!

[RadioWonder]

Hi all.... I am in Catalina and am getting HD from PBS Via OTA and Directv
HD. I am using the Zenith HD-SAT520 and triple feed horn dish
for Directv HD and a large Radioshack yagi for OTA HDTV.
I also have gotten hits on the Zenith for 13-1 and 27-1 27-2 27-3
27-4 27-5. The signal from 27-1 is a little better than HDnet
channel 199. I was very surprised by the programing move from
27-5 to 27-1.

[Carey P]

KUAS-DT comes in on 28-1 on my MyHD card (at ~80%) with large Radio Shack yagi on the west side.

Are you saying there is some other PBS channel live OTA, as well?

[RadioWonder]

Sorry about that .... I meant KUAS-DT and it comes in on 27-1 in Catalina.
I am aimed toward the southwest, what ever that mountain is with all
the UHF distribution. My Yagi is about six feet above my house. I have been thinking if there is any problems when the rest of the local HD channels
come on line I may put a larger Yagi on my forty foot Ham Radio tower.
Well Carey P that is interesting. I tried to do a search on the Zenith
for 28-1 and came back with *No such channel*. Maybe they are putting
out more than one signal from a different location.

[RadioWonder]

Carey P..... I took this off of KUAS-DT forum.....

kuat
Date / Time: 03/10/03 10:31 AM
Subject: DTV channels
Message: The difference is a bit technical, so I will provide the simplest answer first and then hit a few of the details. If you receive the signal you do not have to worry about the channel displayed on your set.
The channel displayed on your set is dependent upon the type of receiver and the version of software you have. Some viewers may see 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4, 27-5, or 28. The standards were still being determined when earlier DTV sets were released.
More recent receivers have the ability to decode Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP). (More info on this at http://www.nab.org/scitech/psip/default.asp) The protocol allows a station to send additional informational data along with the signal. This is why your receiver displays the channel information as 27-1.
Information provided by Chris O. and David R., KUAT