Honolulu, HI - HDTV - Page 176

Since the New National Networks are launching on DirecTV in HD next month could we see KHNL & KFVE added in HD then?

It's possible. The new satellite D12 adds capacity for locals, as well as national channels. (But then so did D11, the previous satellite, and we got nothing when they sent that up.)

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the reason why it wasn't up in the first place was because of a lack of Satellite Capacity?

Just wondering do Dish Network and DirecTV get their signals from the same or a very similar source?

I know it's like a wait and see game so it's very hard to predict but are any new channels even running off the D12 yet? or will the 1st new channel signals begin when the National Networks go HD?

I thought the reason was because DirecTV was not able to recieve a strong enough OTA HD signal for KHNL at their collection facility. Not sure if that is still the case.

Not yet. D12 cannot give us anything until it is in the orbital position it's licensed for, at 103 deg. W longitude, and now it's at 76 deg., in a testing location. It was expected by DirecTV outsiders to be moved away from 76 deg. before now. Supposedly, it will take at least 3 weeks to move it from the 76 to the 103 location, and it hasn't started moving yet.

There have been several stories why we haven't yet gotten KHNL in HD --- insufficient capacity is just one. DirecTV has been vague.

Emailed DirecTV and got this back. I'm pretty sure this is what everyone else gets back too.



Subject
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HD Locals with D12 Launch


Discussion Thread
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Response (Aubrey S. - 100126090) - 04/27/2010 07:46 PM
Dear Mr. Lee,

Thanks for taking the time to write us back.

I understand that getting your local channels in HD is important to you.

We can't currently offer all of your local channels in HD because our satellite capacity doesn't allow us to do that yet.

We're continuing to expand our HD capacity and hope to offer more HD channels in your area in the near future. However, we cannot comment on channels, national or local, that are in negotiations.

I’ve also forwarded your request to DIRECTV management, so be assured that your voice is being heard.

The best way to find out about the exciting offers we have for returning customers is to call us at 1-800-739-4388. We have a team of specialists waiting to hear from you so give us a call.

Sincerely,

Aubrey S.
Employee ID 100126090
DIRECTV Customer Service

P.S. Have a question? Anytime, any topic, instant answers - support.directv.com The Answer Center provides you helpful information, 24/7, all at your fingertips.

Customer (Lee) - 04/27/2010 07:24 PM
Hi,
I live in Honolulu, HI and DirecTV currently doesn't have the local affiliates KHNL (NBC) and KFVE (MyNetwork TV) in HD.

I've heard that it was due to contract negation problems with Raycom Media but KHNL & KFVE merged operations with KGMB and KGMB is now owned by Raycom and is in HD but KHNL is not.

Another rumor I heard was that it could be a lack of capacity on a satellite so I'm just wondering could KHNL and KFVE be added in HD anytime in the near future?


[---001:001508:12076---]

So the other channels like WGN HD are running off another satellite like the D11?
If they're supposed to be available in HD before the end of May and the D12 satellite isn't moving then making the advertised date of the month of May might even be hard.

Yes, it might be. Then again, they might be holding enough capacity in reserve on the other working satellites that they could use, short term, for the sake of making their May deadline. It's sort of fun to speculate.

I may not be correct here, but I thought that as well... i.e. both DirectTV and Dish Network used the same POP, then up linked separately. It's strange that Dish Network has offered KHNL HD (5663) since Aug 2009, and KFVE HD (5659/5671) since Oct 2009.

Art

I emailed Duane Shimogawa.
Asked Duane if he ever did or possibly could do a follow up on this story.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=9758431

Also asked Rick Blangiardi if he had any details. I specified that I knew he didn't take the job a long time ago and that I was aware that he wasn't the reason why KHNL & KFVE were not in HD on DirecTV but I asked him if it's possible that with the launch of the D12 that the go HD and if they use the same signal as Dish Network.

I know I'll probably never get a reply but if you see a story on KHNL, KFVE and KGMB any time soon then I think I know what may have "motivated" them to do it.

What I don't understand is why KHNL won't grant waiver requests for DirecTV subs to recieve the LA based NBC HD feed, knowing this issue exists.

I'd love to see an updated story on this. If we do, thanks!

I heard that they granted requests during the Super Bowl weekend last year but I had already went back to Oceanic before that happened after my request was denied 3 times.

In a perfect world I'd get an answer today or asap and by Tuesday (which is my DirecTV installation date) we get KHNL & KFVE in HD and maybe WGN America HD.

Hasn't happened for years but we can dream.


Edit: Try email or call Hawaii News Now to ask them. I'm thinking with my luck Duane Shimogawa might answer and think man this guy again.
Maybe if different people keep asking about it they'll give us a clear answer. Hopefully better then the one we got before the Super Bowl. I'm thinking that it takes more then 1 guy asking about it to make them possibly give us an answer.

As a matter a fact all of us DirecTV customers should ask KHNL & KFVE what's up. If more people keep asking they may do something about it or let us have the waivers approved for NBC LA.

Based on the people I've asked through the years I think Jason Gardner at the Satellite Guy (Oahu Dish) has given me the best answers.
jason@thesatguy.com He's been straight up. Like in 2009 when we had KFVE HD for one day he said that it was because the signal wasn't strong which is why the picture was very "soft".

In a little bit of an update Duane emailed me back and let me know that my message has been forwarded to the engineering department.

Hopefully we get a clear answer from them.

Got a reply back from KFVE, KGMB & KHNL. The rumor is pretty much confirmed that DirecTV is at fault. (Like no onbe knew )
Maybe with the D12 launch they'll have "enough bandwidth" to send out KHNL & KFVE's HD Signal.

Here's the reply-


Since trying to get DirecTV to air Super Bowl 2009 in HD on KHNL/NBC, their stance has been (and probably still is today) that they do not have the necessary bandwidth to carry that station in HD. As an engineer or even just an everyday viewer, this makes no sense at all if you ask yourself the following questions:


1.Why is it that Dish Network is able to carry KHNL/NBC in HD and DirecTV does not? Doesn't seem to be a bandwidth issue there or Dish Network would have the same problem. Is it due to the use of inferior equipment versus what Dish Network uses? Both Dish Network and DirecTV get our HD feed all the way to their home bases in Denver, CO via fiber.

2.If bandwidth was an issue, why not put less-watched or non-network-affiliated programming in SD to make room for a major network like NBC to be put up in HD?

3.Why is it that a non-subscriber can go to Wal-Mart, buy a cheap $20 indoor antenna, hook it up to their flatscreen TV and watch KHNL/NBC (and KGMB/CBS for that matter) in HD over-the-air yet with all the expensive DirecTV equipment you have at your home, you can't?


If you can find the answer to these questions then you have solved the mystery. Subscribers that I've spoken to over the phone think it's some type of conspiracy or conflict between DirecTV and the owner of NBC but no matter what the reason, you should be getting some type of discount on your subscription because you are not getting 100% for what you've paid for and if they refuse, you should change over to Dish Network since they do carry KHNL/NBC in HD.

I hope some of this information helps you see the bigger picture and, you are correct, WE are not to blame.


Sincerely,
MILES MIYAHARA | Fleet & Facility Maintenance Engineer | HAWAII NEWS NOW: KFVE/KGMB/KHNL
Phone: 808.847.9371 Fax: 808.845.3616
E-mail: MMiyahara@HawaiiNewsNow.com
Address: 420 Waiakamilo Road, Suite 205, Honolulu, HI 96817
Always on HawaiiNewsNow.com

IMHO, that reply makes very little sense. For 1., since Dish and DirecTV have different satellites, different equipment, and use it in different ways, just because Dish has no bandwidth problem, that doesn't mean DirecTV doesn't. For instance, it is said that Dish uses 1 satellite transponder for 6 HD stations, while DirecTV uses 1 transponder for 4 HD stations, so that DirecTV requires more bandwidth for each HD station (enabling DirecTV to supply a better picture).

For 2., DirecTV uses different technology for national channels and local channels, so giving up national channels would not make more bandwidth available for local channels.

There is no truth to 3. My DirecTV HR20 satellite receiver has an internal over-the-air tuner. It cost me nothing above the subscription rates for national satellite service. For the models of satellite receiver that do not have such an internal over-the-air tuner, DirecTV supplies an accessory AM21 tuner which attaches to and integrates with the main satellite receiver.

I am not saying DirecTV has been truthful about all this. I'm just saying that Miles is full of it.

I agree. Even though the "issue" may be at DirecTV's end, you'd think "as an engineer" he would understand the bandwidth issue a little better.

I won't start a flame war here on PQ - but that said I do know that Dish Network uses MP4 to encode and decode their HD. YMMV but from what I have seen there is no difference in PQ.

Keep in mind that I'm clueless so I'm not taking sides. I just want what everyone else wants. KHNL in HD on DirecTV.

Just got back with DirecTV today.

How long has KHNL had the widescreen HD style picture in 480i resolution?

When I left in Feb 2009 it was a standard def picture.

EDIT: That Standard def picture wasn't wide screen. It was like the current CW & KITV Island Weather Now Feeds.

I think since last summer, maybe?

That other way they used to have it was afwul. It looked like it was a cropped widescreen picture. At least now you can see the whole picture, albeit in a 4:3 window.

Copied and pasted from Email in reply to my KFVE HD Question. While it may not sound truthful to some I'm guessing it is.

RE: KFVE HD

From:
"Fink, John"

DirecTV claims that it does not have enough capacity to put KFVE or KHNL on its HD lineup. It is 100% their choice, and they are choosing to ignore the local consumer needs in exchange for providing a lot of mainland cable channels. They have indicated to us no sense of urgency to correct this mater, which is very frustrating. The KGMB deal was cut a long time ago, but DirecTV never bothered to include KHNL or KFVE in HD from the start. Any other claims by DirecTV are false- they simply have not decided to include KFVE or KHNL in HD-their call, nothing to do with KHNL or KFVE. As for the wide screen, again, DirecTV could be up converting if they choose to.

Just wondering if I get the DirecTV Off Air Tuner would it work with the HR-23 receiver?

If so would KHNL & KFVE be in HD on alternate or the same channel numbers after I purchase this? Would any other independent channels such as KBFD (Korean) also be received?

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/conten...oternavtype=-1

BTW - I'm located in the zip code 96818.

So if I buy the AM21 Off-Air Tuner would I be able to receive KHNL & KFVE in HD?
BTW - I'm located in the zip code 96818.

Theoretically, yes, if you can receive them over-the-air. I can't tell you as a matter of fact, because from where I live, I can't receive anything over-the-air. So I can't experiment. What matters to whether you can get any digital signals over the air is not so much zip code as whether there are hills intervening between you and the transmitting towers. You can try the antennaweb site for an opinion about whether a house at your street address can get a TV signal, given an antenna of a certain type. (I am told that I could possibly get a signal if I had an antenna tower in excess of 4000 feet.)

Shouldn't be a problem with aircraft interference.

So it's pretty much like an indoor antenna from DirecTV or would I need to buy an antenna too?

DirecTV can supply a tuner for over-the-air signals, but it can't supply the signals -- those are your problem. Maybe you can get OTA signals with an indoor antenna, or maybe you need a roof antenna, or maybe a tower, or maybe (like me) you just can't get them at all. DirecTV doesn't come into it until you've arranged to get OTA signals by some means or other.

I live in 96818 and have several different antennas with different levels of sucess. I live on the AFB and can't have outdoor antenna, but have two different UHF antennas and get great reception on everything offered locally except FOX since it is VHF. I have another cheapo antenna with the circle ring and two rabbit ears that doesn't work at all. Best thing to do is hook an antenna up to one of your tvs that has a digital tuner and scan for what stations you get and then maybe adjust. If you are buying an antenna only for KHNL then you only need UHF. I have a Zenith Silver Sensor that is really small but works awesome, and also an outdoor antenna that is just sitting up in the corner of the room and it works good too. I can't tell you about Directv hookup as I have Dish and OTA stuff into the computer. Best of luck, but it is definitely worth trying.

Mike

DirecTV is having a problem with its DVRs, apparently caused by bad data for its Guide. Those who hang out in online forums will already know about it. The DVRs stop responding to commands. There is a simple fix: do an RBR, then within 30 minutes, do another. "RBR" means "red button reset", and you do one by pressing the small red button just to the upper left of the access card behind the door at the lower right of the front panel. (Doing 2 RBRs purges Guide data, so for a day or so, until it rebuilds, the Guide may not go all 14 days into the future and may be missing some cast and crew pictures.)

Edit: DirecTV recommends "HDDVR customers: If your HDDVR will NOT power on, unplug the unit from the wall, wait 15sec, then replug, & repeat 1x to restore service."

I'm curious why certain HDTV channels television feed is different than the SDTV version? I've noticed this difference on A&E's HD and SD channels.