Waco / Bryan, TX - HDTV - Page 216

I emailed KCEN and got the following response:

We have looked into this problem extensively and have not been able to resolve it for you and many other TIVO users. We have even bought a TIVO Premiere Box to try and replicate the problem, without success. Our TIVO seems to function fine. We have not yet been able to see the problem in action. We suspect that it may have been related to the fact that we first identified our DTV signal as Channel 9. Some TIVO units may have been setup during this time and the guide issue is a conflict with a previous channel scan. It might be helpful for us to see one of the TIVO systems that is giving you trouble.

Thanks
Cody

Cody Blount
Dir. of Operations Technology
KCEN-TV

Well, it's not just Tivos that have a problem. As I said, my DirecTV DVR also has the same problem. At least for my DVR it's not related to a channel "scan" since it can't do a scan, it's totally reliant on guide data. If a channel doesn't appear in the guide data, or is incorrect in some way, then the DVR can't record it, even though the signal is passing through the DVR and can be seen live with the tv tuner.

Based on my experience dealing with the same problem during the digital transition, I'll take a large bet that the problem is either with guide data from Tribune Media or with bad PSIP data being provided by KCEN.

You're lucky to be on a hill. KCEN is the toughest signal for me. I can see the lights of the KXXV tower at night at compass heading 192. KWKT is about the same distance at 195 degrees and KWTX is at 193 and roughly the same distance. So, all three of those are easy to grab even with rabbit ears. KCEN is further away and at 161 degrees, so it's a bit of a pain.

A heads up for those of us with DirecTV DVRs. We're scheduled to get the new HD graphical user interface downloaded to our DVRs on January 11th. I've seen it and it's a 100% improvement over the current interface. Scrolling the grid is almost instantaneous and it's all in HD.

Has anyone had any problems lately with the OTA channels? I live in Round Rock but have been able to pick up all but Fox 44 for the past 5 years without a problem. The antenna hasn't moved, but in the past 2-3 days, none of the channels have been coming in.

Any ideas?

I'm in Georgetown and I'm able to pickup 44, 10, 25, 46 and 6(1/2 of the time) with indoor antennas, so I haven't seen the change you describe...

Hmmm...maybe I need to check some other tuners and see if i can pick them up.

Just wanted to give an update on local HD here in BCS. I finally reconnected my OTA antenna after several months and found the following:

3.1 - KBTX (CBSHD)
3.2 - CWHD
12.1 - KAMU (PBSHD)
12.2 - KAMU (weather in SD)
12.3 - KAMU in SD
23.1 - KAGS (NBCHD)
23.2 - MyTV in SD
23.3 - MeTV in SD
28.1 - KYLE (FOXHD)
28.2 - Spanish channel in SD

I wasn't able to tune in KRHD (ABCHD). Has anyone had any luck with that one?

Anyone getting QAM channels from Grande? I have for a few years now, but tonight in Windows Media Center 7 I'm getting the message "the current service is encrypted and it cannot be viewed at this time." Did they encrypt their QAM channels? That would really suck if they did.

I too lost my Grande HD channels 3 or 4 days ago in my MythTV system. I did a scan an could find a couple of crap channels, but not the local HD channels that they are supposed to carry unencrypted.

I know the local Grande manager and I am going to call him to see what is up.

Same here. No unencrypted QAM anymore. I called the tech and of course they've never even heard of unencrypted channels, or QAM, or why I don't receive them anymore. I'm fed up and will cancel the cable and go back to OTA. Any other show I want, I'll just get from other sources.

The main reason I switched to Grande was because I lost a few main QAM channels with TWC. After I switched, I really liked Grande. Service uptime was better and support all around was better. Not to mention they have way faster internet speeds than TWC. I don't know if I'd switch back to TWC, but can anyone confirm QAM channels working on TWC?

Just got off the phone with the Waco Grande manager. He said that last Thursday they moved that channels around. Last night he got a call from his neighbor about this problem. Looked into it today and said that they moved the channels again this morning and that we should be able to see them. Look for them on channels 118 to 120. Told him I would try and that I would call back if I still had trouble.

I went home tonight and even still, I cannot pick up the Grande QAM channels directly on my Samsung Plasma. I WAS able to scan and find the channels on my HDHomerun. Here's a screenshot of what I was able to get http://twitpic.com/8e6imi

I had to manually put in the channel names under the Guide tab in the HDHomerun software. When I scan for channels in WMC7, it doesn't find anything. I'm having to manually add the channels and listings. I've only tried KWKT, but it works, so I'm assuming the rest of them will work in WMC7 as well.

I'm still having problems too. I called back the local manager. Here is what he sent me:


Here is what I am getting on my TV with a basic trap now beside the analog basic channels.

94.1 CSPN2
106.2 TBN
112.1 PPV Preview
118.1 KWKT-HD
118.2 Estrella TV
118.3 KXXV-HD
118.4 Telemundo
118.5 KXXV Weather Now
119.1 KNCT-HD
119.2 KCEN-HD
119.3 MyTX
119.4 Pentagon TV
119.5 Create TV
119.6 MeTv
120.1 KWTX-HD
120.2 CW-HD
120.5 WCCT-HD
125.1 EWTN
129.8 Daystar
132.8 Jewelry TV


I am trying to get the channels to work with my hdHomeRun, model number HDHR-US.

I'll you know if I have any success.

More clues:

When I try to scan for unencrypted channels in Mythtv using a pcHDTV HD-5500, every channel that should be unencrypted comes across as follows:

Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (92)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (93)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (93)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (94)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (106)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (112)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (118)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (118)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (118)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (118)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (118)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (119)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (119)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (119)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (119)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (119)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (119)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (120)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (120)
Updating 1008-0 as 1008_0 on QAM-256 Channel (120)

In my layman analysis of the errors, it looks like a config problem on Grande's side.

I let the Grande manager know that there were still problems. He just let me know that they think it may an equipment issue on their side. They have piece of equipment coming tomorrow that they hope will resolve this isseu.

Yeah it appears something is up as scanning for channels on my tv and media center doesn't work, but like I said, I'm able to add them manually and get it to work.

ok ive got time warner and my clear qam isnt getting any NBC feeds? Anyone else confirm? I am getting the PBS, CBS, ABC, FOX, TBS, YNN, CSPAN, SHopping stuff...

Email from the Grande manager:

Maintenance will be performed and equipment inserted tonight around midnight. Should be working in the morning. Sorry for the delay.

Looks like all of the channels I have been looking for are back, except for 120.1 - KWTX-HD and 120.2 - CW-HD.

It doesn't look like channel 120 is scanning on my equipment.

Looks like everythng is working now.

tsan u are on grande? what channels do you have through clear qam? on time warner Im getting the 3 abc feeds, 2 fox feeds, cpsan, ynn news, ynn sports, tbs, 2 shopping channels... no cbs or nbc at this time.....im thinking of switching

Watching KCEN via D* last night was unbearable for the first half of the Super Bowl. There was a ton of pixelation and the picture kept breaking up. I switched to KAGS via my OTA antenna and the picture was perfect. I turned KCEN back on in the 3rd quarter and it looked fine.

Did anyone else have issues with KCEN (via D*, OTA, etc.)?

I watched the entire game via TWC and the picture was perfect throughout.

Maybe a D* issue then. Although I checked several other channels and they were fine. I'm just glad I reconnected my OTA antenna recently. With the storm on Friday and then the game last night, I've really needed it.

Works fine for me most of the time with a 4-bay bowtie in the attic, no preamp (I plan to add one though). I'm in SE Bryan, 11 mi from their transmitter... their signal might be harder to get in south College Station. It's definitely lower on the signal strength meter than any other local station.

I actually have more problems with KBTX; I think I need to remove the reflector from my antenna. I have it aimed at the weaker channels in NW Bryan and Carlos is almost directly behind it. Hopefully with a preamp I can still get a good signal on 23 and 40.

I did notice a big improvement in channel 40 reception after aiming my antenna with a compass -- turns out my estimate based on the map was about 30 degrees off!

Their subchannels are 40.1 for ABC HD and 40.2 for Telemundo SD. For some reason they've kept their old LP analog Telemundo transmitter (ch. 18, mounted lower on the same tower) online. I suppose it's useful as a debugging aid -- in my case, I get a snowy but watchable picture on it. More importantly, no ghosting.

I also discovered at the same time that apparently the religious channel on analog 47 has gone dark. (No DTV signal on that channel either.)

Hey guys -- thanks for this. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who can't get the ABC affiliate here in Bryan. I'm thinking a need a larger and better antenna. Much much appreciate the info.

Is anyone having trouble with KBTX OTA lately? I haven't really tried watching it lately, since it comes in on the satellite, but noticed it's missing on my Dish receivers on the antenna. I was going to watch it during the big storm last week when the rain knocked out the sats briefly. I can still get all the other locals, even KWTX out of Wacko with the antenna pointed south, but no KBTX.
BTW, I can pick up KRHD 40 on my antenna.
Thanks,
Sid

Recently moved to the B/CS area (Rock Prairie area) and have Directv but want to get an antenna to get the OTA channels. Can't put up an outdoor antenna, and don't want to spend a fortune on something that won't work.

So, what do you guys suggest?

Fortunately, you can get pretty good local reception just using some $8 rabbit ears from Walmart. I would try that first. You can just connect them into your RF cable connector on your TV to test it. Then do a channel scan. If you want to integrate this OTA reception into your DirectTV receiver, then you will probably need to get a DirectTV AM21 off-air receiver which will integrate into your DVR, assuming that you have one. You might be able to talk D into giving you one for free if you have a good excuse, such as they still don't offer KBTX in HD yet via satellite. See some of the recent posts on this thread to see the OTA channels that you might be able to get.