Detroit, MI - HDTV - Page 370

Nope.

Is WPXD's plan to shut down their transmitter in Dexter or to continue transmitting from both there and Southfield?

Last word was to shutdown Dexter and only transmit from Southfield since it should cover all of the previous area. That also means shutting down (or selling) W48AV at St. Clair Shores.

There's no way the channel 50 facility will cover everywhere the Chelsea transmitter does. Chelsea actually had great coverage - of the middle of nowhere. Southfield 50, OTOH, is not only much further to the East, is also nulls the West, if FCC database is correct.

I wonder if they could re-license Chelsea 31 as a translator if they QRP to 15kW?

Does anyone know when Comcast in Detroit (proper) will finish Project Cavalry (i.e., shut off the last analog channels)?

I notice that 99 (CBET) has been replaced with a color bar pattern and the words "CBET ANALOG HAS BEEN DROPPED" (all caps theirs), which makes no sense to me, other that to get viewers to pay for boxes (with a TP, the channel 99 spectrum is still being occupied and can't carry data, phone or VOD). They have also letterboxed 6 (WTVS 56.1), resulting in 4:3 programs being "gutterboxed".

The whole point of the test pattern is to notify viewers and get them to take action. It's not like it's going to stay there forever.

WADL 38.1 is now broadcasting a 1080i 16:9 signal and has added a 4:3 480i simulcast on 38.4.

Someone on Comcast who previously watched CBET on their analog TV must either rent Comcast digital equipment or upgrade their TV so they can use tune the QAM feed.

I second the question from itsthemultipath! as to what it really accomplishes for Comcast. Do they think if they force subscribers to digital equipment they can up-sell them? Ultimately it may push some upset subscribers to OTA.

When my SEMI Comcast system analog TVs started getting a better worded message on channel 99, my action was to remove 99 from the tuning range for those TVs.

They could also buy an outboard QAM tuner, which I've seen on ebay for less than $50. But that will only work for the time being, so probably not such a hot idea, same as buying a new TV just to have QAM capability is not such a hot idea either. Why? See my comment below.


It doesn't matter, as the question will soon be a moot point.

The FCC is in process of ruling on a proposal that will allow an all digital cable system to encrypt all channels. It's backed by all the cablecos, and the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC), and appears to have a very strong chance of being approved.

Reasons given for permitting this are theft of service, cost savings & environmental (less truck rolls), and that only a small percentage of cable subs don't have cable boxes.

It's well known that bandwidth is becoming more and more scarce for all pay TV providers. With this in mind it's easy to understand why cable wants to go all digital; it's happening as we speak. As of last January, Comcast systems are 22% all digital and the remainder of their systems will do the same over the next year or so. Once a system is all digital, and after the FCC approves the proposal, all channels will be encrypted, including the local HD channels now in clear QAM. End of story.

It immediately gives them room for 2-3 HD channels, which is what the more profitable customers want to see. Analog cable is a dead-end technology, it's unreasonable to expect it to be supported for much longer.

Why would they convert to 1080i 16:9 with their classic TV format, which is all 4:3 SD??? Seems like a waste to me....unless changes are forthcoming.

My guesses.

1) They have syndicated programs in HD, like 'America Now'.
2) They will begin to offer local origination in HD, like the 'News @ 9'.
3) Even SD programming looks better upconverted.

I've seen reports about the proposal to encrypt all cable channels. I have no idea if it will actually become effective, but the folks trying to get people to voice their objections seem unable to get regular people to even notice. While most cable customer do indeed have a cable box, they don't tend to have a box for every TV. I can imagine upset constituents who had no idea such a proposal was being considered besieging elected representatives to take action to undo the work of well paid lobbyists.

all good points

4) most prime-time TV shows from before about 1973, and all cinema movies until very recently, were shot on photographic movie film. If a distributor can access the films, they can be HD telecined, so these vintage TV shows and movies can be shown in true HD - not a gimmick.
About a year or two ago, I remember WXYZ and WUPW airing the first-era Star Trek episodes (1965-69) in HD, it looked great, but few people watched because they were airing very late at night.

It's everything but a done deal at this point.


Just wait until the switch is thrown. They'll notice then.


Right, and this is what everything I've read fails to take into account. Since most cable systems still have at least some analog channels, I'd guess a high percentage of all cable subs have at least one TV without a box.

In the case of Comcast, for subs on all digital systems (not taking into account the encryption issue) they offer customers three free DTAs.


Nope, won't happen.

WJBK-DT is simulcasting the FSD feed of today's game.
Wonder what THAT cost. It was $19K back in 2004. Can't imagine what it is now.

One BILLION dollars.
From: News Corp.
To: News Corp.

Yes, I know it's not really that simple.

LOL. But - at least then - Fox Sports did not cut News Corp O&Os a break. First right of refusal was about all they got. WKBD could have bought a simulcast for the same price. Not sure if anything's changed.

Unless I'm mistaken, which happens on a quite regular basis, WJBK has carried the simulcast of the home opener of the Tigers since FSN Detroit has been around.

Wonder if that will change once Rupert goes to jail?

Road To The Kentucky Derby today on NBC WDIV-DT. Dolby Digital is screwed up again; no feed for center & l/r surrounds.

2012 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Playoff Quarterfinals Schedule

SERIES H

#4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville - CBC, FSN Detroit / FSN Detroit +
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Nashville - CBC, FSN Detroit / FSN Detroit +
Sunday, April 15, 2012 Noon Nashville at Detroit - CBC, NBC
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:30 p.m. Nashville at Detroit - CBC, FSN Detroit / FSN Detroit +
*Friday, April 20, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville - CBC, FSN Detroit / FSN Detroit +
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Nashville at Detroit TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Detroit at Nashville TBD, FSN Detroit / FSN Detroit +

* If Necessary

- CBC HD is now available to most Detroit area viewers via OTA, and also on Comcast and Bright House cable systems.
- For the first time in 2012, all NHL playoff games will be televised, and also in HD. Available nationally on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC, NHL Network, and for us in Detroit (& Seattle) the bonus option of CBC. Games airing on NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network are subject to blackouts in the first round in favor of the local RSN, in this case FSN Detroit. Previously CBC has not been subject to any NHL local blackouts, and I believe the same will apply now.
- Full Playoff Schedule http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626625

Well CBC via CBET can't be blacked out OTA, that is 100% for sure.

I'm referring to a network blackout, so technically it could, but like I said it's never happened to this point in time.

More likely would be Comcast brass ordering CBET blocked from the local system just to force Comcast customers to watch on their NBC properties. Again, unlikely. But stranger things have happened.

Yes indeed. That didn't occur to me, possible but unlikely.

What could CBC say? Probably nothing.

Perhaps, but aside from the Sunday games, the rest are on FSN which is not a Comcast property.

First round, yes, after that FSN is done and all games will be on the Comcast / NBC networks. And around here, CBC.

I really doubt that anything will look much better in hd when they're running three other sub-channels.

I know its slightly OT, but question about the coverage on CNBC. Are they just picking up a regional USA or national Canadian feed, or is NBC Sports producing games/unique content that is airing on CNBC?