Chico, CA - HDTV

I've added this thread to the master list as the official Chico/Redding DMA discussion thread. It sounds stupid, but just continue to post your questions/observations and check back periodically. It normally takes a little bit of time, but eventually there should be a handful of local people to keep the discussion going.

I also changed it from exclusively OTA to all things HDTV in Chico/Redding - so if you know what the cable HD options are in the area, you might want to post that info. If the thread gets active enough, we can consider splittling it into separate OTA/Cable threads.

I've been receiving the Chico-Redding OTA digital channels for quite a few months now. My antenna is normally aimed at Sacramento and the Bay Area, but I'll swing it around tonight to see if any of the stations are indeed, transmitting HD. Any time I've looked at them in the past, they were just upconverting their analog channel to SD. I've heard they are not likely to go to full power to better cover their market until the FCC forces them to. This is understandable in such a small market, as it will cost them big bucks and produce a zero return on their investment.
My best channel from your area is Fox KCVU DT 20. Next is ABC KRCR DT 34, and finally CBS KHSL DT 43. I can tell PBS KIXE DT 18 is there, but it's very weak and will not lock up. I've never picked up NBC KNVN DT 36.

Carl

Hi Chris,
Because there are three transmit locations in your area, I recommend a high-gain directional antenna on a rotator. If roof-mounting is not an option, putting it in your attic will work, but not as well of course.
No rush on getting something up. As I said earlier, the local stations do not benefit economically from passing network HD programming through. They are on wuth low power, just to hold the DTV channel. However, they'll have to go to full power in a year or two; otherwise, they'll have to give up their digital channel assignment.
If you need to stick with an attic antenna, measure the turning radius available, and pick a UHF antenna that will spin around up there. A corner reflector or multi-bay bow-tie are the smallest. The larger yagi designs will require a four to six foot turning radius.
Carl

I have D* HD and live in Redding, Ca. D* will not allow me any HD feeds. I have tried 5 different indoor antenna's will little luck. Ironically, the best results I got was with a cheap 10 year old non powered magnavox rabbit ear unit. I tried antennas from Terk, Zenith and Rat Shack. With the cheapo I was able to get ABC HD OTA occassionally but it cut in and out and was very frustrating, especially during MNF when the Rams were playing!

I am very frustrated because I layed out over $5k for gear and cannot get in the channels I want. Do I need to get an outdoor antenna?? I have a DirecTV mast mast still on my roof that was left when we moved our dish to a better location. What is the best outdoor antenna? I checked with antennaweb.org and these are the channels that are listed. Notice that FOX is not listed. The "local" Fox channel is over 56 miles away and they do not offer HD. Does this mean that there is no way I can get FOX HD in any way, shape or form? I read that since I get the local FOX thru D* I cannot get a waiver for FOX HD thru D* because of some new laws??? This doesnt seem fair since I cannot get it OTA anyway...?!?!?!

Sorry for the long post. Oh, my zip code is 96002. I also live in a area in town that is notorious for poor TV and Cell reception. Kinda like a black hole area.

Bill

D* plans to start adding HD locals by mid-year. However, they'll start with the biggest markets and work their way down to you. That may take a year or two.
There is hope for you sooner, however. The FCC is working on creating a "digital white area". This is where no OTA HD service is available, and does not depend on the availability of analog satellite-delivered locals. Other threads on this forum will keep us all informed on how this is developing.
Stay tuned,
Carl

Thanks Carl,

Im looking to resolve this in the next week. Can someone point me in the right direction in terms of an outdoor antenna?? I am confused as to weather I need to make new cable runs or if I can tap into the existing DirecTV run and split it near the reciever?!?! Is this possible. I am really close to calling a local expert in to handle it even tho I usually am the DIY type. I just dont know enough about this stuff. My knowledge is in the Car Audio arena.

Also, do the clip on powered antennas work. I mean the ones that attach to the dish itself. I belive Terk makes them and I see that Terk isnt a favorable company in the Home Theater world.

Thanks for anyones help. I am desperate. Rams football looks terrible in SD. Its even worst knowing you have a Sammy DLP that give an awesome picture with HDTV sources......when you can get them!!!

Is it just me or is KRCRDT 7.1 and 7.2 down now and has been for the last couple weeks? I suddenly quit receiving it after all the snow fell. I heard they have over 10 feet of snow on top of Shasta Bally where the broadcast from so hopefully thats the problem and not something with my equipment. Anyone else in the Redding/Chico area not receiving this channel?

Yes, It's sad that the small market stations still can't justify full power or simply passing through the network HD signals. Just about every prime-time scripted show on the four major networks is now in HD.
I'll check DT34 in the morning and let you know if I see it here in Nevada City.
Unless this digital white area business becomes reality, the only hope of people in the hinterlands getting network HD anytime soon is to subscribe to either Bell ExpressVu or Star Choice. Bell offers the US networks in HD(including PBS) for $10 over and above their basic package but Star Choice includes it as part of their $28 basic collection of Canadian channels. There is nothing illegal about subscribing - you just need to provide them with a Canadian address.

WilliamPC

I live in Redding (96001) and have DirecTV. I called DirecTV to receive the NBC and CBS HD network channels and they said the local stations in Chico would not sign a waiver but I was eligible to recieve FOX. I had a choice of New York or Los Angeles for $1.50 per month. Have been getting FOX HD for over a month now.

You can use the existing DirecTV line and split it at the receiver.

KRCRDT has been down for two weeks and still is.

Can anyone in Redding receive any HD channels from Chico?

Chas

Supposedly yes, but I can't confirm it.

Chris

Thanks for the Chico info.

KRCRDT has been broadcasting HD programming on 7.1 and SD on 7.2 for over a year now.

KIXEDT does broadcast HD on 9.1 and 9.2 at times and not always the same programs as on KIXE.

Chas

I read on the tvradioworld website that your fox station there is broadcasting in hd (low power). Is that true or not?

I have to agree with you about the fox station, is not in HD. I live in Redding and it took me sometime before I could even get it, I had to try different antennas and placement, and when I did finally get it, I have seen nothing but SD TV since, not any better than the regular channel. So the only channel thats working right now is PBS KIXE, which has limited programing. Hope fully KRCR will be fixed soon. Someone at the station said it froze when we had the snow storm about a month ago, and they still have not fix it.

Lance

KRCRDT is broadcasting again as of today.

Chas

Good job, Chris. I'm assuming that you can't (or don't want to) mount the antenna on your roof. Reception from all directions will of course be better from up there.
Something to look forward to, however. All DTV stations must attempt to replicate their analog service area by a certain date. This usually means coming up to full power (1 megawatt). Most Sacramento stations are already at or near full power now. But none of the Chico-Redding channels have done so because of the cost. I'm not sure of the date, but they will be "forced to" increase power or lose exclusivity of their service area.
As far as actually transmitting HDTV, that's another matter, however. There is no timetable to force HDTV transmissions. They can run four or five channels of 480p and not incur the wrath of the FCC. Your best bet to "coax" KHSL, KNVN and KCVU to carry network HDTV programming is to make a stink on the editorial pages. Only KRCR and KIXE have taken the plunge, so get as many of your friends as you can to turn up the heat on the other three stations.
Good luck,
Carl

Hi Chris,
I've seen some RG-6 cable bundled with a multi-conductor rotator cable. So if some of the Sacrameto channels are "useable", you may want to reconsider.
Carl

Hey guys,

Recently got an HDTV in Chico and came across this discussion. Chris, just wanted to know if that DB4 antenna has been working out well for you and how your reception has been lately. Were you able to pick up the channels in Sacramento? Would like to be able to get some of the HD channels and just wondering what antenna and what source will be the best. Thanks for any info!


Isaac