Washington, DC / Baltimore, MD - HDTV - Page 249

PRESS RELEASE

D.C. Residents Closer to Much-Deserved Cable TV Choice

Last update: 2:45 p.m. EST Dec. 16, 2008

WASHINGTON, Dec 16, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- D.C. Council Takes 'Bold Step Forward' in Approving Franchise Legislation; Verizon to Offer Its Award-Winning FiOS TV Service Throughout District Within Nine Years; First Residents Will be able to Order Service Within a Year

The Council of the District of Columbia Tuesday (Dec. 16) unanimously approved, with one abstention, legislation authorizing Verizon Washington DC to offer its all-fiber-optic FiOS TV service to District residents. As part of the 15-year cable franchise included in the legislation, Verizon will make FiOS TV available throughout the District over the next nine years. The legislation now moves to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty for his signature into law. The following response should be attributed to William R. Roberts, Verizon regional president for Maryland and Washington, D.C.:

"The D.C. Council today has taken a bold step forward for residents who deserve more choice in who provides their pay-TV service. And Verizon is eager to begin offering District residents FiOS TV, an award-winning, superior alternative to their current cable TV service, with more high-definition channels and innovative interactive features cable companies don't provide.

"In reviewing the franchise legislation, the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, under the leadership of Committee Chair Mary Cheh, received testimony from dozens of District residents who called for more cable competition. We salute the committee's thorough examination.

"We thank Mayor Fenty and his administration for their continued support throughout this process, and we urge the mayor to sign this legislation quickly so that Verizon can start bringing the many benefits of cable TV choice to District residents in 2009."

SOURCE Verizon

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewConte...4943029&EDATE=

The WNPB Engineer told me that they were transmitting at 60 watts. I thought he miss spoke and meant 60KW, that's why I noted that the value I posted was not ERP.

He and I had that conversation about designators and he did reference the FCC mandate but he doesn't like it either, because of the PSIP conflicts.

Rather than bother CycloneGT about updated channels in the first post, I've imported his chart into a Google Docs spreadsheet:

http://snurl.com/wash-balt-hdtv (sn URL)

I think I've updated VA-Cox properly, adding the appropriate channel numbers. There's also a comment in the "VA-Cox" header cell with the URL to the official Cox-Fairfax lineup.

This document is editable by anyone. If you get prompted to log in, you are probably blocking cookies from Google.

I only ask that some responsible readers update and verify the information within the spreadsheet ... noting any changes on the second worksheet ('Update History' link at the bottom). Due to my vBulletin=>csv=>GoogleDocs conversion, I am fairly certain that some data in the last three colums are "off by one."

Enjoy!

-SUO

NOTE: Some columns to the right of VA-Cox may be off a little.

One needs an account to access that page.
J

I've updated the channel numbers for RCN, and added a line for MLB Network HD, since I had the upcoming channel number for RCN.

Big J - I don't claim to be a Google Docs expert. The spreadsheet is *supposed* to be editable by anyone without an account. However, even I've been prompted to log in at times, while I haven't been prompted at other times. Same thing happens with my Blu-Ray audio chart.

Thanks for the updates, machpost. Silly question: Is is safe to say that all of the HBO/MAX/SHO channels on RCN are premium or are they included by default? I'd only want to shade them blue, if needed.

-SUO

The HBO, MAX, SHO, and TMC channels are indeed premiums. There is also a "Premium HD Suite" now, which includes HD Theater, Smithsonian HD, HDNet & Movies, MGM HD, Universal HD, and Hallmark Movies HD. I've also marked those as premium.

I haven't seen it yet but users on dbstalk are reporting that DirecTV has added MPT (Annapolis 22) in HD today for the Baltimore market.

I wish that WMPT-DT 22 (42) would increase their OTA power level! Their programming just seems to make more sense than WETA-DT.

Does anyone know if WUSA-DT will participate in CBS digital TVGOS data broadcasting? I know they are not O&O, but various OTA devices, including the new DishDVR, can make good use of the TVGOS data. This site seems to imply that Washington is/will miss out:

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

I agree. Too bad almost none of it is HD.

Here is the Station List that I'm working off to try and re-acquire the anaolg stations I'll be loosing when the digital transition happens in Feb. I thought those who live along the I-81 corridor might like to have a better understanding of what will happen.

CURRENT ATSC CHANNEL	FUTURE ATSC CHANNEL	NTSC CHANNEL (VIRTUAL)	CITY	NETWORK	CALL
39 (646)	7 (30)	7 (316)	DC	ABC	WJLA-DT
58 (907)/8 (0.3)	8 (7.5)/(0.3)	8 (110)/50 "24" (11.94)	York/Lancaster / Martinsburg	NBC / WV-PBS	WGAL-DT / W08EE-D (WNPB-DT)
34 (1000)	9 (12.6)	9 (316)	DC	CBS	WUSA-DT
10 (16.2)	10 (19.7)	27* (2140)	Harrisburg	ABC	WHTM-DT
59 (513)	11 (5)	11 (316)	Baltimore	NBC	WBAL-DT
12 (23)	12 (23)	60 (2040)	Martinsburg	iON	WWPX-DT
38 (1000)	13 (28.8)	13 (316)	Baltimore	CBS	WJZ-DT
15 (325)	15 (1000)	14 (2680)	Arlington	Univision	WFDC-DT
4 (2.3)/21 (50)	21 (450)/(100)	21 (1200) & 42 (141)	Harrisburg & Front Royal	CBS & VA PBS	WHP-DT & WVPY-DT
23 (500)	23 (500)	15 (1050)	Lancaster	CW	WLYH-DT
24 (1000)	24 (1000)	23* (708)	Altoona	ABC	WATM-DT
55 (.9)	26 (575)	25 (1350)	Hagerstown	NBC	WHAG-DT
27 (90)	27 (90)	26 (2290)	DC	PBS	WETA-DT
28 (30)	28 (41.2)	62 (3160)	Frederick	PBS	WFPT-DT
29 (14)	29 (1000)	8 (166)	Johnstown	FOX	WWCP-DT
30 (500)	30 (500)	49 (646)	Red Lion	Independent	WGCB-DT
32 (883)	32 (883)	10 (231)	Altoona	CBS	WTAJ-DT
33 (100)	33 (1000)	32* (5000)	DC	Howard Univ.	WHUT-DT
34 (1000)/(110)	34 (1000)/(1000)	6 (70.8) & 43 (350)	Johnstown & Manassas	NBC & iON	WJAC-DT & WPXW-DT
35 (500)	35 (950)	20 (3980)	DC	MyNetwork	WDCA-DT
36 (1000)/(50)	36 (1000)/(140)	5 (100) & 33 (1100)	DC & Harrisburg	FOX & PBS	WTTG-DT & WITF-DT
37	37	37	Everywhere	Not Used	N/A
52 (602)	38 (1000)	2 (100)	Baltimore	ABC	WMAR-DT
39 (34)	39 (105)	68 (3890)	Chambersburg/Hagerstown	Entravision	WJAL-DT
40 (845)	40 (845)	54 (5000)	Baltimore	CW	WNUV-DT
41 (200)	41 (290)	24 (1170)	Baltimore	MyNetwork	WUTB-DT
44 (209)	44 (1000)	31 (4070)	Hagerstown	MPT PBS	WWPB-DT
46 (550)	46 (550)	45 (1290)	Baltimore	FOX	WBFF-DT
47 (933)	47 (933)	43 (2140)	York/Lancaster	FOX	WPMT-DT
48 (813)	48 (813)	4 (100)	DC	NBC	WRC-DT
51 (125)	50 (1000)	50 (4168)	DC	CW	WDCW-DT
-	51 (15)	51 (64)	Chambersburg	CW	W51CY (WDCW-LD)

() = Power Level in KW ERP
Blue = Two stations on the same Frequency
Purple = Frequncy Change June 12th 2009
Orange = Power Increase

NOTE (1): Frequency changes will also include Power Level changes.

NOTE (2): The list is sorted by the real channel numbers for June 12th, 2009.

Has anyone with FIOS Internet had their speed increased? I noticed that FIOS lowest tier Internet is now 10/2 yet my connection is still 5/2.

Last time I checked, my 5/2 was still 5/2. Someone said that you had to call them up to get them to bump it up. I haven't done it since I fear that they'll mis-hear me and upgrade me to the $10 more a month package.

Pretty slick. Good use of Google Docs too.

I edited it. It has some of the Fox Cable channels listed for Dish. They aren't there yet. Wish they were.

WUSA-DT started transmitting digital TVGOS data on October 1, confirmed via email discussions I had with a WUSA engineer. I'm now getting it on my Sony DVR via local Comcast cable card mapped to QAM channel 212 (WUSA-HD). However, can't say how well it can be picked up OTA on 9.1; that could be somewhat dependent on which version TVGOS firmware you have (my Sony has V8) and, of course, your antenna setup.

WRC just showed an HD car commercial during the local news.

WMAR, WBAL, WJZ, and WBFF all passed the DTV test on Comcast today at 5:45.

dspadoni & GeraldC,

A group of us with LG-3410A DVR's are awaiting the OTA transmission of Version 7 data on the HD channels.

I got an e-mail response, after asking WUSA about the TVGOS v7 data. The engineering staff indicated that they are receiving a TVGOS stream, and were unsure of which versions of TVGOS data is in it. Here is the answer:


We asked TV Guide this very question and they responded back that as of now, they are not sending version 7 on the HD feeds. They are on the Analog feeds but we only carry the TV Guide Data on HD here.

The next release is being bench tested and they hope to implement early in Q1 2009.

Best Regards, Richard

Richard Gorbutt
Manager of Technology


We hope that the v7 data in the VBI will be available either through the DVR itself or by using the Dish DTVPal converter box. Thus far, information is very limited.

I have the same situation with Hallmark and Planet Green. Not that I'm dying to see the Hallmark HD channel, but looking at cox.com it would appear that both of these channels should be on the regular HD tier, and that we should be receiving them. Anybody else have any ideas?

One other note. My Tivo informed me that Cox also added the new MLB channel (SD only, for now) on channel 261. There again, I don't get the channel, probably because it's part of the special sports tier that I don't currently pay for (I believe it's $5 a month). Once they add the HD channel I think I'll probably upgrade, though...

D* added MPT HD in Baltimore today.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6623771.html

Good job putting all that info together! However, you need to be careful in some of the post-transition power levels you have in the table. Some of the stations have filed maximized power applications which have not yet been granted or denied: WWPB-DT, WMPT-DT, WVPY-DT, WPXW-DT, WDCA-DT, WUTB-DT, WHUT-DT, WDCW-DT, and others. If you are using the FCC database listings, "APP" means application which the FCC has not acted on yet. The "CP" and "CP Mod" are construction permits granted by the FCC, so the station is authorized to operate at or go to that allotment. For the maximize filings, that means after midnight, Feb. 17. "LIC" = Licensed operation.

BTW, WBFF-DT is operating at 550 kW, not the 46 kW shown in the table. WBFF-DT's database entry needs to be cleaned up.

If you update the table, in the post-transition column, you might want to list authorized post-transition power and what the station has asked for in a (xxx|yyy) format. For WMPT-DT, that would be (150|516). The FCC may grant more maximize filings tomorrow, but at this close to the transition, wouldn't count on the station being ready to operate at the increased power on Feb. 18.

BTW, for those who have a hard time getting WMPT-DT 22, the maximize power filings were granted for WFPT-DT 62 (28) in Frederick from 30 to 41.2 kW and WMPB-DT 67 (29) in Baltimore from 14 to 42.6 kW. So you might be able to get MPT from those stations when they increase power if you can't get WMPT-DT itself.

The VHF power levels seem much lower. Was that the deciding factor for WJLA and WUSA to switch back to their VHF frequency?
That would be a big savings on their electric bill.

I can see why Nielsen moved the February sweeps to March. There will probably be a fair amount of people that have problems with channels moving from UHF to VHF, not to mention the other issues people will have with the digital switch.

Really? No kidding?

The Baseball Network is now in MoCo on 280. It's a preview of the 1/1 launch.

MLB Network (SD) added on Comcast in Baltimore City.

It's coming. Apparently it's being tested on Cablevision in NYC right now: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post15294488

Looks pretty nice, judging from the video clip in that thread.

It does look nice. We have it on FIOS. I get more use from The Weather Channel HD than from any of the ESPN channels.

I would guess that is correct reasoning in general. But there can be other factors to consider. See here and here for some of the details. Also, while channels 7 and 9 will be fine, reusing lower VHF channels can be more problemmatic. The lowest freqs (chan 2-3) are subject to impulse noise interference, and the mid lows (4-6) can be affected significantly by spurious emissions from home computers, routers, etc.

You are correct! I listed the higher amount, knowing that that was a power level that could be their maximum, if their application was approved.

According to the FCC database, the 550KW is only a DT CP. They have a DS STA license of 35 (341 meters) & 46.6KW's (372.8 meters). I wonder if they'll ever remove the current NTSC antenna (386 meters) and move the ATSC antenna 13 meters higher.

Thanks for the feedback. I like that idea.