It may be way to early to get our hopes up, but someone sent me the article. (My apologies if its been mentioned in another thread)
Star Ledger Article
Star Ledger Article
HDTV News for NYC Metro area
-
Now Available: Tech Talk Podcast with Scott Wilkinson, Episode 19 Click here for details.
- Status
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
Joined
·
7,658 Posts
wow that's interesting. one thought though...while the article says the tower would take up to 2 years to build (i believe at least that and probably longer) it'll likely take as long (or longer!) to get all the approvals to build it. the epa will have a field day with it, not to mention the port authority and natc...
that said, here's hoping!
tm
that said, here's hoping!
tm
I think a lot will depend on how the tower is presented. Even though it'll be in Liberty Park, NJ, it will still be part of the NY "skyline."
There are a lot of disagreements on how the WTC space should be used. From what I've read, the prospect of another very tall building is unlikely.
A 2000-ft tower would help restore some panache to NYC.
Let's hope it's presented in the right spirit!
Rick
There are a lot of disagreements on how the WTC space should be used. From what I've read, the prospect of another very tall building is unlikely.
A 2000-ft tower would help restore some panache to NYC.
Let's hope it's presented in the right spirit!
Rick
2Y to build + 1Y to get permits,approvals,grease up notoriously corrupt officials (NJ in general, that part of NJ _especially).
They (TV ppl) did have a chance to ride the wave of patriotism in first 2 months after the attack.
Truly good new would've been at least a definite answer on ETA of OTA DTV from ESB
Any developments there ? I want my HD ABC back
They (TV ppl) did have a chance to ride the wave of patriotism in first 2 months after the attack.
Truly good new would've been at least a definite answer on ETA of OTA DTV from ESB
Any developments there ? I want my HD ABC back
Joined
·
4,298 Posts
From the NY Daily News:
Mike's Not Receptive To Antenna Plan
I also agree with Rashid. Anything near two years for resumption of DTV operations is totally unacceptable. They better set up something temporary at Empire while they work on the permanent tower.
Mike's Not Receptive To Antenna Plan
I also agree with Rashid. Anything near two years for resumption of DTV operations is totally unacceptable. They better set up something temporary at Empire while they work on the permanent tower.
I'm suspicious of the politicians' foot dragging on this one. Concerns about 'radiation' from the tower? That didn't seem to bother the City government when Nextel put a cell antenna 100 feet away from my kid's window here on the upper east side.
Do you think that Mike Bloomberg's and Sheldon Silver's concerns about the tower have anything to do with the fact that the missing over the air transmitters are driving scores of viewers onto cable TV - which is taxed by our city government?
The city will get enthusiastic about putting up a new TV tower about the same time as they put a sign on the Bruckner expressway helpfully informing motorists that the Third Avenue bridge is shortcut around the toll on the Triboro.
That is why the tower will be built in Jersey City.
Do you think that Mike Bloomberg's and Sheldon Silver's concerns about the tower have anything to do with the fact that the missing over the air transmitters are driving scores of viewers onto cable TV - which is taxed by our city government?
The city will get enthusiastic about putting up a new TV tower about the same time as they put a sign on the Bruckner expressway helpfully informing motorists that the Third Avenue bridge is shortcut around the toll on the Triboro.
That is why the tower will be built in Jersey City.
I'd love to see something like this go up but I have to doubt that it will be allowed. I too would find it tragic to have to wait 2-3 years for restoration of what terrorism took away from us. Seems to me that it should be possible to at least get ABC and NBC back before that. Perhaps they can come up with a short term solution while they work out the best long term one. I guess I'll just have to keep dreaming....
-Greg
-Greg
Bloomberg's knee-jerk comments about "radiation" are typical of businessmen or bureaucrats who don't understand the science involved. They are, after all, businessmen who rely (or should rely) on qualified advisers before making real decisions. I'm sure his initial reaction is that of a businessman.
The concentration of all of the broadcasters at one site is probably offset by the additional height of the structure. The higher it is the LOWER the power needed (or allowed.) While I wouldn't put blind faith in the guidelines for radiation level limits, there are standards in place to measure against.
Personally, I think Governor's Island is the best place mentioned so far. It's close enough to the original location to make interference calculations similar, and it is in a relatively unpopulated location (New York Harbor.)
The concentration of all of the broadcasters at one site is probably offset by the additional height of the structure. The higher it is the LOWER the power needed (or allowed.) While I wouldn't put blind faith in the guidelines for radiation level limits, there are standards in place to measure against.
Personally, I think Governor's Island is the best place mentioned so far. It's close enough to the original location to make interference calculations similar, and it is in a relatively unpopulated location (New York Harbor.)
Quote:
How could there be concerns about 'radiation' on Governors Island when it is replacing a tower that was in the middle of the World Trade Center!!! Why were there no 'concerns' about radiation then. Wouldn't the 'radiation' from the original tower be harmful to the million people who worked & lived in the area.
Also, it is an absolute no-brainer that NYC needs to replace a landmark/tourist attraction. Now I would like someone to give me a real reason what a tower of this magnitude should not be built.
Joe
| Originally posted by hphase Bloomberg's knee-jerk comments about "radiation" are typical of businessmen or bureaucrats who don't understand the science involved. |
Also, it is an absolute no-brainer that NYC needs to replace a landmark/tourist attraction. Now I would like someone to give me a real reason what a tower of this magnitude should not be built.
Joe
A while back Gary Merson reported that WABC and WPIX would be sharing the digital antenna with WCBS-DT in NY on the Empire State Building. He also said he may have more information after the NAB meeting. Gary, has there been any news or information on this ? We have not heard anything lately. Any information would be appreciated.
Scott G.
Scott G.
Joined
·
4,298 Posts
That report has been disavowed by the heads of engineering of both WPIX and WABC, and characterized as "inaccurate". I was told by them that the combiner was to be (and in fact it already is being) used for the analog transmissions. There is NO timetable for resumption of DTV operations and all NYC stations must work to that end under the umbrella of the MTVA (Metropolitan Television Alliance), created after 9/11 for that purpose. You can read the details on this thread and this thread .
Another article reports that the MTVA is leaning towards a simpler tower than the one everyone is talking about:
Tower plan may not hold up
I really don't care what they do as long as they choose the fastest option. Two years, or even one year, is unacceptable.
Another article reports that the MTVA is leaning towards a simpler tower than the one everyone is talking about:
Tower plan may not hold up
I really don't care what they do as long as they choose the fastest option. Two years, or even one year, is unacceptable.
Joined
·
516 Posts
I recall hearing mention NYC Broadcasters would prefer separated and redundant sites.
Do you think they'll build the guyed tower first because it's faster and then eventually the self-supporter/restaurant?
Or, will they build only one and keep Empire as the redundant location?
Do you think they'll build the guyed tower first because it's faster and then eventually the self-supporter/restaurant?
Or, will they build only one and keep Empire as the redundant location?
Having Empire and another big stick would be redundant sites. But remember, even after the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center, NO TV Broacaster decided to set up a standby site. Only WCBS had a backup site, then and now, on Empire. "Too expensive" they said.
And don't count out more network DTV from Empire.
And don't count out more network DTV from Empire.
Joined
·
809 Posts
I based what I wrote (and write) on numerous (high level) industry sources. Engineers are not company spokespersons and may not be in a position to fully discuss an issue.
There are really three things going on at once. 1) All the NYC stations that are not operating at full (analog) power. Restoring power to full output is their top priority. 2) Digital restoration 3) Long term planning for 2 new broadcast towers.
With that said here is what is happening.
The electrical work for digital restoration at ESB is complete. Space has been made available for a digital signal combiner and new (digital) transmitters.
Negotiations are continuing between CBS and the (currently) off-the-air digital stations. These negotiations are to be concluded soon.
I am happy to report that WNBC-DT has changed their position. A NBC network executive told me at the NAB convention that they are now in discussions with CBS for inclusion in the digital combiner project
Assuming the negotiations are successful, the combiner will then be ordered along with new digital transmitters. Until the stations that are going "on board" are "on board" the combiner can not be ordered since the combiner manufacturer needs to know the final requirements.
The combiner and transmitters could be built quickly and arrive by August (according to a supplier) . If no other problems arise we can hope for restoration of terrestrial digital transmissions in September, just in time for the 2002-2003 season (or shortly thereafter).
Considering the NY market is the biggest in the nation, FCC Chairman Powell's new initiative for the DTV transition and the networks' announcements of more HDTV prime time programming in the fall, I am still optimistic that the NYC stations can and will work together to bring the combiner project to a successful conclusion .
If they do not, there is no alternative on the table other than waiting years for a new tower locations to be approved, constructed and put into operation.
I will stay on top of the situation and report again once all the negotiations are completed .
There are really three things going on at once. 1) All the NYC stations that are not operating at full (analog) power. Restoring power to full output is their top priority. 2) Digital restoration 3) Long term planning for 2 new broadcast towers.
With that said here is what is happening.
The electrical work for digital restoration at ESB is complete. Space has been made available for a digital signal combiner and new (digital) transmitters.
Negotiations are continuing between CBS and the (currently) off-the-air digital stations. These negotiations are to be concluded soon.
I am happy to report that WNBC-DT has changed their position. A NBC network executive told me at the NAB convention that they are now in discussions with CBS for inclusion in the digital combiner project
Assuming the negotiations are successful, the combiner will then be ordered along with new digital transmitters. Until the stations that are going "on board" are "on board" the combiner can not be ordered since the combiner manufacturer needs to know the final requirements.
The combiner and transmitters could be built quickly and arrive by August (according to a supplier) . If no other problems arise we can hope for restoration of terrestrial digital transmissions in September, just in time for the 2002-2003 season (or shortly thereafter).
Considering the NY market is the biggest in the nation, FCC Chairman Powell's new initiative for the DTV transition and the networks' announcements of more HDTV prime time programming in the fall, I am still optimistic that the NYC stations can and will work together to bring the combiner project to a successful conclusion .
If they do not, there is no alternative on the table other than waiting years for a new tower locations to be approved, constructed and put into operation.
I will stay on top of the situation and report again once all the negotiations are completed .
On the cable front, there is an unconfirmed report that Bob Watson's assistant said that Fox, ABC and WNET will be coming to TWC HD "in a few weeks". This info is from oiqbal on the Yahoo! group HDTV-in-NYC.
This info is "unconfirmed" and I do not have any 1st hand info. Any confirmation of what TWC has planned or other information?
-Brett
This info is "unconfirmed" and I do not have any 1st hand info. Any confirmation of what TWC has planned or other information?
-Brett
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
- Status
Join the discussion
