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  • #46
    Re: Digital TV Over The Air

    PBS screwed up the first 1/2 hour of the 'Chicago Seven' Independent Lens program last night. It just kept repeating a 5 second audio clip instead of the actual soundtrack. Hooey! I'm sending in my membership check anyway - so I can get one of those honu towels...
    May I always be found beneath your contempt.

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    • #47
      Re: Digital TV Over The Air

      Who decided to advance the switch to all digital one month early here on Oahu and who do I call to argue against it? Last night I missed recording 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and had to watch 'Survivor' on analog due to excessive dropouts 'freezing' the picture on the digital broadcasts. The OTA program guide for channel 13.1 has returned to displaying tomorrow's programming and 5.1 still displays as RF23.1 (with no programming guide). I realize OTA viewers are a small minority, but we deserve better reliability than what we're currently getting in exchange for the free bandwidth the broadcasters enjoy.
      May I always be found beneath your contempt.

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      • #48
        Re: Digital TV Over The Air

        Mike Rosenberg @ KITV is the "coordinator" for Hawaii broadcasters.

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        • #49
          Re: Digital TV Over The Air

          Originally posted by salmoned View Post
          Who decided to advance the switch to all digital one month early here on Oahu and who do I call to argue against it? Last night I missed recording 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and had to watch 'Survivor' on analog due to excessive dropouts 'freezing' the picture on the digital broadcasts. The OTA program guide for channel 13.1 has returned to displaying tomorrow's programming and 5.1 still displays as RF23.1 (with no programming guide). I realize OTA viewers are a small minority, but we deserve better reliability than what we're currently getting in exchange for the free bandwidth the broadcasters enjoy.

          Once analog goes away, there will be some changes made that will improve reception of the DTV signals.

          KGMB has been approved to relocate it's transmitter to Palehua Ridge and will output 40kw ERP from that location versus the 15kw ERP that it currently outputs from it's Kapiolani Tower.

          KHET will return to using RF11 after the shutdown and operate with 28.7kw versus only 9.5kw it's operating at now on RF18.

          Sadly KHNL/KFVE appear to be doing as little as they can get away with to service OTA users, they aren't improving their signal after the transition and the PSIP data issue should actually be forwarded to the FCC for non-compliance.

          Comment


          • #50
            Re: Digital TV Over The Air

            Originally posted by Ninja View Post
            Sadly KHNL/KFVE appear to be doing as little as they can get away with to service OTA users, they aren't improving their signal after the transition and the PSIP data issue should actually be forwarded to the FCC for non-compliance.
            Yeah, I kinda get the big hint when they decided to use cable channel number "8" in their advertisements, instead of OTA [Honolulu] "13."

            (BTW, while I was living on Honolulu, both stations' audio sucks volume-wise on analog OTA.)

            That's great for you guys in Honolulu, but I still don't know what's going on for the neighbor island viewers (or in my case, trying to catch UHF-ranged signals from Maui to my home in Molokai). Makes me wonder why can't we the public vote whether to have OTA digital TV transition or not any more than the Honolulu residents voting for rail transit. Have the US government done studies in our own environment/terrain that OTA digital TV broadcasting is doable, or did they rolled over and make waiver to appease cable and dish services?

            Digital TV may be great but I would consider it a failure if I can't watch it with my rooftop antenna.
            Last edited by Random; October 31, 2008, 07:40 PM.
            Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

            Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

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            • #51
              Re: Digital TV Over The Air

              Does Mike Rosenberg have a number I can call to see if he or his office of TV broadcasters are doing anything about making sure the new tower's signal on Maui can reach to other county's islands like Lanai and Molokai.

              Or better yet, are they considering about installing repeating towers on those two islands in the [near] future?
              Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

              Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

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              • #52
                Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                Service Contours for DTV Stations on Maui:

                KAII-DT 7(FOX/KHON)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1273039.html

                KMEB-DT 10(PBS/KHET)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1273291.html

                KMAU-DT 12(ABC/KITV)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1272916.html

                KOGG-DT 16(NBC/KHNL)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1161050.html

                KWHM-DT 21(KWHE)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1266987.html

                KGMV-DT 24(CBS/KGMB)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1273501.html

                The maps are based on line of sight to the Ulupalakua Transmitters and using an outdoor antenna, so Molokai, Lanai and the Northern areas on the Big Island should have a good level of service from the new transmitters...but as always YMMV.

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                • #53
                  Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                  Originally posted by Ninja View Post
                  Service Contours for DTV Stations on Maui:

                  KAII-DT 7(FOX/KHON)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1273039.html

                  KMEB-DT 10(PBS/KHET)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1273291.html

                  KMAU-DT 12(ABC/KITV)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1272916.html

                  KOGG-DT 16(NBC/KHNL)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1161050.html

                  KWHM-DT 21(KWHE)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1266987.html

                  KGMV-DT 24(CBS/KGMB)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...DT1273501.html

                  The maps are based on line of sight to the Ulupalakua Transmitters and using an outdoor antenna, so Molokai, Lanai and the Northern areas on the Big Island should have a good level of service from the new transmitters...but as always YMMV.
                  Should.

                  But in the past we could never receive any UHF channels (16 and up) with clarity in Kaunakakai. If they're broadcasting OTA in the UHF range, even though the channel numbers displayed on our new DTV units (or converter boxes) would be almost the same as their VHF counterparts, how can we be sure?

                  At the risk of getting flamed, are the local TV stations (all of which located on Oahu) putting more than what the FCC mandate to offer strong, clear OTA digital TV broadcasting to all the populated islands in the State of Hawaii, or are they just going to make a barely passing grade with the FCC and focus more on providing better service to cable and dish viewers? I want them to more than just make claim. I want them to send their people to test signals on other islands that lack a signal tower or repeater.

                  Be like the Verizon Wireless commercial, only Keahi Tucker is saying "Can You See Me Now?" while the guy with the glass and heavy eyebrow walks around with a portable DTV.

                  IOW, can I -- from Molokai -- happily buy a new rooftop antenna and receive strong digital TV signals with clarity (no snow or blank screen) on January 15, 2009?
                  Last edited by Random; November 1, 2008, 11:19 AM.
                  Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

                  Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                    Originally posted by Random View Post
                    Should.

                    But in the past we could never receive any UHF channels (16 and up) with clarity in Kaunakakai. If they're broadcasting OTA in the UHF range, even though the channel numbers displayed on our new DTV units (or converter boxes) would be almost the same as their VHF counterparts, how can we be sure?
                    That's because KWHM 21 and K27DW 27(KFVE) only claim to service Wailuku(Maui), which is all they are required to service.

                    KWHM Analog 21http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...=TV186671.html

                    K27DW Analog 27(KFVE)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...=TX182841.html

                    IOW, can I -- from Molokai -- happily buy a new rooftop antenna and receive strong digital TV signals with clarity (no snow or blank screen) on January 15, 2009?
                    As long as you have a clean shot at the transmitters, no mountains, thick forest, or much taller buildings in the way, there isn't a reason you shouldn't receive the signals.
                    One last thing is the quality of the converter box you use, get one with the most sensitive tuner in it. The best of the breed seems to be the Zenith DTT900(sold also as Insignia at Best Buy) and Dish DTVPal Plus.

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                      Originally posted by Ninja View Post
                      That's because KWHM 21 and K27DW 27(KFVE) only claim to service Wailuku(Maui), which is all they are required to service.

                      KWHM Analog 21http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...=TV186671.html

                      K27DW Analog 27(KFVE)http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...=TX182841.html
                      Sighs. "Required." What a load of crap, IMHO, especially for the so-called "The Home Team" station. It's more like thumbing their noses at us, mockingly saying "Sorry, Molokai, you gotta pay to watch our OTA programming."



                      Originally posted by Ninja View Post
                      As long as you have a clean shot at the transmitters, no mountains, thick forest, or much taller buildings in the way, there isn't a reason you shouldn't receive the signals.
                      One last thing is the quality of the converter box you use, get one with the most sensitive tuner in it. The best of the breed seems to be the Zenith DTT900(sold also as Insignia at Best Buy) and Dish DTVPal Plus.
                      And if I get an DTV with ATSC tuner, how do I know they are sensitive too?

                      This Dish DTVPal Plus, is that from the Dish Network? If so, why would they offer a product for non-dish viewers, unless it means to work with their dish service?
                      Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

                      Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                        KFVE's Maui repeater is a low powered station, so it's restricted by the FCC in the amount of signal it can send out.

                        KWHM(KWHE repeater) is a non-network station.

                        In both cases, the FCC only requires them to service what the FCC calls "city of license" or COL. All the stations on Maui claim Wailuku as the COL and must provide what the FCC calls "Grade A" service to Wailuku.

                        The good news in all of this is that KWHM going digital will give it equal service to the network stations.
                        As for KFVE's repeater, they have no app for a move to Ulupalakua. Unless they somehow will continue to operate from Haleakala, it appears they are shutting that down. I don't know this for certain, but it's possible that they may just simulcast KFVE on KHNL's digital channel(similar to how CW is done on KHON digital). The DTV receiver will display KOGG as 15.1 and KFVE as 5.2, if they did it that way KFVE would also match the other stations reach.

                        If you getting a TV with an included DTV tuner, the sets with the better tuners appear to be LG, Philips, Toshiba and Vizio.

                        The DTVPal Plus is made by Dish, but does in no way uses satellite service to work.
                        http://www.dtvpal.com/

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                          Originally posted by Ninja View Post
                          As for KFVE's repeater, they have no app for a move to Ulupalakua. Unless they somehow will continue to operate from Haleakala, it appears they are shutting that down. I don't know this for certain, but it's possible that they may just simulcast KFVE on KHNL's digital channel(similar to how CW is done on KHON digital). The DTV receiver will display KOGG as 15.1 and KFVE as 5.2 15.2, if they did it that way KFVE would also match the other stations reach.
                          Would be smart of Fink to consider that move unless he don't give a crap about the sister station KFVE. Sorry, I have no confidence in Fink.

                          I thought the KFVE repeater is located somewhere else on Maui.

                          Originally posted by Ninja View Post
                          If you getting a TV with an included DTV tuner, the sets with the better tuners appear to be LG, Philips, Toshiba and Vizio.
                          Wow. Sony must suck.

                          (If anyone who work for Sony TV want to defend their TV's tuner, speak now or forever hold his peace.)
                          Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

                          Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

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                          • #58
                            Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                            Originally posted by Random View Post
                            Wow. Sony must suck.

                            (If anyone who work for Sony TV want to defend their TV's tuner, speak now or forever hold his peace.)
                            Believe it or not, Sony doesn't make TV's anymore. They stopped making tube and plasma sets in 2006. The LCD sets are actually made by Samsung, although they may switch to Sharp as the supplier in 2009.

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                            • #59
                              Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                              Originally posted by Ninja View Post
                              Believe it or not, Sony doesn't make TV's anymore. They stopped making tube and plasma sets in 2006. The LCD sets are actually made by Samsung, although they may switch to Sharp as the supplier in 2009.
                              And yet both companies mentioned above are not on your initial list.
                              Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

                              Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

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                              • #60
                                Re: Digital TV Over The Air

                                Okay, I filed my complaints with the FCC - updates to follow, if anything develops.
                                May I always be found beneath your contempt.

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