I thought there was a problem with my local affiliate. I was not receiving their broadcast from the digital television tower (so I thought).
One thing I forgot was that sometimes, when things go wrong, it is like a personal computer. You have to reboot it.
On a high definition TV, the way to do that is to turn it off (and actually unplug it), then plug it back in and go through the process of letting the TV find all of the available channels.
It worked. Channel 8.1 and 8.2 (my ABC affiliate in Portland, ME, WMTW) came back to life and was again available for my viewing pleasure.
Now this process is not one that most are used to when dealing with televisions. Computers, yes, but televisions, not so much.
So don't forget. When you run into trouble, sometimes you just have to start from the beginning and take a fresh approach.
I believe this same idea applies to life in general.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Using An Antenna to get High Definition is very frustrating
Well it was just yesterday that I was patting myself on the back. After months of trial and error, emphasis on error, I had finally found one spot, just one exact, specific location in my apartment, where I could place my VHF/UHF antenna and receive every possible channel available to me. That means all the High Definition channels available as well as other just plain digital channels and some much farther away from me than I ever thought I would be able to reach.
So this morning I get up and proudly turn on my HDTV. With a huge sigh, I noticed that my ABC channels (8.1 and 8.2) were not coming in. I checked the signal and it was down to zero. My CW channel was also not coming in.
The only thing that I could conceive of that would explain this? Sabotage!! No I'm just kidding. I actually believe that based on my experience, it has something to do with the time of day. I am no radio wave expert but I think that television signals can be affected by the curvature of the earth, the angle of the sun, and location of the moon, all of those celestial things that cable is not affected by simply because the receiving devices used for cable are so incredible powerful that they are not affected by such trivial matters.
So I will wait again, tonight. I will try not to fiddle around with my antenna all day thinking I must have gotten the position wrong, or maybe my antenna shifted without me realize it. But I don't want to waste my afternoon doing that. It's Sunday afternoon and there is nothing on TV anyway. I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) on whether or not the time of day makes a difference in the channels I am able to receive.
So this morning I get up and proudly turn on my HDTV. With a huge sigh, I noticed that my ABC channels (8.1 and 8.2) were not coming in. I checked the signal and it was down to zero. My CW channel was also not coming in.
The only thing that I could conceive of that would explain this? Sabotage!! No I'm just kidding. I actually believe that based on my experience, it has something to do with the time of day. I am no radio wave expert but I think that television signals can be affected by the curvature of the earth, the angle of the sun, and location of the moon, all of those celestial things that cable is not affected by simply because the receiving devices used for cable are so incredible powerful that they are not affected by such trivial matters.
So I will wait again, tonight. I will try not to fiddle around with my antenna all day thinking I must have gotten the position wrong, or maybe my antenna shifted without me realize it. But I don't want to waste my afternoon doing that. It's Sunday afternoon and there is nothing on TV anyway. I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) on whether or not the time of day makes a difference in the channels I am able to receive.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Don't be afraid to use an Antenna to get HDTV - I FINALLY DID IT! - and you can too
I must admit, without cable, it's been hell. But that's just the way things are right now. I bought a VHF/UHF antenna a long time ago and, with a little practice at the time I bought it, I was able to get all of my local network affiliates in High Definition (with the exception of FOX because they don't do HD in all parts of Maine yet).
This all started because I have always been disappointed with Maine Public Television. That's PBS in Maine known as MPBN, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Since I live in the Southwest corner of Maine only a few miles from the New Hampshire border, my cable system carries not just Maine stations, but New Hampshire PBS and several network stations from Boston. So I was used to more viewing options when I had cable.
New Hampshire Public Television is first rate. They have leveraged HDTV technology for quite some time now. They broadcast not only the local New Hampshire PBS feed on a digital sub-channel, but the national PBS feed on the first sub-channel. The also record and playback lots of HD programming. In Maine, not even close. MPBN has made lots of improvements in the past year but they are nowhere near where NHPTV is with technology. So one day, I started playing with my antenna, and using Wikipedia to find the exact digital UHF broadcasting numbers, moved my antenna all around the room, adding extensions to it, etc, until I finally was able to locate NHPTV with just my antenna and my HDTV. It was a lot of work, believe me. I stood on my head, tried aluminum foil, twisted it, turned it upside down, stood on one foot, you get the picture. But I did finally get NHPTV. So now, on those night where I can't sleep, I can watch PBS in High Definition all night.
Then, in my research, I realized that there was also this other network called "ION" which I never heard of because my cable system never carried it. ION is a throwback to the old PAX network and while they still do have some religious type programming, they carry things like "48 Hours", that CBS magazine show, The Drew Carry Show, Mama's Family, and all kinds of stuff that you may not care that much about, but when you don't have cable it comes in handy. ION actually broadcasts nothing in High Definition but instead carries 4 separate sub-channels in 480i.
The problem was, when I moved the antenna to get NHPTV I couldn't get ABC or the CW. Or when I could get ION, with the antenna in the right position, I couldn't get CBS. It was starting to really work my nerves. I could only work on it for an hour or so at a time, and then I just would have to stop and go back to my original configuration and antenna position founded in the early days of my HDTV/Antenna discoveries.
Today, it finally happened. I found the exact right position. I can now get NBC, NBC Weather, ABC, ABC 24 Hour News, CBS, Maine PBS, 4 separate ION stations, the CW, MyNetwork, and regular analog FOX all with just my antenna and my HDTV.
Mind you, my antenna is sitting on the back of my couch in a precarious position but I don't get a lot of company. The point is, I DID IT!!!!. Living in a valley, in an apartment, in the middle of nowhere in a little corner in Maine, that is quite a feat. I don't know what I am going to do to pass the time now. And what happens when some day I decide to get cable or satellite TV which takes no effort or ingenuity at all. Oh, well.
This all started because I have always been disappointed with Maine Public Television. That's PBS in Maine known as MPBN, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Since I live in the Southwest corner of Maine only a few miles from the New Hampshire border, my cable system carries not just Maine stations, but New Hampshire PBS and several network stations from Boston. So I was used to more viewing options when I had cable.
New Hampshire Public Television is first rate. They have leveraged HDTV technology for quite some time now. They broadcast not only the local New Hampshire PBS feed on a digital sub-channel, but the national PBS feed on the first sub-channel. The also record and playback lots of HD programming. In Maine, not even close. MPBN has made lots of improvements in the past year but they are nowhere near where NHPTV is with technology. So one day, I started playing with my antenna, and using Wikipedia to find the exact digital UHF broadcasting numbers, moved my antenna all around the room, adding extensions to it, etc, until I finally was able to locate NHPTV with just my antenna and my HDTV. It was a lot of work, believe me. I stood on my head, tried aluminum foil, twisted it, turned it upside down, stood on one foot, you get the picture. But I did finally get NHPTV. So now, on those night where I can't sleep, I can watch PBS in High Definition all night.
Then, in my research, I realized that there was also this other network called "ION" which I never heard of because my cable system never carried it. ION is a throwback to the old PAX network and while they still do have some religious type programming, they carry things like "48 Hours", that CBS magazine show, The Drew Carry Show, Mama's Family, and all kinds of stuff that you may not care that much about, but when you don't have cable it comes in handy. ION actually broadcasts nothing in High Definition but instead carries 4 separate sub-channels in 480i.
The problem was, when I moved the antenna to get NHPTV I couldn't get ABC or the CW. Or when I could get ION, with the antenna in the right position, I couldn't get CBS. It was starting to really work my nerves. I could only work on it for an hour or so at a time, and then I just would have to stop and go back to my original configuration and antenna position founded in the early days of my HDTV/Antenna discoveries.
Today, it finally happened. I found the exact right position. I can now get NBC, NBC Weather, ABC, ABC 24 Hour News, CBS, Maine PBS, 4 separate ION stations, the CW, MyNetwork, and regular analog FOX all with just my antenna and my HDTV.
Mind you, my antenna is sitting on the back of my couch in a precarious position but I don't get a lot of company. The point is, I DID IT!!!!. Living in a valley, in an apartment, in the middle of nowhere in a little corner in Maine, that is quite a feat. I don't know what I am going to do to pass the time now. And what happens when some day I decide to get cable or satellite TV which takes no effort or ingenuity at all. Oh, well.
Monday, February 18, 2008
WPME and WPXT get new High Definition equipment
In Portland, the MyNetwork and CW network channels, WPME and WPME respectively, recently purchased new equipment that will help them advance into the next phases of high definition broadcasting.
From Doug Finck, General Manager WPXT-TV (The CW), Station Manager WPME-TV (MyTV)
I still have to call the other Portland affiliates on a regular basis to ask them to "flip the switch" so that HD programming from the networks in prime time is actually broadcast to me in high definition. It is that simple. The satellite feed comes to the affiliate who turn around and broadcasts it from their tower to you. If they forget to "flip the switch" the program will only come to in in standard definition. This happens quite often so I call the offending station to let them know that they are not broadcasting in HD. I've written about it several times on this site so I won't go into it here. Feel free to search this site for more info.
Congratulations to Doug, and his team at WPME and WPXT. Cutting edge technology comes with its pitfalls and learning curves but I'm sure they can handle it. I look forward to seeing how they put this new equipment to use.
From Doug Finck, General Manager WPXT-TV (The CW), Station Manager WPME-TV (MyTV)
"We recently purchased two new pieces of equipment. One is a digital receiver that allows us to receive satellite signals that are being transmitted in digital and HD. The second box converts the signal from 720 to 1080 or from 1080 to 720. We have to have that converter box because we have two different transmissions systems here. WPME operates in 720P…because the My Network Television system uses that as their standard (they are a Fox Network and 720P is the official format of Fox channels). Our other station, WPXT operates in 1080i…because The CW uses that as their standard (they are owned by CBS and Warner Bros., and 1080i is the official format of CBS networks). So we have the ability to receive a signal in one format, convert to the other and broadcast it live. This equipment was purchased in order to pass through HD signals from the ACC sports network (we are carrying about 40 basketball games…12 of which will be in HD this spring, and about 20 football games…many of which are supposed to be in HD starting this fall)."This is great news. With these developments, WPME and WPXT will be in first place in terms of HD technology in the Portland, Maine TV market. They have also purchased equipment and services that will allow them to record and playback HD programming. This is a major step considering nobody else in the Portland market (with the possible exception of Maine PBS) can do this and must rely on a satellite feed from their network (e.g. ABC, NBC, CBS) for direct relay broadcasting (meaning they can only broadcast to you High Definition programming that is coming through from the network in that format AT THAT EXACT TIME). They can't record it and play it back later.
I still have to call the other Portland affiliates on a regular basis to ask them to "flip the switch" so that HD programming from the networks in prime time is actually broadcast to me in high definition. It is that simple. The satellite feed comes to the affiliate who turn around and broadcasts it from their tower to you. If they forget to "flip the switch" the program will only come to in in standard definition. This happens quite often so I call the offending station to let them know that they are not broadcasting in HD. I've written about it several times on this site so I won't go into it here. Feel free to search this site for more info.
Congratulations to Doug, and his team at WPME and WPXT. Cutting edge technology comes with its pitfalls and learning curves but I'm sure they can handle it. I look forward to seeing how they put this new equipment to use.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Suzanne Goucher urges consumers to buy a High Definition TV, Why?
I saw Suzanne Goucher, President and CEO of the Maine Association of Broadcasters, on WCSH 6 during the 6:00pm newscast on Sunday, February 17.
She said the while there are ways that consumers can buy just a digital TV or get a converter box and keep their analog TV, the best choice really is to go out an buy an HDTV because the prices were so reasonable now, and the resolution was so good on a High Def TV, you can "see the little hairs on Tom Brady's adorable little chin".
You're kidding me, right? This is what the president of the Maine Association of Broadcasters uses as a reasonable argument for purchasing a high definition television. High Definition is a subset of digital television. HDTV is in a wide-screen (16:9 ratio as opposed to 4:3) format, and has much better sound quality.
The reality is that yes, HDTVs are cheaper than they were. But the investment to the consumer is still several hundred dollars. The "affordable" HDTVs that you can get at Wal-Mart are inferior in quality; for example at my local Wal-Mart I could not find ONE HDTV that could handle resolutions higher than 720p. Most broadcast networks are providing programming in 1080i.
Further, with the possible exception of PBS in Maine, not one local broadcaster can record HDTV programs from their respective networks and play them back in HDTV.
Let me state it more clearly. A network like ABC sends a feed of a high definition broadcast, live, up to a satellite, at which time, the local station (in our case WMTW) can send that same feed out to the public. They can't record it and play it back later, if they don't send it out in HD format them, they never will. That doesn't even mean that they have to, they have the option to.
Also, not one Maine television station has the ability to broadcast its own local news in High Definition. Now keep in mind that the "rule" is that as of 2/17/09, the FCC has mandated that all broadcast television must be in Digital format. Digital format is a clearer, crisper format than the old analog style TV but just because something is in Digital does not mean it is in High Definition. The rule does not apply to cable channels (or satellite channels if you have something like Dish network or Direct TV). Only broadcast television. That means ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, MyNetowk, and the CW.
While I agree that if you are going to buy a new TV you should buy an HDTV. But don't buy one thinking that now, or even as of 2/17/09, every TV broadcast will be in high definition. The TV broadcasting industry is simply changing from analog to digital. You TV will either be OK, or not, depending on how you get your signal; either via cable, satellite, or over the air.
High Definition is the next logical thing you need to think about. However, other than the national morning new shows (Today Show, GMA), one soap opera, SOME prime time network shows between 8pm and 11pm, The Tonight Show, Letterman, and Conan, that's it. The broadcast network and all other programming coming from your local TV stations is NOT in high definition. So if you like watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond, you're out of luck. The local TV station will stretch the picture out, or you can do it yourself with your shiny new HDTV, but Raymond was never produced in HD and will never be in HD.
There are several cable stations that are supposedly in HD. Many of them have the same problem I describe above in that most of the shows aren't produced in HD so they obviously can't show them in HD; they can just stretch out the picture to fit the 16:9 ration of your HDTV. Some of these same channels do have real High Definition programming.
So there is a lot of misinformation out there. You need to be careful and ask some questions before you buy anything else you will be very disappointed.
In my humble opinion Suzanne Goucher should be spending her time convincing the local Maine television stations to invest in high definition equipment so they can broadcast their local programming in HD, to invest in equipment that will allow them to play back network television shows that were originally in HD, in HD at a later time, and all of the other things they need to do in order to be considered up to date with current technology. This seems like a better use of time than convincing consumers to spend money to see Tom Brady's scruff, only to find out they may never see it.
You're kidding me, right? This is what the president of the Maine Association of Broadcasters uses as a reasonable argument for purchasing a high definition television. High Definition is a subset of digital television. HDTV is in a wide-screen (16:9 ratio as opposed to 4:3) format, and has much better sound quality.
The reality is that yes, HDTVs are cheaper than they were. But the investment to the consumer is still several hundred dollars. The "affordable" HDTVs that you can get at Wal-Mart are inferior in quality; for example at my local Wal-Mart I could not find ONE HDTV that could handle resolutions higher than 720p. Most broadcast networks are providing programming in 1080i.
Further, with the possible exception of PBS in Maine, not one local broadcaster can record HDTV programs from their respective networks and play them back in HDTV.
Let me state it more clearly. A network like ABC sends a feed of a high definition broadcast, live, up to a satellite, at which time, the local station (in our case WMTW) can send that same feed out to the public. They can't record it and play it back later, if they don't send it out in HD format them, they never will. That doesn't even mean that they have to, they have the option to.
Also, not one Maine television station has the ability to broadcast its own local news in High Definition. Now keep in mind that the "rule" is that as of 2/17/09, the FCC has mandated that all broadcast television must be in Digital format. Digital format is a clearer, crisper format than the old analog style TV but just because something is in Digital does not mean it is in High Definition. The rule does not apply to cable channels (or satellite channels if you have something like Dish network or Direct TV). Only broadcast television. That means ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, MyNetowk, and the CW.
While I agree that if you are going to buy a new TV you should buy an HDTV. But don't buy one thinking that now, or even as of 2/17/09, every TV broadcast will be in high definition. The TV broadcasting industry is simply changing from analog to digital. You TV will either be OK, or not, depending on how you get your signal; either via cable, satellite, or over the air.
High Definition is the next logical thing you need to think about. However, other than the national morning new shows (Today Show, GMA), one soap opera, SOME prime time network shows between 8pm and 11pm, The Tonight Show, Letterman, and Conan, that's it. The broadcast network and all other programming coming from your local TV stations is NOT in high definition. So if you like watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond, you're out of luck. The local TV station will stretch the picture out, or you can do it yourself with your shiny new HDTV, but Raymond was never produced in HD and will never be in HD.
There are several cable stations that are supposedly in HD. Many of them have the same problem I describe above in that most of the shows aren't produced in HD so they obviously can't show them in HD; they can just stretch out the picture to fit the 16:9 ration of your HDTV. Some of these same channels do have real High Definition programming.
So there is a lot of misinformation out there. You need to be careful and ask some questions before you buy anything else you will be very disappointed.
In my humble opinion Suzanne Goucher should be spending her time convincing the local Maine television stations to invest in high definition equipment so they can broadcast their local programming in HD, to invest in equipment that will allow them to play back network television shows that were originally in HD, in HD at a later time, and all of the other things they need to do in order to be considered up to date with current technology. This seems like a better use of time than convincing consumers to spend money to see Tom Brady's scruff, only to find out they may never see it.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
You won't see your shows in High Definition if there are storm related cancellations
It has been a very long winter here in Maine. It started in early December and it has snowed about every 3 days since then. And the storms haven't been little ones. Typically, we've gotten at least 6 inches or more each and every time it snows.
As a result, the storm cancellations are broadcasted across the crawl on the bottom of the screen. Everything from Bingo at the church, to Meals on Wheels, to schools, to tap dance class gets cancelled. The cancellations go on forever. And they often start in the evening on the day BEFORE the storm is scheduled to arrive.
Every time a television station broadcasts this information, they can't do it in high definition because they don't have the high definition equipment to do it. The same is true for station identification logos (required by the FCC about once an hour or so, or on Tuesday and Saturday evenings when they display the lottery numbers. Any of this type of "interruption" in the normal broadcast picture results in your local television station backing out of high definition (which happens with a jolt to the screen picture) and then back to HD (if they remember to flip the switch again). There have been times when I have had to call the local TV station and tell them that they forgot to put the broadcast back into high definition after a broadcast interruption. There is nothing I can do about the cancellation crawl because that goes on for hours, even days.
In Boston, they have one channel (WCVB - ABC Channel 5) that is in HD all the time. They have the right equipment to broadcast locally in high definition so these issues don't affect them.
As for when our local TV stations in Maine have the same capabilities so that the viewer is not affected by broadcast interruptions, from what I can tell and from the information I have been able to get, there are not plan in the near future for our local TV stations to upgrade their equipment. I think this is a travesty.
Why is it that our PBS stations, in both Maine and New Hampshire, have better High Definition technology than the “for profit” TV stations in our area? PBS depends on public funds and donations. They aren’t exactly rich. But somehow they have put their priorities in order by investing in the future. Never mind that, they invested in the present.
In my opinion, Jeers to all Portland TV stations who can’t seem to set their HD priorities correctly. In one week, it will be one year from the date that all broadcast television must be in digital format. That doesn’t mean everything will be in High Definition, just digital. But you need digital to get to High Definition.
It just doesn’t seem the our local for-profit TV stations are committed to giving the viewing public regular, reliable, High Definition programming. I am glad I don’t pay the cable company for digital and high definition TV because then I would be really upset.
As a result, the storm cancellations are broadcasted across the crawl on the bottom of the screen. Everything from Bingo at the church, to Meals on Wheels, to schools, to tap dance class gets cancelled. The cancellations go on forever. And they often start in the evening on the day BEFORE the storm is scheduled to arrive.
Every time a television station broadcasts this information, they can't do it in high definition because they don't have the high definition equipment to do it. The same is true for station identification logos (required by the FCC about once an hour or so, or on Tuesday and Saturday evenings when they display the lottery numbers. Any of this type of "interruption" in the normal broadcast picture results in your local television station backing out of high definition (which happens with a jolt to the screen picture) and then back to HD (if they remember to flip the switch again). There have been times when I have had to call the local TV station and tell them that they forgot to put the broadcast back into high definition after a broadcast interruption. There is nothing I can do about the cancellation crawl because that goes on for hours, even days.
In Boston, they have one channel (WCVB - ABC Channel 5) that is in HD all the time. They have the right equipment to broadcast locally in high definition so these issues don't affect them.
As for when our local TV stations in Maine have the same capabilities so that the viewer is not affected by broadcast interruptions, from what I can tell and from the information I have been able to get, there are not plan in the near future for our local TV stations to upgrade their equipment. I think this is a travesty.
Why is it that our PBS stations, in both Maine and New Hampshire, have better High Definition technology than the “for profit” TV stations in our area? PBS depends on public funds and donations. They aren’t exactly rich. But somehow they have put their priorities in order by investing in the future. Never mind that, they invested in the present.
In my opinion, Jeers to all Portland TV stations who can’t seem to set their HD priorities correctly. In one week, it will be one year from the date that all broadcast television must be in digital format. That doesn’t mean everything will be in High Definition, just digital. But you need digital to get to High Definition.
It just doesn’t seem the our local for-profit TV stations are committed to giving the viewing public regular, reliable, High Definition programming. I am glad I don’t pay the cable company for digital and high definition TV because then I would be really upset.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Portland Television Stations have a problem with HD broadcasts
I have written about this subject many times. I have written to my local television stations, posted articles on this blog just to unload how discouraged I am. I don't know who to write to any more.
If you read through this blog you will find many articles describing many versions of the same problem. I receive all over-the-air broadcasts for the Portland, Maine televison market for free. I don't have cable or satellite but I do have an HDTV, and an antenna. So I receive all High Definiton programming broadcast from my local stations for free as well. When I flip through my digital channels, I know based on the day, and the time, what should be in high definition, as opposed to just regular digital (or standard definition). When I know a program should be in High Definition but is not, I call the local TV station in question, I let them know the problem (which boils down to the control room flipping a switch) and move on with my life. My call to the station is not usually well-received. I don't know if it is because they are embarassed that an average viewer with no background in broadcasting and no affiliation with broadcasting is calling them to let them know they dropped the ball, or what.
I have in the last week alone called WMTW, ABC Channel 8 in Portland, WCSH, NBC Channel 6 in Portland, and WGME, CBS Channel 13 in Portland to inform them that their prime time broadcast or a particular program which is supposed to be in High Definition, indeed is not.
I know that if I didn't call, they wouldn't notice. And since I spent a lot of money for a good quality HDTV, I feel I am entitled to as much HD programming as possible. I used to PAY for cable and High Definition. Due to financial contraints, I got rid of all the equipment and services I was paying for and went with the old rabbit ears setup. It works fine and I am fine with getting only the major broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CW, MYNETWORK) in digital, and therefore HD when available. In my area, we can not get FOX in HD until 2/17/09 but that's another story and you can find information on this subject elsewhere on this blog.
I would be far more upset if I was paying a cable or satellite company a premium to receive High Definition through their services and was not receiving what I paid for. I don't know how the cable or satllite companies would handle a phone call from a customer complaining that the customer wasn't receiving an HD broadcast even though they were paying for it. Would the cable/satellite company call the local station? Well, actually, I do know the answer.
I remember having this problem when I had HD through my cable company. They simply told me that it wasn't their problem, it was a problem at the station and left it at that. So it was still up to me to call the television station. Before I knew the real deal, the television station would just blame the cable company. So I was stuck in the finger-pointing loop and didn't know any better. So in the end, I suspect that the cable or satellite companies would not go to bat for the consumer. I think this is a problem to which there is no answer, except adequate techical ability at the local television station.
My problem is how do I prevent or stop the problem of these local stations not broadcasting in HD when they should be. How can I prevent the situation of me having to call my local stations on a regular basis to first, tell them there is a problem, and second, ask them to FLIP THE SWITCH for HD? Each and every one of these TV stations is an in-state toll call. So it costs me money on top of it. Do I ask for reimbursement? You know as well as I do that asking for that isn't going to get me too far.
I have presented this problem via email to WGME, WMTW, and WCSH to no avail. The problem still happens. I can't believe it is that difficult for them to control. If I, as an average viewer, can figure out in a matter of seconds that there is a problem at the station, why can't they?
Hey, I"m out of work and looking for a job. I'd be happy if they wanted to hire me to sit there and make sure programming was in HD when it was supposed to be. I would even agree to stop writing this blog and stop exposing the problem, if they would just fix the problem.
If you read through this blog you will find many articles describing many versions of the same problem. I receive all over-the-air broadcasts for the Portland, Maine televison market for free. I don't have cable or satellite but I do have an HDTV, and an antenna. So I receive all High Definiton programming broadcast from my local stations for free as well. When I flip through my digital channels, I know based on the day, and the time, what should be in high definition, as opposed to just regular digital (or standard definition). When I know a program should be in High Definition but is not, I call the local TV station in question, I let them know the problem (which boils down to the control room flipping a switch) and move on with my life. My call to the station is not usually well-received. I don't know if it is because they are embarassed that an average viewer with no background in broadcasting and no affiliation with broadcasting is calling them to let them know they dropped the ball, or what.
I have in the last week alone called WMTW, ABC Channel 8 in Portland, WCSH, NBC Channel 6 in Portland, and WGME, CBS Channel 13 in Portland to inform them that their prime time broadcast or a particular program which is supposed to be in High Definition, indeed is not.
I know that if I didn't call, they wouldn't notice. And since I spent a lot of money for a good quality HDTV, I feel I am entitled to as much HD programming as possible. I used to PAY for cable and High Definition. Due to financial contraints, I got rid of all the equipment and services I was paying for and went with the old rabbit ears setup. It works fine and I am fine with getting only the major broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CW, MYNETWORK) in digital, and therefore HD when available. In my area, we can not get FOX in HD until 2/17/09 but that's another story and you can find information on this subject elsewhere on this blog.
I would be far more upset if I was paying a cable or satellite company a premium to receive High Definition through their services and was not receiving what I paid for. I don't know how the cable or satllite companies would handle a phone call from a customer complaining that the customer wasn't receiving an HD broadcast even though they were paying for it. Would the cable/satellite company call the local station? Well, actually, I do know the answer.
I remember having this problem when I had HD through my cable company. They simply told me that it wasn't their problem, it was a problem at the station and left it at that. So it was still up to me to call the television station. Before I knew the real deal, the television station would just blame the cable company. So I was stuck in the finger-pointing loop and didn't know any better. So in the end, I suspect that the cable or satellite companies would not go to bat for the consumer. I think this is a problem to which there is no answer, except adequate techical ability at the local television station.
My problem is how do I prevent or stop the problem of these local stations not broadcasting in HD when they should be. How can I prevent the situation of me having to call my local stations on a regular basis to first, tell them there is a problem, and second, ask them to FLIP THE SWITCH for HD? Each and every one of these TV stations is an in-state toll call. So it costs me money on top of it. Do I ask for reimbursement? You know as well as I do that asking for that isn't going to get me too far.
I have presented this problem via email to WGME, WMTW, and WCSH to no avail. The problem still happens. I can't believe it is that difficult for them to control. If I, as an average viewer, can figure out in a matter of seconds that there is a problem at the station, why can't they?
Hey, I"m out of work and looking for a job. I'd be happy if they wanted to hire me to sit there and make sure programming was in HD when it was supposed to be. I would even agree to stop writing this blog and stop exposing the problem, if they would just fix the problem.
Friday, February 8, 2008
WGME not broadcasting in High Definition
On Friday, February 8, 2008, I was scrolling through the 7 channels I get locally since I only have over the air TV. I noticed that Channel 13, WGME out of Portland Maine, was not broadcasting in High Defintion at about 8:15 PM (prime time on a Friday).
I called the station and talked to a very nice guy named Donnie. He put me on hold for a second or two and I noticed that the problem was fixed. He came back to the phone and said that it should be OK now; to which I responded "I can see it is already fixed" and asked if someone forgot to "flip the switch" again. He said yes, and chuckled and bit, as I did, thanked me and we hung up.
Now I am not happy that I have to call my local televsion stations on a regular basis for this exact same reason, but it was nice to get a nice person for a change. I ususally have to call WCSH or WMTW and I never get the sort of nice treatment I got from Donnie.
Thanks for WGMW. I wish the average consumer didn't have to call to let you know you didn't flip the HD switch but if one has to, at least you will be kind to them.
I called the station and talked to a very nice guy named Donnie. He put me on hold for a second or two and I noticed that the problem was fixed. He came back to the phone and said that it should be OK now; to which I responded "I can see it is already fixed" and asked if someone forgot to "flip the switch" again. He said yes, and chuckled and bit, as I did, thanked me and we hung up.
Now I am not happy that I have to call my local televsion stations on a regular basis for this exact same reason, but it was nice to get a nice person for a change. I ususally have to call WCSH or WMTW and I never get the sort of nice treatment I got from Donnie.
Thanks for WGMW. I wish the average consumer didn't have to call to let you know you didn't flip the HD switch but if one has to, at least you will be kind to them.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Response from WMTW re: HD Programming - They still don't know how to deal with the public and don't care much about HD
February 6, 2008
UPDATED: According to an unnamed source, broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. do not offer more than one type of feed to their affiliates so please keep this in mind when reading this article. It appears, although not 100% proven that WMTW lied in its response and I can only assume that they did not want to admit to cost cutting measures. I gave WMTW one last chance to change their response and they are sticking by their story that their response was accurate and factual
February 4-5 2008
As stated in the previous post, the Sunday night movie from WMTW (February 3, 2008) was not in HD. Other ABC affiliates I contacted that night were all broadcasting in HD.
I wrote an email to WMTW and the first answer I got from Bill Greep, Director of Engineering was, and I quote "The movie "Meet the Fockers" was broadcast by WMTW in standard definition last night".
Well I already knew that and that's why I wrote the email. This was an obvious attempt at dodging the question. I wrote back and asked "If the other ABC affiliates I contacted were all broadcasting the movie in HD why didn't WMTW broadcast it in HD?" to which I got the response: "ABC offered a short version and a long version of the movie, "Meet the Fockers". We aired the long version which was not available in HD."
Once again, I know that WMTW broadcasted the movie in standard definition, I still don't know why so I asked again: Once again, I understand what was aired. I guess I am not asking the question correctly. We are interested in why WMTW made the choice it did to air the non-HD version. If most other ABC affiliates (or at least the ones I contacted in New England) aired the HD version, why did WMTW not air it. Was it a question of money? What is WMTW's committment to offering HD programming to its viewers?
The next response I got from Greep was "Our decision to air the longer version of the movie was simply an internal programming decision...nothing more. "
This still does not answer the simple question of WHY?
So my next step was to write to the General Manager, Ken Bauder, explain all of the questions I asked and the poor answers I received. I am now waiting for a response.
I received a reply from Mr. Bauder stating that in his opinion, Mr. Greep's responses were "accurate and to the point". Further he stated that they do not discuss internal decisions "in the press".
So I wrote back one more time to confirm what I think he was saying. I wrote: "Just to clarify, WMTW did not show Sunday night's broadcast in high definition because you simply chose not to, is that correct." and I am now awaiting a reply.
Mr. Bauder wrote back and said the WMTW had the option of broadcasting a longer version of the movie in standard definition or a shorter version of the movie in High Definition. Obviously WMTW chose the longer version in standard definition.
I have yet to verify whether or not ABC indeed offered affiliates two different versions of the movie. It doesn't make too much sense to me since primetime programming is controlled at the network level, not the local level. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but I have never in all the work I've done on High Definition programming, ever heard of this. I can not find a place to look at prior TV listing so I can compare whether or not the movie had different movie lengths in different broadcast areas. I know who carried it in HD so if I did find such a source, I could just cross reference.
My suspicion is the WMTW knew it was up against the Super Bowl and decided on its own to downgrade the broadcast to standard definition to save a few buck. I believe they may have assumed that everybody was watching football and no one would notice that "Meet the Fockers" was in standard definition. Well, I noticed and I'm not done investigating yet.
UPDATED: According to an unnamed source, broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. do not offer more than one type of feed to their affiliates so please keep this in mind when reading this article. It appears, although not 100% proven that WMTW lied in its response and I can only assume that they did not want to admit to cost cutting measures. I gave WMTW one last chance to change their response and they are sticking by their story that their response was accurate and factual
February 4-5 2008
As stated in the previous post, the Sunday night movie from WMTW (February 3, 2008) was not in HD. Other ABC affiliates I contacted that night were all broadcasting in HD.
I wrote an email to WMTW and the first answer I got from Bill Greep, Director of Engineering was, and I quote "The movie "Meet the Fockers" was broadcast by WMTW in standard definition last night".
Well I already knew that and that's why I wrote the email. This was an obvious attempt at dodging the question. I wrote back and asked "If the other ABC affiliates I contacted were all broadcasting the movie in HD why didn't WMTW broadcast it in HD?" to which I got the response: "ABC offered a short version and a long version of the movie, "Meet the Fockers". We aired the long version which was not available in HD."
Once again, I know that WMTW broadcasted the movie in standard definition, I still don't know why so I asked again: Once again, I understand what was aired. I guess I am not asking the question correctly. We are interested in why WMTW made the choice it did to air the non-HD version. If most other ABC affiliates (or at least the ones I contacted in New England) aired the HD version, why did WMTW not air it. Was it a question of money? What is WMTW's committment to offering HD programming to its viewers?
The next response I got from Greep was "Our decision to air the longer version of the movie was simply an internal programming decision...nothing more. "
This still does not answer the simple question of WHY?
So my next step was to write to the General Manager, Ken Bauder, explain all of the questions I asked and the poor answers I received. I am now waiting for a response.
I received a reply from Mr. Bauder stating that in his opinion, Mr. Greep's responses were "accurate and to the point". Further he stated that they do not discuss internal decisions "in the press".
So I wrote back one more time to confirm what I think he was saying. I wrote: "Just to clarify, WMTW did not show Sunday night's broadcast in high definition because you simply chose not to, is that correct." and I am now awaiting a reply.
Mr. Bauder wrote back and said the WMTW had the option of broadcasting a longer version of the movie in standard definition or a shorter version of the movie in High Definition. Obviously WMTW chose the longer version in standard definition.
I have yet to verify whether or not ABC indeed offered affiliates two different versions of the movie. It doesn't make too much sense to me since primetime programming is controlled at the network level, not the local level. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but I have never in all the work I've done on High Definition programming, ever heard of this. I can not find a place to look at prior TV listing so I can compare whether or not the movie had different movie lengths in different broadcast areas. I know who carried it in HD so if I did find such a source, I could just cross reference.
My suspicion is the WMTW knew it was up against the Super Bowl and decided on its own to downgrade the broadcast to standard definition to save a few buck. I believe they may have assumed that everybody was watching football and no one would notice that "Meet the Fockers" was in standard definition. Well, I noticed and I'm not done investigating yet.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
What is going on with High Definition at WMTW?
Since I don't have cable or satellite, I look forward to sitting down and watching a high definition broadcast with my HDTV and my antenna. It's free, and it works (read other articles on this blog if you want to learn how to get HD for free).
On Sunday night, February 3, 2008, I was one of the few not watching the super bowl. So when the movie "Meet the Fokkers" came on on my local ABC affiliate, I thougth, what the heck.
So I turned it on and it wasn't in high definition. I'm used to this. I called the station to let them know to flip the switch (read other articles on this site about how many times I have to call my local affilates to let them know they forgot to flip the switch and allow the broadcast in high definition). The person who answered the phone, Adam, told me that the network "for some reason" did not give them this particular program in high definition.
Hmm. I thought, well, it could be true I guess. So I called an ABC station in New Hampshire and I called an ABC station in Connecticut. Both of them were broadcasting this same movie at the same time slot, from the same network, in High Definition. Now my alarms were going off; something was amiss.
I called back and spoke to "Adam". I told him that other ABC stations were broadcasting "Meet the Fokkers" in high definition. He told me that the network "did not offer this particular movie to WMTW in high definition". I told him that this did not make sense to me and asked how could they be the only station in the area not "allowed" or "offered" one particular program in High Definition????. That makes no sense at all.
I asked Adam who I could talk to to get move information. I identified myself as someone from the Maine HDTV Forum who wrote about HD issues in Maine. He told me there was no one on a Sunday night I could speak to. I told him that I meant in the morning or next week. He understood but wasn't sure who I could talk to. He referred me to someone in Programming or Engineering. I will certainly do that and let you know what happens.
On Sunday night, February 3, 2008, I was one of the few not watching the super bowl. So when the movie "Meet the Fokkers" came on on my local ABC affiliate, I thougth, what the heck.
So I turned it on and it wasn't in high definition. I'm used to this. I called the station to let them know to flip the switch (read other articles on this site about how many times I have to call my local affilates to let them know they forgot to flip the switch and allow the broadcast in high definition). The person who answered the phone, Adam, told me that the network "for some reason" did not give them this particular program in high definition.
Hmm. I thought, well, it could be true I guess. So I called an ABC station in New Hampshire and I called an ABC station in Connecticut. Both of them were broadcasting this same movie at the same time slot, from the same network, in High Definition. Now my alarms were going off; something was amiss.
I called back and spoke to "Adam". I told him that other ABC stations were broadcasting "Meet the Fokkers" in high definition. He told me that the network "did not offer this particular movie to WMTW in high definition". I told him that this did not make sense to me and asked how could they be the only station in the area not "allowed" or "offered" one particular program in High Definition????. That makes no sense at all.
I asked Adam who I could talk to to get move information. I identified myself as someone from the Maine HDTV Forum who wrote about HD issues in Maine. He told me there was no one on a Sunday night I could speak to. I told him that I meant in the morning or next week. He understood but wasn't sure who I could talk to. He referred me to someone in Programming or Engineering. I will certainly do that and let you know what happens.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
WCSH6 doesn't know if they are in High Definition or not
On Saturday night, February 2, 2008, I had to call WCSH6 in Portland to let them know that their broadcast of Saturday Night Live was not being broadcast in high definition. I asked for the control room when somebody answered. I was asked if I know someone in the control room. I said no, but I wanted to let someone know that SNL was not in high definition. He said thanks and he would let them know. He never asked my name or any contact information whatsoever.
I waited for while and the show was never switched over to HD. I realized that this particular episode could be old enough to not to have been recorded in HD originally. Since they people at WCSH who answered phone rushed me off, and never took my name or any contact information they couldn't contact me to let me know that this episode of SNL wasn't recorded in HD.
So there you go. That's the typical exchange between forum members and WCSH6. I have never been asked for my name in the numerous times I have called them about HD issues. They just say "OK" and hang up the phone.
I waited for while and the show was never switched over to HD. I realized that this particular episode could be old enough to not to have been recorded in HD originally. Since they people at WCSH who answered phone rushed me off, and never took my name or any contact information they couldn't contact me to let me know that this episode of SNL wasn't recorded in HD.
So there you go. That's the typical exchange between forum members and WCSH6. I have never been asked for my name in the numerous times I have called them about HD issues. They just say "OK" and hang up the phone.
WARNING: Not everyone will see 2008 Super Bowl in High Definition
In Southern Maine we have a Fox affiliate called WPFO - Fox 23. WPFO came into the game late in terms of High Definition. By that I mean the station came into existence after the FCC assinged UHF (high number) channels that TV broadcasters could use for their digital (and therefore HD) broadcasts. As a result, WPFO will have to "flash-cut" their over-the-air transmission on 2/17/09 from analog to digital on Channel 23. Most sations have their current analog channel and a separate UHF channel for their digital/high definition broadcasts. So they can broadcast right now in analog and digital, meeting all the needs of consumers.
WPFO does provide a digital/HD feed to Time Warner in Maine. If you are a Time Warner customer and subscribe for a fee to High Definition, you will see the Super Bowl on February 3, 2008 in High Definition.
For the rest of us, no such luck. I personally do not subscribe to cable, but because I have an HDTV and an antenna, I pick up all digital and therefore High Definition broadcasts for the major networks for free; except for Fox on WPFO.
So if the Super Bowl were on any other network, everyone would have the opportunity to see the Super Bowl in HD. But because it is on Fox, again, out of luck.
WPFO does provide a digital/HD feed to Time Warner in Maine. If you are a Time Warner customer and subscribe for a fee to High Definition, you will see the Super Bowl on February 3, 2008 in High Definition.
For the rest of us, no such luck. I personally do not subscribe to cable, but because I have an HDTV and an antenna, I pick up all digital and therefore High Definition broadcasts for the major networks for free; except for Fox on WPFO.
So if the Super Bowl were on any other network, everyone would have the opportunity to see the Super Bowl in HD. But because it is on Fox, again, out of luck.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Digital TV Conversion - basic cable with no cable box is OK
I have finally been able to confirm some good news. Whether or not cable (or satellite) subscribers have a cable or set-top box, you should still be OK after the conversion to digital on 2/17/09.
Here are the details:
Many of us plug the coax cable from the cable company directly into the back of our TVs without the use of a cable box. We also might connect the cable from the wall into our VCRs first and then from the VCR, connect a coax to the TV. This setup works great and has for years. It especially works well if you want to watch one program and tape another. I know it is old school but I used this system for years it was alwasy reliable.
With digital (and of course HD) television, questions arose as to whether or not the setup described above would still be viable after the conversion to complete digitial broadcast TV after 2/17/09. I have confirmed with my contacts in the Television and Cable insustry that it will work but you need to keep in mind a few things.
You won't be receiving digital TV, the coax cable going to your home will carry the analog signal so in essense, nothing will change for you. If you want to watch digital programming you will have two choices: first, make an investment in a digital TV and subscribe to digital cable. Second, you could get a UHF/VHF antenna to receive your local TV stations in digital/HD and switch between the two inputs depending on what you want to watch. You would only be able to received analog cable channels 2-99 (maximum), but that is what most people with "extended" basic cable get now.
So the bottom line is that you won't lose your signal on your old analog TV. You won't be using up-to-date technology but at least you won't have any outlay of cash to just keep things pretty much the way they are now. I was concerned that somehow in all of this, the consumer would end up being forced to spend more money than they do now to receive their cable services.
There are, of course, ways to start using current technology for your TV watching, all of which are covered on this blog, and all will require some investment, but if you want reassurance that you won't lose your signal after 2/17/09, it look like you will be OK.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Here are the details:
Many of us plug the coax cable from the cable company directly into the back of our TVs without the use of a cable box. We also might connect the cable from the wall into our VCRs first and then from the VCR, connect a coax to the TV. This setup works great and has for years. It especially works well if you want to watch one program and tape another. I know it is old school but I used this system for years it was alwasy reliable.
With digital (and of course HD) television, questions arose as to whether or not the setup described above would still be viable after the conversion to complete digitial broadcast TV after 2/17/09. I have confirmed with my contacts in the Television and Cable insustry that it will work but you need to keep in mind a few things.
You won't be receiving digital TV, the coax cable going to your home will carry the analog signal so in essense, nothing will change for you. If you want to watch digital programming you will have two choices: first, make an investment in a digital TV and subscribe to digital cable. Second, you could get a UHF/VHF antenna to receive your local TV stations in digital/HD and switch between the two inputs depending on what you want to watch. You would only be able to received analog cable channels 2-99 (maximum), but that is what most people with "extended" basic cable get now.
So the bottom line is that you won't lose your signal on your old analog TV. You won't be using up-to-date technology but at least you won't have any outlay of cash to just keep things pretty much the way they are now. I was concerned that somehow in all of this, the consumer would end up being forced to spend more money than they do now to receive their cable services.
There are, of course, ways to start using current technology for your TV watching, all of which are covered on this blog, and all will require some investment, but if you want reassurance that you won't lose your signal after 2/17/09, it look like you will be OK.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)