http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... -631A1.doc
What was one of the reasons for digital TV broadcasting? FCC Auction 73 (the 700 MHz auction of TV Channels 52-69, or a part thereof), has raised a record 19.5 billion dollars:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 0887A1.pdf
[ add comment ] ( 6 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 312 )Monday, March 24, 2008, 20:57
Comment:
I live in the country north of Kenton and about 27 miles from Lima. Our signals come through a 40-ft. tower and then into the house to a signal amplifier and then a splitter(there are two analog TV's with attached VCR's in the house). If I buy a converter box ( I have sent for the coupons), I assume the ideal location will be near the VCR to connect to. Do the converter boxes determine the digital channel number and then feed the signal to the TV on a certain channel, like it does with the analog signal (Channel 3 or 4), or is there a special setting like Input 1 or 2 needed on the TV? I am assuming that a converter box with a tuner is required, although I have seen some advertised without a tuner. Thanks for any helpful information on this subject.
You will need a converter for each analog TV.
What the converter will do is tune to a specific digital channel, (in our case channel 8), and then provide you with multiple outputs. If the output is RF on channels 3 or 4, then the analog TV and any devices connected to the converter would follow the converter.
The best way to use the converter is to receive the digital station over the air, but use the S-connector, DVI, or video/audio connectors off the converter to the TV. If you can stay away from converting to an RF signal, it will be a cleaner picture.
[ 2 comments ] ( 101 views ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 336 )Friday, March 21, 2008, 17:18
Comment:
On two different TV sets tuned to WLIO DT 8.1, the image does not fill the screen but is, instead surrounded by a black "frame." In comparison, WLIO DT 8.2 and 8.3 and the other area digital signals fill the screen.
Any ideas of what's happening?
WLIO-DT sends out a signal in 16:9 format, which is standard HD.
When we’re transmitting SD, you should see a black band on either side of the picture, since SD does not fill the picture from side to side.
If you’re seeing black bands on the top and bottom, that usually means that the set needs to have the aspect ratio changed. On some sets we’ve noticed that the button on the TV is called “aspect”, on others it’s “picture”, and on still others it’s called “size”. Once the 16:9 mode is selected for WLIO, then it should stay that way.
We do not “fill” the HD screen with SD programming, stretching the picture to make it look HD. Other stations do it to make it look like HD. That, in my opinion, is not HD or true 16:9 format. Plus it distorts the picture by putting everything out of correct aspect ratio.
Fred
[ add comment ] ( 1 view ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 303 )As you have been hearing on our station, you should get a converter box if you intend to stay with an analog television. Each household is entitled to (2) converters by law.
Last week I was alerted by a viewer in Harrod that he called the telephone number we advertise for getting a converter box, and was told that he was not eligible.
Upon further investigation I found out that the database used to verify a viewer's location is the same one as the U.S. Post Office uses for verifications of addresses.
If you should be disqualified from getting a converter because of an address problem, check to make sure your address is correct. I know this sounds silly, but sometimes the address people use in a community is not the legal address.
For example, 12345 Main North is not the same as 12345 N Main Street, although people in the community accept this as a good address, and you're probably still getting mail from your local post office.
If you have a problem there are two ways to check your address. You can contact your county office to get the legal description, or contact the U.S. Post Office.
You can go to http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp and put in your address for confirmation.
WLIO can not resolve your problem.
Also, be sure you are going to the CORRECT web site. I had a viewer call me saying that we were advertising a porn site! When I investigated I found that some unscrupulous scammer had purchased a .COM domain name that sounds like the DTV2009.GOV web site. Make sure you type in the correct name.
The web site for applying for a coupon is secure, which means when you log in you'll see the URL as https://www.dtv2009.gov. Note that it's HTTPS and not HTTP. If you are seeing another address which is not secure, or if you are being directed to a .com site and asked to give personal information, you are likely being scammed.
To get a converter you will NEVER be asked to provide personal banking data, credit card numbers, or asked to pay a fee for application.
[ add comment ] ( 5 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 276 )Many of you have heard me talk about the need for antennas. Unless your cable company carries all three WLIO-DT signals, you could be missing out on our stations. With an antenna you can get more stations, from Toledo, Fort Wayne, Dayton, and of course, Lima. Here is a recent e-mail from a viewer.
From: Greg Oen
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:41 PM
To: Fred Vobbe, WLIO Engineering
Subject: RE: WLIO-DT
Mr Vobbe, it's been a while. Sorry I haven't kept you up to date. I've worked on several antenna systems in the last year and, without an exception, your signal on channel 8 comes in fine; and every one of these antennas is pointing at Dayton for their analog signals for WHIO and WDTN (2 & 7). These were all within a 10 mile radius of Minster. I've advised those with a rotor that they should re-aim if your signal breaks up or drops out. I just thought I'd let you know.
Greg Oen
Minster
[ add comment ] ( 5 views ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 254 )On May 23, 2001, WLIO filed a petition with the F.C.C. for digital television facilities of 30,000 watts at 541 feet (aat).
Since that time, WLIO has operated with an Special Temporary Authorization to operate at 27,500 watts from 455 feet. It's been determined that the coverage meets the service area of WLIO, and in many geographic areas surpasses the coverage of channel 35 by more than twice the coverage.
Therefore, WLIO filed a petition on February 11, 2008, with the F.C.C. to stay at 27,500 watts at 455 feet as "permanent facilities".
Today, the F.C.C. agreed with the petition, and WLIO will remain with our present facility.
[ add comment ] ( 9 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 256 )It's getting down to 11 months before analog will be switched off, and the FCC has released their 7th, and 8th Report & Order.
On August 6, 2007, the F.C.C. adopted a new, and final, Table of Allotments for digital television (“DTV”) providing all eligible stations with channels for DTV operations after the DTV transition on February 17, 2009.
The final DTV Table accommodates all eligible broadcasters, reflects to the extent possible the channel elections made by broadcasters, and is consistent with efficient spectrum use.
The final DTV Table also establishes the channels and facilities necessary to complete the digital transition and ultimately will replace the existing DTV Table at the end of the DTV transition.
Complete list of ALL United States TV stations:
This is a 54 page document in PDF form. WLIO is listed on page 36.
In the related link (below) you'll find the complete, and large F.C.C. legal text involving the most recent order. It, too, is a PDF document, but is 134 pages.
[ add comment ] ( 4 views ) | permalink | related link |
( 3 / 250 )After February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.
In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel.
Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009, would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital.
According to Fred Vobbe, VP/Chief Engineer, “February 2009 will be here sooner than we think. Now is the time for us all to get up to speed on DTV: what is it; what does it mean to me; what do I need to do? We at WLIO encourage everyone to educate themselves on this important issue.”
Digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp “high definition” (HD) digital program or multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called “multicasting.”
On WLIO-DT you will find the normal NBC programming on 8.1. On channel 8.2 you will find The CW. On WLIO-DT channel 8.3 you'll find NBC's WeatherPlus, the areas only local all weather TV station.
For viewers who have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air programming (with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009.
However, if you have an analog television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering.
To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. You will be able to request the coupons beginning in January of 2008.
The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the time of purchase. Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s Web site at www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting, but should contact their provider to find out anything is needed to be prepared for the February deadline.
There are many sources of information about the digital transition but one of the best is the government’s Web site www.dtv.gov. It contains information on what DTV is, questions consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what programs are available in DTV, and much more. You can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC.
[ add comment ] ( 12 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 415 )Several years ago we started building the new transmitter room at WLIO. Below, Fred Vobbe (R) meets with Dave (L) of M&W Construction to discuss the plans for the building.
In the picture below, Brent from ERI changes the beacon on the top of the tower. The beacon, which was originally installed in 1969 was an incandescent 1240 watt bulb. It was replaced with an energy efficient LED beacon that consumes just 40 watts!
;)
Meanwhile, the new Channel 8 antennas arrived. They were installed in early March, and provide the area with 27,500 watts of coverage. These antennas are custom built E.R.I. antennas.
;)
And finally, the new transmitter arrives. The channel 8 transmitter is a 5,000 watt Axcera "Innovator" digital transmitter. This transmitter will normally operate at 3,990 watts to provide 27,500 watts ERP (Effective Radiated Power).
The transmitter has eight power modules, and two exciters.
Want to see more pictures? Let us know!
[ add comment ] ( 10 views ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 374 )I still am getting questions from the public on the COUPONS for the DTV converters. From the NTIA site, here is what we know. Click on the "Related Link" line below to go to their web site.
Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program
The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program), as authorized in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.
Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. For more details on the federal regulations, including the budget information, please see the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program Rules.
For a quick overview, see the Associated Press (AP) video about the digital TV converter boxes with Technical Writer Peter Svensson at AP Online Video Network www.ap.org/ovn/)
See also an interview with John Kneuer, Assistant Commerce Secretary for Communications & Information, on the C-SPAN television program "The Communicators" on February 3, 2007. Mr. Kneuer discussed the conclusion of the transition to digital TV by February of 2009.
[ add comment ] ( 7 views ) | permalink | related link |
( 3 / 332 )
Random Entry
