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Post by drinferno on Oct 18, 2009 2:31:44 GMT -5
Well I guess I am out .... I can't view tv/radio or streamin media on my comp due to restrictions on the server I get the wireless signal through. What I don't get is... if we are able to get channel 41 and digital convesion is supposed to make things better... why can't any or most of us not get 13.1 or 13.2? I don't know if anyone notice but on weekend they had Philippine tv and such. I think they are hard up for money and sellin time to get funds... but with all everyone on here seemin affected by the put out.. I would think that they'd b able to get a bigger station to mayb not sponsor them but well mayb for advertisin say fox commercials mayb b like 32.2 (orr mayb even a lower priority station like 11I mean 11 has 11.4 which shows mexican program so mayb they will rent out 11.5 for korean broadcastin or 20... (they have 2 channels that air the same thing so... or somethin like that.. (you know b routed through a main station or even like channel 20 or somethin... form a partnership where the programmin will stay the same but .. I know fantasy talk here never would happen but mayb if enough of us suggest it... if they ever start listenin to what loyal viewers have to say... (but where would we go to suggest it... I am thinkin kbs america... but...)
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Post by soapygrams on Oct 18, 2009 23:29:45 GMT -5
A couple of years ago, when WOCH was CH28, a Milwaukee TV station usurped 28's frequency requiring WOCH to move to CH 41. That move had all of us viewers very unhappy because we could hardly received the signal and the picture was snow, static and forget about reading the subtitles. The staff of WOCH worked very hard to get more power to upgrade the signal to improve our being able to receive the programs. In fact, we viewers wrote letters to the FCC to BEG them to allow WOCH to power up a bit. I don't know all the ins and outs of Federal broadcasting rules/laws but a TV channel cannot just do anything they want when it comes to moving to another frequency as you are suggesting. It requires some sort to permission, and licensing etc. In fact, only very recently, within the past few months, has any of the cable/pay for TV stations even carried WOCH programming; at one time, Comcast would not even consider airing it because it was a "limited" audience. As far as the Filipino programming, that has been a staple of WOCH's Saturday and Sunday programming for as long as I can remember. At one time in the past, there was even Polish language shows aired on some evenings. The only thing we viewers can do is be patient or get Comcast or Univers. I'm so delighted that Comcast decided to give WOCH a channel; if not, I would be among those who are now without WOCH. I have one TV that is hooked to Comcast and an older TV with a converter box; it worked okay for the most part but I could only receive WOCH41 analog. Forget that digital crap. . . it changes on a daily basis. CH 2 never comes in, 5 is on some 20s channel; 7 NEVER comes in except in a squiggly wavy strobe patterns with static sound; 9.1 comes in as do all of the 11. = sometimes other channels depending upon the weather, the wind, or who the heck knows? Digital SUCKS -- Now I feel so much better . . . ;D
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Post by drinferno on Oct 19, 2009 3:50:53 GMT -5
I know there is all that info bout permits etc... but it is nice to wish.... but with comcast aren't you havin to have a premium package plus or so for a free channel? I don't think my parents can get 599 but I will look it up when I get over there for a visit. they could have put it on a lower station if they really wanted to have more viewers.... as for your digital channels... did you check the antennae? it also might have to do if you're near power station... or somethin... (if you are in city it is def the antennae...)
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Post by soapygrams on Oct 19, 2009 10:54:17 GMT -5
Since it's my daughter and SIL who pay the Comcast bill, I have no idea if 599 would be in a basic package or only in a premium package. I'm hooked up because they are subscribers and Comcast is our provider of DSL, phone and TV. You can phone Comcast to find out what is included in their basic package and what the cost is. I have an antenna that worked just fine before the switch to digital; in fact even AFTER the switch, my little TV was getting good picture quality for WOCH, analog. What I'm saying is that it seems that digital quality and signals comes and goes . . one cannot depend upon being able to access channels from one day to another. I'm NOT the only one who is experiencing these problems . . and in my opinion digital sucks . . I DO understand the OBJECTIVE was to provide wondrful picture and sound quality to people and also to provide more channel choices without having to pay for them as is the case with any type of cable/dish etc. The problem is that it just does NOT accomplish that. At least NOT for me or many, many other people. That's why CH 7 had to get more power and is STILL having problems reaching people who had been able to access their signal BEFORE the switch. Sometimes progress just does not live up to expectations.
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Post by ginnycat5 on Oct 19, 2009 18:09:39 GMT -5
I think the switch to digital was for some kind of security or government issue. Some important function was being squeezed and needed more bandwidth. Forgot whatever details I read. Was it 911? Or police/fire radios? There were probably commercial reasons, too, like the fancy new televisions. They wanted to make them irresistible, I guess. Well, I'm resisting; sheesh, $2000, $3000 for a tv??!? When digital comes in, it's great, beautiful, but on a daily basis I have to struggle with the rabbit ears, then give up and watch something else or just look at the computer screen. feh!
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Post by Soju on Oct 20, 2009 9:02:59 GMT -5
As I understand it, an analog channel takes up more room on the frequecy spectrum than a digital channel, and that the frequecies used for television are also ideal for many of the new emerging wireless technologies.
So, the FCC decided that if they forced (almost) all television to go digital, they could auction off the bandwidth that was freed up for these new wireless services. Apparenty, these frequencies were so desirable that wireless companies were willing to pay a lot of money to get them.
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Catalpa
Junior Addict
Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart. ~Lois Wilson
Posts: 207
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Post by Catalpa on Oct 20, 2009 12:11:34 GMT -5
They have a digital station? Why don't they notify people? I just checked one TV and have "no signal" at 13.1. The kids have misplaced the remote for the other dv converter box, so I haven't checked that tv yet but will as soon as I can. I live pretty close to downtown, so I should be able to pick up whatever is being put out from downtown, so is 13.1 still down today? I think I'd rather deal with a snowy pic than a pixelated digital poor signal, but it would be nice to have that option. (P.S. I agree ginnycat, in general digital is no improvement from my POV other than to create a new industry.)
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Post by Soju on Oct 20, 2009 20:49:29 GMT -5
I think their digital broadcasts are sort of experimental. Considering the way it seems so one can receive it, I wouldn't want to publicize it, either.
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Post by drinferno on Oct 21, 2009 10:35:59 GMT -5
Well bein downtown isn't nesc gonna do it... I did a search on the antennae page and it said that woch was based in In go figure for a chicago station.
And yes the digital change was just for monitarial purposes..... otherwise they would have just sent out the boxes, or given them away not just made you all ask for coupons and still make you pay taxes (most of those that bought the ones over 40 dollars didn't realize the tax was not just for the 20 bucks or whatever over they went but on the full price of the box b4 the coupon. The coupon only took money away from the retailers... and that is only from the ones that got the box.. those that went for the tv well notice it was said b4 how high they cost.
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Post by TheBo on Oct 22, 2009 15:57:03 GMT -5
It was my understanding that the digital change was for purposes of emergency services, as they were being squeezed out by television signals. This was highlighted in the 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina emergencies. However, if the changeover became an opportunity for the government and business to clean up, I'm not surprised as that was the emphasis of our government during the previous administration--business first.
What's happening in my building is the MDU/Dish company is hogging the bandwidth for their digital customers, and you have to pay extra to get the digital television which THEY are getting for free. Basta. LOL.
BTW, drinferno, that is ALWAYS how taxes for any discount work. You always pay the tax on the full amount, that is the law, whether you're getting a cable box or free appetizers. I don't think that's unreasonable. You still got your $40 discount.
Bo
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Post by drinferno on Oct 22, 2009 19:52:04 GMT -5
TheBo oh I know but you never realize how many people don't think bout that they are still payin... they think it's free... but the point is that the gov is out for it's own money.... not the altruistic claim of for emergency purposes.... just for the good ol american dollar not a gov conspiracy nut as much as it sounds... but if they left things as is.. or even put the emergency service digital (which would make more sense if it was such an issue for real)... then we wouldn't have to pay even the tax and all would b well....
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Post by TheBo on Oct 23, 2009 12:31:39 GMT -5
LOL, drinferno, I don't think I agree with you completely but we can let it go and agree to disagree. Sorry for spouting off...I just hope digital gets better with the transmission because the picture itself has been great (when we could get the channels) and it's kind of nice to have local weather whenever you need it.
Bo
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Post by Soju on Oct 23, 2009 18:56:49 GMT -5
Bo - No, me no have Dish. I tried to get their service a couple of years ago, but there were some issuse that I couldn't get resolved - They make it real hard to talk to someone other than a sales rep, and the reps are just in a phone bank somewhere (Boseman, Hyderabad, Halifax?) and can't connect you to the actual company in Boulder. I finally decided it wasn't worth the hassle. More and more, I am thinking I should try and go for it again, if I can get through to a real Dish employee, and not just some phone-bank contractor.
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Post by TheBo on Oct 27, 2009 12:32:50 GMT -5
Bo - No, me no have Dish. I tried to get their service a couple of years ago, but there were some issuse that I couldn't get resolved - They make it real hard to talk to someone other than a sales rep, and the reps are just in a phone bank somewhere (Boseman, Hyderabad, Halifax?) and can't connect you to the actual company in Boulder. I finally decided it wasn't worth the hassle. More and more, I am thinking I should try and go for it again, if I can get through to a real Dish employee, and not just some phone-bank contractor. Ack...can you believe it? I never even saw your answer. LOL. Yes, there is supposedly an entire Korean "package" with lots of programming, what Bob and I are having trouble determining is if it is subtitled. Bo PS - PEEK. You have a PEEK, people, not a peak! A "peak" is the summit of something! LOL...I can't believe I never noticed this to be cranky about...
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