KCTV to flicker its analog signal during Tuesday newscasts; DTV-unready sets will go blank

Also: Having trouble seeing Ch.9 in digital? You're not alone.

Kind of a cool idea here: KCTV-5, the most-watched station in the Kansas City area, plans to conduct a "DTV Test" during four of its newscasts on Tuesday. The objective is simple: help the light bulb go on for viewers across the metro who may have been uninformed or in denial about their TV set's failure to receive a digital signal. For a brief moment, those analog-only sets will go blank.

And all the KCTV-5 news haters said, "Why only for a brief moment?" ... anyway, details are below, as is a tip for you converter-box types trying desperately to pull in KMBC-DT.

KCTV5 Helps Kansas Citians Get Ready for Digital Transition

Station Offers Viewers Opportunity to Test Their TV for Digital Compatibility

KANSAS CITY, MO. – KCTV5 is helping Kansas City residents get ready for the digital transition. The station has scheduled the KCTV5 DTV Test Day on August 26, 2008 during most newscasts airing on KCTV. The test will instantly let viewers know if their TV is compatible with the upcoming digital transition.

“Educating our viewers on the digital transition has been a top priority,” said Kirk Black, Senior VP Meredith Broadcasting and General Manager for KCTV5 & MyKSMO-TV. “The DTV Test Day is a great way to get viewers the information they need to prepare for the transition.”

The KCTV5 DTV Test will simulate the February 17, 2009 digital switch. Viewers with cable, satellite or a digital ready TV should continue to see the broadcast, while viewers with non-compatible TVs will receive information on what steps should be taken to convert their sets. (This test isn’t for viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite. Some cable viewers may see the test screen, but that’s only because not all cable operators have completed their end of the transition work yet. During the DTV Test we will inform viewers they need not be concerned if they’re watching and they have cable or satellite.)

In addition to the test, KCTV5 will feature basic DTV information and answer viewer frequently asked questions about the switch. The KCTV5 DTV Test can be seen during the following Newscasts on Tuesday, August 26, 2008:

KCTV5 News at noon

KCTV5 News at 5 p.m.

KCTV5 News at 6 p.m.

KCTV5 News at 10 p.m.

Even in digital, KMBC is on VHF

Here's an interesting exchange a reader shared with me. He wrote to KMBC:

I recently bought a digital TV converter box for an old TV that's not hooked up to cable. It works fine and gets all the local channels perfectly except for KMBC, which I can't get at all. I live in Overland Park, at about College and Pflumm. Am I too far from the Channel 9 digital signal?

He received this reply from Ed King, chief engineer at KMBC-KCWE:

No, KMBC-DT is the only digital channel in the KC area that transmits on VHF frequencies. If your antenna is not capable of receiving or does not perform well at VHF frequencies, you will not be able to receive KMBC-DT. Please visit www.antennaweb.org, this link can recommend an antenna that should work best for your location.

If you are using rabbit ears, start by extending each antenna element to 16" and place orient them in a horizontal position. There's probably a menu setting in your converter box that displays signal strength. KMBC Ch. 9 and KCWE Ch 29 broadcast from the same tower so we want to first try to optimize your reception of Ch. 29. This should ensure your antenna is aimed in the proper direction. Tune your receiver to Ch. 29, then call up the signal strength meter. You may have to adjust both length and antenna orientation but adjust your antenna for the highest reading on Ch. 29. This will get your antenna oriented properly. Then do another channel scan and Ch 9 should appear. Some of the converter boxes cannot tune well to VHF transmissions so using your remote, try tuning to Channel 7. Sometimes this helps the receiver find our virtual channel 9.1.

We also invite you to visit our website at www.KMBC.com, in the lower left corner, click on the TV set icon, you'll be redirected to our digital information page. This page contains a lot of good information and links with information about digital television. In the lower left corner of this page, you'll find a link to KMBC/KCWE FAQs. Please take the time to read this document as it has good information that will help you with the digital transition.

Comments

[Ken Okel]

I'm curious whether there is legitimate concern that the digital switch could see viewers unprepared, leading them permanently to other sources for video content. It's something new to have a industry change while still staying the same.

[Gwennie]

I just recently got a HD TV and actually KMBC is the channel I get the best. However KCTV is constantly pixelating on me though the analog version of KCTV comes in fine. (I use an omnidirectional antenna in my attic.) I called the engineer at KCTV. He was puzzled and had no advice for me. I guess I'll just have to put up with it.

[Dan]

It would appear that MyKsmo has already begun flickering their signal, but unfortunately what went dead is it's Dtv 62 frequency, which can now be found at 47, minus the EPG information. Perhaps they need to get their digital channels up and running reliably before they run such a test? There appears to be a common problem that digital broadcasters have been discovering along the way to full digital conversion. Some of the new equipment that is an important part of the data stream is less than reliable.
I love the quality of the broadcast when eveything is working and wish them well.