Kid Kraddick/WFMF B.R. on in every La city on LPB DTV

[Emarti]

I noticed WFMF on LPB HDs second audio well over a year ago and posted about it on here out of curiousity. No one knew why or cared about it then, so another words its been this way for a good while and is apparently done for a reason.

BTW I can now catch more HDTV Channels OTA than analog channels OTA in Lafayette LA

A year ago I was still receiving a handful of HD channels through cable TV. Like many, I've unplugged the cable, gone with a small dish for channels like ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, etc., and with my outdoor antenna, I have a lot more HD channels than are offered by any cable system in the state.

 

[dicktriccol]

I have a CRT HDTV that's less than a year old. Just how do I get this WFMF feed? I guess I'm just too stupid to figure this out

 

[RFLA]

If you have a HD tuner on the TV, according to the manuals I've seen, it should be listed as one of the alternate channels for the LPB affliate

 

[Emarti]

I have a CRT HDTV that's less than a year old. Just how do I get this WFMF feed? I guess I'm just too stupid to figure this out

It's easy. Using an antenna to pick up HDTV signals, tune to a LPB DTV station.
On the -1 channel, simply press the button marked AUDIO, either on your TV remote, or if you have an older HDTV or smaller one, press the AUDIO button on your HDTV tuner remote.

When you press the AUDIO button, you will go from #1 audio to #2 audio and hear WFMF 24/7 on LPB stations.


It's just like tuning in to 15 KADN Lafayette, except their #2 audio is for Spanish language.

In other words, tune in to the station and press the button marked AUDIO.

This WFMF audio is only available on the -1 channel, not the -3 subchannel nor the -5 PBS/LPBHD channel.

 

[Emarti]

For those that said HDTV is seen by less than 5% of viewers and other such stupid statements, here are a few names that have expressed a STRONG commitment to HD programming.
You may have heard of some of these names:

the N.F.L.
NASCAR
M.L.B.
N.B.A.
NCAA sports

Yes, EVERY NASCAR race, EVERY NFL game is available in HD.
NBC sports even airs beach volleyball in high definition.

Sports alone, NCAA included, will push people to get HDTVs.
ESPNHD and ESPN2HD have pushed HD hard. Now people even paint their bodies and make signs that say ESPNHD not just ESPN.

Over the past 2 days, I've seen these network TV spots in high definition:
Lincoln, Toyota, Apple Computer, Waste Management, Verizon.

The simple minded would ask: what does this mean? ???
It means that next time Cadillac or Lexus cuts their new spots, they'll be in HD. Just like Verizon's competitors and Apple.

More promos for network TV programming are presented in HD all the time.

Stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears, Walmart and other retailers would prefer never to sell another analog TV that takes up almost as much space as a Volkswagon.

TV stations: I'll use Baton Rouge as an example.
Both channels 2 and 9 use their DTV signals as follows:
2.1 and 9.1 are the HD stations where you can view their regular programming in high definition, from soaps to sports.
2.2 and 9.2 are local news rebroadcasts. (In New Orleans people would pay for Cox Cable just to get 4WWL's news rebroadcast)
2.3 and 9.3 Local weather maps and radars. NWS local info. (Who needs the Weather Channel?)

Local TV stations know that cable systems carry very few HD channels and it has hurt them.
The cable systems don't carry the TV station subchannels so people who ripped down the antennas when cable came around 30+years ago have new antennas so they can get local news and weather info 24/7 without cable.

Every home improvement show for the last few years goes into a home and throws out the old TV so people can watch a flat screen 52" TV mounted on the wall.
There's also something called L.C.D. monitors which are installed on fridges. Yes, you can get an HD picture on your fridge.
All those vehicles that have TV screens are not analog!
Anyone who has a TV on a boat or a Winnebago prefers a lighter, flatter LCD screen.
All those SUV's, cars, trucks owned by young and old are being equipped with LCD monitors.
Yeah, and those LCD screens are also on things called---"laptops" and "desktops". Those are things called "computers". Yeah, these p.c.s play DVDs, download movies, music and more in that kick ass quality.

5%, please.
Even people in trailers that smoke cigarettes while using their Playstation 2s have been buying HDTVs, they are not that expensive. Even very poor people are saving up, or making room on their credit cards (hello) for the expensive Playstation 3s coming out, that will be able to play the new Blu-Ray discs (that's high definition).

ALL MOVIE STUDIOS HAVE ANNOUNCED DVD RELEASES IN EITHER HD-DVD OR SONY BLU-RAY OR BOTH!

HD2 is coming too! For a time these subchannels will be spot free--just for a short time.
HDTV and HD2 are the present and the future, it's better and it's reality.

 

[smashedcd]

yea and in 1985 every radio station was going AM stereo..what ever happened to that? ;D

and in the event of no power like katrina are you going to watch a portable hd? is there such a thing? if its not hd is worthless. so the government want to shut down analog ..shutting down possible emergency info during a storm. yea thats real smart

 

[RFLA]

The Goverment wants the extra channel space that going digital is supposed to free up for public safety in 2010 (that's where channels 51-69 are supposed to go..to support the new 700mhz public saety band ..one user being the Louisiana State Police).... plus unlike AM stereo which was a gimmick to keep AM stations in the 1980s from the record audience losses.. All the broadcasters love it as (after the inital equipment costs) :

a- It's gonna be forced on everyone
b- more channel capacity meaning 3 and 4 channels instead of one to make money on


There are already plans to put the up and coming networks on these DTV signals in markets without enough full broadcasters like in Monroe and Baton Rouge. (If I remember,the WB was on DTV signals on the air in those towns.. I do not know what will be come of the CW though)

RFLA

 

[smashedcd]

The Goverment wants the extra channel space that going digital is supposed to free up for public safety in 2010 (that's where channels 51-69 are supposed to go..to support the new 700mhz public saety band ..one user being the Louisiana State Police).... plus unlike AM stereo which was a gimmick to keep AM stations in the 1980s from the record audience losses.. All the broadcasters love it as (after the inital equipment costs) :

a- It's gonna be forced on everyone
b- more channel capacity meaning 3 and 4 channels instead of one to make money on


There are already plans to put the up and coming networks on these DTV signals in markets without enough full broadcasters like in Monroe and Baton Rouge. (If I remember,the WB was on DTV signals on the air in those towns.. I do not know what will be come of the CW though)

RFLA

that still doesnt tell me if you will be able to watch portable tvs in a power outage if everyrhing is hd....if not its a disservice to the community..

 

[RFLA]

you will if it is digital tuner ready or you hook a DTV convertor in line to the antenna after 2009.. If not you are SOL

That's why there are a few people still wanting to keep analog going for.. For storms on the coast and no reception of TV signals in the heartland.

RFLA

 

[Emarti]

yea and in 1985 every radio station was going AM stereo..what ever happened to that? ;D

The difference is that people didn't give a damn about AM stereo ESPECIALLY THE STATION OWNERS.
Broadcasters and more importantly viewers, want HD.

and in the event of no power like katrina are you going to watch a portable hd? is there such a thing?

Yes, of course there is! I saw a Curtis brand portable LCD TV with car adapter and antenna for $83.99 at Best Buy.

You want to talk portable?!
Portable is when a storm is coming and you can pick up your 40"LCD TV under one arm and put it in the back seat of your car.
Yes, with HDTVs in airplanes, boats, cars, trucks, suvs, rvs to name a few, I would say these TVs are surely portable.
They are lighter than analog TVs. You are actually concerned the industry won't make portable versions??? Don't worry, it won't be long before the only place you'll find portable analog TVs will be thrift stores like Goodwill.
Again, a laptop with a LCD monitor could also be considered a portable HDTV, if like my Sony you can also pick up TV or cable signals.

You want to talk emergency info?
Since most cable systems go out in rough weather, using the antenna on your HDTV you can pick up your local TV stations with their news and weather subchannels, so when Weather Channel has no local update because of their Storm Stories program, you can tune to a local TV station for Radars, Weather info from the NWS, and have their latest news on another subchannel.
So you see, HDTVs will provide more info and options during emergency situations than analog TVs.

Our nation will also be better prepared for emergencies when all those frequencies are allocated to Police, Fire, gov't agencies, and there will be plenty left over for companies to make money with.

there are a few people still wanting to keep analog going

Few indeed. In fact, aside from smashedcd, I know of none.

The outcry over TV these days is:
When will local stations be HD 24/7?

When will cable systems carry all HD channels and all local TV subchannels?

When will my favorite movies and TV shows be released in the HD format?

Like last Christmas, this Christmas season's hottest item is HDTVs.
A few years ago it was DVD, now it's HDTVs.

I can understand nostalgia for things like old radio station consoles, turntables, Bellsystem phones, but I don't see any such fond memories for those old TVs that took 45 seconds to warm up, had more wood than an oak coffin and looked like it was designed to match dark brown 1970s wall paneling.

 

[zumahans]

Just passing thru ...

But if WFMF is a commercial station ...

and LPB TV is an educational broadcast station ....

then LPB is violating FCC regs by broadcasting spots.

I'm not from Louisiana, so I don't know if my suppositions are correct ....

 

[smashedcd]

i am not against it if it will do what it is said to do. i was just worried you would have to get a box for your portable in order to view hdtv. when i think hdtv i think 40 inch tvs. which want even fit in my living room! if they will work in storms then i am all for it. can anyone list a company that currentl sells hdtv portables?

 

[Emarti]

Just passing thru ...

But if WFMF is a commercial station ...

Yes, it is; owned by Clear Channel.

and LPB TV is an educational broadcast station ....

Yes, it is.

then LPB is violating FCC regs by broadcasting spots.

That's my opinion as well. Maybe they have a loophole by broadcasting this commercial station on their #2 audio.
My question is: Why aren't the other DTV stations in Louisiana carrying radio stations on their #2 audio for EAS or Amber alerts? I think LPB engineers are apathetic or just plain ignorant.

I'm not from Louisiana, so I don't know if my suppositions are correct ....

You are correct sir. Even though in Louisiana we have Napoleonic law, it doesn't override FCC regulations. Part of the problem is the entrenched political corruption Louisiana is infamous for, which is pervasive statewide including broadcasters, government and commercial entities.

 

[clichemoth]

I agree with these last two posts. How can this possibly be legal? When stores with the word "dollar" in their names aren't even allowed to underwrite programming on non-commercial radio/TV because it's considered a call to action, how did LPT get permission to do this?

Aren't there any public radio stations with EAS down there?

 

[zumahans]

.... so someone not affiliated with Clear Channel in Louisiana should drop a dime.

 

[RFLA]

Just passing thru ...

But if WFMF is a commercial station ...

and LPB TV is an educational broadcast station ....

then LPB is violating FCC regs by broadcasting spots.

I'm not from Louisiana, so I don't know if my suppositions are correct ....

You are correct in that assumption, but them the FCC could go after a lot of the major PBS affliates for showing those underwriter commercials

Unfortuneately, WFMF is considered the main EAS station and none of the public broadcasting stations are main stations in the EAS... Most are commercial with one religious (in Alexandria).

You could technically force the issue with the state police and the State OEP to move it to public radio or force it only during times of emergency but don't know how far that will get you.

I think the commercials on audio channel of the LPB affliates would be looked after as "doing the public good having a signal there 24/7" by the corporation pushing FCC currently....

My question would be what other states do to pass their EAS and Amber alerts.. and do they relay a radio station or not.



On the DTV thing for Emarti.. Hey I am all for great pictures and such that the technology will bring... I can be a techno geek sometimes... but right now I can't justify a DTV for the little TV I do watch right now since my 7 year old RCA is still kicking it


I just think it's being ramrod pretty quick espcially since full power DTV signals are in some cases not living up to the promise of the same signal in digital as analog espcially in rural america or even in places here in Louisiana.

Most people can catch signals currently in Houma/Thibodaux from 2 of the major TV stations in Baton Rouge and almost all analog from New Orleans..Pre Katrina a few were finding issues with signals from New Orleans on DTV as technically DTV is not rated to reach Houma from New Orleans in most cases (yet Houma/Thibodaux have a population as big as most cities in Louisiana with a full station lineups like Monroe and Alexandria)

On smashedcd's comment to Emarti... What I think he was trying to say is It's just people aren't ready to get rid of all those backup TV they use during the storms.. in 2009 either lug a DTV convertor around or buy a expensive 5 inch color tv for when you camp or evacuate.....

My personal feeling is the FCC should have taken a lead from others when they changed standards in the past and do a gradual release...

For an idea, it took the british roughly 20 years to get people from 405 line tv broadcast in am to clearer FM... basically waiting for the tvs to die... IN the world now.. most of the same conversion to DTV will be happening in less than 5 years around the world... either jump on or you will be left behind views by leaders around the world...

And the real push hasn't begun yet like in other countries... America is usually one who pushes wait until almost at the deadline and then pandemonium strikes... That's why most of are kids still can't figure out how many inches are in 25 mm...

All I know is I want to see the public scream fest in 2008 when congress starts trying to subsidize all of these dtv convertors to "qualified persons".... If you take a page from the Katrina page, you can see how well the government can determine said people...

RFLA