KXXR-HD2 returns / 105.7 metadata fixed (sort of)

[fmradioguy]

Tuned in the other day to 93.7 and found KXXR-HD2 is back with a simulcast of LOVE 105. I could've sworn it used to sound way cleaner the last time it was on. Before, it sounded like it was either a feed straight off the board, or straight out of the L/R de-emphasized output of the processor. Now, it almost sounds like someone plugged in a cheap radio tuned to 105.7 with no de-emphasis on it and then jacked the output levels into the HD encoder up way too high. Lots of clipping and very, very thin sounding. The metadata is working correctly though.

Metadata is also kinda fixed on 105.7. The RT field is back up and working with the correct titles during music, (the format appears to be TITLE - ARTIST) but the PS field appears to be just a static "LOVE 105" as of 7:15am this morning. During breaks/stopsets though, the RT field still shows "Baby Come To Me - Patti Austin & James Ing on Love 105."

No dynamic metadata appeared on 105.1 last I checked, just a static PS of "Love 105" and a static RT field of "Amy Karlson Middays on Love 105."

 

[fmradioguy]

KQ and 93X's RDS metadata format has also changed.

KQRS' RDS format used to be "92 KQRS Artist Title" and now it appears to be "ARTIST TITLE 92 KQRS." A promo for the KQ Talk & Text line has also been added during breaks/stopsets.

KXXR's RDS format used to be "TITLE - ARTIST ON 93X" (scrolling) and now it appears to be "ARTIST TITLE 93X" (double space between the "TITLE" and "93X" IS intentional, as that is how it appears on air) and "[ARTHUR'S JEWELERS PROMO] 93X." The scrolling of every character has been disabled and it now shows word-by-word like most of the other stations. (if that makes sense) Also sounds like KXXR may have gotten a new processor or updated settings as the texture of the sound seems different.

 

[Wolfie770]

This is the first time I can even receive 93X-HD1 in HD for weeks (so there's that part of it), maybe a month. It just simply appeared that they stopped broadcasting in HD to me - now I can get both HD1 & HD2. Honestly, The Machine sounded way better than this, but they don't originate it, so maybe it's not something they're doing - 105.7FM sounds the same about, maybe a bit better...so maybe they did just plug in a cheap radio and feed it directly from the Headphone Jack? LOL

 

[fmradioguy]

This is the first time I can even receive 93X-HD1 in HD for weeks (so there's that part of it), maybe a month. It just simply appeared that they stopped broadcasting in HD to me - now I can get both HD1 & HD2. Honestly, The Machine sounded way better than this, but they don't originate it, so maybe it's not something they're doing - 105.7FM sounds the same about, maybe a bit better...so maybe they did just plug in a cheap radio and feed it directly from the Headphone Jack? LOL

KXXR-HD had been off for almost a year. I at first thought they had maybe just seen no point to it anymore and just abandoned it for good, but then I saw someone say that the HD encoder died. I have to wonder though - If the HD encoder just died, why would that change where their feed for Love was coming from? It did not sound *THAT* bad when they first put Love on KXXR-HD2....

 

[mnradiofan]

KXXR-HD had been off for almost a year. I at first thought they had maybe just seen no point to it anymore and just abandoned it for good, but then I saw someone say that the HD encoder died. I have to wonder though - If the HD encoder just died, why would that change where their feed for Love was coming from? It did not sound *THAT* bad when they first put Love on KXXR-HD2....

I believe it wasn't just the encoder that died, but the entire transmitter. Started, IIRC, last summer when basically all of the major FM's were operating off their backup transmitters due to work being done at Shoreview and when they went to switch back to the main transmitter, it failed.

Sounds like the new transmitter finally came in.

 

[pattywells]

This is the first time I can even receive 93X-HD1 in HD for weeks (so there's that part of it), maybe a month. It just simply appeared that they stopped broadcasting in HD to me - now I can get both HD1 & HD2. Honestly, The Machine sounded way better than this, but they don't originate it, so maybe it's not something they're doing - 105.7FM sounds the same about, maybe a bit better...so maybe they did just plug in a cheap radio and feed it directly from the Headphone Jack? LOL

This literally made me laugh out loud.

So many of these HD subchannels sound like absolute garbage. Often times they only exist to feed a translator.

But in this case, it appears they are trying to increase their footprint (so you'd think they care about the sound quality).

Have they started including 93.7 HD-2 in their station identification? Any advertising slots that instruct listeners to turn to 93.7 HD-2?

 

[Wolfie770]

This literally made me laugh out loud.

So many of these HD subchannels sound like absolute garbage. Often times they only exist to feed a translator.

But in this case, it appears they are trying to increase their footprint (so you'd think they care about the sound quality).

Have they started including 93.7 HD-2 in their station identification? Any advertising slots that instruct listeners to turn to 93.7 HD-2?

If 93X is running MP1 and puts 64kbps toward the HD-1 Main Channel, but running only 32kbps or 24kbps on the HD-2 with Love105 and has a substandard source from Love105, then it's going to sound terrible.

And I haven't heard any on 105.7FM that I remember, I'll listen tonight and see. 105.7FM sounds a lot better actually and comes in strong here. Don't they still have HD on 105.3-1 also?

 

[Wolfie770]

I believe it wasn't just the encoder that died, but the entire transmitter. Started, IIRC, last summer when basically all of the major FM's were operating off their backup transmitters due to work being done at Shoreview and when they went to switch back to the main transmitter, it failed.

Sounds like the new transmitter finally came in.

Weren't they also taking down KSTC-TVs Channel 45 transmitter and putting up their Channel 30 one and moving KARE11 to UHF, as well? Disrupting all the other FM and TV Stations in the process?

 

[fmradioguy]

This literally made me laugh out loud.

So many of these HD subchannels sound like absolute garbage. Often times they only exist to feed a translator.

But in this case, it appears they are trying to increase their footprint (so you'd think they care about the sound quality).

It's Cumulus in the Twin Cities. They’ve already proven quality/attention to detail isn’t something they care much about.

Have they started including 93.7 HD-2 in their station identification? Any advertising slots that instruct listeners to turn to 93.7 HD-2?

Outside of the TOTH, I haven’t heard any.

 

[fmradioguy]

105.7FM sounds a lot better actually and comes in strong here.

105.7 still sounds like s#!+ processing wise in comparison to the other TC FMs outside of KQ, and 93X, which also sound like absolute s#!+ processing wise. Someone needs to disable the engineers access to the clipping settings…. Actually, someone needs to disable the engineers processing access altogether.

Don't they still have HD on 105.3-1 also?

Nope. That went away like two years ago. Probably a good idea as I’m pretty sure 105.3 is internet fed — Sounds lossy and sometimes there are Barix-like hiccups. Add HD on top of that and that’s a ton of quality loss.

 

[fmradioguy]

Weren't they also taking down KSTC-TVs Channel 45 transmitter and putting up their Channel 30 one and moving KARE11 to UHF, as well? Disrupting all the other FM and TV Stations in the process?

I think so. I think PBS (KTCA/KTCI) also had some work being done as well.

 

[Lester_the_NightFly]

105.7 still sounds like s#!+ processing wise in comparison to the other TC FMs outside of KQ, and 93X, which also sound like absolute s#!+ processing wise. Someone needs to disable the engineers access to the clipping settings…. Actually, someone needs to disable the engineers processing access altogether.

Nope. That went away like two years ago. Probably a good idea as I’m pretty sure 105.3 is internet fed — Sounds lossy and sometimes there are Barix-like hiccups. Add HD on top of that and that’s a ton of quality loss.

While I was there it was a TieLine BridgeIT, through a DSL.
Not sure how it is done today. It has always been a poor step child of the family.