KFMB-DT's UPCOMING CHANGE FROM CHANNEL UHF 55 TO VHF 7

On or about March 6th, 2008, KFMB-DT will change channels for our over the air, digitial broadcast. KFMB has been granted an experimental license from the federal communications commission to make this change in conjunction with Qualcomm, which will use channel 55 (KFMB-DT's existing channel) for its “Media Flo"  video service.

The broadcasts of KFMB-DT on Channel 7 will originate from our transmitter facility on Mount Soledad. current plans call for an initial on the air broadcast at 47kw ERP and eventually reaching 140kw ERP.

If you currently receive our over the air digital broadcast on UHF 55 you will need to retune your receiver. In addition, changes may be required in the type or location of your receiving antenna.

If you receive our digital broadcasts (including high definition programming) from the cable or satellite companies no changes will be required.

WE NOW HAVE A NEW WORLD OF SHARPER IMAGES AND MUCH LARGER PICTURES AVAILABLE. THIS SYSTEM IS KNOWN AS “HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION” OR HDTV. The current system of television you're accustomed to has been around since the 1940’s. It's known as NTSC, or "standard definition." Small details can't be seen unless the camera really zooms in. When you look closely at a large screen TV you can see the individual horizontal lines scanning across. This standard definition picture is made up of 525 such lines.

High definition television, or HDTV, broadcasts far more detail, but the real advantage comes with larger TV screens. You can use a large screen TV without seeing the scanning lines, and you'll see things you've never seen before. You may have noticed the wider screens, too. This new look is closer to that you've grown to like at the movie theater.

The sound can be better on digital TV, too. The new Advanced Television (ATSC) format calls for up to six channels of sound, including surround channels.

Your current standard TV set can't decode or display an HDTV signal. There are set-top boxes coming out soon which will convert digital signals so that you can view them on a conventional TV, but again, there's nothing high definition about it.

To find out more about HDTV, including the history and science, check out the Digital Crash Course by Robert X. Cringely--bar none, the best explanation. Another good primer is "How Stuff Works: DTV".

[top]

What shows are in HDTV?

CBS currently offers one of the largest high definition programming lineups. You can check the HDTV lineup of CBS shows at The CBS Website. KFMB-TV once again made history in San Diego broadcasting by being the first station to produce news in high definition. News 8 in HD went on the air January 29, 2007. This is another first for KFMB, the first television station on the air in San Diego (1949), and the first San Diego station to produce local news.

[top]

What will digital TV cost me?

As the technology advances and demand grows, the price for HDTV sets continues to drop. We recommend that you comparison shop and buy the set that best meets your needs and budget. You can find a large number of guides (including Consumer Reports) on the internet concerning HDTV purchase.

[top]

What is 1080i? 720p? 16:9 4:3?

The television you've been watching all these years, known as NTSC, or just plain TV, has 525 vertical lines of resolution. If you look really closely at your screen, you'd be able to see each of the scanning lines. You'd only be able to count about 480 of them because the rest are used for services such as closed captioning, parental control ratings and programming guide. The "i" stands for interlaced. Instead of scanning from top to bottom once every 1/30th of a second and consequently having you see a bothersome flicker on the screen, they figured out in the 1940s that they could scan the screen with 262 of the odd lines every 1/60th of a second, then come back in and scan the even lines on the next pass. That way, alternate lines on the screen are refreshed every 1/60th of a second and, voilà!--no flicker. You're accustomed to watching what is known as "480i analog" television, otherwise known as "plain old TV". CBS broadcasts HDTV in 1080i, or 1080 lines of resolution, with interlaced scanning. That's a lot of lines in 1/30th of a second!

Other networks broadcast in 720p or 480p. The "p" stands for "progressive." They just scan the screen once per frame, 60 times per second. The internet offers more information on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each system.

Keep in mind that each TV monitor has a native imaging resolution. If you buy a 1080i monitor, 720p signals will be converted, or “transcoded” to 1080i, and vice versa. Many monitors have native resolutions that make them less than real high definition. For the best viewing you want the highest native scanning rate you can afford.

CBS, PBS and NBC currently use 1080i. ABC and FOX use 720p.

16:9 (sometimes referred to as 16x9) refers to aspect ratio, a number representing the fraction of a TV screen width with respect to its height. A square has a 1:1 aspect ratio. You are accustomed to watching TV in 4:3. Since the beginning of television, every time a movie has been shown to you, the networks have had to cut the picture off a little on the sides. 16:9 is a widescreen format, but still not as wide as most movie theater screens. When you watch a standard TV show on a new widescreen monitor, you'll see black lines down the sides. Some people actually adjust their new monitors to squish everything to fit the full width, but that distorts the picture and makes objects appear “fatter” than they actually are.

Some other terms to learn: "OTA" means "over-the-air," as in, "I don’t want to pay for HDTV on cable or satellite, so I want to put up an antenna for OTA reception." "STB" means "set-top box," or separate receiver unit, as in "I need to buy an STB to go with my new HD large screen monitor." "PQ" means "picture quality."

What should you look for in a high definition TV set? First, keep in mind that digital television sets are largely being sold now like stereos—as separate components. A set-top box, or tuner, receives the on-air signal and converts it to audio and video signals. In case the set-top box becomes obsolete or you choose to add satellite or cable reception, you replace or add only the box, and not the monitor or speakers. It may or may not have an audio amplifier. A monitor takes the video signal and displays it on a screen. Speakers, up to six for true AC-3 Dolby® Digital sound, provide the sound for the center, left front, right front, left rear, right rear, and woofer (bass).

Look for the latest generation equipment since improvements are being made so rapidly. You'll find HDTV hardware reviews from actual users at AVS Forum.com. There are also a large number of consumer guides available on the internet, including ones from Consumer Reports and CNet.

Satisfy yourself that:

• You like the way it will look in your viewing room, because it will dominate that space.
• It receives all the signals you intend to watch.
• It receives all ATSC digital standards.
• You can easily hook-up and switch to other sources like VCRs, DVD, Digital recorders, etc..
  

[top]

Yes. Cox and Time Warner carry KFMB-TV8/CBS in high definition. You can also receive KFMB-TV8/CBS high definition programming over-the-air. Dish Network and Direct TV also offer KFMB-TV8/CBS programming in High Definition.

[top]

Besides the standard definition NTSC signal you're accustomed to on channel eight, we’re on channel 55, UHF from Mt. Soledad, the hill above La Jolla. In March of 2008 we will be changing from UHF 55, to VHF Channel 7. If you can pick up a decent signal from us on channel eight over the air, chances are good that you'll have a usable signal for digital TV. If you have some multi-path, or ghosting, in your reception, you may have to work on your antenna. Cox and Time Warner cable also offer KFMB on their digital, high definition tier.

[top]

What kind of antenna do I need for HDTV?

The current Advanced Television System (ATV) transmission is tolerant of weak signals (snow), but not ghosting, a.k.a. "multi-path." If you live in a canyon, you may be out of luck. If you can see Mt. Soledad from your house, even if from the roof, you won't need much of an antenna. Rabbit ears or a simple bow-tie antenna in the attic may be enough for nearby residents. You shouldn’t need a big rooftop antenna unless you’re more than 15 or so miles away from Mt. Soledad.

A few things to keep in mind: Rabbit ears are designed for VHF reception, not UHF. Extend them to about 18” per side for channel 8. Stucco walls, common in southern California, have a metal mesh in them that greatly reduces TV signals passing through. If you can, try a window location in plain sight of our Mt. Soledad tower. An attic antenna is generally an improvement, but an outdoor antenna is almost always best.

If you do plan on adding an antenna to your roof, be advised to use extreme caution: do not do it on a wet day, stay away from power lines. There are some excellent antenna erection services in San Diego under "Antennas" in the Yellow Pages.

Avoid trees--their leaves attenuate signals. Also avoid receiving through stucco if you can, since the metal grid work that reinforces is effective at blocking TV signals.

If you get great reception during the winter, but not during the summer it just might be caused by tree leaves blocking the signal. Make sure you have the best outdoor antenna for the job, and that is clear of trees. If it is, try the preamp mentioned above.

"I get great reception during the summer, but not during the winter." Usually this is a rain issue. If you have an outdoor antenna, have you sealed all outdoor cable connections against rain? Moisture in coax is very bad, and can ruin reception, especially on the UHF band. Use silicone sealant to keep moisture out of the lead-in. Tape alone doesn't work well.

[top]

My homeowners' association won't let me put up an antenna.

Yes they will. The 1996 FCC Telecommunications Act says so. This fact sheet explains that homeowners may put up a reasonable outdoor antenna system to receive over-the-air signals. Does this mean you can climb all over your apartment complex and erect a 50-foot tower on top? Probably not. Can you put an antenna on the deck of your apartment or roof of your own home? Yes, you can. This rule has even passed a couple of court challenges.

It would be in your interest to work with your association representative and erect the smallest array that will get you results. It also doesn't hurt to paint an antenna to hide a shiny appearance, either. Most everyone agrees that the little DBS satellite dishes don't look bad hanging off the eaves of your home. Neither will a 12" x 18" bowtie array under your eaves, in front of your chimney, or just above your roofline.

[top]

I have got a digital TV. What's the deal with the channel numbers 8-0, 8-1?

When TV stations added digital services there was agreement on a numbering plan similar to ours. We actually transmit those channel numbers as part of our programming information on the digital signal.

8.0 refers to the channel eight that's been around since 1949. It's the analog, NTSC, VHF service you can get on an old-fashioned TV as well as the new ones.

8.1 refers to the primary digital service. It is a combination of HD and up converted standard definition television programming.

Cable systems here place HD stations in the 700 block of channel numbers. KFMB/CBS San Diego can be found at 708.

[top]

What are KFMB's plans for the DTV transition?

The F.C.C. has mandated that on February 17th, 2009 broadcasters will move from the present analog system of broadcasting to digital. This means that television sets that are not digital ready, will not be able to receive a digital over the air signal. If you have cable, your analog set will continue to work as the cable systems are required to continue providing an analog feed of local stations for several more years. Also you can apply for a coupon from the federal government to be used for the purchase of a set top converter that will take the digital over the air broadcast and convert the digital signal to an analog signal that your television can receive. You can of course,  purchase a new digital television and enjoy the better picture and sound quality of digital and high definition broadcasts.

On February 17th, 2009, KFMB plans to move its digital broadcast from VHF 7 to VHF 8. At that time our analog television service, established in 1949, will cease. We look forward to serving the San Diego community with digital broadcasts.  For more information on the nationwide switch to Digital TV, please go to the following: http://www.dtvanswers.com/

[top]

I have another question.

You can find more information on digital television and HDTV on the following web sites: the National AVS Forum and HDTV for San Diego Forum: http://hdtv.forsandiego.com . Information on CBS HD Programming can be found on the CBS Website. Questions specific to Channel 8 can be emailed to dtv@kfmb.com.

[top]