MPTV asks for our help

[ReesR]

Just got off the phone with Ellis Bromberg, General Manager of Milwaukee Public Television (CH 10 and 36).

He indicated that while no public announcement of the turning on of digital Channel 36 has been made yet, he indicated that there will be testing starting sometime Thursday, July 17th.   Because he did not know the exact timings or for how long, he indicated he would call me to share that information.  Tentatively, July 24th will be the "official" turn on date.  Public announcements would probably go out July 21st.

He asked me to share that information with the group here so we could get some good data as to how everything was working.  Specifically, whether or not you are able to switch between 10-1 and all of the other 10-2 through 10-6 channels.  In addition, accessing any of these channels as a direct jump from any other channel, whether analog or digital (either by a "up-channel/down-channel" or from direct channel input).  For example if you are on channel 4 can you go directly to 10-2?  Or another example, if you are on channel 12 can you down channel to 10-6 or up channel from 6 to 10-1?

As you recall, during earlier testing a few weeks ago it was discovered that at least Sony XBR receivers were locking up under these conditions because the PSIP data stream was telling the receivers to switch between two different digital carrier channels.  Something which is not seen very often.

Depending on what kind of feedback they receive will determine what decision they will make when they officially turn on July 24th.  We have a wonderful opportunity here to make a difference.  Mr. Bromberg has indicated that they follow our site and is eager to work with us.  As he said, "we do not want our legacy to be that people's televisions stopped working when we turned on channel 36 digital" as well as "we certainly do not want to see media headlines over this."  He also shared that as long as people are not "mean spirited" that he would really appreciate the feedback.  They are prepared to go the traditional route of having 36-1 be their channel designator for digital 36 instead of 10-1 if there are documented issues.

Twenty years from now the decision to have all public television channels grouped together could actually be a good long term decision.  So, it is not a totally bad idea in my mind as long as standards are adhered to and that it actually does work.

So, as soon as I hear when they are going to test the system with live PSIP data with channel 36 digital (35) turned on, I will share it with everyone here.

I will create a new thread for that announcement instead of bunching it up with any comments that might occur in this thread.

[Tom Snyder]

"mean spirited?"   US?

I'm confident that we can all behave for this.

[Todd Wiedemann]

Rees -

When creating the new topic for the 'testing' phase with 10-1, please add that our members should be specific regarding their setups; most importantly the HD tuner.

As you mentioned:

... Sony XBR receivers were locking up under these conditions

It's important to know what doesn't 'like' what in the testing phase.

I'm looking forward to being a useful resource to the community yet again.

Todd.

PS - Welcome 'back' Rees

[StarvingForHDTV]

I'll provide data as well.  As of recently my Sony HD200 just shows 10-1 as "no signal"  I can go channel up or down from 10-2 or 6-1 without a problem, and tune directly to any of their channels.  This was not the case a week or so ago.  I'll update when the new channel is live.

Thanks Rees.

Starving

[stash64]

I for one will be more than happy to help.  I have been so looking forward to the arrival of Channel 36 in digital OTA format.  I really miss "Globe Trekker" !!!

Does anyone know if 10-1 (Channel 36) will be broadcast in true time, or will it also have the 3-hour delay like it's sister, 10-2  And when will the 3-hour delay on 10-2 be eliminated ?

[Joseph S]

1)Please, kill the 3 hr delay on all stations!
2)Give the HD station its own number
3)Don't ever try to multicast with HD off the same transmitter.

[stash64]

Amen !!!  What he said !!!

[ReesR]

I did not hear from Ellis Bromberg today (Wednesday).

Rees

[stash64]

10-1 is back up, but it just looks to be 10 analog on the 3-hour delay.

[ReesR]

Well I believe the conclusion to the tests show the original idea of grouping all of the MPTV stations under one series of PSIP data streams did not work out.

Thanks to everyone who participated.  As the Press release which was just released today shows, Channel 36 digital will be 36-1 not 10-1 or 10-10 or 10-36.  Maybe in the future this type of grouping would be more appropriate.

Thanks again.

Rees

[Joseph S]

I'm surprised they didn't at least try to go for 1.0 to trump CBS

Thanks for sticking to a normal numerical system. People will better find you at 36.1! Might we suggest a 24 hr cam at the 6.1 tower instead of a fish tank.