Confusion appears to be present with 1-1, 58, 58-1 etc

[Pat]

Samsung SIR-T150: no problems noted.

[GS kid]

I have the Samsung T-151. I had that problem with 1-1 over the weekend (Sunday I think). Signal levels normal but no picture. I guess the PSIP data problem bothers the T-151 just like it did my old DTC-100. Every now and then 1-1 goes AWOL on my channel list. By entering 1-1 directly, it seems to add it back to the list again with no more problems. It doesn't happen often, but is a weird quirk. I also notice that it's harder to get in PBS with it as well. When I use my Radio Shack HD antenna in Helix mode (best for digital broadcasts) it's signal level pops between full signal level and no signal level pretty often , but comes in fine when switched to the rabbit-ears. With my DTC-100, the Helix antenna was better then rabbit-ears for this channel. CBS is about the same with either STB. It has good days and bad days. Everything else is fine.
As for mention of no channels being over 50 in the future, I say this. No REAL channels over 50. With PSIP data, stations can MAP the stations anywhere on your STB's channel list. Real 46 is mapped 1.1-3, 28 is mapped 4.1, 8 is mapped 10.1-5, etc. Mapping should give CBS-58 no problem putting it as 58.1 on your STB channel list. They should do that soon before people get confused in the future.---- GS kid

[ReesR]

I originally wrote the following after Tom Synder said in another topic:

They do have a conundrum, though. They are 58, but, unlike the other channels, they won't be able to keep it when the analog spectrum goes away.
Unfortunately, with TV, I think the channel number may be even more important than the call letters. Like it or not, CBS58 will be faced with having to change their brand.

It's complicated by the fact that VHF channels get more respect than UHF channels. SO if you're Jim Hall... what do you do? Become CBS46? Hardly.

To acheive parity you figure out a way to have an apparent VHF channel. To achieve superiority you become #1. If Time Warner gives him that cable channel, he scores a major coup.

In the long run, it's brilliant. In the short term, it's confusing.

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I then wrote this:


I appreciate the "perceived" conundrum. But look it this way just for a second:
When Channel 6 was CBS I was appauled when they dropped it. Why? Because I felt they had made a huge mistake. Then when ch 58 picked it up, I felt like it was their gain.

CONTENT is what is important. NOT channel branding. My viewing habits went along with the content change. Channel 6 used to get my viewing while 58 now does. Not because they are 58 but because they have the content I want to view.

Therefore, the conundrum is a perceived one. It basically says that if we do an end run around the channel number issue they will win by having this elusive #1 channel. To me this is pure marketing hype. I go to 58 because they are CBS in this market. Pure and simple. For those who want content on ch6 then the same applies. My local viewing of news is pretty much divided between all the local stations. None of the stations have a lock on local news in the Milwaukee market, IMHO.

I simply want Jim Hall to look at the possiblity that regular folk don't care what number on the dial they are on. It's the content. It makes no difference anymore whether the content is on VHF, UHF, Satellite, or laser receiver. Whether they are on Channel 1, 5, A, B, EE, XYZ or 58, it makes absolutely no difference. I will, once I know where the content is seek out the programs at whatever channel they are on.

That was the message I was trying to get across. Whether they still have 58 after the analog channels goes away still does not make any difference at all. This is 1980's or 90's branding mentality. I am sick of it. It also goes to the heart of the logo issue as well. People are getting angry about it. If people are smart enough to switch to the channel that gives them what they want they certainly don't need something on the screen to remind them that they succeeded for the duration of the program. How would you like it if your phone call was interupted by voice telling you what phone number you were connected to while trying to enjoy the phone conversation? Same thing. I find both would be very disturbing.

The normal protocol currently says to use the same channel number plus an added "-1" or "-2" etc to obtain the digital channel. Ch 58 should use it. To use some old cable idea is just not a good one at the very entry point that people are trying to understand digital television concepts. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid. That is something that most will agree is good policy.

And having different channel numbers to define the same station on your tv or set top box or recorder or tv guild is just bad policy.


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I moved this to here because it was hinted that I was not focusing on the main subject matter.  Hopefully, this will retain the intent of this topic.


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Rees Roberts
Racine, WI
reesr@wi.net

HDTV Receiver:  Sony KD-34XBR2 16X9
Bi-directional AntennaCraft VHF Yagi Model #2260P
+
2 Winegard PR9022 UHF yagi's pointing N & S
Antennas at about 30 feet
Samsung SIR-TS160 HD Directv receiver

[ReesR]

I also wrote the following in that same topic:

Ok folks:

I had originally written a piece (again) about how 58 was creating confusion in the marketplace with their decision to map themselves to channel 1-1. I will let you decide if you want to read those comments down below this or just stop at the end of this half.

I think I am slowly coming to the conclusion that competition will take care of everything. Jim Hall certainly won't listen to me or others here. So, I now declare the competition started. The three major networks are now on air in the Milwaukee market. So, let's see if the 1-1 channel confusion ultimately creates problems in the marketplace.

We "experimenters" obviously have learned how to deal with it. But I predict mucho problems with general users.
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and so goes the confusion over 58. Is it Thursday yet?


Confused by that comment? It makes just as much sense as all this confusion about 58.

My Sony receiver won't scan digital channel 1, my Sat box guide maps digital 58 as 58-1 instead of 1.1, TV Guides on the Internet can't agree what channel 58 is on for digital. And I have to manually tune 1-1 to get 58 digital. Titan's guide has even used 46. Then add to all this confusion what Time Warner Cable will do.

Jim Hall, please fix this by using standard mapping. It will be alot easier for people who are familiar with digital years from now to deal with one channel change than forcing people who are not now familiar with digital to have to deal with it during their learning curve about HDTV.


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Rees Roberts
Racine, WI
reesr@wi.net

HDTV Receiver:  Sony KD-34XBR2 16X9
Bi-directional AntennaCraft VHF Yagi Model #2260P
+
2 Winegard PR9022 UHF yagi's pointing N & S
Antennas at about 30 feet
Samsung SIR-TS160 HD Directv receiver