CBS-58 & HD Net

[JimHall]

Dear HDTV Users;

We have some exciting news for local Milwaukee HDTV viewers.  We have entered into a trial run with HDNet as a local outlet for some of their programming.

During the next several weeks we will rebroadcast certain portions of HD Net programming over our high definition over-the-air channel for WDJT-DT.

All CBS HDTV network programming will be broadcast by WDJT-DT.  At other times, WDJT-DT will switch to certain HDNet programming that is available for an over-the-air broadcast.  However, please note that most sporting events and other specific copyrighted programming may not be available for this trial test.

We are excited to be working with HDNet.  And we are looking for feedback as to the quality of the transmission.

Sincerely,

Jim Hall
Station Manager CBS-58
WDJT-TV & WDJT-DT  
WMLW TV-41
Telemundo 63




[This message has been edited by JimHall (edited 07-26-2002).]

[Todd Wiedemann]

Jim -

Let me be the first, from this group, to congratulate and applaud this strategic allience.

By aligning with Mark Cuban you've demonstrated your commitment to advancing the amount of HD programming in Milwaukee.

Thank you.

[Joseph S]

This is fantastic news!!!!

Thanks. Will there be an increase in power considering the current use of simulcasting?? Is Telemundo being dumped because of the NBC purchase? Is the Hawaiiantropic Bikini contest copyrighted?

[kjnorman]

I'm depressed!  Still no WDJT-DT on Time Warner Cable.  I remain stuck in the SDTV wastelands....

Well good luck with the testing.  It will b interesting to see how it develops.

Kerry.

PS.  Are we any closer to a CBS58 & TWC annoucement??

[Matt Heebner]

This is a VERY excellent thing for sure. I know Cuban wanted to be able to lease out HDNet(s) to broadcast stations who didnt have enough HD programming to fill all the available time. Looks like that is exactly what is happening. I also know that Cuban is starting up atleast two more HDNets in the very near future....I wonder if maybe our local CBS is going to pick up a HDNet that won't be on DirecTv ??

Anyways, I look forward to seeing this. Great job Jim!

Matt

[Kevin Arnold]

Good news indeed! By the way, Jim, is there any way to reactivate the HD specific schedule for 46? Especially since there will now be differences between 58 and 46. And a hearty thanks for pressing on with HD specific programming. It is appreciated.

[Tom Sielicki]

Ok I am turning my antenna back to Milwaukee.  Just when you think HD really sucks in Milwaukee and Madison was only hope for OTA HD, Jim Hall comes through with a big plan.  Way to go Jim.  There are leaders (not only do what is required but come up with new ideas) and there are followers. (Also complete Losers like WISN and FOX 6).  You are leader.
Thanks

[RobbQ]

Wow Jim, that is really impressive.  You have my whole hearted appreciation.  I am a dishnetwork customer who will be very grateful to see this programming.  Please clue me in if there is anything that I/we can do for you and CBS-58.  I will be more than happy to write some positive letters to sponsors, call journalists and tell them how happy I am with CBS-58, wash your car...

[Joseph S]

I guess there's no copyright issue here.  

Coming in just fine here. Thanks, Jim and Mark Cuban.

Can you broadcast Alias reruns for us after hours seeing as ABC has no interest in it?



[This message has been edited by Joseph S (edited 07-26-2002).]

[borghe]

I guess here would be as good a thread as any to ask some questions. First let me say Jim that 4 and 58 have really done an outstanding job when it comes to serving your market, especially 58 being that CBS has such a large amount of HD material (sorry Sean.. maybe you can yell at NBC for us..  )

Anyway, enough of the kssing up. My question has to do with multi-casting. Especially now that you are multi-casting HDNet. Are your signals from either CBS or HDNet recompressed to allow for multi-casting of 41 and 63? I have noticed that both of those channels are heavily compressed and was just wondering if that allowed for the full bitrate of the appropriate network feeds on 1-1.

Btw, congratulations on HDNet. As I said earlier, it shows you guys are really commited to bring the future of television into Milwaukee.

So, any chance you've heard of CBS multi-casting multiple SD NFL games this year being that there won't be any HD ones? One can dream...  

[Joseph S]

Constructive Criticism mode:

The concert shown last night really seemed to stress the system. Whenever the center camera was used and the stage was flashed with white lights there were problems with pixelation. When the center or side cams focused on a someone making movement with their hand or body there were artifacts in the line of motion.

On both the concert and the aerial show that followed there were about 7 audio dropouts and 1 videodrop which occured as the camera panned to my left on a landscape shot.

My signal strength ranged from 68-71.

Good luck. This is a great service you are bringing us. Thanks.

[John Polulach]

Just watched a bit of fly fishing and tango dancing on HDnet/CBS 58.  Not my standard fare but a good HD picture, even with lots of ambient light in my living room.  Thank you 58 and Jim Hall!

This sort of reminds me of when UHF was first introduced in the early 60's (if my memory serves me right). I was growing up in Chicago and there was only one channel and about the only thing they broadcast was bull fights from Mexico in b&w on Saturday nights.  But I watched because it was VERY cool getting a new (6th) channel, from a new little box on top of the TV with a little round antenna...plus I never had seen bull fights before.

JP

[tenth_t2]

Jim,

Thanks for the tip.  I saw this at work and thought, well, how do I know what's on, or when you're testing?

So I tuned in tonight about 5:45 and you were on.  I had a guy from work stopping over.  After picking up his jaw (yet again), it's just extremely helpful to have content.

I applaud you and CBS-58 for taking this step.  You're running the transmitter anyway, use it to it's potential.

I know it's a test, I know it may not last, but thank you.  And thanks for switching back to the CBS monday night HD lineup (even though reruns), my wife enjoys those as do I. Monday nights are arguably the best night, with content from 7-9 on CBS, and 9-10 on NBC, followed by Leno.

Greg O.

[Rafiki]

Greg,

I have two sources to find the schedule for HDNET:
 www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html
 www.hd.net

58 is giving us the live feed from HDNET.  I have found hd on 58 all day long.

By the way, Jim, your picture is almost the quality of the satelite and thanks for caring about local viewers.

Michael

[borghe]

Jim,

While reading the Tim Cuprisin article I noticed that the compression rates for 58 were given. Do you have any official comment on what 58's future plans are as far as recompression and multi-casting?