View Full Version : No Network HD?
I cannot get Over-the-air signals and rely on cable or DirectTV for signals. I noticed that DirectTV does not seem to offer the broadcast networks in HD. So I sent them a message asking if they planned to offer networks in HD. This is their reply.
"Thanks for your inquiry. We're sorry, but we do not currently have plans to offer broadcast networks in high definition. However, most high-definition DIRECTV receivers allow you to get your local network's high-definition broadcasts by using an off-air (rooftop) antenna in combination with your HDTV equipment. With this configuration the signals and related program information from your satellite dish and your over the air antenna integrates seamlessly into your DIRECTV on-screen guide. For more information on how to get HDTV broadcasts using an off-air antenna, check with your local HDTV retailer.
We are committed to remaining the leader in HDTV programming and we're in constant discussions with various program providers to increase the number of high definition programs we offer. Keep checking DIRECTV.com/HDTV for the latest news and announcement as they become available.
Sincerely,
Heather
DIRECTV Customer Service"
Now, does anyone know why this is? I suspect there is a legal problem.
Perhaps I can aks this question in a different way.
Given that DirectTV hypes HD, why in the world would they not carry local channels in HD? The fact that they do not carry local channels in HD could and probably will be a major cause of their eventual extinction.
keith1229
10-01-2003, 08:29 PM
without knowing what the hell i am talking about, my understanding is that one major problem is that it takes up a ton of bandwidth just to do even a few HD channels. now, remember that they may be national networks, but they don't blanket broadcast the same shows at all times. they all have local shows and stuff like that. DirecTv would have to send out the signal for every channel in every market. so broadcasting one network would really be like broadcasting dozens of channels like HDnet ( which is the same everywhere). they don't have the satellite/bandwidth space to pull it off, at least without raising costs exorbitantly (and thus doing the same to your bill)
does this make any sense? i think i understand it myself but it's likely i am way off. please correct/educate me if i am wrong. thanks.
I found the attached in an FCC report dated Nov. 29, 2000. It says that they will decided the issue of mandatory carriage of digital signal first, and a footnote says that the FCC expect that cable system will be required to carry digital signals at some point as analog broadcast signals will cease to exist in 2006.
As of this writing, I do not know the status of the madatory carriage of digital signals by cable companies.
"J. Digital Television
120. Section 338(g) states: “The regulations prescribed [by the Commission under Section 338] shall include requirements on satellite carriers that are comparable to the requirements on cable operators under sections 614(b)(4) . . . .” Section 614(b)(4)(B) of the Act provides: “At such time as the Commission prescribes modifications of the standards for television broadcast signals, the Commission shall initiate a proceeding to establish any changes in the signal carriage requirements of cable television systems necessary to ensure cable carriage of such broadcast signals of local commercial television stations which have been changed to conform with such modified standards.” The Conference Report stated: “by directing the FCC to promulgate these must carry rules [found in Section 338], the conferees do not take any position regarding the application of must-carry rules to carriage of digital television signals by either cable or satellite systems.”
121. The Commission has adopted rules establishing a transitional process for the conversion from an analog to a digital form of broadcast transmission. The rules allow each existing analog television licensee or each eligible permittee to construct and operate digital facilities using 6 MHz of spectrum, in addition to the 6 MHz of spectrum used to continue analog broadcasting until the end of the transition. The broadcast station will transmit a signal consistent with the standards adopted in Advanced Television Systems and Their Impact Upon the Existing Television Broadcast Service, Fourth Report and Order, giving it the flexibility to broadcast in a high definition mode, in a multiple program standard definition mode, in a datacasting mode, or a mixture of all three, provided that the licensee provides at least one over-the-air video program stream to consumers. During the transition period, both the analog and digital television signals will be broadcast. At the end of the transition which is scheduled for 2006, with certain statutory exceptions, the station is to cease broadcasting an analog signal and will return to the government 6 MHz of spectrum.
122. The Commission commenced a proceeding to determine the carriage obligations cable operators should have with regard to a broadcast station’s digital television signal during the transition period to digital television. We sought comment in that proceeding on how to accomplish the Congressional goals reflected in Section 614, Section 615, and Section 325 of the Act in light of the significant changes to the relevant industries resulting from the conversion to digital operations. The thrust of the proceeding was to examine the timing and scope of digital broadcast signal carriage obligations for cable operators. When this proceeding was initiated, there was no satellite broadcast signal carriage requirement, and satellite carriers did not comment on the issues addressed in that proceeding. We therefore sought comment on whether satellite carriers should be required to carry digital broadcast television signals in addition to analog broadcast signals up until the time that television stations return their analog spectrum to the government.
123. We believe that our goal of initiating a discussion on a satellite carrier’s digital broadcast signal carriage obligations has been achieved. As expected, broadcast commenters support the imposition of a digital broadcast signal carriage rule under Section 338 and satellite carriers oppose a digital broadcast signal carriage requirement. We note that these comments generally reflect the positions taken by the broadcast and cable industries in response to the questions raised in the Digital Must Carry Notice. We will consider the digital carriage obligations of both cable operators and satellite carriers in tandem within the context of the rulemaking for cable operators, and will consider the comments filed on this issue in that proceeding. In any instance, we note that Echostar argues that the Commission cannot impose digital carriage obligations on satellite because there are no current rules in effect for the cable industry. We find that the Commission must be able to issue rules for satellite digital broadcast signal carriage that are comparable to those for cable operators. The Congressional goal of comparable requirements was not frozen in time on November 29, 1999. Rather, we are authorized to implement changes or additions in the satellite carriage rules whenever we adopt changes in the cable carriage rules, including digital carriage requirements."
In a notice (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-238850A1.doc) published Sept. 2, 2003, the FCC said this about cable carriage of digital TV:
· Selectable Output Control – The current use of selectable output controls by all multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) is prohibited.
· Down-resolution – Down-resolution (reducing the resolution of high-definition programming to standard-definition) is prohibited for broadcast programming by all MVPDs; the FCC said that down-resolution of non-broadcast programming will be addressed in the Further Notice. In the interim, MVPDs intending to use down-resolution for non-broadcast programming are required to notify the FCC at least 30 days in advance."
It looks like cable systems are required to carry HDTV if broadcast in digital. I assume the same will be true of Sattelite TV when they adopt rules for Sattelites.
Here is a link to the must carry rules for cable. It appears that cable systems must carry digital signals of stations that only have digital signals. Until that time, cable systems do not have to carry digital signals.
Ouch.
http://ftp.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/News_Releases/2001/must_carry_factsheet.html
halveb
10-02-2003, 11:03 AM
Ned,
It is not practical for Satellite to carry local broadcasts high definition or otherwise. To understand this we need to step back and take a look at how television programming is delivered. My understanding on this isn't perfect so if I am wrong in some parts I'm sure someone will correct me.
Virtually all broadcast television is provided by satellite transmission from the networks to affiliates. All the shows you watch on CBS, ABC, NBC, etc are delivered to your local affiliate via satellite transmission. The affiliate has a big dish that they receive this feed on then they mix in the local programming (some commercials, local news, etc) and broadcast that via radio signals.
Satellite TV is more akin to the networks in that they broadcast television shows to the entire country and you would be like the local affiliate receiving the satellite signal. There is only so much information that can be broadcast in the satellite signal. This is why it would be impossible (more accurately not cost effective) for the satellite companies to put enough satellites up in the air to be able to broadcast each local station.
In those instances where you simply cannot get a local feed from a roof antenna and the local news, etc. is important to you then you really have no choice other than cable.
Cable must carry local broadcasts because they often rent the infrastructure needed to deliver their signal (the cable lines) from the local community who installed them or at least often subsidized them. Eventually analog signals will go away and then cable will have to carry the digital signal. I am sure that cable anxiously awaits that day since analog signals take more bandwidth than digital signals and when they can drop the analog content then they will be able to carry more programs or services which means more revenue.
Hopeful this has helped clarify the differences between cable and satellite.
