- How do I receive KQED's Digital Channels?
KQED is currently broadcasting six channels.
KQED Channel 9 is available over the air to all viewers who are within broadcast range. It is also available on Comcast cable and via DirectTV and Dish Network in the Bay Area. More on satellite service.
KQED/KQET HD is available Over The Air (OTA) 24/7 to all viewers who have a high definition television set and a digital receiver. It transmits from both Sutro Tower in San Francisco, and the KQET Tower on Fremont Peak, northeast of Monterey. Tune your set to 9.1 or 25.1. KQED/KQET HD is also available on channel 709 via Comcast digital cable. You need a high definition television set, digital cable and a special Comcast HD upgrade to both receive the signal and to view it at maximum quality. The signal is also carried in an SD (Standard Definition) version on KQED Plus DT 54.2.
KQED's digital channels are available via Comcast digital cable and can be received over the air with an antenna and a digital receiver.
KQED Life transmits from the KQED Plus tower on Monument Peak, northeast of San Jose, and is on DT 54.3 OTA, or on Comcast 189.
KQED World transmits from Sutro Tower in San Francisco, and is on Comcast 190, or OTA on DT9.3.
V-Me transmits from the KTEH tower on Monument Peak, and is on DT 54.5 OTA, or on Comcast 191. It also transmits from the KQET Tower on Fremont Peak, northeast of Monterey, and is available OTA on DT 25.3.
KQED Kids transmits from the KTEH tower on Monument Peak, and is on DT 54.4 or Comcast 192.
KQED Plus transmits from the KTEH tower on Monument Peak, and is on Analog TV 54, on DT 54.1 or Comcast Cable 10 and 710 in most areas. It also transmits digitally from Sutro Tower, and is available on DT9.2. It also transmits digitally from the KQET Tower, and is on DT25.2.
- Can I receive KQED Digital Channels from Comcast at my address?
As of September 2006, Comcast had rewired most Bay Area households with upgraded digital cable. To find out if your neighborhood is properly wired, call Comcast at 1.800.945.2288. Ask if you are wired for digital cable. If not, ask when your neighborhood is scheduled to be "rebuilt."
- What digital cable package do I need to receive KQED's Digital Channels?
Call Comcast at 1.800.945.2288. Please note: You do not need an HDTV set or the HD upgrade to receive four of KQED's five new digital channels.
- Do I need a high definition (HD)TV set to get KQED's Digital Channels through Comcast cable?
No, the bulk of KQED's digital programming is standard definition. Comcast channels 189-192 (KQED Life, World, V-Me and Kids) are available via Comcast's regular digital cable service and can be seen on a regular analog TV set. However, you do need a high definition television set if you want to experience our HD programs at maximum quality. KQED HD (Comcast channel 709) is only available if you get a special HD upgrade. For maximum picture and sound quality you also need an HDTV set.
- Can I get KQED's Digital Channels if I subscribe to Satellite TV?
As of December 2008, KQED HD is now offered by DirecTV as part of their local HD package. Dish Network does not carry KQED HD.
The satellite services do not carry KQED's other Digital Channels at this time.
- What is digital television (DTV)?
The analog picture viewers currently receive is based on an analog transmission system (NTSC) which is more than 50 years old, and relies on a system of varying voltages to transmit a television picture. In December 1996 the Federal Communications Commission approved the US standard for a new era of television - "digital television (DTV)," a general term covering any kind of digital broadcasting. In a digital system, images and sound are processed using the same digital code found in computers: converting each element in a complete video picture to a binary code composed of 1s and 0s. The result is a picture with much sharper detail and better color than the analog standards in current use.
The digital revolution not only dramatically improves the quality of the television picture, but also makes possible the over-the-air delivery of several simultaneous services to viewers. These include the three main services of high definition television, multicasting in standard definition television and data transmission.
- What is high definition television (HDTV)?
Digital television allows stations to broadcast programs in much higher resolution or clarity than standard analog television. This is called high definition television or HDTV. Viewers at home are able to receive high-quality, crystal-clear pictures. These visually stunning pictures, with more than twice the resolution and clarity of standard television, are displayed in a wide screen format with a 16:9 width to height ratio compared to analog's 4:3, or almost square format. And because HDTV is digital, audiences have the benefit of six-channel CD-quality "surround sound." In other words, viewers are able to enjoy a true home theater experience. HDTV normally provides 720 or 1080 lines of resolution (depending on format) vs. 480 lines on standard definition.
- What is standard definition television (SDTV)?
This term refers to lower resolution digital broadcasts of about 480 lines of resolution. New digital TVs are able to receive both HDTV and SDTV broadcasts. SDTV is clearer than analog TV. Although not as good as HDTV, multiple SD signals can be transmitted in the same bandwidth as one HD signal.
- What is multicasting?
When not transmitting in HDTV, broadcasters will be able to transmit four or more channels of SDTV programming simultaneously. This is called multicasting. Although SDTV will not match HDTV in quality, it will still offer a higher quality picture than NTSC analog versions. When transmitting in HDTV, fewer SD channels will can be multicast at the same time.
- What is datacasting: enhanced and interactive DTV?
Digital broadcasting will offer an entirely new form of programming: enhanced digital television - the fusion of video, audio, images and text. For the first time, producers will be able to combine the storytelling power of video and film with the enormous data capacity of a digital television signal. Viewers will be able to simultaneously watch an enhanced TV production and, in the background, receive hundreds of megabytes of additional video, audio, text and images related to the program. This information can include recipes from your favorite cooking show, lesson plans for classroom teachers, biographies of actors, program transcripts and resources for additional information. Imagine your favorite PBS documentary accompanied by a companion CD-ROM, but with the content stored directly on your computer or in the memory of your digital set-top box
- Where can I see DTV?
At your favorite TV retailer.
- Will DTV make my current TV set obsolete?
Until the DTV transition, stations will be transmitting programs in both analog and digital. Today's TVs will continue to display analog transmissions (or dtv signals with appropriate receivers and antennas) during that transition period. Viewers will still be able to enjoy VHS tapes, DVD discs, and cable or satellite TV on current sets. Viewers who use indoor or outdoor antennas to get their signal for their analog sets will need to purchase a digital converter box for your analog TV in order to get any broadcast signals at all. However, although the digital converter box will allow you to receive a picture, it won't display the quality of HD. (more info about the DTV conversion.)
- Why do I need an antenna? Do I need a new one?
To receive KQED DT9 over the air, viewers must have a good quality antenna attached to the digital receiver. Depending upon your sight-line to Sutro Tower, multi-path issues, and the quality of your current antenna, it is possible that your current antenna (indoor or rooftop) could receive digital station signals. Or you may need a new one of better quality. It's important to remember that with the new digital system, the picture quality will always be sharp; there is no ghosting or degration of signal with DTV - you will receive a studio quality picture or nothing at all.
- What is the viewing area for the new digital channels?
The KQED digital signal extends nearly 65 miles in all directions from our transmitter site on Sutro Tower, but it is terrain-sensitive. Comcast Cable will extend the coverage area as the services becomes available. KQED HD is now available on Comcast Cable Channel 709.
- Why does digital technology change the shape of the picture?
The original 4:3 picture ratio was established to cloesely match the ratio used in film at the time. The new 16:9 ratio closely matches motion picture standards today. The letterbox format which is showing up on analog sets more and more allows viewers to see the entire production in 16:9 ratio, without losing nearly a third of the movie to cropping or pan & scan techniques. In other words, you're seeing the show as the producer/director created it, not reformatted to fit the nearly square 4:3 ratio of analog sets. (for more details, check out Robert Cringely's A Different Aspect web pages.)
Will you be able to watch your existing VHS or DVD collection (in a 4:3 ratio) on a new digital TV? Most digital sets have an analog input that will allow you to hook up your existing DVD or VHS player. However, the picture quality will not be any better than that of a high quality standard television monitor.
- Why do we end up with Letterbox format?
The original 4:3 picture ratio was established to cloesely match the ratio used in film at the time. The new 16:9 ratio closely matches motion picture standards today. The letterbox format which is showing up on analog sets more and more allows viewers to see the entire production in 16:9 ratio, without losing nearly a third of the movie to cropping or pan & scan techniques. In other words, you're seeing the show as the producer/director created it, not reformatted to fit the nearly square 4:3 ratio of analog sets. (for more details, check out Robert Cringely's A Different Aspect web pages.)
Will you be able to watch your existing VHS or DVD collection (in a 4:3 ratio) on a new digital TV? Most digital sets have an analog input that will allow you to hook up your existing DVD or VHS player. However, the picture quality will not be any better than that of a high quality standard television monitor.
- What's with those black stripes on my analog TV?
The original 4:3 picture ratio was established to cloesely match the ratio used in film at the time. The new 16:9 ratio closely matches motion picture standards today. The letterbox format which is showing up on analog sets more and more allows viewers to see the entire production in 16:9 ratio, without losing nearly a third of the movie to cropping or pan & scan techniques. In other words, you're seeing the show as the producer/director created it, not reformatted to fit the nearly square 4:3 ratio of analog sets. (for more details, check out Robert Cringely's A Different Aspect web pages.)
Will you be able to watch your existing VHS or DVD collection (in a 4:3 ratio) on a new digital TV? Most digital sets have an analog input that will allow you to hook up your existing DVD or VHS player. However, the picture quality will not be any better than that of a high quality standard television monitor.
- Why is KQED going through all this?
KQED is required by the Federal Communcations Act of 1996, an unfunded federal mandate, to convert to digital broadcasting. Digital technology condenses broadcast signals to make room on the spectrum for cellular phones, paging, and other systems. By auctioning that space, the government hopes to add billions to the US Treasury and reduce the national debt. The FCC mandated that all public television stations in the country begin digital transmission by May 2003.
Beyond the federal mandates and deadlines, KQED's DTV capability will allow the station to digitally broadcast over a variety of formats, including multicasting on up to five channels, broadcasting with enhanced or interactive television and, of course, airing programs in HDTV. Our ability to multicast a variety of programs at the same time will allow viewers a greater flexibility in making their television choices.
- How much will digital televisions cost?
That's a question for your favorite home entertainment retailer. Prices are in the $1000-$8000 range, but can cost more. As with all new electronic devices, prices are expected to come down over time. To give some perspective, The first color televisions sold for about $700, which in today's dollars translates to about $7000.
- How much will the digital converter boxes cost?
A lot less - anything from a $60 to $200 - but you get the features you pay for. Although the digital converter box will allow you to receive a picture, it won't allow access to high-definition or interactive programming, data, or other digital programming services.
- What's going to happen to all those old analog television sets?
They'll eventually suffer the same fate as 8-track tape players, floppy disks, the Commodore 64, etc.
- How can I keep up-to-date with KQED TV's conversion, and HDTV programming plans?
If you would like to receive twice-monthly email updates about upcoming programs, along with occasional alerts regarding KQED's continuing conversion, visit our Newsletters Subscriptions page, and sign up for HDTV Alerts.
- Does KQED HD broadcast in 1080i or 720p?
KQED broadcasts in 1080i.
- What is the difference between DT-9.1, and DT-9.2 & 9.3?
KQED is multicasting, currently using Digital channels 9.1 through 9.3. Channel 9.1 is a simulcast of flagship channel Analog TV9's schedule, using HD and widescreen versions of programs whenever available. Channels 9.2 and 9.3 offer Standard Definition programs.
Since May 2000, KQED has been broadcasting a digital signal on its assigned channel, DT30. On most digital receivers, you can still tune to DT30, but you will probably see the channels labeled as 9.1, 9.2, etc., on your screen. Or you can tune directly to 9.1, 9.2, etc. since we use a "virtual ID" system to identify our digital channels as part of Channel 9. Because systems vary, please refer to your owner's manual for more information on channel navigation.
These digital program services are transitional as KQED builds a multicast service that will offer up to four simultaneous digital channels. During this transition, we may change the program mix on the digital transmitter to do testing, transmit data or broadcast other programs.
Viewers who watch KQED channel 9 on standard analog sets will not experience any change in their service until the federally mandated shut-off date of 2/17/09.
- What are the basic DTV requirements?
The minimum requirement for getting some benefit from digital broadcast is a digital receiver with a good antenna attached to receive KQED DT9 over the air. Or viewers can subscribe to one of Comcast Cable's digital packages. A digital television is not an initial requirement.
To receive KQED DT9 over the air, a digital receiver will output a video signal (S-video, composite video, or even RF) to a conventional TV set. Many viewers would still benefit from a clearer signal (no ghosting), better colors and sound, and no other annoying interference. The next step would then be to add a better monitor. Many people may already have a computer monitor they could use at first, to see the quality difference. The final step would then be to add a digital television set (monitor), in order to take full advantage of all services offered, such as high-definition or interactive programming, data, or other digital programming services.
Viewers can also receive the KQED DT-9 signal on a personal computer by installing a PC-DTV card and attaching an antenna to the PC. The PC-DTV card turns your computer into a television that can receive over the air signals or be connected to cable.
Information about programs and material scheduled to be broadcast on KQED's HD/Widescreen Channel is available by visiting KQED's DT-9.1 Schedule
If you would like to receive monthly email updates about upcoming programs and KQED's continuing digital conversion, email dtv@kqed.org.
