I think there is a misconception out there about where the tv channels on the village MATV system come from. Judging by the comments that I receive, a lot of residents believe that our channels 2-22, are supplied by Charter Communications.
All of the channels on our lineup, channels 2-22, 98, 99, and the FM radio lineup are received right here on the Heritage Village property through a combination of technologies.
Most of our channels are received through over the air broadcasts which we pick up via antennas on our tv tower. At it's very basic, think rabbit ears or an antenna on your roof. Instead of rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, we have individual antennas, cut to frequency, on our 150' tower and aimed directly at the desired station, but the technology is still the same. The transmitting station broadcasts their signal over the public airwaves and we receive them here at our tower location.
Several of our channels are received from satellite dishes. C Span, Home Shopping Network and QVC, all are received with a large C Band satellite dish. C Span 2 recently switched to a new satellite and encrypted their signal preventing us from carrying that channel.
Channel 14 originates at the management office with a computer and a bank of networked DVD and VHS players. When we have a live presentation from Sarah Cooke Hall, we switch over to dedicated cable from the hall up to our tower for insertion on channel 14.
We also have three FM antennas on our tower, one for Connecticut, one for New York and also one aimed up towards Massachusetts in order to receive WFCR from Amherst. We recently lost WQXR as the station was sold to WNYC which has a low power transmitter which cannot send a signal to this area. I,ve replaced the off air signal with one originating from a computer web stream, then modulated it on a carrier and inserted on our FM lineup. Sometimes, it's problematic because of inconsistancies from the internet, but for the most part, works well. Hopefully, we can integrate more of this technology in the future.
All of these signals are received and in the case of the tv signals, are converted from digital to analog, processed and combined with the FM radio and several high definition feeds from WFSB and WLIW and sent to Charters headquarters in Newtown over fiber optic cables.
There, Charter adds their lineup including internet, telephone and digital services and sent back to HV over fiber optic cables and distributed throughout the village.
I,m always asked why we dont just run our own cable system here in the village. We have tried that, but that is another story that I will explain on a future post.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
No Signal ??????????
Why do we keep losing our picture and a no signal message pops up my tv screen?
One of the biggest problems in tv reception is additional offending signals from other sources. In the old analog reception, these problems would show up as snow, lines or ghosting in the picture. With digital tv, these same problems cause the complete loss of signal.
The sources of interference are many and always a challenge as they are not necessarily constant, due to the way a radio signal propogates.
The two main problems that any tv reception facility experiences are co channel and mutipath interference.
Co channel is an undesired tv station from far away that is on the same frequency as the desired channel.
Under certain atmospheric conditions, that signal can carry very long distances. Because it is on the same frequency as the desired channel, the receiver can not differentiate between the two and locks up and generates the no signal message. This ususally occurs during the hazy summer days. In the old analog medium, we would actually receive tv stations from as far away as Florida!
What we seem to be experiencing lately is caused by multipath distortions or reflections. These reflections can be caused by a building, mountaintop, airplane, or in our recent case, I believe, the leaves are starting to bud and creating reflections. Hopefully, it will settle down soon.
A pretty good article on mutipath signal problems can be located here:
http://kh6htv.com/application-notes/tv-propagation-multi-path-effects/
One of the biggest problems in tv reception is additional offending signals from other sources. In the old analog reception, these problems would show up as snow, lines or ghosting in the picture. With digital tv, these same problems cause the complete loss of signal.
The sources of interference are many and always a challenge as they are not necessarily constant, due to the way a radio signal propogates.
The two main problems that any tv reception facility experiences are co channel and mutipath interference.
Co channel is an undesired tv station from far away that is on the same frequency as the desired channel.
Under certain atmospheric conditions, that signal can carry very long distances. Because it is on the same frequency as the desired channel, the receiver can not differentiate between the two and locks up and generates the no signal message. This ususally occurs during the hazy summer days. In the old analog medium, we would actually receive tv stations from as far away as Florida!
What we seem to be experiencing lately is caused by multipath distortions or reflections. These reflections can be caused by a building, mountaintop, airplane, or in our recent case, I believe, the leaves are starting to bud and creating reflections. Hopefully, it will settle down soon.
A pretty good article on mutipath signal problems can be located here:
http://kh6htv.com/application-notes/tv-propagation-multi-path-effects/
What happened to Channel 2 ?
On June 12, 2009 at midnight, analog transmission of television broadcasting stopped and digital transmission began.
With that change, some stations also changed the channel or frequency that they have historically used to transmit their over the air signal.
The agency that coordinated this change and granted the operating license is the FCC, ( the Federal Communications Commision ).
The FCC gave channel 2 WCBS from New York and WFSB channel 3 from Connecticut, the same transmitting frequency, channel 33. Both of these stations are CBS affiliates.
Confused yet ? Hang in there......
Southbury is in the Connecticut DMA (Designated Market Area ) of channel 3 from Hartford and their signal is much stronger than channel 2 from New York, so our receiving equipment locks onto the stronger signal, which is from Ct.
Since we were no longer able to lock onto Channel 2's off air signal, I immediatly called WCBS's engineering team to request a satellite variance, which is permission to pull their signal off of a satellite. They readily agreed,as they hate the prospect of losing all of the HV viewers, but said that by law, I had to also obtain permission from WFSB, channel 3 in Hartford, as we reside in their DMA. I called Channel 3 requesting permission and they refused, their logic being, of course, that they now have a monopoly on CBS programming.
We then approached Charter to see if they would be willing to provide channel 2 in the Village and they also refused. Charter can still receive channel 2 as they have a fiber optic line going down to Stamford where they obtain the signal from New York.
Where do we go from here?
After the analog shut off, the FCC realized that their projections would disrupt service not only for Upper Fairfield County, but also parts of Westchester County and Long Island could no longer receive channel 2 for the same reasons that we have, channel 3's signal was too strong, or channel 2's was too weak.
To try and remedy that, WCBS, New York has received permission from the FCC to increase their operating power from New York, which they hope to do soon.
They also have received permission to install a low power transmitter down on Long Island on WLIW's tower, trying to fill holes in their coverage pattern. My hope is that when this happens,, we will once agin be able to lock onto the signal from WCBS.
Speaking with the Engineering team from New York last week, they told me that they were in the process of budgeting for this new tower and hoped to have it installed this spring.
Whenever I talk with the New York engineers, they are pretty surprised that we can receive any of the signals from New York due to our distance and the inconsistancy of over the air digital transmission. We do have a good facility and state of the art equipment which helps overcome most problems, but sometimes atmospheric conditions will cause some problems, especially, seasonally. But more on that in another post.
Jeff
With that change, some stations also changed the channel or frequency that they have historically used to transmit their over the air signal.
The agency that coordinated this change and granted the operating license is the FCC, ( the Federal Communications Commision ).
The FCC gave channel 2 WCBS from New York and WFSB channel 3 from Connecticut, the same transmitting frequency, channel 33. Both of these stations are CBS affiliates.
Confused yet ? Hang in there......
Southbury is in the Connecticut DMA (Designated Market Area ) of channel 3 from Hartford and their signal is much stronger than channel 2 from New York, so our receiving equipment locks onto the stronger signal, which is from Ct.
Since we were no longer able to lock onto Channel 2's off air signal, I immediatly called WCBS's engineering team to request a satellite variance, which is permission to pull their signal off of a satellite. They readily agreed,as they hate the prospect of losing all of the HV viewers, but said that by law, I had to also obtain permission from WFSB, channel 3 in Hartford, as we reside in their DMA. I called Channel 3 requesting permission and they refused, their logic being, of course, that they now have a monopoly on CBS programming.
We then approached Charter to see if they would be willing to provide channel 2 in the Village and they also refused. Charter can still receive channel 2 as they have a fiber optic line going down to Stamford where they obtain the signal from New York.
Where do we go from here?
After the analog shut off, the FCC realized that their projections would disrupt service not only for Upper Fairfield County, but also parts of Westchester County and Long Island could no longer receive channel 2 for the same reasons that we have, channel 3's signal was too strong, or channel 2's was too weak.
To try and remedy that, WCBS, New York has received permission from the FCC to increase their operating power from New York, which they hope to do soon.
They also have received permission to install a low power transmitter down on Long Island on WLIW's tower, trying to fill holes in their coverage pattern. My hope is that when this happens,, we will once agin be able to lock onto the signal from WCBS.
Speaking with the Engineering team from New York last week, they told me that they were in the process of budgeting for this new tower and hoped to have it installed this spring.
Whenever I talk with the New York engineers, they are pretty surprised that we can receive any of the signals from New York due to our distance and the inconsistancy of over the air digital transmission. We do have a good facility and state of the art equipment which helps overcome most problems, but sometimes atmospheric conditions will cause some problems, especially, seasonally. But more on that in another post.
Jeff
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Cleaning up the tower.
This week, we have been working on the tv tower. Besides the annual safety inspection that includes checking plumb and tension, we check for any rusted support members or guy wires or any structural defects or damage. A couple of surprises have been revealed so far, but nothing structurally serious.
In addition to the inspection, we have been installing several new antennas, replacing and removing old cables and obsolete antennas, reorienting antennas and retuning amplifiers that may have shifted some since last year.
During this work, you may notice momentary disruptions in the picture. Please try and bear with us as the goal is to improve and stabilize our abilty to receive consistant tv signals and the work is neccessary.
Thanks,
Jeff
In addition to the inspection, we have been installing several new antennas, replacing and removing old cables and obsolete antennas, reorienting antennas and retuning amplifiers that may have shifted some since last year.
During this work, you may notice momentary disruptions in the picture. Please try and bear with us as the goal is to improve and stabilize our abilty to receive consistant tv signals and the work is neccessary.
Thanks,
Jeff
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Google Experiment
Google is going to be running an experiment to provide fiber optic cable systems to selected communities around the country.
Fiber would provide the fastest internet, video, security and many as yet undeveloped applications.
Please take the time to look at the Google Web link and accomanying video and nominate Heritage Village.
Thanks,
Jeff
http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/
Fiber would provide the fastest internet, video, security and many as yet undeveloped applications.
Please take the time to look at the Google Web link and accomanying video and nominate Heritage Village.
Thanks,
Jeff
http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/
Friday, January 29, 2010
WQXR problems
As most dedicated WQXR listeners are aware, WQXR was recently sold to WNYC in New York.
As part of the sale WQXR sold their license and transmitter and jumped onto the WNYC transmitter which transmits a much lower power than before and on the same frequency as a full power Connecticut station at 105.9 mhz.
As a consequence, their signal no longer travels up to our area.
In an attempt to keep the signal from WQXR still on our FM lineup, I am now receiving a web stream from WQXR's website instead of the off air broadcast signal.
This can be problematic at times due to the inconsistancies with the internet and streaming technologies.
I do check it several times a day to make sure it is still playing, but occasionally the signal will be off until we can reboot the equipment and reaquire the signal.
I will be on vacation this week, but I do have the ability to monitor the system remotely and will be checking it periodically.
As part of the sale WQXR sold their license and transmitter and jumped onto the WNYC transmitter which transmits a much lower power than before and on the same frequency as a full power Connecticut station at 105.9 mhz.
As a consequence, their signal no longer travels up to our area.
In an attempt to keep the signal from WQXR still on our FM lineup, I am now receiving a web stream from WQXR's website instead of the off air broadcast signal.
This can be problematic at times due to the inconsistancies with the internet and streaming technologies.
I do check it several times a day to make sure it is still playing, but occasionally the signal will be off until we can reboot the equipment and reaquire the signal.
I will be on vacation this week, but I do have the ability to monitor the system remotely and will be checking it periodically.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Speaking at monthly Condo Board meetings
I recently had the privilege of speaking at the monthly meeting of Condo 19. I look forward to these events as it gives me a better understanding of resident concerns or questions and is hopefully informative for the residents.
It enables me to explain the operation of our MATV system, it's history, it's limitations and exactly what governs it's operation.
Hopefully, it was informative for the residents of Condo 19 too. If you would like me to come to your condo to speak, please drop me an email here or leave me a message at the Resident Service Center.
It enables me to explain the operation of our MATV system, it's history, it's limitations and exactly what governs it's operation.
Hopefully, it was informative for the residents of Condo 19 too. If you would like me to come to your condo to speak, please drop me an email here or leave me a message at the Resident Service Center.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Can I install a satellite dish ?
Heritage Village does allow small satellite dishes with some restrictions.
A structural variance must first be filled out at the Resident's Service Center.
I will then contact you to come to your unit to review the HV specifications.
Our specificiations are there for your protection, both legally and for safety purposes.
After we meet and review the requirements, your variance will be approved and you are free to schedule your installation.
There is also an installation form that must be filled out by your satellite installer and then returned to the Resident Service Center. Connecticut requires that all installers be licensed.
This is necessary to insure that all National Electrical Codes and Heritage Village Codes have been followed.
When I recieve the returned form, I will come and do a final inspection on the installation.
A structural variance must first be filled out at the Resident's Service Center.
I will then contact you to come to your unit to review the HV specifications.
Our specificiations are there for your protection, both legally and for safety purposes.
After we meet and review the requirements, your variance will be approved and you are free to schedule your installation.
There is also an installation form that must be filled out by your satellite installer and then returned to the Resident Service Center. Connecticut requires that all installers be licensed.
This is necessary to insure that all National Electrical Codes and Heritage Village Codes have been followed.
When I recieve the returned form, I will come and do a final inspection on the installation.
Monday, January 11, 2010
What does MATV mean ?
What does MATV mean ?
MATV is an abreviation for Master Antenna Television
What does CATV mean ?
CATV is an abreviation for Community Antenna Television
What is the difference ?
A Master Antenna System serves one distinct community such as Heritage Village.
A Community Antenna Television System serves a geographic area and in Connecticut is overseen by the Ct. Dept.of Utility Control and is highly regulated. This is how Charter operates as,CATV.
The regulations governing operation of a CATV system versus a MATV system are complex, but generally a MATV system such as Heritage Villages's can retransmit only free to air broadcast channels and can use the road crossing easements as long as we are "not for hire".
This determination was a result of a CT.DPUC ruling in 1986 contesting the legality of private cable television in Conn.
A cable company, CATV, must purchase their programming and pay retransmission fees to the broadcasters.
A MATV system does not have to pay retransmission fees, as long as we are not for hire and retransmit only free to air broadcasts.
Free to air means any station that transmits through the public airwaves an unscrambled signal that can be recieved with an antenna, such as our local channels from Ct, NY and Long Island.
In future posts, I hope to touch on legal and technical constraints regarding the operation of
HV MATV.
If you have any comments or questions, please post them on this blog or e mail me and I will attempt to provide a clear answer.
Thanks,
Jeff
MATV is an abreviation for Master Antenna Television
What does CATV mean ?
CATV is an abreviation for Community Antenna Television
What is the difference ?
A Master Antenna System serves one distinct community such as Heritage Village.
A Community Antenna Television System serves a geographic area and in Connecticut is overseen by the Ct. Dept.of Utility Control and is highly regulated. This is how Charter operates as,CATV.
The regulations governing operation of a CATV system versus a MATV system are complex, but generally a MATV system such as Heritage Villages's can retransmit only free to air broadcast channels and can use the road crossing easements as long as we are "not for hire".
This determination was a result of a CT.DPUC ruling in 1986 contesting the legality of private cable television in Conn.
A cable company, CATV, must purchase their programming and pay retransmission fees to the broadcasters.
A MATV system does not have to pay retransmission fees, as long as we are not for hire and retransmit only free to air broadcasts.
Free to air means any station that transmits through the public airwaves an unscrambled signal that can be recieved with an antenna, such as our local channels from Ct, NY and Long Island.
In future posts, I hope to touch on legal and technical constraints regarding the operation of
HV MATV.
If you have any comments or questions, please post them on this blog or e mail me and I will attempt to provide a clear answer.
Thanks,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)