I'm all for consumer activism, but I'm also a realist. You guys might not be aware of the following info:
Vancouver has a station (CIVT) on 32 (analogue) with a station on 33 (digital).
SeaTac has a station (KWPX) on 32 (digital) with a station on 33 (analogue).
See the problem? KWPX was first up as a digital station, so they were given a good power level. CIVT came along later and had to settle for a very low, unobtrusive level to avoid interference with the U.S. station. See how it works?

That is the core of the IC/FCC ERP issue with CIVT. If a way can magically be found to get around this, I'd be the first to scream for more power.

My suggestion, posted earlier in this thread, was for CTV to take over CITY's digital assignment, but since the dance of the station ownerships went further it now appears that A-Channel is under CTV's wing. My suggestion is that CIVT investigate taking over A-Channel Victoria's UHF 53 (analogue) assignment in order to argue for a big raise in their digital ERP. Move A-Channel Victoria analogue to 33. :)

A quick look at the FCC's database shows only some small stations on 53, and far enough away or behind mountains to not matter. A-Channel also has been assigned UHF 23 for digital, but the sticky problem would be getting Global to change the contour of their channel 23 analogue repeater on the Sunshine Coast to not beam southwards. Anyways, there are probably other options too.

It's also interesting to me that CHAN-DT was assigned ch 22 (for digital) while KMYQ broadcasts on it quite powerfully in analogue. I wonder why IC did not give them ch 21 (I don't think is used by anyone) for digital instead of 22.
I also can't understand why CIVT was not assigned some other unused channel for digital other than 33, I can't believe 33 was the only option (even with all US/CDN/repeaters in picture).

I wonder why IC did not give them ch 21 (I don't think is used by anyone) for digital instead of 22.
I also can't understand why CIVT was not assigned some other unused channel for digital other than 33, I can't believe 33 was the only option (even with all US/CDN/repeaters in picture).
I wonder if it was first come, first serve - the U.S. stations were the first to apply for DT so they received all the high power assignments in this border zone? I would have thought the available high power channels would have been equally divided between the two countries in the border zone. Don't the FCC and IC look after this?

Is it just me or has CTV-HD dropped in strength in the last few days ?
Up to last week it had been pretty steady at 60-65% but now it's like
20-30% and can't get a lock. I've got the DB4 on a rotor and have
scanned over and over without any increase.

Keeping in line with Stampeder's realism, CIVT's probably going to want to keep the status quo until 2011, when they switch channel 32 to digital and drop power to a few kW. That said, I don't have that kind of tolerance for an interim half-assed DT presence, and the CRTC can inflict enough nuissance to get results.

So why don't we send a recommendation to the CRTC that follow's Stampeder's idea, that given the ownership changes, why shouldn't CIVT take a different (A-Channel's) DT allocation and increase power so they can properly meet their OTA responsibilities? After all, it's pretty clear that 319W is not anywhere near sufficient, and if IC/FCC restrictions are holding them back, let's find a workable solution on a different channel?

I'm not a naive consumer activist, but I do believe in getting things done - if there's a better way, let's do that.

So after the 2011 deadline are we going to see power levels rise or fall?

What other changes can we expect after 2011?

As I understand it, Aug31, 2011 is the date when Canadian TV goes completely digital. As such, existing analogue transmitters pumping out hundreds of kilowatts can be exclusively repurposed for digital transmission, which requires a fraction of the power. So compared to analogue levels the power output will fall, but likely the present DT power levels will rise once the transition period is complete.

Anyone else have a more refined understanding of the changes after 2011? Is it really a hard digital-only deadline or am I missing something?
LH

I doubt CTV would go for A-Channel's 53 assignment and still choose to broadcast from Mt. Seymour. They would most likely have to change their antenna and combiner we are talking big $$$$.

As far as I know Aug 2011 all analog TX's will be turned off. (Excluding some locations ie north of 60)

I was definitely under the impression that analog would be cut off after the deadline in 2011. I was curious what would happen if anything to the channels that are already transmitting digital (ex. CTV possibly lowering their ERP even lower). It'll be real fun to see what exactly happens in 2009 with the Americans and I definitely hoping for some stronger signals on their channels when that happens. Maybe some of these translators they have in Bellingham will be up soon. Anyone have any info on those?

The other thing that will happen in 2011 (2009 in the US), is channels 52-69 will not be useable, so any stations currently using those channels will have to be allocated new channels. Also, some stations will decide to move their DTV broadcast to their analog channel. In the US, this has all been decided (you can find the results at DTV Tentative Channel Designations (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf)) but in Canada it has yet to be decided.

I am getting strange behaviour from CTV in Vancouver. When I am tuning CTV (CIVT-DT) I am getting the wrong local time detected. I don't have this problem when tuning CBC (CBUT-DT). Therefore, my program guide gives me different information (CTV is two hours behind) depending on which channel I am viewing when I switch to the guide. This also prevents the program reminders from working properly. I have a Samsung H260F tuner. Not sure if this the tuner bugging out or something wrong with the CTV broadcast. Anyone else noticed this?

See post #355 regarding CIVT-DT's stupid PSIP problems. You can also get info about PSIP data in the OTA Forum Knowledge Base & FAQ:

I was confused with all this situation here:
CIVT-DT was given channel 33 to operate at only 0.9 kW
same channel is used by KWPX operating at 3720 kW

Yet, CHAN-DT was given channel 22 to operate at 8.3 kW
same channel is used by KMYQ operating at 5000 kW (much more than ch33)

Although the claim that CTV was given limited DT power output because of use of channel 33 makes most sense, I am not sure if anyone ever officially confirmed this as a reason (I still think the problems is with CTV).

I called BCTV to ask about ch 22 already being in use, spoke to a tech who told me they were not aware of it and need to research it; confirmed to me they are starting the broadcasting in March 2008. Then I also asked about this power output who is actually to request it. He said that it is the tv station who proposes the power output, and then IC/CRTC approves it or not, or gives different level. So even if CTV had requested more power output, I can't believe IC/CRTC would give them 500 times less then requested power, maybe a few times less.

Interesting thought. I wonder if during this application process CIVT's not so secret bias against DT broadcast affected their thoughts on power output. Might they have thought, lets go digital because we'll soon have to anyways, but let's not make a big deal about it. Let's keep the ERP low in comparison to other stations so that digital OTA doesn't catch on. 'Cause afterall we want to help out Frank and Gordon sell HD over at Bell. If too many people are able to receive HD for free, they won't buy a HD BEV box. Why throw good money after bad?

I know I'm putting words into CTV's mouth, but honestly, how far can this be from the truth? And how can Global NOT share this same view?

Thanks VBC1 for getting a timeline estimate for CHAN-DT, I've been waiting for that one for a while now. You raise good points about same-channel power levels across the border, and I think it may be worth mentioning to the CRTC that CIVT is keeping their DT transmission ERP artificially and unnecessarily low, and insufficient to adequately serve their immediate target area. I'm no naive consumer activist but I'm annoyed enough to escalate this, especially now that it appears there's no technical reason to keep such a low output level.

VBC1, where did you get the 0.9kW info? The CRTC has CIVT using 319W, and if your number's accurate it's a bit fishy to use 1/3rd of your allotment..

I'm checking further with some broadcast feds I know in Ottawa about who actually decides on ERP levels because these comments from CIVT-DT are quite intriguing given all that has come from IC and the CRTC in the past.

Regarding complaints to CIVT and the authorities, to me it seems that those of you who live east of Surrey and Maple Ridge should be shouting the loudest because you are the ones most victimized by the ridiculously weak ERP levels.

blakew, I shake my head in astonishment at how CTV and Global could have misjudged OTA DT, so I'm inclined to agree with you that there are ulterior motives. :rolleyes:

Now that Rogers Media has successfully acquired CITY Vancouver I wonder what they're thinking regarding their UHF channel 47 slot for OTA DTV?

I was reading on Gord Landsdell's site that Rogers has appointed veteran Vancouver broadcasting guy Rick Chisholm, so if any of you know Rick from his CBC or Global TV days maybe you could ask him if he has any info on it?

Great to hear that CHAN-DT will be broadcasting in a few months! Looking forward to Heroes, Journeyman, Bionic Woman, et al in HD :D

Yup nothing says DTV like 480i....best to wait and see what they will call DTV :D

True, but at least one can hope :p