KGTV First to Air DTV

First in San Diego

KGTV Broadcasts Digital Television

By Marge Baldwin
KGTV Chief Engineer

KGTV started equipment testing of DTV broadcast on UHF Channels 25-1 (standard definition) and 25-2 (high definition) at 7:29 PM on Monday, September 12.

Chief Engineer Marge Balwin said of the first broadcast, "We are not yet full power, but were able to see ABC Monday Night Football in High Definition for the first time at both the studio and transmitter sites. With only the driver to the antenna, approximately 150w, we were able to see a beautiful signal at our studios 22 miles away!!! Great beginnings for digital transmission. We expect to go full power tomorrow or the next day and will start testing reception points the following week! Exciting stuff. This is the closest I think that we all have been to being 'pioneers'".

Next week, the station began broadcasting full power. Marge told Bob Gonsett of the CGC Communicator September 16, "With fans directed at a heat sensitive chip, we ran full power into the dummy load Tuesday night and full power into the antenna for several hours last night (Wednesday) with no problems. With equipment testing nearing its completion, we will be filing our 302-DTV form with the FCC next Monday.

"Of the 3 network stations having to go on by Nov 1st in San Diego, it is my current understanding that we will be the only station going 720p with all 6 channel capability for AC-3 Dolby Digital surround sound. KGTV launched into DTV transmission with 2 channels multiplexed together. Tiernan calls this 'simulcasting' instead of muxing, but in the true sense of the word it is multiplexing. Channel 25-1 launched with the standard definition 'DTV' signal of our current NTSC channel 10 product. Channel 25-2 launched with the high definition signal. We will always air the highest quality available to us on the HD channel. Currently, we are switching between available HD product (from ABC and HD VTR) and upconverted analog product. We are experimenting with bit rates for SD and HD. We have the capability to devote the entire 19.39 to HD, but are currently splitting it with 14 to HD and 4 to SD and will play with the left over bits for data. I believe that we are now in position to learn more about multi-casting and its possibilities. Our goal is to convert the plant from analog to serial digital 601 over the next few years and have islands capable of handling high definition."

You can see the signal at Dow Stereo (at least at the Balboa at Genesee store, we're told), and at Trophy's sports bar. The local Matsushita and Sony plants watch the signal as well. Marge has been told that Fry's has sold 400 DTV ready sets (though most don't have ATSC tuners). Numerous viewers have reported receiving the DTV signal. KGTV plans an open house soon.

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Edited by Gary Stigall. Updated 5-Oct-99.