TV12 Frequently Asked Questions

TV
Why am I not receiving a clear picture on WHYY?
Why is the background music so loud in some of your programs? It's often louder that the actors speaking.

SAP/SECOND AUDIO CHANNEL
What is a second audio program?
How do I get these services?

ADDITIONAL DATA TRANSMISSIONS
What data does WHYY transmit?

CLOSED CAPTIONING:
What are captions?
How can I view closed captions?
What programs air with captions on WHYY?
What is the difference between StarSight and Guide+?
What is StarSight?
What is Guide+?

TIME SIGNAL
How does the WHYY time signal work?
How can I use the PBS time signal?
What if my time signal is wrong?

TV

Why am I not receiving a clear picture on WHYY?

If you have cable, you may need to contact your cable company and/or check the cable connections to your television. If you do not have cable and you are receiving a snowy picture or a loss of signal strength on only one or two channels, there are a few things you can check before calling a service person:

1. How old is your antenna? Over time, corrosion and dirt can change the tuning characteristics of receiving antennas and this can affect just one or two stations and not others. Old antennas should be replaced.
2. How old is your antenna wire? The round coax is best and should be used instead of the flat twin lead. Check for loose connections and connectors, breaks and worn points in the line. Avoid coiling excess wire; it's better to trim it to length if it's more than a few feet too long. Old and worn wire should be replaced as well.
3. Any recent changes such as the addition or removal of any components from your system? These items may include VCR's DVD's extra TV's, couplers, splitters and satellite systems, etc. that are connected to a common antenna.

One test we suggest is to remove everything from the antenna system and connect the TV and the antenna directly. Eliminate all two-set splitters, distribution amplifiers, VCR's, DVD's, extra TV's etc, If the reception improves it indicates the problem is somewhere in the set-up of the extra equipment or splitters. If it doesn't improve then it points to the antenna and wiring as the culprit, or some obstruction in your immediate area.

Why is the background music so loud in some of your programs? It's often louder that the actors speaking.

Most average home receivers have low fidelity speakers, which accentuate the upper mid- ranges and highs. The human voice tends to be in the mid-audio range. The rest of the sound spectrum that helps keep these two components separate and distinct is lost. Add to this fact than most producers and editors sit in edit bays outfitted with the very best sound systems, and they balance voice and music on their programs based on that high fidelity ability.

In sets with better audio systems there are things that can help with audio in general. Stereo and digital sets with "surround sound" tend to enhance the low and high ranges (which is where the music is), and ignore or dampen the mid-range (which is where the voice usually is). Try switching from stereo to mono whenever there is such a problem, or switch off the "surround sound" (sometimes know as "enhanced") feature.

SAP/SECOND AUDIO CHANNEL

What is a second audio program?

Most television sets can receive two separate audio channels, Main (stereo/mono) and a Second Audio Program (SAP) channel. WHYY's SAP channel broadcasts CLASSICAL 24, a live 24-hour classical music service hosted by eight of public radio's best classical announcers. The program, produced by Public Radio International, is heard on more than 300 stations. In addition, WHYY-TV now uses SAP several hours each week for Descriptive Video Service, which provides descriptions of the action on TV programs for the visually impaired, and for transmission of some Delaware lottery results. Classical music will be preempted when the channel is needed for these uses. For more information regarding Classical 24, http://www.whyy.org/tv12/classical.html

How do I get these services?

If you would like to receive Classical 24 and DVS simply use your remote control to change the audio setting on your television to the Second Audio Program channel. The button than controls the audio setting may be labeled Stereo, Mono, Audio Mono, ST, SAP, SA, MTS or Menu. Also consult the instructions that came with your television for more information on how to receive the Second Audio Program. The main audio channel can be either Stereo or Mono - the SAP channel is always Mono. If the set is in the SAP mode and the station to which you are tuned is not broadcasting SAP, the set will default to Main Program Audio and will be in Mono.

Please note that if you do not want to receive SAP, use your remote control to change the audio setting on your television to stereo or mono.

ADDITIONAL DATA TRANSMISSIONS

What data does WHYY transmit?

WHYY currently transmits data for Closed Captioning, StarSight and Time Signal.

CLOSED CAPTIONING

What are captions?

Captions are a lot like subtitles. They reflect the spoken word in a text format. Captions also describe special sound effects and important musical elements in a program.

How can I view closed captions?

In 1990, the Federal Communications Commission passed the Television Decoder Circuitry Act, which requires that as of July 1, 1993, all televisions manufactured in the United States or for sale in the United States that have a picture of 13 inches or larger must have a closed caption decoder built into the set. To view the captions, all you have to do is turn on the decoder by following these simple steps:

1. Access your TV menu screen using your remote or by pressing a button on the face of the TV.
2. Select the closed captions heading. Several different caption options may appear.
3. Select the "CC1" option.
4. Exit the menu.

Closed captions should appear within approximately one minute of adjusting this setting. If they do not, review this portion of your television's operating manual or contact the manufacturer of the television set.

What programs air with captions on WHYY?

All national programs offered in prime time (8 - 11 p.m.) and most children's programs are also aired with captions. WHYY supports the use of closed captioning so that all of our viewers and members can enjoy our programming. Unfortunately, WHYY does not have the resources to provide this service for programs that have not been captioned by the producers. Shows that have captioning available are marked with the symbol "(CC)".

What is the difference between StarSight and Guide+?

StarSight and Guide+ provide viewers with television listings via data transmission. Both services are owned by parent company, Gemstar. However, that is where similarities end. The data distribution and customer service support for each service is handled quite differently.

What is StarSight?

StarSight is a subscription service that provides viewers with TV Guide listings for a monthly fee. PBS stations transmit the StarSight *data stream via satellite and insert on the appropriate VBI (vertical blanking interval) line. In this case the VBI is line 21 in field one (the right half of your television screen).

What is Guide+?

Guide+ is not a subscription service but a Television Guide feature within a VCR. A Norpak inserter (model GES3) is used at each participating commercial station for insertion of the Guide+ data. A dedicated telco line is connected to each inserter and the Guide+ data is uploaded into the inserter via the phone once a day. The data is then transmitted with television signal and received by VCRs designed to pick up Guide+ data. The price for Guide+ is built into the purchase price of participating VCRs.

Public Television stations do not transmit Guide+ data. Commercial stations on the major networks ABC, CBS, NBC, UPN and FOX contract with Gem Star for carriage of the Guide+ data.

FYI: If you are having trouble with your StarSight service please contact StarSight at 510.657.9900, extensions 2056, 2057 or 2059.

There is no customer service for Guide+. If you are experiencing trouble receiving data, contact the manufacturer of your Guide+ product. Please note that WHYY cannot assist viewers having problems with the Guide+ transmission.

*Data stream-data transmitted along with a NTSC or digital television signal. **Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) - That thick black line at the top and bottom of your television is the vertical blanking interval, or VBI. It consists of some 24 "lines" of a normal picture scan, during which time the scan is turned "off", or "blanked".

TIME SIGNAL

Another data service PBS offers their communities is the transmission of a time signal.

How does the WHYY time signal work?

The time signal is derived from the WHYY master time code generation system, which is locked to the GPS satellite time system. The time signal is injected into VBI line 21 field 2 of WHYY' analog television signal transmission. The signal is then distributed over-the-air on Channel 12: on cable systems carrying WHYY (usually but not always on Channel 12). The time signal can be detected and used by newer model VCRs and televisions.

How can I use the PBS time signal?

The manual supplied with your VCR and/or television will give you the best instructions for your particular make and model.

Without Cable
Follow the instructions in your manual to set the time on your VCR and/or TV. If you want to use WHYY time signal to set these devices, choose the auto clock set feature. It is suggested to set the channel to 12. This will keep your VCR/TV tuned to WHYY time signal; important if you live in an area that has more than one station transmitting a time signal. If you choose auto clock set without selecting channel 12 your VCR/TV will scan all channels for the first time signal found.

With Cable
If your cable connection goes directly into the VCR/TV (no cable Box), follow the instructions above (Without Cable). Make sure you set to the appropriate channel if your cable systems carry WHYY on a channel other than 12.

The setup becomes more complicated if you use a cable set-top-box and it is connected to your VCR/TV. Most cable boxes require you to tune your VCR/TV to channel 3 (sometimes Channel 4). You should follow the previous instructions but set your VCR/TV to the appropriate cable channel. When you want to set your VCR/TV, the cable box will have to be set to the appropriate channel that carries WHYY.

Remember: The VCR only resets the time when it is turned off. Also, the time signal is only accurate to the nearest minute. It is sometimes best to start your recordings one minute early and end them one minute later than the program length to assure recording the complete program.

What if my time signal is wrong?

Make sure your system is set up correctly for receiving and using the WHYY time signal. If everything looks okay set the time manually on your VCR/TV (set the time to a wrong time both in hours and minutes). Then set up again using the automatic function, turn off and/or unplug the equipment; turn everything back on and see if the time resets. If the time did not reset, you are not receiving the signal correctly. If the time resets, but the time is still incorrect, please call WHYY at 215.351.1270. We may have a problem that we are not aware of having.