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MHZ NETWORKS FAQS
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Here are some answers to your most frequently asked questions about MHz and Digital Television: What is MHz NETWORKS? What is MHz NETWORKS?MHz Networks is an independent, non-commercial television broadcaster delivering international, educational programming and providing diverse cultural perspectives for a globally-minded audience. Serving the Washington, DC area's 4.9 million residents with ten local digital broadcast channels, MHz Networks features programs from around the world on-air in more than 20 different languages. MHz Networks flagship channel, MHz Worldview, brings programming to globally-minded audiences in the U.S .through affiliates, including cable, satellite and telco. MHz Networks is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with studio facilities in Falls Church, VA and at Washington, D.C'.s Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
What does MHz stand for?MHz stands for MegaHertz. MegaHertz is a frequency measurement often used in the broadcasting industry. Where can I find the most up-to-date program information?As MHz NETWORKS frequently be adds and creates new programs, your best source of up-to-date program information is our schedule pages, which you can access by clicking the Complete Schedule tab on the left of each page. How can I support MHz NETWORKS?MHz NETWORKS welcomes your financial support. As public television stations, we rely on viewer support to provide our innovative programming. For more information, please visit our support page . Is MHz NETWORKS available on satellite or in other parts of the country?MHz NETWORKS is available as "must carry" locally in the Washington, D.C. Metro on DirecTV and Dish Network. (Check with your provider for exact channel numbers.) MHz NETWORKS channels 1-10 are available via broadcast and Comcast and Cox. MHz Networks 1-8 are available via RCN cable and Verizon FiOS in the DC Metro. These providers will be updating to the 10 channel line-up throughout the summer and fall. MHz Worldview (MHz1) is also available nationally in the DirecTV international package and Galaxy 19 satellite on Transponder 27 (channel 949), as well as on numerous affiliates throughout the country. Please visit the Our Affiliates page for more information. Can I get a copy of my favorite program?MHz continues to offer a wide array of MHz Networks Home Entertainment products, featuring selected titles of individual programs/series airing on MHz Networks, as well as additional programming supporting our mission of globally literacy. Please visit our online shop at www.mhzworldview.org/shop/ for the newest merchandise available. Also visit www.mhznetworks.org/roku to see how to get MHz Networks On Demand in your home via digital video player. Are tours of MHz NETWORKS available to the public?MHz NETWORKS offers tours to community and school groups upon request. You can email to inquire about possible arrangements. (Please include your group's name, the size of your group and the intention of your visit.) Are any of the international newscasts repeated?Occasionally, some of our international newscasts are repeated due to a problem with a satellite transmission or tape delivery. A message is displayed on the program if this occurs. I think I might be having reception problems. What should I do?First, check the connections at your TV. Reception is sometimes affected by weather conditions. These problems are usually temporary. If you have cable, satellite or telco services, you will need to contact your respective service provider directly. Where can I find out about employment opportunities at MHz NETWORKS?Click here to visit our job listings page. What are your Public Service Announcement guidelines?FORMAT: Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) must be received on Beta SP tape stock. Tapes must be accompanied by a written script of the PSA as well as the start and end dates of the spot. *MHz NETWORKS does not cover local events or produce a Community Calendar. Please do not send faxed announcements. LENGTH: :10, :15, :20, :25, :30, :45, :60 (seconds) DEADLINE: PSA’s must be received two weeks prior to the start date to be considered for broadcast. CONTENT: All Public Service Announcements will be screened prior to acceptance to ensure all content meets FCC Guidelines. MHz NETWORKS reserves the right to accept or refuse PSA’s at the station’s discretion. CONTACT/DELIVERY INFORMATION: What is MHz WORLDVIEW?MHz Worldview, MHz Network's internationally diverse 24/7 national channel, aims to attract globally-aware viewers with a wide range of international programming including world news, foreign affairs, international mysteries, world music, sports and foreign films - all of it English accessible (in English or subtitled). MHz Worldview is offered as a 24/7 channel for U.S. public TV stations and other distributors, and is available via local broadcast/cable affiliates in: Los Angeles/San Bernardino- KVCR; Chicago, IL- WYCC; Philadelphia, PA- MiND TV (WYBE); San Francisco, CA- KCSM; Stanford, CA- Stanford University Cable; Washington, DC- WNVC/MHz Networks; Tacoma-Seattle, WA- KBTC; Cleveland/Youngstown/Akron, OH-WNEO/WEAO; Minneapolis, MN- MPS Cable; St. Paul, MN- St. Paul Neighborhood Network; Miami, FL- WLRN; Denver, CO- KBDI; Orlando, FL- WCEU; Charlotte, NC- WTVI; Nashville, TN- WNPT; Salt Lake City, UT- UEN statewide; Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Beaver Creek, MI- WGVU; Las Vegas, NV- VegasPBS; Richmond, VA- WCVE; Charleston, IL- WEIU; Plattsburgh, NY- Mountain Lake PBS (WCFE); Lansing, MI- LCC TV; Moline, IL (Quad Cities)- WQPT; Flint, MI- WDCQ; Warrensburg, MO- KMOS; Topeka, KS- KTWU; Austin-Rochester, MN- KSMQ and Charlottesville, VA- WHTJ, as well as nationally via DirecTV and Galaxy 19 on Transponder 27 (channel 949) satellite. What is Digital Television (DTV)?Digital Television (DTV) is a type of broadcasting technology, which enables a signal to be delivered with little or no interference, thereby offering high-quality pictures and sound, in addition to other enhancements. What is happening with MHz NETWORKS and Digital Television (DTV)?As part of an FCC mandate, all broadcasters must convert their analog signals and transition to Digital Television (DTV) by 2009. In response, MHz2 (WNVT) made the transition from analog Channel 53 to DTV Channel 30, becoming the first broadcast station in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to be granted permission from the FCC to cease analog broadcasting and commence operating as a digital-only television station. MHz Networks digital channels are viewable over-the-air channels on 30.1-30.10. Viewers are able to experience a multitude of perspectives, not readily available in the U.S., with international news, documentaries, series, sports, music and more; all for free. MHz Worldview is 30.1, NHK World TV is 30.2, Metro Chinese Network is 30.3, RT is 30.4, Al Jazeera English is 30.5, SABC News International is 30.6, France 24 is 30.7, ETV is 30.8, VTV 4 is 30.9 and euronews is 30.10. How do I receive the digital signal?MHz Networks channel 1-10 are found on broadcast channels 30.1-30.10. 30.1-30.5 are broadcast from the Fairfax County tower (WNVC) in Merrifield, VA and MHz Networks 6-10 (30.6-30.10) are broadcast from the Prince William Country (WNVT) tower near Quantico/I-95 South. Through an innovative use of our two broadcast towers, we are transmitting multiple content streams, allowing viewers to experience ten full time channels. This is known as multicasting. The channels are also available via cable, satellite, and telco in the area. Please visit the MHz in DC section of the website for additional informaiton on local distribution. If you previously received information “over-the-air,” meaning you do not have access to cable, Dish Networks or DIRECTV, you will then need a tuner capable of receiving a Terrestrial Broadcast Digital Signal. There are numerous manufacturers of these receivers. Some will allow you to use your existing TV while others will only feed into a digital monitor. It depends upon what type of equipment you have at home. We recommend going to a retailer to discuss your specific model and possible options for digital reception. Do I need a high definition television (HDTV) set to receive MHz NETWORKS Digital Channels?No, the majority of MHz NETWORKS digital programming is standard definition, not high definition, as it originates from our international broadcast partners. Is there any charge to receive MHz NETWORKS Digital Channels over-the-air?No, provided that you have a digital receiver and antenna capable of receiving digital signals, you can view MHz programming over-the-air at no charge. If I have regular cable or satellite service will I still be able to receive the digital signal or will I have to become a digital subscriber?You will be able to continue to receive MHz 1 and MHz 2 on your regular cable or satellite system without interruption. The current FCC ruling is that cable and satellite systems must carry one Standard Definition Stream on their analog distribution, not necessarily on their digital system. This ruling came into effect July 1, 2003. For more information regarding the transition to DTV please visit the FCC Consumer Facts Page at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC):The organization that develops digital television standards, including HDTV, SDTV and Data Broadcasting. Analog:Broadcasting technology used to transmit conventional television signals. Aspect Ratio:The ratio of screen width versus screen height. Channel:A television channel is a broadcast frequency. Just as over-the-air channels were assigned by the FCC, each station will be assigned a channel for DTV. The DTV channel will be different than the channel used for the analog station. MHz 2 is DTV Channel 30. However, because the digital channel is capable of producing more than one programming stream, the channel is comprised of Channel 30-1, Channel 30-2, Channel 30-3 and Channel 30-4. Eventually, television stations will broadcast only on their digital channel, not the analog channel. Digital Television (DTV):A type of broadcasting technology, which enables a signal to be delivered with little or no interference, thereby offering high-quality pictures and sound, in addition to other enhancements. DTV can provide four or more channels using the same bandwidth required for one channel of analog television. Back to top Federal Communications Commission (FCC):Responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable, the FCC is an independent US government agency overseen by Congress. The FCC's jurisdiction includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions. National Television Standards Committee (NTSC):The organization that developed US television standards in 1953 for analog television. Set-Top Box (STB):A device, which enables a television set to decode and translate signals and allows analog television sets to receive digital broadcasts. Sometimes referred to as receivers. Back to top
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