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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, noncommercial television broadcaster delivering international, educational and arts programming and providing diverse cultural perspectives for a globally-minded audience. Serving the Washington, DC area's 4.9 million residents with eight local 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 US through affiliates, including cable, satellite and online. A division of Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation headquartered in Richmond, VA, MHz Networks is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. MHz has studio facilities in Falls Church, VA and at Washington, DC'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, DC Metro on DirecTV and Dish Network. (Check with your provider for exact channel numbers.) MHz NETWORKS channels 1-8 are available via broadcast, Comcast, Cox and RCN cable and Verizon FiOS in the DC Metro, as well. MHz Worldview (MHz1) is also available nationally in the DirecTV international package and with WorldTV satellite service, 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 video/dvd sales of selected individual programs/series, please check the Shop area (tab) of our website http://www.mhzworldview.org/shop/ periodically for new merchandise. 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 company 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 flagship 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 alternative programming for U.S. public TV stations, available at the local affiliates in Charleston, IL- WEIU; Chicago, IL - WYCC; Denver, CO - KBDI; Flint, MI - WDCQ; Minneapolis, MN - MPS Cable; Richmond, VA - WCVE; St. Paul, MN - St. Paul Neighborhood Network; Salt Lake City - KUEN (Utah Ed Network); San Francisco, CA - KCSM; Stanford, CA - Stanford University; Tacoma/Seattle, WA - KBTC. 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 (WNVC) is currently available as analog Channel 56 and DTV Channel 57. How do I receive the digital signal?MHz NETWORKS is currently broadcasting 4 standard definition digital streams per digital channel. Example: If you were to receive MHz NETWORKS DT 30 over the air, you could choose between MHz-1, MHz-2, MHz-3, and MHz-4. MHz-3 and MHz-4 will provide content in the near future. Both DT 30 and DT 57 will have the same content streams delivered to them for transmission, this is called simulcasting channels. Currently Analog 56, DT 30, and DT 57 are simulcasting as MHz. We are transmitting multiple content streams while simulcasting on DT 30 and DT 57. This is most commonly known as multicasting. The digital signals for MHz (WNVC) and MHz2 (WNVT) are available through various cable and satellite systems. 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. 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 and MHz2 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. MHz2 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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