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Ways to Receive KLRU

Channels | Satellite | Digital Channels | Second Audio Program (SAP) | Closed Captions

Channels

KLRU offers three channel streams for viewers.

KLRU

KLRU's main channel airs on 18-1 over the air. KLRU reflects, celebrates and inspires Central Texas through creative excellence, community engagement and lifelong learning. In addition to providing locally produced and quality national television programming from PBS and other sources.

KLRU Create

More often called “ do-it-yourself”, the program genres seen on Create TV include viewers' favorite public television series and specials on cooking, travel, arts and crafts, gardening, home improvement and other lifestyle interests. Create TV, airing on 18-2, was launched to serve viewers’ increasing interest in “do-it-yourself” programs. Create was designed for round-the-clock broadcast of the most popular lifestyle and how-to programming seen on public television – where lifestyle programming got its start!

KLRU-Q

In July 2009, KLRU launched a new locally-programed channel called KLRU-Q featuring entertaining and inspiring shows about history, music, science, nature, food and more. Q, which airs on 18-3, is structured in ‘blocks’ of programming throughout the day, with genres chosen specifically for the Austin audience. For example every day at 11 p.m. you can tune to Q and find a music program like Austin City Limits or an American Masters documentary on a music legend or every Thursday at 8 p.m. you can watch Q to find a program on the theme of Sailors, Soldiers and Spies like Battlefield Britain, M15 or Carrier. Other Monday to Friday highlights of this channel are the morning and afternoon tea Britcom blocks at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; the talk show block featuring encores of Charlie Rose and Tavis Smiley at noon; the Newshour at 7 p.m.; and the morning and afternoon stretch with some of your favorite PBS fitness programs at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

V-me

V-me is one of the fastest-growing Hispanic TV networks providing 24-hour digital broadcast service. This channel provides a variety of programming ranging from children's programming to lifestyle programs. Award-winning parenting shows, entertaining travel, international food, home, health, and design are featured. V-me also provides the best coverage of entertainment, music to sporting events. The programming featured on V-me also engages viewers, and gives them something to think about with ideas and opinion series as well as world-class science and natural history to provocative non-fiction TV. V-me brings the best of Hispanic and Latino programming to Austin.

Satellite Services

You can now watch Central Texas Gardener, Austin NOW and other great local programs on DIRECTV and Echostar as a part of their local channel packages.

You'll get all the great programs from PBS that you already love -- NOVA, Frontline, Antiques Roadshow, Masterpiece Theatreand MYSTERY! -- and you'll get them without the one-day delay as seen on the PBS National Satellite Service.

To enjoy all of what KLRU has to offer, you will need to subscribe to the DIRECTV or Echostar local channel package.

DIRECTV

To subscribe to the DIRECTV local package call 800.DIRECTV or 800.347.3288 or click here for more information.

Check your printed or electronic program guide or view the schedule online to determine KLRU's channel designation. For KLRU scheduling information, just click the TV schedule button above.

Echostar

No changes have been made to the PBS service on Dish Network at this time. To receive more information regarding your PBS service, please click here.

Digital Channels

KLRU's conversion to digital technology is complete. If you have questions, please email dtv@klru.org.
The following are answers to some of the most common questions about digital television:

What is digital television?

The picture most KLRU viewers receive is based on a 50-year-old analog transmission system. In December 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the U.S. standard for a new era of television -- digital television. In a digital system, images and sound are captured using the same digital code found in computers -- ones and zeroes.

The digital revolution has dramatically improved the quality of the television picture, but also made possible the over- the-air delivery of several simultaneous services to viewers. This is due primarily to the three main benefits of the digital system: high definition television, multicasting in standard definition television and data transmission.

What channel is KLRU's digital signal?

KLRU’s digital signal is available in two ways. The signal is currently offered over-the-air which means that viewers will need a set-top-box, a TV with a digital tuner or a special computer card and possibly an antenna to receive KLRU’s digital signal.

The digital signal is available over the air at the following channel designations. (These designations are current as of June 2009, but may change from time to time as new program streams are added or times are revised).:

  • 18-1: KLRU
  • 18-2: KLRU Create
  • 18-3: KLRU-Q
  • 18-4: V-me

KLRU’s digital signal will also be offered at these cable channels:

  • AT&T U-verse:
  • KLRU 18 and 1018

  • Grande Channels:
  • KLRU 9 and 309
  • KLRU Create 283 (Only available to digital cable subscribers)
  • KLRU-Q 284 (Only available to digital cable subscribers)
  • V-me 285 (Only available to digital cable subscribers)

  • Time Warner Channels:
  • KLRU 9 and 1541
  • KLRU Create 1542 (Only available to digital cable subscribers)
  • KLRU-Q 20/255 (Only available to digital cable subscribers)
  • V-me 610 (Only available to digital cable subscribers)

See complete schedule information on our Web site.

What is High Definition Television (HDTV)?

High Definition Television, or HDTV, is essentially a better quality picture and more clear sound to give you the quality of a movie experience in your home. HDTV is high-resolution digital television combined with Dolby Digital surround sound. HDTV requires new production and transmission equipment at public television stations as well as new equipment for consumers. However, the promise of this higher resolution picture is very attractive to many consumers. Imagine 720 or 1080 lines of resolution compared to the 525 lines you see on a traditional television -- it's incredible. KLRU plans to broadcast in HDTV when high definition programs are available. Most of the HDTV broadcasts will be in the evening with PBS signature series.

How do I view KLRU in the digital format?

There are many ways to view digital television. You can purchase a digital set top box and antenna and attach it to your analog television to receive KLRU's digital signal over the air. Another option is to purchase a sigital cable service.

What will this mean to the average KLRU viewer?

We view this digital transformation as a golden opportunity for KLRU and our viewers. For years our programming department has struggled over how to fit all of the wonderful programs for kids and adults on the air.

Many programs have had to run late into the evening because of the variety of programs available from PBS and the growing independent film industry.

Digital television, however, will change that because it will allow KLRU to schedule multiple programs at the same time. This will allow us to offer more for kids without leaving out the vast array of how-to-programs, documentaries, films, and other important programs for adults.

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Second Audio Program

KLRU offers an enhanced audio signal as part of the Second Audio Program channel (SAP). You can use SAP to receive the main audio channel, a second language such as Spanish translation, descriptive information on the program or material totally unrelated to what is being viewed.

What is SAP?

Most television sets provide this second audio program channel for increased stereo reception but it can be used for other features as well. This is in addition to the left/right stereo signals and is a separate audio source.

Use of the SAP channel includes:

  • Spanish translation or other language translation
  • Descriptive information about the program
  • Duplication of main audio (mono)
  • Audio unrelated to the program Many programs come with no third channel

Therefore, if you have no audio check to see if SAP has been selected. The main audio channel will be in mono if you select to listen to through SAP.

To Select the SAP Channel on Your Television

  • Consult the owner's manual of your television to find out how to select your SAP channel. If you can't find it, call the store where you purchased the television
  • Generally the SAP is either a mechanical switch labeled "stereo-mono-sap" or a menu accessed programming function

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Closed Captions

KLRU offers a variety of programs with closed captions for deaf or hearing-impaired viewers. Besides serving hearing impaired viewers, programs with closed captions are also used to teach literacy.

What are closed captions?

Closed captions on television are text located somewhere on the picture. Since there is no way for a television to put text outside the area of the picture tube, captions cover a portion of the picture.

These closed captions are hidden in the video signal, invisible without a special decoder. The place they are hidden is called line 21 of the vertical blanking interval (VBI). There are also open captions - captions that have been decoded - but they are an integral part of the television picture, like subtitles in a movie.

How can I see closed captions on my television?

There are two ways you can view closed captions on your television set:

  • Set up an external decoder. This is necessary if your television doesn't have an encoder already built in (The Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990 mandates that since July 1993, all televisions manufactured for sale in the U.S. must contain a built-in caption decoder if the picture tube is 13" or larger.)
  • Use a television with an internal decoder built into it. It shouldn't make a difference how you receive KLRU, whether it's through broadcast, cable or satellite, you should still be able to receive closed captions.

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Contact

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS
P.O. Box 7158 // Austin, Texas // 78713-7158
main 512.471.4811 // fax 512.475-9090
email info@klru.org

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