MiND Help & FAQ

If you are a member, please contact the Membership Department at 215-483-3900 ext. 223 or membership@mindtv.org regarding your inquiry.

MiND: Media Independence welcomes viewer input. Your feedback is very important to us. Due to the high volume of inquiries we receive and limited capacity to respond, we may be unable to respond to your questions individually at this time. Please know, however, that all feedback will be noted.

General Programming Questions
Technical Questions
Producer/Distributor Questions
Membership Questions
Other Questions

General Programming Questions

Where can I watch MiND, Global MiND and MiND Presents MHz Worldview?
In the Greater Philadelphia area, you can receive all three of MiND channels over the air on the following channels:

MiND: Media Independence:
Channel 35.1 (over the air broadcast)
Comcast 20, 35, 98
Cablevision 15, 23
FIOS 35
Direct TV 35

Global MiND:
Channel 35.2 (over the air broadcast)
Comcast 265/ Comcast 135 in NJ
Cablevision 115
FIOS 475
DirectTV (Coming Soon)

MiND Presents Worldview:
Channel 35.3 (over the air broadcast)
Comcast 264
Cablevision 116

Please note: DISH Network has dropped MiND.
For exact listings on cable and satellite, please contact your specific provider. If your provider does not carry our channels, please tell them you want to watch MiND!

Are you on DirecTV?
You can watch MiND on DirecTV Channel 35. However, DirecTV is not currently broadcasting Global MiND 35.2. We hope to remedy this in the future and we apologize for any inconvenience. Our channels are available through broadcast TV (over the air) with a convertor box, through Comcast and Verizon Fios.

How do I know what will be on your channels?
All of our schedules are available for download on our “Channels” page. They are also available on www.zap2it.com and www.tvguide.com. For the most up to date MHZ Worldview (35.3) schedule, please visit http://www.mhznetworks.org/mhzworldview/programming/.

To see what is coming up on MiND 35.1, please visit our homepage and view “Coming Up Next” below the video player – you will see what is coming up within the hour on MiND 35.1. For members, visit your myMiND account for up to date air times of your programs.

Can I watch Global MiND 35.2 or MHZ Worldview 35.3 programs and Philadelphia Stories online too?
No, MiND does not have the rights to distribute these programs on the internet.

What are the MiND “themed months” I keep hearing about?
Every month on MiND TV you can tune in for special documentaries, new MiND and new member programs on MiND TV Channel 35.1 – that all touch on a particular topic or theme, that vary from the health of our dear planet Earth to the serious issues faced by our United States veterans. Tune in every Wednesday and Saturday night at 8pm for new programs that will make you think!

I heard that I can submit to these months – how does that work?
Yes you can! First, become a member! Then join us for a Boot Camp to learn how to create video programs, or simply submit your 5-minute program through your online myMiND account that you will receive when you become a member – and mail us your DVD! Make sure all programs are on topic for each month, are exactly 5-minutes long and meet all of MiND’s submission criteria. It must have a learning component and be non-commercial and non-promotional in nature. Contact membership@mindtv.org for more information on deadlines and topics for 2010!

MiND’s 5-minute format is so different. Is MiND still public television?
Yes, MiND is really different. And, yes, MiND is still member-supported, public television. MiND is one of very few fully-independent, non-PBS, non-commercial stations in the United States. We hold the only educational broadcasting license in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I heard MiND was available in other cities. Where else can I watch MiND?
It’s true – you can watch MiND across the United States! Tune in to MHz Worldview at 10AM EST to watch an hour of MiND in the following cities:

San Francisco, CA- KCSM
Stanford, CA- Stanford University Cable
Denver, CO- KBDI
Washington, DC- WNVC/MHz Networks
Miami, FL- WLRN
Orlando, FL- WCEU
Charleston, IL- WEIU
Chicago, IL- WYCC
Topeka, KS- KTWU
New Orleans, LA- WLAE
Flint, MI- WDCQ
Warrensburg, MO- KMOS
Austin-Rochester, MN- KSMQ
Minneapolis, MN- MPS Cable
St. Paul, MN- St. Paul Neighborhood Network
Las Vegas, NV- VegasPBS
Salt Lake City, UT- UEN statewide
Charlottesville, VA- WHTJ
Richmond, VA- WCVE
Tacoma-Seattle, WA- KBTC

How can I get copies of the programs MiND airs?
MiND does not have the rights to sell or provide copies of the programs it airs. If you would like a copy of a program, please conduct an internet search to see if copies are available. You may also consult our primary distributors’ websites at www.aptonline.org and www.netaonline.org to see if copies are available.

• MiND: Media Independence (35.1) – You may view MiND programs via our video on demand feature on our website at www.mindtv.org. If there is contact information at the end of the program, copies may be available.

• Global MiND (35.2) - MiND does not have the rights to sell or provide copies of the programs it airs. If you would like a copy of a program, please conduct an internet search to see if copies are available. You may also consult our primary distributors’ websites at www.aptonline.org and www.netaonline.org to see if copies are available.

• MiND Presents MHz Worldview (35.3) - Please consult the MHz Worldview website at http://www.mhznetworks.org/mhzworldview. Please note that in all likelihood MHz Networks does not have rights to sell or provide copies of the programs it airs. You may conduct an internet search for the program to see if copies are available.

How can I get copies of the Korean Dramas?
Copies with English subtitles are generally unavailable. You may check the internet to see if any become available in the future.

How many episodes are in a Korean drama series?
Since many of the dramas we air are currently under production in Korea, we are usually unable to provide accurate information. You may conduct an internet search but we have found this information to be generally unreliable.

When will a program re-air?
Please check our website for up-to-date monthly schedules. For 35.1, please refer to MiND Presents. For Global MiND 35.2, please refer to Global MiND Special Programming. You may also check www.zap2it.com and www.tvguide.com for accurate schedule information.

You air specials and documentaries on MiND 35.1 and Global MiND sometimes. How can I get more information about these programs?
Please see our MiND Presents listings on our website for programs coming up within the month on MiND 35.1. For Global MiND, please see the monthly Global MiND Special Programming information on our website. You may also conduct an internet search since many programs have their own websites.

How can I get information about the content or contact information for a show?
We are unable to answer specific questions about the content of our shows. If you have a question about content or contact information for a show please consult the internet and contact the program producer or distributor directly.

Many programs have their own websites with additional information. How do I get more information about a program?
Please conduct an internet search. Most programs we air have websites.

How can I find out if you air the program I am interested in watching?
Please check the Channels & Programs page of our website.

What happened to the show I watch? I don’t see it in the schedule anymore. Will you re-air it?
Like every television channel, MiND purchases rights to air programs/series a certain number of times. If you do not see your program in the schedule, it is because we no longer have rights to air it, we are giving the program a rest, or we have decided not to air the program again to make room for new programming.

How do I get a transcript of a show?
MiND does not provide transcripts of the programs it airs. Please conduct an internet search and contact the producer/distributor of the program.

How can I contact the producer of a program?
Please check for contact information at the end of the program. If the program welcomes viewer inquiries, a phone number, website address or e-mail address will be provided. You may also conduct an internet search for this information. Many programs have their own websites.

Why are your television listings incorrect?
We reserve the right to make program scheduling changes at any time. If a change has been made at the last minute, our television listings may be inaccurate. The most accurate listings can be found on our website. For accurate listings, you may also check www.zap2it.com and www.tvguide.com.

Technical Questions

How do I report a technical problem?
Please e-mail programming.dept@mindtv.org. Please be as specific as possible with your email. Please indicate your provider, detailed description of incident, time of day, location you are reporting from, and your name and contact information. We cannot respond to all reports, nor fix all technical difficulties immediately, but all reports will be noted.

Why were there no subtitles on the Korean drama? Why are there technical problems with the dramas?
Our Korean dramas come directly from Korea a few weeks prior to air. Periodically, we experience technical problems with them and do not have enough turn around time to correct them. Also, at times the subtitling agency used by KBS makes an error.

Why are MiND audio levels different between programs and different from other stations?
Many of our programs are recorded at different audio levels. We are doing our best to correct this issue but inconsistent audio levels may persist. In addition, some of our direct-to-air from satellite feeds have different audio levels than our internal audio standard. We hope to correct this issue permanently in the future.

Why does MiND come in pixilated, or why does the picture drop out suddenly with distorted or no audio?
Unlike analog television, digital television is an “all or nothing” signal type. That means that when there are reception problems, the video drops out and becomes pixilated and the audio breaks up. There are many factors that cause signal degradation and reception problems. Sometimes having your antenna near an area in your house where pipes run can cause the signal to drop. Luckily sometimes the remedy to these problems is as easy as repositioning the antenna. Try aiming your antenna towards the Roxborough/Philadelphia area to improve reception. In some cases a roof-mount antenna is the best solution, as it’s less likely to experience interference.

My screen is completely black with no audio while watching MiND – what is happening?
Lack of video or audio can be caused from reception problems. Please see our section on pixilated video and distorted audio for troubleshooting reception problems. On occasion MiND must stop broadcast from its digital transmitter. Usually this occurs when tower work has to be completed at our transmitter site, or during times when we are doing maintenance to improve our over-the-air signal. If you notice that there is a black picture with a full signal and there are no announcements on our website, please e-mail programming.dept@mindtv.org and report the problem.

I have two DT tuners/converter boxes in my house. One works perfectly and the other doesn’t work as well. What is the problem?
Many causes of reception problems are due to antenna placement. If you’re experiencing reception problems, try to adjust your antenna. If you continue to have problems, the problem may be with the DT tuner/converter box. We’ve had a lot of feedback since the June 12th transition in regards to different makes and models of these boxes and we’ve concluded that some of the DT tuners/converters operate better than others. Unfortunately there is no standard on components or protocol handling of DT tuners, and it’s up to the individual manufacturers to include error detection/handling in regards to the digital tuner and how it receives the digital signal.

What channel is MiND on in my area?
We have three channels and they are located on the following channels.

MiND: Media Independence:
Channel 35.1 (over the air broadcast)
Comcast 20, 35, 98
Cablevision 15, 23
FIOS 35
Direct TV 35

Global MiND:
Channel 35.2 (over the air broadcast)
Comcast 265/ Comcast 135 in NJ
Cablevision 115
FIOS 475
DirectTV (Coming Soon)

MiND Presents Worldview:
Channel 35.3 (over the air broadcast)
Comcast 264
Cablevision 116

Please note that DISH has dropped MiND. Please always check with your cable or satellite provider for updated channel locations.

Producer/Distributor Questions

How do I submit a program to MiND?
Submitting a program to MiND is easy. First, become a member. Yep, submitting programs is a member benefit. We are a member-supported organization!

Once you become a member, you will be able access a new online account called your myMiND account. Here you can fill out the submission form that is required for every 5-minute program sent to MiND. Fill it out, print out and sign a copy, then send it in with your program. You can print a shipping label, but in case you lose it, all submissions must be sent to:

MiND: Media Independence
8200 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128

What are the rules for submitting programs to MiND?
Please review our submission guidelines (PDF).

How will I know if my 5-minute program is accepted? When will it air?
It takes MiND 1-2 weeks to review member programs. In your myMiND account, you can see when your program has been received, accepted, rejected, and/or scheduled. Check back often to your myMiND for updated air dates for your program. MiND’s program schedule changes often.

That’s great, but does MiND take programs that are longer than 5-minutes?
MiND accepts programs that are exactly 5-minutes long for our MiND Channel 35.1.

Do you accept 30 minute or 60 minute programs?
We will consider documentaries which are already finished. They should be close to 30 or 60 minutes in length with excellent production quality. We do not offer a licensing fee.

We are also interested in series with 13-14 completed episodes and which fits with our Global MiND format. The series must somehow connect to a global/int'l theme. The series should also have underwriting/sponsors already attached.

We do not fund the creation of programs/series. The only exception is our Philadelphia Stories series. For more information about this series, please check our website at http://www.philadelphiastories.tv/.

For more information on programming other than 5 minutes, please e-mail our programming department at programming.dept@mindtv.org.

How do I submit a program, or an idea for a show, to be considered for MiND Presents or Global MiND?
We are not supporting the production of new programs at this time. You may submit completed documentaries with your contact information and a description of the program to us at:

MiND: Media Independence
Programming Department
8200 Ridge Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19128

We will contact you if we are interested. Also note that it may take some time to screen your program.

For Philadelphia Stories consideration, please see the Philadelphia Stories website at http://www.philadelphiastories.tv/ for more information. If you have a sponsor for your program, please call 215.483.3900 ext. 215 or efiedler@mindtv.org.

I have submitted a program for MiND Presents or Global MiND. When will I hear back from you with a decision?
We will contact you after we have screened the program. Please note that this may take some time. Also note that we are not offering an acquisition fee for new programming at this time.

What formats do you accept for submissions?
We prefer DVD, Beta SP or DVC Pro tapes.

Can I rent your studio?
Yes, MiND offers various rental options for our studio. Please contact us at membership@mindtv.org or call 215-483-3900 ext. 223 for more information.

When will Philadelphia Stories accept submissions for next year?
Please consult the Philadelphia Stories page of our website at http://www.philadelphiastories.tv/. Submission dates and other information will be posted once they have been determined.

When will Philadelphia Stories start airing?
Please consult the Philadelphia Stories page of our website at http://www.philadelphiastories.tv/.

I have a question about Philadelphia Stories. Who should I contact?
You may contact the producer, Hebert Peck at hpeck@mindtv.org.

Will you promote my film/documentary which was accepted for air?
Your film will appear on our website schedule and television listings. It may also be included in our monthly e-blasts. At this time, we are only promoting our Philadelphia Stories series on television.

How do I underwrite or sponsor a show?
Please call 215.483.3900 ext. 215 or e-mail please call 215.483.3900 ext. 215 or efiedler@mindtv.org.

Membership Questions

How do I become a member?
You can become a member of MiND by visiting our website at www.mindtv.org and clicking on the button in the upper right hand corner that says, “Become A Member Today!” If you prefer to pay by cash, check or money order, please contact Member Relations at 215-483-3900 x223 or membership@mindtv.org to get a sign-up form.

What does my membership include?
Your MiND membership includes the following:

o Unlimited 5-minute Program Submissions
o Great Rates on the Member Equipment Rental Program
o One Free Video Production Boot Camp
o Discounted Rates on Advanced Workshops
o MiND’s Media Making Field Guide TV Made Easy For MiND Members
o myMiND Online Member Page

How do I submit a 5 minute program?
You can submit your 5-minute programs by becoming a member of MiND, logging into your myMiND account, and clicking on “New Submission.” From there, follow the instructions on screen and mail in your completed five minute program on a DVD with the signed submission form. Please note that MiND only accepts completed, programs that are exactly 5-minutes. Please review our submission guidelines (PDF) for more information about what programs we accept.

What are your submission guidelines?
Please click here to see a list of our submission guidelines (PDF).

Can MiND make programs for me?
Please view our rate card (PDF) for MiND production services pricing.

How often will my 5 minute program air?
Your program will air a minimum of 18 times over a two year period.

How do I know when my 5-minute program will air?
You can see when your program will air by logging in to your myMiND account and clicking on “View schedule” for any of your submissions.

What if I want to join, and share my stories, but I have no idea how to get started? Does MiND offer workshops?
MiND can help! We offer “MiND Boot Camp – You Can Do It!” training sessions to help all of our members get started making their video projects. These full-day workshops are essential for anyone who wants to get the basic skills, or brush up on existing knowledge of telling stories with video. Information about MiND Boot Camp, and our other training classes can be found on our special dedicated website just for this: www.mindtv.org/training. You can also contact us at membership@mindtv.org.