Charles O,

Since I started getting my HD locals from E* a few weeks ago, I noticed that channels I receive off of 110 sometimes give me the "check switch" message. These channels include my HD locals, UNIHD, ESPNHD, ESPN2HD, HDNET, HDNET movies, NFLHD, TNTHD, DSCHD. All of these channels I receive from 110. Now, here is the interesting part. When I change to one of these channels, I sometimes get the check switch message. The picture and audio start to clip. But, if I hit the guide button, I can see and here the channel in the little box in the upper right hand corner. As soon as I hit "view live TV", I get the check switch message. I usually hit "ok" or "cancel". Sometimes it fixes itself, while at other times I need to go to another channel and then use the guide to get back to the channel I had problems with before it fixes itself. Could you explain this to me.

There are two birds co-located at 110 for Echostar. One is older and weaker. It's conceivable that the installer peaked the reflector on the stronger and might even be off a little on the 'wrong' side. You need to find an installer with a signal strength meter which lets you read the bit error rate from Echostar 8 and peak on that.

--Michael

Hello, I am new to this forum but I have gotten a lot of infromation from here. I have oceanic basic coverage in my condo here. I had the DVR HDTV box for the HDMI to the TV but when I realized I can pickup the local HD channels without paying the high extra charges I immediately went back to getting rid of the box and using the built in TV tuner. I pickup all the local digital and HD channels and am waiting patiently for KGMB and hopefully KFVE one day to go to HD and not that poor digital stuff.

However my question is (pleaese let me know if I am asking in the wrong forum topic) but so far all major sports games I have been noticing that FSNW pops in for free but I have never seen ESPN channels do that. Can someone educate me on this. I just want to see if MNF will pop up but so far this Saturday I saw the USC game in 720p so I was happy about that. (100.1025)

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Is NBC's brightness too high? On DirecTV, local NBC KHNL affiliate seems to be a lot brighter than the other locals (or any other channel).

Forgive me if I assume brightness when contrast is really the culprit, I just notice the colors are a lot brighter... Does this happen OTA or on Cable? Anyone else notice this on DirecTV?

Thanks!

MIchael,

KHNL Hd has been off air for about a month now. They had really bad uplink problems when they first started and it never got better. I have no idea why they stopped trying.

but so far all major sports games I have been noticing that FSNW pops in for free but I have never seen ESPN channels do that. Can someone educate me on this. I just want to see if MNF will pop up but so far this Saturday I saw the USC game in 720p so I was happy about that. (100.1025)



You're getting FSN-HD without the box?????

KGMB and Oceanic better try hard to get us HD Oceanic viewers what we want by this weekend or else I will be disappointed. We have been waiting too long already. Maybe just make a deal just to broadcast the live HD feeds or something. Better to have something than nothing.

I know it's humbug, but the way to do it with TitanTV is to manually add the missing channels in.
Ugh, that stinks. I wonder why Oceanic (or whoever) stopped supplying correct information to the listing services?

Incidentally, someone told me that tvguide.com has them right, but I cannot verify this since they use flash and scripts and cookies so heavily that my browser filters won't pass it.

Anyway, thanks - I'll give the manual thing a try when I have enough time on my hands. - DR

KGMB and Oceanic better try hard to get us HD Oceanic viewers what we want by this weekend or else I will be disappointed. We have been waiting too long already. Maybe just make a deal just to broadcast the live HD feeds or something. Better to have something than nothing.


Don't get your hopes up.

well i guess we didn't get cnn-hd on 9/1. maybe they are waiting until 9/24 when the SDV seems to be going into effect (according to those cablecard letters that went out)

(according to those cablecard letters that went out)

You're mocking us aren't you :p

You're mocking us aren't you :p

oops, i didn't realize you were capable of two-way communication. i would never have mocked you had i realized you could reply and put me in my place!

I suppose you all saw this report (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11499893&postcount=2316) on SDV status that for Oceanic, it's "Contract awarded, SDV not yet installed/deployed".

I suppose you all saw this report (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11499893&postcount=2316) on SDV status that for Oceanic, it's "Contract awarded, SDV not yet installed/deployed".

i think that is not up-to-date

i'm pretty sure they have tested SDV if not already deployed it for a few channels. and the infamous cablecard letters would indicate that it will be fully deployed on (or soon after) 9/24.

i'm pretty sure they have tested SDV if not already deployed it for a few channels. and the infamous cablecard letters would indicate that it will be fully deployed on (or soon after) 9/24.

Channels such HDUNI 1605 is a switched channel right at the moment.

Don't get your hopes up.

I'm not. Most likely we not going to see it anytime soon. But we could just hope for it.

Channels such HDUNI 1605 is a switched channel right at the moment.

I could be wrong, but I don't think it is SDV. I'm pretty sure I receive this channel on my soon-to-be-obsolete CableCard. I'm not at home right now, so I can't verify this, but I checked it last week after you posted your problems receiving the channel. It came in fine for me. So either it's not SDV, or the reports that CC's cannot receive SDV is wrong. I think it's the former.

Only for the sports games I notice they bring the HD channels up. I just want to know if anyone has seen them bring up ESPN or TNT during MNF or when TNT shows basketball games.

I could be wrong, but I don't think it is SDV. I'm pretty sure I receive this channel on my soon-to-be-obsolete CableCard. I'm not at home right now, so I can't verify this, but I checked it last week after you posted your problems receiving the channel. It came in fine for me. So either it's not SDV, or the reports that CC's cannot receive SDV is wrong. I think it's the former.

It is switched video... I had 5 cable techs out and the foreman to solve my problem and it is an SDV channel. They were surprised that the others were working but not that one. Bad wiring in the wall was the problem...

Give them a call and check on it... that is what I was told by everyone.

It is switched video... I had 5 cable techs out and the foreman to solve my problem and it is an SDV channel. They were surprised that the others were working but not that one. Bad wiring in the wall was the problem...

Give them a call and check on it... that is what I was told by everyone.

You're right (as I'm sure you know). I went home last night and checked HDUNI and it was gone. But the really bad thing is that AZNTV was gone too! I went through Asian Soaps withdrawal last night! So today I went out and swapped my Tivo for the TWC HD DVR. Yecchh. But at least I got it hooked up in time to see the Giants win today (sorry Yawney).

Question for anyone using the HDMI connection with the TWC HDDVR. When I hooked up the DVR using the HDMI port, the picture on SD shows was too white/bright. Kind of like looking through gauze. This was especially true for SD broadcasts on HD channels. No amount of tweaking the picture settings on my Samsung HDTV would solve the problem. When I use the TIVO HD box with the same HDMI cable and TV port, it looks fine. When I hooked up the TWC DVR using the component cables, it looks fine. Have others experienced this, or do I have a bad HDMI port on the DVR?

This is really curiosity more than anything; I don't mind using the component cables.

i just switched to hdmi about a week ago (and i have a samsung, too). i do not see the same problem. in fact, i think my picture is slightly better for sd channels compared to component, which is a nice surprise.

Last week after the guys came out to solve our problem they put in the 8300HDC DVR. The new DVR. I notice now some drop outs in video and audio when watching live.. I have not seen it on a recording. When it drops out the buffer is gone. It is not happening every time we watch, for instance it has been on several hours this morning and no problem. Last night it was doing it... and I noticed that a show was recording.. We had also earlier switched to HDMI DVD player. I am thinking perhaps one or the other may initiate this behavior. I am asking them to bring me back the previous model on Wednesday. Meanwhile I am trying to find the pattern. Anyone get this new DVR and have noticed any differences? We are using HDMI. It might be related to the way this new box handles HDMI... thats my hunch.. I think there are bugs in the player.

I also found on this forum people reporting similar things..

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18956308-Scientific-Atlanta-8300HDC

cablecard is what the C in the end stands for in 8300HDC, right? do these new cablecard DVR models work with the SDV channels?

Hmm, now I'm getting the "Channel Not Available" message for Universal HD, Ch. 1605. Definitley not using cablecard here.

Last week after the guys came out to solve our problem they put in the 8300HDC DVR.[/URL]
Whoa, does this mean we're getting Navigator software already? :confused:

Whoa, does this mean we're getting Navigator software already? :confused:

It runs SARA 1.90 at the moment.

I noticed a different behavior from 8300 HDC from the previous model 8300 HD... on HDMI

Turn the DVR on before the TV.... If you have digital audio to an amp there will be no sound from digital out until the TV is on... plus turn off the TV during a show... and back on.. no buffer. That did not happen before this model..

Anyone else get one of these yet? What is your feedback using HDMI?

Weird happenings this weeked. On both our HD and SD Oceanic DVR boxes, I was clearing out old recordings on the Recorded list and during the process, the unit wiped out a whole bunch of recordings on its own. Re-booted the boxes to double check and the programs were not listed anywhere.

Anyone else experience this?

I was checking out Oceanic's HD lineup at a friend's house this weekend…

NFL CHI @ SD looked stellar on HD KHON (1003), as did the USA vs Brazil soccer friendly on ESPN2HD (1224).
KHNL and KITV also looked great.
Universal HD (1605) came in just fine every time and looked fine.
On KHET HD both Nature and Austin City Limits looked sharp, but every show I saw on that channel macroblocked and pixelated a lot and some upconverted letterbox shows like "Mystery!" were sort of windowboxed, like at 14:9. Also KHET HD is not passing closed captioning at all and their audio seems quieter than other channels.

It runs SARA 1.90 at the moment.
Oh, ok. Thanks. I wonder when we end up w/ Navigator.

There have been a number of cable networks launching simulcast HD
networks but few meet our criteria for carriage which is 50% native HD
programming or a majority of prime time in HD. Most, including CNN,
offer 15-40% true HD in prime time but unfortunately they are all East
Coast feeds so their prime time is early afternoon in Hawaii.
Furthermore, their estimates for reaching the 50% HD programming overall
is end of 2008 or later. In the case of CNN, they have made it clear
that it will take a great deal of time to upgrade studios, production
centers and equipment in the field to enable its journalists to gather
news in HD. We are also hearing from some networks that they are
scaling back their estimates of HD programming due to high equipment and
production costs.

We are planning to set up an in-house channel to examine programming
quality of both the HD and up-converted programming as we have received
a number of complaints from HD customers regarding quality and lack of
true HD content.

While the networks are anxious to establish an HD slot, our goal is to
provide the best channels possible to those networks serious about
expanding their HD offerings.

Oceanic's response to CNN HD inquiry!
There have been a number of cable networks launching simulcast HD
networks but few meet our criteria for carriage which is 50% native HD
programming or a majority of prime time in HD. Most, including CNN,
offer 15-40% true HD in prime time but unfortunately they are all East
Coast feeds so their prime time is early afternoon in Hawaii.
Furthermore, their estimates for reaching the 50% HD programming overall
is end of 2008 or later. In the case of CNN, they have made it clear
that it will take a great deal of time to upgrade studios, production
centers and equipment in the field to enable its journalists to gather
news in HD. We are also hearing from some networks that they are
scaling back their estimates of HD programming due to high equipment and
production costs.

We are planning to set up an in-house channel to examine programming
quality of both the HD and up-converted programming as we have received
a number of complaints from HD customers regarding quality and lack of
true HD content.

While the networks are anxious to establish an HD slot, our goal is to
provide the best channels possible to those networks serious about
expanding their HD offerings.

What's with this response on Oceanic's on adding new HD channel's to TWC HD Channel line up. He mean's a network has to have at least 50 % of their shows in HD for them to even consider adding them to our HD package? Then he says Most, including CNN, offer 15-40% true HD in prime time but unfortunately they are all East Coast feeds so their prime time is early afternoon in Hawaii. WTF!!!! I have a DVR and I can record a HD show and watch it later if it is not shown during our prime time. 50 % and East Coast feeds. What a crock of you know what!!!! I went to pay my bill in Kahaluli this afternoon and asked if TWC (oceanic) had started to switch over to SDV on Maui yet. The gal (very nice n cute) at the desk informed me that they had not started the switch yet, but will be in the near future. She neither gave me a time frame nor did she know when they might start. TWC and Oceanic are taking their sweet time to add SDV. By the looks of it maybe in "09" they will have the capacity for 100 hd channels. Thats a "BIG MAYBE".. From what I was told at the office in Kahaluli and that response from above is enough for me to make the switch over to Direct TV. If you really think about it, whats a better feed? You pulling in a signal then sending it thru about 30 ft. of cable, into a DVR, then 3-5 ft. to the HD Tv? Or letting Oceanic pull it in, then they do what ever they need to, then re-send it many many miles over cable to you, then thru your DVR to your set? I'm cutting out the middle man.;)

There have been a number of cable networks launching simulcast HD
networks but few meet our criteria for carriage which is 50% native HD
programming or a majority of prime time in HD. Most, including CNN,
offer 15-40% true HD in prime time but unfortunately they are all East
Coast feeds so their prime time is early afternoon in Hawaii.
Furthermore, their estimates for reaching the 50% HD programming overall
is end of 2008 or later. In the case of CNN, they have made it clear
that it will take a great deal of time to upgrade studios, production
centers and equipment in the field to enable its journalists to gather
news in HD. We are also hearing from some networks that they are
scaling back their estimates of HD programming due to high equipment and
production costs.

We are planning to set up an in-house channel to examine programming
quality of both the HD and up-converted programming as we have received
a number of complaints from HD customers regarding quality and lack of
true HD content.

While the networks are anxious to establish an HD slot, our goal is to
provide the best channels possible to those networks serious about
expanding their HD offerings.

boo!

i can see them holding back on these hd channels if they had better ones to give us. but they are holding back and giving us nothing in their place. i'd rather have a CNN-HD with 15-40% HD than not have anything.

boo!

i can see them holding back on these hd channels if they had better ones to give us. but they are holding back and giving us nothing in their place. i'd rather have a CNN-HD with 15-40% HD than not have anything.
The afternoon primetime part is a load of $hit. CNN's analog station has their primetime live in Hawaii, too. Plus, we have DVRs! I like Oceanic's 50% HD policy, except when it comes to local channels. All local stations broadcasting any HD content should have their HD version on cable in Hawaii, whether it's 10% HD or 90%.

I'd rather see USA HD, FX, Food Network, even Cartoon Network in HD than CNN HD. CNN HD will have little HD content. News and interview shows with studio shots in HD and pillarboxed reports is, quite frankly, not something I'm excited about.

I'd rather see USA HD, FX, Food Network, even Cartoon Network in HD than CNN HD. CNN HD will have little HD content. News and interview shows with studio shots in HD and pillarboxed reports is, quite frankly, not something I'm excited about.

i would too (well maybe not food network). but i'd rather see CNN_HD than nothing, which is what it looks like we are getting.

CNN replays some of their prime time shows during Hawaii's prime time???

CNN replays some of their prime time shows during Hawaii's prime time???
no, they don't. CNN's primetime is in the afternoon in Hawaii. it's all a live feed in East coast time.

no, they don't. CNN's primetime is in the afternoon in Hawaii. it's all a live feed in East coast time.
Yes, they do. Today (Thurs), Larry King and Anderson Cooper are on here at 3pm and 4pm then are replayed several times from 6pm to 9pm.

Isn't it nice to live in Hawaii where one company can dictate what we should or shouldn't be watching on TV. It's like the soup Nazi guy from Seinfeld: "not enough HD content then no HD for you!".

I sure am going to take a better look at satellite TV and the future Hawaiian Telcom TV. Let's see: on one hand, there's a company that promises about 100 HD channels and on the other hand, there's a company that promises ... an in-house committee to review HD content. I wonder what to choose!!!!

I remember when it took a week for shows to come on TV here.... Christmas shows were on the week after Christmas :) I think Elvis's concert was the first live satellite broadcast of a concert.. and from Hawaii.

And still no Dodgers/Padres for the past 3 days on FSN-HD. :mad: Called again and was told the same 'ol story... "It's a mainland network problem". Very frustrating. I think it's a bunch 'o crap myself, but what ya gonna do... ask for another $1.35 credit? :rolleyes:

I remember when it took a week for shows to come on TV here.... Christmas shows were on the week after Christmas :) I think Elvis's concert was the first live satellite broadcast of a concert.. and from Hawaii.

I also remember the NFL games were broadcast one week after the games were played.

Have they started turning off HD channels already for cable card users due to SDV? I thought the horrible day was the 24th. I've already lost several. Has anyone heard of any updates on a workaround for the TiVo series 3 users. I was reading on the other threads and TiVo forums about different possibilities including the usb dongle. Needless to say I'm not to happy after putting up all the money for the box and to transfer my lifetime membership with Oceanic's decision.

I'm sorry… they replay primetime, I guess, but they don't delay the programming. We see it at the same time as east coast, then see it again later.

Got our previous SA8300HD back... things are back to normal, no more problems. Don't let them give you one of the new 8300 HDC DVR's... unless they have worked out the bugs.

Have they started turning off HD channels already for cable card users due to SDV? I thought the horrible day was the 24th. I've already lost several. Has anyone heard of any updates on a workaround for the TiVo series 3 users. I was reading on the other threads and TiVo forums about different possibilities including the usb dongle. Needless to say I'm not to happy after putting up all the money for the box and to transfer my lifetime membership with Oceanic's decision.

It would appear so. I bit the bullet and traded in my cablecards for the Oceanic DVR-wannabe last weekend after several channels dropped off. So much for Sept. 24. Maybe OTW meant that was the completion date for the switchover and they'd start whenver they damn well wanted to? As for Tivo's workaround, I read last week (can't remember where) that they were thinking maybe Spring 2008.

It would appear so. I bit the bullet and traded in my cablecards for the Oceanic DVR-wannabe last weekend after several channels dropped off. So much for Sept. 24. Maybe OTW meant that was the completion date for the switchover and they'd start whenver they damn well wanted to? As for Tivo's workaround, I read last week (can't remember where) that they were thinking maybe Spring 2008.

Yup... I switched out my CC's a couple of weeks ago. The 8300 really sucks. I still haven't gotten the hang of it yet. The logic behind it doesn't seem to follow a rational train of thought. Also it is crazy slow, When I press the fast forward button it's as if it thinks I'm joking and it won't start fast forwarding until i hit it 3 tor 4 times. Anyone know how big the internal hard drive is? It seems really small like 60 gigs. I'm outta space and there is barely a weeks worth of shows on there. I'm gonna try and connect a 750 esata drive this afternoon... we'll see... Anyone know if OYW is gonna switch to Passport? SARA is something ugly! Atleast the on-demand stuff and start over feature, that were not available through cable cards, is pretty cool!

I was asking why there was no shows on FSN-HD and when would Oceanic carry CNN-HD and TBS-HD. This is the response:

"We show all of the HD games provided by Fox. HD is very expensive to
film and many of the broadcasters and cable networks have scaled back
their HD plans because of that. Even inDemand HD was forced to cut back
their plans because they could not acquire sufficient HD product.

We will be looking at CNN and TBS HD which just became available. They,
like many cable channels offering HD, have only a small portion of their
HD in programming in true HD and the rest is up-converted which also
upsets our HD customers.

We have about 15 cable channels "offering HD" that we don't currently
carry because the true HD programming is only about 15% of their
schedule.

We will be evaluating them all to see if they are offering quality
programming we think acceptable to our HD customers. "

Same response as before.

Anyone know if KHNL's OTA signal is off the air? Haven't been able to receive it for a few days now. No problems with KFVE though. Thanks

The two NYY@ Boston games in HD looked great this weekend, on Fox and then ESPN.

Emmy Awards show in SD? :rolleyes:

The two NYY@ Boston games in HD looked great this weekend, on Fox and then ESPN.

Emmy Awards show in SD? :rolleyes:
Doesn't FOX do regular season baseball in SD widescreen?

Anyway, Emmys was SD. Is KHON showing any primetime in HD or at least SD widescreen?

I posted to "HDTV Programming Fourm", titled:TWC won't give me HD via Cablecard.

I just bought the TiVoHD, looking fwd to dumping that 8300HD POS. Was called by OTWC today and told that switch to SDV will be in ~2 weeks, at which time CableCARDS will no longer support HD channels. In other words, my Series3 TiVo will only work as a Series2 device.

That REALLY sucks. Now I'm stuck paying the shipping on my TiVo back to mainland (prob $40?). That's not what upsets me, it's that I'll have to go back to the POS S-A box. I'm actually considering giving up the HD for a while and just using my old TiVo (gen1) unit. Yes, image quality sucks (compared to HD) but ease of use almost more than makes up for it. At least I'll get my wife to quite bitchin' about it. She doesn't like tech stuff, but the TiVo interface is about as easy as it gets. The 8300 looks and works like crap.

sorry to be so negative, nut I went from "life is good, I'll have HD AND TiVo" back to "this thing sucks..."
aloha,
norm

this is a partial copy of an email that was just received from a very senior OTWC Field Tech regarding the issue of receiving HD channels via CableCARD:

Okay, found out that the problem is NOT with OTWC but with TiVo. Evidently they need to write code to accept our Cable cards for HD offerring.

Once that happens, we will be able to offer our HD product to TiVo Series 3 users.

Does that sound correct to you?????

aloha,
norm

DrNorm I know where you are coming from. I'm a long time tivo user with my series 1 that with lifetime subscription still working. The SA interface is totally bogus compared to the tivo. But I live with it. And I have the Tivo still hooked up too. HD recordings on the SA and other shows that have conflicts with the tivo recordings. My wifes shows are mostly on the tivo. Did you see any posts on navigator? It looks like that software will greatly improve the SA boxes. But I don't know when they gonna roll out in Hawaii.

I've never had a TIVO and I have no doubt they are great... but I find my 8300 HD to work well and I am thrilled to have it. I have full surround sound and beautiful HD daily at my bidding. I watch HD shows almost exclusively, with a few exceptions.

I am very disappointed that KHON has yet to implement prime time HD. How much longer? All last year I was told "just two more weeks" ....

Hi Norm, just curious about what bothers you about the SA8300 HD? I use my computer TV guides to search for programs that are coming up.. I find the SA easy to use, its been reliable, much cheaper than a TIVO and if it breaks... I just swap it for a new one.

I understand there is no contest between the OS on the TIVO and the 8300.. I guess I don't understand why you are so unhappy with it?

I like TiVo mostly basic user friendliness and features:


I have had the TiVo for 5+ yrs and am pretty comfortable with it (that's legit).
Recording a series (aka "season pass") is much easier w/ TiVo.
on 8300HD, if you stop watching a recorded show and then go back to it, you have to start at the beginning and FF back to place in show...total PITA, especially since FF/RR seems quite slow
When FF/RR on 8300 pressing stop/play is where it begins. On TiVo, when you FF thru a commercial and then hit play when the show returns, it "backs up" a few seconds to accommodate your delay in reflexes for having overshot the mark. With 8300, it's always FF, try and time 'play' just right, go too far, RR, too far, give up, watch 15secs of commercials... (during an hour long TV show, 15 secs at every break starts to add up- also, since this was not a problem w/ TiVo, it's frustrating and more interrupting if it's during dinner time)
8300 Guide is impossible to use- can only see 4-5 channels at a time
on 8300 must scroll through EVERY channel (I don't care what's on the Japanese language broadcast of the golf channel, in fact, I don't even care what's on the gold channel). With TiVo, I list ONLY the channels I watch. No HGTV, no ESPN7, no HST, GSN, MOUSE...Scrolling through the evenings offerings (for "realtime TV" is a breeze, since I am interested in what's on virtually every channel listed)
Searching for an upcoming show is a breeze with TiVo
Reviewing scheduled recordings is a breeze, with TiVo, as is checking to see if a favorite (season pass) show is coming back...e.g., when do new episodes of "The Wire" air? TiVo may not tell me when they are coming back, but it will show if if they are NOT coming back within the next few weeks
TiVo navigation requires a lot viewer button pushes and there are also shortcut buttons
"Suggested Viewing"...when nothing else is on or recorded, TiVo has often selected a number of shows I might find interesting
The "info" screen on 8300 often says nothing. TiVo screen at least gives you year originally aired and if it is a repeat or new episode.



I'm sure there are more reasons, but that's at least a few.
If you have sol'ns for the 8300 that mimic these actions on TiVo, I would be more than happy to hear them. I am OK with the 8300 (despite its weaknesses) but my wife is totally unwilling to give up the convenience of TiVo for the balky 8300 (and, she has no interest in HD). I was hoping for an HD sol'n that was as easy/featured as TiVo (e.g., HD Tivo!)

thanks,
norm

this is a partial copy of an email that was just received from a very senior OTWC Field Tech regarding the issue of receiving HD channels via CableCARD:

Okay, found out that the problem is NOT with OTWC but with TiVo. Evidently they need to write code to accept our Cable cards for HD offerring.

Once that happens, we will be able to offer our HD product to TiVo Series 3 users.

Does that sound correct to you?????

aloha,
norm

Both the Series3 and TivoHD are unable to "ping" Oceanic to "request" a channel with SDV being implemented.
Tivo is supposedly working on a "dongle" which would attach to the coax that would be able to do the "ping", but the ETA on it is early "08.

Doesn't FOX do regular season baseball in SD widescreen?
I haven't watched baseball every Saturday, but all but one or two of the games I tuned into were being shown in HD. I believe FOX has at least one game a week in HD with a couple others shown regionally in SD. The games look great in HD on my 720p set, no swimming grass or motion artifacts. Their SD widescreen games are very watchable as well. ESPN looked very good on Sunday too. Glad to see PQ has improved (generally speaking) on these channels.

Also, one way or another, OTW better show those playoff games TBS-HD is scheduled to carry. They might as well use the FSN-HD channel as that has been pretty much a dead channel lately. What the heck is with that channel anyway? What a letdown for baseball fans.

Let's make a list of things about HD on OTWC.

What is the next HD channel going to be?

When are we going to get KGMB (CBS) HD?

When are KHON going to show primetime TV in HD?


Anyone like to add to the list.

Anyone know if KHNL's OTA signal is off the air? Haven't been able to receive it for a few days now. No problems with KFVE though. Thanks

g182237,

Not sure it helps, but I found KHNL on 35.1 and 35.2 tonight. On a whim I rescaned for ATSC stations, and found them there instead of 13.1 and 13.2. Except 35.1 is weather and 35.2 is regular programming.

g182237,
Hi G I watched SNF on KHNL 13.1 OTA yesterday afternoon and right now I'm watching
Leno--- all in glorious HD. in my opinion KHNL has the most programs in HD and I always get a strong signal here in Pearl City. James

Our SA3800HD recorded a very early morning broadcast of "America's Test Kitchen" on KHET-HD. The food in HD looked great, but now you can see how much makeup the cast has plastered on them. :D

I like TiVo mostly basic user friendliness and features:
[snip]
I'm sure there are more reasons, but that's at least a few.
If you have sol'ns for the 8300 that mimic these actions on TiVo, I would be more than happy to hear them. I am OK with the 8300 (despite its weaknesses) but my wife is totally unwilling to give up the convenience of TiVo for the balky 8300 (and, she has no interest in HD). I was hoping for an HD sol'n that was as easy/featured as TiVo (e.g., HD Tivo!)


Good list. I'd also add that on the TivoHD, you have two tuners (like the 8300), but they both buffer 30 minutes. So you can switch back and forth between two shows, skipping thru the banter and commercials, without any extra interface work. On the 8300, it only buffers the active tuner, so if you want to watch two shows simultaneously, you need to record both of them. Which brings me to the extra buttons required to record the show you are watching. Not a huge thing, but the tivo was a lot easier. Then there's the recorded show list -- with tivo you can collapse episodes of a particular show into a single folder; like all Daily Shows are a single line in the recorded list, with the 8300 they are all separately listed. And the remote control is head-and-shoulders above any other remote I've used.

Bottom line, folks who've never had a Tivo are generally pretty happy with the 8300 (at least those I've talked to). But if you've had a Tivo for awhile, it's frustrating to lose the functionality and the user-friendliness.

As for what the very senior OTWC tech said... It sounds like he's suggesting that it's a software thing -- Tivo can solve the problem by rewriting their code. Not exactly, it's more a hardware thing. The cablecards that Tivo uses are one-way cablecards. That's why OnDemand and Start Over and other such things don't work -- the TivoHD cannot send requests to OTW. Switched digital requires the same sort of two-way communication. There are two-way cablecards that debuted a few months ago, but Tivo cannot use those. So, yes, the problem is with Tivo, not OTW. Damn you Tivo!!

Yes I have only heard great things about TIVO... I wish they would offer it as an OS choice on TWC. I would pay extra for those features. My problem is the HD box was expensive plus all the monthly costs and of course now, HD is a problem. So maybe one day. What happens if it breaks and in a year or two it is out of date. At least on the 8300 those things don't matter. Yes compared to TIVO it is lacking.. but compared to no DVR it is great! Which is where I was coming from. I completely understand and I am the kind of person that values excellence. The cable companies certainly have stacked the cards against them :(

Charles O,
Sorry Ive been out of the loop lately, had quite a few jobs on Kauai and Maui, and also lost my log in info DOH!
As far as Fox west in HD this was added to the lineup on satellite 129

KVFE HD on Dish up, KHNL HD has been down, BUT, KHNL NBC standard def has been improved with in the last few days

Since I started getting my HD locals from E* a few weeks ago, I noticed that channels I receive off of 110 sometimes give me the "check switch" message. These channels include my HD locals, UNIHD, ESPNHD, ESPN2HD, HDNET, HDNET movies, NFLHD, TNTHD, DSCHD. All of these channels I receive from 110. Now, here is the interesting part. When I change to one of these channels, I sometimes get the check switch message. The picture and audio start to clip. But, if I hit the guide button, I can see and here the channel in the little box in the upper right hand corner. As soon as I hit "view live TV", I get the check switch message. I usually hit "ok" or "cancel". Sometimes it fixes itself, while at other times I need to go to another channel and then use the guide to get back to the channel I had problems with before it fixes itself. Could you explain this to me.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

g,
Weird problem first time Ive heard of this one, do you have another HD receiver you can swap to the location you are having issues with? If so swap em, this will determine if you have a receiver or 'line' issue. My guess would be receiver

Posted by YngwieDonut


Any luck with OTA HD in Hawaii Kai?


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Negative, no plans for OTA HD coverage via new translators by any of the local stations in the immediate future in Hawaii Kai

Posted by g182237


Anyone with E* HD locals notice a line periodically running horizontally across their screen when watching KITV? Almost as if the image is bending or overlapping? Sorry, can't think of the words to describe it. If you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about. Thanks



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


KITV looks good, possible that there was a problem for a short period of time? Havent been monitoring local ABC, but looked decent tonight in 4x3, expect 1080i to look even better. Do you still have issues 09-17

Posted by g182237

I guess that "Satellite Guy" is done pitching his products.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


g1, still here
Had a few large installs on outer islands, changed computers which lost my old log in, and just busy overall pitching satellite :)
Actualy Not pitching, just informing :) Aint learnin great!

Posted by Sony #1

I am watching the Dodgers-Giants game in HD on the Fox Sports channel. This is the first time I have ever seen anything broadcast on this channel.

I'm very impressed with the picture quality. It would be wonderful if there was more programming shown.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Watching Devil Rays at Angels off of satellite 129 FOXW Dishnet looks good, a little flat on the reds/greens but nice.

Posted by MegaByte

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Quote:
Originally Posted by g182237
Anyone with E* HD locals notice a line periodically running horizontally across their screen when watching KITV? Almost as if the image is bending or overlapping? Sorry, can't think of the words to describe it. If you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about. Thanks



Quote:
Originally Posted by g182237
I guess that "Satellite Guy" is done pitching his products.

No, I think Satellite Guy is "done" answering questions like yours. Too bad. It was nice to have someone in the Sat. biz to take the time to come in here to answer questions. Can't really blame him. Oh well....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Lol, its all good, thanks Mega, next time Im in Kahalui round on me! But may be necessary to sweep location for oceanic 'non-employees'
lohas

Posted by BluBtl

Pbs Hd

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does anybody know why PBS HD is only on Oceanic 1010?

Are satelite guys recieving PBS HD?

Like a fool, I waited till midnight last friday to watch nature OTA and what do you know PBS signes off at midnight. I reread their annoucement on their website and it says Oceanic 1010. WTF, I thought this was a public station. I emailed PBS and still no answer as to why on the Oceanic exclusivity.




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dish is getting KHET HD, however...theres always a 'however' isnt there? Most of the programming is in SD. Ill DVR Nature or NOVA and see what I get :)

UPDATE: KHET broadcasting 'Rick Steves Europe' in full HD. But, this programming (Rick Steves) has been available in HD for a while now on HD net. Which would lead me to believe that KHET has the capability to broadcast full HD, but limited in the studio for HD, or dont have capability to record HD? and or limited HD content from 'mothership' on the mainland

SatGuy,

If you are going to respond to old posts could you do everyone a favor and quote the post you are responding to. Otherwise your responses really make no sense.

Posted by Boneless 6220

What is the HD package quality resolution for most channels? I have an older HDTV and it's probably maxed at 720p. What's the model number for the HD-DVR to ask for?



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actualy depending on who you ask, 720p looks better then 1080i in some fast moving scenes. I never been able to see a difference though. You asked for model number of the latest and greatest DVR, so sounds like a satellite question. The best one we have tested as far HD (Hard drive capability) and audio (Optical) and Video chip. Is the Dish Vip 722. If you run out of storage which is sometimes easy to do with the high def programming, you can hook up an external hard drive to boost your storage via USB 2.0 connection.

HD and Directv in Mililani Hawaii

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was recently informed while visiting BestBuy that there were changes in the reception of Directv on Oahu and multiple large dishes are no longer necessary which was confirmed when I called directv (although I don't fully trust a salesperson who seemed to be guessing), is this true? What would I need for equipment if I want a lot of SD channels and the most HD channels possible? What is the quality of HD on Directv, 1080i or 720P? Thanks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Psychdoc,
DirecTV or Dish CSRs are not trained very well on whats needed in Hawaii, Alaska or the other outlying regions. As you had mentioned for SD (Standard def) and HD (High Def) for Directv you will need and will continue to need two 1.2 meter prodeline dishes (Not sure if the spelling is correct on 'prodeline') These dishes were engineered and created for the European commercial satellite market, and are 'sqew capable'. They are big meaty dishes, Id say fully assembled about 70-75 pounds each. Reason you need two dishes is the way we receive the satellite signals from DTV's satellites. They are working on doing something different, maybe upgrading into spot beam technology, maybe giving us a more favorable shot to multiple satellites, maybe porting over the HD feeds from 119 and 110 over to 101 slot? However... it always comes down to the economics, there really are not a lot of people in Hawaii, Alaska, PI and VI to make such decisions concerning multi-million to billion dollar satellites, we get what we get, and we should be happy with what we get!!! :) I expect the need for two 1.2 meter dishes for SD and HD DTV not to change anytime in the future. Your Q about the most SD and HD possible, thats a loaded question with lots of variables. Are you in an housing association? If so they would need to give you written permission to allow the 1.2 meter dishes to be installed for DTV SD and HD service.
1) Best most 'upgradable friendly' DVRs available? Dish vip 722
2) Most SD (480i) between dish, DTV and oceanic? DTV
3) Most HD (presently) between DTV, oceanic, and Dish? Dishnetwork
4) Most HD (Projected end of year 2007) Between Dish, DTV, oceanic? DTV.
We are expecting the addition of 100 DTV HD channels. My bet is Dish will do its best to follow suit with quality HD channels not quantity.
Oceanic? Oceanic is in for a bumpy ride. Other Q about picture quality on DTV, all channels start out at 480i, up to 1080i on the HD MPEG 4 as well for Dish and DTV HD

SatGuy,

If you are going to respond to old posts could you do everyone a favor and quote the post you are responding to. Otherwise your responses really make no sense.
Uggg, just noticed, quick reply not very effective for old posts. apologies

SatGuy,

Question: FSN West and Prime Ticket in HD are also at 129...by chance are they also available in Hawaii?

It would make my decision easier. :D

Sorry Charles
This is an old post that I havent got to yet. Yes correct Fox W on 129, looks clean but reds and greens off of uniforms a bit flat.

Jeez. Let me say AGAIN that I don't work for any media outlet or cable company or satellite broadcaster or satellite retailer or local broadcaster or anything retail.

I simply stated my opinion in an earlier thread... just as Satellite HI Guy has the same right to state his opinion (and does so).

Even MegaByte can say what he wants, once he gets his head out of his rear.

And for the record, I have no great love for TWC either. The pixelization and soft HD quality can be a bit frustrating, but I have no other way to consider an alternative since I live in an apartment.

Everybody feel better now? Great.
Lol Mindbender,
Under your name I see you are 'unsatisfied with HD' why is that?

One more reason to switch to Direct or Dish


Yea, but careful sounds like you be 'pitching';)

Same thing today. No Angels/RedSox game on FSNHD. Called Oceanic again. Said they were having network problems from the mainland. I asked about a credit for the missed games (3 so far). They said a credit will be added to my account. We'll see what happens.


Interesting, what sort of 'credit' was applied

No game again today either. So I call Oceanic again and they tell me the same thing again... Mainland problem. They tell me the game is on "regular" FSN. I say I know, but that's why I pay you for HD service, to see the games in HD. They apologize and say they're "working on it". I say ok and ask for a credit and get put on hold. When they come back they tell me my next months bill will show a $1.39 credit. A $1.39?!?!?!?! Thanks Oceanic!!!

lol, I would think your time is worth more then a buck thirty nine;)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rvolner
Does anyone know what the real equipment requirements are to receive HD programming from DirecTV are? I have been a subscriber of DirecTV mainly for the Sunday Ticket and was told two years ago that to receive HD I would have to install a second dish. Calls to DirecTV are frustrating at best as there are not many knowledgeable customer service reps and the local installer does not return calls. I currently have a 1 meter dish to get all the SD and special sports programming. I do receive certain games in HD but do not have access to the other HD offerings. With the new satellite in service will HD service be available to Hawaii with only a single dish?

that is what Directv has been saying --- one dish
but, I think they are saying 5 lnb's which probably isn't on your dish
so I think this means upgrade of the dish
let me know if you find out anything


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the delay rvolner, hopefully I anwsered your Q on this. After reading again there are some different points to make. First of all which 'local' retailer were you trying to contact? If you have DTV already it sounds like you have an older .90 meter dish locked onto satellite 101 (DTV's primary satellite) Last check there is no HD content at this location, what type of receiver do you have? Reason why they had told you that you would need a second dish is because DTV sends out their HD content off of orbital location 119 and 110. They presently install a dish (1.2 meter) with a 'multifeed' LNB on the end that with the proper install and sqew will bring in satellite 119 and 110 for HD. Im sure this will change as there is no way they will be able to put another 100 channels in HD at those 2 locations, unless dishnetwork has sold or rented rights to the bandwidth off the birds that are being shared. Not likely we will see a change to the dual 1.2 meter dish configuration anytime soon. If you are interested in obtaining an upgrade to the bigger dishes and HD receivers call a company called Ironwood. I believe they are upgrading the old .90 dishes.;)

I just picked up the DirecTV HD DVR from Best buy and thought I had the right dish, but apparently I do not. I have been told I need a 5 LNB dish as well, and to think, my current dish is barely a year old!

- Ardent

--------------------------------------------------------------
Ardent,
you as well will need to upgrade into the dual 1.2 meter prodeline dish configuration. The five LNB dish or 'multifeed lnb' that works on the mainland will NOT work here, its unfortunate but just the way the satellites are positioned. I would as well call Ironwood communications and see what they are offering in terms of an upgrade. They may be able to make you a better offer then Best Buy. :(

Called Oceanic again tonight regarding FSN-HD. Let me see if I can explain it the way they told it to me. According to their technicians, the reason for the outage is that the Satellite Fox Sports broadcasts on is on the fringes that Oceanic can pick up. Sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't.

They are going to keep working on it. However, she told me that the channel may go away if they can't resolve the problem.

Personally I think it's a bunch of B.S. How come all of a sudden they're having problems picking up the signal?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hummm... well if I may interject here. There are not that many satellites from North America that we can not see from here, most if not all of the East coast satellites are not viewable due to the curvature of the earth. Id be curious to see what they would say if you asked them which satellite they are trying to see for FSN. And FSN = FOX sports Northwest? See where I am going here?

As an Oceanic customer,I am getting spoiled by watching sports in HD. TNT broadcast the PGA championship in HD this morning. It was terrific. Watching the non-HD broadcast on CBS is okay but nothing like the TNT broadcast. Are the satellite and OTA folks receiving the CBS broadcast in HD? If so, how does it look?

I am not sure if CBS is showing the tournament in HD. I was just curious how it looks.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
DirecTV is broadcasting local CBS in 480i (standard def) however its streaming in off of MPEG 4 so its clean, just not HD yet.
Dish has had KGMB in HD for a while now, and it looks as good as their HD OTA (Over the air broadcast)

What do you know? FSN-HD was coming in fine last night. So what was the real story last week?

------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may not want to know the Real story. But again curious to what they will tell you about which satellite they are pulling FSN off of, I know which one it is, but curious what they would say.

i meant to post this update sooner, but never got around to it. i called khon and they supposedly gave me to an "engineer" he sounded like an idiot. at first i thought they were playing a phone prank. from what i gathered, they were just having issues with their equipment and were in the process of repairing it hence the random outages. lame. no word yet when primetime fox programming will go HD.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think I saw your call on 'Crank Yankers' the other night!
:) You probably didnt get an engineer, but then again...

DirecTV seemed to have added CBSHD West Coast (LA) feed on Channel 81 for me without asking for it.

Anyone else notice that? Its on my recent activity for 8/16/07 when viewing charges ($0 charge) and I can now view the channel.

- Ardent

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Awesome, however not a good idea to tell anyone. And no e mails to the FCC.

I never watch KGMB r/t Oceanic/KGMB Crap. I'm going to a Dish. I hope some idiot from either camp reads this. Or better yet, their advertisers.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I feel your pain, we can help

I need some clarification please.

1. Because of the time delay, the local stations need to tape the West/East coasts HD feed so it can be rebroadcasted at the correct time. Meaning they must buy in new equipments in order to give us some HD programs.

Absolutely correct, the local stations would need to store the high def content coming from the mainland and rebroadcast. Its not cheap. Live broadcasts are 'ported through' the system and or uplinked via optical cable or microwave to Dish in Colorado or to oceanic in Mililani.


2. KHON-HD doesn't do it yet but has the capability to do it in the future? Which is why channel 1003 only shows an SD version of everything (except live HD feed).

KHON doenst have the capability to record HD content yet

3. KITV-HD shows some popular HD shows in primetime on 1006.


Possibly recorded and edited programming, possible they can only record a small ammount of HD in one day to rebroadcast. Possible programming is live.

4. KFVE-HD is not available on TWC (why?) but is available OTA. Like KHON, it doesn't broadcast MyNetwork shows in HD?

Possible oceanic doesnt have the rights to rebroadcast KFVE HD? Ive visited KVFE, lots of old equipment, doubtful they are ready to go on recording HD to rebroadcast during primetime.

5. KGMB-HD is only available OTA and have been broadcasting primetime shows in HD when they feel like it? These past 2 weeks CSI was in SD. Don't know about the rest of the programming.

Not sure on this as Ive been off island, but I believe KGMB and oceanic are in an contract dispute over HD
6. PBS-HD only shows HD programming between 12am-6am because they don't have an HD hard drive to tape the mainland HD feed and the rest is SD?

7. KHNL-HD shows some primetime shows in HD like KITV-HD.


Except for live feed in HD (mostly sports), the only 2 stations broadcasting HD shows are KITV and KHNL so far?

Hopefully, in the distant future, KGMB, KFVE, and the CW will be added to the Oceanic HD list? And will double our cable bill to pay for the compensation asked by those stations to give an HD feed to Oceanic TWC?


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully that helped

A little bit off-topic but Hawaiian TelCom has announced that their new DSL speeds (11mb up/1mb down) are now available in some areas.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/29/br/br6402385971.html

Bringing it back on topic a little bit, the CEO is quoted as saying "Our investment in our next generation High-Speed Internet provides broadband access using the most advanced technology available and brings us another step closer to priming our network for the delivery of our digital video service."

Hopefully that will include HD.

Unfortunately the new speeds are not yet available in Kaneohe. But the CSR said the more calls they get from a particular area, the more likely that area will get the new speeds.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yea I saw this too, going to get it and check it out. 11 MB downs? lol come on! Not even a question:)
As far as the video service, they are a ways, ways off but looks good on paper pushing all that bandwidth out to customer base, should be a considerable ammount of HD

--- if any day now D10 is going to be turned on with full HD service to Hawaii with one dish --- then anyone getting 2 dishes put on their roof right now should probably wait --- IMHO


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully, they will port over the few HDs on 119 and 110, only the higher level engineers know

The US Open was on OTA HD on KGMB this morning; spectacular! The HD seems to me to help tennis more than other sports, since the ball goes from nearly invisible to quite clear with the change in resolution. (The aspect ratio is not so important for tennis though, the way it is for football and soccer.) Too bad this was not listed as "HD" in the titanTV guide, or else I would have been up at 5 to watch it from the beginning.

A bit off-topic, but does anyone know of any online directly service that includes the Oceanic analogue lineup between Ch. 28 and 46? These channels are absent for all the online guides I know (titan, yahoo, zap2it, etc.), and all the stations for which I subscribe to cable are in that range. - DR

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

So I take it oceanic and KGMB came to terms in broadcasting the HD feed?

One 1.2m dish is for 99 Ka/101 Ku/103 Ka and the second is for 110/119 Ku.
I'm unable to find where I read it, but DirecTV recently made a statement that the existing HD feeds would stay on 110/119. I think there are a lot of commercial NFL-ST establishments who don't have Ka capability yet, so the NFL-HD, ESPN, ESPN2, etc. feeds will stay on Ku @ 110/119 (for now, but who knows what happens next year).
The 'new' HD channels and the HD locals will be off DTV10@103 Ka...will be interesting to see how Ka band is affected by rain-fade. Maybe they'll put the existing HD chs. on 103 as well as 110/119.(?)

Btw, am I the only one who doesn't see KHNL-HD listed on DISH Network?

--Michael


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
KHNL HD is down, however I have noticed that the SD feed off of 119 has improved video and audio. Can you confirm? and yes Ka is more robust as far as rain fade then DBS. However, dish has had considerable issues with satellite 121 KU, and looks like that satellite is going away soon. Hopefully the problems will be minimal with the new HDs, hopefully

Is NBC's brightness too high? On DirecTV, local NBC KHNL affiliate seems to be a lot brighter than the other locals (or any other channel).

Forgive me if I assume brightness when contrast is really the culprit, I just notice the colors are a lot brighter... Does this happen OTA or on Cable? Anyone else notice this on DirecTV?

Thanks!


------------------------------------------------------------------------

It appears that KHNL SD is on the other side of an upgrade, its been quite bad for a while with a 'bleached' look and audio that pops and crakles. (Dish and DTV) Looks much better now though, possible we will see a new and improved KHNL HD soon.

well i guess we didn't get cnn-hd on 9/1. maybe they are waiting until 9/24 when the SDV seems to be going into effect (according to those cablecard letters that went out)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I read in a trade mag that the release date of Sept sometime was for parts of the mainland. It will be a while before we see it on Oceanic or DTV/Dish

Question for anyone using the HDMI connection with the TWC HDDVR. When I hooked up the DVR using the HDMI port, the picture on SD shows was too white/bright. Kind of like looking through gauze. This was especially true for SD broadcasts on HD channels. No amount of tweaking the picture settings on my Samsung HDTV would solve the problem. When I use the TIVO HD box with the same HDMI cable and TV port, it looks fine. When I hooked up the TWC DVR using the component cables, it looks fine. Have others experienced this, or do I have a bad HDMI port on the DVR?

This is really curiosity more than anything; I don't mind using the component cables.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
What brand of HDMI cable are you using? Im not being snobish, but believe it or not a good HDMI cable for instance monster will do wonders! I was using a magnavox DVI to HDMI for my comp monitor (Sharp 42 in 1080p) DRAMATIC difference from what I was using to a monster Ultra 1000. Just an idea

Question for anyone using the HDMI connection with the TWC HDDVR. When I hooked up the DVR using the HDMI port, the picture on SD shows was too white/bright. Kind of like looking through gauze. This was especially true for SD broadcasts on HD channels. No amount of tweaking the picture settings on my Samsung HDTV would solve the problem. When I use the TIVO HD box with the same HDMI cable and TV port, it looks fine. When I hooked up the TWC DVR using the component cables, it looks fine. Have others experienced this, or do I have a bad HDMI port on the DVR?

This is really curiosity more than anything; I don't mind using the component cables.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
And yes could be bad port, try the monster HDMI first is that doesnt do it you may want to take it back for replacement

There have been a number of cable networks launching simulcast HD
networks but few meet our criteria for carriage which is 50% native HD
programming or a majority of prime time in HD. Most, including CNN,
offer 15-40% true HD in prime time but unfortunately they are all East
Coast feeds so their prime time is early afternoon in Hawaii.
Furthermore, their estimates for reaching the 50% HD programming overall
is end of 2008 or later. In the case of CNN, they have made it clear
that it will take a great deal of time to upgrade studios, production
centers and equipment in the field to enable its journalists to gather
news in HD. We are also hearing from some networks that they are
scaling back their estimates of HD programming due to high equipment and
production costs.

We are planning to set up an in-house channel to examine programming
quality of both the HD and up-converted programming as we have received
a number of complaints from HD customers regarding quality and lack of
true HD content.

While the networks are anxious to establish an HD slot, our goal is to
provide the best channels possible to those networks serious about
expanding their HD offerings.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, some of the SD is nasty, possibly because of all the text and moving text in the ticker at the bottom (Headline news). Honestly I never have watched CNN and said 'Hey, this would be great in HD' There are better programming choices for HD out there IMHO.
There is a news channel all HD on dish, but not available in Hawaii as of yet :(
Lucky you live Hawaii! :)

What's with this response on Oceanic's on adding new HD channel's to TWC HD Channel line up. He mean's a network has to have at least 50 % of their shows in HD for them to even consider adding them to our HD package? Then he says Most, including CNN, offer 15-40% true HD in prime time but unfortunately they are all East Coast feeds so their prime time is early afternoon in Hawaii. WTF!!!! I have a DVR and I can record a HD show and watch it later if it is not shown during our prime time. 50 % and East Coast feeds. What a crock of you know what!!!! I went to pay my bill in Kahaluli this afternoon and asked if TWC (oceanic) had started to switch over to SDV on Maui yet. The gal (very nice n cute) at the desk informed me that they had not started the switch yet, but will be in the near future. She neither gave me a time frame nor did she know when they might start. TWC and Oceanic are taking their sweet time to add SDV. By the looks of it maybe in "09" they will have the capacity for 100 hd channels. Thats a "BIG MAYBE".. From what I was told at the office in Kahaluli and that response from above is enough for me to make the switch over to Direct TV. If you really think about it, whats a better feed? You pulling in a signal then sending it thru about 30 ft. of cable, into a DVR, then 3-5 ft. to the HD Tv? Or letting Oceanic pull it in, then they do what ever they need to, then re-send it many many miles over cable to you, then thru your DVR to your set? I'm cutting out the middle man.;)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Megabyte,
Youre the only one here that I can tell that had that 'light' go off.

'If you really think about it, whats a better feed? You pulling in a signal then sending it thru about 30 ft. of cable, into a DVR, then 3-5 ft. to the HD Tv? Or letting Oceanic pull it in, then they do what ever they need to, then re-send it many many miles over cable to you, then thru your DVR to your set? I'm cutting out the middle man.;'

You sir 'got' it :)

I was asking why there was no shows on FSN-HD and when would Oceanic carry CNN-HD and TBS-HD. This is the response:

"We show all of the HD games provided by Fox. HD is very expensive to
film and many of the broadcasters and cable networks have scaled back
their HD plans because of that. Even inDemand HD was forced to cut back
their plans because they could not acquire sufficient HD product.

We will be looking at CNN and TBS HD which just became available. They,
like many cable channels offering HD, have only a small portion of their
HD in programming in true HD and the rest is up-converted which also
upsets our HD customers.

We have about 15 cable channels "offering HD" that we don't currently
carry because the true HD programming is only about 15% of their
schedule.

We will be evaluating them all to see if they are offering quality
programming we think acceptable to our HD customers. "

Same response as before.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pffttt, Id take upconverted over SD anyday

Anyone know if KHNL's OTA signal is off the air? Haven't been able to receive it for a few days now. No problems with KFVE though. Thanks


KHNL HD off the guide, still not there and KFVE at 10:00p (Family guy) tripping badly. Not digitizing, looks like an issue with the uplink or conversion on the HD feed. KFVE SD fine off of spot beam 119

------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may not want to know the Real story. But again curious to what they will tell you about which satellite they are pulling FSN off of, I know which one it is, but curious what they would say.

O.K....I'll bite.
What -is- the "Real" story? And which bird are they 'pulling FSN off of' ?
Btw, FSN-HD isn't Fox Sports North or Fox Sports Northwest.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1528357

--Michael

(almost forgot...what does lohas mean?)

Wow.....
Now that the dust has settled..:p
Welcome back Satellite Guy :p

O.K....I'll bite.
What -is- the "Real" story? And which bird are they 'pulling FSN off of' ?
Btw, FSN-HD isn't Fox Sports North or Fox Sports Northwest.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1528357

--Michael

(almost forgot...what does lohas mean?)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

From what I can tell looks like AMC 3 at 87 degrees west. Or Galaxy 11 at 91 degrees west whats strange though is neither of these satellites show HD content for FSN. Both of these satellites are quite 'viewable' from one of oceanics dish farms in Mililani or Kapolei. So the excuse of 'right on the edge of the satellite footprint' is not correct.
'lohas is short (One letter) for Aloha

:)

Wow.....
Now that the dust has settled..:p
Welcome back Satellite Guy :p

Yea, was a little late in getting back but looks like Im fairly caught up.
thanks for the welcome back, should have warned you to wear a debris mask!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
KHNL HD is down, however I have noticed that the SD feed off of 119 has improved video and audio. Can you confirm? and yes Ka is more robust as far as rain fade then DBS. However, dish has had considerable issues with satellite 121 KU, and looks like that satellite is going away soon. Hopefully the problems will be minimal with the new HDs, hopefully

The KHNL SD feed is clean, but it's still 480 which means no NFL Sunday late game in HD.<sigh>
This is what KHNL sent me via E-mail:
"Thank you for your email. Our chief engineer and
general manager inform me that we do provide a signal to DISH and have
suggested they put a fiber line into our station to get a clean feed.
DISH has not acted on this, so you may need to contact DISH directly."

I have, and I've received no reply.

Can you cite a reference for "Ka is more robust as far as rain fade then DBS"?

Ku DBS = 12.2-12.7GHz. Ka B-band (D10) = 18.3-18.8GHz (downlink freqs.).
The following is from some NASA paper that Google found:
"ABSTRACT:
Future satellite communications systems operating in Ka-band frequency band are subject to degradation produced by the troposphere which is much more severe than those found at lower frequency bands. These impairments include signal absorption by rain, clouds and gases, and amplitude scintillation's arising from refractive index irregularities. For example, rain attenuation at 20 GHz is almost three times that at 11 GHz."

>>However, dish has had considerable issues with satellite 121 KU, and looks like that satellite is going away soon.<<

Umm, not quite sure how that fits in here...that bird has mostly 'International' programming and a few locals?

Since you can see 129, can you tell me what HD channels are -really- there?

Mahalo,

--Michael

I have been getting Angels games on Directv in HD from FSW on 95

I don't have a HD package ... guess this is just a bonus with the pending activation of D10

I also have been getting some National Geographic shows in HD on my H20 box (without a HD package)

maybe Satellite Guy could tell us what his source of information when he says Direct TV will continue to need two 1.2 meter dishes in Hawaii for HD

is this just speculation --- or have you received a memo from DTV?

I am lit up with full signal strength on 103(b) transponders

what service will come over D10 to Hawaii?


also note this may 2007 fcc document excerpt

1. Accordingly, 17/24 GHz BSS licensees, to the extent that such licensees provide DBS-like services, are required to certify that they will provide service to Alaska and Hawaii comparable to that provided to locations in the 48 contiguous United States (CONUS), unless such service is not technically feasible or not economically reasonable from the authorized orbit location. In addition, we require applicants to design and configure 17/24 GHz BSS satellites to be capable of providing service to Alaska and Hawaii that is comparable to the service that such satellites will provide to CONUS subscribers. Furthermore, we require applicants to design and configure these satellites to be able to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii from any orbital location capable of providing service to either Alaska or Hawaii to which they may be relocated in the future. Thus, regardless of the location to which the satellite is initially authorized to operate from, if moved to a location capable of providing coverage to Alaska and Hawaii, the satellite will be configured to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii at the new orbital location. Applying geographic service requirements to 17/24 GHz BSS operators in this manner will best ensure that 17/24 GHz BSS service provided to Alaska and Hawaii is comparable to that provided to CONUS locations. Although we are applying these requirements to each satellite where technically feasible instead of on a system-wide basis as proposed by DIRECTV and EchoStar, we believe that operators will have sufficient flexibility to design their systems in a manner that will be both technically and economically efficient. We also require licensees to certify that replacement and relocated satellites at locations from which service to Alaska and Hawaii had been provided by another 17/24 GHz BSS satellite will have the capability to provide at least the same level of service to Alaska and Hawaii as the previous 17/24 GHz BSS satellite at that location. 17/24 GHz BSS applicants who do not intend to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii must provide, in their initial application, technical analyses to the Commission demonstrating that such service is not feasible as a technical matter or that, while technically feasible, such service would require so many compromises in satellite design and operation as to make it economically unreasonable.

The KHNL SD feed is clean, but it's still 480 which means no NFL Sunday late game in HD.<sigh>
This is what KHNL sent me via E-mail:
"Thank you for your email. Our chief engineer and
general manager inform me that we do provide a signal to DISH and have
suggested they put a fiber line into our station to get a clean feed.
DISH has not acted on this, so you may need to contact DISH directly."


Fiber to dish from KHNL? With Dish picking up the cost and install? Wow unlikely that will happen anytime soon.

I have, and I've received no reply.


Can you cite a reference for "Ka is more robust as far as rain fade then DBS"?


I dont at this time have documentation that supports this, however the thresh hold of video dropping out (Digitizing) is lower on Ka/Ka signal then it is for DBS. I.E. DBS typicaly starts to digitize at signal strength 40 or so, where as Ka/Ku typicaly will hold audio and video down to 30. Freq for DBS runs in the mid to high digital spectrum. Signal strenghts mentioned of 40 and 30 are from the IRDs, not sure what this translates to as far as noise to signal ratios. As well, physics determines higher frequencies are more susceptible to fade or degredation. For example, higher frequency modulated channels, i.e. oceanic channel 115 will degrade more then channel say..13. Therefore when balancing out a modulated signal the higher frequency channels or higher numbered channels need more amplification to retain a good video and audio feed, and or good db levels to the TV's. Same for satellite frequencies I believe Ka/Ku runs on lower digital frequency ranges, thus less loss.

Yes::
'For example, rain attenuation at 20 GHz is almost three times that at 11 GHz."'




Ku DBS = 12.2-12.7GHz. Ka B-band (D10) = 18.3-18.8GHz (downlink freqs.).
The following is from some NASA paper that Google found:
"ABSTRACT:
Future satellite communications systems operating in Ka-band frequency band are subject to degradation produced by the troposphere which is much more severe than those found at lower frequency bands. These impairments include signal absorption by rain, clouds and gases, and amplitude scintillation's arising from refractive index irregularities. For example, rain attenuation at 20 GHz is almost three times that at 11 GHz."

>>However, dish has had considerable issues with satellite 121 KU, and looks like that satellite is going away soon.<<

Umm, not quite sure how that fits in here...that bird has mostly 'International' programming and a few locals?

Range of 121 is with in Ka/Ku frequencies, yes mostly international and locals for mainland. Issues with this satellite seem to be the way they are porting or converting Ka/Ku and mixing FSS LNB (Ka/Ku 'DP' technology)

Since you can see 129, can you tell me what HD channels are -really- there?

129 Echostar 05

http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish129.html


We currently 'see' all the HD on this bird (Not mainland locals of course) Dish has not turned on all the programming. It does appear we are getting StarzHD and CinemaxHD for Hawaii accounts, without too much trouble.



Mahalo,

--Michael

Lohas

I am lit up with full signal strength on 103(b) transponders

what service will come over D10 to Hawaii?


Just announced 30 more HD this morning, should be showing sometime today on guides, not sure what channels are coming over, but certainly seems as though it will be orbit 103


also note this may 2007 fcc document excerpt

1. Accordingly, 17/24 GHz BSS licensees, to the extent that such licensees provide DBS-like services, are required to certify that they will provide service to Alaska and Hawaii comparable to that provided to locations in the 48 contiguous United States (CONUS), unless such service is not technically feasible or not economically reasonable from the authorized orbit location. In addition, we require applicants to design and configure 17/24 GHz BSS satellites to be capable of providing service to Alaska and Hawaii that is comparable to the service that such satellites will provide to CONUS subscribers. Furthermore, we require applicants to design and configure these satellites to be able to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii from any orbital location capable of providing service to either Alaska or Hawaii to which they may be relocated in the future. Thus, regardless of the location to which the satellite is initially authorized to operate from, if moved to a location capable of providing coverage to Alaska and Hawaii, the satellite will be configured to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii at the new orbital location. Applying geographic service requirements to 17/24 GHz BSS operators in this manner will best ensure that 17/24 GHz BSS service provided to Alaska and Hawaii is comparable to that provided to CONUS locations. Although we are applying these requirements to each satellite where technically feasible instead of on a system-wide basis as proposed by DIRECTV and EchoStar, we believe that operators will have sufficient flexibility to design their systems in a manner that will be both technically and economically efficient. We also require licensees to certify that replacement and relocated satellites at locations from which service to Alaska and Hawaii had been provided by another 17/24 GHz BSS satellite will have the capability to provide at least the same level of service to Alaska and Hawaii as the previous 17/24 GHz BSS satellite at that location. 17/24 GHz BSS applicants who do not intend to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii must provide, in their initial application, technical analyses to the Commission demonstrating that such service is not feasible as a technical matter or that, while technically feasible, such service would require so many compromises in satellite design and operation as to make it economically unreasonable.


I believe Dish is in compliance, DTV may not be as of yet

I also have been getting some National Geographic shows in HD on my H20 box (without a HD package)

maybe Satellite Guy could tell us what his source of information when he says Direct TV will continue to need two 1.2 meter dishes in Hawaii for HD

is this just speculation --- or have you received a memo from DTV?

Honokai,
Well.....I am unable to quote sources. But I can tell you we are all hopeful that they will port over or mirror 119 and 110 DTV HD feeds to 103/101 orbit thus negating the need for a 1.2 mtr dish for 110 and 119. Why this is not likely to happen:
1) economics, DTV will do as little as possible for HI, AK, VI, and PI.
Its difficult for them to justify any time, engineering, or resources of any kind to regions that they are losing money in.
2) Many exisitng accounts already have the twin 1.2 meter set up, or are in the schedule to be installed. What happens to these dishes for 119 110 that are installed already? Does the retailer go and remove these at no charge? Does DTV fly a group of techs over to remove? Once they are removed what happens to the dishes, do they get put in a container and returned to Florida?
3) What happens to the transponders on 119/110 if the HD programming there is removed? If different programming is put there, how will the customers that had their 119/110 dish removed get access to those satellites again? Available bandwidth that remians dormant is lost resources that can never be retrieved, if the bandwidth is available it will be used

lohas

Satellite Guy,

What size dish are you using to see the echostar bird at 129? I currenty have a one meter dish pointed at 119, and a 1.2 meter pointed at 110. I have a spare Dishnet dish that could be pointed at 129. I think it is about thirty inches....

129 Echostar 05

http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish129.html

We currently 'see' all the HD on this bird (Not mainland locals of course) Dish has not turned on all the programming. It does appear we are getting StarzHD and CinemaxHD for Hawaii accounts, without too much trouble.


<sigh> Let's start over.
Assuming I have Americas Everything + HD and the necessary reflector for 129, which HD channels (Service and Ch. #) can I -watch- (get authorized ?) on 129 in Hawaii nei right now?

Btw, I don't see StarzHD listed on lyngsat 129.




Watching Devil Rays at Angels off of satellite 129 FOXW Dishnet looks good, a little flat on the reds/greens but nice.



I don't see this one listed either...HD? Channel # ?

Thanks for your time,

--Michael

Turned to 1226 expecting to see a color bar test pattern. Got a black screen and elevator music. I then noticed the channel designation HDSPT. WTF?!?!? What the hell is HDSPT? :mad:

HDSPT was the channel they use to have some time ago. It was a special events channel showing sporting events in HD, but in reality I only saw a few college football games, mostly of the UCLA Bruins. I guess FSN-HD might be bye bye.

Honokai,
Well.....I am unable to quote sources. But I can tell you we are all hopeful that they will port over or mirror 119 and 110 DTV HD feeds to 103/101 orbit thus negating the need for a 1.2 mtr dish for 110 and 119. Why this is not likely to happen:
1) economics, DTV will do as little as possible for HI, AK, VI, and PI.
Its difficult for them to justify any time, engineering, or resources of any kind to regions that they are losing money in.
2) Many exisitng accounts already have the twin 1.2 meter set up, or are in the schedule to be installed. What happens to these dishes for 119 110 that are installed already? Does the retailer go and remove these at no charge? Does DTV fly a group of techs over to remove? Once they are removed what happens to the dishes, do they get put in a container and returned to Florida?
3) What happens to the transponders on 119/110 if the HD programming there is removed? If different programming is put there, how will the customers that had their 119/110 dish removed get access to those satellites again? Available bandwidth that remians dormant is lost resources that can never be retrieved, if the bandwidth is available it will be used

lohas


--- I would think DTV has very little penetration in the Hawaii market --- so pulling down the extra dishes (if the customer makes the request with a $70 service charge should be easy)

--- could 119/110 be used elsewhere?

--- they need to comply with FCC mandates --- two ridiculous 1.2 meter dishes with near zero market penetration is a joke

--- if they dont want to comply --- then they might need some regulatory assistance/enforcement

Satellite Guy,

What size dish are you using to see the echostar bird at 129? I currenty have a one meter dish pointed at 119, and a 1.2 meter pointed at 110. I have a spare Dishnet dish that could be pointed at 129. I think it is about thirty inches....


------------------------------------------------------------------------

MauiGuy,
I recomend:::
1) Moving the 1.0 on 119 to 129 (DP LNB)
2) installing the .76 mtr (30 inch dish) to 119 (DP LNB)
3) Keep the 1.2 on orbit 110 (Is it a channel master dish?) (DP LNB)
4) DP 34 switch or better yet DPP-44 switch, you can get a good used or new switch via E bay for less then a maui retailer can buy it at cost from Dish.
5) Satellite input port #1 119 (From top to bottom)
Satellite input port #2 110
Satellite input port #3 129

Satellite 129 is easy to hit, get on 119 then swing up the dish about 4 degrees to the right and up about 3-4 degrees. Its the only satellite out in the area, so a simple satellite 'beeper' will work for finding.
Hope this helps

Oh, I have a channel master 1.0 on 129, dont go any smaller then that

Lol Mindbender,
Under your name I see you are 'unsatisfied with HD' why is that?

No. Just getting sick of paying $$$ for marginal improvements from OTW.

Jeezus... talk about a million posts over a short period of time. Did you just get back from the Gulf? If so, welcome back.

Let me ask you... does anyone still use the large 8-foot dishes anymore? Reason why I'm asking is that I'm wondering if E* or DTV pushed everyone else out of the market. Or has video compression been so improved that larger dishes became obsolete?

Are there any vendors that still offer service to people using the big dishes?

Won't apply to me anyhow because I'm stuck in an apartment and dishes are not allowed. Thus, the "unsatisfied with HD" tag...

Thanks.

I recently talked to Robert Mercer for an article on what HD offerings would be available in Hawaii. Not only did he say Hawaii will get all of the HD national channels everybody else is getting, the HD locals will also be available this fall.

<sigh> Let's start over.
Assuming I have Americas Everything + HD and the necessary reflector for 129, which HD channels (Service and Ch. #) can I -watch- (get authorized ?) on 129 in Hawaii nei right now?

Btw, I don't see StarzHD listed on lyngsat 129.




I don't see this one listed either...HD? Channel # ?

Thanks for your time,

--Michael


Michael,
In this case (Doesnt happen very often) StarzHD is not listed on lyngsat.
StarzHD is on Sat 129 tp 30.

Im on a hawaii based residential HD receiver. So quite possible with the addition of 129 other Hawaii customers MAY I stress MAY get these channels
What Ive got coming in on 129:
BIG 10 HD channel 439
FoxW HD Ch 367 (No programming tonight, Dish HDTV test pattern)
StarzHD Ch 350 (Movie: 'The Queen')
CinemaxHD Ch 310
About 7 new HD PPV channels (Movies) average $ 4.99 each
4 ea 'Big Ten' alternates (No programming as of yet, just a dish HD pattern)

The recommended dish I would say would be a 1.2 meter channel master dish, but the 1.0 channel master seems to work nicely.

--- I would think DTV has very little penetration in the Hawaii market --- so pulling down the extra dishes (if the customer makes the request with a $70 service charge should be easy)


Yes, getting them removed shouldnt be too much of an issue. These are nice dishes, big, bulky, hard to install, hard to tune in, difficult to carry up ladders, costly to ship but nice dishes none the less.

--- could 119/110 be used elsewhere?

Possibly, rights sold to Dish to expand their line-up? Not sure who owns the bandwidth that DTV is using on 119 and 110 (Someone else here on the forum may know?). I think 110 is 3 transponders, 119 is about 5 tp's



--- they need to comply with FCC mandates --- two ridiculous 1.2 meter dishes with near zero market penetration is a joke

You are correct, I met the lead engineer for DTV and had the pleasure of working (More like 'would you like a cold refreshment sir') with him during the first install of the 1.2's for 101,103,99, and 119 110 here in Hawaii but never had the chance to ask that difficult question. Felt as though it was a little 'out of bounds'.


--- if they dont want to comply --- then they might need some regulatory assistance/enforcement

Well, I am in the camp that says 'let the consumer determine the market'
However 'If you build it they will come' will always be applicable

No. Just getting sick of paying $$$ for marginal improvements from OTW.

Jeezus... talk about a million posts over a short period of time. Did you just get back from the Gulf? If so, welcome back.

lol, something like that, more like 'a little training, a few installs, a little training, a few installs, flying, flying, waiting at airport, waiting at airport, watching pocket dish, flying'. Appreciate the welcome!


Let me ask you... does anyone still use the large 8-foot dishes anymore? Reason why I'm asking is that I'm wondering if E* or DTV pushed everyone else out of the market. Or has video compression been so improved that larger dishes became obsolete?

Wow 8 ft dishes, C band? (Analog)Or digital? (DBS)

Are there any vendors that still offer service to people using the big dishes?

Absolutely, however if you are talking about old C band dishes, far too expensive to modify the feed arms and LNBF's for them to be much use for receiving DBS signal, C band dishes have the LNB in the middle of the dish, DBS focal point is 'off center' (Better off getting the right dish for the job, and modifying the pipe or C band pole to fit the new smaller dish)


Won't apply to me anyhow because I'm stuck in an apartment and dishes are not allowed. Thus, the "unsatisfied with HD" tag...


Thanks.

Sorry bro, thats unfortunate, lots happening with satellite

I recently talked to Robert Mercer for an article on what HD offerings would be available in Hawaii. Not only did he say Hawaii will get all of the HD national channels everybody else is getting, the HD locals will also be available this fall.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cant confirm that timeline, but do know that conversion from MPEG 4 to full 16x9 HD shouldnt be much of a jump

Quote:
Originally Posted by rvolner
Does anyone know what the real equipment requirements are to receive HD programming from DirecTV are? I have been a subscriber of DirecTV mainly for the Sunday Ticket and was told two years ago that to receive HD I would have to install a second dish. Calls to DirecTV are frustrating at best as there are not many knowledgeable customer service reps and the local installer does not return calls. I currently have a 1 meter dish to get all the SD and special sports programming. I do receive certain games in HD but do not have access to the other HD offerings. With the new satellite in service will HD service be available to Hawaii with only a single dish?

that is what Directv has been saying --- one dish
but, I think they are saying 5 lnb's which probably isn't on your dish
so I think this means upgrade of the dish
let me know if you find out anything


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the delay rvolner, hopefully I anwsered your Q on this. After reading again there are some different points to make. First of all which 'local' retailer were you trying to contact? If you have DTV already it sounds like you have an older .90 meter dish locked onto satellite 101 (DTV's primary satellite) Last check there is no HD content at this location, what type of receiver do you have? Reason why they had told you that you would need a second dish is because DTV sends out their HD content off of orbital location 119 and 110. They presently install a dish (1.2 meter) with a 'multifeed' LNB on the end that with the proper install and sqew will bring in satellite 119 and 110 for HD. Im sure this will change as there is no way they will be able to put another 100 channels in HD at those 2 locations, unless dishnetwork has sold or rented rights to the bandwidth off the birds that are being shared. Not likely we will see a change to the dual 1.2 meter dish configuration anytime soon. If you are interested in obtaining an upgrade to the bigger dishes and HD receivers call a company called Ironwood. I believe they are upgrading the old .90 dishes.;)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
rvolner, update:
I was wrong there are a few channels of HD at orbit 101 DTV, MLB (Major league baseball package) apologies

Michael,
In this case (Doesnt happen very often) StarzHD is not listed on lyngsat.
StarzHD is on Sat 129 tp 30.

Im on a hawaii based residential HD receiver. So quite possible with the addition of 129 other Hawaii customers MAY I stress MAY get these channels
What Ive got coming in on 129:
BIG 10 HD channel 439
FoxW HD Ch 367 (No programming tonight, Dish HDTV test pattern)
StarzHD Ch 350 (Movie: 'The Queen')
CinemaxHD Ch 310
About 7 new HD PPV channels (Movies) average $ 4.99 each
4 ea 'Big Ten' alternates (No programming as of yet, just a dish HD pattern)

The recommended dish I would say would be a 1.2 meter channel master dish, but the 1.0 channel master seems to work nicely.

Lyngsat is woefully outdated in it's Dish listings.
http://ekb.dbstalk.com/ is a much more accurate listing of Dish's offerings.

The 7 new HD PPV's are actually on 110w.

Lyngsat is woefully outdated in it's Dish listings.
http://ekb.dbstalk.com/ is a much more accurate listing of Dish's offerings.

The 7 new HD PPV's are actually on 110w.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uggg, was afraid of that, hadnt seen them pop up on my 942, so assumed they were 129. Are they open just to the MPEG 4 IRD's?
Thx Charles

I e-mailed Oceanic to get an update on HD...

Hello, I have heard that other Time Warner markets are adding
the following HD channels in the next couple of weeks... CNN-HD, A&EHD,
LifetimeHD, Food NetworkHD, History, MTVHD, and TBS-HD.

Will Oceanic be adding these (or any other HD channels) anytime soon?

Also, any updates on when KGMB-HD might be added?


Aloha!

Thank you for your recent inquiry. We are currently working to release
the HD CNN, HD TBS, and HD Liquid TV channels. We have not gotten word
from TW Corporate about the other HD channels, but I will forward your
request and let you know if I get any updates.

We have been trying to negotiate terms with KGMB to carry them in HD.
Unfortunately, in the middle of our negotiations, the owners of KGMB
decided to sell the station. They are currently in the middle of that
process. Once the change of ownership of KGMB has been completed, we
will need to begin the negotiating process again with the new owners of
the station. Thank You for being an Oceanic Time Warner Cable Customer!

I've never heard of Liquid HD.

Lyngsat is woefully outdated in it's Dish listings.
http://ekb.dbstalk.com/ is a much more accurate listing of Dish's offerings.

The 7 new HD PPV's are actually on 110w.

Thanks for that, Charles...I'd forgotten about the EKB and there is a wealth of info. there. I saw the HD PPVs come up a ~week ago on my VIP622, but when Satellite Guy said they were on 129 as well, I -assumed- he was actually answering my post asking what channels on 129 I could receive.

If you have a VIP622, would you do me a favor and look at the signal strength on Transponder 13/Satellite 110? My signal meter (modified) says 19-21 which seems low.

Mahalo,

--Michael

I e-mailed Oceanic to get an update on HD...


and here is another response that I got...

In the last several weeks Discovery A&E Networks, Lifetime, Scripps &
Turner have announced launch dates for:

Discovery Channel
The Learning Channel
Animal Planet
Science Channel -
A&E
History
BIO launching Nov 15
Lifetime Movie
Fox News
USA
HGTV
Food
CNN
TBS
MGM Movies

All of the above (with perhaps the exception of MGM) have 35-60% of
their programming in true HD in prime time only which is ZERO in prime
time in Hawaii since they are all East Coast Feeds. Overall, true HD
programming ranges from 5%-15% with forecasts of reaching 15-45% by the
end of 2009.

We have more complaints about the lack of true HD programming on many of
the so-called" HD channels plus all are simulcasts of the
standard/digital networks we already carry. We plan to look at all that
is offered with the hopes of picking quality product that will make our
HD customers happy.

We have offered CBS what was accepted by all other broadcasters and they
continue to refuse to give us their HD feed.

"Can you cite a reference for "Ka is more robust as far as rain fade then DBS"?

I dont at this time have documentation that supports this, however the thresh hold of video dropping out (Digitizing) is lower on Ka/Ka signal then it is for DBS. I.E. DBS typicaly starts to digitize at signal strength 40 or so, where as Ka/Ku typicaly will hold audio and video down to 30. Freq for DBS runs in the mid to high digital spectrum. Signal strenghts mentioned of 40 and 30 are from the IRDs, not sure what this translates to as far as noise to signal ratios. As well, physics determines higher frequencies are more susceptible to fade or degredation. For example, higher frequency modulated channels, i.e. oceanic channel 115 will degrade more then channel say..13. Therefore when balancing out a modulated signal the higher frequency channels or higher numbered channels need more amplification to retain a good video and audio feed, and or good db levels to the TV's. Same for satellite frequencies I believe Ka/Ku runs on lower digital frequency ranges, thus less loss.




Well, I really don't know how to say this tactfully, except to say that what you've posted above points out your lack of understanding of how DBS/FSS satellite systems function. I suggest you take some courses before posting any more 'technical' info. Hint: you appear to be talking about the 'down-converted' satellite signals above which has absolutely nothing to do with rain attenuation. And 'signal strengths from IRDs' are meaningless in this context.

--Michael

Reply from Dish regarding KHNL-HD:

Dear Mr. ,

Thank you for your email. This channel loss is due to the programmer not providing us with a quality feed. It is not related to any technical issue on our part. We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality video. Unfortunately, the signals we were receiving from KHNLHD & KHNL2 fell far below our video standards.

These channels are down for an indefinite period of time, depending on whether or not the programmer is able to fix the problem.

Sincerely,

A .

DISH Network E-Care

Pine Brook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We'll see what the Engineer at KHNL has to say when I forward this to him.

--Michael

If you have a VIP622, would you do me a favor and look at the signal strength on Transponder 13/Satellite 110? My signal meter (modified) says 19-21 which seems low.

Mahalo,

--Michael

I have a Vip211, still with SW-L345 and on Sat 110/Tp 13 I have a "lock" with a SS of 30.

BTW, glad to pass along the EKB link.

Charles

KHET 11.1 OTA showed up today.

I haven't gotten anything for months, though the "Create" feed on 11.2 has been up continuously. Was channel surfing, and there it was in 1080i format. Content is SD zoomed to 16:9.

scott s.
.

MIchael,

I have a Prodelin 1.2 meter dish pointed at 110.. The signal strength on ym 622 is fluctuating between 18 and 20.

I might be able to fine tune it a little better, but it isnot much out of the ball park if you think you are tuned fairly well.

Bob

Satellite Guy,

[[QUOTE=Satellite Guy HI;11675071]------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Moving the 1.0 on 119 to 129 (DP LNB)
2) installing the .76 mtr (30 inch dish) to 119 (DP LNB)
3) Keep the 1.2 on orbit 110 (Is it a channel master dish?) (DP LNB)


The dish I have on 110 is a Prodelin !.2 meter with a DP LNB.

MG

Mindbender9,

To give you a fast answer to your question about anayuone using large satellite dishes any more. Yes, I do. I have a fourteen foot dish out back and subscribe to all of the HbO, Starz, and Encore feeds. There are about forty of them all together including the east and west feeds. In addition HBO east and west Hd are available, and Starz E and W feeds in HD.

The large dishes are not as user friendly as the newer DBS stuff but the picture is stunning even in Standard definition.

HDSPT was the channel they use to have some time ago. It was a special events channel showing sporting events in HD, but in reality I only saw a few college football games, mostly of the UCLA Bruins. I guess FSN-HD might be bye bye.

I can relax now. FSN-HD is back. They must've done something because the picture seems to be a little better.

Mindbender9,

To give you a fast answer to your question about anayuone using large satellite dishes any more. Yes, I do. I have a fourteen foot dish out back and subscribe to all of the HbO, Starz, and Encore feeds. There are about forty of them all together including the east and west feeds. In addition HBO east and west Hd are available, and Starz E and W feeds in HD.

The large dishes are not as user friendly as the newer DBS stuff but the picture is stunning even in Standard definition.

Thanks for replying (along w/ Sat. Guy). I am jealous that you're able to receive Starz in HD. I often wonder why I keep subscribing to that channel in SD.

The reason why I asked the large-dish question was because I'd always heard that the reception and picture quality was superior to anything out there. I'd known someone who had a large-dish setup years ago, and the standard def pictures were fantastic to watch. I was just curious if that remained the case today, with all the talk of smaller DTV-style dishes.

If you don't mind me asking again, what type of receiver unit and service do you use to receive your service? Thanks!

I am using a 4dtv receiver/ dish positioner, along with an HDD-201 HD decoder for that receiver.

In addition, I have three High definition satellite receivers for HD signals that are not encrypted.

I also have one standard definition satellite receiver that scans satellites to search for news feeds, and any free and un-encrypted signals available on satellite.

There are many forums about the FTA stuff. Some are not so scrupulous about signal theft, but there is much to see up there that is free, and legal.

I subscribe to some of my programming thru NPS and some of it through Netlink/Superstar. Not to mention my subscription to dishnetwork.

Hope that helps. Have a great day...

I e-mailed Oceanic to get an update on HD...

Hello, I have heard that other Time Warner markets are adding
the following HD channels in the next couple of weeks... CNN-HD, A&EHD,
LifetimeHD, Food NetworkHD, History, MTVHD, and TBS-HD.

Will Oceanic be adding these (or any other HD channels) anytime soon?

Also, any updates on when KGMB-HD might be added?



I've never heard of Liquid HD.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I havent heard of liquid HD either, nothing under google in the first 3 pages as well. Sounds refreshing though.

Thanks for that, Charles...I'd forgotten about the EKB and there is a wealth of info. there. I saw the HD PPVs come up a ~week ago on my VIP622, but when Satellite Guy said they were on 129 as well, I -assumed- he was actually answering my post asking what channels on 129 I could receive.

If you have a VIP622, would you do me a favor and look at the signal strength on Transponder 13/Satellite 110? My signal meter (modified) says 19-21 which seems low.

Mahalo,

--Michael


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
Do you have 129? If so, are you getting those other HD's on your 622?

TVHAWAII...

I appreciate you contacting Dish regarding KHNL HD.. I have been trying to get them to figure out why KHNL HD isn't on their system.

I have to wonder this. (I am sure members that are watching digital signal over the air can verify).. If viewers can watch KHNL-HD on their home systems then wouldn't you think that the engineers from DISH might possibly be having problems with their equipment?

They don't even have an engineer here in Hawaii.

This forum is a good place to find out when there are problems with OTA DIGITAL SIGNALS.

(I am able to pick up KHNL-HD (13-1)) with no problems here in Kalihi.

Side note, looks like the big four boradcasters are indeed capable of 'recording' high def broadcasts. Logisticaly dont know how this is done, or how cabable they are in the ammount of storage etc. But CSI on CBS, Jay leno (when KHNL HD is back up) are in HD. CSI looked great last night on a 622

Well, I really don't know how to say this tactfully, except to say that what you've posted above points out your lack of understanding of how DBS/FSS satellite systems function. I suggest you take some courses before posting any more 'technical' info. Hint: you appear to be talking about the 'down-converted' satellite signals above which has absolutely nothing to do with rain attenuation. And 'signal strengths from IRDs' are meaningless in this context.

--Michael



Michael,
Correct, 'Lets try this again', as stated no idea how the IRDs recognise signal loss or what thresholds on the IRDs represent which applicable math equation. I can only tell you that higher frequencies are more susceptible
to degredation and rain fade. My example of higher freqencies on a typical modulated system i.e. oceanic, will fade or degrade much more then a lower frequency, can still be applied. If you take a look at your frquency chart where does Ka/Ku run? In fact, in your earlier example you agree (I assume you agree, since you posted the info) 'rain attenuation at 20 GHz is almost three times that at 11 GHz."If you would like or need furthur explaination as to why Ka/Ku is less susceptible to rain attenuation, then DBS I would suggest an e mail to one of the satellite engineers over at dish, NASA or DTV, Or perhaps a pysicist at UH.
As well Stuff like this may be covered on a differnt forum, and probably shouldnt be covered here.
Again humble apology that you didnt like my basic explaination of signal loss, this was mearly for your benefit with out involving math or pyhsics. Again, a more detailed account possibly can be obtained elsewhere, good luck :)

Article from today:

KHNL's HD broadcasts no longer on DISH Network

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Sep/21/br/br7165943208.html

Side note, looks like the big four boradcasters are indeed capable of 'recording' high def broadcasts. Logisticaly dont know how this is done, or how cabable they are in the ammount of storage etc. But CSI on CBS, Jay leno (when KHNL HD is back up) are in HD. CSI looked great last night on a 622
Yes for all but KHON. I haven't seen a single FOX show in HD, or even SD widescreen, that wasn't a live broadcast here in Hawaii.

Satellite Guy,

[[QUOTE=Satellite Guy HI;11675071]------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Moving the 1.0 on 119 to 129 (DP LNB)
2) installing the .76 mtr (30 inch dish) to 119 (DP LNB)
3) Keep the 1.2 on orbit 110 (Is it a channel master dish?) (DP LNB)


The dish I have on 110 is a Prodelin !.2 meter with a DP LNB.

MG

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting, thats quite a dish to have for 110 only. how did you get your LNBF to fit on the end of the main feed arm? Do you still have the bracket 'multifeed' piece for DTV sat 110 -119?

[QUOTE=MauiGuy;11684672]Mindbender9,

To give you a fast answer to your question about anayuone using large satellite dishes any more. Yes, I do. I have a fourteen foot dish out back and subscribe to all of the HbO, Starz, and Encore feeds. There are about forty of them all together including the east and west feeds. In addition HBO east and west Hd are available, and Starz E and W feeds in HD.

The large dishes are not as user friendly as the newer DBS stuff but the picture is stunning even in Standard definition.[/QUOTE/]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

In Alaska these things make great 10 person toboggans’!! Nice to hear there are still some big dishes out bringing in residential programming (Ive converted a lot of the C band poles into mounts for 1.2 MTR prodelines as of late)

Thanks for replying (along w/ Sat. Guy). I am jealous that you're able to receive Starz in HD. I often wonder why I keep subscribing to that channel in SD.

The reason why I asked the large-dish question was because I'd always heard that the reception and picture quality was superior to anything out there. I'd known someone who had a large-dish setup years ago, and the standard def pictures were fantastic to watch. I was just curious if that remained the case today, with all the talk of smaller DTV-style dishes.

If you don't mind me asking again, what type of receiver unit and service do you use to receive your service? Thanks!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT sounds completely possible that your standard def on a 14 ft dish is fantastic. You might be asked to support that with documentation from NASA however.

so what I want to know is --- what is going to come over 103(b)/D10 once everything gets going at DTV? --- because my H20 box is receiving all transponders and the test channel (498) says CONGRADULATIONS you are receiving the signal for the new staellite and you are ready to go

I am using a 4dtv receiver/ dish positioner, along with an HDD-201 HD decoder for that receiver.

In addition, I have three High definition satellite receivers for HD signals that are not encrypted.

I also have one standard definition satellite receiver that scans satellites to search for news feeds, and any free and un-encrypted signals available on satellite.

There are many forums about the FTA stuff. Some are not so scrupulous about signal theft, but there is much to see up there that is free, and legal.

I subscribe to some of my programming thru NPS and some of it through Netlink/Superstar. Not to mention my subscription to dishnetwork.

Hope that helps. Have a great day...


------------------------------------------------------------------------

MG,
How much of the FTA have you seen go away in the last 6 months or so?
And can you see Satmex 6?

Article from today:

KHNL's HD broadcasts no longer on DISH Network

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Sep/21/br/br7165943208.html

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Disapointing, Dish has a tendancy to play hardball like this at times. They will drop a channel citing some dipute of some kind, then typicaly it will return with in a month or so. Lets hope this is just another negotiation ploy and not permanent

[QUOTE=MauiGuy;11684560]Satellite Guy,

[

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting, thats quite a dish to have for 110 only. how did you get your LNBF to fit on the end of the main feed arm? Do you still have the bracket 'multifeed' piece for DTV sat 110 -119?



Originally my installer had put in a real small dish for 119 only. Later I upgraded to HD so they sold me the one meter winegard dish for 110. I subsequently picked up the .6 meter dish for 119 because the smaller one was more susecptable to rainout.

So, I never had a multi-feed set up. It was always a two dish array.

With regard to setting up the Prodelin dish with the Dishpro LNBF, I just cut off the top part of the plastic shield. so that the neck of the LNB is showing.

Then using thin rubber material Like the self-stick stuff kids use deaden sound in their car turnks, I shim the neck a little to fit the universal round type mount on the dish... It all works fairly well. Of course I am sure some one is laughing at it all. But you gotta do what you gotta do....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Disapointing, Dish has a tendancy to play hardball like this at times. They will drop a channel citing some dipute of some kind, then typicaly it will return with in a month or so. Lets hope this is just another negotiation ploy and not permanent

Maybe Oceanic is not looking so bad? Not that I have a choice, no cable- no tv.

I would be really angry to give up KHNL HD. Really angry!

[-------------------------------------------------------------------------

MG,
How much of the FTA have you seen go away in the last 6 months or so?
And can you see Satmex 6?[/QUOTE]

I can "see" Satmex 6, but have not tried to tune in anything on it. Will give it a try today to see if any programming is available FTA..

I can "see the arc" from AMC 8 in the west to AMC2 in the east.

The old analog FTA stuff is almost non existant. However DBS FTA is thriving.

For those unfamiliar with DBS, this is NOT the encrypted stuff of Directv or Dishnet.

SATGUY, I believe you can email me thru this forum, and I will behappy to give you detailed information on most of what I can receive that is FTA.

I am reluctant to post in such a public forum because I strongly believe that doing so may result in what I get becoming encrypted and no longer available.

If you cannot email me thru this forum, maybe we can set up some sort of im etc....

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MG,
How much of the FTA have you seen go away in the last 6 months or so?
And can you see Satmex 6?

I scanned in SATMEX6 Found about seven channels. I also sent you a private message on this forum. My email addy is in there...

[QUOTE=Satellite Guy HI;11689722]-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
Do you have 129? QUOTE]

No, that's why all the questions about what -you- were getting on 129.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT sounds completely possible that your standard def on a 14 ft dish is fantastic. You might be asked to support that with documentation from NASA however.


Naaa, no documentation needed from NASA. It's well known in the 'biz' that if the SNR is above the threshold of the detector and the bandwidth isn't narrowed, you'll get perfect video without truncation or impulse noise.

Btw, I sometimes see video truncation (tearing on white/black transitions...movie credits are a good place to look) on DISH channels which is impossible. This means that there's something wrong where these channels are being downlinked on C-band and re-uplinked to DISH birds.

TVHAWAII...

I appreciate you contacting Dish regarding KHNL HD.. I have been trying to get them to figure out why KHNL HD isn't on their system.

I have to wonder this. (I am sure members that are watching digital signal over the air can verify).. If viewers can watch KHNL-HD on their home systems then wouldn't you think that the engineers from DISH might possibly be having problems with their equipment?

They don't even have an engineer here in Hawaii.

This forum is a good place to find out when there are problems with OTA DIGITAL SIGNALS.

(I am able to pick up KHNL-HD (13-1)) with no problems here in Kalihi.

Dish receives both the analog and DTV stations over-the-air at one location in downtown and then sent via fiber optics to Dish Network's unlink center in Arizona. At that location, they were having serious problems maintaining KHNL's DTV signal.
I live in the Ward area and can't receive either KHNL or KFVE, but am able to receive KIKU and KHET which all transmit from Palehua Ridge. There are plenty of other people that say they have trouble with KHNL, so Dish is not alone.
The solution is to install a direct fiber link at KHNL and take the "raw" Mpeg2 feed, but who pays for it is the sticking point.

Interesting, thats quite a dish to have for 110 only. how did you get your LNBF to fit on the end of the main feed arm? Do you still have the bracket 'multifeed' piece for DTV sat 110 -119?

Prodelin mfgs. at least 4 types of 1.2m reflectors. The bracket you're referring to is only on the 1.2m DirecTV/Hawaii dish. MauiGuy's feed/support is totally different.

If you would like or need furthur explaination as to why Ka/Ku is less susceptible to rain attenuation, then DBS I would suggest an e mail to one of the satellite engineers over at dish, NASA or DTV, Or perhaps a pysicist at UH.


No need for a physicist.
Again, as I said earlier, you are talking about the down-converted signal from the LNB, on a wire no less.
Rain attenuation (rain-fade) is an anomaly in the space-segment of a satellite link.

But even at that, your explanation is flawed because you don't fully understand DirecTV's down-conversion scheme(s). Hint: Ka-Hi = 1650-2150MHz.

Dish receives both the analog and DTV stations over-the-air at one location in downtown and then sent via fiber optics to Dish Network's unlink center in Arizona. At that location, they were having serious problems maintaining KHNL's DTV signal.
I live in the Ward area and can't receive either KHNL or KFVE, but am able to receive KIKU and KHET which all transmit from Palehua Ridge. There are plenty of other people that say they have trouble with KHNL, so Dish is not alone.
The solution is to install a direct fiber link at KHNL and take the "raw" Mpeg2 feed, but who pays for it is the sticking point.

Charles...do you have a guesstimate on how many fiber feet/miles are involved here? Just curious to know how much this pi$$ing contest is worth.

Mahalo,

--Michael

so what I want to know is --- what is going to come over 103(b)/D10 once everything gets going at DTV? --- because my H20 box is receiving all transponders and the test channel (498) says CONGRADULATIONS you are receiving the signal for the new staellite and you are ready to go

honokai...

Can you get channels 9300/9301 (Hopefully ours isn't one of the spot beams that has trouble)?.
The other forums are saying programming will be added "before the end of the month".

Edit: Didn't read far enough...looks like the 9300 chans. were a test and it's now over. I'm guessing there will be more tests and these folks seem to live and breath this stuff.<g>

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=100301&page=31

--Michael

[QUOTE=Satellite Guy HI;11689722]-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
Do you have 129? QUOTE]

No, that's why all the questions about what -you- were getting on 129.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ah, understood. You are looking into adding 129 depending on what is available. Id say unless you really want BiG 10 HD or HBO HD Cinemax HD. Id wait until dish opens up all the programming on 129

Naaa, no documentation needed from NASA. It's well known in the 'biz' that if the SNR is above the threshold of the detector and the bandwidth isn't narrowed, you'll get perfect video without truncation or impulse noise.

Btw, I sometimes see video truncation (tearing on white/black transitions...movie credits are a good place to look) on DISH channels which is impossible. This means that there's something wrong where these channels are being downlinked on C-band and re-uplinked to DISH birds.


---------------------------------------------------------------------

Intended as friendly rib jabbing, but thanks for the explaination

honokai...

Can you get channels 9300/9301 (Hopefully ours isn't one of the spot beams that has trouble)?.
The other forums are saying programming will be added "before the end of the month".

Edit: Didn't read far enough...looks like the 9300 chans. were a test and it's now over. I'm guessing there will be more tests and these folks seem to live and breath this stuff.<g>

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=100301&page=31

--Michael

D11 is expected to be launched around the end of the year with additional Hawaii spot beams

my guess is that when D11 is activated --- we will have Hawaii locals in HD along with all HD channels available on one dish --- I am still looking for info to confirm this

[-------------------------------------------------------------------------

MG,
How much of the FTA have you seen go away in the last 6 months or so?
And can you see Satmex 6?

I can "see" Satmex 6, but have not tried to tune in anything on it. Will give it a try today to see if any programming is available FTA..

I can "see the arc" from AMC 8 in the west to AMC2 in the east.

The old analog FTA stuff is almost non existant. However DBS FTA is thriving.

For those unfamiliar with DBS, this is NOT the encrypted stuff of Directv or Dishnet.

SATGUY, I believe you can email me thru this forum, and I will behappy to give you detailed information on most of what I can receive that is FTA.

I am reluctant to post in such a public forum because I strongly believe that doing so may result in what I get becoming encrypted and no longer available.

If you cannot email me thru this forum, maybe we can set up some sort of im etc....[/QUOTE]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appreciate it thanks MG

No need for a physicist.
Again, as I said earlier, you are talking about the down-converted signal from the LNB, on a wire no less.
Rain attenuation (rain-fade) is an anomaly in the space-segment of a satellite link.

But even at that, your explanation is flawed because you don't fully understand DirecTV's down-conversion scheme(s). Hint: Ka-Hi = 1650-2150MHz.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you may be talking oranges and I am talking apples. These freqs you have listed look to be FSS. Ive shot out an e mail to one of the lead enginers that built one of the Echo birds. Would that be sufficent?

Ah, understood. You are looking into adding 129 depending on what is available. Id say unless you really want BiG 10 HD or HBO HD Cinemax HD. Id wait until dish opens up all the programming on 129

Yes, that's the problem...getting Dish to 'open up all the programming'. I get Showtime and HBO in HD, but -really- would like to have the rest (not Voom) listed on the EKB site:

Discovery HD (not Discovery HD Theater 9421)
The Learning Channel HD
Animal Planet HD
The Science Channel HD
The History Channel HD
Arts & Entertainment HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Starz HD
Cinemax HD
Home & Garden TV HD
Food Network HD
Golf/Versus HD

My guess is that I could get Starz and Cinemax since I'm already authorized for that package, but that's not quite enough incentive to put up another reflector even though HD is like crack to me.<s>

--Michael

Prodelin mfgs. at least 4 types of 1.2m reflectors. The bracket you're referring to is only on the 1.2m DirecTV/Hawaii dish. MauiGuy's feed/support is totally different.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
Not sure how to put this in a tactful response other then your explaination of Prodeline parabalas is incorrect. And would furthur suggest that you involve yourself more with the 'nuts and bolts' of satellite dishes that are used here before posting misleading information. How do you know that MG's dish is different then the one linked here? (The center feed arm is probably not square, but round on MGs dish)

http://www.gdsatcom.com/Antennas/Data_Sheets/655-0047B_1.2m%201138%20QD.pdf

There is a retailer for DTV on Maui, my guess is MG picked up a dish from someone or had a DTV dish that he modified the end of the center feed arm to fit a standard LNBF.
:)
I hope you knew this was coming :)

I think you may be talking oranges and I am talking apples. These freqs you have listed look to be FSS. Ive shot out an e mail to one of the lead enginers that built one of the Echo birds. Would that be sufficent?

Sufficent for what?
This thread started when I was wondering how the new DirecTV 10 Ka-band satellite would be affected by rain-fade since its space-segment operates at higher frequencies and there isn't much emperical evidence available.

Ka DBS downlink = 19.7-20.2 GHz (A-band) and 18.3-18.8GHz (B-band)
Ku DSS (DBS) downlink = 12.2-12.7 GHz
Ku FSS downlink = 11.7-12.2 GHz
(GHz = GIGAhertz)
These are the frequencies affected by rain attenuation.
And these are the frequencies that are down-converted by the LNB(F) to something more suitable for sending down a co-ax. Historically, it was 950-1450 MHz (MEGAhertz) for C-band and both Ku-DSS/FSS, but now there are proprietary schemes used in order to get multiple satellites on one/two wires.
DishPro (and Plus) are the Dish 'stack' schemes and DirecTV has another. Since DirecTV had to add Ka-band to the mix, and since they had already used 950-1450MHz for Ku (DSS) and had elected to use 1650-2150MHz for Ka-hi band, and as you're well aware, higher frequencies are more susceptable to cable attenuation, they elected to use 250-750MHz for Ka-lo.

Make sense now?

--Michael

Michael,
Not sure how to put this in a tactful response other then your explaination of Prodeline parabalas is incorrect. And would furthur suggest that you involve yourself more with the 'nuts and bolts' of satellite dishes that are used here before posting misleading information. How do you know that MG's dish is different then the one linked here? (The center feed arm is probably not square, but round on MGs dish)

http://www.gdsatcom.com/Antennas/Data_Sheets/655-0047B_1.2m%201138%20QD.pdf

There is a retailer for DTV on Maui, my guess is MG picked up a dish from someone or had a DTV dish that he modified the end of the center feed arm to fit a standard LNBF.
:)
I hope you knew this was coming :)

>>How do you know that MG's dish is different then the one linked here?<<

Umm, because he used the word "Prodelin" and not "Vertex"? <g>
I think Maui Guy got his 1.2m Prodelin before the new DirecTV 1.2m Prodelin was released.

Yes, that's the problem...getting Dish to 'open up all the programming'. I get Showtime and HBO in HD, but -really- would like to have the rest (not Voom) listed on the EKB site:

Discovery HD (not Discovery HD Theater 9421)
The Learning Channel HD
Animal Planet HD
The Science Channel HD
The History Channel HD
Arts & Entertainment HD
National Geographic Channel HD
Starz HD
Cinemax HD
Home & Garden TV HD
Food Network HD
Golf/Versus HD

My guess is that I could get Starz and Cinemax since I'm already authorized for that package, but that's not quite enough incentive to put up another reflector even though HD is like crack to me.<s>

--Michael

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do not have any documentation on this as it came from our regional rep, but we were told that the enginers are still having issues with the stabilizers and or thrusters on Echo 05. (129 orbit) They are still working on fixing the on-going issues plaguing this satellite (Going on almost two years now) Once they get a solution (Should be soon) They will 'turn on' bronze, silver and gold HD packages. Should make things easier on the programming end for them too as there are some exclusive promotions tied to Silver, Gold, Bronze HD packages on the commercial and residential accounts

[QUOTE=tvhawaii;11702347]


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ah, understood. You are looking into adding 129 depending on what is available. Id say unless you really want BiG 10 HD or HBO HD Cinemax HD. Id wait until dish opens up all the programming on 129



------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apologise TYPO : StrarzHD, CinemaxHD, Big 10 HD - (And a few Big 10 HD alternatives) Not sure what the story is on these, I am told very limited collegiate programming. sorry about the error

KHET 11.1 OTA showed up today.

I haven't gotten anything for months, though the "Create" feed on 11.2 has been up continuously. Was channel surfing, and there it was in 1080i format. Content is SD zoomed to 16:9.
Yeah, I've got the same thing. I was able to get 11.1 before, by rescanning my TV's (apparently stronger) tuner from cable to antenna; they must have upped the signal strength.

I wish we could have more discussion of OTA HD here. On those channels where I get HD both OTA and OTW, it is better OTA. I keep seeing people in my neighborhood taking antennas off their roofs, it is rather depressing. - DR

Forget all this satellite nonsense, we need an Oceanic Cable Guy HI up in here to give us a few updates on the only service that I can actually get.

I only have Oceanic cable, also. But I'm becoming progressively more irritated as the months roll by with no new HD cable channels. I want to keep track of the satellite alternatives so I can judge when to switch.

Do not have any documentation on this as it came from our regional rep, but we were told that the enginers are still having issues with the stabilizers and or thrusters on Echo 05. (129 orbit) They are still working on fixing the on-going issues plaguing this satellite (Going on almost two years now) Once they get a solution (Should be soon) They will 'turn on' bronze, silver and gold HD packages. Should make things easier on the programming end for them too as there are some exclusive promotions tied to Silver, Gold, Bronze HD packages on the commercial and residential accounts

Here's a summary of the SEC filings that E* is required to make:
http://www.sat-index.com/failures/index.html?http://www.sat-index.com/failures/echo5.html

When this bird was built/launched in '99, the "Hawaii beam" was constructed for operation from the 119 slot. When E5 was moved West to 129, the beam had to move West as well. In order to bring the beam back East towards Hawaii, the spacecraft would need to be reoriented, which would result in the CONUS beam moving East. I think the Engineers at E* compromised on this reorientation, hence Hawaii and the West coast of the mainland have a lower EIRP.
It will be interesting to see if they can solve this problem.

--Michael

Forget all this satellite nonsense, we need an Oceanic Cable Guy HI up in here to give us a few updates on the only service that I can actually get.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to appear.<g>

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/24/time-warner-cables-new-hd-channels-in-october/

MG,
Do you have channel 378 on DTV (NRB)

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to appear.<g>

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/24/time-warner-cables-new-hd-channels-in-october/


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agreed, Im tired of this satellite stuff too, where are all the oceanic guys now? :) Two satellite people on here (Microcom, satellite guy) But no oceanic guys.:D
They may need an official invitation?

MG,
Do you have channel 378 on DTV (NRB)

Maui Guy is a DISH Network subscriber.
I can see a religious duo performing on NRB.

--Michael

Hawaiian Telecom must be getting close to their roll out of TV, including HD and DVR services. They have been conducting market research about consumer expectations on features and cost. Part of their plan, based on the AT&T "U-verse" model, that differentiates their product is the ability to program their box for recording via the 'net, more SD channels, ability to view the DVR on any screen in the house, all through the phone line.

Hawaiian Telecom must be getting close to their roll out of TV, including HD and DVR services. They have been conducting market research about consumer expectations on features and cost. Part of their plan, based on the AT&T "U-verse" model, that differentiates their product is the ability to program their box for recording via the 'net, more SD channels, ability to view the DVR on any screen in the house, all through the phone line.


--- whatever ... yawn .... I can't believe those thin little wires coming to my house are going to compete with a copper coax cable or a microwave beam from space ... I'll believe it when I see it

Showing an addl 21 HDs on DTV this morning, CNN is included. However, not enough time to see what the others are at this point, this should bring the total count of HD for DTV Hawaii to well over 30.

--- whatever ... yawn .... I can't believe those thin little wires coming to my house are going to compete with a copper coax cable or a microwave beam from space ... I'll believe it when I see it

The bulk of the "heavy lifting" is not thru copper, but through fiber optic, which has quite a bit of "headroom." Deployment of the services is going to be limited to those areas that have the fiber infrastructure in place. From what I've read on this forum, the system has potential but isn't truly ready for prime time.

There are rumors that AT&T may be a potential buyer for Echo* to provide another route to move into the TV market, in addition to TV over IP.

DIRECTV - Hawaii

Here they are hot off the satellite



Channel
Channel Call Sign
Channel Number

A&E HD
A&EHD
265

The History Channel HD
HISTHD
269

Animal Planet HD
APLHD
282

Discovery Channel HD
DSCHD
278

The Science Channel HD
SCIHD
284

The Learning Channel HD
TLCHD
280

Big Ten Network HD
BTNHD
220

The Weather Channel HD
TWCHD
362

NFL Network HD
NFLHD
212

CNN HD
CNNHD
202

TBS in HD
TBSHD
247

Showtime HD West
SHOwHD
540

SHO Too HD
SHO2HD
538

The Movie Channel HD
TMCHD
544

VERSUS HD / GOLF CHANNEL HD
VSGFHD
604

Starz HD East
STRZHD
520

Starz Edge HD
STZEHD
522

Starz HD West
STZwHD
521

Starz Comedy HD
STZCHD
519

Starz Kids & Family HD
STZKHD
518

Smithsonian Channel HD
SMTHHD
267

Maui Guy is a DISH Network subscriber.
I can see a religious duo performing on NRB.

--Michael


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael,
Can you tell me what channel it is on dish? What orbit?
Many thanks

Michael,
Can you tell me what channel it is on dish? What orbit?
Many thanks

I don't see it listed on Dish...only DirecTV.

Hi, I live in Mililani Mauka and have oceanic cable. I'm trying to figure out what the physical channels are for these major channel numbers (needed for Media Center setup of HD content). Also, I'm trying to figure out how to put a Major Channel number in Windows Media Center that is greater than two digits. Thanks in advance.

Major Channels: 83, 85, 114, 122

Thanks!

Hi, I live in Mililani Mauka and have oceanic cable. I'm trying to figure out what the physical channels are for these major channel numbers (needed for Media Center setup of HD content). Also, I'm trying to figure out how to put a Major Channel number in Windows Media Center that is greater than two digits. Thanks in advance.

Major Channels: 83, 85, 114, 122

Thanks!


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

No idea, any Oceanic guys on here yet?

Don't forget that the Sunday NFL HD games on DirecTV will go away for a few minutes in the morning...this is the fall Solar Outage.

September 30 08:38 to 08:50 (1.2m in Lahaina)

--Michael

Just wondering if any of you OTW people still have cable cards? If ya do can you still recieve the HD-pak cahannels like ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, Mojo and UniversalHD? I just wanna know if OTW followed up on their threat to move all their HD channels to SDV on Sept 24.

so when will the HD for 1 dish be available with lots of options?
BTW anyone notice the SD quality is bad in the last month, real choppy blocky

so when will the HD for 1 dish be available with lots of options?
BTW anyone notice the SD quality is bad in the last month, real choppy blocky
this is for dish 200 package

Hi, I live in Mililani Mauka and have oceanic cable. I'm trying to figure out what the physical channels are for these major channel numbers (needed for Media Center setup of HD content). Also, I'm trying to figure out how to put a Major Channel number in Windows Media Center that is greater than two digits. Thanks in advance.

Major Channels: 83, 85, 114, 122

Thanks!

If you can't enter more than two digits, it sounds like an OTA tuner. (?) What kind of tuner do you have?

--Michael

so when will the HD for 1 dish be available with lots of options?
BTW anyone notice the SD quality is bad in the last month, real choppy blocky


Are you asking about the single dish for satellites 110 and 119 for dishnetwork? If so, we probably will not see these for a while. There are good reports however that a single dish solution for foreign programming (118) and standard def channels off of 119 should be upon us before the end of the year.
Not likely DTV will go to a single dish, but it would be nice. There are specific arguments that would favor DTV for a one dish solution

Yes, There is 1 dish solution for Hawaii for sat 119 and 110. But sat 110 is only for spot beam HD only.

anybody here notice that their RoadRunner upload speeds doubled? I just noticed it now-- uploading about twice as fast as before. Hope this isn't just a fluke. Download speed still the same though. I wonder if their doing this to compete with Hawaiian Telephone's internet service.

MICROCOM,
what size is the 1 dish solution for 119/110?
Do the 110 spotbeams have all the HD channels available on Dish Network or just the Honolulu network tv channels?

anybody here notice that their RoadRunner upload speeds doubled? I just noticed it now-- uploading about twice as fast as before. Hope this isn't just a fluke. Download speed still the same though. I wonder if their doing this to compete with Hawaiian Telephone's internet service.
See http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showpost.php?p=167221&postcount=76.

anybody here notice that their RoadRunner upload speeds doubled? I just noticed it now-- uploading about twice as fast as before. Hope this isn't just a fluke. Download speed still the same though. I wonder if their doing this to compete with Hawaiian Telephone's internet service.
Yep, rebooted the modem and upload speed is now higher. It's not quite double, though.....say around 512Kbps. And I'm sure that this was done in response to Hawaiian Telcom's new broadband offering.

MICROCOM,
what size is the 1 dish solution for 119/110?
Do the 110 spotbeams have all the HD channels available on Dish Network or just the Honolulu network tv channels?

That would be a 30" dish.
Just the HD channel on sat 110 spotbeam.

Yep, rebooted the modem and upload speed is now higher. It's not quite double, though.....say around 512Kbps. And I'm sure that this was done in response to Hawaiian Telcom's new broadband offering.

when i test on a west coast speed test i'm getting 984kbps up

according to this report ...

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19162290-TWC-Hawaii-Road-Runner-Upgrade

... they are coming out with a 15Mbps download option soon (although it may be expensive). I have to think it is in response to Hawaiian Telcom.

MICROCOM,
thanks for the info. Do most people switch to the 1 dish solution or do they just add a second dish for 110. What is the smallest size dish possible for the 110 HD spotbeams?
thanks

http://www.speedtest.net/result/188604381.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Wow it is faster... 2 minutes ago my upload was 350 on this same test :)

http://www.speedtest.net/result/188607281.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Yeah, this is to San Jose, but tests to other points on the west coast give wildly different (and lower) results. Not sure how much these tests can be trusted. It's definitely faster though.

MICROCOM,
thanks for the info. Do most people switch to the 1 dish solution or do they just add a second dish for 110. What is the smallest size dish possible for the 110 HD spotbeams?
thanks

24" dish would work for the 110 HD spotbeam

My Utorrent upload speeds went from a max of around 45 kB's to around 125kB's. Pretty good. Does anyone know what 125kB's is equal too? is that around 1 Mb's?

My Utorrent upload speeds went from a max of around 45 kB's to around 125kB's. Pretty good. Does anyone know what 125kB's is equal too? is that around 1 Mb's?

1MB is equal to 1024 KB.

This coming Wednesday TBS will be broadcasting its first baseball playoff games. Is Oceanic going to have TBS-HD up and running by then, or am I gonna have to watch these games on Oceanic's crappy, bit starved, to me almost unwatchable TBS SD channel.

Yes, There is 1 dish solution for Hawaii for sat 119 and 110. But sat 110 is only for spot beam HD only.

Uhh, which service are we talking about here...DISH or DirecTV?

Thanks,

--Michael

Don't forget that the Sunday NFL HD games on DirecTV will go away for a few minutes in the morning...this is the fall Solar Outage.

September 30 08:38 to 08:50 (1.2m in Lahaina)

--Michael

Turns out that, unlike the previous 3 weeks, the HD games today are on the 101 bird (huh?). Outage was from 8 to 8:10...sorry about the misinformation.

This coming Wednesday TBS will be broadcasting its first baseball playoff games. Is Oceanic going to have TBS-HD up and running by then, or am I gonna have to watch these games on Oceanic's crappy, bit starved, to me almost unwatchable TBS SD channel.
Correction....

Padres @ Rockies - Monday 7:37PM EDT - TBS-HD

anybody here notice that their RoadRunner upload speeds doubled? I just noticed it now-- uploading about twice as fast as before. Hope this isn't just a fluke. Download speed still the same though. I wonder if their doing this to compete with Hawaiian Telephone's internet service.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seems to be running a little faster, Im getting 4693 down, 1418 up. On speakeasy . net LA server

This coming Wednesday TBS will be broadcasting its first baseball playoff games. Is Oceanic going to have TBS-HD up and running by then, or am I gonna have to watch these games on Oceanic's crappy, bit starved, to me almost unwatchable TBS SD channel.

Nope. However, our Oceanic TBS SD signal is gorgeous on the Big Island.

-E

anybody here notice that their RoadRunner upload speeds doubled? I just noticed it now-- uploading about twice as fast as before. Hope this isn't just a fluke. Download speed still the same though. I wonder if their doing this to compete with Hawaiian Telephone's internet service.

Yes, and Oceanic has announced the trickling out of their optional Road Runner Turbo Plus service with 15mbit/sec downloads.

-E

I heard the 15Mbps service is only available in Kaimuki on Oahu currently. Then it will be released to select areas on Kauai and Oahu and Big Island and Maui a month after.

Nope. However, our Oceanic TBS SD signal is gorgeous on the Big Island.

-E
Could be there's something wrong with my signal. PQ just doesn't compare with my premium SD channels (HBO, Encore, etc).

Way to go MLB. As we move forward, we're suppose to see more games in HD, not less. TBS-HD will probably be added at some point after the baseball postseason. Oceanic shouldn't bother. As I understand it, there's little if anything in true HD on that channel, and Oceanic has already stated they won't add a channel unless a certain percentage of the programs are in HD.

Also just noticed that ESPN's Monday Night Football is being shown tape delay on channel 1222. It's not showing as such in the guide. I guess Oceanic got permission this year to rebroadcast the Monday night games in prime time like KITV did with ABC's MNF. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think they did this last year. I like it. Sure, I can use the DVR, but it's not the same.

My Oceanic 8300HD has started to record some HD programs with extreme video and audio distortion. Its as though the picture and sound are both tearing. Its constant enough that the programs are painful to watch. The unit's drive is often 80% filled up. I'm planning to add an external but it doesn't make sense to while there is a problem with the main drive.

Have others had this problem? Oceanic compressing the signal too much? Disc too full or fragmented? Buffer underrun? Any solution?

Maybe related: Others have mentioned better upload speed recently from Oceanic. Where I am on Big Island, upload and download have massively improved.

I've been in touch with Oceanic for about six months. My download speed got so slow, barely better than dialup, that they gave me free service for several months. Said that they were waiting for new narrowcasting equipment from the mainland, needed in pockets of the island because we have so much new population. It obviously finally got here.

I'm wondering if the new hardware thats making the internet speed so much better could be screwing up the HD feed.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/189664225.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Hi, I just heard that Oceanic has added TBS-HD today.. Can anyone confirm this? :D

Hi, I just heard that Oceanic has added TBS-HD today.. Can anyone confirm this? :D


Yes! Channel 1551. The Rockies-Phillies game is on in HD right now.

Thanks for the heads-up! I was watching it in SD.

-E

Hi, I just heard that Oceanic has added TBS-HD today.. Can anyone confirm this? :DYep, here too! Mahalo as well for the heads up. Wouldn't have even known the game was on. Turned it on just in time to see Holliday homer (who was out by the way the other night... never touched the plate). Anyway, glad to see a new HD channel. Especially with 3 games on today!

Am contemplating installation of DirectTV HD on the north shore of Kauai. Are 2 1.2m dishes necessary? Is this likely to change anytime soon? Heard the FCC was mandating equal satellite services to Hawaii and Alaska. Is this a "will take forever" thing or a pipedream. Obviously would not like to put up two 1.2's if not necessary or soon obsolete.

Thanks

Yes! Channel 1551. The Rockies-Phillies game is on in HD right now.

Thanks for the heads-up! I was watching it in SD.

-E

That's fricking awesome! Now, if I was only home to enjoy it.

How's the picture?

That's fricking awesome! Now, if I was only home to enjoy it.

How's the picture?

Great picture. The Angels and Red Sox game just started. :D

Thanks SatGuy

Anyone notice the distortion, choppyness on Dish, from reading some forums it is due to compression of the channels, some come in super clear, some crappy blocky

I'm watching TBSHD right now and the picture is great. You can actually see the fear in the Angels! Anyways... I did have a problen initially as it took about 30 seconds to change to that channel after I plugged in 1551 on the remote control. I suspect that is a function of SDV. Perhaps I'm the only one in my neighborhood watching this channel? Anyways... Props to OTW fo expanding our HD lineup... Now if we could just get KGMB on board :mad:

Hi folks,

I haven't visited this thread too much after settling in with my SamSung LCD in April, so have not kept up with info. Is anyone using a QAM tuner to pick up unencrypted HD channels? I used to get NBC in 1080i on channel 83-3, but it's disappeared. Same with the CBS channel. I get some 4:3 lower resolution feeds of NBC and some others on the digital channels, but the only 16:9 HD station I had left last night was ABC. I did another automatic channel scan, but it would not even pick up 83-3 now as a grayed-out channel. Is there a chance these channels will come back? If so, I will have to keep doing rescans, as the Sammy will not accept a manually inputted channel that did not register during the scan.

I was sad I couldn't see "Heroes" in HD this week. :(

Kudos to Oceanic for coming through on TBS-HD. If only it were done a little earlier so I could have set the DVR for the Angels-Red Sox game. Glad to hear it looks good. Actually, PQ on all the HD channels has been pretty good or better of late.

Anyone notice the distortion, choppyness on Dish, from reading some forums it is due to compression of the channels, some come in super clear, some crappy blocky

Which channels (numbers) are 'crappy blocky'?

--Michael

Thanks SatGuy

Anyone notice the distortion, choppyness on Dish, from reading some forums it is due to compression of the channels, some come in super clear, some crappy blocky


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Charles (Another poster on this forum) would have some insight on the compression issue. From what I remember Dishes SD is fairly low res, 480x360? What receiver are you using?

Oh, and in reference to the help earlier no problem

Just wondering if any of you OTW people still have cable cards? If ya do can you still recieve the HD-pak cahannels like ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, Mojo and UniversalHD? I just wanna know if OTW followed up on their threat to move all their HD channels to SDV on Sept 24.

I finally got a chance to do a spot check last night. My S3 Tivo with cablecards still sees ESPNHD, NGCHD, and other channels that were supposed to go to SDV on 9/24. I suppose they've just been delayed, but for now I can still enjoy my Tivo with HD.

snakpak

Question for directv subcribers with HD (two 1.2m dishes)

Anyone else losing channels 72 (espn2) and 79(hdnet)? Just wondering if it's just me.

I noticed that since I put the b band converters in (to watch the new HD channels), my ch 72 and 79 keeps losing signal (73-78 are ok). After troubleshooting a bit here's what I found:

I found that if I disconnect and reconnect the bband converters, ch 72 and 79 come back strong (75-85 signal). BUT, once I swtich to one of the new HD channels (eg. 77, or 212HD), I lose ch 72 and 79 again. Checking signal strength, a few transponders that I normally have signal on (sat 119(24,26,28,30) all go to zero and I notice signal drop on everthing on sat 119 and 110. If I quickly disconnect and reconnect the bband converter, ch72 adn 79 are back and my signal strengths are all back up.

If I remove the b band converters all together, ch 72 and 79 work like a charm, but then I lose all the new HD channels.

I thought it may be a grounding issue but this doesnt' happen on my HR20 (moved boxes around, also tried different bband converters). Sounds like the H20 is having a hard time switching with the B band converters.


Vikingsfan

Question for directv subcribers with HD (two 1.2m dishes)

Anyone else losing channels 72 (espn2) and 79(hdnet)? Just wondering if it's just me.

I noticed that since I put the b band converters in (to watch the new HD channels), my ch 72 and 79 keeps losing signal (73-78 are ok). After troubleshooting a bit here's what I found:

I found that if I disconnect and reconnect the bband converters, ch 72 and 79 come back strong (75-85 signal). BUT, once I swtich to one of the new HD channels (eg. 77, or 212HD), I lose ch 72 and 79 again. Checking signal strength, a few transponders that I normally have signal on (sat 119(24,26,28,30) all go to zero and I notice signal drop on everthing on sat 119 and 110. If I quickly disconnect and reconnect the bband converter, ch72 adn 79 are back and my signal strengths are all back up.

If I remove the b band converters all together, ch 72 and 79 work like a charm, but then I lose all the new HD channels.

I thought it may be a grounding issue but this doesnt' happen on my HR20 (moved boxes around, also tried different bband converters). Sounds like the H20 is having a hard time switching with the B band converters.


Vikingsfan

>>Sounds like the H20 is having a hard time switching with the B band converters.<<

I'd have to agree (good job of troubleshooting, imo). I'd have DTV bring out a new H20 and try it. Are all the long cable runs solid copper center conductor?

--Michael

>>Sounds like the H20 is having a hard time switching with the B band converters.<<

I'd have to agree (good job of troubleshooting, imo). I'd have DTV bring out a new H20 and try it. Are all the long cable runs solid copper center conductor?

--Michael

Just to update. Directv came in and swapped my H20-600 with the older?
H20-100 and it fixed my problem. Now I can get both 103(b) HD and 110, 119 HD channels w/o any problems.


Next problem is find a good way to get OTA HD locals (preferably indoor antenna). Anyone have any luck in Kapolei?

Just to update. Directv came in and swapped my H20-600 with the older?
H20-100 and it fixed my problem.

Good to hear that.
Could you post your signal strength readings on 99/103 (from the HR20)?

On 99 (b), I get:
1,3,5=0
2,4,6=100

103(a) all zero/na
103(b) 1-14= 83 to 89. 17 and 22 =0

I don't have solid copper and I'm trying to get everything off of one 1.2m, so don't have a clue on what's good or bad.<g>

Thanks,

--Michael

Good to hear that.
Could you post your signal strength readings on 99/103 (from the HR20)?

On 99 (b), I get:
1,3,5=0
2,4,6=100

103(a) all zero/na
103(b) 1-14= 83 to 89. 17 and 22 =0

I don't have solid copper and I'm trying to get everything off of one 1.2m, so don't have a clue on what's good or bad.<g>

Thanks,

--Michael

On 99 (b):

getting zero on 1,3, 5
96 on 2,4 and 6

On 103(a): all zero's
On 103(b): 86,83, 80, 83,78, 80,75,78
76,80,77,83,88,87,
0,n/a, na, na,na, na, 0...
On 101: all between 86-98 except for 4, 12, 18,20, 26, 28 are zero.

I am planning on fine tuning both dishes one of these days. I think the 2nd dish is for ch 72-79 and maybe some premium HD channels.

The main reason I got the 2nd dish (110, 119) installed was for espnhd, espn2hd, tnthd. I don't think those channels are on 103(b) yet. Once they get transferred over to 103(b), I'll probably get rid of the 2nd dish.

Good to hear from another directv subscriber here in hawaii. Seems like we're pretty much in the dark as far as what goes on.

I am planning on fine tuning both dishes one of these days. I think the 2nd dish is for ch 72-79 and maybe some premium HD channels.

The main reason I got the 2nd dish (110, 119) installed was for espnhd, espn2hd, tnthd. I don't think those channels are on 103(b) yet. Once they get transferred over to 103(b), I'll probably get rid of the 2nd dish.

Good to hear from another directv subscriber here in hawaii. Seems like we're pretty much in the dark as far as what goes on.

>>Seems like we're pretty much in the dark as far as what goes on.<<

Amen to that.<sigh> My guess is that the stuff on 110/119 -might-be duplicated when D11 is launched into the 99 slot later this year or early next year (assuming SeaLaunch doesn't get smoked again). Those 14 transponders at 110/119 are worth million$. I covered my 110/119 LNBs with alum. foil and verified that ch. 206/9 ESPN/2 HD and 245 TNT HD (etc.) are indeed still coming off 110/119.
Ch. 267/Smithsonian HD and 332/MTV-VH1 HD sure do look nice. I wish it would rain so we could see how they hold up compared to Ku-band.

And much mahalos for those sig. readings!
Any idea of when we might get the locals in HD from DirecTV? After watching all the morning NFL games in HD, I can barely watch the KHNL game in SD.<g>

--Michael

Yes HD picture quality on Oceanic has been very nice recently. Let start a campaign to get KHON and KGMB in primtime HD? Does anyone have phone numbers or email addresses for any of the execs at Oceanic, KHON and KGMB?

I found this interesting posting in regards to someone's adventure to get their TiVo to work with Oceanic Cable.

http://www.knowing.net/PermaLink,guid,7a13be13-c9dd-451d-b2c5-66a53041aebf.aspx

"A year ago I said that HDTV didn't make sense for me. But with the arrival of Tivo HD, the dollar weakening and making dramatic price drops less likely, and the Red Sox making the playoffs, I decided to make the jump and bought a Philips 42".

The biggest problem is that once you see high-definition channels in your own home side-by-side with standard definition, the standard definition channels look horrible. We actually had the TV for a couple days before I got the HD cable package and we were like "OK, definitely more noticeable compression and blurriness on the bigger screen, but that's fine." And then I got the set-top box and saw how much better the pictures look.

Then, all the trouble started. I chose to stick with Oceanic Time-Warner Cable rather than satellites because to receive HD satellite programming in Hawaii, you have to place two 2.5m dishes in your yard! Our neighbors have them and they're huge and ugly -- a non-starter for us. Plus, my Tivo HD was winging its way island-ward. All I would do is order some CableCards and life would be good."

I found this interesting posting in regards to someone's adventure to get their TiVo to work with Oceanic Cable.
Then, all the trouble started. I chose to stick with Oceanic Time-Warner Cable rather than satellites because to receive HD satellite programming in Hawaii, you have to place two 2.5m dishes in your yard! Our neighbors have them and they're huge and ugly -- a non-starter for us.
[/I]

Well, just to set the record straight, they're 1.2m, not 2.5 (always wondered why some people have trouble telling 4 feet from 8 feet without measuring).

And it is possible to use -one- 1.2m reflector...I'm watching the Cubs right now on ch. 95 HD.

--Michael

It's too bad that TIVO hasn't gotten Time Warner to license their OS. I would pay an extra bit a month for that... but I won't spend a fortune for a Tivo box plus cards plus monthly fees and at this point the problem of compatibility.

Basically my DVR is simple to use, reliable over all and the picture is great. I set up my shows and mostly there are no issues. Since I have an iMac in the living room I do searching on Titan's TV search engine. I am happy.. of course I want more channels :)

Yes HD picture quality on Oceanic has been very nice recently. Let start a campaign to get KHON and KGMB in primtime HD? Does anyone have phone numbers or email addresses for any of the execs at Oceanic, KHON and KGMB?

I'm ready to spend a few hours at KGMB headquarters with signs and a bull horn.

I'm ready to spend a few hours at KGMB headquaters with signs and a bull horn.

My kinda' guy.
If I can get a GO ticket for 29 or less, I'll join you. Lemme' know when so I can get a room at the Pagoda.

--Michael

I'll bring a grill and some beer.

I'll bring a grill and some beer.

Going already!