For those interested, DISH will be spooling the new 622 software to all receivers beginning tonight. The version should be fully distributed by Thursday, 3/29.

Biggest single issue you'll notice is a roughness when using the tricks. FF, REV, and Skip are jagged and jumpy. As example, in 60x FF, it seems to jump around from 45x to 60x to 70x to 55x, etc.

Overall, the few quirks is just annoying, and do not effect operations. The biggest single improvement is a noticeably improved OTA reception strength. Most signals jumped up 10-15%, and 11.1 seems cured.

Did your issue with Fox 2 get fixed? I watched tonight's 24 on Fox 2 OTA with no problem. Haven't checked the Tivo recording of Prison Break.
I guess I just needed to have turned on my indoor antenna's amp. I haven't had to in the past to get Fox. In fact with my HDTV cards the amp would often result in a stuttering picture. I could get ABC-HD fine without the amp, so I presumed there was coincidentally another TV tower problem. False alarm! :-/

Circuit City To Lay Off 3,400 of Highest-Paid Sales Staff

From today's Retail Bridge newsletter:
_____________________________________________________

Circuit City will let about 3,400 of its highest paid sales employees go as part of its latest restructuring plan, the retail giant said yesterday.

In addition, the company also expects to close 10 more international stores in the next year, bringing the total number of overseas closures to 65.
_____________________________________________________

I guess this story could also be titled, "Doctor Kills Family To Cure Its Cold."

Circuit City did this roughly 5 years ago, and I didn't understand it any better then. It wasn't the sales staff who decided to sell products at prices that don't produce sufficient margin. But even leaving "fairness" aside, who's going to make the sales needed to meet targets going forward?

And maybe I'm hopelessly linear in my thought process, but wouldn't it be likely that the best-paid sales people are the ones that actually know the product best? Bearing in mind that we're talking Circuit City, where product knowledge is already graded on a very steep curve, this is downright scary.

Ultimately this is another manifestation of the Vizio phenomenon, which has put incredible pressure on retailers and manufacturers, not just for flat screens but for all TVs. This development makes it a lot more likely that Vizio achieves its 10% market share objective before year end. Next stop: 15%.

From a consumer standpoint, falling prices should be good news. But I'm concerned that because prices have fallen so far so fast, it's highly likely that product quality for all brands will take a significant hit in the next 12 months. Something has to give.

If you've been thinking that you'll wait for prices to fall just a bit further before buying a new HDTV, keep that in mind.

DirecTV Says 100 HD Channel Count To Include Sports Pay Packs; No Voom

And who better to deliver this news than the Head Bean Counter? Maybe DirecTV subscribers need to get together and redefine a dollar as 75 pennies...

The following excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
______________________________________________

But (DirecTV Chief Financial Officer Michael) Palkovic added that the 100-channel lineup will include feeds from Sunday Ticket, MLB's Extra Innings and other sports packages. In 2008, DIRECTV is planning to show most (if not all) of the games available in pay packages in high-def.

For example, Palkovic said the Sunday Ticket, which offers 13 different NFL games each week, would count as 13 HD channels.

“That’s the way you would count that,” Palkovic told Multichannel News.

He said that about 70 or 80 channels would be 24/7, year-round high-def channels.

Palkovic also discounted speculation that DIRECTV would add the 15-channel high-def lineup from Voom.

“First of all, there are no Voom channels, there is nothing like that that people would consider not really quality channels,” Palkovic said. “We’re talking USA, Sci Fi, some of the Turner networks, The Weather Channel, mainstream programming that’s been around for a long time that’s going to make the leap to HD.”
______________________________________________

To read the entire story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dchannels032907.htm)

Dreamworks' Katzenberg Sees No Winner in HD DVD, Blu-ray Fight

The following excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
___________________________________________________

DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg says the high-def DVD format between Blu-ray and HD-DVD will not have a winner.

Katzenberg, one of Hollywood's most influential executives, said yesterday at a Bank of America conference that only videophiles will buy the new high-def DVD players, according to Variety magazine.

"Blu-Ray and HD DVD are a niche business," Katzenberg said. "They're not going to become the next platform. "I think for the general consumer, there is not a big enough delta between the standard DVD in terms of where it is today and the next generation."
___________________________________________________

To read the entire story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dreamworks032907.htm)

DirecTV Says 100 HD Channel Count To Include Sports Pay Packs; No Voom

And who better to deliver this news than the Head Bean Counter? Maybe DirecTV subscribers need to get together and redefine a dollar as 75 pennies...



Doug, did you hold back on your feelings? I am interested to hear your thoughts on this. While I thought Voom might be in there, I never even considered the fact that they might count 1 program per week for 16 weeks as a "HD Channel". All in all adding HD is still a good thing for all of us, but I think this falls short of what any of us thought they meant. I guess we shouldn't be surprised since we have all sat here and said "Where are all these HD channels gonna come from?"

I'm wondering if this was the plan all along or if they finally realized they weren't gonna make their number.

Circuit City To Lay Off 3,400 of Highest-Paid Sales Staff

From today's Retail Bridge newsletter:
_____________________________________________________

Circuit City will let about 3,400 of its highest paid sales employees go as part of its latest restructuring plan, the retail giant said yesterday.

In addition, the company also expects to close 10 more international stores in the next year, bringing the total number of overseas closures to 65.
_____________________________________________________

I guess this story could also be titled, "Doctor Kills Family To Cure Its Cold."

Circuit City did this roughly 5 years ago, and I didn't understand it any better then. It wasn't the sales staff who decided to sell products at prices that don't produce sufficient margin. But even leaving "fairness" aside, who's going to make the sales needed to meet targets going forward?

And maybe I'm hopelessly linear in my thought process, but wouldn't it be likely that the best-paid sales people are the ones that actually know the product best? Bearing in mind that we're talking Circuit City, where product knowledge is already graded on a very steep curve, this is downright scary.

Ultimately this is another manifestation of the Vizio phenomenon, which has put incredible pressure on retailers and manufacturers, not just for flat screens but for all TVs. This development makes it a lot more likely that Vizio achieves its 10% market share objective before year end. Next stop: 15%.

From a consumer standpoint, falling prices should be good news. But I'm concerned that because prices have fallen so far so fast, it's highly likely that product quality for all brands will take a significant hit in the next 12 months. Something has to give.

If you've been thinking that you'll wait for prices to fall just a bit further before buying a new HDTV, keep that in mind.

This is even more rediculous than it was 5 years ago. The salespeople they kept aren't making jack $hit anyway. Plus, your right. They will let the people who bring in the most revenue go. What do your BEST people then do? They go to work for Bestbuy, Ultimate and the like all the while stealing your business. This is just one more nail in CC's coffin.

Scott

I believe that the stuff on VOOM, in terms of programming variety, is pretty limited.

But for DirecTV to suggest that a VOOM channel isn't a quality channel but that a 16-times-a-year football channel is more worthwhile is just plain wrong. Counting a channel that will produce a grand total of 80 hours of HD programming per year on the same basis as ESPN, Discovery, HDNet, etc. is blatantly dishonest. And it indicates to me that DirecTV doesn't have much respect for the intelligence of its customers.

I really don't want to deal with the hassle, but this inches me a little closer to switching to DISH.

Hope that makes my take on this clearer... ;)

There just aren't 100 national HD channels anyway, so does it really matter?

I for one am glad that they are going to give the RSN's a dedicated channel.

All D* subs should be pleased that they are counting the channels for Sunday Ticket as
actual dedicated bandwidth so they aren't shutting down channels during the football
season.

I'm with D* for one major reason, sports. So for me, this is good news.

All D* subs should be pleased that they are counting the channels for Sunday Ticket as actual dedicated bandwidth so they aren't shutting down channels during the football season.I think this is a benefit that only an accountant would love, and maybe that explains why this news was delivered by DirecTV's CFO rather than a programming executive... ;)

But seriously, the idea that these are now suddenly dedicated channels isn't the issue. The switch to MPEG-4 and the additional satellites is what makes it possible to have more channels, not how they're slotted or counted.

In the near-term, bandwidth won't be an issue, because there aren't going to be enough HD channels to cause force sharing and aggressive bit-shaving. Based on past trends, that won't be true forever, but for the next few years, at least, bandwidth is unlikely to be a big problem.

I actually expect that picture quality will improve, even though DirecTV "claims" it can't be any better than it is currently. Broadly speaking, MPEG-4 makes it possible to achieve the same picture quality as with MPEG-2, with around half the bandwidth.

But getting a picture quality dividend may be wishful thinking on my part.

For those interested, DISH will be spooling the new 622 software to all receivers beginning tonight. The version should be fully distributed by Thursday, 3/29.

Biggest single issue you'll notice is a roughness when using the tricks. FF, REV, and Skip are jagged and jumpy. As example, in 60x FF, it seems to jump around from 45x to 60x to 70x to 55x, etc.

Overall, the few quirks is just annoying, and do not effect operations. The biggest single improvement is a noticeably improved OTA reception strength. Most signals jumped up 10-15%, and 11.1 seems cured.


Yeah, i got it sometime yesterday. There was initially a problem playing back my recorded stuff, only got a black screen. I noticed the new "HD" logos everywhere and figured I got the upgrade. After a reboot, everything worked fine.

-Matt H

I think this is a benefit that only an accountant would love, and maybe that explains why this news was delivered by DirecTV's CFO rather than a programming executive... ;)

But seriously, the idea that these are now suddenly dedicated channels isn't the issue. The switch to MPEG-4 and the additional satellites is what makes it possible to have more channels, not how they're slotted or counted.

In the near-term, bandwidth won't be an issue, because there aren't going to be enough HD channels to cause force sharing and aggressive bit-shaving. Based on past trends, that won't be true forever, but for the next few years, at least, bandwidth is unlikely to be a big problem.

I actually expect that picture quality will improve, even though DirecTV "claims" it can't be any better than it is currently. Broadly speaking, MPEG-4 makes it possible to achieve the same picture quality as with MPEG-2, with around half the bandwidth.

But getting a picture quality dividend may be wishful thinking on my part.

In following the HDTV Programming threads, it looks like E* is no better on picture quality anymore. They
no longer have anything native resolution. And I am no accountant...or a lawyer for that matter.

EDIT........

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

I believe that the stuff on VOOM, in terms of programming variety, is pretty limited.

But for DirecTV to suggest that a VOOM channel isn't a quality channel but that a 16-times-a-year football channel is more worthwhile is just plain wrong. Counting a channel that will produce a grand total of 80 hours of HD programming per year on the same basis as ESPN, Discovery, HDNet, etc. is blatantly dishonest. And it indicates to me that DirecTV doesn't have much respect for the intelligence of its customers.

I really don't want to deal with the hassle, but this inches me a little closer to switching to DISH.

Hope that makes my take on this clearer... ;)

I agree with you on the VOOM content. There is some programming I watch there, but for the most part it isn't primary viewing for us. My point was more to what you say about a "channel" being counted for one 3 hour program per week for only 16 weeks. I understand wmschultz's stance that he is glad they are stealing bandwidth with "junk", but I was hopeful that the claim of 100 HD channels would be good for everyone by forcing more quality programming to be produced in HD. I am just disappointed from the standpoint that counting those "channels" does not push for more HD programming, or at least does not push as far as we had hoped. We all speculated about where the 100 channels were going to come from, but I don't recall any of us guessing they could be counted this way. I wonder if they figured out they could not back up their claim and this was the way out? Is it possible this was their plan all along?

For those interested, DISH will be spooling the new 622 software to all receivers beginning tonight. The version should be fully distributed by Thursday, 3/29.

Biggest single issue you'll notice is a roughness when using the tricks. FF, REV, and Skip are jagged and jumpy. As example, in 60x FF, it seems to jump around from 45x to 60x to 70x to 55x, etc.

Overall, the few quirks is just annoying, and do not effect operations. The biggest single improvement is a noticeably improved OTA reception strength. Most signals jumped up 10-15%, and 11.1 seems cured.

I still have not received it here. FWIW I have noticed my REV being jagged and jumpy for the last month or so. Not so much in FF and no problems with Skip, but when I use Rev sometimes I will hit Rev X4 for a very short time (1-2 seconds) and it will skip much further back in the program. I hope they don't mess with my Skip forward with this new update, lol.


When are we going to start solving mysteries on Lost instead of adding new ones?

I wanted to put an American Idol question in here with a Spoiler warning, but I can't remember how John or whoever told me to hide the text, lol. I thought it was white, but I doubt that will work with a dark background.

American Idol SPOILER WARNING, please highlight text below to read. I hope this hides it for you all.

There I think this color is close enough. If I find out any of you are voting for this guy on American Idol I want to have a talk with you.

Hey Deuces....I didn't vote, but I do listen to Stern and laugh along with him as the loser is announced.

I don't watch the show, but now I record the results show just to see the judges reaction to the "FAN" vote.

Circuit City To Lay Off 3,400 of Highest-Paid Sales Staff

From today's Retail Bridge newsletter:
_____________________________________________________

Circuit City will let about 3,400 of its highest paid sales employees go as part of its latest restructuring plan, the retail giant said yesterday.

In addition, the company also expects to close 10 more international stores in the next year, bringing the total number of overseas closures to 65.
_____________________________________________________

I guess this story could also be titled, "Doctor Kills Family To Cure Its Cold."

Circuit City did this roughly 5 years ago, and I didn't understand it any better then. It wasn't the sales staff who decided to sell products at prices that don't produce sufficient margin. But even leaving "fairness" aside, who's going to make the sales needed to meet targets going forward?

And maybe I'm hopelessly linear in my thought process, but wouldn't it be likely that the best-paid sales people are the ones that actually know the product best? Bearing in mind that we're talking Circuit City, where product knowledge is already graded on a very steep curve, this is downright scary.

Ultimately this is another manifestation of the Vizio phenomenon, which has put incredible pressure on retailers and manufacturers, not just for flat screens but for all TVs. This development makes it a lot more likely that Vizio achieves its 10% market share objective before year end. Next stop: 15%.

From a consumer standpoint, falling prices should be good news. But I'm concerned that because prices have fallen so far so fast, it's highly likely that product quality for all brands will take a significant hit in the next 12 months. Something has to give.

If you've been thinking that you'll wait for prices to fall just a bit further before buying a new HDTV, keep that in mind.

This is no big suprise. Isn't this about the second or third time Circuit City has done this?

I'm suprised they didn't include more store closings. Specifically old-line early 90's stores that haven't been remodeled like Ferguson and South County.

The only way we're rid of ******* is if Simon drives a stake through his heart under a full moon. Now I would VOTE for that...

And Lost was just plain strange last night. I don't know that it's jumped the shark, but it certainly skidded across a school of dolphins...some of the writers must be waylaid in rehab.

The only way we're rid of ******* is if Simon drives a stake through his heart under a full moon. Now I would VOTE for that...

And Lost was just plain strange last night. I don't know that it's jumped the shark, but it certainly skidded across a school of dolphins...some of the writers must be waylaid in rehab.


******* is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Lost was strange, but when you started realizing all that went into it, it appeared to me they had to know they were going to do it. There were some things that happened earlier that I felt they would not have written in if they were not going on last night's tangent.

I can't believe you guys watch American Idol :-)

Lost was a good EP, but quite the tangent. Did nothing for the already convoluted and slow moving "main" plot ... if there is even a plot anymore. Still entertaining, nothing like being buried alive!

We all speculated about where the 100 channels were going to come from, but I don't recall any of us guessing they could be counted this way. I wonder if they figured out they could not back up their claim and this was the way out? Is it possible this was their plan all along?
You haven't been paying attention. I've posted several comments regarding this.
Of course it was planned. DirecTV has been "riding" this strategy for 18 months now, using it to lure the potential subscriber away from cable, and clear of DISH.

"now with 'the capacity' to carry up to 150 additional HD channels."

Sound familiar?

I'm too lazy to go back and find them....one, because I talk too much, and there's too much to wade thru....and two, because I'm too lazy :o

It went something like this....I believe I made my reference to questioning if DirecTV would be counting the additional carriage of RSN HD's and LiL DT's as added HD channels....saying how easy it would be to "rack up" a count over 100 by counting added RSN's, LiL, etc., and just how many of the actual added HD channels would be true 24/7 HD channels.

I once said, it's a very long way from "capacity" to livingroom, when the 2 satellite carrying rockets still sit at sea, waiting to be launched.

OTOH, as WM said, when I think of DirecTV, I think of sports. Personally, if football was to me, what baseball is, I would have DirecTV and not DISH right now.

You haven't been paying attention. I've posted several comments regarding this.
Of course it was planned. DirecTV has been "riding" this strategy for 18 months now, using it to lure the potential subscriber away from cable, and clear of DISH.

"now with 'the capacity' to carry up to 150 additional HD channels."

Sound familiar?

I'm too lazy to go back and find them....one, because I talk too much, and there's too much to wade thru....and two, because I'm too lazy :o

It went something like this....I believe I made my reference to questioning if DirecTV would be counting the additional carriage of RSN HD's and LiL DT's as added HD channels....saying how easy it would be to "rack up" a count over 100 by counting added RSN's, LiL, etc., and just how many of the actual added HD channels would be true 24/7 HD channels.

I once said, it's a very long way from "capacity" to livingroom, when the 2 satellite carrying rockets still sit at sea, waiting to be launched.

OTOH, as WM said, when I think of DirecTV, I think of sports. Personally, if football was to me, what baseball is, I would have DirecTV and not DISH right now.


Ken, I do remember you saying that, although I have to admit I try not to pay attention to you ;). I was speaking more of the Sunday Ticket being counted. I mean we are talking about 1 game per week. At least with the RSNs there is a possibility of more than one baseball game per week, or a couple of college basketball games in the winter. But only 1 game a week on Sunday Ticket counting as a whole channel is ludicrous to me.

I fully understand the "capacity" wording. I mean my gosh I've heard Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) say it over 100 times and my brain doesn't have the "capacity" to hold it that many times.

I guess counting Sunday Ticket as that many channels just never crossed my mind. With that being said I will stay with my Dish, I agree VOOM channels are not amazing, but they are something to watch. And I have heard more than one of us say we would watch paint dry if it were in HD. Plus I am very pleased with everything else about my service......for now lol.

Edited for poor grammar, lol.

We've watched AI since the beginning. Sanj still being around, at this point, really is not that unusual. This also happened 2 season's ago. In season 4, there was a very similar phenomena with Scott Savol.

I assure you, by the time we get down to the final 5, singing and performance counts for everything....Sanj will be long gone, as will Haley, Chris, and Phil. At the 6 to 5 level, at times, 2 good contestants can cancel each other out, possibly allowing "a Chris" to beat out "a Lakisha." Sanj will not have the type of AI fan base to propel him that far along.

I'm not saying the remaining 5 will be the best, but I know how it goes, and the jaw-drops will end with the final 5.

And, it works. I can't even count how many people I've come across who ask me why, if I like HD, haven't I switched to DirecTv? "ya know," they say, "DirecTV is adding another 150 HD channels this year."
Where'd you hear that, I always ask.
"It says so on their commercials. The couldn't say it, if it wasn't true." they reply.

Suddenly lost OTA 30-1 on my Tivo Series 3 this morning around 9:30am...anyone else having problems receiving. I have 0 signal strenth.

Thanks

... the jaw-drops will end with the final 5.

I flashed to Battlestar Galactica's Finale. Stop doing that...... :mad:

Suddenly lost OTA 30-1 on my Tivo Series 3 this morning around 9:30am...anyone else having problems receiving. I have 0 signal strenth.

Thanks

We lost the 480 volt supply due to a burned up disconnect switch. Waithing for parts now...should have back on latter today.
Jim

I emailed D* and asked them about FSNMW HD and this was there response:

FSN Midwest will not be in HD. We’re in the process of expanding our HD offerings to include RSNs in many cities, but we are not yet able to offer local sports programming in HD in every city yet. As we gain more capability to broaden our RSN in HD coverage, we will do so and expect to continue expansion of these HD offerings in 2007

We can only hope something will change.

I emailed D* and asked them about FSNMW HD and this was there response:

FSN Midwest will not be in HD. We’re in the process of expanding our HD offerings to include RSNs in many cities, but we are not yet able to offer local sports programming in HD in every city yet. As we gain more capability to broaden our RSN in HD coverage, we will do so and expect to continue expansion of these HD offerings in 2007

We can only hope something will change.

Don't believe everything that D* says in an email.

Don't believe everything that D* says in an email.
Agree....they are canned reply [insert station requested here] type emails.

As a rule, both D* and E* reply with the "we are working on it" email before a channel is available, or the "it is available on channel xx" email after a channel is available. Neither ever replies with a "it will be available in x amount of time" email.

If E* doesn't get FSNMW HD soon I am going to Ch...Ch...Cha...Char..., oh nevermind.

If E* doesn't get FSNMW HD soon I am going to Ch...Ch...Cha...Char..., oh nevermind.
Mood-Swings....sheesh!

I bit the bullet and ordered an HD receiver from DTV. Free, including both shipping and installation, since I am a long-term customer.

I also decided to keep my current SD receiver active for an additional $5 per month. Actually, it can be deactivated by telephone. The salesman said I "could leave it deactivated and just activate if, like, you know, I had company coming and wanted to put a TV in their bedroom."

So I guess I get an HD receiver, a new dish, and a switch so both receivers can play at once. Anything I need to watch for? Anything to check before the installer leaves? Any special tricks I can make the new toy play?

Thanks!

If you only have 1 SD receiver and you ordered 1 HD receiver, you don't need a multiswitch. I'm assuming you are getting the H20, not
the HR20. Just make sure you test your HD Locals before the tech leaves.

If you only have 1 SD receiver and you ordered 1 HD receiver, you don't need a multiswitch.
So will there be two cables from the dish, or a splitter? Can the two watch different programs? Thanks again!

I flashed to Battlestar Galactica's Finale. Stop doing that...... :mad:

LOL! That's too funny as in Final 5? Last episode was very surprising.

Does either Dish or Direct carry this station? In HD?

Does either Dish or Direct carry this station? In HD?
Nope. Dish uplinked it a couple of days ago, but it, and all the other FSN HD's remain unavailable to subscribers, at this time. No time-frame is know when/if it will be available.

If Dish does make it available, it will share a transponder with 3 other RSN HD's, and will only be active during FSNMW-HD games.

Last season, DirecTV did carry a few of the FSNMW HD broadcasts, but very limited.

At this time, in STL, FSNMW-HD is only available on Charter.

So will there be two cables from the dish, or a splitter? Can the two watch different programs? Thanks again!

Yeah, they will bring 2 cables in from outside. The dish has 4 outputs on it, so they will only use two of the outputs.

Yep, both can watch what ever you want.

Are you saying they don't carry FSNMW at all, even in SD?



Nope. Dish uplinked it a couple of days ago, but it, and all the other FSN HD's remain unavailable to subscribers, at this time. No time-frame is know when/if it will be available.

If Dish does make it available, it will share a transponder with 3 other RSN HD's, and will only be active during FSNMW-HD games.

Last season, DirecTV did carry a few of the FSNMW HD broadcasts, but very limited.

At this time, in STL, FSNMW-HD is only available on Charter.

Are you saying they don't carry FSNMW at all, even in SD?
The both carry it in SD.

The dish has 4 outputs on it
Cool!

TV Predictions: Is Microsoft Soft on HD DVD Commitment?

Today's TV Predictions notes that there has been some raised eyebrows in the video and gaming industry that the new XBox console doesn't include any sort of HD disc drive, despite the fact that Sony's similarly priced offering includes a Blu-ray player.

While this seems more like "reading the tea leaves," than hardcore analysis, he also points to the comments of a European Microsoft executive:
_________________________________________________

The omission might seem unimportant if Microsoft Europe's senior regional director did not make some news this week as well.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, Neil Thompson discounted the progress of the high-def disc market, but left open the possibility that XBox 360 could support Blu-ray at some point.

“I’m not sure the market has moved to High Definition (movies) yet,” Thompson said. “And if and when it does, then the way that we’ve constructed the offering we’ve made means we’ll be able to go whichever way we want.”
_________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/microsoft033007.htm)

Earlier in the week, I posted an article here that indicated that hackers were hard at work adding new features to the recently released Apple TV product.

But now it appears that Apple is yanking the rug out from under the feet of the hackers by sending a remote reset that undoes some of these system hacks.

I guess this is well within Apple's rights, and they can certainly justify it on the basis of ensuring they are in a position to properly support Apple TV units in the field, but this does seem more than somewhat ironic for a company and product line that started the big old PR ball rolling by throwing a sledgehammer at Big Brother.

http://www.internet-nexus.com/2007/03/apple-tv-hacks-hackers.htm

Earlier in the week, I posted an article here that indicated that hackers were hard at work adding new features to the recently released Apple TV product.

But now it appears that Apple is yanking the rug out from under the feet of the hackers by sending a remote reset that undoes some of these system hacks.

I guess this is well within Apple's rights, and they can certainly justify it on the basis of ensuring they are in a position to properly support Apple TV units in the field, but this does seem more than somewhat ironic for a company and product line that started the big old PR ball rolling by throwing a sledgehammer at Big Brother.

http://www.internet-nexus.com/2007/03/apple-tv-hacks-hackers.htm


If you have a properly setup firewall, there is no way anyone can access your internal network.

As you can read here (and mentioned in your link), its mostly a nightly cron job that will be worked around.

http://www.appletvhacks.net/

Here's another, slightly different take on the MLB-DirecTV exclusive.

The following editorial appeared in today's SkyREPORT newsletter:
____________________________________________________

Is cable getting a taste of its own medicine?

Earlier this week, lawmakers debated with those in the multi-platform business what is expected to become DIRECTV's exclusive lock on Major League Baseball's Extra Innings out-of-market package. Those in the cable business (and EchoStar) cried foul about the arrangement during testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee. DIRECTV and Major League Baseball defended the deal.

Chase Carey said about the exclusive agreement, "Simply put, this is competition at work."

At the hearing, cable complained that the DIRECTV/MLB deal is bad for consumers. Truth is the wired incumbent has engaged in similar, consumer-unfriendly practices when it comes to blocking access to highly valuable sports programming. All one has to do is look at the City of Brotherly Love for cable's bad example.

Comcast owns the local regional sports network in Philadelphia, known as Comcast SportsNet. The channel delivers local coverage of Phillies baseball as well as Flyers hockey and 76ers basketball.

And the network is not available to small dish competitors ... at any price.

The cable giant delivers the Philly RSN via terrestrial means. That creates the so-called terrestrial loophole. Because Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia isn't delivered to the headend via satellite, it can be kept out of the hands of DIRECTV and EchoStar's DISH Network.

Thus, Comcast has created a near-exclusive sports programming property of its own. (It should be noted that Comcast is offering the network to a telco competitor ... Verizon FiOS TV). Worse yet, satellite TV customers in Philadelphia become disenfranchised consumers, lacking access to their home teams.

At the end of the day, it's hard to understand cable's argument about the lack of access to MLB Extra Innings when the business is engaged in similar activities.
____________________________________________________

MLB EXTRA INNINGS
Catch the Free Preview from April 2 to April 8! Order now for only 4 payments of $39.99 each and get $40 off the Regular Season price of $199.96. (Offer ends 4/15)

Worse yet, satellite TV customers in Philadelphia become disenfranchised consumers, lacking access to their home teams.



Just another reason I am glad I am not a Phila fan or Phila local.

I have to ask a question, because I don't recall. Was there this big of a sh*!storm when Sunday Ticket went exclusive? What year was it? Maybe I just don't remember it. It would seem to me baseball is no big deal. I mean everyone tells us how wildly popular the NFL is and how it is now truly America's Past-time. I thought baseball didn't matter anymore. I am just curious if anyone was hacked off like this when Sunday Ticket went to DirectTV.

I posted a similar message on the Charter thread. Effective April 4th, Golf Channel will not be a part of the lineup for Charter. They simply will not offer it anymore. First ABC not in HD, then CBS not in HD is a problem but this is the final straw. DTV or Dish, here I come.

FYI -- I have exchanged emails earlier this week with our contact at FSN Midwest and he said he will try to call me this week to discuss the situation with HD distribution for non-Charter platforms. I have no idea what that might mean, though Ken's uplink findings do raise a scintilla of hope.

I will definitely report back here as soon as I hear from him. If anyone has any questions for him (beyond the obvious ones), let me know and I will try to put those to him.


Is Friday the end of this week? Just curious and very interested in what you hear Doug.

For those interested, DISH will be spooling the new 622 software to all receivers beginning tonight. The version should be fully distributed by Thursday, 3/29.




Still no update for me. Any others in the same boat?

Do I have to take the 622 out of the garage closet and plug it in to electricity to get the update? Geesh, lol.

I haven't gotten the update either....

Still no update for me. Any others in the same boat?

Do I have to take the 622 out of the garage closet and plug it in to electricity to get the update? Geesh, lol.
Dunno :confused:
According to the E* Tech Update page, which has always been 100% accurate:

3/28/2007: 1000 Software Version L4.01 for ViP 622 DVR
Effective Thursday, March 29th, Engineering plans to spool the FULL PHASE of software version L4.01 for the ViP622DVR receiver. This is primarily a non-forced maintenance release available at ALL satellite locations.

At this time L4.01 will be the valid software version for the ViP 622 DVR.

http://rweb.echostar.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/content/tech/TechDepo.shtml

I posted a similar message on the Charter thread. Effective April 4th, Golf Channel will not be a part of the lineup for Charter. They simply will not offer it anymore. First ABC not in HD, then CBS not in HD is a problem but this is the final straw. DTV or Dish, here I come.

Mookie-

On the Charter thread you said the channel "may" be pulled. Here, you say it "will" be removed. Do you recall the exact wording you saw?

I just called Charter retention & asked them about this. For whatever it's worth, the CS woman told me there was no decision to officially pull it at this point. She said they are in the middle of negotiations with the Golf Channel regarding subscriber fees.

I asked her if there were any updates on ABC-HD, CBS-HD & Moxi 4.1 & she (of course) had no news.

DirectTv questions (not interested in Dish as if I cross over from cable, I would want the NFL Sunday Ticket):
- Are 2 coax cable runs required to the HD box or just from the satellite to inside my basement?
- Does the HD box have to be connected to a phone line?

I live in an old house with plaster walls & a drywalled basement ceiling making any new cable runs problematic. I know these questions comes up fairly often but I'm not clear on the answers.

From HD Sports Guide:


HD Sports News

FOX Sports has scaled back its HD plans for this year's MLB on FOX. We previously reported their plans to do all regular season games in HD this year. FOX Sports now tells us that due to a lack of HD production truck availablity they will only be able to broadcast 1 to 2 games per week in high definition

DirectTv questions (not interested in Dish as if I cross over from cable, I would want the NFL Sunday Ticket):
- Are 2 coax cable runs required to the HD box or just from the satellite to inside my basement?
- Does the HD box have to be connected to a phone line?

I live in an old house with plaster walls & a drywalled basement ceiling making any new cable runs problematic. I know these questions comes up fairly often but I'm not clear on the answers.

For DirecTV:

They are testing the one coax line solution for the new boxes but it is not full blown yet, so right now,
I would have to say you will need 2, unless you can talk to them and persuade them to let you test it.

The phone is not necessary.

A followup:
I hadn't checked out any of my OTA channels since football season ended, but in light of the conversation here about stuttering KDNL on Vizio/Olevia displays, I checked it out over the past couple of days, and it seems OK now. I have not watched in prime time, but I did check GMA this morning and it was fine, too.
So maybe it wasn't our tuners?

barry

deuces,

Here's the Wikipedia entry on The NFL Sunday Ticket:
___________________________________________________________

NFL Sunday Ticket was launched in 1994 and was available on both DirecTV (which had launched just months earlier) and on C-band and Ku-band satellites, for which the receiving dishes are larger in size. Within several years, the service became available on various cable systems in Canada as well.

Today, nearly all subscribers in the U.S. receive Sunday Ticket on DirecTV because C-band and Ku-band technology are now obsolete, and also because it is still exclusive to DirecTV. It is not available on Dish Network or on cable systems.

The success of Sunday Ticket led to the launch of other pay-per-view sports packages across the spectrum of professional and college sports.
___________________________________________________________

I wasn't living in the US when Sunday Ticket was launched, but I have good reason to believe that the way this went down is nobody gave it a second thought, particularly the cable TV industry, because at the time satellite TV was viewed as an irrelevant novelty and something that could not possibly survive for the long haul.

I have little doubt that certain cable companies periodically review and update their "satellite subscriber absorption" plans for the day when satellite television finally implodes. But then traditional broadcasters probably have similar contingency plans for the day when "this new-fangled cable TV thing" runs its course.

And, of course, newspaper executives all over the world are patiently awaiting the demise of the Internet... :)

A followup:
I hadn't checked out any of my OTA channels since football season ended, but in light of the conversation here about stuttering KDNL on Vizio/Olevia displays, I checked it out over the past couple of days, and it seems OK now. I have not watched in prime time, but I did check GMA this morning and it was fine, too.
So maybe it wasn't our tuners?Barry, the problem that was reported earlier this week occurred with film-based HD content, not video-originated material such as GMA.

For DirecTV:

They are testing the one coax line solution for the new boxes but it is not full blown yet, so right now,
I would have to say you will need 2, unless you can talk to them and persuade them to let you test it.

The phone is not necessary.I might be wrong on this, but I believe the phone line is required for the DVR service.

In the event that phone wiring is an issue, it's worth generaly noting that you can get a wireless phone jack system, though this does require at least one phone jack being available at least somewhere on the premises. I've always used this arrangement for my DirecTV receivers and it works flawlessly.

If my recall is correct, I paid something like $50 for my adapters, but this was close to 10 years ago.

Barry, the problem that was reported earlier this week occurred with film-based HD content, not video-originated material such as GMA.

Ahh, right. I'll check again during PT.
thx
barry

I might be wrong on this, but I believe the phone line is required for the DVR service.

In the event that phone wiring is an issue, it's worth generaly noting that you can get a wireless phone jack system, though this does require at least one phone jack being available at least somewhere on the premises. I've always used this arrangement for my DirecTV receivers and it works flawlessly.

If my recall is correct, I paid something like $50 for my adapters, but this was close to 10 years ago.

That sounds simple enough for the phone line. Hopefully, the one-cable-run solution will be available soon.

In the event that phone wiring is an issue, it's worth generaly noting that you can get a wireless phone jack system, though this does require at least one phone jack being available at least somewhere on the premises. I've always used this arrangement for my DirecTV receivers and it works flawlessly.

If my recall is correct, I paid something like $50 for my adapters, but this was close to 10 years ago.

I paid $89.95 for mine and no longer need it. I have it (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062693&cp=&sr=1&origkw=wireless+phone+jack+system&kw=wireless+phone+jack+system&parentPage=search) for sale for $40 on Craig's List, or PM me. I just looked at Radio Shack's new price of $59. :confused:

Nope. No Phone line needed for the new generation of DVR's, only the TIVO required it.

I posted a similar message on the Charter thread. Effective April 4th, Golf Channel will not be a part of the lineup for Charter. They simply will not offer it anymore. First ABC not in HD, then CBS not in HD is a problem but this is the final straw. DTV or Dish, here I come.

Heh, I hid the Golf Channel in my channel list so I never had to look at it. Truly not a big loss -- maybe they cancelled it because nobody watched?

Heh, I hid the Golf Channel in my channel list so I never had to look at it. Truly not a big loss -- maybe they cancelled it because nobody watched?

If I didn't recall you as a fellow Mac guy, I would have to bust you here with a snappy retort.

:D

If I didn't recall you as a fellow Mac guy, I would have to bust you here with a snappy retort.

:D


LOLZ

In the case of Opening Day, the game on ESPN2 is not subject to blackout because that is the ONLY station that is broadcasting that game (i.e. it's a national telecast).

Normally, when a Cardinals game is on ESPN2 (or on ESPN on weekdays), it's also broadcast locally on FSN MW. Thus, they black out the ESPN/ESPN2 broadcast due to the presence of local availability.

I've never seen a Cards game blacked out on espn2. In fact I remember last year they had a game against the Astros on ESPN2 and FSNMW, neither of which was blacked out. I believe it was the game they started Naverson.

I also now of a couple games where it was on both ESPN and channel 11, during the week like you said, but it wasn't blacked out on espn. I know when they've done playoff games that were on 11 and espn, there was no blackout.

deuces,

Here's the Wikipedia entry on The NFL Sunday Ticket:
___________________________________________________________

NFL Sunday Ticket was launched in 1994 and was available on both DirecTV (which had launched just months earlier) and on C-band and Ku-band satellites, for which the receiving dishes are larger in size. Within several years, the service became available on various cable systems in Canada as well.

Today, nearly all subscribers in the U.S. receive Sunday Ticket on DirecTV because C-band and Ku-band technology are now obsolete, and also because it is still exclusive to DirecTV. It is not available on Dish Network or on cable systems.

The success of Sunday Ticket led to the launch of other pay-per-view sports packages across the spectrum of professional and college sports.
___________________________________________________________

I wasn't living in the US when Sunday Ticket was launched, but I have good reason to believe that the way this went down is nobody gave it a second thought, particularly the cable TV industry, because at the time satellite TV was viewed as an irrelevant novelty and something that could not possibly survive for the long haul.

I have little doubt that certain cable companies periodically review and update their "satellite subscriber absorption" plans for the day when satellite television finally implodes. But then traditional broadcasters probably have similar contingency plans for the day when "this new-fangled cable TV thing" runs its course.

And, of course, newspaper executives all over the world are patiently awaiting the demise of the Internet... :)


We had Sunday Ticket on our 12 foot dish way back when. Oh how fun it was to say "My dish is bigger than your dish" lol. That is partially why I asked. I just didn't recall anyone caring when it happened. I would guess you are right, no one cared because it was an afterthought at the time. Now the cable cos. are slowly losing their monopolies so they care.

Mookie-

On the Charter thread you said the channel "may" be pulled. Here, you say it "will" be removed. Do you recall the exact wording you saw?

I just called Charter retention & asked them about this. For whatever it's worth, the CS woman told me there was no decision to officially pull it at this point. She said they are in the middle of negotiations with the Golf Channel regarding subscriber fees.

I asked her if there were any updates on ABC-HD, CBS-HD & Moxi 4.1 & she (of course) had no news.

DirectTv questions (not interested in Dish as if I cross over from cable, I would want the NFL Sunday Ticket):
- Are 2 coax cable runs required to the HD box or just from the satellite to inside my basement?
- Does the HD box have to be connected to a phone line?

I live in an old house with plaster walls & a drywalled basement ceiling making any new cable runs problematic. I know these questions comes up fairly often but I'm not clear on the answers.

When I posted the Charter message about the Golf Channel, I was just seeing what was running on the ticker. I then called Charter last night and they said that it definitely would be off the air next week. They didn't mention anything about negotiations. Maybe I will wait until it defintely goes off before switching.

When I posted the Charter message about the Golf Channel, I was just seeing what was running on the ticker. I then called Charter last night and they said that it definitely would be off the air next week. They didn't mention anything about negotiations. Maybe I will wait until it defintely goes off before switching.

You must REALLY love Golf. So much in fact that I think you should ditch TV altogether, go outside, and just play.

You must REALLY love Golf. So much in fact that I think you should ditch TV altogether, go outside, and just play.


Some people don't care, but I do know others that feel the Golf Channel is very important.

We all have our preferences, there are some people here that would think it blasfimy that I have never seen 1 minute of a BattleStar Gallactica episode. And some that might not have liked Pinky and the Brain. "NARF!"

I remember the CBAND folks were upset when Sunday Ticket was taken off of there.

I've never seen a Cards game blacked out on espn2. In fact I remember last year they had a game against the Astros on ESPN2 and FSNMW, neither of which was blacked out. I believe it was the game they started Naverson.

I also now of a couple games where it was on both ESPN and channel 11, during the week like you said, but it wasn't blacked out on espn. I know when they've done playoff games that were on 11 and espn, there was no blackout.
Last season, on DISH (may be a DISH only thing), all 3 of the regular season ESPN2/FSNMW tandem broadcasts, ESPN2 was blacked out to DISH customers.

The game you're referring to, which Narveson started, was in Houston was on Sept 22, 2006, and carried exclusively on ESPN. It was not a FSNMW broadcast. :)

I remember the CBAND folks were upset when Sunday Ticket was taken off of there.

I guess I just don't remember hearing about it. Our biggest issue when my father went from C band to E* was we had paid and annual subscription for our C band and there was money left on it we could not get back when we switched. We switched because one of my dad's dumb@$$ kids clipped the aforementioned 12 foot dish with the tractor tire on the mower. It just didn't work too well after that, I don't know who the H E double hockey sticks that was. :o

Oh yeah and it was VERY COOL not to have to wait for the dish to turn 110 degrees to change channels lol.

Some people don't care, but I do know others that feel the Golf Channel is very important.

We all have our preferences, there are some people here that would think it blasfimy that I have never seen 1 minute of a BattleStar Gallactica episode. And some that might not have liked Pinky and the Brain. "NARF!"

True if they ever yanked Cartoon Network you'd see me on the news ...

Nope. No Phone line needed for the new generation of DVR's, only the TIVO required it.
...and that was only to activate the D-TIVO. Once activated, you don't ever need the phone line.

I might be wrong on this, but I believe the phone line is required for the DVR service.

In the event that phone wiring is an issue, it's worth generaly noting that you can get a wireless phone jack system, though this does require at least one phone jack being available at least somewhere on the premises. I've always used this arrangement for my DirecTV receivers and it works flawlessly.

If my recall is correct, I paid something like $50 for my adapters, but this was close to 10 years ago.

I do not have a phone line hooked up to my hr20 and D*has never said anything about it so maybe they have changed there policy.

Heh, I hid the Golf Channel in my channel list so I never had to look at it. Truly not a big loss -- maybe they cancelled it because nobody watched?


Please do not refer to me as a nobody....I love the golf channel. :) :)

Barry, the problem that was reported earlier this week occurred with film-based HD content, not video-originated material such as GMA.

And just as a quick update, there is at least one other Vizio owner in STL that has the same stuttering problem with ABC HD OTA based on the responses to my posting in the Vizio AVS forum thread. That thread's a lot more quiet than here - but his response does lend credence to the idea that it's something about the Vizio/Olevia tuners. The only other relevant response was from a Vizio owner in LA who said that ABC for him is fine; but presumably that local ABC affiliate is using different encoders than KDNL.

"Charter" + "negotiations" = lost channel

I thought the idea was to add channels and improve your product. I feel for those golf fans still with C*.

Glad I made the switch to E* last month and will be watching the Masters (and other tornaments) in HD instead of the "temporarily" out of service 4HD from Charter.

I thought the idea was to add channels and improve your product. I feel for those golf fans still with C*.More is generally considered to better, but in fact one of the problems with lots and lots of channel additions over the years is that picture quality has gone into the tank.

It will be interesting to see how long before ESPN and others start yanking the plug on their longtime analog flagships. Granted, we're talking many years down the road, but at some point these channels will no longer be needed or won't be watched by enough viewers to justify the cost overhead.

Maybe we should start a pool -- I'll put up $10 for ESPN analog going dark on January 1, 2014. :cool:

The more interesting and relevant question is how long before cable and satellite pricing recognizes that subscribers won't accept paying for baseline analog packages they never watch. Right now, we're all paying EXTRA to see HD versions of what are mostly high-resolution carbon copies of analog channels. At some point, that makes no sense at all. I think that could be a challenging financial maneuver, but have little doubt that subscribers will be expected to shoulder the burden.

I don't think this was posted yet:

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6628342


FSN MIDWEST ANNOUNCES 37-GAME HIGH DEFINITION SCHEDULE FOR ST. LOUIS CARDINALS BASEBALL

FSN Midwest, the primary television home of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, is scheduled to televise 37 Cardinals games in High Definition in 2007. The schedule features more than twice as many HD games as last season, when FSN Midwest produced 18 Cardinals HD telecasts.

FSN Midwest's HD slate begins Tuesday, April 3, when the Cardinals host the New York Mets and receive their World Series rings in a pregame ceremony. That night, both the game and one-hour pregame show will be shown in HD. Other highlights of the HD schedule include the April 4 game against the Mets, four games vs. the rival Chicago Cubs and five against fellow NL Central power the Houston Astros.

HD games are telecast by FSN Midwest in the 720p format, which renders ultra-sharp pictures and provides excellent resolution for sports programming. The standard-definition telecast of the same game appears on the regular FSN Midwest channel while FSN Midwest HD games appear on a separate channel.

Viewers should contact their cable or satellite provider to find out if FSN's HD telecasts are available in their area.

FSN Midwest telecasts more than 850 hours of Cardinals programming in 2007, including 130 regular season games, two spring training games, the Cardinals Live pregame and postgame show, classic Cardinals games and more.

2007 FSN Midwest St. Louis Cardinals HD Schedule

Tue Apr 3 New York Mets 7:00 p.m.
Wed Apr 4 New York Mets 7:00 p.m.
Fri Apr 27 Chicago Cubs 7:00 p.m.
Mon Apr 30 at Milwaukee 6:00 p.m.
Fri May 4 Houston 7:00 p.m.
Sat May 5 Houston 12:00 p.m.
Tue May 15 at Los Angeles 9:00 p.m.
Sat May 19 at Detroit 6:00 p.m.
Fri June 1 at Houston 7:00 p.m.
Fri June 8 L.A. Angels 7:00 p.m.
Sat June 9 L.A. Angels 6:00 p.m.
Mon June 18 Kansas City 7:00 p.m.
Mon July 2 Arizona 7:00 p.m.
Tue July 3 Arizona 7:00 p.m.
Wed July 4 Arizona 6:00 p.m.
Thu July 5 Arizona 6:00 p.m.
Fri July 6 San Francisco 7:00 p.m.
Sat July 7 San Francisco 6:00 p.m.
Fri July 20 at Atlanta 6:30 p.m.
Tue July 24 Chicago Cubs 7:00 p.m.
Thu July 26 Chicago Cubs 7:00 p.m.
Fri July 27 Milwaukee 7:00 p.m.
Sat July 28 Milwaukee 6:00 p.m.
Mon Aug 6 San Diego 7:00 p.m.
Tue Aug 7 San Diego 7:00 p.m.
Wed Aug 8 San Diego 7:00 p.m.
Thu Aug 9 San Diego 7:00 p.m.
Fri Aug 24 Atlanta 7:00 p.m.
Sat Aug. 25 Atlanta 6:00 p.m.
Tue Sept. 4 Pittsburgh 7:00 p.m.
Wed Sept. 5 Pittsburgh 7:00 p.m.
Fri Sept. 14 Chicago Cubs 7:00 p.m.
Mon Sept. 17 Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.
Tue Sept. 18 Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.
Wed Sept. 19 Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.
Thu Sept. 20 Houston 7:00 p.m.
Fri Sept. 21 Houston 7:00 p.m.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS HD SCHEDULE 2007

APRIL
1 Sunday 7:05PM Mets ESPN2HD [L 1-6]
3 Tuesday 7:10PM Mets FSNMW-HD [L 1-4]
4 Wednesday 7:10PM Mets ESPN2HD/FSNMW-HD* [L 0-10]
15 Sunday 1:15PM Brewers KSDK-DT [W 10-2]
21 Saturday 2:55PM @Cubs FOX/KTVI-DT** [L 0-6]
22 Sunday 1:20PM @Cubs KSDK-DT [W 12-9]
28 Saturday 2:55PM Cubs FOX/KTVI-DT** [L 1-8]
30 Monday 6:05PM @Brewers ESPNHD/FSN* [L 1-7]

MAY
1 Tuesday 7:10PM @Brewers FSNMW-HD [L 2-12]
4 Friday 7:10PM Astros FSNMW-HD [W 3-2]
5 Saturday 12:10 Astros FSNMW-HD [L 0-13]
6 Sunday 1:15PM Astros KSDK-DT [W 3-1]
15 Tuesday 9:10PM @Dodgers FSNMW-HD [L 4-5]
19 Saturday 6:05PM @Tigers FSNMW-HD [L 7-8]
20 Sunday 12:05PM @Tigers KSDK-DT [L 3-6]
27 Sunday 1:15PM Nationals KSDK-DT [L 2-7]

JUNE
1 Friday 7:05PM @Astros FSNMW-HD [W 8-1]
2 Saturday 2:55PM @Astros FOX/KTVI-DT** [L 3-8]
3 Sunday 1:05PM @Astros KSDK-DT [W 8-6]
8 Friday 7:10PM Angels FSNMW-HD [L 6-10]
9 Saturday 6:15PM Angels FSNMW-HD [L 3-9]
10 Sunday 1:15PM Angels KSDK-DT [W 9-6]
18 Monday 7:10 Royals FSNMW-HD [L 3-5]
23 Saturday 12:10PM Phillies KSDK-DT [W 8-2]
24 Sunday 1:15PM Phillies KSDK-DT [L 1-5]
25 Monday 6:10PM @Mets ESPN2HD/FSN* [ESPN2HD Blacked-Out] [L 1-2]
27 Wednesday 6:10PM @Mets ESPNHD/FSN* [L 0-2 / 6 innings/rain]

JULY
1 Sunday 12:15PM @Reds KSDK-DT [W 11-7]
2 Monday 7:10PM Diamondbacks FSNMW-HD [W 11-3]
3 Tuesday 7:10PM Diamondbacks FSNMW-HD [L 1-7]
4 Wednesday 6:15PM Diamondbacks FSNMW-HD [W 5-4]
5 Thursday 6:15PM Diamondbacks FSNMW-HD [W 3-2]
6 Friday 7:10PM Giants FSNMW-HD [L 3-4]
7 Saturday 6:15PM Giants FSNMW-HD [L 7-6]

8 Monday 7:00PM Home Run Derby @SF ESPNHD [Mr. Guerrero]
10 Tuesday 7:00PM All Star Game @SF FOX/KTVI-DT [AL 5 - NL 4]
2 outs, bases loaded, bottom 9th, 1-run game....how far down *your* list would Aaron Rowand be?

14 Saturday 2:55PM @Phillies FOX/KTVI-DT [L 4-10]
15 Sunday 5:05PM @Phillies ESPNHD [W 10-2]
20 Friday 6:35PM @Braves FSNMW-HD [W 4-2]
22 Sunday 7:05PM @Braves ESPNHD [W 7-2]
24 Tuesday 7:10PM Cubs FSNMW-HD [L 3-4]
25 Wednesday 7:10PM Cubs KSDK-DT [L 1-7]
26 Thursday 7:10PM Cubs FSNMW-HD [W 11-1]
27 Friday 7:10PM Brewers FSNMW-HD [L 2-12]
28 Saturday 7:10PM Brewers FSNMW-HD [W 5-2]
29 Sunday 1:15PM Brewers KSDK-DT [W 9-5]

AUGUST
6 Monday 7:10PM Padres ESPNHD/FSNMW-HD* [W 10-5]
7 Tuesday 7:10PM Padres FSNMW-HD [L 0-4]
8 Wednesday 7:10PM Padres FSNMW-HD [W 2-1]
9 Thursday 7:10PM Padres FSNMW-HD [W 5-0]
10 Friday 7:10PM Dodgers KSDK-DT [L 1-2]
11 Saturday 2:55PM Dodgers FOX/KTVI-DT [W 6-1]
12 Sunday 1:15PM Dodgers KSDK-DT [W 12-2]
18 Saturday 2:55PM @Cubs FOX/KTVI-DT [L 3-5]
19 Sunday TBD @Cubs KSDK-DT [PPD-Rain]
22 Wednesday 7:10PM Marlins FSNMW-HD W6-4]
23 Thursday 7:10PM Marlins FSNMW-HD [L 3-11]
24 Friday 7:10PM Braves FSNMW-HD [L 2-7]
25 Saturday 6:15PM Braves FSNMW-HD [W 5-4]
26 Sunday 1:15PM Braves KSDK-DT [W 4-1]

SEPTEMBER
1 Saturday 6:15PM Reds KSDK-DT [W 11-3]
2 Sunday 1:15PM Reds KSDK-DT [W 3-2]
4 Tuesday 7:10PM Pirates FSNMW-HD [W 6-2]
5 Wednesday 7:10PM Pirates FSNMW-HD [L 2-8]
15 Saturday 12:10 FSNMW-SD [L 2-3] and 7:10PM Cubs KSDK-DT HD [W 4-3]
---double header/makeup of rain PPD game 4/29)
16 Sunday 1:15PM Cubs KSDK-DT [L 2-4]
17 Monday 7:10PM Phillies FSNMW-HD [L 11-13]
18 Tuesday 7:10PM Phillies FSNMW-HD [L 4-7]
19 Wednesday 7:10PM Phillies FSNMW-HD [W 2-1]
20 Thursday 7:10PM Astros FSNMW-HD [L 1-18]
21 Friday 7:10PM Astros ESPNHD/FSNMW-HD* [L 3-6]
22 Saturday 6:15PM Astros KSDK-DT [W 7-4]
23 Sunday 7:05PM Astros ESPN-HD [W 4-3]

OCTOBER
Post Season

--[updated 6/17/07]--
FSNMW-HD - 35
FOX/KTVI-DT - 6
ESPNHD - 7 (2 also on FSNMW-HD/may blackout)
ESPN2HD - 2 (1 also FSNMW-HD/may blackout)
KSDK-DT - 23

Total HD - 73 (45%)

HD Record 34-37 (thru 9/23) .459

*Blackout may apply
**Uncertain if all FOX GOTW will be full resolution HD, or FOX Widescreen
All times are First-Pitch

Please PM me or Doug if any errors found :)

See ya next year!

From HD Sports Guide:

HD Sports News

FOX Sports has scaled back its HD plans for this year's MLB on FOX. We previously reported their plans to do all regular season games in HD this year. FOX Sports now tells us that due to a lack of HD production truck availablity they will only be able to broadcast 1 to 2 games per week in high definition

That shouldn't affect us too much since I would imagine that they'll show the DEFENDING WORLD SERIES CHAMPS with one of their HD feeds each week :)

This news does seem odd, though, considering I am pretty sure that Fox showed more than 1-2 HD football games per week (when you combine the early/late games).

Quick question.... Anyone know why the MLB season opener is on ESPN 2? Why not ESPN? I know this doesn't matter for most of you (since you have a dish, which has ESPN 2 HD), but for those of us with Charter this is problematic.

But before you rub my face in it, remember that I'll see those 37 high def games on FSNMW ;)

Barry, the problem that was reported earlier this week occurred with film-based HD content, not video-originated material such as GMA.

Checked again tonight: Stuttering KDNL.
Doug's right. Hate it when that happens... :rolleyes:

Quick question.... Anyone know why the MLB season opener is on ESPN 2? Why not ESPN?
NCAA Women's Basketball Finals on ESPN

"Charter" + "negotiations" = lost channel

I thought the idea was to add channels and improve your product. I feel for those golf fans still with C*.

Glad I made the switch to E* last month and will be watching the Masters (and other tornaments) in HD instead of the "temporarily" out of service 4HD from Charter.

Does this mean that Charter has broken the contract for anyone who signed for 1 year to get a better deal? :confused:

Walt

Checked again tonight: Stuttering KDNL.
Doug's right. Hate it when that happens... :rolleyes:

Just out of curiousity, what kind of TV/tuner are you using? Are you another Vizio/Olevia user?

Dean, thanks for posting the info. for games in HD! I printed the schedule.

"Charter" + "negotiations" = lost channel

I thought the idea was to add channels and improve your product. I feel for those golf fans still with C*.

Glad I made the switch to E* last month and will be watching the Masters (and other tornaments) in HD instead of the "temporarily" out of service 4HD from Charter.


same here

im really excited so far with E* vip622

wonder when the golf channel and speed will go HD!?

the golf channel is probably the worst pic quality on E*

definately notice a difference in pic quality all around
which i expected

but it is still great and fast menus

just wish my stereo was able to work through the E* remote

As it was last season on DISH, games aired on ESPN/ESPN2 and FSN, the ESPN airing will be blacked out in the STL DMA.
Wed, 4/4 is the first.

NCAA Women's Basketball Finals on ESPN

Ugggh.... damn that women's college basketball! I truly think that ESPN should always show the programming with the most widespread interest on ESPN, and the "other stuff" on ESPN 2. I would guarantee that the Cards/Mets game is going to get more viewers nationwide than the women's finals.

Ugggh.... damn that women's college basketball! I truly think that ESPN should always show the programming with the most widespread interest on ESPN, and the "other stuff" on ESPN 2. I would guarantee that the Cards/Mets game is going to get more viewers nationwide than the women's finals.
Ya, agree....
Cards Home Opener....Girls BB....Cards Home Opener....Girls BB...
That's a tough one. :eek:

it's probably a case of which contract came first.

I've never seen a Cards game blacked out on espn2. In fact I remember last year they had a game against the Astros on ESPN2 and FSNMW, neither of which was blacked out. I believe it was the game they started Naverson.

I also now of a couple games where it was on both ESPN and channel 11, during the week like you said, but it wasn't blacked out on espn. I know when they've done playoff games that were on 11 and espn, there was no blackout.
For the playoff games you're referring to, it was actually a national ESPN/ESPN2 broadcast. All playoff games are nationally televised (and have exclusive rights to do so). Channel 11 wanted to make it available to the entire local market, so they negotiated with ESPN to simulcast the ESPN feed on channel 11. This is not an example of blackout/nonblackout. This is an example of Channel 11 tapping into ESPN's feed, so to speak.

Just out of curiousity, what kind of TV/tuner are you using? Are you another Vizio/Olevia user?

dpmark: i'm the Olevia 537H guy who posted earlier. I'll post in the "new olevia models" thread and ask there, but I've gotten no response on a couple of other posts there.
barry

As it was last season on DISH, games aired on ESPN/ESPN2 and FSN, the ESPN airing will be blacked out in the STL DMA.
Wed, 4/4 is the first.
The MLB Playoffs this year will be a problem for HD-loving Cards fans that subscribe to Charter (assuming, of course, they make the playoffs), since TBS/TBS HD (the latter of which doesn't even exist nationally yet--ETA September 2007) has exclusive broadcast rights to the Division Series.

What are the odds that Charter will actually have that channel added in time for the playoffs?

The MLB Playoffs this year will be a problem for HD-loving Cards fans that subscribe to Charter (assuming, of course, they make the playoffs), since TBS/TBS HD (the latter of which doesn't even exist nationally yet--ETA September 2007) has exclusive broadcast rights to the Division Series.

What are the odds that Charter will actually have that channel added in time for the playoffs?

About the same as the Cubs winning the World Series.

We Interrupt Your Normal AVS Programming...

...for the following St. Louis housekeeping break:

In the past, we used to begin each month of the St. Louis discussion with an entirely new thread and usually that started with a cut/paste of basic resource information about HDTV and over-the-air reception. Although those messages were moved to the new thread here that was started in January, that information is still easily overlooked as the new thread is growing rapidly, approaching 75 pages in a relatively short period.

So, in order to make this introductory information more accessible, I will be periodically reposting this advisory/reminder note. The idea is to make the general resource information available here more visible and easier to find for more readers.

With HDTV sales increasing every month, we're getting more and more newcomers here, which is a great thing to see. But like most of us when we took home our first HDTV, there's a huge amount to learn beyond where to point the remote and which buttons to push.

Hopefully, you'll find this information of some use...

Tower Maps, Your Satellite/Antenna Rights & Local Station Feedback (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713839&&#post9713839)

Resources for Receiving Digital/HD OTA Local Stations via an Antenna (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713842&&#post9713842)

Frequently Asked Questions about HDTV (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995791&&#post2995791)

HD Programming Available in St. Louis (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9714728&&#post9714728)

Why Isn't KDNL-DT (ABC) Available via Charter? (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8072643&&#post8072643)

Why Isn't KMOV-DT (CBS) Available via Charter? (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9341270&&#post9341270)

St. Louis Blues 2006-07 HD Broadcast Schedule (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8678636&&#post8678636)

New! St. Louis Cardinals 2007 HD Broadcast Schedule (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10174447#post10174447)

2006 Survey Results: HDTV in St. Louis

Part 1: Profile of Survey Respondents (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713951&&#post9713951)

Part 2: Local Digital Stations (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713954&&#post9713954)

Part 3: Digital Multicasting (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713956&&#post9713956)

Part 4: Customer Ratings for Charter, DirecTV & DISH HD Services (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713960&&#post9713960)

Part 5: Customer Ratings for Pay TV HD Channels (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713963&&#post9713963)

Part 6: Best Picture/Sound Ratings & HD Wish Lists (http://http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9713965&&#post9713965)

Finally, I want to remind everyone that you can access the St. Louis HDTV discussion here at AVS directly by using the shortcut URL that has been arranged.

The short-form URL also makes it very easy to remember and give the address to anyone you know who's just getting into HDTV.

The shortcut URL is: www.stlhdtv.info

If only Charter were more lovable, they would BE the Cubs! ;)

FWIW -- Last night I was watching either the end of the Lakers game on ESPN last night or SportsCenter and there was an HD commercial for Vizio. Even before I realized it was a Vizio advertisement, I thought it was quite good and seemed like an interesting use of HD and the widescreen format. Very nice job -- it definitely made me notice the ad.

Vizio are most definitely ratcheting up the marketing machine...

For the playoff games you're referring to, it was actually a national ESPN/ESPN2 broadcast. All playoff games are nationally televised (and have exclusive rights to do so). Channel 11 wanted to make it available to the entire local market, so they negotiated with ESPN to simulcast the ESPN feed on channel 11. This is not an example of blackout/nonblackout. This is an example of Channel 11 tapping into ESPN's feed, so to speak.
The Astros/Narveson game of 9/22/06 was a regular season game. It was carried on FSNMW and ESPN2HD. The ESPN2 broadcast was blacked-out to DISH customers. Interestingly enough, this season, the Cards have that same dated 4 game series with the Astros....but this year, it's at Busch :)

As will be the case again this season (regular season) for DISH customers.... :(
Since FSNMW and KSDK have first rights, whenever a game is carried on ESPN or ESPN2 *and* on FSNMW/KSDK, the ESPN broadcast is always blacked-out to DISH customers. By league rule, this should be the case on DirecTV and Charter, but some have slipped through. :rolleyes:

Both ESPN and FOX still have 2/each remaining "wild-card" dates, by which the league has provided them exclusivity, dates TBD. If chosen, either can take away 2/each broadcasts from FSNMW and KSDK.

BTW, we can't even get D* or E* to add FSNMW-HD, what's that say about Charter adding TBS-HD?

The Astros/Narveson game of 9/22/06 was a regular season game. It was carried on FSNMW and ESPN2HD. The ESPN2 broadcast was blacked-out to DISH customers.
I have Charter, and I KNOW I watched it in HD, and I KNOW I was listening to ESPN broadcasters--so it had to be on ESPN (the mother station). Are you sure it was also on FSN MW? My pocket schedule from last year shows that it was only supposed to be on ESPN.

I have Charter, and I KNOW I watched it in HD, and I KNOW I was listening to ESPN broadcasters--so it had to be on ESPN (the mother station). Are you sure it was also on FSN MW? My pocket schedule from last year shows that it was only supposed to be on ESPN.
Honestly, I don't. If it was not, there definitely were 2-3 other regular season games that fell into this scenario....on DISH.

As I said earlier, neither of the ESPN/FSNMW tandem broadcasts on Charter, are blacked-out. DISH has their system set, so anytime there is a FSNMW or KSDK broadcast, any other broadcast is blacked-out. The only exception being when a local station pushes through another broadcast. An example being KPLR pushing through the ESPN2 playoff game(s) last season, so Charter subs could view it.

I do know, Wednesday's game on both ESPN2 and FSNMW....the ESPN game is blacked-out to DISH subs. The only view on DISH will be FSNMW-SD. MY EPG's goes 9 days ahead, and it won't set a timer for the ESPN channel...the blacked-out message pops-up, which means, it will be blacked-out. Same thing as last season.

If I wasn't so lazy, I could search back to when we discussed the very issue here, last season. :o

Here we go, no HD for the Final Four because of the storms.

So much for National coverage of the first Civil Rights Game.
You'd think, with 850 feeds, ESPN would have gone a tad further than just crossing their fingers, and hoping the BB game would be over.

Here we go, no HD for the Final Four because of the storms.
Why is that? Both my feeds are up, SAT and OTA in HD :confused:

I take it back. I overreacted as soon as they put up the weather warning the first time. They are doing a good job of not inundating us with weather updates.

Honestly, I don't. If it was not, there definitely were 2-3 other regular season games that fell into this scenario....on DISH.

As I said earlier, neither of the ESPN/FSNMW tandem broadcasts on Charter, are blacked-out. DISH has their system set, so anytime there is a FSNMW or KSDK broadcast, any other broadcast is blacked-out. The only exception being when a local station pushes through another broadcast. An example being KPLR pushing through the ESPN2 playoff game(s) last season, so Charter subs could view it.

I do know, Wednesday's game on both ESPN2 and FSNMW....the ESPN game is blacked-out to DISH subs. The only view on DISH will be FSNMW-SD. MY EPG's goes 9 days ahead, and it won't set a timer for the ESPN channel...the blacked-out message pops-up, which means, it will be blacked-out. Same thing as last season.

If I wasn't so lazy, I could search back to when we discussed the very issue here, last season. :o

If I recall correctly, ESPN can overrule local blackouts for two games per team per year (or at least they could last year). This may have been one of those games.

I take it back. I overreacted as soon as they put up the weather warning the first time. They are doing a good job of not inundating us with weather updates.
It's only April....they're gunna ease us into it.

Whilst we're taking things back, ESPN held off the start of the game. It's not in HD, though I really didn't think it would be. They are covering a lot of rich baseball history, and I personally enjoy Jon and Joe.

If I recall correctly, ESPN can overrule local blackouts for two games per team per year (or at least they could last year). This may have been one of those games.
You are correct, IIRC I mentioned this earlier. Both ESPN and FOX get 2/each "wild-card" TBD games. They can take them anytime during the season, any team, and have to give MLB 10 days notice.
For ESPN, the game has to be a Sunday, and is moved to 8:05PM/ET, for FOX, the game has to be a Saturday, and is moved to 3:55PM/ET.

However, when they take one, they get exclusivity, and any other local or RSN is cancelled, and not broadcast.

One you'll remember, and I don't recall if it was 2005 or 2006, ESPN grabbed the last Sunday Cards game in San Francisco, coming up on the All Star Break. It was originally scheduled for a early afternoon start time. The Cards were well represented in the All Star Game, and had to fly from the west coast, through the night, in order to meet media commitments on Monday morning.

Does anybody know if they lost something when storms rolled through in the last 15 min. Thanks

Something must have happened, I've lost all signals too. What a great time for this to happen. :(

Still having reception problems on 04-01. 100 to 0. Mostly out.

Anyone else. A call to channel 4 was transfered to a voice mailbox that wasn't accepting messages. Good timing indeed.

I'm receiving 4-1 fine and have been for at least the past 90 minutes (not sure before that).

Stable now. Just in time for Half Time :mad:

not only is the picture great the sound is incredible. Way to go CBS.

How appropriate that my first post is reporting a Charter service disruption.

Is anyone else having trouble with Charter Expanded Basic reception?

I have Charter's Expanded Basic service (no digital) in Belleville, IL. Over the course of the evening, I have had several channels "freeze" for a minute or more. Now, there are ten channels all displaying a static picture, with no audio (Channels 28, 39, 40 ,44 ,45 ,47 ,59 ,62 ,73 ,77). In addition, numerous channels have distorted audio. All of my OTA's are coming in clearly.

After confirming the same on two sets and my PC, I decided to try Charter's "Live Chat." I guess I'm just a masochist. I won't bore you with the details, but they were unable to solve the problem. Any guesses?

Big ad in today's paper claims that Vs. is about to be dropped from C* lineup (along with Golf Channel) this week. Just in time for playoffs, which are exclusively on Vs.
Is C* trying to put these channels on the Sports Tier??

Not sure if this has been covered yet, but I'm looking in to trying to get UFC 69 in HD PPV.

Charter confirms they are offering it, and in fact it does appear on their HDPPV channel listing guide.

My setup is a Series 3 Tivo with two cablecards, digital cable box (not HD capable). Very helpful rep from Charter tested my cablecards by "ordering" an SD PPV movie from their end. It indeed was properly decoded by my cablecards on my S3Tivo. So, in theory, the same should work for the HD PPV.

Keeping my fingers crossed, will know on Saturday 4/7.

Big ad in today's paper claims that Vs. is about to be dropped from C* lineup (along with Golf Channel) this week. Just in time for playoffs, which are exclusively on Vs.
Is C* trying to put these channels on the Sports Tier??

both of those channels are comcast owned...maybe comcast is making a push into stl and starting with pulling channels from charter, idk

KSDK sure sucked up the Cardinals opening ceremony. I haven't seen that much "snow" (pixelation) since the February snow storm.

KSDK sure sucked up the Cardinals opening ceremony. I haven't seen that much "snow" (pixelation) since the February snow storm.
There were several problems:
1) They didn't use an HD field camera for their broadcast (do they have ANY HD field cameras??).
2) The broadcast simply wasn't clean--there were frequent audio problems--the audio often sounded like it was full of static.
3) They had those annoying cut-ins (like the guy with the neat hat) right in the middle of the ceremonies, completely detracting from the important part of the broadcast--the on-field ceremonies.

There were several problems:
1) They didn't use an HD field camera for their broadcast (do they have ANY HD field cameras??).
2) The broadcast simply wasn't clean--there were frequent audio problems--the audio often sounded like it was full of static.
3) They had those annoying cut-ins (like the guy with the neat hat) right in the middle of the ceremonies, completely detracting from the important part of the broadcast--the on-field ceremonies.
bb,
When they launched their HD news (Feb '06), at that time, they stated they had 2 HD field cameras, obviously in use elsewhere tonight.

I watched it via the DISH SAT local, and didn't see the snow. The only audio issue I noticed was when they first went to the field, and John Ulett's mic wasn't piped into KSDK's audio feed. I didn't notice any static....I have it recorded, so I'll watch it again tomorrow.
I was actually surprised (pleasantly) by the video quality, other than John Rooney's tie.

The Katie and Frank cut-away's were annoying. Frank's material was OK, but the Katie-in-the-stands was a bit over the top. The switches to them was also poorly timed. I wonder if KSDK will be using the BudSports Crew, or if they'll have their own engineering truck....anyone know?

My wife and I are displaced Cards fans living in KC.
Last year Comcast carried MLB Extra Innings, but of course they aren't doing it this year.
However, they did send us a $50 coupon for MLB.TV because of our interewt.
Our problem is that the computers are at one side of the house and the tv we wouod like to view the games on is at the opposite side of the house. We really don't want to hook up a computer in the living room. Is there a way to send the picture and sound wirelessly from the computer to the tv?
I can't think of anything, but I know that the tech gurus on this forum might have an answer. Thanks for any advice you can give.

There were several problems:
1) They didn't use an HD field camera for their broadcast (do they have ANY HD field cameras??).
2) The broadcast simply wasn't clean--there were frequent audio problems--the audio often sounded like it was full of static.
3) They had those annoying cut-ins (like the guy with the neat hat) right in the middle of the ceremonies, completely detracting from the important part of the broadcast--the on-field ceremonies.


Yes, their coverage was atrocious. Lets hope they get better. Frankly though, I expected better from KSDK. That was one of the worst HD broadcasts i have seen.

Frankly though, I expected better from KSDK. That was one of the worst HD broadcasts i have seen.Why? What basis do you have for such expectations? :confused:

If KSDK can't manage to flip a switch in a timely way, or sort out chronic audio issues after 5+ years of HD broadcasting, what makes you think they can manage a live HD remote?

I think that after the management of KSDK has their after-action-review of yesterday's coverage, they will see how poorly planned there coverage was. To say it was poorly scripted and technically a mess at best would be an understatement. Channel 5 has done live productions before...what happened! I hope their coverage of games doesn't suffer as such.

I think that after the management of KSDK has their after-action-review of yesterday's coverage, they will see how poorly planned there coverage was.I must be living in the bizarro world.

After action review? Holy crap!

MLB, Cable Continue "Extra Innings" Talks Past Deadline

The following story excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
_________________________________________________

The deadline for reaching an agreement was scheduled to expire yesterday. But the newspaper reports that the league decided to extend it by one day based on the progress of the negotiations.

“We continue to talk,” MLB's Tim Brosnan told The (New York) Times. "And we wouldn’t have extended the deadline if we didn’t think we could bring everybody in.”

However, Sports Business Daily quotes sources as saying that a cable deal is only 50-50 at best.
_________________________________________________

To read the entire story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/mlb040107.htm)

Growing Complaints Heard about HD Artifacts during NCCA Games

An interesting story from TV Predictions about the growing number of complaints about "blurs" and "break ups" during NCAA basketball in HD:
____________________________________________________________

When Ohio State's Greg Oden jumps for a rebound in tonight's NCAA college basketball championship, HD viewers in Kentucky say their picture will likely "break up" or become blurry.

And it won't be the first time. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the picture distortions have been driving March Madness fans mad during tournament action.

"People have asked us about the TVs: 'Is there something wrong with my television' 'Is there something wrong with our cables?'" Tony Spires, a local electronics retailer, tells the newspaper. "We just have to do a lot of explaining."

High-def sleuths in Kentucky are pointing to everything from the local CBS station's (WKYT) decision to divide its signal into three channels (called, "multicasting") to CBS' source feed to the transmission of the local cable and satellite providers.

Regardless of the problem's cause, Spires says the picture break-up "can be really annoying."

Picture break-up, or sudden blurring, is not uncommon to high-def viewers in any area, particularly during sports broadcasts which feature sudden movement. (This reporter, in fact, has noticed occasional break-up during DIRECTV's broadcast of this year's Madness games; however, Comcast, my local cable operator, has not had the same problem.)

The distortions can be caused by a variety of factors (including the ones stated above).

But the Herald-Leader reports that WKYT's break-ups during March Madness games are a special case.

The newspaper reports that WKYT, the CBS affiliate in the greater Lexington area, which is broadcasting the NCAA tournament in high-def. airs three digital channels: the CBS feed; a 24-hour weather channel, and a feed from the CW network.

Some are saying the digital split is causing the distortion, but WKYT officials say they have solved any signal degradation by recently installing new equipment. The station points the finger of blame at CBS or the cable or satellite operators.

But the newspaper notes that a CBS Sports executive recently told a Syracuse newspaper that signal breakup is caused by multicasting.

WLEX, a rival Lexington station, says its high-def picture improved dramatically after it dropped a second digital feed.

"If you dedicate all (transmission) to your High-Definition signal, it will be inherently more stable than if you dedicate a lower portion to it," WLEX general manager Tim Gilbert told the Herald-Leader.

But WKYT says it's keeping its three digital channels.

"We were afforded the opportunity to also broadcast The CW network, and we would have been fools not to have taken advantage of that," said Chas Callaway, the station's vice president of engineering.
____________________________________________________________

On a more upbeat HD note: I finally had a chance to catch some of the "Planet Earth" series on Discovery over the weekend, and as others have commented, it is "can't miss" TV.

There's no question that HD makes this series something special but probably not in the way you would expect. Although I haven't seen any of the episodes from start to finish, I found that it's not so much about the HD resolution (it's nothing like what you see on some of the insect shows) but some of the techniques they've used in conjunction with HD cameras.

The HD time-lapse shots showing how emperor penguins communally share their body heat during the coldest Antarctic days has to be seen to fully appreciate nature at work. There was also an amazing scene of ram-like animals with HUGE antlers (forgot the exact species) fighting on the side of a mountain for the right to mate. Also, Discovery has apparently pioneered a new technique for motionless shots from a helicopter mount and these are used regularly.

While I'm no expert in this area, I think that if enough people see this series in HD, I think there's a good chance that "Planet Earth" will come to be considered one of the greatest nature documentaries of all time.

Discovery HD Theater has hit a grand slam home run here.

Growing Complaints Heard about HD Artifacts during NCCA Games
___________________________________________________________

Doug

I think everyone should send this to the government jerk who was praising multicasting. Maybe it would change his mind.......


Never mind.

Walt

My wife and I are displaced Cards fans living in KC.
Last year Comcast carried MLB Extra Innings, but of course they aren't doing it this year.
However, they did send us a $50 coupon for MLB.TV because of our interewt.
Our problem is that the computers are at one side of the house and the tv we wouod like to view the games on is at the opposite side of the house. We really don't want to hook up a computer in the living room. Is there a way to send the picture and sound wirelessly from the computer to the tv?
I can't think of anything, but I know that the tech gurus on this forum might have an answer. Thanks for any advice you can give.

TERK makes a product called Leapfrog that will allow you to wirelessly send audio and video to
a receiver that you could hook up to the TV. But, you will need a way to connect the Sending unit to your
computer via Composite or Coax.

On a more upbeat HD note: I finally had a chance to catch some of the "Planet Earth" series on Discovery over the weekend, and as others have commented, it is "can't miss" TV.


Yea! A couple friends came by this weekend to watch a sporting event that was only in SD ... so during a break I switched to Discovery HD to show them the quality. I think both of them are going out to get HDTV's now, hehe.

Ok, I apologize in advance if I have missed this answer, but 88 pages is a lot to go through.......

Is anyone seeing issues with OTA 11.1? I am getting a stutter about every 10-20 seconds. Sometimes its a skip which passes quickly and then repeats and other times its almost like its playing in slow motion for about 2-3 seconds. Both of these scenarios happen every 10-20 seconds. I don't have issues at all with any other channel. My signal is 96% or higher all the time on all channels.

This seems to happen less when actually live but any "recorded" show like smallville or supernatural....anything other than LIVE TV does this worse. Has anyone seen this or have a fix for it?

I am running a Vista Media Center system using a Dvico HDTV5 PCIe tuner card.

I'm not sure what other details are needed, so if you need more info I will do my best to supply it.

thanks in advance.

On a more upbeat HD note: I finally had a chance to catch some of the "Planet Earth" series on Discovery over the weekend, and as others have commented, it is "can't miss" TV.

There's no question that HD makes this series something special but probably not in the way you would expect. Although I haven't seen any of the episodes from start to finish, I found that it's not so much about the HD resolution (it's nothing like what you see on some of the insect shows) but some of the techniques they've used in conjunction with HD cameras.

The HD time-lapse shots showing how emperor penguins communally share their body heat during the coldest Antarctic days has to be seen to fully appreciate nature at work. There was also an amazing scene of ram-like animals with HUGE antlers (forgot the exact species) fighting on the side of a mountain for the right to mate. Also, Discovery has apparently pioneered a new technique for motionless shots from a helicopter mount and these are used regularly.

While I'm no expert in this area, I think that if enough people see this series in HD, I think there's a good chance that "Planet Earth" will come to be considered one of the greatest nature documentaries of all time.

Discovery HD Theater has hit a grand slam home run here.

Great! I've set it to record the entire series, but haven't got to watch it yet. But, everything that I've seen on Discovery HD that is nature related has been "a grand slam home run" as you put it.

They've got one program about the 5 most power animanls in Africa that is spectacular.

Doug

I think everyone should send this to the government jerk who was praising multicasting. Maybe it would change his mind.......

Never mind.That would be FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

I think the TV market and consumer awareness is taking an interesting turn. People are much more quality conscious than they were 10 years ago, and the trend only seems to be going one way. In addition, I think we could be seeing just the beginning of a more quality oriented marketing message from various sources. I think it's interesting that while DirecTV talks about "1080i resolution," others (Discovery among them, if my recall is correct) simply refer to 1080.

As 1080p comes to be recognized as the top level in the video food chain, broadcasters may find themselves somewhat marginalized with nowhere really to turn, as they can't easily go to 1080p, due to the cost to stations and additional consumer disruption. If there is a lot of attention given to 1080p HD and there's more general appreciation for the QUALITY HD can deliver, over-the-air broadcasters may have little choice but to minimize multi-casting or abandon it all together.

I'll concede there's a generous helping of wishful thinking there on my part, but I think it is at least feasible. I also see an inherent conflict between networks spending money to make and promote HD programming, while local broadcasters drop the ball at the last mile.

Quite apart from this development, I really do believe the main broadcast networks (or at least a couple of them) will eventually just go national via cable/satellite/teleco, foregoing local over-the-air affiliation entirely. This quality issue could be one factor that propels toward that decision.

I'll concede there's a generous helping of wishful thinking there on my part, but I think it is at least feasible. I also see an inherent conflict between networks spending money to make and promote HD programming, while local broadcasters drop the ball at the last mile.

Quite apart from this development, I really do believe the main broadcast networks (or at least a couple of them) will eventually just go national via cable/satellite/teleco, foregoing local over-the-air affiliation entirely. This quality issue could be one factor that propels toward that decision.


While I hope some of your post comes to fruition, mainly the death of multicasting, I agree there is a generous helping of wishful thinking here.

You add a comment when talking about the main broadcast networks taknig the local affiliates out of the mix. While I find this ineteresting and with the knowledge of how you feel about local affiliates this could be wishful thinking on your part too, but I don't know. I don't feel as strongly averse to the local affiliates as I think you do, but I am surprised you think this will happen. I am not saying it won't, I had just not rationalized that happening. The comment you make that intrigues me the most is when you said "or at least a couple of them". Do you have in mind "a couple" of networks that you feel would be more likely to fall in this category? If so, why? Doesn't it say something that our local FOX is O&O and we still get severe audio and video breakups? I guess if there were no local at all and the signal was beamed from one point to EVERYONE these type of breakups would either get more attention, or not be happening, or cause a riot.

While I hope some of your post comes to fruition, mainly the death of multicasting, I agree there is a generous helping of wishful thinking here.

You add a comment when talking about the main broadcast networks taknig the local affiliates out of the mix. While I find this ineteresting and with the knowledge of how you feel about local affiliates this could be wishful thinking on your part too, but I don't know. I don't feel as strongly averse to the local affiliates as I think you do, but I am surprised you think this will happen. I am not saying it won't, I had just not rationalized that happening. The comment you make that intrigues me the most is when you said "or at least a couple of them". Do you have in mind "a couple" of networks that you feel would be more likely to fall in this category? If so, why? Doesn't it say something that our local FOX is O&O and we still get severe audio and video breakups? I guess if there were no local at all and the signal was beamed from one point to EVERYONE these type of breakups would either get more attention, or not be happening, or cause a riot.
I read Doug's post to say, rather than any local be forcibly eliminated, the national networks would by-pass their affiliation with them, in delivering their network programming to homes.

I read Doug's post to say, rather than any local be forcibly eliminated, the national networks would by-pass their affiliation with them, in delivering their network programming to homes.

I'm not sure how that is different Ken. If a local station loses its network affiliation how would that local survive? I guess I view bypassing them as putting them out of business. Am I missing something?

While I hope some of your post comes to fruition, mainly the death of multicasting, I agree there is a generous helping of wishful thinking here.

You add a comment when talking about the main broadcast networks taknig the local affiliates out of the mix. While I find this ineteresting and with the knowledge of how you feel about local affiliates this could be wishful thinking on your part too, but I don't know. I don't feel as strongly averse to the local affiliates as I think you do, but I am surprised you think this will happen. I am not saying it won't, I had just not rationalized that happening. The comment you make that intrigues me the most is when you said "or at least a couple of them". Do you have in mind "a couple" of networks that you feel would be more likely to fall in this category? If so, why? Doesn't it say something that our local FOX is O&O and we still get severe audio and video breakups? I guess if there were no local at all and the signal was beamed from one point to EVERYONE these type of breakups would either get more attention, or not be happening, or cause a riot.


Hmmmm. Speculation on my part here:

Housing bubble pops. Consumer spending stops growing, goes negative. Recession.

Advertisers cut ad spending. Smaller markets squeezed for ad dollars.

CW and My TV affiliates start failing. Are taken on as sub-channels by ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX affiliates (already happening in other markets). Bandwidth suffers.

Cable revenues decline. Some cableco's default on debt. Channels start getting dropped due to non-payment by carriers. Consumers start dumping cable, at first in small numbers, going 60/40 sat/OTA.

Bandwidth issues make high-end customers bitch about HD-Lite. Satco's pledge minimum bandwidth for high-dollar customers. Cableco's attempt to match offer, suffer even more defections.

Recession continues. In markets like both Springfields, at least one major OTA folds. (SGF MO, both NBC and ABC are owned by same co, CBS and FOX by another). Quality of local news/sports departments determines who lives and who dies. Many majors carried in 480P/I in small markets. Some even go to low-power status, fire all humans (xmit just enough to reach head-ends). Most others defacto downshift to 720P to carry sub-channels. Networks committed to 1080 scream. General public starts noticing quality issues.

Many PBS stations spring up as LD's in places like Rolla. Cheap, automated. SIU starts WSIE-LD in Illinois. KETC screams. UMSL/St. Louis Community College start another as KWMU-LD. Uses KDNL tower (Sinclair getting desperate). KETC's lungs just about give out, running pledge drives 50% of time.

Charter and other cableco's fail. Consumers go to Sat or OTA. Many now eligable for network waivers on sat, due to OTA station failures...

MY TV dies. CW gets absorbed back into CBS, with smaller shows going to TNT, etc. Some marginal OTA empires like Sinclair and Nexstar go to undead status, shed stations to most pofitable.

2012 or so, telco's absorb all cableco's. The Evil Empire is reborn. Public now downloading at least 25% of content (time-shifting). 50-80% of OTA's survive. (STL ABC goes to 11/KPLR after ABC wins out against Sinclair. KDNL goes to UMSL/St. Louis Community College) Live news/sports determines OTA survival. After Darwininan selection, sub-channls get reduced, so news and sports look good live. Share 50%sat/25% cable/25% OTA.

How's that?

Ok, if all this happens TV is the last thing I am worried about, lol.

Hmmmm. Speculation on my part here:

Housing bubble pops. Consumer spending stops growing, goes negative. Recession.

Advertisers cut ad spending. Smaller markets squeezed for ad dollars.

CW and My TV affiliates start failing. Are taken on as sub-channels by ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX affiliates (already happening in other markets). Bandwidth suffers.

Cable revenues decline. Some cableco's default on debt. Channels start getting dropped due to non-payment by carriers. Consumers start dumping cable, at first in small numbers, going 60/40 sat/OTA.

Bandwidth issues make high-end customers bitch about HD-Lite. Satco's pledge minimum bandwidth for high-dollar customers. Cableco's attempt to match offer, suffer even more defections.

Recession continues. In markets like both Springfields, at least one major OTA folds. (SGF MO, both NBC and ABC are owned by same co, CBS and FOX by another). Quality of local news/sports departments determines who lives and who dies. Many majors carried in 480P/I in small markets. Some even go to low-power status, fire all humans (xmit just enough to reach head-ends). Most others defacto downshift to 720P to carry sub-channels. Networks committed to 1080 scream. General public starts noticing quality issues.

Many PBS stations spring up as LD's in places like Rolla. Cheap, automated. SIU starts WSIE-LD in Illinois. KETC screams. UMSL/St. Louis Community College start another as KWMU-LD. Uses KDNL tower (Sinclair getting desperate). KETC's lungs just about give out, running pledge drives 50% of time.

Charter and other cableco's fail. Consumers go to Sat or OTA. Many now eligable for network waivers on sat, due to OTA station failures...

MY TV dies. CW gets absorbed back into CBS, with smaller shows going to TNT, etc. Some marginal OTA empires like Sinclair and Nexstar go to undead status, shed stations to most pofitable.

2012 or so, telco's absorb all cableco's. The Evil Empire is reborn. Public now downloading at least 25% of content (time-shifting). 50-80% of OTA's survive. (STL ABC goes to 11/KPLR after ABC wins out against Sinclair. KDNL goes to UMSL/St. Louis Community College) Live news/sports determines OTA survival. After Darwininan selection, sub-channls get reduced, so news and sports look good live. Share 50%sat/25% cable/25% OTA.

How's that?

Someone's got a case of the Mondays. :D

Hmmmm. Speculation on my part here:

Housing bubble pops. Consumer spending stops growing, goes negative. Recession.

Advertisers cut ad spending. Smaller markets squeezed for ad dollars.

CW and My TV affiliates start failing. Are taken on as sub-channels by ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX affiliates (already happening in other markets). Bandwidth suffers.

Cable revenues decline. Some cableco's default on debt. Channels start getting dropped due to non-payment by carriers. Consumers start dumping cable, at first in small numbers, going 60/40 sat/OTA.

Bandwidth issues make high-end customers bitch about HD-Lite. Satco's pledge minimum bandwidth for high-dollar customers. Cableco's attempt to match offer, suffer even more defections.

Recession continues. In markets like both Springfields, at least one major OTA folds. (SGF MO, both NBC and ABC are owned by same co, CBS and FOX by another). Quality of local news/sports departments determines who lives and who dies. Many majors carried in 480P/I in small markets. Some even go to low-power status, fire all humans (xmit just enough to reach head-ends). Most others defacto downshift to 720P to carry sub-channels. Networks committed to 1080 scream. General public starts noticing quality issues.

Many PBS stations spring up as LD's in places like Rolla. Cheap, automated. SIU starts WSIE-LD in Illinois. KETC screams. UMSL/St. Louis Community College start another as KWMU-LD. Uses KDNL tower (Sinclair getting desperate). KETC's lungs just about give out, running pledge drives 50% of time.

Charter and other cableco's fail. Consumers go to Sat or OTA. Many now eligable for network waivers on sat, due to OTA station failures...

MY TV dies. CW gets absorbed back into CBS, with smaller shows going to TNT, etc. Some marginal OTA empires like Sinclair and Nexstar go to undead status, shed stations to most pofitable.

2012 or so, telco's absorb all cableco's. The Evil Empire is reborn. Public now downloading at least 25% of content (time-shifting). 50-80% of OTA's survive. (STL ABC goes to 11/KPLR after ABC wins out against Sinclair. KDNL goes to UMSL/St. Louis Community College) Live news/sports determines OTA survival. After Darwininan selection, sub-channls get reduced, so news and sports look good live. Share 50%sat/25% cable/25% OTA.

How's that?


...earthquakes, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria...

Channel 368, FSNMW-HD is now available to HD subscribers on DISH.
It is not a 24/7, rather it will air when MW broadcasts a HD game.

OMG!! :D

And now I am ecstatic again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck D* subscribers, I would guess you can't be far behind.

Quick question.... Anyone know why the MLB season opener is on ESPN 2? Why not ESPN? I know this doesn't matter for most of you (since you have a dish, which has ESPN 2 HD), but for those of us with Charter this is problematic.

But before you rub my face in it, remember that I'll see those 37 high def games on FSNMW ;)


I am honestly not being a smarta$$ here, but now you can't rub our face in it either. I am so happy I could dance.

I thought Doug was supposed to give us some information on FSNMW HD.

Oh Doug.....................Where art thou?

I thought Doug was supposed to give us some information on FSNMW HD.

Oh Doug.....................Where art thou?
He's on the phone with DISH :D

Channel 368, FSNMW-HD is now available to HD subscribers on DISH.
It is not a 24/7, rather it will air when MW broadcasts a HD game.

OMG!! :D

Sweet!!!!
I am now a very happy E* camper :)

I would never switch to Dish. Sorry.

DISH also has the 1 hour HD FSNMW pre-game, scheduled to air before the games, tomorrow and Wednesday night. :)

I should be on the phone to DISH...but I drove to KC this afternoon.

On the networks going direct, I've thought this for a while and I'm pretty sure I've rattled on about it here previously.

There were two main reasons the affiliate system came to be: distribution and news. Of course, in the early days of TV EVERYTHING was OTA, so a national network needed local "relays." The other thing of value the locals provided was news coverage when something local became a national story.

Today, OTA broadcasting is sort of an anachronism -- even with HD reviving it somewhat -- and it's also not a particularly good use of finite spectrum. With network news pretty much in the tank, the appeal of the local news is less pressing for the nets, and anyway many local stations also have sharing arrangements with CNN or other cable news nets. So, there's not a lot of exclusivity in the deal either.

So that leads to the question -- what irreplaceable value do the locals provide to the networks? Maybe there's something I'm overlooking...but I see an empty list.

And now, we have local stations charging cable, satellite and teleco carriers 50 cents per month per subscriber. And what's the most valuable thing these locals have to offer? National network programming.

So it seems to me that the locals are more and more looking like a middle man -- and we know how those arrangements usually end.

As for the locals if this actually happened, there would definitely be fewer of them left standing. But I think over time they might actually provide a more well-rounded and truly local product. I haven't really thought this aspect all the way through, but I think yanking the network carpet from under the locals would force them to change how they serve local viewers.

This past Christmas we got a Vizio 37" LCD HDTV. Specifically it's a VX37L.

It's capable of both 720p and 1080i display. It has a built in tuner with which I receive over the air signals for all the local St. Louis stations. The only one that causes me any trouble is ABC 30 (30-1 on my tuner). It drops frames like crazy! Motion stutters and stops at least once a second.

My question is: Is anyone else having this problem?

I don't believe the problem is related to signal strength although I have no way of measuring that. The image is not distorted, blocky or intermittent at all. In fact it looks perfect! However, motion stutters like mad. It does not happen all the time, but it happens more often than not.

My belief is that this is either:

1. A universal problem with the HD broadcast coming from ABC 30. Or...
2. A firmware problem with my television.

I have already written to Vizio asking if there is a firmware update available for this model TV, but they say no. They also say they believe this problem is related to a hardware defect but I find that incredibly hard to believe as all other digital stations come in beautifully.

Any feedback you have would be appreciated. Thanks!
CTP

Early returns are in...watching OTA.

Beautiful picture until there's heavy motion, then its a pixelated mess. Considering it's a basketball game makes it kinda suxors....

But at least in return for those bits we get great programming on 4-2

oh wait....nevermind

I am honestly not being a smarta$$ here, but now you can't rub our face in it either. I am so happy I could dance.

Congrats guys! This will motivate me even more to make a move this summer once my Charter deal is up.

The Ohio State/Florida game is a trainwreck.
I'm getting dizzy watching it.

I just finished watching 24, and switched to the game. I'm seeing jaggies on the sidelines that look like I'm playing a video game from 2002. Am I the only one? (OTA - FYI)

Edit - Although the halftime show looks nice :rolleyes:

I just finished watching 24, and switched to the game. I'm seeing jaggies on the sidelines that look like I'm playing a video game from 2002. Am I the only one? (OTA - FYI)

Edit - Although the halftime show looks nice :rolleyes:
That, and the Florida jerseys (and all white objects) are a shade of blue on the main camera angle. Reminds me of 2006 NL Division Series Game 4 (the blue jerseys, that is).

I just finished watching 24, and switched to the game. I'm seeing jaggies on the sidelines that look like I'm playing a video game from 2002. Am I the only one? (OTA - FYI)

Edit - Although the halftime show looks nice :rolleyes:



It looks absolutely horrible. :mad: How a station can go from first to worst in such a short time is amazing to me.

.

The Ohio State/Florida game is a trainwreck.
I'm getting dizzy watching it.

I only watched the last 20 min of the game. Every moderate to rapid camera pan showed squares all over the screen. Worse on my Panny TH-42PX60U than my HTPC, but hard to watch on both. Train wreck is an understatment. And who painted that ghastly green color on the floor? You'd think the broadcaster would have some say as to what would look good on TV.

We'll see if this helps. I sent the following message to hdtv@kmov.com.

I suggest you go to this site to see comments from numerous local people on the quality of the NCAA mens basketball final broadcast. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10196767#post10196767

I receive KMOV over the air. Ordinarily the prime time broadcasts are very good. I only watched the last 20 min of the game. Every moderate to rapid camera pan showed squares all over the screen. Worse on my Panasonic TH-42PX60U than my Fusion HDTV tuner card in my Home Theater PC, but the game was extremely difficult to watch on both. A terrible HDTV broadcast. Whoever is responsible should be ashamed and publicly apologize. I request you post a response directly on the forum above. I have been watching HD broadcasts for over two years now. I believe if you and the other broadcasters do not fix these problems now that there will be a significant consumer backlash coming when you do away with the analog signal.

The Ohio State/Florida game is a trainwreck.
I'm getting dizzy watching it.

It was pretty bad. I was very disappointed with the job CBS did with the quality of their broadcast.

Is it me or does it seems that the quality of live HD program gone down over the last few months for the major networks.

Compare CBS to something like the NHL on HDNET and the there is a big difference.

Is it me or does it seems that the quality of live HD program gone down over the last few months for the major networks.
It's not you. Network HD, live and otherwise, has got progressively worse. Two years ago, shows like CSI and 24 were considered standards to compare to....now, they're average. Virtually everything network is noticeably softer than channels like ESPN, Discovery, and HDNet. Compare a show like Planet Earth to the NCAA Finals...it's like one is HD, the other is 16:9.

Sub-channels!

Hopefully, as compression technology and solutions progress, we will again see the quality of network HD increase. Perhaps this is all part of the growing pains related to the evolution and lack of standardization associated with the industry.

Wishful thinking :confused:

This past Christmas we got a Vizio 37" LCD HDTV. Specifically it's a VX37L.

It's capable of both 720p and 1080i display. It has a built in tuner with which I receive over the air signals for all the local St. Louis stations. The only one that causes me any trouble is ABC 30 (30-1 on my tuner). It drops frames like crazy! Motion stutters and stops at least once a second.

My question is: Is anyone else having this problem?

I don't believe the problem is related to signal strength although I have no way of measuring that. The image is not distorted, blocky or intermittent at all. In fact it looks perfect! However, motion stutters like mad. It does not happen all the time, but it happens more often than not.

My belief is that this is either:

1. A universal problem with the HD broadcast coming from ABC 30. Or...
2. A firmware problem with my television.

I have already written to Vizio asking if there is a firmware update available for this model TV, but they say no. They also say they believe this problem is related to a hardware defect but I find that incredibly hard to believe as all other digital stations come in beautifully.

Any feedback you have would be appreciated. Thanks!
CTP

I am running Vista Media Center and I am having this same problem....but with channel 11.1, not 30.1 I haven't gotten a reliable fix for this just yet, but I believe it's mainly due to intermittent nature of the problem.

I do think it's an issue with the tuner and how certain stations broadcast, but I have no way of testing or confirming that. Currently, I am waiting for a driver update of some sort for either Vista or Dvico.

UPDATE: I just found reference to a Vista hotfix that addresses a jittery, jerky, or poor video quality in general for media center. I will try that and see what happens. This hotfix was just released on the 27the of March.

It's not you. Network HD, live and otherwise, has got progressively worse. Two years ago, shows like CSI and 24 were considered standards to compare to....now, they're average. Virtually everything network is noticeably softer than channels like ESPN, Discovery, and HDNet. Compare a show like Planet Earth to the NCAA Finals...it's like one is HD, the other is 16:9.



KDNL still looks fantastic and makes me wish more shows that I watch could be on ABC.... I don't see any of the stuttering on 30.1 that others do here. Equipment is an HD DirecTivo and a FusionHDTV card in the PC.

...earthquakes, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria...

Don't laugh; local TV stations are following the track of local newspapers. Market 21 might support three news departments, lesser markets will probably not be so lucky.

...earthquakes, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria...

Yeah and E* is gonna add FSNMW-HD by tonight's game.....oh wait, we better take cover. :)

Ok, I apologize in advance if I have missed this answer, but 88 pages is a lot to go through.......

Is anyone seeing issues with OTA 11.1? I am getting a stutter about every 10-20 seconds.
I also have the break-up problem with channel 11's high def signal, despite a strong rock-solid signal from a rooftop antenna in Saint Charles. It started suddenly about mid-December 2006 and has remained pretty much unwatchable. I think that most folks do NOT have a problem with channel 11's over-the-air signal. But there is some kind of incompatability with specific tuners, including Dish Network's ViP622, which is (unfortunately) what I use for OTA reception. Tried to call and e-mail the station a few times in January, but they were unresponsive.

Congrats guys! This will motivate me even more to make a move this summer once my Charter deal is up.

I asked the question earlier. Has CHARTER violated the DEAL by dropping stations that were available when the DEAL was made?

Perhaps someone should test the situation and see what they have to say.

I don't have a DEAL or I would try it.

Walt

I asked the question earlier. Has CHARTER violated the DEAL by dropping stations that were available when the DEAL was made?

Perhaps someone should test the situation and see what they have to say.

I don't have a DEAL or I would try it.

Walt

No Walt. Remember we heard from someone earlier who violated their deal by adding programming to their subscription. Taking away channels is fine though. ;)

No, it should say something in your agreement that programming is subject to change.

This past Christmas we got a Vizio 37" LCD HDTV. Specifically it's a VX37L.

It's capable of both 720p and 1080i display. It has a built in tuner with which I receive over the air signals for all the local St. Louis stations. The only one that causes me any trouble is ABC 30 (30-1 on my tuner). It drops frames like crazy! Motion stutters and stops at least once a second.

My question is: Is anyone else having this problem?

I don't believe the problem is related to signal strength although I have no way of measuring that. The image is not distorted, blocky or intermittent at all. In fact it looks perfect! However, motion stutters like mad. It does not happen all the time, but it happens more often than not.

My belief is that this is either:

1. A universal problem with the HD broadcast coming from ABC 30. Or...
2. A firmware problem with my television.

I have already written to Vizio asking if there is a firmware update available for this model TV, but they say no. They also say they believe this problem is related to a hardware defect but I find that incredibly hard to believe as all other digital stations come in beautifully.

Any feedback you have would be appreciated. Thanks!
CTP

I've got this problem on my 37" Olevia 237v tv with built in HD tuner also. 30.1 drops frames and stutters all over the place...But here's the kicker for me, it only does it after 7pm. HD programming during the day, such as NBA basketball on the weekend does not suffer any frame drops, but any prime time stuff does. Very odd.

I'll have to check out if my set top box does this too.

hahahahah bonus porn:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/time-warner-dvrs-might-come-with-bonus-porn-249251.php

I've got this problem on my 37" Olevia 237v tv with built in HD tuner also. 30.1 drops frames and stutters all over the place...But here's the kicker for me, it only does it after 7pm. HD programming during the day, such as NBA basketball on the weekend does not suffer any frame drops, but any prime time stuff does. Very odd.

I'll have to check out if my set top box does this too.

As I was reminded by Mr. DroptheRemote when I reported the same problem with my Olvevia 537H, prime time programming is largely film-based.
Sports, Good Morning America etc. is video-based.
It's film-based content the tuners are gagging on.
barry

hahahahah bonus porn:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/time-warner-dvrs-might-come-with-bonus-porn-249251.php

You should have erased that before you returned it :D

This past Christmas we got a Vizio 37" LCD HDTV. Specifically it's a VX37L.

It's capable of both 720p and 1080i display. It has a built in tuner with which I receive over the air signals for all the local St. Louis stations. The only one that causes me any trouble is ABC 30 (30-1 on my tuner). It drops frames like crazy! Motion stutters and stops at least once a second.

My question is: Is anyone else having this problem?

I don't believe the problem is related to signal strength although I have no way of measuring that. The image is not distorted, blocky or intermittent at all. In fact it looks perfect! However, motion stutters like mad. It does not happen all the time, but it happens more often than not.

My belief is that this is either:

1. A universal problem with the HD broadcast coming from ABC 30. Or...
2. A firmware problem with my television.

I have already written to Vizio asking if there is a firmware update available for this model TV, but they say no. They also say they believe this problem is related to a hardware defect but I find that incredibly hard to believe as all other digital stations come in beautifully.

Any feedback you have would be appreciated. Thanks!
CTP

Yes, other people have this problem - in my case its with a Vizio VX32-L. There's at least one other person in the Vizio AVS forum in St Louis who also reports the problem. Like already mentioned, this is only with the recorded ABC broadcasts, not the live ones.

Replacing your unit isn't going to help, it appears. I've had 2 VX32-L's and both displayed the problem. It seems to be something about the ABC broadcast from the local station. I talked with the engineering manager here (he reads this forum too) and he told me a bit about how they broadcast - but short of brining it up with their hardware manufacturers, there isn't much he can do. For now, I just watch SD ABC. I keep hoping that one day this issue will just go away - and yes, I realize that adding a Dish would make it go away, but that's not in my budget right now - but for now this seems to be something that the Olevia's and Vizio's are dealing with on ABC HD in St Louis.

You can read some of my posts a few pages back in this thread to confirm that we're talking about the same problem.

Mark

Yes, other people have this problem - in my case its with a Vizio VX32-L. There's at least one other person in the Vizio AVS forum in St Louis who also reports the problem. Like already mentioned, this is only with the recorded ABC broadcasts, not the live ones.

Replacing your unit isn't going to help, it appears. I've had 2 VX32-L's and both displayed the problem. It seems to be something about the ABC broadcast from the local station. I talked with the engineering manager here (he reads this forum too) and he told me a bit about how they broadcast - but short of brining it up with their hardware manufacturers, there isn't much he can do. For now, I just watch SD ABC. I keep hoping that one day this issue will just go away - and yes, I realize that adding a Dish would make it go away, but that's not in my budget right now - but for now this seems to be something that the Olevia's and Vizio's are dealing with on ABC HD in St Louis.

You can read some of my posts a few pages back in this thread to confirm that we're talking about the same problem.

Mark

Sounds like the stories out of Australia where owners of LG HDTVs are getting their sets locked up when watching one particular station.

My wife and I are displaced Cards fans living in KC.
Last year Comcast carried MLB Extra Innings, but of course they aren't doing it this year.
However, they did send us a $50 coupon for MLB.TV because of our interewt.
Our problem is that the computers are at one side of the house and the tv we wouod like to view the games on is at the opposite side of the house. We really don't want to hook up a computer in the living room. Is there a way to send the picture and sound wirelessly from the computer to the tv?
I can't think of anything, but I know that the tech gurus on this forum might have an answer. Thanks for any advice you can give.

I don't have a solution, but since I think 3 pages have gone by with talk about the NCAA picture quality (or lack of) on CBS and E* getting FSMW-HD, I thought I'd bump this question for you.

I answered it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10189398&&#post10189398

I asked the question earlier. Has CHARTER violated the DEAL by dropping stations that were available when the DEAL was made?

Perhaps someone should test the situation and see what they have to say.

I don't have a DEAL or I would try it.

Walt

Actually, the DEAL I'm talking about is a deal I'm happy with. $47.99 per month for ditigal expanded cable plus all the movie channels (I've since added HD programming, obviously). If it wasn't a good deal (in my opinion), I'd be all over your idea.

so did E* add FSN MW HD?! If so I need to upgrade my programming!

I answered it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10189398&&#post10189398


Oops, I glossed over your post when I read the first word "Terk" :rolleyes:

so did E* add FSN MW HD?! If so I need to upgrade my programming!
Yes.
In order to receive it, if you don't already, you must have a VIP (MPEG4) receiver and satellite 129°, along with the programming package.

Yes.
In order to receive it, if you don't already, you must have a VIP (MPEG4) receiver and satellite 129°, along with the programming package.

I have the 211 receiver with 129..I will be upgrading to the silver package tomorrow...Thanks guys! :cool: Gotta love the Cards in HD (as long as they play better than the first 2 games :))

I have the 211 receiver with 129..I will be upgrading to the silver package tomorrow...Thanks guys! :cool: Gotta love the Cards in HD (as long as they play better than the first 2 games :))
That should do it. The PQ was very good. DISH opens the channel for the 1 hr HD Pre-game and the 1/2 hr HD Post-game shows, along with 3 1/2 hrs for the game.

Tonight's loss was Jared's fault :D

That should do it. The PQ was very good. DISH opens the channel for the 1 hr HD Pre-game and the 1/2 hr HD Post-game shows, along with 3 1/2 hrs for the game.

Tonight's loss was Jared's fault :D

Awesome, thanks for the info :)

Kip pitched well tonight, sucks the bats couldnt back him up...its early tho ;)

WMSCHULTZ
Thanks for the info on the Terk Leapfrog. We will definitely look into it.

Channel 368, FSNMW-HD is now available to HD subscribers on DISH.
It is not a 24/7, rather it will air when MW broadcasts a HD game.

OMG!! :D


Wait was this like an occasional thing like DirecTV sometimes does or will every Cards FSN-MW HD Broadcast be on Dish now?

Sudhakar

Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems there's a growing trend toward the use of web browsers that don't include scroll bars.

As an alternative, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera all provide this useful functionality. :rolleyes:

Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems there's a growing trend toward the use of web browsers that don't include scroll bars.

As an alternative, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera all provide this useful functionality. :rolleyes:


Too funny.

And Doug tell Ken the loss was NOT my fault. I followed every correct superstition in the book. Kip Wells did pitch pretty well, but if he could throw to first base that would help. And if Skip could catch a flyball, it was not a sure thing, but it is a play that has to be made. Oh yeah, and can we get the freaking pitcher out.

I felt like I was back at the World Series, but this time WE were the Detroit Tigers.

FWIW I recorded the game and watched bits and pieces when I got home. Appeared to be pretty good broadcast to me at first blush. How can FSNMW throw these things together with no problems especially a first time E* broadcast, but we still get breakups on FOX and WB or CW or the channel formerly known as.... I just don't get why other stations can't get it right too.

Doug,

Have you called E* yet?

In all seriousness I have to believe D* can't be far behind in adding the RSNs, or at least starting them as E* has. But then I have been wrong before, as we all know.

FWIW, I received an eMail from our contact at FSN Midwest and he said he would try to call this week, as he was snowed under with various things last week due to the start of the season on Sunday. I'm traveling and won't be around as much as usual, but will update here just as soon as I can.

Apologies that I didn't let you guys know that I was still waiting to hear...

Too funny.

And Doug tell Ken the loss was NOT my fault. I followed every correct superstition in the book. Kip Wells did pitch pretty well, but if he could throw to first base that would help. And if Skip could catch a flyball, it was not a sure thing, but it is a play that has to be made. Oh yeah, and can we get the freaking pitcher out.

I felt like I was back at the World Series, but this time WE were the Detroit Tigers.

FWIW I recorded the game and watched bits and pieces when I got home. Appeared to be pretty good broadcast to me at first blush. How can FSNMW throw these things together with no problems especially a first time E* broadcast, but we still get breakups on FOX and WB or CW or the channel formerly known as.... I just don't get why other stations can't get it right too.

Did you notice the trick plays (ff/rew/30 sec skip) were a little hard to use? When I used them the screen would become a blotchy mess which made it difficult to find the end of commercials.

Other than that I was very pleased with the FSMW-HD broadcast. Can't say the same for the product on the field.

Dave

Did you notice the trick plays (ff/rew/30 sec skip) were a little hard to use? When I used them the screen would become a blotchy mess which made it difficult to find the end of commercials.

Other than that I was very pleased with the FSMW-HD broadcast. Can't say the same for the product on the field.

Dave


I did notice that on FF and REW. I did not notice a problem with the 30 sec skip. I have noticed this same problem on other recordings, though not often. They say the FF and REW get very sketchy with the new update which I still haven't received. But I am pretty sure you are talking about something different here and I agree with you.

Did you notice the trick plays (ff/rew/30 sec skip) were a little hard to use? When I used them the screen would become a blotchy mess which made it difficult to find the end of commercials.

Other than that I was very pleased with the FSMW-HD broadcast. Can't say the same for the product on the field.

Dave
It's a known receiver/software issue, Dave, and gets more annoying with the new s/w version. BB game inning breaks is timed by the 2nd base umpire. They are exactly 2 minutes/120 seconds. Just press the 30sec FWD button 4x after the 3rd out, and you will return just before the next inning's pitch. :)

Buck stated the HD broadcast was on DirecTV Channel 92....was it?
(sorry, I spilled soda on the thumb-wheel, and forget how to work those arrows)

Charter Reaches 11th-Hour Agreement to Maintain Golf/Versus

From the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin web site:
_________________________________________________

The Golf Channel and Versus will continue to be shown on the Charter Communications cable lineup.

The two networks, owned by Comcast Networks, reached an agreement with Charter Communications Wednesday to continue their partnership. The contract with Comcast and Charter had expired.

Today was the deadline given by Comcast. Both the Golf Channel and Versus have been showing a message scroll warning subscribers that the channels were in jeopardy of being dropped.

No terms were announced.

The Golf Channel is the main provider for the PGA Tour while Versus is the cable home of the National Hockey League.
_________________________________________________

Yahoo! The Golf Channel is back. Now, do I still switch to E* or D*?

It's a known receiver/software issue, Dave, and gets more annoying with the new s/w version. BB game inning breaks is timed by the 2nd base umpire. They are exactly 2 minutes/120 seconds. Just press the 30sec FWD button 4x after the 3rd out, and you will return just before the next inning's pitch. :)

Buck stated the HD broadcast was on DirecTV Channel 92....was it?
(sorry, I spilled soda on the thumb-wheel, and forget how to work those arrows)

Thanks, I still have no received the 4.01 software. Now it looks like 4.02 is coming tomorrow:

L4.02 to spool Thursday (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=84169&page=3)

Dave

Thanks, I still have no received the 4.01 software. Now it looks like 4.02 is coming tomorrow:

L4.02 to spool Thursday (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=84169&page=3)

Dave
Who knows...it's like a big mystery within this industry. The may have, had all the intents off fulling phasing 4.01, but then when they got the feedback from the original test population, they decided to correct a few more things, and push back the release. Hopefully fixing the tricks, is one of them. It's the thing I find most annoying.

anyone else having audio sync issues with FSN MW HD on E* ? No problems on my other HD programming. I reset my receiver but the problem is still there during the pregame, I hope it goes away but Im sure I am SOL :(

D* channel 94 says Mets @ Cardinals HD but there is no picture. Anybody see anything different?

Yeah...I'm having issues with the game on 94 & 730, too.

I've called DirecTV. They are working on the problem now.

It was a 4:3 black picture, now a 16:9 black picture.

Glad I checked FSNMW-HD tonight before watching the SD broadcast. I should have looked at that schedule you guys posted a bit more carefully...

I still don't understand why Charter can't seem to ever have the proper program listing on FSNMW-HD (it always says "Off-Air," even when it's not).

anyone else having audio sync issues with FSN MW HD on E* ? No problems on my other HD programming. I reset my receiver but the problem is still there during the pregame, I hope it goes away but Im sure I am SOL :(
Fine here, no issues....other than Beltran.

Fine here, no issues....other than Beltran.
Yep....really nothing to watch. Nothing to cheer about....ever. One of the most boring games (and series) I've ever watched.

Fine here, no issues....other than Beltran.

Both my SD and HD channels are showing sync issues - any idea on how to correct? Its weird because its the only channel from what I can see that is having the problem. Guess I will have to call Dish this week....

Both my SD and HD channels are showing sync issues - any idea on how to correct? Its weird because its the only channel from what I can see that is having the problem. Guess I will have to call Dish this week....

When all else fails turn everything off then back on :) Seems to be fine now that I turned off my television set and also my audio receiver..Sorry for bothering you guys :)

Hmmm, when I said a while back that I wasn't having a problem with KDNL.... looks like I spoke too soon.

Seems the Fusion card decided to record KSDK instead of KDNL when Lost started tonight. I looked through my channel list as part of trying to figure the problem out... and whaddaya know... KDNL is listed in my Fusion channel list as channel 310-1. Yes, that's channel three hundred ten dash one.

Guess after CSI:NY is over tonight I'll do a rescan and see if that helps.....

OK, I'm starting to think I'd rather watch paint dry than watch the Cardinals in HD. I know it is only 3 games, but that was atrocious.

Glad I checked FSNMW-HD tonight before watching the SD broadcast. I should have looked at that schedule you guys posted a bit more carefully...

I still don't understand why Charter can't seem to ever have the proper program listing on FSNMW-HD (it always says "Off-Air," even when it's not).

I have Charter, and it always lists a game on FSMW-HD is there is a game on. What kind of box do you have? I have a Moxi and occasionally (3 times a year) I'll have to force the trigger for a program update, but other than that its always shown me the proper stuff -- Blues games etc.

MLB, Cable Reach Agreement on Extra Innings; DISH Still Talking

But no word on Charter intentions, for either the package or the Baseball Channel carriage requirement. Stay tuned.

The following wrap-up story is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
___________________________________________________________

Major League Baseball has agreed to a deal that will let cable TV operators carry its 'Extra Innings' package.

Comcast, Cox and Time Warner say they will carry the package, which includes up to 60 out of market games a week. Other cable operators are likely to announce their plans in the next few days.

However, less clear is whether EchoStar subscribers will have access to the package.

High-Definition plans were also not immediately known, but cable operators have previously shown some Extra Innings games in HD on INHD, which is owned by In Demand, the cable group that negotiated the new deal with the league.

MLB and DIRECTV signed an agreement last month that said the satcaster could have Extra Innings exclusively if other TV providers did not match the offer by last Saturday. (The satcaster plans to show most of the games in High-Definition by 2008.)

However, under pressure from congressional leaders, MLB agreed to extend negotiations with other TV providers past the Saturday deadline. In Demand and the league announced the new agreement last night.

As part of the deal, cable TV's top systems and DIRECTV, will carry MLB's Baseball Channel when it launches in 2009. In Demand, which is owned by Comcast, Cox and Time Warner, agreed that the cable operators would offer the channel to 80 percent of its digital cable subscribers.

That provision means that roughly 40 million cable and satellite viewers will have access to the Baseball Channel in 2009.

In Demand and DIRECTV will also both have an equity stake in the new channel.

"Our chief goal throughout the process was to ensure that fans would have access to as many baseball games and as much baseball coverage as possible," MLB President Bob DuPuy said in a statement. "With this agreement, the MLB Channel will launch with an unprecedented platform."

Rob Jacobson, president of In Demand, echoed that sentiment:

"We couldn't be happier that we have reached an agreement with Major League Baseball and are able to make these games available to baseball fans as we have for the past five years," he said.

DIRECTV issued a statement saying it was pleased that the cable agreement will provide the satcaster with "unique financial benefits." However, DIRECTV now loses the exclusive rights to the Extra Innings package.

A MLB spokesman said the league would continue to negotiate with satcaster EchoStar, according to the Associated Press. But DIRECTV said it expected to be the exclusive satellite carrier of the package.
___________________________________________________________

FOX Network Says No Plans To Cut Back on HD Baseball

From today's TV Predictions newsletter:
_________________________________________________________

Fox Sports today denied reports that it's reducing the number of Saturday afternoon baseball games in High-Definition.

Fox will broadcast three Major League Baseball games every Saturday afternoon, starting this week.

Dan Bell, a Fox Sports spokesman, told TVPredictions.com today that the premiere game will always be in high-def and many of the "second" games will be as well.

"There is no scaling back," Bell said.

Fox Sports announced in February that "most" of the Saturday games would be in high-def. Bell said that description still applies.

"We never put a number on the games that would be in high-def," he said. "But most of the games will be in HD."
_________________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/foxhd040307.htm)

FOX Network Says No Plans To Cut Back on HD Baseball

From today's TV Predictions newsletter:
_________________________________________________________

Fox Sports today denied reports that it's reducing the number of Saturday afternoon baseball games in High-Definition.

Fox will broadcast three Major League Baseball games every Saturday afternoon, starting this week.

Dan Bell, a Fox Sports spokesman, told TVPredictions.com today that the premiere game will always be in high-def and many of the "second" games will be as well.

"There is no scaling back," Bell said.

Fox Sports announced in February that "most" of the Saturday games would be in high-def. Bell said that description still applies.

"We never put a number on the games that would be in high-def," he said. "But most of the games will be in HD."
_________________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/foxhd040307.htm)
The 4 times the Cards/Cubs are on the GOTW, they are the "premiere" game, so we now know those will be in HD.

I have Charter, and it always lists a game on FSMW-HD is there is a game on. What kind of box do you have? I have a Moxi and occasionally (3 times a year) I'll have to force the trigger for a program update, but other than that its always shown me the proper stuff -- Blues games etc.

My Moxi no longer lists FSMW-HD under the "HD Channels" menu & has not done so for a while. Does yours list it there?

I still get the programming on 792, it just doesn't show up in the HD menu.

Fore all the Golf fans: (The Masters is the best)


HD Sports News

3rd Annual HDSportsGuide.com Early Round Masters TV Watching Guide

Thursday and Friday's coverage of The Masters is available on multiple channels so get your HD-DVR remote handy, we have outlined all of the coverage below.

1. It starts at 4pm ET on both Thursday and Friday.
2. The non-HD coverage will be on USA.
3. The high definition coverage will be on both UniversalHD and the CBS Television HD Network (Analog CBS will be showing normal programming at this time).
4. Both CBS HD and Analog will have same day highlights at 11:35pm ET on both Thursday and Friday.

My Moxi no longer lists FSMW-HD under the "HD Channels" menu & has not done so for a while. Does yours list it there?

I still get the programming on 792, it just doesn't show up in the HD menu.


It was last night.

Fore all the Golf fans: (The Masters is the best)


HD Sports News

3rd Annual HDSportsGuide.com Early Round Masters TV Watching Guide

Thursday and Friday's coverage of The Masters is available on multiple channels so get your HD-DVR remote handy, we have outlined all of the coverage below.

1. It starts at 4pm ET on both Thursday and Friday.
2. The non-HD coverage will be on USA.
3. The high definition coverage will be on both UniversalHD and the CBS Television HD Network (Analog CBS will be showing normal programming at this time).
4. Both CBS HD and Analog will have same day highlights at 11:35pm ET on both Thursday and Friday.


Charter customers get to look forward to option number 2 (non-HD coverage on USA).

I have Charter, and it always lists a game on FSMW-HD is there is a game on. What kind of box do you have? I have a Moxi and occasionally (3 times a year) I'll have to force the trigger for a program update, but other than that its always shown me the proper stuff -- Blues games etc.

I have Charter and the Moxi, on our box FSMW-HD always shows "sign off" and never displays content. Moxi has been rebooted multiple times, no issues on any other channels that I'm aware of. How did you "force the trigger" in an attempt to update? Thanks.

Go into the internal diagnostics by holding in Menu and OK on the front of the box for a few seconds

Use the cursor buttons to go down to option 8 (actions and triggers)
Press Right to select that sub-menu
Then Select option 83 (list of various triggers)
Press Right to select that sub-menu


To exit out of the diagnostics press the Menu button or MOXI on the remote. -

Is it confirmed that MPEG4 is required to get FSNMW HD on E*?

If so, Dish may have just gained an MPEG4 customer....

Go into the internal diagnostics by holding in Menu and OK on the front of the box for a few seconds

Use the cursor buttons to go down to option 8 (actions and triggers)
Press Right to select that sub-menu
Then Select option 83 (list of various triggers)
Press Right to select that sub-menu

To exit out of the diagnostics press the Menu button or MOXI on the remote. -

Isn't this just triggering the same update that is done automatically every night?

Isn't this just triggering the same update that is done automatically every night?


Haha, what makes you think it ACTUALLY does anything everynight?

I've had my channel guides go out, VOD menus not update ... a trigger always fixes it. If the modem in your Moxi loses connectivity it won't do anything at all ... sometimes this is necessary to fix that.

I think unplugging it for a minute, then rebooting, will also trigger certain actions.

Anyways, menus are fun to muck around in :-)

For instance, I've noticed in the Moxi system menus, they still haven't updated the Daylights Savings time, so the system is still an hour off.

Every time I have gone into my diagnostics menu, the update always indicates that the update occured the previous night. As I mentioned, my FSM-HD has not shown up for quite some time in the Moxi "HD Channels" menu so I think there is a deeper cause to the issue than simply forcing an update.

I think StLBluesFan & I have other other causes of this but he is welcome to give it a shot.

Is it confirmed that MPEG4 is required to get FSNMW HD on E*?

If so, Dish may have just gained an MPEG4 customer....
Confirmed.
VIP receiver (MPEG4), Satellite 129°, and programming containing FSNMW.

Okay, I am ready to throw a brick through my tv. I have a Radioshack U75 antenna and just layed it on my roof pointing east. I was still getting no signal problems. I then went out and bought 43XG from antennadirct period com and am still having the same problems! Some please help! I am going crazy. My Sony HD tv has a build in HD tuner, could that be a problem? Is there a way to test the signal coming in from the antenna to make sure I am getting all I can out of it? The Masters is on this weekend and would really like to watch it in HD....

Thanks,
Matt

Okay, I am ready to throw a brick through my tv. I have a Radioshack U75 antenna and just layed it on my roof pointing east. I was still getting no signal problems. I then went out and bought 43XG from antennadirct period com and am still having the same problems! Some please help! I am going crazy. My Sony HD tv has a build in HD tuner, could that be a problem? Is there a way to test the signal coming in from the antenna to make sure I am getting all I can out of it? The Masters is on this weekend and would really like to watch it in HD....

Thanks,
Matt
Matt,
Can you provide a bit more info...
"pointed east" ...have you been to antennaweb to get the exact compass headings for your location?
Where do you live...distance from the towers? For example, if you live close to the towers, being off 10° can make the difference, etc.
Do you get any of the channels?
Is your new 43XG on some sort of tri-pod or mast, and not laying on the roof?

Anyone having issues with 129 on E* tonight? Watching the Masters on Universal but its really choppy...Must have something to do with the clouds I guess...Usually no problems - also having the problem on some of the other HD channels. :(

Matt,
Can you provide a bit more info...
"pointed east" ...have you been to antennaweb to get the exact compass headings for your location?
Where do you live...distance from the towers? For example, if you live close to the towers, being off 10° can make the difference, etc.
Do you get any of the channels?
Is your new 43XG on some sort of tri-pod or mast, and not laying on the roof?


My zip code is 63021. I have been to antennaweb and it is pointed in the correct direction. I adjusted it a couple of degrees and it seems to be better. The new 43XG is actually in my attic an is resting on the rafter (problem maybe?). Below are the locations. I have it pointed directly to 106 degrees now and all seems well.

KETC 9 PBS ST. LOUIS MO 137° 9.1 9
* yellow - uhf KETC-DT 9.1 PBS ST. LOUIS MO 137° 9.1 39
yellow - uhf KNLC 24 FMN ST. LOUIS MO 188° 15.2 24
* yellow - uhf KNLC-DT 24.1 FMN ST. LOUIS MO 187° 15.2 14
yellow - uhf WRBU 46 MNT EAST ST. LOUIS IL 174° 13.2 46
* yellow - uhf WRBU-DT 46.1 MNT E. ST. LOUIS IL 174° 13.2 47
* green - uhf KTVI-DT 2.1 FOX St. Louis MO 112° 8.1 43
red - uhf KDNL 30 ABC ST. LOUIS MO 89° 9.9 30
* red - uhf KDNL-DT 30.1 ABC ST. LOUIS MO 89° 9.9 31
red - vhf KPLR 11 CW ST. LOUIS MO 106° 11.9 11
* red - uhf KPLR-DT 11.1 CW ST. LOUIS MO 92° 10.1 26
red - vhf KMOV 4 CBS ST. LOUIS MO 106° 11.9 4
red - vhf KSDK 5 NBC ST. LOUIS MO 94° 9.8 5
* red - uhf KSDK-DT 5.1 NBC ST. LOUIS MO 94° 9.8 35
red - vhf KTVI 2 FOX ST. LOUIS MO 112° 8.1 2
blue - uhf KUMO-LP 40 IND ST. LOUIS MO 66° 9.9 40
blue - uhf K22HG 59 TBN ST CHARLES MO 333° 13.4 59
* blue - uhf KMOV-DT 4.1 CBS ST. LOUIS MO 106° 11.9 56


Matt

My zip code is 63021. I have been to antennaweb and it is pointed in the correct direction. I adjusted it a couple of degrees and it seems to be better. The new 43XG is actually in my attic an is resting on the rafter (problem maybe?). Below are the locations. I have it pointed directly to 106 degrees now and all seems well.Matt
Resting on the rafter should be fine. At an average distance of 10 miles, small changes in degrees of point can make a large difference.
If you continue to get acceptable reception, leave it alone.
If it becomes unacceptable on some/all channels, you may want to perform a probe.

Probing is when you move the antenna to either end of reception, moving it a few degrees at a time, while monitoring the signal strengths, and recording them, so you end up achieving the best possible direction for all channels.

It's a tedious task, but only needs to be done once. Having two people, a compass (inexpensive walmart boyscout type) and some means of communication between attic and TV is helpful. Once you achieve the optimum direction, immobilize and mark the antenna, in case it ever moves.

immobilize

We are talking tv reception :D

Dish's spin, for any interested:
http://www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/extra_innings/index.shtml

yada yada yada

It just kills me that they say they are going to work with Congress. Uugh. Congress needs to find more
important things to do than worry about TV.

It just kills me that they say they are going to work with Congress. Uugh. Congress needs to find more
important things to do than worry about TV.
Perhaps Congress could establish their own foreign policy department...
maybe figure out where all the bee's have gone....
or, how about just a school department in a city the size of St. Louis?

Okies, I'm done....going to immobilize my brain :D

Forgive me, but last year during baseball season I was a happy DirecTV subscriber. Now I am with Charter.

Can anyone tell me if Charter has been carrying MLBEI in the past? I have read a few posts saying that they don't, but they are in other markets. I don't see anything on Charter's website about availability of EI this year. I suppose it may be too early.

Thanks

Forgive me, but last year during baseball season I was a happy DirecTV subscriber. Now I am with Charter.

Can anyone tell me if Charter has been carrying MLBEI in the past? I have read a few posts saying that they don't, but they are in other markets. I don't see anything on Charter's website about availability of EI this year. I suppose it may be too early.

Thanks
I don't know about years past, as it stand now, Charter will not be carrying MLB EI this year, and it is unlikely that will change. It will only be available on DirecTV in St. Louis. I may be wrong, but I do not believe Charter Communications is carrying MLB EI in any markets, this year.

Here is the response I received from Charter. Sounds like the answer is probably no since they will have to carry the Baseball Channel.

Charter does not currently have a deal with MLB. However, based on the recent iNDEMAND agreement, direct discussions between Charter and MLB will begin immediately. Charter and all other cable operators not owned by iNDEMAND must negotiate directly with MLB to carry MLB Extra Innings and later, The Baseball Channel. Updates on Charter\u2019s ability to offer MLB Extra Innings will be provided as soon as they are available.

Here is the response I received from Charter. Sounds like the answer is probably no since they will have to carry the Baseball Channel.

Charter does not currently have a deal with MLB. However, based on the recent iNDEMAND agreement, direct discussions between Charter and MLB will begin immediately. Charter and all other cable operators not owned by iNDEMAND must negotiate directly with MLB to carry MLB Extra Innings and later, The Baseball Channel. Updates on Charter\u2019s ability to offer MLB Extra Innings will be provided as soon as they are available.
Unless Charter can find a negotiator for 6.25/hr, that counts them out :D

On Wednesday, cable representatives reached an agreement with MLB to carry Extra Innings. However, in the article I read and excerpted here, Charter was not listed among the cable companies that are expected to participate in this deal, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't.

The EI door is open to them -- whether they walk through it is a separate question. I'd say it would be a certainty if MLB Extra Innings was delivered over Internet local phone service... ;)

Comcast To Pull Analog Cable Plug, say STBs Capable of 120 HD Channels

This seems to me to be a major development and one that I think is way overdue -- analog cable is a significant bandwidth eater. How soon will other cable companies bite this bullet?

Of course, I mean cable companies other than Charter...

As for the 120 channels, I think this is primarily a way to counter DirecTV advertising, as they don't say they are going to DELIVER 120 HD channels. This will still come down to bandwidth, but shutting down the analog feed will go a long way to freeing up the capacity needed to accomplish that.

From today's TV Predictions newsletter:
_________________________________________________________

Comcast officials in Chicago say current digital set-tops will be able to deliver 120 High-Definition channels in 2008. That's according to an article in The Chicago Sun-Times.

The newspaper reports that Comcast is switching all analog cable set-tops to digital boxes by July 1. The move is designed to prepare for the nation's switch to Digital TV on February 17, 2009, the Sun-Times writes.

"Analog TV is going away, and digital TV is coming. People are going to have clearer pictures and better sound. They will have interactive guides, and 40 free channels of Music Choice and a special universal remote control," said Eric Schaefer, Comcast's vice president of sales in the Chicago area.

But Comcast officials also told the newspaper that the digital set-tops will have enough bandwidth for 120 high-def channels, 400 digital channels and 10,000 streams for Video on Demand.

Comcast now carries around 20 high-def channels, but has said it's experimenting with a new technology called Digital Video Switching that could enable it to dramatically expand capacity.
_________________________________________________________

This is interesting, in a weird way:

http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-6173863.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-5&subj=news

Big TV's cheap

Charter customers get to look forward to option number 2 (non-HD coverage on USA).

Oh, I don't know. I am a Charter customer and I will receive the HD coverage. As a mater of fact, I will record the HD coverage. I don't think you have to be a subscriber to anything to receive the signal. All you need is an antenna and a HD tuner.

Nice troll though.

Walt

I'm considering a switch to satellite. Does satellite provide the local channels in
HD or will I have to have an antenna?

Are there frequent service issues with satellite, such as loss of signal, picture breakup or interference?

I'm considering a switch to satellite. Does satellite provide the local channels in
HD or will I have to have an antenna?

Are there frequent service issues with satellite, such as loss of signal, picture breakup or interference?

Dish allows you to do either one....

$5 a month gets all the locals but 11 in HD... Which I do due to regular drop out of channel 4 via OTA which I have to....

Ohhh ya you gotta pay for the HD package too.

I'm considering a switch to satellite. Does satellite provide the local channels in
HD or will I have to have an antenna?

Are there frequent service issues with satellite, such as loss of signal, picture breakup or interference?



There are plenty of places to read about all your questions on this forum. Doug's (DropTheRemote) initial post is always the best place to start. Ok, I will be nice, yes local HDs (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) are available in our market on both D* and E*. I have very few if any picture drops. I have noticed rain fade about 2 times in the past 2 years. It does occur, but not often. All in all I could not be much happier with E* right now.

I would still reccomend to anyone to get an antenna as well. It is just handy and provides the best PQ. And if you have a DVR it provides more recording options, at least with E*.

Stock,
DirecTV also....both have just the 4 networks.
Satellite reception is a myth. It rarely goes out. Torrential rains, for 5-10 minutes.

[QUOTE=deuces]Satellite doesn't have local channels at all, in SD or HD. And for some reason mine only gets a picture 6 days a week. Sundays there is no picture, which isn't too bad, except it sucks during football season.

You must have gotten the Goedeker satellite package.