One final thing on the Apple-Microsoft thing and then I'm done.

The starting point for this conversation was that I was trying to find out if I'm the only one having problems with Adobe PDF products running S-L-O-W. In the course of that, I'm informed that Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader run just fine on Macs, but at least a couple other people have told me that they have also had bad experiences with Adobe on Windows.

Of course, Microsoft is working on its own version of an Acrobat-like product. So if these performance issues continue, I'll give a look to the Microsoft product when it's available, because running Acrobat has become close to an unbearable experience. I'm guessing that if that happens, the conventional wisdom will be that it was Microsoft's fault that Adobe couldn't produce a better product for the Windows user.

FYI -- for anyone looking to convert any sort of document to the PDF format without buying one of the Adobe Acrobat programs, there's a nice Windows freeware PDF creator package provided by a company called PDF995 -- http://www.pdf995.com.

The only downside is that there is a nag screen in the middle of the creation process, but one click and it's gone.

Obviously, PDF995 can't do everything that Acrobat does -- for example, it only converts other documents to PDF, so you can't save an in-progress PDF form or document as you can with Acrobat. But it satisfies most of my PDF-creation needs.

I don't agree that Thurrott is a Microsoft shill, though the majority of what he writes about is Microsoft-oriented, in large part, I suspect, because that is what most consumers and businesses actually use.

Also, the guy is critical of Microsoft when it's appropriate. For example, he absolutely reamed Microsoft for the many delays in Vista and for the fact that much of what was promised in the original "Longhorn" previews never made it into the released product. Late in the beta review process, he labeled the product "a trainwreck." ....
Then he has changed his tune in recent years. I stopped reading his site years ago because it was so obviously biased and unbalanced. Maybe he's not acting like a shill now, but he certainly used to. And if he's not like that now then I take it back.

As for Apple, they may never gain much more market share than they have, but that has less to do with quality than with marketing. Apple made serious errors in marketing early on while Microsoft made brilliant moves. I think Apple is less concerned about market share than other things. If they wanted to, they could offer a version of Mac OS to run on any Intel hardware, not just their own. That would remove the argument that Macs are more expensive than PCs and open a door to increased market share. Maybe that's not as important to them as other things. Anyway, it's discussion you can find in many places, so I want say any more about it.

It is gorgeous out today. I'm home getting ready to smoke some pork for pulled pork. Yummy.

kdg,

I suspect that I missed this when I was traveling, but can you let me know the channel number DISH has assigned to Fox Sports Midwest?

With the Charter additions and the addition of FSNMW on DISH, I need to update the Programming Guide.


Didn't see if you got your answer, but on DISH, the HD FSNMW is 368, the regular FSNMW is 418.


I heard the clicks in LOST via Dish Network recorded playback.

Adobe Reader 8 is a huge improvement over 7, loads faster, doesn't have the yahoo ads, prints properly everytime. Rolled out to aprox 100 pcs so far...no macs on the network.

For print to pdf we use an open source program - PDFCreator it works great for print to pdf.

I like Dan, Al, and Mike. My favorite was Ken Wilson doing the Blues games...didn't get better than that.

I think that catches me up :)

It is gorgeous out today. I'm home getting ready to smoke some pork for pulled pork. Yummy.I was just thinking about what supplies I need to reorder for my annual Spring hard-core, ground-up detail on my car. Time to make it beautiful for the warm months (and prepare for the June 3 Euro Auto Show). Think I'll do this next weekend or the first weekend of May if the weather is good.

My favorite was Ken Wilson doing the Blues games...didn't get better than that.



Him and Joe Micheletti were the best combo.

Tim

I was just thinking about what supplies I need to reorder for my annual Spring hard-core, ground-up detail on my car. Time to make it beautiful for the warm months (and prepare for the June 3 Euro Auto Show). Think I'll do this next weekend or the first weekend of May if the weather is good.

Don't forget to use a clay bar. :) That show is cool. I went last year. I like seeing all the cars.

Scott

I have the HR20-700 (actually, two). It has two buttons on the remote. One a 30 second skip and the other a 6 second reverse. Just like TIVO. Trust me it's there. I use it every day. I can't speak for any other models D* has, but this is their HD DVR which replaced my HR10-250 TIVO units.

Two differences between the units regarding the 30-second skip:

1. The Tivo only skips if you enter the "secret" key sequence after each restart.

2. The Tivo skips instantly, whereas the HR20 does a very fast-forward allowing you to see some of what you are skipping over.

Mike

I'm interested in the "secret" key code. Would that work on an older D* non-HD Tivo unit? I think its an R10.

For my other topic, I upgraded to the AT9 and an H20 reciever (upgrade from an H10 and also kept my R10) in August. I've been experiencing a problem where MP2/SD channels will pixelate badly on the H20 and "chirp" with a high pitched sound that drives the dog crazy and eventually lock up completely until I change channels. Those same channels on the R10 are fine at the same time. I occasionally get pixelization on the MP4/Local HD channels or the MP2/National HD channels but not the lockups or "chirp" noises. At times it will even go in to the "searching for satellite" screen while the R10 continues to have a good signal.

I reperformed the guided satellite setup and got failures on 3 of the 5 sats. I did it again and got failures on 2 of the 5. I did it a third time and got a failure on one of the sats. All the while the R10 showed rock solid signals on the A, B, and C sats. I could also go in to the signal meters in the H20 and watch the signal on one of the transponders on Sat 101 varying between 90 and 0. The same transponder on the R10 never fluctuated. D* technical support seemed to think that the problem may be in the multiswitch. The only other plausible explanation would be the receiver itself. I ended up signing up for their "care" program at $6/month since they wanted $70 for a service call without it. This is the first D* system I've had that I'm not able to service myself due to the location of the dish install on the roof. They are coming out Saturday but I'm concerned because as of today programming is coming in solid and I get signals on all the birds. It is an intermittent problem. They are going to just write it off as "user error".

Any other thoughts on what the problem could be? I eliminated the B-Band converter and the cable as a problem.

Don't forget to use a clay bar. :) That show is cool. I went last year. I like seeing all the cars.

ScottIt's a fun show. I've been attending for about a while. This will be the third year I show my car (I got 2nd place for BMWs in 2005).

I claybar my car. The routine is:
1. Dawn wash to strip everything (old wax, etc).
2. Wash and wipe engine and engine bay.
3. Claybar all painted, chrome, and glass exterior surfaces.
4. Machine polish to remove swirls marks, scratches, etc
5. Zaino Bros wash to remove residue from 3 and 4
6. Complete Zaino Bros system to protect, finish, and shine (about 8 coats)
7. Clean and treat wheels, tires, plastic trim, rubber seals, etc.

This takes about 2 days. Then I start on the interior. :-)

I'm interested in the "secret" key code. Would that work on an older D* non-HD Tivo unit? I think its an R10.It's a TIVO specific thing. What was it...while playing a recording, hit Select-Play-Select-3-0-Select

It is gorgeous out today. I'm home getting ready to smoke some pork for pulled pork. Yummy.

I love pulled pork and when I feel the need for some and do not feel like making it I go to shop & save and buy the super smokers already cooked and it is pretty good.

Does one of the buttons then become a 30 second button (like the 8 second rewind button?) or do you have to enter that every time you want to skip 30 seconds?

Don't forget to use a clay bar. :)

What is a clay bar?

What is a clay bar?

It's a small bar of clay. You run it across your paint, glass, etc. It will remove any contaminants on the surface leaving your paint smoother than the screen of your CRT. Hmmm, that gives me an idea...Anyway, it is a good way to get your paint ready for polish, wax, etc. :) I want to see the look on my Wifes face tonight when I interrupt Sienfeld to clay the TV.

Scott

Then he has changed his tune in recent years. I stopped reading his site years ago because it was so obviously biased and unbalanced. Maybe he's not acting like a shill now, but he certainly used to. And if he's not like that now then I take it back.

As for Apple, they may never gain much more market share than they have, but that has less to do with quality than with marketing. Apple made serious errors in marketing early on while Microsoft made brilliant moves. I think Apple is less concerned about market share than other things. If they wanted to, they could offer a version of Mac OS to run on any Intel hardware, not just their own. That would remove the argument that Macs are more expensive than PCs and open a door to increased market share. Maybe that's not as important to them as other things. Anyway, it's discussion you can find in many places, so I want say any more about it.

Hardware cost is a factor, but frankly the extremely limited choice of applications/games for the Mac OS is a major reason that Apple has failed to obtain a greater market share. Apple needs more developers developing for it (beyond the freeware/shareware stuff).

Stop talking about washing & waxing your car. No more talk about MAC's and PC's. Forgot about eating. This is
a thread only about OTA and other HD programming in STL. Stop trying to be nice and make friends :rolleyes:

It's a small bar of clay. You run it across your paint, glass, etc. It will remove any contaminants on the surface leaving your paint smoother than the screen of your CRT. Hmmm, that gives me an idea...Anyway, it is a good way to get your paint ready for polish, wax, etc. :) I want to see the look on my Wifes face tonight when I interrupt Sienfeld to clay the TV.

Scott

Where do you car enthusiasts pick up the clay bar? I remeber trying to buy some online, but it isn't "cheap".

Where do you car enthusiasts pick up the clay bar? I remeber trying to buy some online, but it isn't "cheap".

Zaino products are the bomb:

http://www.zainostore.com

I'm not a huge car guy but I do an abbreviated version of the Zaino process twice a year & my vehicle beads up the raindrops amazingly all year round.

Oh, and uhh...I am thinking about the HD programming that I am missing while Zainoing my ride.

Where do you car enthusiasts pick up the clay bar? I remeber trying to buy some online, but it isn't "cheap".You can get claybar at AutoZone and many other places that sell car stuff. Usually they come with a lubricant, although I just use clean, soapy water from my wash bucket.

Cars always have lots of micro-contaminants that adhere to the paint surface. Even brand news cars you pick up at a dealer. Using claybar is an important step to detailing a car. It leaves the paint surface smooth as a baby's butt and readys the pint/clearcoat for polishing and waxing.

Zaino is not a carnuba based wax, but a polymer based show car polish and protectant system. And for the lazy folks ;) they now have an AIO (all-in-one) system. Properly used, Zaino gives your paint finish a very wet-like glassy appearance, like this (http://www.wette.us/gallery/M3-front.jpg) and this (http://www.wette.us/gallery/M3-rear.jpg).

Hardware cost is a factor, but frankly the extremely limited choice of applications/games for the Mac OS is a major reason that Apple has failed to obtain a greater market share. Apple needs more developers developing for it (beyond the freeware/shareware stuff).But now you can have the best of both. I'll be replacing my Dell craptop this year with a MacBook Pro. On it I will run WinXP in a VM (Parallels), so I can use the few Windows apps that I do need. Othwise, everything else, including phtos and software development, will be done on Mac OS.

You can get claybar at AutoZone and many other places that sell car stuff. Usually they come with a lubricant, although I just use clean, soapy water from my wash bucket.

Cars always have lots of micro-contaminants that adhere to the paint surface. Even brand news cars you pick up at a dealer. Using claybar is an important step to detailing a car. It leaves the paint surface smooth as a baby's butt and readys the pint/clearcoat for polishing and waxing.

Zaino is not a carnuba based wax, but a polyurethane based show car polish and protectant system. And for the lazy folks ;) they now have an AIO (all-in-one) system. Properly used, Zaino gives your paint finish a very wet-like glassy appearance, like this (http://www.wette.us/gallery/M3-front.jpg) and this (http://www.wette.us/gallery/M3-rear.jpg).

All I can say is that there is nothing like a "clean" black car. It's just hard to keep them clean....I have one, so I know. All this talk about cleaning/waxing cars reminds me that there is no way my car will be ready for the World Ford Challenge I'll be showing at in mid-May. Just too many other chores and I've still yet to pull the trigger on a HD-DVR for my D*.

I'll be happy to let you wash and wax my car just as soon as the transmission goes back in it and it's driveable.

Oh yeah, I still need to get around to getting a calibration

Does one of the buttons then become a 30 second button (like the 8 second rewind button?) or do you have to enter that every time you want to skip 30 seconds?

The key sequence has to be done during a playback of an HD recording. It causes the advance button to become the 30-sec skip until the unit is restarted.

Mike

...

I'll be happy to let you wash and wax my car just as soon as the transmission goes back in it and it's driveable.

...You probably don't want to hold your breath waiting on that. My wife is next in line. We bought her a certified pre-owned in February that I also need to detail. See, I have to start working on her for a new M3 in a couple years. :eek:

Stop talking about washing & waxing your car. No more talk about MAC's and PC's. Forgot about eating. This is
a thread only about OTA and other HD programming in STL. Stop trying to be nice and make friends :rolleyes:

Too funny! :D

I don't know if it has been discussed here yet or not, but the Dish Vip622 software update last week seems to have fixed the KPLR 11 OTA Tuner problems.
It works great now. The update also added split screen picture in picture.
Dish also added HD banners to all of the HD channels, very nice.

Pick for the new detailing thread. Spent last weekend making it shine.
http://aycu19.webshots.com/image/14818/2004046243563439764_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004046243563439764)

Scott

I'm not a huge car guy but I do an abbreviated version of the Zaino process twice a year & my vehicle beads up the raindrops amazingly all year round.

Glad I popped back in to catch this. I've been looking for something like this to replace what I've been using. Thanks!

Tonight I was getting blocky break-up and stuttering audio on both CNN and HBO, both in SD on DTV channels 202 and 501, receiver H20-600. I checked the signal strength to see if it might be an issue, and saw results on four birds - see photo.

What do you think? Thanks!

Anyone here live in New Athens? How's the reception? A friend of mine is looking at a new TV and has poor analog reception now.

Pick for the new detailing thread. Spent last weekend making it shine.

Scott


The truck looks great Scott. In fact a little too good. I can see your address in the reflection. Your truck will be at the chop shop by midnight. ;)

Anyone here live in New Athens? How's the reception? A friend of mine is looking at a new TV and has poor analog reception now.There's no guarantees, but there should be little problem in getting good reception in New Athens, at least in terms of distance from the towers.

As for his poor current analog reception, what sort of antenna is he using? What sort of cabling is in place? I'm not saying that analog reception isn't a worthwhile indicator of what digital reception will be, but it's not fail-proof as there are many other variables involved.

Your friend should determine how far away he is from the towers and then buy an antenna with an appropriate rating for that distance. UHF-only is better than UHF/VHF combo, and rooftop is better than attic, though I'd think an attic installation should be doable from that range.

The wild card in any given antenna installation is what might stand between the antenna and the tower(s), either man-made or topological. That's why there are no guarantees, but I think it's worth making the effort to find out what sort of digital reception he can manage, because I think the prospects are more than reasonable.

I guess the Cards-Cubs game is not in HD today? The advertisement FOX just aired said HD beside the 2nd tier Yankee-Red Sox rivalry, and no HD by our game.

I guess the Cards-Cubs game is not in HD today? The advertisement FOX just aired said HD beside the 2nd tier Yankee-Red Sox rivalry, and no HD by our game.
Guess we now know that this excerpt is defined as:
"...most of which are presented in High Definition..."
taken from FOX's press release regarding their GOTW coverage.

I'm guessing Joe will be at Fenway, as well.

Doug,
I don't know if this will help but I use a program called Adobe Reader Speedup to make Adobe 8.0 load faster, and work less sluggishly.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/PDF/Adobe-Reader-SpeedUp.shtml

The only other thing i want to about it, is that I have the basic reader, and not Adobe Reader 8.0 Pro. I am not sure if adobe reader speedup is compatible with pro or not.

I notice last night that ESPN2 HD was added to charter's lineup. How long ago did this happen?

Sudhakar

I'm really hoping the Houston ChampCar race on ESPN tomorrow is in HD, but not giving it high expectations.

But anything is better than having it on CBS or NBC.

I bought my parents a DVD player w/ speakers about 6 years ago. I want to just replace the DVD player and be able to connect the 5 speakers directly to the DVD player (like I currently do). I haven't been able to find any DVD players that have the internal 5.1 speaker outputs.

I'm not opposed to puchasing another DVD player / speaker combo, but I it would be nice to just replace the DVD player.

Any suggestions?

Doug,
I don't know if this will help but I use a program called Adobe Reader Speedup to make Adobe 8.0 load faster, and work less sluggishly.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/PDF/Adobe-Reader-SpeedUp.shtml

The only other thing i want to about it, is that I have the basic reader, and not Adobe Reader 8.0 Pro. I am not sure if adobe reader speedup is compatible with pro or not.

I notice last night that ESPN2 HD was added to charter's lineup. How long ago did this happen?

SudhakarThanks for the tip on Speedup. Seems bizarre that this sort of application needs a "speed up" add-in, but at least this confirms that I'm not the only one seeing pitiful performance. Although I'd really like to own an authoring version of Acrobat, based on my experiences so far, I'll be going back to the free Reader-only app when the trial expires. But it sounds like I'll probably still need Speedup then.

One other point about this Adobe application that annoys me no end: By default, Adobe adds its own toolbar and a single button to my eMail editor screens (Word in Outlook 2003). Even when I click to turn that toolbar off, it randomly comes back as I prepare my messages.

To me, this is unacceptable behavior from a "guest" on my computer. And it's made worse by the fact that the Adobe button is residing in its own toolbar, taking up a whole row in the menu area and reducing the amount of text I can see when I'm writing.

It's official: Adobe is the newest occupant on my permanent shitlist. :mad:

Note: I figured out how to delete the Adobe menus (actually three of them, each with no more than two buttons) by going into the Customize menu in Word. Still, this sort of action shouldn't be required...

I notice last night that ESPN2 HD was added to charter's lineup. How long ago did this happen?

SudhakarNot sure when it actually took place, but the first siting here was noted on Thursday...

And, yes, my scroll bars are once again functional... :cool:

The St. Louis Guide to Available HD Programming has been updated and can be viewed by clicking the link that appears below.

And, yes, my scroll bars are once again functional... :cool:


Well I for one am glad about that. :D

The St. Louis Guide to Available HD Programming
Great! Thanks!

Might there be a similar outline of which DTV channels are on which satellites and transponders, for trouble-shooting assistance?

Dan,

Glad to hear you found the Guide useful.

But I don't compile anything like the satellite slottings. I suspect that it could be found at The Satellite Guys site, or maybe someone here has it or can point you to it.

I don't compile anything like the satellite slottings.
I found a site http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/america.html that helps. It looks like the StL locals, and most of the SD channels, are on 101°; and most of the HD on 110° with a few on 119°.

With my odd-number 101° transponders in the mid-30's for signal strength and the even-numbered at 0, I'm not seeing much DTV right now!

The truck looks great Scott. In fact a little too good. I can see your address in the reflection. Your truck will be at the chop shop by midnight. ;)

Funny. Glad I'm insured. :)

Well, I watched up to chapter 20 of Superman Returns on HD-DVD. That is when my P.O.S. Xbox add-on decided to freeze. I hate that thing with a passion. Anyone want one cheap? :)

Scott

More on Charter and the Better Business Bureau advisory can be found here, from today's Post-Dispatch:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/savvyconsumer/story/03850FB242E8FF74862572C3000FE550?OpenDocument

I'd like to read the article, but their server is so slow I can't believe it. Been cranking for a few minutes and still nothing to look at. Can't even get to STLtoday home page.

I'd like to read the article, but their server is so slow I can't believe it. Been cranking for a few minutes and still nothing to look at. Can't even get to STLtoday home page.
Maybe they were doing some maintenance....many sites do on weekends.
It's popping right up now.

I'd like to read the article, but their server is so slow I can't believe it. Been cranking for a few minutes and still nothing to look at. Can't even get to STLtoday home page.

There is also an article in this weeks webster kirkwood times

http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2007-04-20&-token.story=67543.113117&-token.subpub=

"Typically, only about 6 percent of dissatisfied customers will actually take the time to make a complaint to BBB," said Corey. "So this gives you some idea of the volume of unhappy customers that are out there when it comes to Charter Communications."

also from the story..

"The consumer complaints come at a bad time for Charter. Its franchise agreements are up for renewal in the coming months with area cities from Shrewsbury to Fenton. Area cities have logged resident complaints about service, as well as cable rate hikes, which have gone up almost 95 percent since 1995."

I'm waiting for Uverse to roll out in Webster. Of course there is controversy here due to the "not in my back yard" where ATT is installing new equipment boxes here in Webster.....

There is also an article in this weeks webster kirkwood times

http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2007-04-20&-token.story=67543.113117&-token.subpub=

"Typically, only about 6 percent of dissatisfied customers will actually take the time to make a complaint to BBB," said Corey. "So this gives you some idea of the volume of unhappy customers that are out there when it comes to Charter Communications."

also from the story..

"The consumer complaints come at a bad time for Charter. Its franchise agreements are up for renewal in the coming months with area cities from Shrewsbury to Fenton. Area cities have logged resident complaints about service, as well as cable rate hikes, which have gone up almost 95 percent since 1995."

I'm waiting for Uverse to roll out in Webster. Of course there is controversy here due to the "not in my back yard" where ATT is installing new equipment boxes here in Webster.....
And....there's the weak, they just wear down....like me. :o
A very smart person, recently told me, he thinks, a certain percentage of call-ins are purposely routed into never-never-land....playing the percentages of those who will just go-away, and not call back again.

In March 2006, some Charter installer ran a 750 foot orange cable to connect two boxes together....across the rear of 2 private properties. After 4 months of trying, having tech's come out, and actually charging me a $32. service call once...I just gave up. 14 months later, it's still there, but I can no longer be bothered.

[...]In March 2006, some Charter installer ran a 750 foot orange cable to connect two boxes together....across the rear of 2 private properties. After 4 months of trying, having tech's come out, and actually charging me a $32. service call once...I just gave up. 14 months later, it's still there, but I can no longer be bothered.

You haven't hit it with the mower yet ?

I'm sure no one else noticed, because I doubt anyone was watching. We had friends in town for the weekend and I happened to be flipping around today. The National Heads Up Poker Tournament is on NBC. It wasn't in HD and I didn't expect an event like that to be. Apparently someone at our HD Leader made the same assumption as me, because about 15 minutes into the show, voila, the switch was flipped and it WAS HD. What kind of education does it take to flip a switch, geesh.

Edit: For anyone interested this is airing in parts over the next 3-5 weeks on the HD leader on Sundays at 11, I believe.

You haven't hit it with the mower yet ?


I thought the same thing Dave. Or maybe some rats chewed through it. I mean I would hate to do that to the neighbors, but a cable running through your yard Ken? Call the BBB, I'm sure they have room in that file for one more piece of paper. :)

I thought I saw a raging maniac with an axe in his yard. ;)

14 months later, it's still there, but I can no longer be bothered.
There is a column in every Sunday Post-Dispatch by a guy who gets those annoying stupidities corrected.

I've noticed on my Olevia with QAM tuner, I'm now picking up some new channels with charter:

1-6
CW-11-D2
Tube TV

1-5
KETC9
No picture, no sound

1-4
KETCKid

1-2
KETC HD
No picture, no sound

1-1
CW11-DT
No picture, no sound

When I first noticed this the other night, there also was a KDNL - HD channel with no picture and no sound. Now that one is gone. It would be nice if this means charter will have unencrypted locals in HD sometime in the near future.

I thought the same thing Dave. Or maybe some rats chewed through it. I mean I would hate to do that to the neighbors, but a cable running through your yard Ken? Call the BBB, I'm sure they have room in that file for one more piece of paper. :)
A third party mows both mine, and the neighbor's yards. He has the cable strung thru the trees, and over the fences and bushes. Obviously, it was put there to provide service (cable or pipeline) to one of the neighbors. Charter cannot confirm, or deny that, but, of course, they have no record of the cable existing. They are such a cluster----.

One tech, who was here, told me, they (Charter) is within their easement zone. Moron! Which, they are...but still, no utility can leave a live cable just laying across the ground. I'd estimate the distance between the boxes to be 750', but the cable run is about 900'. The installers always leave extra, so the burial crew has enough to "work" with. So, it is "S'd" along the ground and through the trees, etc.

Done the BBB thing....dead end, and I've contacted Nixon's office. Short of retaining counsel and filing a formal property infringement action, there's no legal options available.

I am going to check out the Post columnist...thanks for that, Dan.

I agree with the rest: mower, weed eater, ax, shovel. I even watched a rabbit chew about 60% through my drop before they buried it. I was told 3-4 weeks. It took over 2 months and weekly calls to corporate. Try this name and #314-288-3387, Jenny Brenan.

And....there's the weak, they just wear down....like me. :o
A very smart person, recently told me, he thinks, a certain percentage of call-ins are purposely routed into never-never-land....playing the percentages of those who will just go-away, and not call back again.

In March 2006, some Charter installer ran a 750 foot orange cable to connect two boxes together....across the rear of 2 private properties. After 4 months of trying, having tech's come out, and actually charging me a $32. service call once...I just gave up. 14 months later, it's still there, but I can no longer be bothered.

2 years ago I had a black cable running through my yard and 2 others (the cable box is in my yard and doesn't fasten down) I accidentally cut it with my lawn mower. That night around 2 am someone showed up in my yard to repair it. The next day I cut at the box and my fence and threw the 30 ft of cable in the trash.

No one ever came to run a new cable.

Dave

Hello, all,

I have been away for a period of a few months, but now its good to be back. Hope everyone is well and I'm looking forward to more STL-area HDTV discussion.

I noticed this thread title seems to have changed from St. Louis , MO - HDTV to St. Louis, MO - OTA. Has the STL thread been split into OTA and other varieties? I certainly hope not.

I wouldn't really call it a split. While a STL Charter thread now exists, there's probably still the same level of discussion about Charter here in the OTA thread (witness this very page) as there ever was.

I never really understood the logic of starting a Charter thread but in the end, the net effect here is pretty close to zero and the guys who wanted their own Charter discussion seem satisfied.

Good to have you back, Winston.

In March 2006, some Charter installer ran a 750 foot orange cable to connect two boxes together....across the rear of 2 private properties. After 4 months of trying, having tech's come out, and actually charging me a $32. service call once...I just gave up. 14 months later, it's still there, but I can no longer be bothered.

I had this problem with them once.....after 3 weeks of moving the cable for lawn mowing, I just didn't move it. Wouldn't you know it, the first time I crossed the cable....zip...it broke. I then called and informed them that they needed to fix their broken cable. I was asked how I knew it was broke. I told them that I saw my tractor cut it. The were out the next day to repair and bury it.

I had to patch it. My wife wanted to watch a program. :mad:

I guess enough people called to complain before the patch. The main J box is in my yard. :)

Walt

Guess I should have finished reading the page.

"If you cut it, they will come."

FWIW, Charter recently replaced the cable running from the distribution point to our house. When the techs left they told me that someone would come back to bury the cable within 30 days.

And, in fact, that's what happened, with the cable being buried almost exactly 4 weeks after the service call.

Just thought that I'd note this to show that sometimes Charter gets it right.

That's right -- fair and balanced, that's my mission... :)

I think there are a couple of people here who have the Denon 2807 and I have a question. (May have asked this before. If so, please excuse.) Can the 2807 apply Dolby decoding to a Dolby TrueHD signal? What I want to know is whether the 2807 can use the two rear channel speakers in a 7.1 system if you're using audio through an HDMI output from an HD DVD player. Or are you stuck with 5.1?

I think there are a couple of people here who have the Denon 2807 and I have a question. (May have asked this before. If so, please excuse.) Can the 2807 apply Dolby decoding to a Dolby TrueHD signal? What I want to know is whether the 2807 can use the two rear channel speakers in a 7.1 system if you're using audio through an HDMI output from an HD DVD player. Or are you stuck with 5.1?

I dunno. But I do know Denon is coming out with a 2808, 3808 and 4308 later this year that will do HDMI1.3 switching and DDTrueHD and DTS-HD onboard. There's a thread over in the Receivers forum about the 08 Denon receivers.

I think there are a couple of people here who have the Denon 2807 and I have a question. (May have asked this before. If so, please excuse.) Can the 2807 apply Dolby decoding to a Dolby TrueHD signal? What I want to know is whether the 2807 can use the two rear channel speakers in a 7.1 system if you're using audio through an HDMI output from an HD DVD player. Or are you stuck with 5.1?

I have a 2807 connected to a Toshiba HD-A1 and a PS3, both using HDMI. I am able to apply DPL IIx post-processing to all signals. I have both units configured for PCM output of HD-Audio. It also handles LFE properly. I replaced a Yamaha 2400 with the 2807 and I am very happy with the results.

However, you may want to wait for the 2808 if your source devices won't decode all HD Audio. I'm a little concerned that DTS MA is not coming to the PS3. I hope the new Samsung Dual HD player gets it right on all fronts (HD-DVD, BluRay and DVD upscalling) I'd really like to get to a one player solution.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. I think I might upgrade despite the upcoming Denon models. I can probably trade almost even for a couple of other receivers I have, and I'd like to have Audyssey EQ.

Quick question if somebody has a sec to answer-

I'm upgrading from a Dish 811 to 622 tomorrow. The technician on the phone tonight starts spouting off about which sats I'm going to have and lose and which dish I'm going to get and etc. I think he said I'm going to lose 61.5

Bottom line is....I want FSN-HD. Which sat do I need to get that?

Quick question if somebody has a sec to answer-

I'm upgrading from a Dish 811 to 622 tomorrow. The technician on the phone tonight starts spouting off about which sats I'm going to have and lose and which dish I'm going to get and etc. I think he said I'm going to lose 61.5

Bottom line is....I want FSN-HD. Which sat do I need to get that?
129°

The 622 is a MPEG4 receiver, the 811 is not. With the 622, you should also get the dish 1000+ antenna, which will give you the same 110 & 119 you now have. It will add 129 to replace 61.5.

Other than FSNMW HD, virtually all the programming on 61.5 and 129 is the same. The new dish antenna will also add 118, which will give you the STL DT (HD) locals, also MPEG4. You will not lose any channels by switching from 61.5 to 129.

You currently have 2 dish antennas, one pointed at 110 & 119, and the other pointed at 61.5. The new 1000+ is a single dish, which will receive all 4 satellites, 110/118/119/129°.

Presuming you subscribe to the locals over Dish, and currently receive FSNMW in SD. The upgrade from the 811 to the 622 includes replacing your dish antenna with a 1000+. Don't allow the installer to do, or tell you anything differently.

By giving up 61.5 dish you will loose the pentagon channel, Dish demo channel and some foreign language channels as well that are not on 129.

I dunno. But I do know Denon is coming out with a 2808, 3808 and 4308 later this year that will do HDMI1.3 switching and DDTrueHD and DTS-HD onboard. There's a thread over in the Receivers forum about the 08 Denon receivers.

Have you heard what Yamaha is coming out with?

Have you heard what Yamaha is coming out with?

I've been trolling the receivers forum about an '08 Yamaha that does HDMI 1.3/DTS-HD/DD-True HD onboard and there's been nothing. Keeping my eyes peeled though.

129°

The 622 is a MPEG4 receiver.....Perfect. Thanks for the info.

By giving up 61.5 dish you will loose the pentagon channel, Dish demo channel and some foreign language channels as well that are not on 129.NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

j/k :rolleyes:

I've been trolling the receivers forum about an '08 Yamaha that does HDMI 1.3/DTS-HD/DD-True HD onboard and there's been nothing. Keeping my eyes peeled though.

I'm looking and hoping for the same thing. Post it if you here anything.

Good Morning

Saying that is always relevant to the time of your rising and not the actual time.

I just went through Doug's HD channel guide. I have been under the impression that Sat service provided many more channels than cable but after reviewing the listings, that is not really the case.

HD provided by cable or sat, only, Charter 13, Directv 11, and Dish 16.

If you are like me and have OTA capability (granted not all cable customers have this) then the line up is Charter 15, Directv 14, and Dish 19.

I do watch a lot of PBS. With Charter it is not a problem. I need to tweak the rotor when ever I want to watch 9-1 or 46-1 OTA.

I would assume that the omission of the NFL network, HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax from the guide was due to these channels being premium?????

From the numbers, I guess my envy factor has diminished considerably unless the premium channel line up for Sat is lengthly. Of the missing Charter channels, I would mostly watch A&E, National Geographics, Foodtv, and Universal. The one I miss the most though is NFL network. Sunday ticket would be nice. I would also like to see an agreement between Charter and Belo.

Quality of signal is definitely a heavily weighted factor. It is one of the reasons I have not all ready switched. I still have not checked between OTA and Charter for the same programming. I will be in position to expose myself to the new D* and E* compressions in June. Hopefully D* will be a lot better than I remember.

Happy viewing.

Walt

Now if you have a neighbor, with a Charter cable line running across his backyard that Charter won't bury, and he decides to mow his lawn, then the number of HD channels on Charter becomes: 0

:D :eek:

Good Morning

Saying that is always relevant to the time of your rising and not the actual time.

I just went through Doug's HD channel guide. I have been under the impression that Sat service provided many more channels than cable but after reviewing the listings, that is not really the case.

HD provided by cable or sat, only, Charter 13, Directv 11, and Dish 16.

If you are like me and have OTA capability (granted not all cable customers have this) then the line up is Charter 15, Directv 14, and Dish 19.

I do watch a lot of PBS. With Charter it is not a problem. I need to tweak the rotor when ever I want to watch 9-1 or 46-1 OTA.

I would assume that the omission of the NFL network, HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax from the guide was due to these channels being premium?????

From the numbers, I guess my envy factor has diminished considerably unless the premium channel line up for Sat is lengthly. Of the missing Charter channels, I would mostly watch A&E, National Geographics, Foodtv, and Universal. The one I miss the most though is NFL network. Sunday ticket would be nice. I would also like to see an agreement between Charter and Belo.

Quality of signal is definitely a heavily weighted factor. It is one of the reasons I have not all ready switched. I still have not checked between OTA and Charter for the same programming. I will be in position to expose myself to the new D* and E* compressions in June. Hopefully D* will be a lot better than I remember.

Happy viewing.

Walt


The Dish number appears to be very low to me. What channels did you decide not to count?

Maybe I am wrong but I think you should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 for Dish.

Good Morning

Saying that is always relevant to the time of your rising and not the actual time.

I just went through Doug's HD channel guide. I have been under the impression that Sat service provided many more channels than cable but after reviewing the listings, that is not really the case.

HD provided by cable or sat, only, Charter 13, Directv 11, and Dish 16.

If you are like me and have OTA capability (granted not all cable customers have this) then the line up is Charter 15, Directv 14, and Dish 19.

I do watch a lot of PBS. With Charter it is not a problem. I need to tweak the rotor when ever I want to watch 9-1 or 46-1 OTA.

I would assume that the omission of the NFL network, HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax from the guide was due to these channels being premium?????

From the numbers, I guess my envy factor has diminished considerably unless the premium channel line up for Sat is lengthly. Of the missing Charter channels, I would mostly watch A&E, National Geographics, Foodtv, and Universal. The one I miss the most though is NFL network. Sunday ticket would be nice. I would also like to see an agreement between Charter and Belo.

Quality of signal is definitely a heavily weighted factor. It is one of the reasons I have not all ready switched. I still have not checked between OTA and Charter for the same programming. I will be in position to expose myself to the new D* and E* compressions in June. Hopefully D* will be a lot better than I remember.

Happy viewing.

Walt

I have Dish and I just counted 38 HD channels that I'm getting, not to mention all the local OTA (30, 11, 9, 5,4,2), from my Dish 622 receiver/DVR. That's 44 channels, available for recording and playback from the DVR (3 HD at once, while playing back one that's already recorded). Now, I counted 2,4,5 and 30 twice, since I have them as OTA as well as satcasts, but even if you take those out of the count it's still 40, and I think the added flexibility of being able to record up to 3 local HD broadcasts at the same time makes it fair to include them when considering Dish.

Quality issues saved for another day, the math here isn't right.

Now if you have a neighbor, with a Charter cable line running across his backyard that Charter won't bury, and he decides to mow his lawn, then the number of HD channels on Charter becomes: 0

:D :eek:


But only for you or him, not then entire subscriber base. Some alien mows our orbital lawn, Sat loses ..... everyone!

:p

The Dish number appears to be very low to me. What channels did you decide not to count?

Maybe I am wrong but I think you should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 for Dish.
DISH currently has 34 HD channels running, with Cinemax HD scheduled to launch in the next 10 days. I think it's 34 + 4 OTA, if you have them. I'm not including the PPV's and "currently unavailable" (NBA HD, etc) channels, also not included in Doug's guide.

I get Charter 16, DirecTV 13, and Dish 34. But alas, no Pentagon HD :(

Did you miss the second page, Walt?

I've been trolling the receivers forum about an '08 Yamaha that does HDMI 1.3/DTS-HD/DD-True HD onboard and there's been nothing. Keeping my eyes peeled though.

Not Yamaha, but here are some HDMI 1.3/DTS-HD/DD-True HD onboard receivers from Onkyo.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (4/24/07) -- Onkyo has announced four new THX Certified receiver models to be introduced beginning this spring, incorporating a range of high-end features and core performance improvements designed to deliver the highest levels of performance available. These new THX Certified Onkyo A/V receivers will feature HDMI 1.3a compatibility, including internal decoding for DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus. Each will also feature a sophisticated set of internal video processing capabilities, with two of the models boasting the first inclusion of Reon-VX HQV processing in an A/V receiver. Three of the new models, the TX-SR805, the TX-SR875, and the TX-NR905, each feature THX Ultra2 certification, while the TX-SR705 is THX Select2 Certified.

From early design concepts to product rollout, THX and Onkyo worked together to ensure every detail of the receivers were mapped to the THX performance standards. And THX engineers spent countless hours testing and analyzing the receivers for sound quality, usability and interoperability. Each certified receiver includes a number of proprietary THX technologies, designed to compensate for the acoustical errors that occur when movies, music and games are translated from the professional studio to the home environment.

All four receivers are both XM and Sirius satellite radio ready, and will feature a comprehensive range of audio and video connections, including HDMI 1.3a switching for three (TX-SR705 and TX-SR805) or four (TX-SR875 and TX-NR905) HDMI sources. The TX-NR905 will also feature a second HDMI output for even greater flexibility. Each receiver is capable of accommodating single-cable pure-digital audio and video transfer from HDMI sources, including 1080p and Deep-Color™ capability. Additionally, each model will include the company's RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) communication protocol. This feature allows future integration of many system control functions between compatible components via the HDMI connection, and will also feature compatibility with Toshiba's CE-Link™ enabled 2007 Regza LCD TV line and Panasonic's EZ-Sync™ TV line, as well as similar protocols from other manufacturers to be announced later in the year.

Two of the new models, the Onkyo TX-SR875 and TX-NR905, will be the first A/V receiver models to include Silicon Optix's acclaimed Reon-VX HQV™ video processing. This sophisticated IC chip-based technology provides the receivers with current state-of-the-art video scaling and deinterlacing capabilities, including upscaling of all video sources to 1080p for output over the HDMI connection. Additionally, all video sources will also be upconverted to HD output via the units' component video outputs to accommodate video displays lacking an HDMI input.

The TX-SR805, TX-SR875 and TX-NR905 receivers will all feature a new dual push-pull amplifier configuration, coupled with a three-stage inverted Darlington circuit and top-of-the-line Burr-Brown DACs for outstanding efficiency and high current with very low distortion. Two of the receivers' seven channels can also be reconfigured for bi-amplification with compatible speaker systems. On the TX-SR875 and TX-NR905, these two channels can also be reconfigured for bridged operation with the front L/R channels for high power output.

Onkyo's new receivers will be the first models available to feature Neural-THX Surround™ decoding for broadcasts and gaming. This new surround sound technology allows for broadcast content to be transmitted in a two-channel format, and later decoded for up to 7.1 discrete audio channels, as well as enabling 7.1-channel audio support for many modern video gaming consoles.

For simplified setup, all of these models incorporate Audyssey Multi-EQ room acoustics correction, the most powerful built-in solution available for countering room distortion in dedicated home theaters. This technology uses an included microphone to detect and configure speakers in the room, and then adjusts each channel's level, delay, and crossover settings to best suit the room's acoustics. By incorporating measurements at up to eight points in the listening room, Audyssey Multi-EQ provides both frequency response and time domain corrections throughout the entire listening area, rather than just at a single position.

Additional features on the TX-NR905 include a high-current power supply with a massive toroidal transformer, built-in HD radio reception and a powerful set of networking capabilities for integrated home media systems. The receiver will include an Ethernet port for support of Internet radio and streaming multimedia, as well as additional control and multimedia functions to be announced later in theyear. There is also an included USB port to allow for the addition of USB-based portable audio players, and for the use of USB-based memory devices.

The Onkyo TX-SR805 will be shipping in May at a suggested retail price of $1099. The TX-SR875 will be available in June at a suggested retail price of $1699. The THX Select2 Certified TX-SR705 will be available in July at a suggested retail price of $899. The TX-NR905 will be available in August at a suggested retail price of $2099.

Guys

Sorry I did miss the second page......now were are my glasses......

Walt

The recount.

Charter 18, Directv 16, Dish 37

Turning green again.......

Walt

Turning green again.......

Walt
Don't....much of the Voom's are worthless. How many people are into X-Games, Cindi Lauper, and Felix? Of all the Voom's, I only ever watch 5 of them.

If it's any consolation, I knew were my glasses where...I just can't count :o

Funny thing about the Voom channels, though. You always hear people say that only one or two Voom channels are worth watching, but everybody seems to have different favorites. The main complaint I have about the Voom channels is the repeats. There isn't a lot of new material being generated, but what is there can be quite good, depending on your tastes. Another bad thing about the Voom channels is that Dish decided to follow D*'s lead with HDLite at its worst - 1280x1080 resolution. They look so much softer than the days of Voom as a hardware provider, when their picture quality was so much better.

Let's see: one small thunderstorm with no wind or hail and my Charter cable goes out (once again). Power, phone and DSL okay though.

:mad:

Anyone who talks about Dish or DirectTV going out during a storm needs to shut up. A mouse farts in Wentzville and my Charter goes out here in Dogtown. :rolleyes: (The post-it note next to the desk has my Charter outages this year at 7. Time to add another tick mark and make it 8.)

I didn't lose a thing; OTA, DirecTV, or Sirius in the house.

Amazing.

So, a day or so ago, someone posted a name and number at Charter, and suggested I contact that person. She wasn't available, but I spoke with one of her colleagues, who holds the same position.

After explaining the issue, the gentleman proceeds to offer me his explanation and Charter's position on such issues.

He tells me, "Charter keeps a precise running network of every one of their cables, logged within their system, and identified as to their location, function, etc. It's not a matter of us [Charter] disputing the cable exits," he says, "you have told us it is there, and I found it documented by one of our technicians, when he was dispatched to your home, regarding the cable getting buried." "In fact, he entered a cable burial request at that time."

"The problem is, since the cable does not exist within our system, the system would not allow an order to a sub-contractor, be created to bury the cable." He then goes on to explain why the cable does not exist within Charter's "cable tracking system." "At the time the cable was run, it was done by a technician who was dispatched to provide service to one of our customers, and since that customer's nearby 'box' did not have the necessary feeds, the technician connected the customer's nearby box to the box on the other side of your property, which was the nearest box with the necessary feeds."

"The technician placed a cable burial order for the cable he ran from the customer's nearby box, to his home, which was buried within the 10 day allotment time." "Unfortunately, the technician failed to document the other cable he ran, nor did he place a cable burial order for that cable." This is the reason the cable physically exists, but is not in our cable tracking system, and until it is, the system will not allow any burial order to be placed."

So, I say, well....we know it's there, just add it to your tracking system, and place an order to have it buried.

Response: "Unfortunately, it is not quite that simple. We cannot just arbitrarily add cables to the cable tracking system.....that must be done by a installation technician, and he must document, and link the cable to the installation." "In order to do that, we would have to know which customer the cable was run for, which we do not, since the technician failed to document it at the time of the installation."

I ask: If you know the customer's cable was buried in the 10 day allotted time, how is it you do not know which customer it was? Reply: "I checked your neighborhood, and our system shows no unburied cables."

Just as I'm thinking, I can't remember a more senseless statement, he comes up with this:

"If we were allowed to just add cables to the cable tracking system, and circumvent the technician linking it to a particular installation, we would end up with cables laying, unburied, virtually everywhere in the network." "I hope that makes it clearer."

So, he escalated the issue to the "unidentified cable department."

Amazing :eek:

Cut the cable. Crap, give me your "location" and I'll be over shortly.

I'm thinking that this Charter cable authority must have just missed the civil servant test score cutoff. At least he landed in a job where doublespeak and circular reasoning are rewarded with regular annual bonuses.

Ken, you should share this dialogue with the Post reporter who did the series on Charter customer service a few months back.

This definitely deserves a wider audience... :eek:

"If we were allowed to just add cables to the cable tracking system, and circumvent the technician linking it to a particular installation, we would end up with cables laying, unburied, virtually everywhere in the network." "I hope that makes it clearer."

So, he escalated the issue to the "unidentified cable department."

Amazing :eek:

Umm, no that doesn't make it clearer. What was the line from Billy Madison "We are all a little dumber from having had to listen to that." Wow too funny. I understand you shouldn't have to, but I would call this guy or someone everyday maybe 3 times a day until someone comes out. I mean seriously.

Long time lurker - long ago regular poster... :)

Ok - I know the pluses, minuses, etc for all the different services. I would NEVER consider Charter. I spent years waiting for DirecTV to wrestle control from Pegasus and have lived happily with DirecTV and an HD Tivo for the past 2+ years (except for 6 months when I went only OTA)... so here I am on the ledge again (the ledge of changing providers)... why?

Its going to cost me $300+ over the next year to keep Directv instead of moving to Dish. I reached this conclusion by realizing in the next 3-4 months I have to replace my HD Tivo in order to get Directv's new national HD programming (I don't care about MPEG4 locals...)

So here's the math - if I beg borrow and steal, Directv will give me an HR20 for $199 and an additional $10/mo off for 1 year. Dish will give me a new 622 for free and $20 off/mo for 1 year. The difference amounts to over $300.

So - Dish has more HD now. Direct should/might get more HD programming going forward. I remember being 'frustrated' by Dish when I had them before Direct because of the hardware, missed promises, constant changes of equipment... SIGH! Why is this always so difficult. So what is the general consensus? Do you see Direct as being worth $300 more over the next year - or would you play sat provider roullette??

thanks,
Chris

Long time lurker - long ago regular poster... :)

Ok - I know the pluses, minuses, etc for all the different services. I would NEVER consider Charter. I spent years waiting for DirecTV to wrestle control from Pegasus and have lived happily with DirecTV and an HD Tivo for the past 2+ years (except for 6 months when I went only OTA)... so here I am on the ledge again (the ledge of changing providers)... why?

Its going to cost me $300+ over the next year to keep Directv instead of moving to Dish. I reached this conclusion by realizing in the next 3-4 months I have to replace my HD Tivo in order to get Directv's new national HD programming (I don't care about MPEG4 locals...)

So here's the math - if I beg borrow and steal, Directv will give me an HR20 for $199 and an additional $10/mo off for 1 year. ...You talked to the wrong people at D*. Call the number and when the voice recognition system kicks in, say "Cancel Service" and that will hook you up lickity split with customer retention. I got 2 HR20s for a net cost of $13 (after instant and 6 months credits) that way. Not to mention I made $500 for selling my two older HR10-250s on Craigslist.

Cut the cable. Crap, give me your "location" and I'll be over shortly.

North facing apartment with a nazi landlord. Stuck in Charter hell.

You talked to the wrong people at D*. Call the number and when the voice recognition system kicks in, say "Cancel Service" and that will hook you up lickity split with customer retention. I got 2 HR20s for a net cost of $13 (after instant and 6 months credits) that way. Not to mention I made $500 for selling my two older HR10-250s on Craigslist.

Thanks - I've gone various routes over the past 6 months. Basically I'm just not important enough (Choice only, no sports packages, only 2 receivers, etc...) I'll keep working them, but it is what it is...

Chris

Umm, no that doesn't make it clearer. What was the line from Billy Madison "We are all a little dumber from having had to listen to that." Wow too funny. I understand you shouldn't have to, but I would call this guy or someone everyday maybe 3 times a day until someone comes out. I mean seriously.
Yeah, huh? Remember, last time "they" came out, it took me 6 months to get the $32 service charge removed.

I won't cut it. It can only be 1 of 4 homes, so I'm going to drop by them on Sunday, find out which one it is, and have the neighbor call Charter. Now that I have a much better understanding of....wait, what were we talking about?
That should get it taken care of.

Chris,
Since you would be a new subscriber, right now, Dish is a "bird-in-the-hand," though, that could easily change in a years time. If you compare apples to apples, DirecTV offers similar savings to new subs. I had a similar situation. I was happy with Dish, so I paid the upgrade fees, and stayed with them. If you're happy with DirecTV, that $300 will go a long way in offsetting second guessing, later on. :)

As far as their equipment goes, I'm familiar with that era you described, and its passed. Overall, their equipment has been stable for the past few years. Both the TiVo and Dish system is quite similar, though seasoned TiVo users have some difficulty adjusting to the different interface.

That being said, the VIP722 is just around the corner. It is basically the 622 with a larger drive and Internet connectivity, something the 622 is capable of, but probably will not be enable until after the 722 release.

Long time lurker - long ago regular poster... :)

Its going to cost me $300+ over the next year to keep Directv instead of moving to Dish. I reached this conclusion by realizing in the next 3-4 months I have to replace my HD Tivo in order to get Directv's new national HD programming (I don't care about MPEG4 locals...)

So here's the math - if I beg borrow and steal, Directv will give me an HR20 for $199 and an additional $10/mo off for 1 year. Dish will give me a new 622 for free and $20 off/mo for 1 year. The difference amounts to over $300.

So - Dish has more HD now. Direct should/might get more HD programming going forward. I remember being 'frustrated' by Dish when I had them before Direct because of the hardware, missed promises, constant changes of equipment... SIGH! Why is this always so difficult. So what is the general consensus? Do you see Direct as being worth $300 more over the next year - or would you play sat provider roullette??

thanks,
Chris

I had a similiar situation. I had DirecTv for around 8 years. I had 3 DirecTivo's. When I purchased my first HD set last year I called them to give me a good deal on the new HD DVR's that just came out or a HD Tivo. They would not budge from wanting to charge me $300, even after talking to several people.
I went ahead an placed an order with Dish for VIP622 and a 625 DVR. All free after rebates at that time. When I called DirecTV to cancel after the new equipment was installed, they offered me everything I wanted free plus all the Premiums for 6 months free. I told the lady that if they would have done even half of that 30 days ago I never would have switched. They called me once a week for the next month trying to get me back. I have to say though that the new dish Dvr's really are nice. I was sweating going from the Tivo's because they had been so good, but after getting use to the Dish units I really do prefer them now. They are so much faster speed wise. With the new update on the 622 you now get split screen piture in picture which will rock come football time.
To make a long story short, if you call Direct to cancel you will get what you want. If not I think you will be happy with Dish as well.
Good luck!

Thanks - I've gone various routes over the past 6 months. Basically I'm just not important enough (Choice only, no sports packages, only 2 receivers, etc...) I'll keep working them, but it is what it is...

ChrisI've been with them for about 8 years, but I do not have anything special. I have Total Choice, HD package, and 2 HD DVRs. Nothing else...not even HBO. They didn't want to deal with me either, at first. Seriously, call to "cancel service." They'll change their tune.

Ex-Warner Bros Chief Say Blu-ray Cartel Undermined HD Disc Standard

An excerpt from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
____________________________________________________

Lieberfarb accuses film studios and CE companies backing Blu-ray of forming a "cartel" back in 2002 in an attempt to ensure that its favored format would become the industry standard. Four of the eight major studios are backing Blu-ray exclusively and Sony, Panasonic and Philips are only manufacturing Blu-ray players.

"It was clear to me that a cartel-like consortium was being created for the purpose of forcing a de facto standard on other manufacturers," Lieberfarb tells Variety.

Consequently, he says, Blu-ray's supporters were never seriously interested in negotiating with HD DVD's backers on a compromise for a single format.

At one point, he tells Variety, he asked Time Warner's legal team to investigate the anti-trust implications of the Blu-ray effort. He believed that the Justice Department should investigate. But apparently Time Warner's legal counselors nixed the idea and Lieberfarb was later fired for unrelated reasons.
____________________________________________________

To read the entire story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/warren042407.htm)

I've been with them for about 8 years, but I do not have anything special. I have Total Choice, HD package, and 2 HD DVRs. Nothing else...not even HBO. They didn't want to deal with me either, at first. Seriously, call to "cancel service." They'll change their tune.

If you study Japanese business practices you will find that this sort of thing is the norm. It is called koratsu (spelling) and us used to bind companies together for their mutual benefit. In this country it is called price fixing and they would be put in jail or fined.

Walt

If you study Japanese business practices you will find that this sort of thing is the norm. It is called koratsu (spelling) and us used to bind companies together for their mutual benefit. In this country it is called price fixing and they would be put in jail or fined.

WaltThis makes no sense to me as a response to my earlier message. I think you hit the wrong quote button, right...

Cut the cable. You will find who is being fed and they will have to call charter to fix it. If they don't bury it, cut it again and again and again.........

reminds me of a song.

Walt

Dean

I did hit the wrong quote button. I meant to quote Doug's posting about the Blue Ray "cartel".

Sorry

Walt

Cut the cable. You will find who is being fed and they will have to call charter to fix it. If they don't bury it, cut it again and again and again.........

reminds me of a song.

WaltI agree. I'd feel bad for the cable customer, but why should you have to suffer diminished value and enjoyment of your property due to Charter's complete incompetence. You did your due diligence and they ignored you because it's an inconvenience to their broken system. snip...snip...

Funny thing about the Voom channels, though. You always hear people say that only one or two Voom channels are worth watching, but everybody seems to have different favorites. The main complaint I have about the Voom channels is the repeats. There isn't a lot of new material being generated, but what is there can be quite good, depending on your tastes. Another bad thing about the Voom channels is that Dish decided to follow D*'s lead with HDLite at its worst - 1280x1080 resolution. They look so much softer than the days of Voom as a hardware provider, when their picture quality was so much better.


I more than agree with you Joe. And while I only ever watch a handful of the VOOM channels, that falls right in line with or exceeds the percentage of channels I watch in comparison to my full channel lineup. To clear that up I mean I watch the same percentage or higher of VOOM channels out of the total VOOM channels, as I watch total channels out of the total channels I receive. Was that clear as mud? Could I now work for Charter in the "unidentified cable department"?

Hey BudShark, what if your HD-TIVO developed a Hard Drive problem? I know one of my HD-TIVO's developed a
HDMI "problem" and it was replaced with a HR20 for the cost of $19.95.

But the only difference to me between Dish & DirecTV is the sports packages. If you aren't
into purchasing the sports packages, than it really doesn't matter what service you have.

But the only difference to me between Dish & DirecTV is the sports packages. If you aren't
into purchasing the sports packages, than it really doesn't matter what service you have.

Exactly. And, that is why Directv rules! Go Chargers! :D

Scott

Exactly. And, that is why Directv rules! Go Chargers! :D

Scott


All I care about is the Cardinals when it comes to sports. FSNMW in HD - Dish RULES!!!! ;)

Or to quote Billy Madison again "O'Doyle Rules!!"

Too bad we will only get to see the regular season this year though.

Too bad we will only get to see the regular season this year though.
A statement from seasons' past.

But the only difference to me between Dish & DirecTV is the sports packages. If you aren't
into purchasing the sports packages, than it really doesn't matter what service you have.


With dish dont you have to put your bill on a charge card and have to pay $5 more a month if your phone is not hooked up to your dish receiver.Putting your bill on a charge card is something I do not want.

With dish dont you have to put your bill on a charge card and have to pay $5 more a month if your phone is not hooked up to your dish receiver.Putting your bill on a charge card is something I do not want.

Are you saying you do with Direct? I don't pay with CreditCard or have any phone lines connected and don't have additional charges.

Are you saying you do with Direct? I don't pay with CreditCard or have any phone lines connected and don't have additional charges.


No not with direct I believe this is a dish thing.

With dish dont you have to put your bill on a charge card and have to pay $5 more a month if your phone is not hooked up to your dish receiver.Putting your bill on a charge card is something I do not want.



With Dish you do not have to pay via credit card(I don't) There is a $5.00 fee if any of your receivers are not hooked up to a phone line. The VIP622's latest update has a new feature in it that will let all of the Receivers communicate back to one receiver via the AC power lines and dial in through the one phone drop. So far it only work with multiple 622's but I do believe that all of their new receivers will incorporate this feature in the future.

No not with direct I believe this is a dish thing.
Sorry, I misunderstood, in your message I flipped "you" and "don't" so instead of "don't you", I read "you don't", Damn dislexia(ish)

Let's see: one small thunderstorm with no wind or hail and my Charter cable goes out (once again). Power, phone and DSL okay though.

:mad:

Anyone who talks about Dish or DirectTV going out during a storm needs to shut up. A mouse farts in Wentzville and my Charter goes out here in Dogtown. :rolleyes: (The post-it note next to the desk has my Charter outages this year at 7. Time to add another tick mark and make it 8.)

One strange thing. While cable is out I can still watch programs recorded on my Moxi DVR. However once you start watching you can't pause, stop, fast forward or rewind. It gives an error message saying that option is not available at this time.

This got me thinking and it's pretty clear this mean that Charter could turn off the fast forward during certain programming if they wanted to make you watch commercials. :mad:

One strange thing. While cable is out I can still watch programs recorded on my Moxi DVR. However once you start watching you can't pause, stop, fast forward or rewind. It gives an error message saying that option is not available at this time.

This got me thinking and it's pretty clear this mean that Charter could turn off the fast forward during certain programming if they wanted to make you watch commercials. :mad:
Koratsu! :)

With Dish you do not have to pay via credit card(I don't) There is a $5.00 fee if any of your receivers are not hooked up to a phone line. The VIP622's latest update has a new feature in it that will let all of the Receivers communicate back to one receiver via the AC power lines and dial in through the one phone drop. So far it only work with multiple 622's but I do believe that all of their new receivers will incorporate this feature in the future.


I believe the phone line hookup only applies to DVRs. If you have a non-DVR receiver I do not believe it has to be connected to a phone line. Ken can verify this. I am not certain anymore because all 4 of my receivers are DVRs.

Hey BudShark, what if your HD-TIVO developed a Hard Drive problem? I know one of my HD-TIVO's developed a
HDMI "problem" and it was replaced with a HR20 for the cost of $19.95.

My HDTivo has always had an HDMI problem - and it developed a HD problem that was remedied with a new HD and EasyCake... but I get your drift. I'll keep working them. I'd hate to switch and regret it...

Speaking of Go Chargers... GO PADRES!!!! :)

Chris

P.S. Before anyone mentions that Dish doesn't carry MLB EI, I use MLB.TV not EI - so this is a non-consideration for me. The fact that Direct doesn't carry FSMWHD is annoying, but not a deal breaker.

I believe the phone line hookup only applies to DVRs. If you have a non-DVR receiver I do not believe it has to be connected to a phone line. Ken can verify this. I am not certain anymore because all 4 of my receivers are DVRs.
Close....dual-tuner receivers only. There is one single-tuner DVR (510)...phone line not required. :)

What the hell is going on? Rocky IV is on ABC30.

One strange thing. While cable is out I can still watch programs recorded on my Moxi DVR. However once you start watching you can't pause, stop, fast forward or rewind. It gives an error message saying that option is not available at this time.

This got me thinking and it's pretty clear this mean that Charter could turn off the fast forward during certain programming if they wanted to make you watch commercials. :mad:


I have had that happen on my moxi 4 or 5 times. Every time if I stop the program and restart, it goes back to working normally.

Speaking of Go Chargers... GO PADRES!!!! :)

Chris



Finally, someone who understands. :cool:

Scott

I finally got 2 EyeTV 500s set up with my Mac so I can record HD and playback, etc., and when I try to tune KMOV-DT I get "Encrypted " and "This channel is not available." What the heck?

Finally, someone who understands. :cool:

Scott

I know... people here just don't get it. There was nothing like Friday night Padres games followed by Saturday Aztec games and Sunday Charger games... 3 teams, 1 stadium, and 16 palm trees in pots being hauled all around a stadium... :D

Chris

I know... people here just don't get it. There was nothing like Friday night Padres games followed by Saturday Aztec games and Sunday Charger games... 3 teams, 1 stadium, and 16 palm trees in pots being hauled all around a stadium... :D

Chris
Heck, and we're just happy when the Cardinals can score 3 runs....all in the same week!

Heck, and we're just happy when the Cardinals can score 3 runs....all in the same week!

Well we did ok tonight.

Did someone say something about the Padres. Have they been in the playoffs the last few years???? Oh yeah, they have haven't they? :cool:

More notes on KDNL and "film-sourced" HD -

LOST tonight played fine with good a/v sync and no jumps, which was a surprise, because it never has before.
Perhaps a sign of hope for those of us with low-end tuners.

Hey guys/gals, was hoping for some help if ya can:

You can put 10100 Puttington 63123 into antenna web to see my situation. I should be fine, I'm within 5 miles of everything except 46. Now I'm using a DB4 I had from a previous location, but I'm not picking up all those channels. I've gotten it to where I get all but PBS, or then I get PBS but not channel 46 (which makes no sense) where at that same time I'm not getting KSDK.

Can anyone recommend an indoor antenna that is small and/or I can hide? What about using a pre-amp?

On an off topic note - I know we get excited about u-verse and such, but I'm so PO'd I can't even get DSL here, 19K' from the CO. It is 2007 and I can't get DSL in the middle of STL, and Charter is freaking $60/mo (internet, I'm not wasting $$ on cable) after promo periods. And I thought my move back to STL was going to be a tech junkies dream... :(

Thanks for any help/suggestions...

EDIT: I should add that my antenna/tv location is at the front of the brick building (north side) whereas PBS and channel 47 are coming from the south.

Well we did ok tonight.

Did someone say something about the Padres. Have they been in the playoffs the last few years???? Oh yeah, they have haven't they? :cool:

:eek: :mad:

Sorry Scott, I had to. It popped in my head and it was through the keyboard and on the screen before I could stop it. ;)

Sorry Scott, I had to. It popped in my head and it was through the keyboard and on the screen before I could stop it. ;)
Jared's a bit hormonal right now. This too, shall pass. In say, 25 years. :D

More notes on KDNL and "film-sourced" HD -

LOST tonight played fine with good a/v sync and no jumps, which was a surprise, because it never has before.
Perhaps a sign of hope for those of us with low-end tuners.

:eek: I'll have to actually watch something on ABC tonight to see what happens. Thanks for the heads up.

Hey guys/gals, was hoping for some help if ya can:

You can put 10100 Puttington 63123 into antenna web to see my situation. I should be fine, I'm within 5 miles of everything except 46. Now I'm using a DB4 I had from a previous location, but I'm not picking up all those channels. I've gotten it to where I get all but PBS, or then I get PBS but not channel 46 (which makes no sense) where at that same time I'm not getting KSDK.

Can anyone recommend an indoor antenna that is small and/or I can hide? What about using a pre-amp?

On an off topic note - I know we get excited about u-verse and such, but I'm so PO'd I can't even get DSL here, 19K' from the CO. It is 2007 and I can't get DSL in the middle of STL, and Charter is freaking $60/mo (internet, I'm not wasting $$ on cable) after promo periods. And I thought my move back to STL was going to be a tech junkies dream... :(

Thanks for any help/suggestions...

EDIT: I should add that my antenna/tv location is at the front of the brick building (north side) whereas PBS and channel 47 are coming from the south.

This is a one story building with no big obstructions or in a valley? My guess is the antenna is not placed in the best location. Have you tried moving it? It may just need more precise aiming. Have you tried tilting it up? (My antenna is tilted up a lot and others here have gotten good results too).

The best indoor antenna is a Zenith Silver Sensor. They are hard to find. I believe there is a knock-off of it but someone else here will need to help with the name.

...

The best indoor antenna is a Zenith Silver Sensor. They are hard to find. I believe there is a knock-off of it but someone else here will need to help with the name.

It seems to be easier to find now. Circuit City has had them in stock lately(at least at the Fenton Store). I got one there for $20. I didn't want to spice my main antenna drop to the family room and risk lowering the signal to the "main" tv, so I got the SilverSensor for the bedroom.
Dug

More notes on KDNL and "film-sourced" HD -

LOST tonight played fine with good a/v sync and no jumps, which was a surprise, because it never has before.
Perhaps a sign of hope for those of us with low-end tuners.

I made a change to a setting in the encoder. Now I need to see if this works for all "low end" receivers or if it affects other receivers in any way.
Jim

Lost looked fine on my Moxi / Charter last night.

Jared's a bit hormonal right now. This too, shall pass. In say, 25 years. :D

You think it is bad now, Tuesday may be the day so you may not be seeing me for a while.

I made a change to a setting in the encoder. Now I need to see if this works for all "low end" receivers or if it affects other receivers in any way.
Jim

Jim,

I have never had issues with ABC in the past with my E* 622. And I still didn't last night, I will double check and pay extra attention, but I'm pretty sure all is still fine. Just thought you might want a little feedback. Again we appreciate your care, concern, and all you do for us here. Thank you.

Jared

I made a change to a setting in the encoder. Now I need to see if this works for all "low end" receivers or if it affects other receivers in any way.
Jim

I had a few "breakups" on my moxi with Charter. Sound would go away for about a second then come back. It happened 3 or 4 times.

I need to have some repair work done to a Hitachi RPTV. It appears the convergence circuits are burnt. I know Schillers(SP?) is highly recommended for Samsung. Can anyone suggest a place for Hitachi?
Thanks

Dave

I need to have some repair work done to a Hitachi RPTV. It appears the convergence circuits are burnt. I know Schillers(SP?) is highly recommended for Samsung. Can anyone suggest a place for Hitachi?
Thanks

Dave

Come on, you have to use that as an excuse to get a NEW tv.

Anyone watch "Idol Gives the Shaft" last night? I had horrible full screen pixellation going on within the first 15 minutes. about one full minute that was completely unwatchable. More problems later, but not quite as bad or as long--watching on E*.

Come on, you have to use that as an excuse to get a NEW tv.
I'd have to agree. The secondary market value for a fully-functioning rear projection is probably less than $500.

I had a few "breakups" on my moxi with Charter. Sound would go away for about a second then come back. It happened 3 or 4 times.

It's probably Charter or your signal...keep an eye on it.
Jim

Anyone watch "Idol Gives the Shaft" last night? I had horrible full screen pixellation going on within the first 15 minutes. about one full minute that was completely unwatchable. More problems later, but not quite as bad or as long--watching on E*.


Yes I had that also, this was the recording from the HD "E" feed not the OTA. I am wondering if it was a mpeg4 re-encoding problem or if anyone experienced it on the OTA feed as well. It didn't bother me that much as I found the show unwatchable for other reasons!

I made a change to a setting in the encoder. Now I need to see if this works for all "low end" receivers or if it affects other receivers in any way.
Jim

I think you got it, Jim. No more stuttering on 24 frame material on my Samsung TXP. First time in 3 years (except when you were on the Tandberg).

Did your change have anything to do with frame tagging ?

Yes I had that also, this was the recording from the HD "E" feed not the OTA. I am wondering if it was a mpeg4 re-encoding problem or if anyone experienced it on the OTA feed as well. It didn't bother me that much as I found the show unwatchable for other reasons!
I think it is one of those KTVI/FOX changed something, which the Dish HD receivers are not decoding correctly. When I switch to OTA during these breakups, it is not on the OTA feed. It is not just HD related. It also occurs throughout the day, on local KTVI and network FOX SD broadcasts.

KTVI/FOX has always had some breakups, on both SAT and OTA, but this is a new issue. Dish engineering is aware of it, and I'd expect it be resolved quickly.

For those who have OTA, we have moved our KTVI timers to OTA priority, until it's resolved.

I don't know if FSN made a change, or I read it incorrectly. Here is a link to the correctly edited post.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10174447#post10174447

The change is, tomorrow's game was listed as being on FSNMW in HD, but it is not.
The game on May 1st @Brewers is now listed as being on FSNMW in HD.

Sorry :o


(Doug, I edited the original post, so your link should be fine :) )

tomorrow's game was listed as being on FSNMW in HD, but it is not.


It's still listed as HD here (http://www.hdsportsguide.com/mlb.php) .

It's still listed as HD here (http://www.hdsportsguide.com/mlb.php) .
And here (http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD#FSMidwest).

And here (http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD#FSMidwest).
Then, I guess FSN did make the change, This (http://msn.foxsports.com/id/6628342) was updated 1 day ago, and it is no longer listed in HD on the Dish EPG. :)

What made me look, was when Dan made no reference to it being an HD broadcast when plugging their next telecast. Guess we'll see tomorrow, but I'm fairly certain it is going to be SD only.


EDIT: The change is a result of the 4/13 rain-out. I also added some games picked-up by ESPN. FSNMW-HD is now 38....we got an extra HD game out of the rain-out :)

EDITED LINK (www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10174447#post10174447)

There's an interview with a former in-the-trenches Charter customer service rep in today's Savvy Consumer column in the Post-Dispatch. I found this segment of the story telling:
____________________________________________________________ _________

"We had nothing in our system that told us anything about where Charter's technicians were," Gates says.

So what do call center reps tell callers?

"We lie to them," Gates says. "We tell them, 'Absolutely, the technician will be there.' "

Customers who persist are given another Charter phone number to call, Gates says.

Many of those customers call back to say that second number didn't work.

Gates says reps at the call center know that might happen. "The number doesn't work half the time," she says.
____________________________________________________________ _________

To read the complete story, click here (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/savvyconsumer/story/BEAA311F148D4AC1862572CA001113E6?OpenDocument)

I had a few "breakups" on my moxi with Charter. Sound would go away for about a second then come back. It happened 3 or 4 times.

I had the same problem with Lost... 3 or 4 times... latter half of the show. I am using an LG 3200 receiver for OTA reception. I have never noticed any consistent problems with ABC - OTA before.

I need to have some repair work done to a Hitachi RPTV. It appears the convergence circuits are burnt. I know Schillers(SP?) is highly recommended for Samsung. Can anyone suggest a place for Hitachi?
Thanks

Dave

If it's on older, SD model you now have the perfect excuse to move up to HD. Hitachi's were notorious for having their comb filters go bad over time. This is usually a separate, circuit board encased in metal. Surface-mount capacitors literally leak and/or dry up. This causes the convergence to go bye-bye and replacements are simply unavailable.

I went thru this agony a few years ago.

I had the same problem with Lost... 3 or 4 times... latter half of the show. I am using an LG 3200 receiver for OTA reception. I have never noticed any consistent problems with ABC - OTA before.


Similar problems watching on ABC on Charter with S3 Tivo. Have not experienced before while previously watching OTA. Also had a number of audio problems during Grey's Anatomy last night. Almost the entire 2nd half of the show had issues. Different from previous clicking noises heard before, this time just a lot of dropped audio with garbled sound.

I made a change to a setting in the encoder. Now I need to see if this works for all "low end" receivers or if it affects other receivers in any way.
Jim

Had some audio issues on Ugly Betty last night. Sound would drop out at times and at other times would get a loud "ticking" noise over the audio. I'm using D* HR20 receiver and watching D* MPEG4 signal. This isn't the first/only time I have had this happen. Only seems to occur on Channel 30.

Similar problems watching on ABC on Charter with S3 Tivo. Have not experienced before while previously watching OTA. Also had a number of audio problems during Grey's Anatomy last night. Almost the entire 2nd half of the show had issues. Different from previous clicking noises heard before, this time just a lot of dropped audio with garbled sound.

Same here with D*. Recorded from OTA on HR10-250. It was though the audio was sped up in places. Lost was fine. Grey's Anatomy was awful. I have not had any problems with either before except for the clicking on Lost one time.

I need to have some repair work done to a Hitachi RPTV. It appears the convergence circuits are burnt. I know Schillers(SP?) is highly recommended for Samsung. Can anyone suggest a place for Hitachi?
Thanks

Dave

It's Schneider TV. I would call them. I know they work on many different models. My guess is they are authorized to work on Hitachi sets. If not, they can refer you.

Schneider TV & Video
(314) 993-0707
8531 Olive Blvd
St Louis, MO

Same here with D*. Recorded from OTA on HR10-250. It was though the audio was sped up in places. Lost was fine. Grey's Anatomy was awful. I have not had any problems with either before except for the clicking on Lost one time.

Same here on Grey's Anatomy last night. The sound was at times as if they were speaking under water. I've never heard sound like that before. WTF :confused:

Scott

Ugh, Cardinals are not on FoxHD tonight. Apparently a couple of slightly conflicting schedules posted on here awhile back, first one had tonight-Monday all HD. I didn't notice the discrepancies between the two lists. No HD tonight or Monday night.

The schedule I clipped out of the Post said it was HD tonight and the TV guide on 792 on Charter says MLB also but all I'm getting is a colored test pattern. At least Reyes made it throught the first inning without giving up a ton of runs.
Cubs vs Cards...it doesn't get any better.

Ugh, Cardinals are not on FoxHD tonight. Apparently a couple of slightly conflicting schedules posted on here awhile back, first one had tonight-Monday all HD. I didn't notice the discrepancies between the two lists. No HD tonight or Monday night.
We discussed this last night....just 10 posts up...#3151.

For those without scroll bars, the rain-out of 4/13 caused the schedule change in HD coverage. We actually get an extra HD game, as the makeup double-header was an already scheduled HD broadcast, so will the 2nd game be as well.

The link on here has been edited, and is accurate, as of 4/26, based on the information provided by the broadcasters.
EDITED LINK (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10174447#post10174447) ....again.

At least Reyes made it throught the first inning without giving up a ton of runs.
Cubs vs Cards...it doesn't get any better.
Please be kind enough to not discuss current events.....many people watch either from recordings, or delayed...thanks :)

Please be kind enough to not discuss current events.....many people watch either from recordings, or delayed...thanks :)

Not to mention its a TV forum, not a baseball forum *YAWN*

Now if we can talk about the Stanley Cup playoffs ........

*YEA!*

:o

Please be kind enough to not discuss current events.....many people watch either from recordings, or delayed...thanks :)I think that's a tough one to expect a high degree of compliance on. But for the fun of it, what would you consider to be a "spoiler"?

Seriously, I think those who know won't gratuitously bust a reasonable embargo, but I think the fundamental challenge is the fact that we're so regularly off-topic here.

You lookin' at me? :cool:

Sorry :o I had planned to watch it live....then...and then,....well....didn't mean to vent it here. Gunna start watching now :)


And Hey, they did the Blues HD schedule on here....can't help it that nobody watched the games :D

If these broadcasters would just do all the games in HD, it would save a bunch of people a lot of time!

I think that's a tough one to expect a high degree of compliance on. But for the fun of it, what would you consider to be a "spoiler"?

Seriously, I think those who know won't gratuitously bust a reasonable embargo, but I think the fundamental challenge is the fact that we're so regularly off-topic here.

You lookin' at me? :cool:
Well....for me, personally, my primary interest in today's game is the 1st and 2nd innings....on both sides....which I'm now going to watch...so shush :p

And, yes, I'm still focused on the Kennedy thing :)

I finally get to go to my first Cardinal game in the new stadium tomorrow. I'm looking forward to finally getting to see the new park.

Scott

I finally get to go to my first Cardinal game in the new stadium tomorrow. I'm looking forward to finally getting to see the new park.

ScottI still haven't gone, but I just haven't been into baseball lately. I have yet to sit down and watch a complete game this season. Seems I always have something on the DVR I'd rather see.

Been to the new park a few times. I have a connection so all but one time have sat in box seats. One time right behind the cards dugout and last Tuesday 12Th row, behind the red's dugout. That was a really good game that night. Cards won. By the way saw the last game in old Sportsman Park, First Game and Last Game in Bush.

Same here with D*. Recorded from OTA on HR10-250. It was though the audio was sped up in places. Lost was fine. Grey's Anatomy was awful. I have not had any problems with either before except for the clicking on Lost one time.
Friday's replay of Grey's Anatomy didn't have the sound problems from Thursday's broadcast. Is the problem on a national level or is it KDNL's fault?

Hey guys,

I know this might not be the right place for this question, but I trust the people here and know I can get good feedback here. I am possibly looking for a TV for our guest bedroom. The one in there currently is an old Sansui brand TV and it is about a 20 in. screen. Obviously it is HUGE as far as the amount of room it takes up sitting on the dresser. I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on what I should be buying if I am looking for an SD set in the 20 in. range that won't look like an elephant sitting on the dresser. Thanks in advance.

Hey guys,

I know this might not be the right place for this question, but I trust the people here and know I can get good feedback here. I am possibly looking for a TV for our guest bedroom. The one in there currently is an old Sansui brand TV and it is about a 20 in. screen. Obviously it is HUGE as far as the amount of room it takes up sitting on the dresser. I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on what I should be buying if I am looking for an SD set in the 20 in. range that won't look like an elephant sitting on the dresser. Thanks in advance.

For only a couple of hundred more, I'd look at a 27" Syntax LCD or other off brand. I've even seen a 32" for under $500.

I'm not tied to the 20" screen, but can't go too big I would have to measure the space on the dresser. So are you saying these are HD? Should I not even be looking at SD?

deuces,

As you know, LCD is not my first choice for a primary/critical viewing display, but I think these panels are PERFECT as secondary TVs for casual viewing in a bedroom, study, kitchen or (even) a bathroom.

Since this guest bedroom TV is more for convenience/courtesy than anything else, I'd look at some of the 20-inch widescreen computer monitors -- if you look hard enough, you can find decent ones for around $200. In going widescreen, you might want to go to a larger size, so there's a trade-off to consider in terms of size vs. cost.

Note that most LCDs intended as computer monitors will normally be limited to VGA/RGB in terms of analog sources, so they will work best with a source that is DVI-capable. Also, if you go the computer monitor route, make sure the display has speakers and inputs for stereo audio.

deuces,

As you know, LCD is not my first choice for a primary/critical viewing display, but I think these panels are PERFECT as secondary TVs for casual viewing in a bedroom, study, kitchen or (even) a bathroom.

Since this guest bedroom TV is more for convenience/courtesy than anything else, I'd look at some of the 20-inch widescreen computer monitors -- if you look hard enough, you can find decent ones for around $200. In going widescreen, you might want to go to a larger size, so there's a trade-off to consider in terms of size vs. cost.

Note that most LCDs intended as computer monitors will normally be limited to VGA/RGB in terms of analog sources, so they will work best with a source that is DVI-capable. Also, if you go the computer monitor route, make sure the display has speakers and inputs for stereo audio.

Thanks, unfortunately the only thing coming from the source is RG6, because I am mirroring another TV. So my RG6 run is about 75'.

If I get a widescreen LCD and only feed SD to it at this time I don't have to worry about burn in with it correct? Even if I view SD with black bars?

Thanks, unfortunately the only thing coming from the source is RG6, because I am mirroring another TV. So my RG6 run is about 75'.

If I get a widescreen LCD and only feed SD to it at this time I don't have to worry about burn in with it correct? Even if I view SD with black bars?
My MIL brought her own TV with her :D

Thanks, unfortunately the only thing coming from the source is RG6, because I am mirroring another TV. So my RG6 run is about 75'.

If I get a widescreen LCD and only feed SD to it at this time I don't have to worry about burn in with it correct? Even if I view SD with black bars?

Burn in won't be a problem with an LCD.

My MIL brought her own TV with her :D

Well can we borrow her TV?

We are possibly looking at Tuesday, so you may not see me much after that, lol.

I guess we don't get HD priority for the game again this Saturday huh?

Well can we borrow her TV?

We are possibly looking at Tuesday, so you may not see me much after that, lol.

I guess we don't get HD priority for the game again this Saturday huh?
Sure can....IIRC, it's a 1981 model year.

We're a secondary market....deal with it :mad:
EDIT: I think it was in HD....looked good to me...watched OTA, and only a few widespread brief break-ups :)

I did notice something interesting...on Monday (4/30), both ESPNHD and FSN-SD is doing a broadcast of the game. This time, ESPN is not blacked out in the STL DMA. Back on 4/4 (Mets), both FSN (HD and SD), and ESPN2HD broadcast that game, and the ESPN2 broadcast was blacked-out in STL.

I was very impressed with the new Busch Stadium. Parked about 30 yards from the entrance, and when I left (right after the Cubs scored 7 runs in one inning), from the exit to the onramp onto hwy 40 took me maybe 4 minutes. still don't know who won. LOL.

Scott

I'm not going to tell you. I won't even tell you who won the World Series. Don't want to spoil it for anyone ;)

We're a secondary market....deal with it :mad:
EDIT: I think it was in HD....looked good to me...watched OTA, and only a few widespread brief break-ups :)

I did notice something interesting...on Monday (4/30), both ESPNHD and FSN-SD is doing a broadcast of the game. This time, ESPN is not blacked out in the STL DMA. Back on 4/4 (Mets), both FSN (HD and SD), and ESPN2HD broadcast that game, and the ESPN2 broadcast was blacked-out in STL.

I was happy to see it was HD and not to have listen to Al. Even his gravelly voice annoys me. It looked pretty good. Today's game is on ESPNHD. I need to print the entire schedule as I am finding it a little tough figuring out what channel the game is on.

I was happy to see it was HD and not to have listen to Al. Even his gravelly voice annoys me. It looked pretty good. Today's game is on ESPNHD. I need to print the entire schedule as I am finding it a little tough figuring out what channel the game is on.

The game has been canceled today, due to the death of Josh Hancock. He was involved in a fatal car crash last night.

Weather Channel HD -- in Name Only

Why bother then?

At this stage of the game, DirecTV and other carriers should refuse to carry any HD channel that carries less than 50% HD content.

We don't need another TNT... :confused:
____________________________________________________

The Weather Channel has boasted this year that it will launch a new High-Definition channel this September. However, the network has now revealed that the "HD channel" will not deliver real high-def pictures until next year.

That's according to an article in Multichannel News.

DIRECTV has agreed to carry The Weather Channel HD when it's launched in September. But TWC President Debora Wilson tells Multichannel News that the satellite TV service will "upconvert" the network's standard-definition feed until its HD studio is ready...

...Wilson said the HD studio should be finished in January, but she said TWC doesn't plan to have all programming in high-def until mid-2008 at the earliest.

____________________________________________________

Some here, may recall Echostar launched a new satellite around this time last year. It has been steered into place at 118.75°w, and will replace AMC10.

This change effects our STL local HD's on Dish. So far, both KSDK and KTVI have been moved to the new satellite. It is not likely any effect will be noticed at the subscriber level. If one of the channels fails to lock, a simple receiver reset should cure the issue.

This new satellite adds significant capacity, in both the C and Ku bands, to Dish Network.

deuces,

As you know, LCD is not my first choice for a primary/critical viewing display, but I think these panels are PERFECT as secondary TVs for casual viewing in a bedroom, study, kitchen or (even) a bathroom.



No I didn't; what's you first choice?

No I didn't; what's you first choice?

CRT CRT!!!

CRT CRT!!!
I was going to post that, but I figured someone else would beat me to it and I didn't want to speak for anyone else, but yeah.....CRT

I was going to post that, but I figured someone else would beat me to it and I didn't want to speak for anyone else, but yeah.....CRT

All my video viewing is via CRT. The only digital displays I have are on computers but I still have one 21" Mits Diamond scan for doing critical color sensitive computer apps. :)

Walt

I was going to post that, but I figured someone else would beat me to it and I didn't want to speak for anyone else, but yeah.....CRT

I know CRT is the tops, but please find me a 50" HDTV widescreen CRT monitor.

The game has been canceled today, due to the death of Josh Hancock. He was involved in a fatal car crash last night.

Very sad to learn of this. My neighbor told me when I got home.

I know CRT is the tops, but please find me a 50" HDTV widescreen CRT monitor.

You can go with a projector and get a 50" really flat screen :p

Once I started using a front projector, I never wanted to go back to a smaller screen. Some of the new digital projectors have amazing pictures, not always the equal of CRT in every way, but in some ways far superior. My primary screen is 110" - and it's that size only because I can't go bigger in my room.

Plasma
Dog Plasma!

(anyone remember old cartoons?)

I think you got it, Jim. No more stuttering on 24 frame material on my Samsung TXP. First time in 3 years (except when you were on the Tandberg).

Did your change have anything to do with frame tagging ?

The change involved "pull down" which the equipment manufacturer said should be on...I turned it off!
Jim

WRacer = STL HDTV Hero.

Seriously, we should get something written up and send it to the Station's management and Sinclair about the great job Jim does.

I nominate Doug.

I second that!

Thank goodness that KDNL has a guy like Jim to keep things perfectly straight. Meanwhile, I still can't watch Leno or Conan in HD due to the amazingly poor job the "St. Louis HD Leader" does with their audio.

It appears as if the Hole-In-The-Center will NEVER be fixed.

Tonight's Cardinals game is being broadcast separately on both FSNMW in SD, and on ESPN in HD. Both broadcasts will be available in St. Louis.


RIP 32 :(

Some here, may recall Echostar launched a new satellite around this time last year. It has been steered into place at 118.75°w, and will replace AMC10.

This change effects our STL local HD's on Dish. So far, both KSDK and KTVI have been moved to the new satellite. It is not likely any effect will be noticed at the subscriber level. If one of the channels fails to lock, a simple receiver reset should cure the issue.

This new satellite adds significant capacity, in both the C and Ku bands, to Dish Network.

Thanks for the heads up. I am, in fact, having an issue with KTVI HD and KSDK HD in that they are GONE. This happened this morning and a reset did not resolve the problem. I did call Dish and went through all the machinations such as a power button reset, switch test, unplugging the receiver. Still no KTVI or KSDK. Later on in the day I called the local installer (ADI?) as I'm still within the 90 day warranty period. The technician there said they have been getting a number of reports for the same issue but didn't know what was up yet. A colleague at work is reporting to me that his reception of KTVI HD and KSDK HD is up and working. He is in Troy, IL and I'm in Collinsville, IL. I do not as yet have an antenna up for OTA reception but the SD versions of KTVI and KSDK are still working fine.

I'll give it a day or two to see if this clears up. Perhaps I have a dish pointing issue?

:cool:

On the preferred display discussion, I agree that CRT is still overall the best performing display technology, at least in terms of delivering an accurate, high-quality picture.

But I hardly ever recommend CRT technology to customers or prospects who ask my opinion. The reasons for that are:

* Difficult to Find CRT Products -- just try to find a CRT rear-projection TV at your local big box store today. If there is one to be found, more than likely it's there in all of its unadjusted glory, and the only thing it contributes to the shopping experience is to make the newer technologies seem like "no brainers."

CRT front projectors are also an increasingly rare breed, and before long the only way to buy one will be to track down one that is used or refurbished.

Even direct-view CRT "tubes" are more and more a rarity.

A few years ago, CRT -- particularly rear-projection CRT -- was an incredible bang-for-the-buck, on a screen-inch basis compared against any of the digital displays. But now, it seems that the only remaining life for CRT front- or rear-projection will be as premium-priced, niche-market products. I expect that CRT displays will eventually devolve into a market that is roughly similar to "tube" amplifiers on the audio side.

And it's arguable that's always been the case with CRT front projection.

* CRTs Are High Maintenance -- CRTs, particularly in the rear- and front-projection form factors, require regular calibration and adjustment to maintain their performance edge.

Because each of the three CRTs in rear- or front-projection models, will age at slightly different rates, there will be a regular need for grayscale and color tuning, re-convergence, and maybe even re-focusing.

I know this first-hand, as I own a CRT RPTV and perform convergence tune-ups about every 3 months, and recalibration of the grayscale at least a couple of times a year. Of course, I'm a bit pickier than the average CRT owner, and because of my job, doing regular tune-ups is a workplace (and non-taxable) benefit. ;)

I also know there must be at least a few hundred CRT front projectors within a 50-mile radius of downtown St. Louis, and I know for a fact that I'm the only local calibrator who works on CRT front projectors.

But how many calls did I get for CRT FPTVs in the past 12 months? Well, I can't be sure of the precise number, but I know I wouldn't need more than two hands to tot them all up.

And I seriously doubt that I've worked on even two dozen CRT RPTVs in the past 12 months, (though I was in Texas last week and actually calibrated three while there).

That just serves to reinforce my feeling that it would be bad advice (and bad business) to recommend CRT to someone who doesn't understand upfront the effort and cost that will be required to keep the display looking good.

I mean, what's the point of owning a Steinway Grand if it's not going to be properly tuned?

* Other Technologies Are Closing the Gap -- Plasma, DLP and variants of LCoS (Sony's SXRD and JVC's DiLA, to name the leaders in this area) all have excellent performance potential and, for now at least, each is getting better every year.

Of course, displays based on these newer technologies still need to be calibrated, at least if you care at all about accuracy. I know from experience that there's a feeling that if something is digital that it's already perfect, but this is far from true, particularly when it comes to digital TVs.

TV manufacturers have accumulated four decades of experience in mucking up the way their TVs look out of the box, and there's no way they're going to throw that overboard now.


As for LCD, I believe there are still too many compromises to consider an LCD display for a primary display.

On the other hand, I have come away from a number of Sony Bravia calibrations reasonably impressed, but they still are bringing up the rear in terms of convincing black level, visible picture structure (screen door effect) and difficulty in handling fast motion. All that's improving, but still there's a way to go before I'd be truly satisfied watching the Final Four or "Lost" on an LCD panel.

All of these LCD shortcomings are probably solvable issues, and there's no question that LCD, like other technologies, is improving each year. But they're still, for me, the technology of last resort, because each of the other competitors (plasma, DLP and LCoS) have less serious picture quality trade-offs.

Just for the record, I'm not looking to belittle anyone who owns an LCD flat panel as a primary display and loves what they're seeing -- if you're happy, you should stay happy.

The really great thing about LCD that's relevant to anyone who has bought a display in the past year or plans to in the next year is that the competition LCD has provided to plasma in the flat-panel market has pushed down prices for ALL types of displays, right across the board.

LCD is definitely a winner in terms of value for money.

Thanks, Ken -- I thought this might be the case.

Thanks for the heads up. I am, in fact, having an issue with KTVI HD and KSDK HD in that they are GONE. This happened this morning and a reset did not resolve the problem. I did call Dish and went through all the machinations such as a power button reset, switch test, unplugging the receiver. Still no KTVI or KSDK. Later on in the day I called the local installer (ADI?) as I'm still within the 90 day warranty period. The technician there said they have been getting a number of reports for the same issue but didn't know what was up yet. A colleague at work is reporting to me that his reception of KTVI HD and KSDK HD is up and working. He is in Troy, IL and I'm in Collinsville, IL. I do not as yet have an antenna up for OTA reception but the SD versions of KTVI and KSDK are still working fine.

I'll give it a day or two to see if this clears up. Perhaps I have a dish pointing issue?

:cool:
The other two channels, KMOV and KDNL were moved last night, so all 4 SAT Local HD's are now being transmitted from the new satellite. If you are presently receiving the KMOV and KDNL SAT HD locals, it is not a pointing issue.

They are on different transponders.
KSKD and KTVI are on Tp 18
KMOV and KDNL are on Tp 11

You may want to check both transponders for a lock on the check-switch page.
I continued to receive all 4, uninterrupted.

"They are on different transponders.
KSKD and KTVI are on Tp 18
KMOV and KDNL are on Tp 11"

Looking at the Point Dish menu I have a signal strength of 58 on Sat 118 Transponder 11 but I have NO signal at all on transponder 18. Another friend called after my original post and he has lost KTVI and KSDK too, and KDNL and KMOV are coming in and out. He is also in Collinsville.

I guess I'll sit tight for a day or two before requesting a truck roll to see what happens.

"They are on different transponders.
KSKD and KTVI are on Tp 18
KMOV and KDNL are on Tp 11"

Looking at the Point Dish menu I have a signal strength of 58 on Sat 118 Transponder 11 but I have NO signal at all on transponder 18. Another friend called after my original post and he has lost KTVI and KSDK too, and KDNL and KMOV are coming in and out. He is also in Collinsville.

I guess I'll sit tight for a day or two before requesting a truck roll to see what happens.
58 is below acceptable. Maybe they're not running F-3 at full power yet :confused:

EDIT: I'm only getting 55 on Tp11, but no breakups. 71 on 18.

Also, be certain your receiver is in stand-by tonight, so it gets the automatic update....that may cure it :)

If you choose to force one now, you can by changing the update time to 2 minutes ahead of present, and placing the receiver in stand-by.
Just don't forget to set it back to its normal time...I've done that :o

I'm having the same issue as lkrupp. I'm getting 0 signal strength on tp18 and no KTVI or KSDK in HD. tp11 is around 55, just like yours kdg. Thank god I was home to catch this and quickly set 24 to record on another channel. Also, on a side note, maybe related, maybe not, my program info was out of date and I had to force it to download. Any ideas on that one?

I'm going to try and force a receiver update right now.

my program info was out of date and I had to force it to download. Any ideas on that one?

Remember to put your receiver(s) in stand-by *every* night. The program guide is updated as a part of the nightly automatic update.

Dish receivers must be placed in stand-by (powered off by the remote-all front panel LED's off) every night, with automatic updates enabled...default time is 3AM. Doing so, will often alleviate many issues. :)

I have a Harmony remote and when I hit the "off" button it turns off all my equipment, including the 622, so it should be updating nightly without a problem. This is the first time I've seen this since having the 622 installed in February. Weird stuff.

I have a Harmony remote and when I hit the "off" button it turns off all my equipment, including the 622, so it should be updating nightly without a problem. This is the first time I've seen this since having the 622 installed in February. Weird stuff.
Very weird....it must have missed doing the updates, or something. You know it's in stand-by when all the front panel LED's are unlit.

Things to check:
-the update time is correct
-if using dual-mode, TV2 tuner is in stand-by also
-no recording is scheduled at the set update time

Did the force update do anything to help receiving the KSDK/KTVI HD's?

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=10464913&&#post10464913)

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

Charter CEO is The $6 Million Man

OK -- I couldn't resist that headline. And despite Charter's stock price revival, I still think the original was the better bargain. :)

From today's St. Louis Business Journal:
____________________________________________________

The 2006 base salaries for Charter Communications Inc.'s six named executives totaled about $3.3 million, while the executives' total compensation reached $11 million.

Neil Smit, president and chief executive, received $5.9 million in total compensation last year, including a base salary of $1.2 million and stock and option awards totaling $2.95 million.

He also received $1.725 million in incentive plan compensation and $30,316 in all other compensation, which includes $13,504 for personal use of the corporate airplane, $5,804 in relocation expenses and $4,576 in tax advisory services.
____________________________________________________

For the complete story, click here (http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2007/04/30/daily10.html)

Cable Execs Appear Ho Hum about DirecTV HD Plan

An article in today's TV Predictions newsletter makes the point that the prevailing attitude among cable providers is reminiscent of cable's reaction to satellite TV in the first place more than a decade ago -- no one really cares about all those extra channels.
___________________________________________________

"Right now we have all the high-def channels that anybody cares about," Comcast President Steve Burke said last week in a conference call with Wall Street analysts.

Burke added that the quality of the high-def channels is more important than the quantity.

His comments echo the remarks of other cable executives. Although they say they will soon expand their high-def capacities via new technologies such as Switched Digital Video, they add that it's not necessary to match DIRECTV channel for channel.

However, the cable industry may be underestimating DIRECTV's high-def plans at its own peril. As philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Let me explain.
___________________________________________________

To read the details of Swanni's history lesson, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/cabledirectv043007.htm)

Starz! To Launch 3 HD Channels By End of Summer

From today's TV Predictions newsletter:
________________________________________________

Starz, the premium movie channel, today said it will launch three new High-Definition channels by the end of summer.

Starz already has one high-def channel, a simulcast of its flagship channel, and a on-demand HD service.

The new HD channels will be east coast feeds of Starz Comedy, Starz Edge and Starz Kids & Family.
________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/starz050107.htm)

Did the force update do anything to help receiving the KSDK/KTVI HD's?


No, still not coming in. I'm wondering if this isn't a problem from the install. The installer did a great job, but there was a light rain by the time he finished so I imagine that can make it tricky to find the best signal. He got it "as high as I can in this weather" and said it should get stronger when the sky clears. I never checked it after that as reception was fine.

No, still not coming in. I'm wondering if this isn't a problem from the install. The installer did a great job, but there was a light rain by the time he finished so I imagine that can make it tricky to find the best signal. He got it "as high as I can in this weather" and said it should get stronger when the sky clears. I never checked it after that as reception was fine.
Perhaps it is a bad point. IIRC, from the beginning, my readings from 118 were always 50ish and 70ish. That's what they are this morning, and the same as last night. Have you called AHDTS? (800-969-4388)

No, still not coming in. I'm wondering if this isn't a problem from the install. The installer did a great job, but there was a light rain by the time he finished so I imagine that can make it tricky to find the best signal. He got it "as high as I can in this weather" and said it should get stronger when the sky clears. I never checked it after that as reception was fine.

I'm still without KTVI HD and KSDK HD also. Tomorrow I will call my installer (ADS) as I'm still within my 90 day installation warranty. Technology, ain't it wonderful! :mad:

I missing 5 and 2, also - have been since last night. I'm not getting a lock on that transponder.

Does anyone know who is messed up...Dish or FSN?

Also without 5 and 2. Caught it in the nick of time last night and watched 24 live for about the first time ever, missing first 10 minutes. May have been lucky to miss the whole show, as awful as it's been this season

Does anyone know who is messed up...Dish or FSN?

I have D*, so it's FSN. :mad:

I'm about 15 minutes behind live but the game is up in HD on Charter 792

The game is on in HD on the Dish FSNMW HD channel, but it is the FSN Wisconsin HD broadcast.
On the Dish FSNMW SD channel, it is MidWest. I think Dish has the wrong broadcast spotting into STL.

FSN HD without Dan and Al....WTG Dish! :D

Ah, OK. We are getting Al & Dan. I actually don't think I'd mind trading though.

Given that I am only missing CBS-HD in the current Charter local lineup & I struggle to pick up CBS OTA, I have decided to unplug the ol' Silver Sensor antenna. I am trying to hook up PIP but am having a struggle. I'm hoping you guys can help me out...

I have the incoming cable coax split - one feeding the Moxi & the other into the "ANT A" input on my Pioneer 1130 plasma media receiver. I do a channel scan but all of the stations are super-snowy.

I'm a total novice at hooking up components but shouldn't this work?

Was wondering if anyone else was having serious drop-outs during American Idol this evening? I am watching via Charter with a S3 Tivo.

Noted many problems with the entire picture freezing, and complete loss of audio, often for several seconds making the broadcast unwatchable.

Trying to solicit opinion, because my Tivo just got the new software update today, and am hoping the problem is with KTVI and not my Tivo.

Curious to hear your responses

Thanks

Was wondering if anyone else was having serious drop-outs during American Idol this evening? I am watching via Charter with a S3 Tivo.

Noted many problems with the entire picture freezing, and complete loss of audio, often for several seconds making the broadcast unwatchable.

Trying to solicit opinion, because my Tivo just got the new software update today, and am hoping the problem is with KTVI and not my Tivo.

Curious to hear your responses

Thanks


Yes I had noticed that also. I was watching back on Dish Vip622 that was recorded from OTA antenna. I didn't think it made it unwatchable but there was some stuttering and audio drop outs but it seemed to more towards the beginning of the show. I didn't notice it from about half way to the end of the show.

Given that I am only missing CBS-HD in the current Charter local lineup & I struggle to pick up CBS OTA, I have decided to unplug the ol' Silver Sensor antenna. I am trying to hook up PIP but am having a struggle. I'm hoping you guys can help me out...

I have the incoming cable coax split - one feeding the Moxi & the other into the "ANT A" input on my Pioneer 1130 plasma media receiver. I do a channel scan but all of the stations are super-snowy.

I'm a total novice at hooking up components but shouldn't this work?If you're seeing snow, you're most likely looking at only analog channels -- digital channels don't produce "snow."

If there's another ANT input on your media receiver, try it. It's possible that one is analog only and the other is digital. Also check to see if there might be a menu setting that is forcing the current ANT input to analog-only (such a "feature" would be pointless, but that doesn't mean it's not there).

Yes I had noticed that also. I was watching back on Dish Vip622 that was recorded from OTA antenna. I didn't think it made it unwatchable but there was some stuttering and audio drop outs but it seemed to more towards the beginning of the show. I didn't notice it from about half way to the end of the show.

Yeah, probably exaggerated a bit by saying "unwatchable", and agreed that most but not all of the breakups were in the first 15-20 minutes. Just wanted to make sure my Tivo wasn't acting up (have been some reports of problems after the new SW upgrade)

Thanks

If you're seeing snow, you're most likely looking at only analog channels -- digital channels don't produce "snow."

If there's another ANT input on your media receiver, try it. It's possible that one is analog only and the other is digital. Also check to see if there might be a menu setting that is forcing the current ANT input to analog-only (such a "feature" would be pointless, but that doesn't mean it's not there).

I do know that "ANT A" is the only digital option on the media box. I have tried rebooting everything, etc. & can't really figure out what else to try.

Saluki --

Maybe I've overlooked the obvious here. When you're trying to tune digital channels, did you remember that the digital channels are in the UHF band (and therefore the channel numbers are not the same as for the analogs)?

For example, for the digital channels: KTVI is 43, KMOV is 56, kSDk is 35, KETC is 39, KPLR is 26 and KDNL is 31.

If that's not the problem, I have no idea where things are going wrong for you. You may have a service issue.

Saluki --

Maybe I've overlooked the obvious here. When you're trying to tune digital channels, did you remember that the digital channels are in the UHF band (and therefore the channel numbers are not the same as for the analogs)?

For example, for the digital channels: KTVI is 43, KMOV is 56, kSDk is 35, KETC is 39, KPLR is 26 and KDNL is 31.

If that's not the problem, I have no idea where things are going wrong for you. You may have a service issue.

I scrolled through all of the channels that it found via the auto channel setup & they were all mega-snowy. The only channels I remember seeing were the same # as the cable lineup (44 - Golf Channel, 46 - CNBC, etc.)

I scrolled through all of the channels that it found via the auto channel setup & they were all mega-snowy. The only channels I remember seeing were the same # as the cable lineup (44 - Golf Channel, 46 - CNBC, etc.)


Hmmm ... I have a Moxi and it doesn't have an antenna input, as they don't have OTA tuners ..... I think the only coax output on mine says some like "to VCR" or something like that .... maybe you should not use the splitter, and run a cable from that to the tuner on your display.

I'm not sure you can tune the HD channels straight off the cable via the splitter, aren't they encoded or something?

I'm still using an indoor antenae for CBS :-) Only show I watch though is CSI, lol.

Hmmm ... I have a Moxi and it doesn't have an antenna input, as they don't have OTA tuners ..... I think the only coax output on mine says some like "to VCR" or something like that .... maybe you should not use the splitter, and run a cable from that to the tuner on your display.

I'm not sure you can tune the HD channels straight off the cable via the splitter, aren't they encoded or something?

I'm still using an indoor antenae for CBS :-) Only show I watch though is CSI, lol.

black-

If you read my first post again, it says that I an using the coax split into the "ANT A" on my media receiver. The other split is going into the Moxi.

As far as the encoding thing...that is my question. Should I be receiving a signal with the cable feed straight into my media receiver or does it require a cable card or something?

Saluki,

Here's another couple of possibilities:

* Because you're receiving cable channels over your ANT input, it's possible that you have connected the wrong coax to the receiver -- it sounds like you might be connecting your cable feed instead of the lead from your antenna.

* It's possible that your ANT input has a setting for use as either an analog cable receiver or as an OTA receiver. Check to make sure that you don't have this set incorrectly.

The fact that the cable channels are coming in with snow is a bit puzzling and probably rules out the input being set to receive cable signals. More likely you have the wrong coax run and the antenna input is only partially able to extract the analog cable channels coming from it.

Saluki,

Here's another couple of possibilities:

* Because you're receiving cable channels over your ANT input, it's possible that you have connected the wrong coax to the receiver -- it sounds like you might be connecting your cable feed instead of the lead from your antenna.

Doug-

I am not using the antenna. I am trying to split the cable signal for PIP. The main cable feed comes into the living room & into a splitter. From the splitter, there is one cable feed going to the Moxi & the other into "ANT A" in the Pioneer Media box. My installer had me set up for PIP at my initial install but I undid it to get OTA.

Of course, I failed to note the iniitial configuration, but I thought it was done the way I am trying.

I don't have a manual for your actual display, but I do have one for the x10 Pioneer plasmas and on those models there is a setting for the ANT inputs that allow you switch between Air and Cable.

I believe there will be something similar to be found on your own display/receiver.

If you don't have a manual, you can download one from the Pioneer web site (www.pioneerelectronics.com)

I don't have a manual for your actual display, but I do have one for the x10 Pioneer plasmas and on those models there is a setting for the ANT inputs that allow you switch between Air and Cable.

I believe there will be something similar to be found on your own display/receiver.

If you don't have a manual, you can download one from the Pioneer web site (www.pioneerelectronics.com)

When I do the channel set-up, first I choose "ANT A" & then it gives me the option of "Air" or "Cable". I choose cable at this point & run through the auto set-up. Is that what you arre referring to or is there something in addition to that?

That should do it. If that's not working, then I suggest that you connect the cable feed directly to the receiver (no split) and see if that clears up your problem.

I have no other suggestions or help to offer on this.

That should do it. If that's not working, then I suggest that you connect the cable feed directly to the receiver (no split) and see if that clears up your problem.

I have no other suggestions or help to offer on this.

Thanks for taking the time. I'll try that tonight.

I am new member to this forum, but I would like to note that I have also lost hd channels 2 & 5 on dish since monday night(4/30/07). 4 is a little hinkey but works. After spending over an hour on the phone with the dish rep she determined that a tech needs to make a house call. They are going to wave the service call charge. A real tech guy called me and said that they moved these channels to a new satalite (118) sunday and the trouble should have been fiixed monday morning;but thats when the trouble started. A service tech is suppost to come out on 5/08/07. He will probably reallign the dish. We'll see what happens.

There's an article today on STLTODAY.COM about the AT&T and rolling out there upcoming fiber optic TV and internet services. First off, if you can even get on stltoday.com - that's the worst website I've ever witnessed and unfortunately I keep trying to go there for local news..

Anyway, some law was passed giving AT&T clearance to roll out these new services. Apparently it will be a thorn in Charter's side. Except they gave no timetable - which means 2-5 years I suppose. I'm tired of waiting for better options here. Directv keeps promising - but it never happens. I'm left with basic Charter (it's free in my apartment) even though I'm willing to pay for more HD programming. But no timetable on the stuff. It's been too long for HD programming to step up.

I'll believe all this when I see it - which still doesn't look to be anytime soon. Anybody up for possible AT&T rollout predictions? More unsubstantiated gossip?

Frustrated in STL!!
Spencer

There's an article today on STLTODAY.COM about the AT&T and rolling out there upcoming fiber optic TV and internet services. First off, if you can even get on stltoday.com - that's the worst website I've ever witnessed and unfortunately I keep trying to go there for local news..

Anyway, some law was passed giving AT&T clearance to roll out these new services. Apparently it will be a thorn in Charter's side. Except they gave no timetable - which means 2-5 years I suppose. I'm tired of waiting for better options here. Directv keeps promising - but it never happens. I'm left with ****** basic Charter (it's free in my apartment) even though I'm willing to pay for more HD programming. But no timetable on the stuff. It's been too long for HD programming to step up.

I'll believe all this when I see it - which still doesn't look to be anytime soon. Anybody up for possible AT&T rollout predictions? More unsubstantiated gossip?

Frustrated in STL!!
Spencer

I don't understand. If you are "willing to pay for more HD programming" why are you "stuck" with basic Charter?

I don't understand. If you are "willing to pay for more HD programming" why are you "stuck" with basic Charter?

the basic Charter is free! Yeah, I don't care that I'm stealing or whatever, it's just a coax into my old Directv HD box which I kept after moving to St. Louis from Columbia. I guess I'm looking for more HD channels in general making the the switch worth the money. So I'm "willing" once, these companies give me something worthwhile. I don't want 10% HD, 90% standard def programming. So I'll stick with my locals in HD and free crappy Charter basic and be willing to change deal that's worth paying for. At least there will be more options in the future which is what we need. Looking for better quality with HD quantity and then I'll pay up.

Spencer

You get 15 or so HD channels with Charter & DirecTV, more with Dish. Granted, there is plenty of room for improvement. But, unless you are really into some specific SD-only channels, I think your 10% HD/90% SD ratio is pretty far off.

The game is on in HD on the Dish FSNMW HD channel, but it is the FSN Wisconsin HD broadcast.
On the Dish FSNMW SD channel, it is MidWest. I think Dish has the wrong broadcast spotting into STL.

FSN HD without Dan and Al....WTG Dish! :D

So you were able to watch it in HD, but had to tune to FSN Wisconsin? How did you know to do that? Or did you just check it out?

I shut my PC down and now I wish I had checked back here to know to watch the Wisconsin FSN channel.

You get 15 or so HD channels with Charter & DirecTV, more with Dish. Granted, there is plenty of room for improvement. But, unless you are really into some specific SD-only channels, I think your 10% HD/90% SD ratio is pretty far off.

Yeah, you're right. I'm just bored at work and venting. I like my best option for quality programming (non-HD which is still the majority) and right now that's Netflix.

Done ranting here..

So you were able to watch it in HD, but had to tune to FSN Wisconsin? How did you know to do that? Or did you just check it out?

I shut my PC down and now I wish I had checked back here to know to watch the Wisconsin FSN channel.
It was on the regular FSNMW-HD dish channel. I didn't know squat...no surprise there. :o
I just tuned to it expecting the FSNMW-HD broadcast.

On Dish, FSNMW-HD is channel 368 (SD is channel 418). When FSNMW does a game in HD, Dish opens the channel, spotbeams and feeds the broadcast into STL on channel 368.
368/FSNMW-HD showed the game being on in HD in the EPG(just as it should have), but when I tuned to it, instead, it was the FSN Wisconsin HD broadcast.

FSN Wisconsin also happened to be doing the game in HD last night, and Dish spotted the wrong broadcast into STL on the FSNMW-HD channel. They probably spot-beamed the MW HD broadcast into their Wisconsin HD channel.

They probably spot-beamed the MW HD broadcast into their Wisconsin HD channel.

Poor Ba$%@%ds.