I am using my TV's built in QAM tuner to get digital channels from regular Charter cable. Some of the channels do not have sound.
TNTHD is one of the channels without sound even though the reception is at 100%.

Does anyone here use QAM to get TNTHD?

I am using my TV's built in QAM tuner to get digital channels from regular Charter cable. Some of the channels do not have sound.
TNTHD is one of the channels without sound even though the reception is at 100%.

Does anyone here use QAM to get TNTHD?
Hi Zdre...Welcome. :)
No need to dup post, most of the members who monitor the Charter thread, also monitor this one. Someone will answer your question. :)

Anyone who watched yesterday's game (Thursday) on FSNMW-HD via Charter or Direct...were the replay's messed up in the beginning of the broadcast?

The FSN logos showed opening and closing the replay, and Hrabosky was describing the replay, so he was seeing it, but all I could see was live TV between the logo's. It fixed by the 2nd inning.

On a sour note, my Asus mobo replacement from Newegg has been rescheduled for delivery Monday by UPS. Argggghhh! No unRaid for me this weekend.

Hey Joe,

I may be joining you in trying out the UnRAID thing after all.... the newest Release Candidate of Windows Home Server has developed another bug that is preventing copying any more files to it at all. 21 other people have reported it in the support forums, so I know it's not my hardware.

Gonna download the free version this weekend and see if my existing components will work with it, then decide whether or not to go for the Pro version.

Meanwhile, the prospect of the Sci-Fi Channel in HD (MPEG-4 only) this Fall has me seriously thinking about getting an HR20 soon. :eek:

Hey Joe,

I may be joining you in trying out the UnRAID thing after all.... the newest Release Candidate of Windows Home Server has developed another bug that is preventing copying any more files to it at all. 21 other people have reported it in the support forums, so I know it's not my hardware.

Gonna download the free version this weekend and see if my existing components will work with it, then decide whether or not to go for the Pro version.

Meanwhile, the prospect of the Sci-Fi Channel in HD (MPEG-4 only) this Fall has me seriously thinking about getting an HR20 soon. :eek:

I was thinking about WHS, but I read something that really disturbed me - it only does backup through mirroring, so anything you want to keep safe requires that you take up an equal amount of hard drive space. Since you guys turned me on to RAID 5 and unRaid, I'm not willing to make that sacrifice. From now on, all my files will be protected with either unRaid, RAID 5 on the mobo, or my Highpoint RocketRaid card. Fortunately, my Asus boards have built-in support for RAID 5 - 4 SATA ports on one board and 6 on two others. BUT, all my work hinges on getting that freakin' Asus replacement board from Newegg. It's brought everything to a standstill.

That's a serious committment to overclocking, Walt. I've never gone beyond air cooling. Anything more and it's just too much hassle for me. My latest PC system has an Intel E4300, stock speed of 1.8 GHZ. That little chip really lives up to its hype. It overclocked to 3.0 GHZ with the standard heatsink/fan. I read one report in which the chip was run without a heat sink at all, under load, and it took some time for the system to error out.

On a sour note, my Asus mobo replacement from Newegg has been rescheduled for delivery Monday by UPS. Argggghhh! No unRaid for me this weekend.

Yeah, I was a little old for formal training so it was kinda "becha can't" sort of thing. Except for the pumps, everything else was free. PLCs were part of my job which made it interesting.

Walt

DirecTV 10 Satellite launched tonight without incident. {removed that applause smiley...he was cute at first, but now he's annoying}
It's expected to be parked, and begin accepting commands in the morning.

Anyone interested in the Mission, can view it HERE (http://www.ilslaunch.com/missionoverview/)

DirecTV 10 Satellite launched tonight without incident. http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smiles2/allg069.gif
It's expected to be parked, and begin accepting commands in the morning.

Anyone interested in the Mission, can view it HERE (http://www.ilslaunch.com/missionoverview/)

While I applaude the launch, boy was that the worst broadcast in the history of TV or what? I guess I'll have to bail on my Tivo's soon. :(

Scott

While I applaude the launch, boy was that the worst broadcast in the history of TV or what? I guess I'll have to bail on my Tivo's soon. :(

Scott
Yeah, pretty poor. There's some decent vid's of the launch on that ILS site, if you're interested :)

Now, to get some channels up. I really believe, if the SAT providers can get Cable to really focus on HD, this thing will finally take off. :)

DirecTV 10 Satellite launched tonight without incident. {removed that applause smiley...he was cute at first, but now he's annoying}
It's expected to be parked, and begin accepting commands in the morning.

Anyone interested in the Mission, can view it HERE (http://www.ilslaunch.com/missionoverview/)

Great news for Directv and us subscribers! Maybe with the new satellite in place, the next launch will be broadcast in MPEG4 HD! :D

DirecTV 10 Satellite launched tonight without incident.
It's expected to be parked, and begin accepting commands in the morning.


Yep - all stages have burned and the satellite is out of ILS control now! So the next clock starts ticking - the waiting for the sat to be turned on and the MPEG4s to start! Should be mid-Sept at the latest!

So with that said - all you HR20 and H20 owners get your B-Band Converters on (and if you don't have them call D*). I'm going to work on the SWM today, so I'll post the results soon.

Chris

Great news for Directv and us subscribers! Maybe with the new satellite in place, the next launch will be broadcast in MPEG4 HD! :D

I thought it somewhat ironic that the whole production was to promote HD, yet the launch was not shown in High Def. It would be nice if next time it is in HD.

I really believe, if the SAT providers can get Cable to really focus on HD, this thing will finally take off. :)

You're correct. The better job Directv and Dish do the better job Charter will have to do to compete. In the end we all win with more programming choices.

Someone on this forum, or maybe even this thread, asked if HD was as far along as we thought it would be by now. Personally, I thought HDTV would have penetrated the market at a much higher rate than it has. It still amazes me when major sporting events are not broadcast in HD. The HD craze does seem to be picking up speed recently however which is good.

Scott

I thought it somewhat ironic that the whole production was to promote HD, yet the launch was not shown in High Def. It would be nice if next time it is in HD.

Not very likely. There was a member of the Engineering team posting on another site - and he was commenting that the facility had a 1Mbps connection and they had to upload their pictures from a dial-up line. So I guess anything is possible, but I doubt they'll suddenly get the sat uplinks or the land connections to have the bandwidth by early next year... but we can always hope. ;)

Chris

During yesterday's game, McLaughlin said today's game on FSN will be available in HD also. It was not scheduled to be, nor can I find anything on the FSNMW site saying it is. It's also showing as unavailable (presently) on the DISH EPG.
Guess we'll see.

On the question of HD penetration, I would have hoped that we would be much further along on this, particularly in view of the fact that the analog shutdown is now effectively within spitting distance. At the same time, there's a lot to be optimistic about, particularly in view of all the non-broadcast channels that are now scurrying around to develop HD services.

I've always thought that a big part of the problem with HDTV awareness was the lack of proactive marketing on the part of broadcasters. I'm thinking primarly of the over-the-air networks, but in particular the local stations in each market. Although the local stations are doing relatively little to educate viewers about the upcoming analog shutdown or the benefits of HDTV, at least there is some fledgling activity, such as KSDK going HD on local news.

But it still seems very weird to me that an entire segment of an industry could be so disinterested in something that is so central to its future. It's sort of the flip side of the iPhone coin. :rolleyes:

And then, something like this story (see below), via TV Predictions, comes along. I have no doubt that this will be used by some local broadcasters as further justification for sitting on their hands when it comes to HDTV production. I have to believe that there had to be other factors contributing to the ratings decline, entirely separate from the switch to HD news.

But at least the station GM quoted in the article doesn't lay the blame on HD.

________________________________________________________

KVOA-TV's news programs took a ratings dip in May despite a heavily publicized switch to High-Definition. KVOA-TV is the NBC affiliate in Tucson, Arizona.

The station's 10 p.m. news program plunged from a 8.7 Nielsen rating in February of this year to a 6.3 in May, according to the Arizona Daily Star. The 5 p.m. newscast fell from 7.4 to 5.1 and the 6 p.m. program declined from 6.8 to 5.1.

KVOA became the first Tucson station to broadcast the news in high-def on April 22 of this year, shortly before the May ratings period.

"I think all of us over the years have found ratings books where we've wondered what happened, and this is certainly one of them," Gary Nielsen, president and general manager of KVOA, told the Daily Star. "I find it hard to believe that our newscasts went down."
________________________________________________________

Perhaps viewers without HD displays, "thought" they would not be able to view the new HD format. It could happen :rolleyes:
Tons still think "digital" and "HD" are one-in-the-same.

During yesterday's game, McLaughlin said today's game on FSN will be available in HD also. It was not scheduled to be, nor can I find anything on the FSNMW site saying it is. It's also showing as unavailable (presently) on the DISH EPG.
Guess we'll see.

Since it's not HD, they will probably win. The last two games I attended were horrible. They scored a total of 1 run, played terrible defense and looked lethargic. Encarnacion let two lazy fly balls fall in front of him like you'd see in Little League. Pujols hit into a ground ball double play and didn't bother to run to first. This team should have been taken apart last year. Their luck in winning the World Series has not served them well this year. If they wouldn't have won, they would have made some major moves to improve the team.

I'm waiting for a Dish Network install (12-5 window). Any advice for a satellite newbie to make sure things get installed as they should? FYI - I'm getting the VIP622.

Thanks!

I'm waiting for a Dish Network install (12-5 window). Any advice for a satellite newbie to make sure things get installed as they should? FYI - I'm getting the VIP622.

Thanks!

I am a D* subsriber so I can't offer any advice except to head over to DBSTalk and check out their forum. There is a tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=64185) thread there with many links. Might be a good place to start.

Good luck with your install.

During yesterday's game, McLaughlin said today's game on FSN will be available in HD also. It was not scheduled to be, nor can I find anything on the FSNMW site saying it is. It's also showing as unavailable (presently) on the DISH EPG.
Guess we'll see.

I am a D* sub and can't get those games in HD. :mad: However, I was able to watch it in HD on Friday. It was ch. 94 I think. I was very surprised. IMO, there is no one good source of information for games in HD.

Pujols hit into a ground ball double play and didn't bother to run to first.
Pujols has chronic hamstring problems. The coaches have ordered him NOT to go all-out on sure double play balls/ground ball outs. It's not a hustle issue....it's a "keep him as healthy as possible" issue.

Pujols has chronic hamstring problems. The coaches have ordered him NOT to go all-out on sure double play balls/ground ball outs. It's not a hustle issue....it's a "keep him as healthy as possible" issue.

Great - another Bonds. Since when did we stop having the Pete Rose's, Lou Gehrig's, and Brooks Robinson's of the world? So I guess these guys get paid to swing the bat - and everything else like defense, hustle, aggressiveness are afterthoughts. An MVP is someone who sets the standard. Maybe the coaches and Pujols might think about that next time he is upset that he doesn't get it... [/rant off]

Great - another Bonds. Since when did we stop having the Pete Rose's, Lou Gehrig's, and Brooks Robinson's of the world? So I guess these guys get paid to swing the bat - and everything else like defense, hustle, aggressiveness are afterthoughts. An MVP is someone who sets the standard. Maybe the coaches and Pujols might think about that next time he is upset that he doesn't get it... [/rant off]

You're way off base regarding Pujols. He's not perfect, but he is excellent defensively and very aggressive on the basepaths, sometimes to a fault. Yes, he doesn't hustle out the double-play balls, but you can't say he doesn't hustle in every other phase of the game.

My point is Bonds started off as an overly aggressive, defensively focused, 5 tools player. It wasn't until the "business" side of the game got into the act that he was told to slow things down. I'm not way off base on Pujols - you missed the analogy.

Chris

"I think all of us over the years have found ratings books where we've wondered what happened, and this is certainly one of them," Gary Nielsen, president and general manager of KVOA, told the Daily Star. "I find it hard to believe that our newscasts went down."
________________________________________________________


It is completely feasible that digital integration is further along than suspected. Since Nielsen won't report HD/Digital viewership until November 2007 - you have to wonder how they are getting their "numbers" when a station makes a much publicized switch to HD. If viewers switch to a format that isn't measured, how can it be measured.

Chris

My point is Bonds started off as an overly aggressive, defensively focused, 5 tools player. It wasn't until the "business" side of the game got into the act that he was told to slow things down. I'm not way off base on Pujols - you missed the analogy.

Chris
Thanks Chris....I needed a good http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smilies/lol.gif today.

My point is Bonds started off as an overly aggressive, defensively focused, 5 tools player. It wasn't until the "business" side of the game got into the act that he was told to slow things down. I'm not way off base on Pujols - you missed the analogy.

Chris

I used to have 5 tools, then my son came over to work on his car.

Walt

It is completely feasible that digital integration is further along than suspected. Since Nielsen won't report HD/Digital viewership until November 2007 - you have to wonder how they are getting their "numbers" when a station makes a much publicized switch to HD. If viewers switch to a format that isn't measured, how can it be measured.

Chris


I was wondering about this myself. How much of the rating decline is actually viewers watching the High Def version of the newscast? Since they don't measure HD viewership is that a significant part of the drop in ratings?

My point is Bonds started off as an overly aggressive, defensively focused, 5 tools player. It wasn't until the "business" side of the game got into the act that he was told to slow things down. I'm not way off base on Pujols - you missed the analogy.

Chris

Fielding, Throwing, Running the bases, Hitting for average, Hitting for Power.

There's a reason Bonds plays left field. It requires the least throwing capability in the outfield and Barry ain't got the arm that it takes to play CF or RF. RF requires the strongest arm, and Barry can't touch that position.

Now, you want a five tool outfielder, let's talk Andre Dawson in his prime. Damn -- he had a mortar launcher for an arm and played with reckless abandon :)

My point is Bonds started off as an overly aggressive, defensively focused, 5 tools player. It wasn't until the "business" side of the game got into the act that he was told to slow things down. I'm not way off base on Pujols - you missed the analogy.

Chris
Sorry, looked like you were saying both the team and Pujols put defense, hustle, aggressiveness (as) afterthoughts.

My Dish Network was installed yesterday, and here are a few quick notes:

Installation took about 3.5 hours. It could have probably been quicker if the installer spent less time playing with my dog. He offered me an HDMI cable for "half the price of Monster cables." Heh, I think I'll stick with monoprice. He also offered to hook my 3rd and 4th TVs up to the VIP622's second tuner for $60. I did it on my own with a couple splitters and extra cables in about 2 minutes once he left. It might not be pretty, but it seems to work fine.

I've been a happy Charter customer for the past 7 years or so. Figured I'd give a satellite a shot since my special pricing deal with Charter ended recently. I can't remember my cable ever going out in the past 2 years since moving to my house, and in the 1.5 days I've had a satellite it has already experienced "rain fade." The wife reports that it didn't work for about 15 minutes during today's torrential rain. I guess that won't be a big deal once I have a deep library of content on my HD DVR.

I need to experiment a bit more with the DVR since this is my first experience with one. The user interface seems pretty intuitive, but again I don't have anything with which to compare it. I can't seem to assign a different tuner to record a program once it is originally set up. Also, I just hooked up the OTA antenna so I want to make sure that I can watch/record 3 things at once (2 satellite, 1 antenna). I'll try to remain on topic and post most of my questions on DBS talk.

Feel free to post them here, at least as far as I am concerned.

I am a DirecTV guy, but I enjoy reading and discussing DISH and the superior VIP622.

I can't seem to assign a different tuner to record a program once it is originally set up. Also, I just hooked up the OTA antenna so I want to make sure that I can watch/record 3 things at once (2 satellite, 1 antenna). I'll try to remain on topic and post most of my questions on DBS talk.
Mgr,
You cannot change tuner selection once scheduled. The 622 assigns the recording tuner based on, First-your user default setting; Second-your user priority setting; Third-mode setting....single or dual; and Fourth-tuner availability.

With respect to the EPG and scheduling recordings, once scanned in, OTA channels work exactly like SAT channels. If you have 2 SAT channels scheduled, and try to schedule a 3rd SAT channel, you'll get a "pick one" pop-up. If your third is a OTA channel, the DVR will accept the timer.

Being a new install, I'd suggest you check your signal strengths, and confirm the installer got a optimum point on your dish antenna. This could cause more than normal rain-fade.
If you need to know the acceptable levels, and how to check it correctly, send me a PM.

Fielding, Throwing, Running the bases, Hitting for average, Hitting for Power.

There's a reason Bonds plays left field. It requires the least throwing capability in the outfield and Barry ain't got the arm that it takes to play CF or RF. RF requires the strongest arm, and Barry can't touch that position.

Now, you want a five tool outfielder, let's talk Andre Dawson in his prime. Damn -- he had a mortar launcher for an arm and played with reckless abandon :)

Let me preface this by saying I don't really like Bonds one bit...

In his early playing days Bonds was actually a fine left fielder. Yes, left field is not the toughest position in the game (see Chris Duncan), but he won 8 Gold Gloves and actually has 1 more outfield assist than Dawson did for their careers. Granted Bonds has played in more games, but he also has thrown out squat since about 1999-2000 when he started taking steroids bulking up.

When Bonds won his first 3 MVPs in the early/mid 90s he actually was a five tool player and not the one dimensional slugger that he became. I'd take a circa 1993 Barry Bonds in left field over just about any other player who's played the game, he was that good of an all around player.

With the launch of D10 - looks like the counter punches are going into full swing:


DISH NETWORK™ EXPANDS NATION’S LARGEST HD PACKAGE

More National HD Channels, More HD Regional Sports Networks

Englewood, Colo. – July 10, 2007 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH NetworkTM satellite TV service today announced exciting enhancements to its industry-leading DishHD programming package.

On July 11, DISH Network will launch eight Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in high definition (HD) that feature game-only baseball content, including Fox Sports Network Arizona (Ch. 365), Fox Sports Network Northwest (Ch. 376), Fox Sports Network Cincinnati (Ch. 377), Fox Sports Network Pittsburgh (Ch. 378), Fox Sports Network Detroit (Ch. 380), SportsTime Ohio (Ch. 381), Fox Sports Network North (Ch. 386), and SportsNet New York (DISH Network Ch. 388). With the launch of nine HD RSNs earlier this year, these new additions bring DISH Network’s total lineup of HD RSNs to 17, with more channel launches planned for Aug. 15.

Also on Aug. 15, DISH Network will add seven national HD channels to its DishHD programming package, including MHD, featuring music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT; Golf/Versus HD; Animal Planet HD; The Science Channel HD; TLC HD; Discovery HD, and History HD, which will debut on Sept. 1. With these additions – plus more planned for mid-September – DishHD subscribers will continue to have access to the largest national HD lineup in the United States.

With the launch of D10 - looks like the counter punches are going into full swing:

DISH NETWORK™ EXPANDS NATION’S LARGEST HD PACKAGE

More National HD Channels, More HD Regional Sports Networks

Englewood, Colo. – July 10, 2007 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH NetworkTM satellite TV service today announced exciting enhancements to its industry-leading DishHD programming package.

On July 11, DISH Network will launch eight Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in high definition (HD) that feature game-only baseball content, including Fox Sports Network Arizona (Ch. 365), Fox Sports Network Northwest (Ch. 376), Fox Sports Network Cincinnati (Ch. 377), Fox Sports Network Pittsburgh (Ch. 378), Fox Sports Network Detroit (Ch. 380), SportsTime Ohio (Ch. 381), Fox Sports Network North (Ch. 386), and SportsNet New York (DISH Network Ch. 388). With the launch of nine HD RSNs earlier this year, these new additions bring DISH Network’s total lineup of HD RSNs to 17, with more channel launches planned for Aug. 15.

Also on Aug. 15, DISH Network will add seven national HD channels to its DishHD programming package, including MHD, featuring music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT; Golf/Versus HD; Animal Planet HD; The Science Channel HD; TLC HD; Discovery HD, and History HD, which will debut on Sept. 1. With these additions – plus more planned for mid-September – DishHD subscribers will continue to have access to the largest national HD lineup in the United States.

So still no FSN-MW-HD from Dish? WTF!?!

So still no FSN-MW-HD from Dish? WTF!?!


DISH has had FSN MW HD for a long time. I think it was up and running by Opening Day.

Anyone outside of St. Charles may skip this; otherwise fellow Centurytel customers may find it useful in case you can't connect to this forum to follow the latest local HD topics (how is that for keeping it on topic?) ;)

I finally was able to meet the service tech at my house yesterday. Several things he said showed that first level Centurytel support is clueless to issues in our area:

1. You do need an upgraded modem to handle 6MB or higher if you have the B90-6100 as I did. He replaced it with a B99. (3 support people and the CSR said the old modem would work fine)

2. There is an issue in our area with the 10Mb service because it wa rolled out before the upgraded fiber infrastaructure was functional. They are still working on that. (the support people had no knowledge of this issue and could not find any reference to it).

3. The 10 meg service may function anywhere between 6 and 10Mb, but will totally lock up if it encounters the known issue. Resetting the modem will not fix it, it must be reset from their end. Downgrading to the 6Mb service will prevent this issue.

By just replacing the modem and keeping the 10Mb service, my download speed increased from a former high of 6Mb to just over 7. It appears to be much more stable, but time will tell. He was going to reset my service to 6 meg to avoid the issue, but for some reason he can't do it unless it fails again. The good news is that the tech who came to my house gave me his cell number in case I do have any more issues, and I don't have to call the useless support number! :D :D :D

Mike

A couple of thoughts:

1) Its funny how finnicky people are about their TV programming. A channel like ESPN when it launched, and TNT get slammed for not being all HD all the time - and companies like DirecTV and Dish are criticized for wasting bandwidth on "pseudo-HD channels". Yet when it comes to the regional sports networks - they are applauded for carrying a station that is only HD for 3-4 hrs a day 5/6 days a week. Strange...

2) Dish subs are applauding the expansion to more HD. Of course, it comes at 2x the monthly cost and requires forced dish and receiver upgrades. In addition, its been shown that the latest moves on Dish to MPEG4 are lacking full bandwidth/resolution - but they say this is only temporary until the new sats come. Didn't another satellite company get slammed because they were going to be forcing people to get new dishes/receivers and they were downrezzing to make more space?

3) If Dish is freeing all this space by moving to MPEG4, what happens when DirecTV moves the existing MPEG2 to MPEG4? Will they now have room for 200 HD channels?

4) Whatever happened to Charter's move to all Digital that was gonna free up all their space?

5) Why all of a sudden do all these providers have all this space? And shouldn't D* be applauded for throwing a flag in the groud a couple years ago? And shouldn't E* be applauded for keeping the ball moving over the past couple years?

6) And since the consumer seems to be benefitting by all this - how long until quality becomes the differentiating factor over quantity - or will that never happen?

7) And while I'm at it - how long until streaming HDInternet? If memory serves you have the equivalent of 40Mbps/transponder. DishNetwork is getting 7 MPEG4 channels (I think they've even done 8) on a single transponder. That equates to about 5-6Mbps of bandwidth per channel. Seems reasonable to assume that streaming Internet MPEG4 HD is less than a couple years away...

Ok - random musings are done.

Chris

The successful launch of the D* satellite is great news for all of us. Competition is king. Once everyone has lots of HD channels, the differentiating factor will be quality. I was happy to hear that the providers started suing each other over claims of who has the best picture. One of these days, someone may have to prove their claims in court. Meanwhile, this is a sort of dark ages for quality, as the providers have to scramble for quantity. On a somewhat brighter note, E* MPEG4 quality is significantly better now than it was when they first started, even though there is more HDLite. No one wants HDLite, but it looks like we'll have to put up with it for a while. At least the signs look more promising for the future.

My unRaid system is up and running. The new mobo came yesterday and the hardware build was easy. After I tracked John Kotches down in Denver, a few questions got me up and running with the software. Thanks, John. I should be fully operational in a couple of days.

I really like the design philosophy behind unRaid. It's perfect for what I want it to do. If everything continues to go this smoothly, I should have a full report up soon.

So still no FSN-MW-HD from Dish? WTF!?!You must mean DirecTV, no?

That's right, no FSNMW-HD on DirecTV...along with 30+ other widely available HD channels. Not that I've been keeping score in my spare, non-HDTV viewing time or anything... ;)

It's really gotten to the laugh-out-loud stage how DISH, clearly the smaller competitor, has completely and utterly humbled DirecTV and its puffed-up claims of market leadership. Even when DirecTV finally opens up that gusher of a new pipe (in September, so we're told), DISH will likely still hold the HD lead, even after taking into account the short-term exclusives that DirecTV has negotiated.

:rolleyes:

I'd take a circa 1993 Barry Bonds in left field over just about any other player who's played the game, he was that good of an all around player.

The same Barry Bonds who threw a whiffle ball to home plate in the 92 NLCS? :D

Let me preface this by saying I don't really like Bonds one bit...

In his early playing days Bonds was actually a fine left fielder. Yes, left field is not the toughest position in the game (see Chris Duncan), but he won 8 Gold Gloves and actually has 1 more outfield assist than Dawson did for their careers. Granted Bonds has played in more games, but he also has thrown out squat since about 1999-2000 when he started taking steroids bulking up.

Okay, but Golden Gloves often go to offensive prowess rather than defensive prowess.

When Bonds won his first 3 MVPs in the early/mid 90s he actually was a five tool player and not the one dimensional slugger that he became. I'd take a circa 1993 Barry Bonds in left field over just about any other player who's played the game, he was that good of an all around player.

Okay, but that means you'll take Barry over Teddy Ballgame, aka Ted Williams. That's certainly a personal prerogative, but if I had to chose between the two, it wouldn't be Barry ;)

The same Barry Bonds who threw a whiffle ball to home plate in the 92 NLCS? :D

Thank you :)

My unRaid system is up and running. The new mobo came yesterday and the hardware build was easy. After I tracked John Kotches down in Denver, a few questions got me up and running with the software. Thanks, John. I should be fully operational in a couple of days.

I really like the design philosophy behind unRaid. It's perfect for what I want it to do. If everything continues to go this smoothly, I should have a full report up soon.

Hey Joe...

I'll be looking forward to it. I've pretty much decided I'm done with the Windows Home Server betas. Downloaded the UnRaid free version over the weekend and it looks like I'm gonna be lucky.... I think it's gonna work fine and dandy with the components I already have.

Hey Joe...

I'll be looking forward to it. I've pretty much decided I'm done with the Windows Home Server betas. Downloaded the UnRaid free version over the weekend and it looks like I'm gonna be lucky.... I think it's gonna work fine and dandy with the components I already have.

That's great. Looks like we may have a local unRaid community here in St. Louis. There are a few trade offs with unRaid, but the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Right now, I'm copying files to unRaid from one of my other systems. One of the trade offs is speed. Copies go a lot slower. Fortunately, that's not something I'll need to do often. After the tedious setup and copying are complete, the major benefits kick in.

Yep -- we have a little group going now with UnRaid

Reading is fine, which is of bigger concern for me. I don't expect to be hammering the machine with multiple writes.

Cheers,

Yep -- we have a little group going now with UnRaid

Reading is fine, which is of bigger concern for me. I don't expect to be hammering the machine with multiple writes.

Cheers,

Absolutely. I just want to be able to store my files with more security than I had before and play back HD movies and TV shows when I want. I don't need 120MB/sec to do that.

Anyone else think that the MLB All-Star game looked like crud via Charter HD?

I wasn't able to compare it to OTA, or DirecTV's feed from Fox2, but I wasn't impressed
with what on saw via Charter.

My wife commented about how much cleaner and better it looked than ESPNHDs feed. This was OTA and DirecTV MPEG4.

Had some drops via OTA, and some stuttering but otherwise the production was fine. To me, it lacked the depth of other OTA sports productions, but I chalk that up to 720 vs. 1080.

Chris

Anyone else think that the MLB All-Star game looked like crud via Charter HD?

I wasn't able to compare it to OTA, or DirecTV's feed from Fox2, but I wasn't impressed
with what on saw via Charter.
Bill,
OTA looked good. Nothing "wow," but OK. Some of the better lit McCovey Cove scenes had deep rich colors.
KIM, it was an overcast day.

Allstar game looked great for me OTA via my D* Tivo on 2-1.

Anyone else think that the MLB All-Star game looked like crud via Charter HD?

I wasn't able to compare it to OTA, or DirecTV's feed from Fox2, but I wasn't impressed
with what on saw via Charter.

Interesting, last night I was thinking that the HD pic looked great. I watched less than half of the game (Charter), but was impressed by what I did see.

I only watched the 9th but I was very impressed with the OTA signal from the Dish 622. The color was rich and the image had depth and pop, unlike the FSMW HD picture. There was the occasional, typical Fox breakup, but otherwise it looked great.

Update on DirecTV Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM):

I installed it the other day with no issues. A couple of gotchas with the installation, such as you should have no crimp connectors anywhere on the SWM line, and power is connected via coax and should be at least a 15' cable.

Installation is obviously much cleaner. I have only the HR20 which is compatible with the SWM feature - so this only allowed me to cut down on 1 cable. But features are nice and do work as expected. The SWM cable provides 5 tuners on 1 cable (with the 5 channel, or 8 with the 8 channel which also has a built in OTA diplexer), and can be split. So this means you could have 2 HR20s and 1 H20, or 1 HR20, 3 H20s, or 5 H20s off this single cable (or more tuners with the 8 channel model).

Flexibility. There are 2 legacy ports on the SWM itself. I have my upstairs Tivo connected off these 2 legacy ports. If you need more ports there will be several options. You can either split the incoming satellite lines with power passing splitters and feed a SWM and a 6x8 multiswitch (giving the 5 or 8 SWM tuners and 10 legacy tuners), or the SWM can actually be cascaded off of the 1st 4 outputs on the 6x8 if you only need 6 legacy ports. In addition, for cleaner installations, Direct is coming out with a legacy extender that connects to the SWM directly giving more output options.

So while I think the SWM is a long time coming, and will simplify installations - the requirement for installers to have only compression connections (including in wall) will likely eliminate any installation time savings. But it will significantly cut down on cable runs in basements and outside walls.

Chris

A couple of thoughts:


4) Whatever happened to Charter's move to all Digital that was gonna free up all their space?

Ok - random musings are done.

Chris

They are still duplicating about 100 channels in the analogue spectrum. Not until the mandated switch to ALL digital will that bandwidth become available. We could see about 12 or 15 more HD channels added when this happens.

Walt

They are still duplicating about 100 channels in the analogue spectrum. Not until the mandated switch to ALL digital will that bandwidth become available. We could see about 12 or 15 more HD channels added when this happens.

Walt

I think those two items are independent. Charter's move to all digital is separate from the mandated OTA switch to all digital. Charter's move is a business decision to utilize digital spectrum to achieve more effecient use of bandwidth on their existing cables. They've already done it in a couple markets, as have other carriers. Its costly because it requires ALL subscribers must have a digital box or converter.

Charter was going to move to free bandwidth - but I'm guessing that stopped or slowed due to $$$

Chris

Thanks everyone for the feedback regarding the MLB game.

I was at my bro's and he has a 57inch Sony RPTV. I did have to show him that his
TV is in need of a calibration and that is probably part of the problem. He has
the Motorola box, I don't know what one. It wasn't properly configured to output the
720p signal, which his TV accepts, it wasn't outputting Dolby Digital, which he has a
Sony Receiver hooked up to, and then I looked at his DVD set up and it wasn't set up
to output a 16x9 signal or Dolby Digital and DTS.

I fixed all of that for him but the picture just really bothered me, so I thought I would check
to see if it was Charter, Fox2, national Fox, or just his set up.

Sounds like his set up........

Thanks everyone for the feedback regarding the MLB game.

I was at my bro's and he has a 57inch Sony RPTV. I did have to show him that his
TV is in need of a calibration and that is probably part of the problem. He has
the Motorola box, I don't know what one. It wasn't properly configured to output the
720p signal, which his TV accepts, it wasn't outputting Dolby Digital, which he has a
Sony Receiver hooked up to, and then I looked at his DVD set up and it wasn't set up
to output a 16x9 signal or Dolby Digital and DTS.

I fixed all of that for him but the picture just really bothered me, so I thought I would check
to see if it was Charter, Fox2, national Fox, or just his set up.

Sounds like his set up........
Brother--Doug...Doug--Brother :)

They are still duplicating about 100 channels in the analogue spectrum. Not until the mandated switch to ALL digital will that bandwidth become available. We could see about 12 or 15 more HD channels added when this happens.

Walt

I believe you have a misunderstanding about the mandated switch to all digital. That switch only applies to broadcasters, not to Cable Cos.

There is no such mandate to go all digital for cable companies, but it is advantageous for them from a bandwidth perspective. There's also no requirement to send out HD as HD.

Cheers,

Do you guys have audio on KSDK-HD?

I noticed that mine was out during Leno. I checked again this morning & it's still out. It's just doing this stuttering audio thing.

- I'm on Charter -

Brother--Doug...Doug--Brother :)

Yeah, I know.

Well guys, I think those analog channels go through the same pipe and consume bandwidth. I agree that this switch is for the stations but once the switch is law, Charter will have no need to waiste this bandwidth on analog.

Right?? :confused:

Walt

Well guys, I think those analog channels go through the same pipe and consume bandwidth. I agree that this switch is for the stations but once the switch is law, Charter will have no need to waiste this bandwidth on analog.

Right?? :confused: As someone else noted above, the two events -- shutdown of analog broadcasting and shutdown of analog cable -- are completely separate. While it's probably true that the analog broadcasting shutdown will accelerate the cable shutdown of analog services, each cable company will approach this with different perspectives and strategies. I would speculate that Charter would approach pulling the plug on analog cable very cautiously, unless it knows that there would be a net revenue gain (or at least certainty of break-even). And I suspect it would take a very, very brave CFO to make that case today.

FWIW, I've spent some time in Chicago recently and Comcast is in the process of completely shutting down its analog cable service in the city and most surrounding suburbs. I actually read an article in one of the newspapers there that analog customers were very unhappy, but then the detail of the story indicated that there had actually been less than 400 complaints received. :rolleyes:

Still, both DISH and DirecTV were running local campaigns trying to scoop up those disaffected analog cable customers, though at the price they were offering (IIRC around $30/month), it's probably still a tough sell and not particularly lucrative bottom-line-wise in the near term. And I'm sure that lots of other cable providers are watching the Chicago Comcast developments very closely, for a real-world gauge of the cost/benefit for shutting down their own analog channels.

Well guys, I think those analog channels go through the same pipe and consume bandwidth. I agree that this switch is for the stations but once the switch is law, Charter will have no need to waiste this bandwidth on analog.

Right?? :confused:

Walt

Nope. The two are orthogonal -- that is they are unrelated. The HD channel would actually take up more bandwidth than the analog channel from the CableCos perspective.

That said, the gains that would be garnered by getting them all digital would be very worthwhile. But there's no mandate, and Charter isn't exactly the most agressive of CableCos.

Cheers,

According the the Charter guy who was on the forum, 7 analog = 1 HD. With everyone needing a digital box (at government expense) for their analog TV when the shutdown occurs, killing the analog channels would make sense. With the Sat providers upping their HD content to 100 channels or better, it would only make sense that the cable companies recoup the analog bandwidth to increase their HD offerings.

Walt

More importantly an analog signal requires a dedicated 6Mhz band per channel. Digital transmission can put 6 channels into 1 6Mhz band. In addition, this does not consider the compression, encoding, multiplexing, and other efficiencies brought on by digital transmission.

Also though - that "digital box" at government expense is only for ATSC signals (digital OTA) and is a subsidized charge. This is independent of a cable companies offerings. I think you can get a $40 credit (# limited by household) for devices that have an ATSC tuner in them. That pretty much rules out the cable companies - but might mean you can get a credit for Dish/DirecTV, maybe.

Chris

From a Echostar press release:

"...On Aug. 15, DISH Network will add seven national HD channels to its DishHD programming package, including MHD, featuring music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT; Golf/Versus HD; Animal Planet HD; The Science Channel HD; TLC HD; Discovery HD, and History HD, which will debut on Sept. 1. With these additions – plus more planned for mid-September – DishHD subscribers will continue to have access to the largest national HD lineup in the United States..."

DISH also added 8 HD RSN's today.

DishHD subscribers will continue to have access to the largest national HD lineup in the United States..."[/i]


For now anyway... ;)

Scott

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 Charter-Only AVS Thread Also Available (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=805958&goto=lastpost)

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

For now anyway... ;)

ScottHmmmmm...Kool-Aid!

For now anyway... ;)

Scott
I love how they all end their press releases with, "we have the most....we're the best...." blah-blah-blah.

Then, the other providers says, "Oh yeah...well, I'll see your 7 nationals and 8 regionals...and raise you 15 nationals and 23 regionals."

"Oh Yeah....."

This must be what it would have been like being married to a mime :D
SIA Mo

Do you guys have audio on KSDK-HD?

I noticed that mine was out during Leno. I checked again this morning & it's still out. It's just doing this stuttering audio thing.

- I'm on Charter -

I noticed it on my Tonight Show recording and saw it again this morning on the Today show. It would just studder. It must have been something with Charter's feed. 5-1 OTA this morning was coming though just fine. The news looks good tonight. Hopefully it is fixed.

kdg:

Dish better release external HD support for the 622 then too! Otherwise, I'm going to be killed by my wife :D

Cheers,

For now anyway... ;)

Scott

You don't know what Dish has up their sleeves, and instead of talking about being HD leaders, they've actually been leading.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Dish also has 2 new sats going up so it's not like DirecTV is getting two sats launched for zero at Dish.

Cheers,

I noticed it on my Tonight Show recording and saw it again this morning on the Today show. It would just studder. It must have been something with Charter's feed. 5-1 OTA this morning was coming though just fine. The news looks good tonight. Hopefully it is fixed.

I had the same problem last night and this morning only on NBC - HD. I rebooted my Moxi box and it fixed the problem --- so far.

kdg:

Dish better release external HD support for the 622 then too! Otherwise, I'm going to be killed by my wife :D

Cheers,

From what I read in the Dish Network Retailer Chat Recap (http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/100926-dish-network-retailer-chat-recap-july-10-2007-a.html) this will be available sometime in Aug/Sept.

My old bedroom CRT just lost it's audio capabilities after 20 years...may she rest in peace. So, it's time to buck up for a new TV. I am leaning towards a Pioneer 4270 plasma. It is a discontinued model but there are still some around.

I really don't think we need a DVR for the bedroom & am wondering about just using a cable card vs. a HD box. I know I can't do pay-per-view, which is fine. Are there other drawbacks of a cable card vs. the Charter box? Would I have any kind of programming guide?

(If there are any local Pioneer retailers onboard, please PM me).

From what I read in the Dish Network Retailer Chat Recap (http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/100926-dish-network-retailer-chat-recap-july-10-2007-a.html) this will be available sometime in Aug/Sept.

I notice in the recap that external USB support for the 622 and 722 is coming in August. I'm really looking forward to this. After my recent computer overhauls, I have several hard drives just begging for a purpose in life.

saluki,

Just wanted to say that I think the Pioneer is a good choice.

I've gotten to the point where I want a DVR on EVERY TV I watch -- I mean, even sometimes in the car I start to reach for the replay button. :o

But if that's not a priority for you, a CC should work fine and there's certainly no compromise when it comes to picture quality.

kdg:

Dish better release external HD support for the 622 then too! Otherwise, I'm going to be killed by my wife :D

Cheers,
It's coming....hopefully right around the same time.
Do what I did...get her, her own 622. Funny though, I did that, and she still managed to claim the rights to 1 timer on my machine.

I also understand, CNN HD, HNN HD and TWC HD are ready to go, on both E* and D*. The hold-up is on the broadcasters end...I guess that's TBS, or Time Warner, or whoever owns them today.

Scott,
What is DTV's actual HD count, to-date? I know I could look at Doug's charts, but that'd be too much like work.
While we're at it, what's Charter got now...still 6?

Scott,
What is DTV's actual HD count, to-date? I know I could look at Doug's charts, but that'd be too much like work.
While we're at it, what's Charter got now...still 6?

Charter has around 15 HD channels at the moment.

From what I read in the Dish Network Retailer Chat Recap (http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/100926-dish-network-retailer-chat-recap-july-10-2007-a.html) this will be available sometime in Aug/Sept.

It's coming....hopefully right around the same time.
Do what I did...get her, her own 622. Funny though, I did that, and she still managed to claim the rights to 1 timer on my machine.

You guys must think I live life in a vacuum ;)

I also understand, CNN HD, HNN HD and TWC HD are ready to go, on both E* and D*. The hold-up is on the broadcasters end...I guess that's TBS, or Time Warner, or whoever owns them today.


FYI on TWC before anyone gets too excited. It will be 100% upconverted until their studio/production facilities are ready sometime in 1H08. So that channel will pretty much be just improved SD quality for a long time. Not sure about CNN/HNN but I'd assume the studio shots will be HD - with HD feeds increasing over time. Not sure how many of CNNs "Special Assignment/Reports" will be HD right off the bat.

Chris

FYI on TWC before anyone gets too excited. It will be 100% upconverted until their studio/production facilities are ready sometime in 1H08. So that channel will pretty much be just improved SD quality for a long time. Not sure about CNN/HNN but I'd assume the studio shots will be HD - with HD feeds increasing over time. Not sure how many of CNNs "Special Assignment/Reports" will be HD right off the bat.

Chris

The thought of seeing Larry King in HD is frightening!

The thought of seeing Larry King in HD is frightening!
Nancy Grace :eek:

The thought of seeing Larry King in HD is frightening!

Yes, but some of his guests maybe not so frightening...

There is Soledad O'Brien and her eerily similar looking replacement and neither of them should be too terrible to watch... although they will probably need to be very careful with the makeup ;)

We don't want that "Channel 5" makeup effect after all :D

Cheers,

Paul Allen Predicts Mergers Among Cable TV Operators

In other words, "somebody, pul-leese bail me out of this mess I've made..." ;)
_________________________________________________________

Paul Allen, the billionaire chairman of Charter Communications Inc., said he expects more mergers among U.S. cable-television companies.

"There will be more consolidation in the next five years,'' Allen said in an interview Thursday at the Allen & Co. media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. ""The trend in the business has been toward more consolidation because of factors of scale, especially with economies in programming and infrastructure.''

The pressure to acquire competitors has grown more intense as cable companies expand into broadband Internet and telephone services, Allen said in an interview. A co-founder of Microsoft Corp., Allen is listed by Forbes magazine as the fifth-richest person in the world, with a $16 billion fortune.

Allen's prediction was echoed by Richard Parsons, Time Warner Inc.'s chief executive officer, and investor Mario Gabelli, whose Gamco Investors owns 19.3 million shares of Cablevision Systems Corp.
_________________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here (http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070713/BUSINESS/70713009/1003)

Over at Broadband Reports there is an interesting article (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/High-Definition-Confusion-85700).

In between bouts of fighting both Time Warner and Comcast over network capacity and HD quality claims, DirecTV says they're on target to add 100 new HD channels before the end of the year, though each NFL Sunday Ticket game counts as a "channel," according to the DirecTV marketing department.

Not to be outdone, Comcast says they'll have 800 HD channels by the end of 2008, though they stretch the definition of "channel" by including individual HD VOD programs. Cablevision insists they have the capacity to offer 500 channels. DISH network, by contrast, is humble, this week stating they'll simply have the largest HD lineup of any provider.

The Wall Street Journal explores the claims and subsequent court battles, quoting Bruce Leichtman, who says: "This is a market that is characterized by rampant confusion, and therefore it lends itself to hyperbole and inflated claims."

Apparently, it's so confusing that many people still don't know they need HD service (or an antenna) to see HD programming on their HDTV.

>My question is does anyone know how many NFL Sunday Ticket channels there are?

I also understand, CNN HD, HNN HD and TWC HD are ready to go, on both E* and D*. The hold-up is on the broadcasters end...I guess that's TBS, or Time Warner, or whoever owns them today.

Scott,
What is DTV's actual HD count, to-date? I know I could look at Doug's charts, but that'd be too much like work.
While we're at it, what's Charter got now...still 6?

The count really doesn't matter to me as long as Directv stays relatively competitive.

What matters to me is Chargers games on NFL Sunday Ticket! As long as D* has ST, I will have D*.

I currently get HBO, SHO, ESPN, ESPN2, UHD, TNT, Discovery, HDNET Movies, HDNET, FOX East, and ABC East via D* Tivo. I can also get all the OTA stuff.

Scott

You don't know what Dish has up their sleeves, and instead of talking about being HD leaders, they've actually been leading.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Dish also has 2 new sats going up so it's not like DirecTV is getting two sats launched for zero at Dish.

Cheers,

Dish needs NFL Sunday Ticket!

Scott

Dish needs NFL Sunday Ticket!

Scott


Why? Just because it's important to you that doesn't make it important to me.

The thought of seeing Larry King in HD is frightening!

That's why we need FOX NEWS in HD instead! Instead of Larry King and Nancy Grace, think Laurie Dhue, Alison Camerota, E.D. Hill, Julie Banderas, the list goes on.....

:D

The count really doesn't matter to me as long as Directv stays relatively competitive.

What matters to me is Chargers games on NFL Sunday Ticket! As long as D* has ST, I will have D*.

I currently get HBO, SHO, ESPN, ESPN2, UHD, TNT, Discovery, HDNET Movies, HDNET, FOX East, and ABC East via D* Tivo. I can also get all the OTA stuff.

Scott
Ya, I know Scott. :)
I was mostly interested in comparison along the lines of Mo's post.
I like the Comcast 800....but VOD counts.
Seems like we have them all exactly where we want them :D

Why? Just because it's important to you that doesn't make it important to me.

Obviously. But I can only comment on what's important to me. NFL is important to me, so D* has an unfair advantage over all other providers when it comes to people like me. So, the reason Dish needs Sunday Ticket is so they can be more competitive. My comment had nothing to do with you personally John. :)

Scott

Obviously. But I can only comment on what's important to me. NFL is important to me, so D* has an unfair advantage over all other providers when it comes to people like me. So, the reason Dish needs Sunday Ticket is so they can be more competitive. My comment had nothing to do with you personally John. :)

Scott
I believe if DISH had ST, they would enjoy one of their larger increases in subscribers ever. There are many DTV subs, who now would prefer DISH, but remain with DTV for ST.
Call them Closet DTV'ers.

Scott...are you a.... :D

My old bedroom CRT just lost it's audio capabilities after 20 years...may she rest in peace. So, it's time to buck up for a new TV. I am leaning towards a Pioneer 4270 plasma. It is a discontinued model but there are still some around.

I really don't think we need a DVR for the bedroom & am wondering about just using a cable card vs. a HD box. I know I can't do pay-per-view, which is fine. Are there other drawbacks of a cable card vs. the Charter box? Would I have any kind of programming guide?

(If there are any local Pioneer retailers onboard, please PM me).

You will have the on screen programming guide.

I have the Pioneer 5060 and used a cable card for the first year. Since then, I ended up switching to Charter's box to free up an input for my OTA antenna. I believe my picture was slightly better with the cable card than with the box.

You will have the on screen programming guide.

I have the Pioneer 5060 and used a cable card for the first year. Since then, I ended up switching to Charter's box to free up an input for my OTA antenna. I believe my picture was slightly better with the cable card than with the box.

It would be nice to keep the equipment to a minimum in the bedroom (insert your own joke here ;) ), but the lack of a programming guide would not be worth it. The slow-scrolling TV Guide Channel won't cut it.

I believe if DISH had ST, they would enjoy one of their larger increases in subscribers ever. There are many DTV subs, who now would prefer DISH, but remain with DTV for ST.
Call them Closet DTV'ers.

Scott...are you a.... :D


My point exactly. Dish is at an extreme disadvantage due to this. I really wish they had Sunday Ticket, so I could come out of the... ;)

Scott

Is anyone else having issues with droupouts on Fox OTA? I'm watching on a Dish 622 and it was cutting out like mad during the Cards game yesterday (or at least for the first 2 innings I watched). The signal meter on the 622 would range from 92-100 and then just drop for 2-3 seconds and come right back in the 90s. Not sure when it started cause I haven't watched anything on Fox in a while. I'm just using a Silver Sensor (only about 3 miles from the towers) and everything else comes in fine.

Didn't see any glitches on my HD Tivo during yesterday's game, though I did catch some pixellating during Fox News Sunday this morning.

I know there are some fans of the show in here and its been discussed before, so I figured I'd bring it back up.

I just finished watching the miniseries, season 1, season 2.0, and season 2.5 on DVD from Netflix. But, I see there is no season 3 dvd yet. What's the deal?

Aren't they in season 4 or 5 now? Why isn't 3 released?

I also know that (to make sure this is on topic) episodes of this show do air on Universal HD but I cannot find a schedule of when it airs or where (what season) it is right now.

Any help is appreciated as I really enjoy this show and can't wait to see more of it.

Sorry Winston,

They just recently got done airing season 3. The season 3 DVD's should surface shortly before the season 4 premiere.

Ugh! So they don't repeat it about 100 times a week like they do other stuff on that channel?

Sorry Winston,

They just recently got done airing season 3. The season 3 DVD's should surface shortly before the season 4 premiere.
Yep, season 3 wrapped up mid-May, season 4 will begin some time in November. The season 3 dvd set is strongly rumored to be coming out in August.

If you haven't heard, season 4 is to be the last of the series. Ah, frack!

Website for Universal HD is UNIVERSALHD.com
You will find a schedule there. It is shown on saturday nights at 8 or so. There is no repeat although I see comments requesting repeats.l

Since the external recording is imminent for dish, can one of you computer geeks suggest an external usb harddrive, 500gigs or more? Since this will bo on 24/7, it needs to be reliable.

I know there are some fans of the show in here and its been discussed before, so I figured I'd bring it back up.

I just finished watching the miniseries, season 1, season 2.0, and season 2.5 on DVD from Netflix. But, I see there is no season 3 dvd yet. What's the deal?

Aren't they in season 4 or 5 now? Why isn't 3 released?

I also know that (to make sure this is on topic) episodes of this show do air on Universal HD but I cannot find a schedule of when it airs or where (what season) it is right now.

Any help is appreciated as I really enjoy this show and can't wait to see more of it.
I just did the same thing and watched all episodes from the beginning. What a great show. I did manage to DVR a marathon that was on about a month ago. Right now the Scifi channel is about half way through Season 3. Rumors are that there will be a 2 hour episode in November and then the final season starting next year.

I just did the same thing and watched all episodes from the beginning. What a great show. I did manage to DVR a marathon that was on about a month ago. Right now the Scifi channel is about half way through Season 3. Rumors are that there will be a 2 hour episode in November and then the final season starting next year.
The 2 hour november episode takes place during the cylon war. We get to see more of the pegasus. There is a preview(30 sec) at scifi.com

Dug

Did anyone who has CenturyTel DSL receive a postcard over the weekend saying you could upgrade to 10.0 MB "Absolutely FREE". I have read the finepint and do not see what the catch is other they you have to signup for one year.

Has anybody called to get it?

Brad

I know the price of the 6 and 10 are the same. They are still having issues with the 10 in the area, although I did see a support notice stating "maintenance" in the area Tuesday morning. Maybe this will resolve the problems?

I just picked up an HD box at Charter (Motorola 6200) & need to hook it up to my Pioneer 4270 as soon as the set gets transferred to my local Best Buy store.

Just so I am clear on the wiring set-up, all I need to do is run the cable into the box & then an HDMI-DVI cord from the plasma to the 6200, right? I am not using any external speakers for this bedroom set.

The 2 hour november episode takes place during the cylon war. We get to see more of the pegasus. There is a preview(30 sec) at scifi.com

Dug

So in 2007-2008, all we're going to get is two hours? Then, in 08-09, we'll get season four, which is it for the series?

I guess if I want to see season three, I have no choice but to wait for the DVDs. I wonder when official word will come down?

I just picked up an HD box at Charter (Motorola 6200) & need to hook it up to my Pioneer 4270 as soon as the set gets transferred to my local Best Buy store.

Just so I am clear on the wiring set-up, all I need to do is run the cable into the box & then an HDMI-DVI cord from the plasma to the 6200, right? I am not using any external speakers for this bedroom set.

Yes, that sounds correct to me. Enjoy!

Thanks, Winston.

Also, I just discovered that Charter has a new office at 6520 Manchester (just west of Hampton in the old Sam's Club plaza). It is MUCH nicer than the freaky little place in Overland. Apparently, it opened in February.

So in 2007-2008, all we're going to get is two hours? Then, in 08-09, we'll get season four, which is it for the series?

I guess if I want to see season three, I have no choice but to wait for the DVDs. I wonder when official word will come down?

Yep :(

I just picked up an HD box at Charter (Motorola 6200) & need to hook it up to my Pioneer 4270 as soon as the set gets transferred to my local Best Buy store.

Just so I am clear on the wiring set-up, all I need to do is run the cable into the box & then an HDMI-DVI cord from the plasma to the 6200, right? I am not using any external speakers for this bedroom set.

You'll need an audio feed (spdif or RCA) from the 6200 to the display. DVI doesn't carry audio.

You'll need an audio feed (spdif or RCA) from the 6200 to the display. DVI doesn't carry audio.

I figured that was too easy...

Does the spdif mean using an optical audio cable with Toslink connectors?

Did anyone who has CenturyTel DSL receive a postcard over the weekend saying you could upgrade to 10.0 MB "Absolutely FREE". I have read the finepint and do not see what the catch is other they you have to signup for one year.

Has anybody called to get it?

Brad

Don't get the 10 until they fix their issues. I had 10 and went back to 6 with complete success. I never get booted off my banks servers anymore. :) Plus, I dont' notice any difference in speed anyway.

Scott

Since the external recording is imminent for dish, can one of you computer geeks suggest an external usb harddrive, 500gigs or more? Since this will bo on 24/7, it needs to be reliable.

Shado, Check out the Western Digital MyBook. They have a 500GB version that I've seen as low as $99 on sale. There is also a 750GB version. We've been using one of the 500GB ones at work for a few months without any issues. It's pretty quiet and has a stylish enclosure, if you're looking for that sort of thing.

Shado, Check out the Western Digital MyBook. They have a 500GB version that I've seen as low as $99 on sale. There is also a 750GB version. We've been using one of the 500GB ones at work for a few months without any issues. It's pretty quiet and has a stylish enclosure, if you're looking for that sort of thing.
Shado,
That's what I just ordered from Newegg. It was $124.99. I'll be using it as the USB drive for the DISH receiver. A number of other beta's are using this drive with no reports of any issues. By the end of the week (once I get it), I'll be able to give you some first-hand feedback on it.

I figured that was too easy...

Does the spdif mean using an optical audio cable with Toslink connectors?

Yeah, that's it. The 6200 has both optical or coaxial digital audio output but the display will most likely accept optical.

A bit off topic, but is anyone else with Charter internet in St. Louis having problems connecting to gametap.com? That and a few other related web sites aren't working for me, but others on different ISP's are having no problem, and Gametap says there's no outage on their end.

These are the web sites I've found that keep going up and down at the same time for me: gametap.com, tbs.com, tnt.tv, turnerclassicmovies.com, turner.com, cartoonnetwork.com, adultswim.com, superdeluxe.com. All other web sites I've tried work fine.

I'm having issues connecting to several different websites today. Also, my entire connection seems to be dropping randomly for short periods. Cable, internet, and telephone all down.

A bit off topic, but is anyone else with Charter internet in St. Louis having problems connecting to gametap.com? That and a few other related web sites aren't working for me, but others on different ISP's are having no problem, and Gametap says there's no outage on their end.

These are the web sites I've found that keep going up and down at the same time for me: gametap.com, tbs.com, tnt.tv, turnerclassicmovies.com, turner.com, cartoonnetwork.com, adultswim.com, superdeluxe.com. All other web sites I've tried work fine.
Yes, same here. It began around 11PM on Sunday night. Charter is calling it a system-wide cable issue...unidentified (so they say) at this time. Naturally, their techs are working hard to resolve the issue, but in the meantime, can we discuss your TV and Phone service?

Mine is exactly as Snyyder described. Some sites, intermittent, no rhyme or reason why some work, and others don't. I'm on a back-up dial-up currently. It's very similar to the symptoms a fried router causes, but the issue continues stand-alone directly to modem.

First issue I've ever had with Pipeline in 5+ years.

BTW, for those who may remember...that cable is still in the backyard....it'll be 2 years, next month.

Regarding Charter-I have had few problems with Charter cable/internet, but notice when I do have problems it is often on very hot days. One technician saidthe heat caused the buried cable to expand slightly, thus causing the problem. Not a very scientific explanation, but the explanation I recieved.

Shado,
That's what I just ordered from Newegg. It was $124.99. I'll be using it as the USB drive for the DISH receiver. A number of other beta's are using this drive with no reports of any issues. By the end of the week (once I get it), I'll be able to give you some first-hand feedback on it.

Thanks for the info. I have a Seagate 250gig in a Venus enclosure that I could use in a pinch, but I mainly have it to backup Video and MP3 files to share on other computers. I don't like to keep it on 24/7 for reports of the cooling fan in the enclosure having issues.

Yes, same here. It began around 11PM on Sunday night. Charter is calling it a system-wide cable issue...unidentified (so they say) at this time. Naturally, their techs are working hard to resolve the issue, but in the meantime, can we discuss your TV and Phone service?

No problems with DirecTV or AT&T. :D

Can you post some of the sites that you're having problems with?

Edit: Found another site that's not working. Tracert is similar up to a point for both of them:

4 21 ms 12 ms 9 ms 24.217.2.250
5 119 ms 117 ms 135 ms 12.124.129.97
6 127 ms 122 ms 142 ms tbr2.sl9mo.ip.att.net [12.123.24.230]
7 144 ms 126 ms 119 ms tbr2.cgcil.ip.att.net [12.122.10.45]

Hops 1-4 are in all tracert's I've tried, so I left 1-3 out. That's where they diverge, after #7, so it must be somewhere in between causing the problems, perhaps between Charter and AT&T?

Perhaps I need to take back my comment about no problems with my phone company... :confused:

Well Joe and John, I took the plunge and ordered two keys for putting UnRaid on two USB drives.

My files should finish emptying off of the server by morning, then I'll dump Windows Home Server and reboot with UnRaid.

Looking forward to having a fully working server again, it's been a while..............

Thanks for the info. I have a Seagate 250gig in a Venus enclosure that I could use in a pinch, but I mainly have it to backup Video and MP3 files to share on other computers. I don't like to keep it on 24/7 for reports of the cooling fan in the enclosure having issues.
I have it sitting on top of the receiver, by which I already have a small external fan. No entertainment center, so I don't anticipate any heat related issues.

I also use a Iomega 320gb ext for our system backups. It sits on top of one of the PC's, runs 24/7, no extra fan, and no heat issues.

My guess is the externals are designed to run 24/7, out in the open, I don't think you'll have any heat issues with any of them.

No problems with DirecTV or AT&T. :D

Can you post some of the sites that you're having problems with?

Edit: Found another site that's not working. Tracert is similar up to a point for both of them:

4 21 ms 12 ms 9 ms 24.217.2.250
5 119 ms 117 ms 135 ms 12.124.129.97
6 127 ms 122 ms 142 ms tbr2.sl9mo.ip.att.net [12.123.24.230]
7 144 ms 126 ms 119 ms tbr2.cgcil.ip.att.net [12.122.10.45]

Hops 1-4 are in all tracert's I've tried, so I left 1-3 out. That's where they diverge, after #7, so it must be somewhere in between causing the problems, perhaps between Charter and AT&T?

Perhaps I need to take back my comment about no problems with my phone company... :confused:
It's very random. I've had problems getting on AVS. At other times, it's fine. When I posted earlier, I had to use a dial-up. When I finished the post, I disconnected the dial-up, and Pipeline was fine then.

The other post saying the tech said the cables swell because of the heat....well....poppycock! A typical tech without an answer, making one up as he goes along.

I'm still not convinced I don't have a local issue....router maybe. We had a lot of lightening here these past few days, and I've already had 3 routers fry in the past 5 years.

We'll see what tomorrow brings. I'll go by the bank, pick up, and swap out the modem and router...see what that does.

In particular, can anyone on Charter get to http://www.ntt.co.jp/ ? That's another one I found that doesn't work for me, and it goes through the same 4-7 as on the tracert above.

Well Joe and John, I took the plunge and ordered two keys for putting UnRaid on two USB drives.

My files should finish emptying off of the server by morning, then I'll dump Windows Home Server and reboot with UnRaid.

Looking forward to having a fully working server again, it's been a while..............

I ordered 2 keys, too. I'm still copying files to the server, as I type. So far, things have gone really well. UnRaid has handled all my HD file needs as well as I had hoped for.

I meant to ask if you ever experimented with your RocketRaid 454 to see if it was recognized by UnRaid. I have one, too, and I'm thinking of trying it for a second UnRaid system using some of my old drives.

I tried the onboard RAID 5 on my Asus Athlon 64 mobo (Sil 3114) and was quite disappointed with the write speeds. Not only was copying taking forever, the RAID broke on the next reboot. I've come to the conclusion that onboard RAID sucks. I suppose I can live with RAID 0 for less critical files on a couple of systems, moving the "keepers" to UnRaid after editing.

In particular, can anyone on Charter get to http://www.ntt.co.jp/ ? That's another one I found that doesn't work for me, and it goes through the same 4-7 as on the tracert above.
Nope on Charter. It redirected to 163.137.189.10 which is a APNIC, then gave page cannot display.

My Earthlink Dial-Up connection opened the page fine.

Maybe Charter didn't pay their bill to Japan. :rolleyes:

I meant to ask if you ever experimented with your RocketRaid 454 to see if it was recognized by UnRaid. I have one, too, and I'm thinking of trying it for a second UnRaid system using some of my old drives.



Sorry, I never got around to trying the RocketRaid454. The plain jane Promise cards worked fine right out of the box so I never needed to find out about the RocketRaid.

When I used to have Charter high speed, their DNS servers would go down. I used to have the addresses to their alternate DNS servers to use as a work around for most of the problems. I won't be able to research if I still have the information until I get home from work late this evening, but it might be something you can research.

I dumped Charter's DNS servers completely a long time ago.

Instructions here: http://www.opendns.com

In fact, this is a worthwhile thing to do no matter who you get your Internet from.

In particular, can anyone on Charter get to http://www.ntt.co.jp/ ? That's another one I found that doesn't work for me, and it goes through the same 4-7 as on the tracert above.

This site is loading fine for me via Charter.

When I used to have Charter high speed, their DNS servers would go down. I used to have the addresses to their alternate DNS servers to use as a work around for most of the problems. I won't be able to research if I still have the information until I get home from work late this evening, but it might be something you can research.
It's not a DNS problem, and I'm not using Charter's DNS. http://163.137.189.10 isn't working for me.

Don't get the 10 until they fix their issues. I had 10 and went back to 6 with complete success. I never get booted off my banks servers anymore. :) Plus, I dont' notice any difference in speed anyway.

Scott

Scott, as you warned me, I had to downgrade to 6. Mine failed Saturday and I was without internet until they changed it to 6 yesterday morning.

Mike

Is there any way to contact someone from charter about these problems? (Preferably by e-mail) Someone local and knowledgeable about it, not someone on the other side of the planet?

I tried the onboard RAID 5 on my Asus Athlon 64 mobo (Sil 3114) and was quite disappointed with the write speeds. Not only was copying taking forever, the RAID broke on the next reboot. I've come to the conclusion that onboard RAID sucks. I suppose I can live with RAID 0 for less critical files on a couple of systems, moving the "keepers" to UnRaid after editing.

Yep, onboard RAID is software RAID. Of the two, the Silicon software is the slowest as it's onboard (using the PCI bus IIRC) rather than using the onchip.
I'm guessing you used SIL as there are two more controllers.

When I was running RAID 0 I made the cluster size and stripe size the same. I keep an IDE 10 gig drive in a drawer with XP on it I use when I want to match the stripe & cluster size. Since I wasn't tranferring huge files. I ran 16k/16k for everyday use. The default cluster size is only 4k. Since you are moving large files 32K may be better for you, but anything higher will slow you down as much as writing the default 4K chunks.

I still have the intstructions for changing & matching the stripe & cluster size. Send me a PM if you want them.

Is there any way to contact someone from charter about these problems? (Preferably by e-mail) Someone local and knowledgeable about it, not someone on the other side of the planet?

I know people who have received great service after contacting Charter GM Stephen Trippe:

stevegm@chartercom.com

Not that this is extremely important since it only deals with non-St. Louis HD LiL (since we already have ours) and some capacity for national HDs that won't be needed for a while - but the next DirecTV satellite was assigned a launch date in Dec. 2007 by SeaLaunch.

Chris

Yep, onboard RAID is software RAID. Of the two, the Silicon software is the slowest as it's onboard (using the PCI bus IIRC) rather than using the onchip.
I'm guessing you used SIL as there are two more controllers.

When I was running RAID 0 I made the cluster size and stripe size the same. I keep an IDE 10 gig drive in a drawer with XP on it I use when I want to match the stripe & cluster size. Since I wasn't tranferring huge files. I ran 16k/16k for everyday use. The default cluster size is only 4k. Since you are moving large files 32K may be better for you, but anything higher will slow you down as much as writing the default 4K chunks.

I still have the intstructions for changing & matching the stripe & cluster size. Send me a PM if you want them.

Thanks, Mo. I would be interested. I thought 64K or 128K were better sizes for larger media files. Not so, huh?

The onboard Sil RAID 5 was so dog slow it was unusable. I didn't try the Intel RAID 5 Matrix technology on my other Asus board. After I had such bad luck with the Athlon board's RAID 5, I read about the Intel and found out it has speed problems, too. Do you know anything about the Intel Matrix onboard RAID 5? I found out that my Asus P5B-Plus supports only 4 of its 6 slots for RAID 5. Bummer, but I doubt the speed would have been acceptable either.

Scott, as you warned me, I had to downgrade to 6. Mine failed Saturday and I was without internet until they changed it to 6 yesterday morning.

Mike

Mine has been rock solid at 6 megs. Hopefully yours will be as well.

Scott

In particular, can anyone on Charter get to http://www.ntt.co.jp/ ? That's another one I found that doesn't work for me, and it goes through the same 4-7 as on the tracert above.
My issue ended up being my router. Once I replaced it, this site opened fine with Pipeline.

Thanks, Mo. I would be interested. I thought 64K or 128K were better sizes for larger media files. Not so, huh?

The onboard Sil RAID 5 was so dog slow it was unusable. I didn't try the Intel RAID 5 Matrix technology on my other Asus board. After I had such bad luck with the Athlon board's RAID 5, I read about the Intel and found out it has speed problems, too. Do you know anything about the Intel Matrix onboard RAID 5? I found out that my Asus P5B-Plus supports only 4 of its 6 slots for RAID 5. Bummer, but I doubt the speed would have been acceptable either.

As far as stripe & cluster size, there is no definitive answer as to what's best when moving & using large files. In fact it's still a hot topic to debate. I'd google a few articles and decide from there.

By Intel Matrix are you referring to the accelerator? I only ever ran RAID 0. When I format my Raptors it will be to put them back in RAID. My last CPU was Intel and I recall adding the RAID Accelerator (http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/iaa_raid/index.htm) and that made a difference along with the Intel chipset utility. Of course installing everything in the correct sequence is important too.

I sent you a PM with instuctions I wrote from compiled notes in the Abit forum and a link.

My issue ended up being my router. Once I replaced it, this site opened fine with Pipeline.

Well, then, thanks. It's working fine on my end, so your defective router must have been causing problems for everyone. :D

(Everything started working fine late yesterday night for me.)

Well, then, thanks. It's working fine on my end, so your defective router must have been causing problems for everyone. :D

(Everything started working fine late yesterday night for me.)
Oh great, so I broke Pipeline http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smilies/lol.gif

Mine was still the same at 10AM this morning. Once I changed the router, it cleared up. I don't think we had the system-wide issue down here, you had up there. The symptoms were similar, but over the years, when there have been outage/system issues to the north, there has not been issues down here.

Hey guys, I'm trying to run a long Ethernet cable from the basement into a room upstairs. I bought a long cat5 cable, but it has no ends. On one end, its going into an Ethernet wall outlet, but I need a "plug" on the other end. Where can I get the plug?

I hope this question made sense.

Hey guys, I'm trying to run a long Ethernet cable from the basement into a room upstairs. I bought a long cat5 cable, but it has no ends. On one end, its going into an Ethernet wall outlet, but I need a "plug" on the other end. Where can I get the plug?

I hope this question made sense.

You might try Radio Shack. They should have CAT 5 connectors.

Hey guys, I'm trying to run a long Ethernet cable from the basement into a room upstairs. I bought a long cat5 cable, but it has no ends. On one end, its going into an Ethernet wall outlet, but I need a "plug" on the other end. Where can I get the plug?

I hope this question made sense.
Winston,
RJ45 yes? Lowe's carries them now also. I have the crimping tool, and a couple of boxes of connectors, if you'd like to borrow, drop me a PM.

I said I'd give an UnRaid report once I had a little experience with it, so here goes. (WARNING: if you don't like off-topic posts, this would be the perfect time to scroll down to the next entry, which will probably be off-topic, too, knowing this group, but which most likely will have the virtue of being shorter.)

First, as someone who's had almost no experience with RAID5, I was baffled by the concept of parity. I understand RAID0 and RAID1. RAID0 is what I've always used. For those of you who haven't worked with RAID at all, RAID0 involves putting at least 2 hard drives together with either hardware or software to achieve faster write speeds. It makes perfect sense: have the fast CPU spit out information to the much slower hard drives so that you can take advantage of the speed of two hard drives to record the information in less time. You don't exactly double the write speed, but it's a lot faster than a single drive. And you don't lose any capacity - 2 500GB single drives equal 1 1000GB drive. The downside of RAID0 is risk - if one of the hard drives goes bad, you lose everything. Sorta like unsafe sex. It's a rush, but when it goes wrong, it's just ugly bad.

RAID1 is RAID0's more careful brother. While RAID0 is out looking for the hot chicas, RAID1 is at home reading the Bible. With RAID1, 2 500GB hard drives equal 1 500GB hard drive. Say it ain't so. 'Fraid it is, son. And, with RAID1, write speeds actually go down. Who in their right mind is going to buy that snake oil? What you do gain with RAID1 is safety. If one of the hard drives goes bad, all your important files are still there. Just replace the bad drive and give it a while to make things right again. You haven't lost anything. RAID1 is called mirroring, as in one drive mirrors the other.

You can even combine RAID0 and RAID1. Take 4 drives, tell them to pair off, with both sets becoming wicked fast, but with one set mirroring the other. Lose one set and, again, you lose nothing. I've never been able to bring myself to do this sort of RAID, as it strikes me as too strange to have this kind of wild/safe schizophrenia going on in my system - sorta like that gal in Heroes who sees her evil twin looking at her from every mirror.

This is where I came in a few short weeks ago, when some of you good folks got me interested in another variation on RAID that I hadn't explored before - RAID5. Now, RAID5 made no sense to me at all. RAID0 makes sense mathematically - 2 drives worth of storage space become 1 bigger, faster drive. RAID1 is just as easy to understand - make a copy of everything from one drive on another. You use twice the space and 2 drives worth of capacity becomes just 1. RAID5 works like this: take a number of hard drives, say 14; your total storage space equals the total number of drives minus 1, or 13. So, with RAID5, 7000GB (14 500GB drives) worth of storage becomes 6500GB worth of storage, all because of this mysterious thing called "parity." All that storage space is protected. If any one drive goes bad, all the information on it can be restored with the parity information. Simply replace the bad drive, let the system churn for a while and, small miracle, you haven't lost anything.

More on parity later.

Well, I put together an UnRaid system (sort of RAID5, but he doesn't get asked to any of the family parties), and I now have 6500GB worth of protected storage. Everything has gone pretty smoothly, other than the defective motherboard I reported on earlier. UnRaid gives up the speed of high end/high cost hardware RAID5 cards, but gains some flexibility and saves a lot of money. It's not for everyone, but it's perfect for my needs, and I think it might be great for some of my fellow St. Louis computer/video junkies, too. I thought I'd give a quick rundown of what's involved in putting together an UnRaid system.

First, some expectations I had were off base. I expected to be putting together a computer system that I would treat similarly to my other systems. That is, I'd boot into Linux, navigate a GUI (graphical user interface like Windows) and copy, delete and move files around, map network drives, etc. Nope. Doesn't work like that. That's good because Linux is a foreign city to me. I figured I'd have a few accidents just trying to figure out which side of the road to drive on. UnRaid is basically NAS, network attached storage. You build the box, install Linux and your hard drives, connect it to your network via your router, make sure it's booted up, then forget about it. The drives show up on your network, and you can do everything in Windows on your main computer sysem, all from an IE or Firefox browser window - incredibly simple. If you look at UnRaid's own video screen, you see a blinking Linux command line prompt. (Unless you're a Unix junkie, like John Kotches, you're not going to spend much time there.)

The computer was extremely easy to build. I did my research and bought one of the motherboards Lime Technologies recommended. (They make UnRaid.) I put in a couple of sticks of RAM, installed Linux on a SanDisk Cruzer Micro flash drive, added some extra Promise SATA controllers (non-RAID versions) and stuck it all in a big Cooler Master Stacker case, along with 14 500GB hard drives. I heeded the warnings about a couple of quirks of adding more than 12 hard drives, and, after bugging John Kotches with a couple of noob questions while he was in Denver on business, I fired up the system. (The mobo had built in video, so no need for a separate video card.) It worked. The web browser has basically 4 windows where you can control starting and stopping the array, check on the status of the drives and generally manage everything. The drives were there in My Network Places, after I changed the workgroup name to match mine. (Limetech uses MSHome for the workgroup name.)

Here are a few interesting things about UnRaid:

1. You can mix and match IDE and SATA drives of different sizes (a no-no for regular RAID5 systems), as long as the biggest drive is the parity drive.
2. The write speed of UnRaid is no greater than the write speed of any single drive, unlike expensive RAID5 cards. The speed is even less than a single drive, because parity information is written at the same time, demanding some overhead.
3. Read speeds are faster and completely acceptable for HD playback of all kinds. (I've tested this pretty extensively already.)
4. "Shares" can be created. If you create identical folders on the individual UnRaid drives, the UnRaid software can create shared folders which can be accessed like other networked folders. The contents from the different drives are combined automatically for you in the shares. The same is supposed to happen for writes in the next UnRaid software version. Regular RAID5 scatters parts of each file you write across all the drives in the array, and the system sees a single RAID5 drive, instead of individual drives as in UnRaid.
5. If you lose one drive in the UnRaid system, you can recover it by adding a replacement drive. This includes the parity drive, whose information can be recovered from the data drives.
6. If you lose two drives at once, you can recover the data from all the remaining drives. For instance, if the parity drive and one of the other drives goes bad at the same time, you can still retrieve files from all the good drives on the system. Regular RAID5 systems write information across all drives simultaneously, while UnRaid writes data to individual drives. Lose two drives in a regular RAID5 system and you lose all the data from all the drives. Toast.
7. Building a complete UnRaid system can cost less than a single high end RAID5 card. For instance, I spent well under $1000 for the entire UnRaid box, while a high end RAID5 card that would control 14 drives could cost well over $1000. You'd still have to buy the case, power supply, CPU, etc., for a RAID5 system.

If you'd like a complete list of components for my UnRaid system, PM me. I'd be happy to share that info, as well as the few quirks I ran into. Altogether, It was my easiest computer system build. Once the mobo issue was resolved, it went like clockwork.

A note on parity:

As I said, RAID0 and RAID1 make perfect mathematical sense to me. RAID5 does not. I went looking for more information on how parity works and found mostly descriptions of what it does, not how it does it. What it does is to secure data on your hard drives against loss. In UnRaid, for instance, my 7 terabytes of hard drive space become 6.5 terabytes of storage. One little parity drive secures all the information for 13 other drives. Compare this to mirroring (RAID1), where each byte of data is duplicated on another drive to secure information. In RAID1, 14 terabytes become 7 terabytes. Now that makes sense.

It's getting late, and I have to get to bed, but I thought I'd share some little known information I uncovered about parity. Parity is a concept that was developed jointly by the Catholic Church and the US military. The Catholic Church's main concern was to answer the question of how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. The US military wanted to find out how many Humvees it could store on a postage stamp. Though it took years of joint research and development, the answer was found - parity. A commercialization of the concept was in computer systems - RAID5 (and its incestuous twin, RAID6, though the Church condemns that as a RAID abomination, a form of cloning). I am at risk for sharing this information with you, since it remains highly classified. Other explanations for RAID have been spun, involving complex mathematical calculations. These are simply disinformation. One day the truth will become widely known, but for now both the Church and the military feel that it is not in the best interest of humanity to be made aware of the uncomfortable truth that parity represents. I can reveal no more.

Good night and good luck.

Good Stuff Joe. Very interesting read about the setup.

Quick question for ya...if you lose the parity drive, you lose the ability to restore the entire array? (If I read your post correctly.) Would it make sense to back up the parity drive via nightly incremental and weekly full backups? Also, how much of your 6.5 TB do you have filled with goodies?



Changng subjects...Has anyone put an HD TV in the kitchen? I plan to in the hew house, so I'm pondering if I should run component/HDMI to the TV from the main source in the family room since it'd be a pain in the behind to move a cabinet and countertop to run a wire.

Joe,

Although I do not plan on building one of these systems, the inner-geek in me appreciated the writeup.


Now to get somewhat back on topic with HD:

Jay Leno was pushing Blu-Ray last night when talking about Sandr Bullock's recently released to DVD movie (sorry, I can't remember the name). Jay even used the words "better than HD".

On one end, its going into an Ethernet wall outlet, but I need a "plug" on the other end.

And be sure to keep consistent color-coding at the two ends. Most installations these days use the "568B" standard: http://ee.stlcc.info/515/conventions.htm

Good Stuff Joe. Very interesting read about the setup.

Quick question for ya...if you lose the parity drive, you lose the ability to restore the entire array? (If I read your post correctly.) Would it make sense to back up the parity drive via nightly incremental and weekly full backups? Also, how much of your 6.5 TB do you have filled with goodies?



Changng subjects...Has anyone put an HD TV in the kitchen? I plan to in the hew house, so I'm pondering if I should run component/HDMI to the TV from the main source in the family room since it'd be a pain in the behind to move a cabinet and countertop to run a wire.

If you lose any of the drives, it can be reconstructed from the others, including the parity drive, so you're protected. I don't know how much I have filled, maybe a little over half so far. I still have a couple of drives to transfer.

does anybody have or had earthlink for dsl? I have att but was considering switching to get a better deal. just wondering what their reputation is...

Two antennas get married.
The wedding sucked but the reception was great:)

does anybody have or had earthlink for dsl? I have att but was considering switching to get a better deal. just wondering what their reputation is...

I was with them for two years.. their service was very reliable and excellent customer service..
Usenet service was a real plus. I switched over to AT&T as they were 60% cheaper.
$20 instead of $45 per month.

My own UnRaid system is up and running.... fifth 750gig drive installed tonight and 42% cleared as I type this.

If the parity drive dies, a new drive can be installed and selected as the new parity drive with no harm done. Only time data is ever lost is if two drives die at the same time.

Copying files to the UnRaid server seems to be going quite a bit faster than when the server was running Windows Home Server RC1 last week.

I'll be picking up a sixth 750gig drive as soon as I find them for $199 again.

I thought that some here (and there) might find interesting the following company analysis of Charter Communications, by Ant & Son:
_______________________________________________

Not many on the Street are talking about it, but Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) is hitting a new 52-week high. Looking behind the headlines, there is a lot of chatter about consolidation in the cable industry. According to Bloomberg News, the talk first arose when media execs gathered at the annual Allen & Co. conference last week. Charter chairman Paul Allen said that consolidation in the cable industry is "a given" and Mario Gabelli, who was also at the conference, named names and said that he believed Charter is a prime target of industry consolidation.

Though Charter is probably a long shot candidate because of its debt situation, it's safe to say those comments have sparked trading this week. Charter traded 54.6 million shares Tuesday and is on its way to trade over 30 million today, much higher than the norm of just 12.7 million a day.

And even if a deal doesn't occur, you probably can't go wrong sticking with strength because the bull case for cable remains strong, evidenced by the Dolan family's bid to take Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) private. In a recent analyst note, Bernstein Research analyst Craig Moffet wrote that with better cash flow and lower capital intensity over the next few years, "Cablevision's proxy supports a view that all cable stocks are strikingly undervalued."
_______________________________________________

Two antennas get married.
The wedding sucked but the reception was great:)

Har, har. Where did you get that one? :D

A guy at work as if you didn't know. The other joke is on the car forum.
Lets talk about MAC. The other 2 guys that bought them live here.

UnRaid users UNite ;)

My array pales in comparison for the time being, but I will be rectifying that once my income is restored to a more healthy level :D

Cheers,

The Guide lists the Cards vs. Braves game tonight in HD on Directv.

I'm pretty new to D*...a few weeks ago they listed "HD" on 647 (just like for tonight's game). But the game was in SD on 647 and the HD was on channel 94 or 95.

What's the deal with that? I thought when it lists "HD" on a normally sd channel it's "spotbeamed" or whatever. So as long as I have HD, then 647 should be in HD right?

No, 647 is always SD. The HD would be in the 90s, 94-96 most likely if it's on.

Do you think your HDTV is the greatest thing since sliced tofu? Well, don't get too cocky. Wait until you see a field of butterflies fluttering toward you, but, the thing is, they're not really there. Read about HDTV in 3D without those funky goggles:

HDTV in 3D (http://www.tvpredictions.com/3d072007.htm)

Can someone loan me $20,500? :D

Do you think your HDTV is the greatest thing since sliced tofu? Well, don't get too cocky. Wait until you see a field of butterflies fluttering toward you, but, the thing is, they're not really there. Read about HDTV in 3D without those funky goggles:

HDTV in 3D (http://www.tvpredictions.com/3d072007.htm)

Can someone loan me $20,500? :D

Just mortgage the home. Call Ray Vinson :D

No, 647 is always SD. The HD would be in the 90s, 94-96 most likely if it's on.

So....why is it listed on 647?

I don't think that's accurate, because I seem to recall a college basketball game back in early feb or so that was in HD on 647. Had the HD logo next to the listing and played in HD. So they've done it before.

Just mortgage the home. Call Ray Vinson :D

No call me for a better rate. :D

Scott

So....why is it listed on 647?

I don't think that's accurate, because I seem to recall a college basketball game back in early feb or so that was in HD on 647. Had the HD logo next to the listing and played in HD. So they've done it before.

AFAIK 647 has always been in SD. When FSMW does have something in HD for Directv customers it is on 95.

Scott

So....why is it listed on 647?

I don't think that's accurate, because I seem to recall a college basketball game back in early feb or so that was in HD on 647. Had the HD logo next to the listing and played in HD. So they've done it before.

I've seen it listed HD, but SD is what it is showing. I think that is just the Guide data that it is available as HD. Whether or not D* shows it in HD is up to them.

Just mortgage the home. Call Ray Vinson :D

Ray Vinson isn't a real person, is he? I thought those were just little radio plays - you know, like Ernest talking to his friend Vern.

Ray Vinson isn't a real person, is he? I thought those were just little radio plays - you know, like Ernest talking to his friend Vern.

I wish. there is even a picture of him on a billboard in Manchester.

My own UnRaid system is up and running.... fifth 750gig drive installed tonight and 42% cleared as I type this.

If the parity drive dies, a new drive can be installed and selected as the new parity drive with no harm done. Only time data is ever lost is if two drives die at the same time.

Copying files to the UnRaid server seems to be going quite a bit faster than when the server was running Windows Home Server RC1 last week.

I'll be picking up a sixth 750gig drive as soon as I find them for $199 again.

My next stop will be when 1 TB drives get to about $100. That's when I'll start a little replacement routine with the 500 GB drives in UnRaid. 1 TB drives are still around $400. The next big thing in storage may be the holographic drives that can hold about 200 GB on a DVD-size disc. Those drives are still very expensive (in the thousands of dollars). They make Blu-ray and HD DVD recorders look puny.

As a follow-up to the server post, I've been following the release of the new Radeon cards (AMD/ATI) - the 2400 and 2600. As usual, with the release of new technology, the ability to use these cards for HD playback (and audio) seems very buggy right now. The same has been true with the nVidia cards (8500 and 8600). I'm probably going to wait a while for the driver issues to be resolved before making the switch to ATI from nVidia. My nVidia 7950 and 8600 video cards seem to be very stable at playing back HD DVD and MPEG2. I had two instances of the Eddie Murphy HD DVD, "Coming to America," playing back from the UnRaid server at the same time last night. Two different computers were accessing the same movie, at different points, and playing back flawlessly, one through the 7950 and the other through the 8600. I just switched the monitor between the two inputs.

I'm thinking about getting a terabyte drive relatively soon, and making it the new parity drive. Then I'll take the 750gigger that's serving as parity drive now, and add it to the array as a data drive.

Meanwhile, a 500gigger is clearing in preparation to become "disk5."

I know I said I was only going to buy 750's from now on, but Frys.com has Maxtor 500's for $89.99 right now. Might have to grab a few.

Since we're discussing home network and HTPC stuff...

I am thinking of adding another desktop to my network but do not want to run cable to this one. I'd like to get the USB wifi adapter. I have a Linksys WRT54G router, but the Linksys USB wifi adapter is $50 whereas a Belkin one is only $35.

Will they work together? Is the pain worth $15 of savings? Have you guys ever mixed and matched?

Personally, I'd go with the Linksys only because if you have issues you can call their tech support and they can offer you assistance. Otherwise, they would blame each others equimpment.

If I were getting a new router today, I would get one with Draft N support.

I did just that recently, getting two Apple Airport Extremes. I'm connecting two MacBook Pros. I also have a Dell Precision M90 on the way and ordered a Intel Wireless N minicard for that. When setting my wireless to 5GHz Wireless N only mode I'm getting 300Mbs throughput. Right now I have them in 2.4 GHz mode, so I only get 130 Mbs, but will be changing it back to 5GHz mode.

My modem, 8 port router, and a 5 port switch, are all Linksys. I've had to call Linksys CS a few times, and have always found them readily available, and spot-on with assistance. I've never experienced Belkin, but I'm pretty sure Cisco doesn't sell cell phone car chargers and laptop NUM pads. For me, it's a bird in the hand.

Not really an HD OTA Question, but since we're talking about computers and what not...

Since I'm spending the summer at the in-laws becasue of my kitchen & bath remodel I've noticed something wierd...maybe somebody else has experienced it, so any advice would be great. At home, on charter pipeline, I can send and receive e-mail through outlook '03 with no problem. I'm using pop.charter.net and smtp.charter.net for my coming and going servers. However, at the in-laws, on sbc/att, I can only recieve e-mail through Outlook, Outlook can't find smtp.charter.net to send. I can log in to charter's el-cr@ppo web client to send, but I'd prefer to use outlook so all my send/receives are catalogued. I've d'loaded a couple other e-mail clients and they all seem to indicate that it appears that SBC is blocking access to smtp.charter.net (but not pop.charter.net). Any ideas on who to contact, or a work-around?

-Matt

Not really an HD OTA Question, but since we're talking about computers and what not...

Since I'm spending the summer at the in-laws becasue of my kitchen & bath remodel I've noticed something wierd...maybe somebody else has experienced it, so any advice would be great. At home, on charter pipeline, I can send and receive e-mail through outlook '03 with no problem. I'm using pop.charter.net and smtp.charter.net for my coming and going servers. However, at the in-laws, on sbc/att, I can only recieve e-mail through Outlook, Outlook can't find smtp.charter.net to send. I can log in to charter's el-cr@ppo web client to send, but I'd prefer to use outlook so all my send/receives are catalogued. I've d'loaded a couple other e-mail clients and they all seem to indicate that it appears that SBC is blocking access to smtp.charter.net (but not pop.charter.net). Any ideas on who to contact, or a work-around?

-Matt

????

Bell System DSL, Charter Cable, Cox Cable and other ISPs are implementing "port 25 blocking", so you may have to send OUTBOUND email through THEIR server.

Not really an HD OTA Question, but since we're talking about computers and what not...

Since I'm spending the summer at the in-laws becasue of my kitchen & bath remodel I've noticed something wierd...maybe somebody else has experienced it, so any advice would be great. At home, on charter pipeline, I can send and receive e-mail through outlook '03 with no problem. I'm using pop.charter.net and smtp.charter.net for my coming and going servers. However, at the in-laws, on sbc/att, I can only recieve e-mail through Outlook, Outlook can't find smtp.charter.net to send. I can log in to charter's el-cr@ppo web client to send, but I'd prefer to use outlook so all my send/receives are catalogued. I've d'loaded a couple other e-mail clients and they all seem to indicate that it appears that SBC is blocking access to smtp.charter.net (but not pop.charter.net). Any ideas on who to contact, or a work-around?

-Matt

Same issue, but I have charter at home and SBC/ATT at work and use my laptop at both. Change your outgoing mail server to smtp.att.yahoo.com and you shouldn't have any problems.....

Tim

Same issue, but I have charter at home and SBC/ATT at work and use my laptop at both. Change your outgoing mail server to smtp.att.yahoo.com and you shouldn't have any problems.....

Tim

Just tried that, and it looks like I need an att/yahoo email login to make it work?

-Matt

????

Bell System DSL, Charter Cable, Cox Cable and other ISPs are implementing "port 25 blocking", so you may have to send OUTBOUND email through THEIR server.

They aren't literally blocking the port; if they did no one could send through the SMTP server.

What they are doing is not running an open relay as a spam prevention measure. They are restricting IP ranges and only IPs which originate in their network are permitted to use smtp.charter.net to send mail through the server(s).

Picky? Maybe. But it's something I've been paid for from time to time to be picky about :)

Cheers,

They aren't literally blocking the port; if they did no one could send through the SMTP server.

What they are doing is not running an open relay as a spam prevention measure. They are restricting IP ranges and only IPs which originate in their network are permitted to use smtp.charter.net to send mail through the server(s).

Picky? Maybe. But it's something I've been paid for from time to time to be picky about :)

Cheers,


Hmmm, so I think what you're saying is that Charter is the one doing the "blocking" not SBC? What's the solution?

-Matt

Maybe you need to see if Charter offers SMTP over SSL that authenticates you to send outgoing mail with your user/password (and it would be on a different port). That's what most providers are doing nowadays (even if you don't know it and are still using an open port SMTP).

That's what ATT DSL does and I can send mail from anywhere with either of my laptops.

Dean

Hmmm, so I think what you're saying is that Charter is the one doing the "blocking" not SBC? What's the solution?

-MattYes, it's Charter that is blocking your email, because it's not coming from an IP address in the charter domain. That's why you want to use SMTP over SSL (see my prev note).

Yes, it's Charter that is blocking your email, because it's not coming from an IP address in the charter domain. That's why you want to use SMTP over SSL (see my prev note).


OK, so does anyone know what those settings may be?

-Matt

OK, so does anyone know what those settings may be?

-MattYou might just try port 465 or 587 (two common ports for SMTP over SSL), and set your email client to use SSL authentication for outgoing mail.

Otherwise, if you your parents account still allows non authenticated SMTP you could just set your mail client to use that (or even authenticate with their account info otherwise).

Or just point your web browser to http://mail.charter.net/ and use their web mail til you get back home.

Or just point your web browser to http://mail.charter.net/ and use their web mail til you get back home.
If you look at the OP he already said he doesn't want to do that.

I'm the same way. I want to keep my outgoing and incoming email together in my regular email client, and not have to look in several places to find what I sent.

You might just try port 465 or 587 (two common ports for SMTP over SSL), and set your email client to use SSL authentication for outgoing mail.

Otherwise, if you your parents account still allows non authenticated SMTP you could just set your mail client to use that (or even authenticate with their account info otherwise).

Just got off web chat with charter-useless. Their advice was to call SBC and see if they could help...

Sorry to be completely clueless about this whole deal. Let's see if I can go through step by step and maybe you can tell me where I'm screwing up.

In outlook, I go to tools, e-mail accounts, view or change, then change settings on my charter account. I've got all the charter-recommended data in the correct fields. I hit the "test" button and can receive but not send. So I go to the More Settings options and set Outgoing Server to "require authentication" using same settings as my incoming server. Try "Test" but get same results. Go back into more settings and tab over to "Advanced" Click outgoing server requires encrypted connection (SSL) "Test" again but no new results. Changed the ports to the ones recommended earlier with the same results. going back to the main e-mail screen I try sbc's smtp server but they appear to require an sbc username & password, which I don't have.

I know I could use the webmail client, it's what I've been using instead of driving back home to send e-mails! But it is cludgy and doesn't archive my sent mail to outlook. I could cc everthing I send to myself, and then receive it via outlook, but that's a goofy work-around. I think I should be able to send mail from my laptop through my charter account even when I'm not accessing the internet through charter...Am I wrong?

Thanks for listening to me rant...If you have any suggestions to help me out, please let me know...

-Matt

Sorry. Can't help with Outlook. Don't use it with my email, and I only use it while being dragged kicking and screaming to connect to a corporate email Exchange server for work email. After that I can't wait to remove it from my screen. When I really must use Windows for my own email I use Thunderbird.

It is possible Charter doesn't support SMTP over SSL (what do Charter customers with laptops do when they go on the road, and have to send email from hotels, etc)?

The other thing to try is to turn authentication off again (as you had it before) and see if it has a setting to log into incoming (POP3) mail before sending mail. That might be enough to work.

Will your parents give you their login and pword? If so, use the server I gave you with their login info. That would be the easiest and give you what you need.

Will your parents give you their login and pword? If so, use the server I gave you with their login info. That would be the easiest and give you what you need.


Heh heh, that's where it gets even more interesting. My wife and I are staying at their house while the remodel is going on at our house. The in-laws are staying at their summer home in Grafton, and they have no idea what their login info is. I tried using the smtp you gave me with my old yahoo account info and I couldn't log in. I guess I'm just stuck using the webmail client or driving to my house once a day...I've already tried walking through the neighborhood to see if anyones got an unsecured charter network! :) :D :)

-Matt

I did a test, and couldn't get things to work with SSL; however I am able to send using TLS (Transport Layer Security).

This negotiates for an encrypted connection across port 25. I have successfully tested inside of Charter's network but not outside of it :( The next time I'm outside of Charter's network we'll see if it works.

Best,

I did a test, and couldn't get things to work with SSL; however I am able to send using TLS (Transport Layer Security).

This negotiates for an encrypted connection across port 25. I have successfully tested inside of Charter's network but not outside of it :( The next time I'm outside of Charter's network we'll see if it works.

Best,

Thx John, I appreciate yours and everyone elses assistance with this...Charter and SBC are blaming each other.

-Matt

After much Testing and more testing, I've come to the realization that my Legacy Dish switches have died. This gives me no choice other than to have Dish install a new 500+ (or is it a 1000+ ?) dish on Wednesday. Frankly, I'm surprised they were only booked 3 days out.

Can any of you E* 622 owners (Ken???) give me a few "Gotcha's" I should look for as the Tech does the install? You never know how good/bad these guys are until you see them in action.

Well, well...welcome to 2007 sir! http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smilies/lol.gif
From all I've heard of late, most of the installers are up to speed on putting the plus units in.
If you subscribe to Dish Locals and VOOM, you will probably be getting the 1000+, which will move you off 61.5 and on to 129, and add 118. This too, should not be any issue, as 129 has good reception in our area. You should also be getting a DPP44 switch. Your new Sat's with a 1000+ will be 110/118/119/129.

If you subscribe to Dish Locals, other than checking your signal strengths (and be certain to check different transponders on each satellite) you want to be certain to check Tp 11 & 18 on satellite 118. Those are the only two Tp's you will receive, and they contain the STL DT locals. Tp 18, in particular, has a weak transmission issue. Don't expect to see much better than a 45-55 strength. Just be certain it is not much less than 50, and if so, I'd suggest you get the installer to re-check his peaking of the dish before he/she leaves your home.
After much Testing and more testing, I've come to the realization that my Legacy Dish switches have died. This gives me no choice other than to have Dish install a new 500+ (or is it a 1000+ ?) dish on Wednesday. Frankly, I'm surprised they were only booked 3 days out.

Can any of you E* 622 owners (Ken???) give me a few "Gotcha's" I should look for as the Tech does the install? You never know how good/bad these guys are until you see them in action.

Ken,

Thanks much. I'll look out for that weak transponder. Funny how my Legacy stuff died. It seems to work well all day but will no longer survive the daily auto-reboot. Each morning I would awake to a SERCHING FOR SATELLITE screen. I had to fire up a TEST SWITCH to bring it back to life and force a fresh EPG download.

Ken,

Thanks much. I'll look out for that weak transponder. Funny how my Legacy stuff died. It seems to work well all day but will no longer survive the daily auto-reboot. Each morning I would awake to a SERCHING FOR SATELLITE screen. I had to fire up a TEST SWITCH to bring it back to life and force a fresh EPG download.

I've been having more issues lately, with a SEARCHING FOR SATELLITE screen, as have my parents. Although Dish came out recently and repaired a bad fitting (rusted) for them, they continue to have intermittent/frequent warnings, even on cloudless days (and despite a strong signal on most transponders).

Here it is, folks (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dcomcast072407.htm) - the Comcast/DirecTV lawsuits go to trial, over who has the best image quality. Here's hoping someone who knows what they're talking about has to get up and testify as to what exactly a quality picture is.

Last week I watched the Cards game on ESPN2. I noticed split second black screens. My dish signal strength is 95 and the weather was clear. I use D*. I'm thinking it was on the broadcast side but I'm not sure. Anyone else notice this?

Mo,

I had the same problem with the ESPN Broadcast of the Cards game on Sunday.

Hey guys, quick HD question.

I'm thinking about buying an external hard drive to add to my HTPC, home network. Right now, Office Depot has a 1TB MyBook edition drive for $239. BestBuy has a 500MyBook for 150.

The difference is that the 500GB version has eSATA and USB, whereas the 1TB only has FireWire and USB. I'm thinking that in the future, I might want an eSATA drive for my DirecTV HR20.

About how many GB does one hour of HD content take up? I'm wondering how many hours I can get on a 500GB eSATA drive. That might make the difference in terms of which I buy.

Thanks.

Hey guys, quick HD question.

I'm thinking about buying an external hard drive to add to my HTPC, home network. Right now, Office Depot has a 1TB MyBook edition drive for $239. BestBuy has a 500MyBook for 150.

The difference is that the 500GB version has eSATA and USB, whereas the 1TB only has FireWire and USB. I'm thinking that in the future, I might want an eSATA drive for my DirecTV HR20.

About how many GB does one hour of HD content take up? I'm wondering how many hours I can get on a 500GB eSATA drive. That might make the difference in terms of which I buy.

Thanks.
My 500 holds approximately 40 hours.

Hey guys, quick HD question.

I'm thinking about buying an external hard drive to add to my HTPC, home network. Right now, Office Depot has a 1TB MyBook edition drive for $239. BestBuy has a 500MyBook for 150.

The difference is that the 500GB version has eSATA and USB, whereas the 1TB only has FireWire and USB. I'm thinking that in the future, I might want an eSATA drive for my DirecTV HR20.

About how many GB does one hour of HD content take up? I'm wondering how many hours I can get on a 500GB eSATA drive. That might make the difference in terms of which I buy.

Thanks.
I've searched the web and can't find a 1TB MyBook for under $300. Can you provide a link or was this an in-store or open box special? Thanks.

Here it is, folks (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dcomcast072407.htm) - the Comcast/DirecTV lawsuits go to trial, over who has the best image quality. Here's hoping someone who knows what they're talking about has to get up and testify as to what exactly a quality picture is.

Can we get Joe Kane to testify that they both suck for PQ? ;)

Cheers,

I've searched the web and can't find a 1TB MyBook for under $300. Can you provide a link or was this an in-store or open box special? Thanks.

You're right. I subtracted the $80 off twice. Wish I could do that for real.


Here is the link. (http://officedepot.shoplocal.com/officedepot/default.aspx?action=detail&flashbrowse=y&storeid=2489503&rapid=429896&pagenumber=8&listingid=-2092990333&ref=%2fofficedepot%2fdefault.aspx%3faction%3dbrowsepageflash %26storeid%3d2489503%26pagenumber%3d8%26rapid%3d429896%26prv id%3dOfficeDepot-070722)

Can we get Joe Kane to testify that they both suck for PQ? ;)

Cheers,

That I'd like to see. :D

Can we get Joe Kane to testify that they both suck for PQ? ;)

Cheers,

For that day, I don't think Mr. Kane's canceling his golf plans yet. :D

If anyone would like them, I have 8 Auralex CT-45 Bass Traps free to a good home.

Let me know by tomorrow morning.

Best,

I think it's inhumane to catch bass in a trap! Where's the sport in that? Use a lure!

:D

Scott, I can't reply to your PM; as your InBox is full...

To answer your questions:

Dark Grey, Free (Ok, buy Breach for me on HD-DVD), and I have both Rotofast and impaler style clips that you are welcome to.

Cheers,

I think it's inhumane to catch bass in a trap! Where's the sport in that? Use a lure!

:D

I did; didn't you see the "Free to a good home" lure I used? :D

Dark Grey, Free (Ok, buy Breach for me on HD-DVD), and I have both Rotofast and impaler style clips that you are welcome to.

Is this English? I can't be the only one that has no clue what you're offering. "Impaler style clip" sounds like a kinky bedroom device...

What the hell, mark me down for 3 ;)

mgr_stl

Scott Tucker asked first...

About the CT-45s, Scott asked:

What color; what do I want for them ; and what I had for mounting them.

Cheers,

Word around town is....Scott can be a bit kinky :D

Scott, I can't reply to your PM; as your InBox is full...

To answer your questions:

Dark Grey, Free (Ok, buy Breach for me on HD-DVD), and I have both Rotofast and impaler style clips that you are welcome to.

Cheers,

John, thanks for the heads up about the PM's being full. I had no idea I had 150 messages stored.

Awesome deal. I'll order Breach for you ASAP. Send me a a PM with your phone # and address. I vaguely remember how to get there, but not really. After I get your movie, I'll swing by. :)

Thanks again,

Scott

Word around town is....Scott can be a bit kinky :D

Hmmm, I wonder which my Wife will prefer, the rotofast or the impaler? :eek:

Well...... I had my Dish 1000+ installed yesterday. All in all it went surprisingly well. While the 118 Bird comes in with a steady 60 on both key transponders, the local HD channels break up badly for a few seconds every 10 minutes or so. I ran The SYSTEM INFO test with no errors, however; I get a CHECK DETAIL message which states the following:

"LNB Drift Detected.... (followed by a cryptic series of numbers)"

Does anyone else see this? Must I call Customer Care Hell??????

John, thanks for the heads up about the PM's being full. I had no idea I had 150 messages stored.

Awesome deal. I'll order Breach for you ASAP. Send me a a PM with your phone # and address. I vaguely remember how to get there, but not really. After I get your movie, I'll swing by. :)

Thanks again,

Scott

Scott:

Come get the CT45s whenever you want -- the movie will get here when it does. No sense in waiting around until then. Hell; it will probably be cheaper to mail it then to drive it over anyway :D

Tomorrow is an especially good day as my new laptop is being delivered and you know I'm going to be sitting around waiting semi-patiently until it's here!

PM is being sent...

Best,

Hmmm, I wonder which my Wife will prefer, the rotofast or the impaler? :eek:

Probably both; variety is rumored to be good ;)

Well...... I had my Dish 1000+ installed yesterday. All in all it went surprisingly well. While the 118 Bird comes in with a steady 60 on both key transponders, the local HD channels break up badly for a few seconds every 10 minutes or so. I ran The SYSTEM INFO test with no errors, however; I get a CHECK DETAIL message which states the following:

"LNB Drift Detected.... (followed by a cryptic series of numbers)"

Does anyone else see this? Must I call Customer Care Hell??????
Moman,
Haven't seen that for some time. "LNB Drift Detected" is a feature used to detect certain hardware issues, though I don't know which ones.

If you got a DPP44 switch, I can tell you, there is a few know bugs of reporting errors to System Information in the 622, when in fact, issues do not exist. One very common, is seeing a Red X under SAT status, when reception is fine.

The local HD breakups should only be on channels 2 and 5. More so on 2, than 5. If you're seeing breakups on 4 and 30, you may have a pointing/peaking issue.

Ken,

I'm seeing it on all 4 HD locals. Not all the time, but quite distracting when it does occur. Even the wife has commented, so something must be wrong. I guess I'll strap myself in and call. Do you happen to have a Number or Dept name I can use that gets me quicker to the correct HD support team? Otherwise, I'll have to tell my tale numerous times in between the "lovely" music-on-hold transitions.

AHDTS - 800-969-4388. Usually talking to a LII in under a minute.

As a rule, the breakup issue that occurs resulting in the recent move of the 118 satellite, is most noted on 2-FOX. It begins as a small breakup, then populates the entire display, and lasts anywhere from 1-2 minutes, then clears. It can occur 1-3 times in 30 minutes.

This same breakup issue can also be seen on 5-KSDK, but for the most part, is a brief blocking, happening frequently (3-4 times in 30 min), and usually only lasting a few seconds.

Rarely, if ever, do I see any issue with either 4-KMOV or 30-KDNL. 2 and 5 are on one Tp, 4 and 30 another.

As you may recall, 2-FOX has always been the most severe of breakups, even on OTA. That, coupled with the 118 issue may be why it is the most severe over the SAT.

LMK how it turns out, please.
Ken,

I'm seeing it on all 4 HD locals. Not all the time, but quite distracting when it does occur. Even the wife has commented, so something must be wrong. I guess I'll strap myself in and call. Do you happen to have a Number or Dept name I can use that gets me quicker to the correct HD support team? Otherwise, I'll have to tell my tale numerous times in between the "lovely" music-on-hold transitions.

Hello All-

I currently have Charter, however I'm seriously considering switching to either Directv or Dish Network.

Any suggestions on which to get?

Why have some of you chosen one over the other?

Thanks,

STL Boilermaker

Scott:

Come get the CT45s whenever you want -- the movie will get here when it does. No sense in waiting around until then. Hell; it will probably be cheaper to mail it then to drive it over anyway :D

Tomorrow is an especially good day as my new laptop is being delivered and you know I'm going to be sitting around waiting semi-patiently until it's here!

PM is being sent...

Best,

Ooops, I replied to your PM before seeing this. Yeah, no need to wait for the movie. I'll let you know when I can make to your neck of the woods.

Scott

Ken,

Thanks for all the info. I promise to keep you posted. Frankly, I have not had this setup long enough to have reliable info. I'm just seeing glitches more often that OTA. But I have noticed breakups on all four channels. I would expect Fox2 to be the worse with the compounding of Dish issues on top of KTVI's existing breakups. This is not good but it will let me simultaneously record multiple network shows when the new season starts.

Hello All-

I currently have Charter, however I'm seriously considering switching to either Directv or Dish Network.

Any suggestions on which to get?

Why have some of you chosen one over the other?

Thanks,

STL Boilermaker

Easy,

NFL Sunday Ticket

Directv is the only way to get it.

Go Chargers!

Thanks Scott.

If I wanted to get the games in HD with "Sunday Ticket" do you also have to buy the "Superfan" package?

Hello All-

I currently have Charter, however I'm seriously considering switching to either Directv or Dish Network.

Any suggestions on which to get?

Why have some of you chosen one over the other?

Thanks,

STL Boilermaker


For me...it's Dish network (I work for AT&T.)

They've got the most HD channels, and probably will for quite some time.

Thanks Scott.

If I wanted to get the games in HD with "Sunday Ticket" do you also have to buy the "Superfan" package?

Yes, I think so, but some can get them to waive it.

Scott

For me...it's Dish network (I work for AT&T.)

They've got the most HD channels, and probably will for quite some time.

What do you consider to be "quite some time?"

Scott

Probably both; variety is rumored to be good ;)

Well, I checked with her, and you're correct, she said both.

John,

Your pristine copy of Beach is on its way.














Did I say Beach? I mean Breach. :)

Scott

Sorry for the off topic post, but you all are a great resource for things of this nature:

I just got a new computer and want to transfer my itunes library from the old to the new. I have read all kinds of stuff on the internet on various ways of doing this (3rd party software options, built in itunes 7.0 functionality, using the ipod as a hard drive, etc.). I am comfortable with doing all of them, but I am looking for the simplest and quickest method.

I have everything backed up to an external hard drive. Can I simply hook the external drive to my new PC and copy the itunes music folder over to the new pc after I download itunes? I can't find a straight answer. Some say yes and other stuff I read says no because of some kind of database indexing issue. I'm sure some of you have done this before, so any help would be appreciated!

Feel free to PM me if it isn't appropriate to respond in this thread.

Thanks,
Nuzy

Sorry for the off topic post, but you all are a great resource for things of this nature:

I just got a new computer and want to transfer my itunes library from the old to the new. I have read all kinds of stuff on the internet on various ways of doing this (3rd party software options, built in itunes 7.0 functionality, using the ipod as a hard drive, etc.). I am comfortable with doing all of them, but I am looking for the simplest and quickest method.

I have everything backed up to an external hard drive. Can I simply hook the external drive to my new PC and copy the itunes music folder over to the new pc after I download itunes? I can't find a straight answer. Some say yes and other stuff I read says no because of some kind of database indexing issue. I'm sure some of you have done this before, so any help would be appreciated!

Feel free to PM me if it isn't appropriate to respond in this thread.

Thanks,
Nuzy
Yes Nuzy, simply set iTunes in your new computer to look for shared music.
[Edit >Preferences >Sharing >Check: Look for Shared Music]

iTunes will locate your music files on your external drive....presuming when you say "backed up" you mean "copied onto," and not using a separate backup software...then, you will be able to import the entire iTunes library folder on to your new computer. It's a very simple function, already written into the iTunes software. In the event you did use a separate software to backup to the external drive, you will need to restore the files on to the new computer, and then import them into iTunes.

Most of the 3rd party software available is for either decoding protected ACC iTunes files, or for having the ability to copy files from your iPod back to a computer.

Hello All-

I currently have Charter, however I'm seriously considering switching to either Directv or Dish Network.

Any suggestions on which to get?

Why have some of you chosen one over the other?

Thanks,

STL Boilermaker


Try these two sites...all the information you could want...

http://www.dbstalk.com/

http://www.satelliteguys.us/

Hello All-
I currently have Charter, however I'm seriously considering switching to either Directv or Dish Network.
Any suggestions on which to get?
Why have some of you chosen one over the other?
Thanks,
STL Boilermaker
First, KIM, DBS is different than cable, in that, any TV you want separate programming on, must have its own tuner.

If you want NFL (Sunday Ticket) and/or MLB EI, Direct is the only choice.
Otherwise, I don't believe there is anything Direct offers that Dish does not, and several things Dish does offer that Direct does not.
-presently, far more HD
-dual-tuner (dual TV) receivers
-superior HD DVR
-EHDD storage and online networking capability coming....very soon.

Yes, I'm partial, but I don't think I've stated anything, any D* sub would dispute.
Well, except perhaps the kinky one :D

Quick tip. My cousin, who works for Charter, told me about a Charter telephone special going on now. It's for friends and family of Charter employees, but they don't seem to want to know who your Charter friend or family member is. Try it if you're interested. Call 1-877-940-7166 and ask about the family and friends special, which gives you Charter telephone for $14.99/month for 12 months, with unlimited local, long distance (US, Canada, Puerto Rico) and 12 favorite calling features (caller ID, waiting, etc.). I've had Vonage for a couple/three years and have been pretty happy with it (for $25/month), but there seem to be an increasing number of times when people are told the line is busy when it isn't.

Sorry for the off topic post, but you all are a great resource for things of this nature:

I just got a new computer and want to transfer my itunes library from the old to the new. I have read all kinds of stuff on the internet on various ways of doing this (3rd party software options, built in itunes 7.0 functionality, using the ipod as a hard drive, etc.). I am comfortable with doing all of them, but I am looking for the simplest and quickest method.

I have everything backed up to an external hard drive. Can I simply hook the external drive to my new PC and copy the itunes music folder over to the new pc after I download itunes? I can't find a straight answer. Some say yes and other stuff I read says no because of some kind of database indexing issue. I'm sure some of you have done this before, so any help would be appreciated!

Feel free to PM me if it isn't appropriate to respond in this thread.

Thanks,
Nuzy

This is probably a stupid question, but I'm assuming there are things in your iTunes library that aren't on your iPod (i.e. either due to space limitations or incompatiblity such as video files in iTunes and an iPod Nano). Otherwise, you just load iTunes onto the new computer and plug in your iPod. All files will then be transfered to the new computer from your iPod.

First, KIM, DBS is different than cable, in that, any TV you want separate programming on, must have its own tuner.

If you want NFL (Sunday Ticket) and/or MLB EI, Direct is the only choice.
Otherwise, I don't believe there is anything Direct offers that Dish does not, and several things Dish does offer that Direct does not.
-presently, far more HD
-dual-tuner (dual TV) receivers
-superior HD DVR
-EHDD storage and online networking capability coming....very soon.

Yes, I'm partial, but I don't think I've stated anything, any D* sub would dispute.
Well, except perhaps the kinky one :D

You couldn't resist could you Ken?

He is correct as he is wise.

"Presently, farm more HD" Key word being presently. Directv is getting ready to add many more HD channels, and then there will be world peace. Of course, world peace may get here first. :)

Scott

Yes Nuzy, simply set iTunes in your new computer to look for shared music.
[Edit >Preferences >Sharing >Check: Look for Shared Music]

iTunes will locate your music files on your external drive....presuming when you say "backed up" you mean "copied onto," and not using a separate backup software...then, you will be able to import the entire iTunes library folder on to your new computer. It's a very simple function, already written into the iTunes software. In the event you did use a separate software to backup to the external drive, you will need to restore the files on to the new computer, and then import them into iTunes.

Most of the 3rd party software available is for either decoding protected ACC iTunes files, or for having the ability to copy files from your iPod back to a computer.
Thanks! I used retrospect backup to get the files to the external drive, but it looks as if everything is there just like if I were to have copied it (i.e. nothing compressed). I assume I should be able to copy the entire folder over. If not, I can simply connect the external drive back up to the old pc and copy the itunes music folder, then connect to the new pc and copy the folder over to the new pc without much effort. I'll give it a try tonight or this weekend.

This is probably a stupid question, but I'm assuming there are things in your iTunes library that aren't on your iPod (i.e. either due to space limitations or incompatiblity such as video files in iTunes and an iPod Nano). Otherwise, you just load iTunes onto the new computer and plug in your iPod. All files will then be transfered to the new computer from your iPod.
Everything that is in the itunes library is on the ipod. From everything I read I thought it was a one way street from itunes to ipod without special software. My concern about doing this is that it will wipe the ipod clean because there will be nothing in the itunes library after I initially install it on the new pc. I've got the library on my old pc and the external drive, so it wouldn't be a total disaster, but I'm just a bit paranoid about doing it and screwing something up. :)