All current channels (except the St. Louis locals) are on 101, 110, and 119 satellites. 99 and 103 are the ka band satellites which are used for HD locals and slots reserved for the new MPEG4 satellites. With that said, 99 I get 50s and 103 I get 50s on odd and 90s on even transponders.

If you were having problems with the STL locals I'd think it might be signal quality - but the national HDs are up with all the SD channels right now - so it doesn't sound like thats the issue. Cabling, bad receiver, etc might be more likely (unless you are seeing the problem with some SDs).

Chris

Thanks Chris, I am having issues with the HD package channels. All the channels in the 70's like TNT HD, UHD, and so on. It starts with pixelization getting so bad it dops out to a black screen, then if I try switching to another 70 something channel it says searching for signal and a black screen. Then 5 minutes later it's fine. I get periodic audio drops sometimes with SD which may or may not be related. So far the HD locals are okay.

I'm going to check the individual transponders now.

EDIT: I got the same results as you. I have 6 transponders on 99 and 7 on 103. On 99 I get: 61, 18, 67, 24, 91, 15However the overall signal strength is still very low.

Personally? I'd just route everything through your AV Receiver. Don't worry about fixing the TV. Besides, I'm sure the sound from the Stereo speakers sounds better/clearer especially at low volumes. :) BTW, awesome TV!

Scott

I thought about that, and may even end up doing that, but for most of my standard TV viewing I usually don't worry about using the receiver and surround sound.

Hopefully, the inside connectors are not a part of an expensive module.

Yeah, the dispatcher (former tech, I'll talk to the current tech later) said it's possible I could have damaged a circuit board :eek: Anyway, I will check with Pioneer to find authorized service dealers in the area and hopefully one of them does house calls.

C'mon all you D* guys with an HR20, please let me know what signal strength you're getting on 103 & 99.

I always seem to post at the bottom of the page :rolleyes:


Here you go mo and I live in St.Ann.
103-51%
99-43%

Each copy of the OS needs to be individually licensed. To make this plug and play the license data has to be entered. If he images out with an already licensed copy of XP he is pirating software :(

It's a very slippery slope and that's why I gave the heads up about it.

Cheers,

Makes sense. Thanks

However, coming down on a manufacturer's rep (who should be encouraged to participate in these forums) who accidentally drops into the wrong forum, or mis-reads a post isn't necessary. MoxiMessenger is a frequent and helpful contributor to the Moxi thread, and didn't deserve that.
I suppose had I known MoxiMessenger was a manufacturer's representative, your comment on what was "deserving" may have some merit. Unfortunately, I did not, though I'm not convinced, perhaps more so now, it changes my opinion. Manufacturer representative's are paid by their company to support and promote the company's product(s). Personally, apart from Jim (Wracer), I've yet to see, any MRep participate in public forums without that ultimate goal in mind.

Lots I could say about the issue, though I'm certain most here are disinterested. Any response is welcomed, but for me, the matter ends here. :)

Thanks for the signal strength reports. I talked to D* and for now, nothing is coming down 103 or 99 so my channels dropping the 70's are off one of the other 3 which are peaked and all in the mid-90's. So it's a cable, the box or something else like a bad LNB? I'm not sure. My third visit by a tech supervisor is the 30th.

Still, it's nice to know my signal strength is okay (I think) for now on 99 & 103.

This is the update that has been AWOL since the recent addition of the Discovery family of HD channels (among others) to DISH.

I believe this is now up to date, though that probably won't hold much longer. I need to look into another format for this, as the current one isn't likely to be flexible enough to present this information in a usable way.

Suggestions welcomed.

This is the update that has been AWOL since the recent addition of the Discovery family of HD channels (among others) to DISH.

I believe this is now up to date, though that probably won't hold much longer. I need to look into another format for this, as the current one isn't likely to be flexible enough to present this information in a usable way.

Suggestions welcomed.
Nice work, Doug. What format is the original done in? I have a nifty kind-of combination excel/dbase-type W-proc s/w. It give full graphics, RT, and integrates into a write-able pdf format.
LMK the original format, and I may be able to convert it into, for terms of making changes, the user's background would be excel-type.
Essentially, you'd be able to preserve the same look, but when making changes, using excel cells for entry....that work?

Should you happen to pop in again, I'm assuming this Moxi also had DLB's, SbS PiP, a single box can power 2 TV's with simultaneous independent of DVR functions, seamless OTA/EPG/DVR integration, and of course, record 3 HD events while viewing a 4th...yes?:D

I have wondered about this though, if Paul is the CEO of Diego and of Charter, why it is Charter experienced such a shortage of Moxi's, having to offer the 3416's in their place? You'd think he'd have *some* pull, ya?

Not sure what a DLB is? Moxi Mulit-Room HD DMR won't do PIP (sorry) but it does have TV always playing while you browse the Moxi Menu. Yes on single DVR powering two tvs, but it does require the smaller Moxi Mate (no hard drive = quiet). It is dual tuner, so you can record two programs while watching a recorded program in one room and even a DVD in the second (it has a DVD player).

On the Paul Allen/Charter/Digeo connection, there are simply no more Moxi units to be had; we sold the remainder of our inventory, and the new version of our cable company product that supports CableCARD just isn't available yet. You can bet Charter is a priority customer though ;)

I suppose had I known MoxiMessenger was a manufacturer's representative, your comment on what was "deserving" may have some merit. Unfortunately, I did not, though I'm not convinced, perhaps more so now, it changes my opinion. Manufacturer representative's are paid by their company to support and promote the company's product(s). Personally, apart from Jim (Wracer), I've yet to see, any MRep participate in public forums without that ultimate goal in mind.

Lots I could say about the issue, though I'm certain most here are disinterested. Any response is welcomed, but for me, the matter ends here. :)

For the record, I am not a mfr rep, but rather an employee of Digeo. The reason I participate in this Forum and others, is typically, Forum users are the most avid and the best place to get a sense of how your product is recieved. Knowing your customers is the first step in great customer service and product development.

Responding to questions, holding in person events, and participating in the dialogue with your customers and other interested consumers is one of the best ways to understand what the market wants and then develop features/products accordingly. It's like asking a professional race car driver their opinion of a car they have driven or considered... they will drive it harder and have more advanced feedback than any other driver.

IMHO, a company would be foolish *NOT* to participate in Forums and the like. If you don't, then how else does one keep their fingers on the pulse of the users?

As for the appropriateness of my posting to this thread, one of the Moxi products is in fact an OTA product, so I intentionally "got off at this stop" thinking that perhaps the folks at this stop were interested in getting an early scoop.

MoxiMessenger

Ken,

I've been doing the Programming Guide in Excel, though I've really hacked the thing to bits by creating lots of small cells that I merged together to get the box and shadow effects. I'm definitely regretting that bit of clever thinking now... :(

If you shoot me your eMail via PM, I can send you my file and you can see about whether there's any way to salvage this. However, I expect that I probably should start over with a new format/layout in view of the higher volume of channels in the wings.

I may actually try to host it on the new website, making it accessible only via a URL that I could post here. That would probably make printing more difficult, but then I have no idea how folks have been using this once it's been posted here. Maybe printing isn't important.

For that matter, is there any interest in me continuing to update this?

Ken,

I've been doing the Programming Guide in Excel, though I've really hacked the thing to bits by creating lots of small cells that I merged together to get the box and shadow effects. I'm definitely regretting that bit of clever thinking now... :(

If you shoot me your eMail via PM, I can send you my file and you can see about whether there's any way to salvage this. However, I expect that I probably should start over with a new format/layout in view of the higher volume of channels in the wings.

I may actually try to host it on the new website, making it accessible only via a URL that I could post here. That would probably make printing more difficult, but then I have no idea how folks have been using this once it's been posted here. Maybe printing isn't important.

For that matter, is there any interest in me continuing to update this?
I print a new one with each of your updates, though I would think it is probably well viewed by the newer visitors to the thread.

Shoot me a copy, and I'll take a look-see

It's enroute. Thanks.

You might want to edit your post to remove your eMail address; otherwise you'll be eating spam three meals a day. ;)

I suppose had I known MoxiMessenger was a manufacturer's representative, your comment on what was "deserving" may have some merit. Unfortunately, I did not, though I'm not convinced, perhaps more so now, it changes my opinion. Manufacturer representative's are paid by their company to support and promote the company's product(s). Personally, apart from Jim (Wracer), I've yet to see, any MRep participate in public forums without that ultimate goal in mind.

Lots I could say about the issue, though I'm certain most here are disinterested. Any response is welcomed, but for me, the matter ends here. :)


I didn't know JimGlobe was back...

It's enroute. Thanks.

You might want to edit your post to remove your eMail address
Done...thanks. I'll take a look at it tomorrow.

I didn't know JimGlobe was back...
and just like that...Poof, he's gone!

MoinStl,
Here is a thread at DBS talk with transponder info in pdf form.
Dug

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=96144

This is the update that has been AWOL since the recent addition of the Discovery family of HD channels (among others) to DISH.

I believe this is now up to date, though that probably won't hold much longer. I need to look into another format for this, as the current one isn't likely to be flexible enough to present this information in a usable way.

Suggestions welcomed.


Thanks, Doug. I find this very helpful as someone who is considering switching services. Thanks for all your efforts in putting this together.

MoinStl,
Here is a thread at DBS talk with transponder info in pdf form.
Dug

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=96144

Thanks for the link. There is so much info over at DBS I am doing a lot of reading.

I noticed my OTA signal meter is stuck at 77% for all locals except Ch 9 sub-channels. I found one other person post (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=85879&page=5)(also here in STL) having the same issue. I have the HR20-700. Anyone else have a stuck OTA meter?

Eeeek! This is post number 666. :D

FYI -- Charter to offer 16 Mbps Internet Access for $80 ($70 w/cable):

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Charter-To-Offer-16Mbps-87019

and just like that...Poof, he's gone!

No, I'm still here (if you were referencing me - I think MoxiMessenger is a she);) I only check AVS a couple of times a day and just saw your response.

I remember the days of JimGlobe, and I assure that "I Sir, am no Jim Globe":D If a Charter employee ever does log on here, let me know. I'll be first in line with the bashing;) However, until I get another storm to take out my tree to the south, I'm stuck with Charter.

I was just sticking up for MoxiMessenger because she (and MoxiGuy) have been extremely helpful in the Moxi thread. You would have no way of knowing that, so perhaps I should have worded my response differently.

Actually, speaking of Charter, I've got a question for the D* and E* experts: I've had E* come out twice, and both installers said I didn't have a clear line of site for all their satellites. Is their any chance I'd get a different answer from D*?

I was just sticking up for MoxiMessenger because she (and MoxiGuy) have been extremely helpful in the Moxi thread.

Actually, speaking of Charter, I've got a question for the D* and E* experts: I've had E* come out twice, and both installers said I didn't have a clear line of site for all their satellites. Is their any chance I'd get a different answer from D*?

Nice to know I am no longer the only female here.

As far as D* goes, the 5 LNB Slimline points SE now rather than due South. If your SE line of sight is better you may be in luck. Wouldn't hurt to try.

Glendale -

I got a chainsaw and some beer if you aren't busy this weekend... ;) And if the trees aren't on your property, I have a flashlight too... :D

Chris

Got the new software update, 0x18a, at 3:48 this morning. The tip off was the blue circle of LED lights. I'll have to go turn them back off.

Not that I didn't expect this to happen, but it's 4:10 PM and still no sign of the installer. I called D* and they assured me that he would be here before 5:00 PM....I wonder when he plans on actually doing the work ;)

Anyway, I'll let you know how things go.

No, I'm still here (if you were referencing me - I think MoxiMessenger is a she);) I only check AVS a couple of times a day and just saw your response.

I remember the days of JimGlobe, and I assure that "I Sir, am no Jim Globe":D If a Charter employee ever does log on here, let me know. I'll be first in line with the bashing;) However, until I get another storm to take out my tree to the south, I'm stuck with Charter.

I was just sticking up for MoxiMessenger because she (and MoxiGuy) have been extremely helpful in the Moxi thread. You would have no way of knowing that, so perhaps I should have worded my response differently.

Actually, speaking of Charter, I've got a question for the D* and E* experts: I've had E* come out twice, and both installers said I didn't have a clear line of site for all their satellites. Is their any chance I'd get a different answer from D*?

It wasn't directed at you. It was directed at kdg...

and just like that...Poof, he's gone!
Nor was this.
Given time, y'all will figure it out.

Well, the installers left. Besides all of the crap (bolts, coax strippings, wire, washers, etc.) they left on my roof, the installation went pretty well I suppose. When it cools down, I will crawl in the attic and verify that they missed every truss and cross brace I had installed for my old dish :mad:

Anyway, I've got a lot the figure out, but if someone can help me get rid of the gray bars, that would be great. On my Sony HD-200 receiver, my TV would automatically convert the HD to wide-screen and then the SC content would use the TV's screen mode of my choice (Natural Wide, most of the time).

Time to give the baby a bath (no, not the new DVR) :D

Off Topic: I've got one, possibly two, small software modification project(s) I need some help with. I'm looking for someone with PHP and JavaScript experience.

If you're interested and have time to tackle something in the next week, send me a PM.

Thanks.

Well, the installers left. Besides all of the crap (bolts, coax strippings, wire, washers, etc.) they left on my roof, the installation went pretty well I suppose. When it cools down, I will crawl in the attic and verify that they missed every truss and cross brace I had installed for my old dish :mad:

Anyway, I've got a lot the figure out, but if someone can help me get rid of the gray bars, that would be great. On my Sony HD-200 receiver, my TV would automatically convert the HD to wide-screen and then the SC content would use the TV's screen mode of my choice (Natural Wide, most of the time).

Time to give the baby a bath (no, not the new DVR) :D

Sorry - I'm not home to have the menus or DVR in front of me - but it sounds like you need to do 1 thing - change your display mode in the Settings to Native. Also, you'll need to check each box the TV supports. This way the TV will do all the adjustment (stretch, bars, etc) you desire - and the HD channels will be sent to the TV in all their natural glory...

The problem is - depending on the TV and the setup (HDMI, component) it may take a little longer to change channels while the TV syncs to each format. You can minimize this by selecting only 2 formats (1080i/720p and 480i) depending on what looks best on your TV. If you go with all 3 (1080i, 720p, 480i) you'll have to deal with resyncing even when switching between some HD channels. You're best to experiment and see which scales better (TV or HR20).

With all that said - if you want the HR20 to handle it - hit the ratio(?) button in the top left corner. This will cycle through the enabled resolutions and let you stretch SD content automatically. You can also change the gray bars to black in the settings menu if you desire no stretching, but want black instead (just watch the burn-in!)

Chris

Haven't heard anything about 30s slip lately... :D

Just a further word about the gray/black bars option that is provided with some of the newer DirecTV HD receivers.

These gray bars actually include a small vertical black border between the edges of the picture and the gray bars. This largely negates the purpose of gray bars, which is to prevent "burn in" on phosphor-based displays such as CRTs and plasma panels.

You can read more about that here:

http://hdguru.com/?p=127

In addition, burn-in risk is not entirely limited to phosphor-based displays, as some LCDs can also develop burn-in as result of long-term exposure to static images. You can read more about that here:

http://hdguru.com/?p=151

Of course, you would likely need to be exposed to the "black border" gray bars for a large percentage of your viewing for them to cause a problem, particularly with an LCD-based display. However, the higher you have your picture level (contrast) -- regardless of the technology -- the higher that risk will be.

Kurt,

Glad they showed up. I know it's too late now, but for others getting the HR20 prior to the launch here's the number for the local installers: Premiere local 800-210-0355. I don't know what their coverage area is.

Haven't heard anything about 30s slip lately... :D

I'm still enjoying my 30 sec skip. :D

Scott

Haven't heard anything about 30s slip lately... :D

Been busy doing inventory at work all week.

Since you're still wondering, I still hate it. :D

Hi all...

I was dwette and am now RaceTripper. I know I've been gone a while. Had a busy summer. Went to some great auto races where I took many photos. Switched from a PC craptop to a MacBook Pro and then Dell gave me a new PC (Precision M90), and got an iPhone for my bday. I guess I need to read up on the new D* HD channels coming up. Is the Sep date to switch them on set yet?

...

Since you're still wondering, I still hate it. :D

I actually prefer it(I know, heresy). I like that if I start a bit late with the 30 sec slip, I can recover by hitting play or repeat on my remote. With 30 sec skip, if I start late, I have to replay(6 sec) and if I am only 1 second late, I have to watch 5 seconds of commercials. For me, the slip works better.....

I will turn in my peanut soon
Dug

Sorry - I'm not home to have the menus or DVR in front of me - but it sounds like you need to do 1 thing - change your display mode in the Settings to Native. Also, you'll need to check each box the TV supports. This way the TV will do all the adjustment (stretch, bars, etc) you desire - and the HD channels will be sent to the TV in all their natural glory...

The problem is - depending on the TV and the setup (HDMI, component) it may take a little longer to change channels while the TV syncs to each format. You can minimize this by selecting only 2 formats (1080i/720p and 480i) depending on what looks best on your TV. If you go with all 3 (1080i, 720p, 480i) you'll have to deal with resyncing even when switching between some HD channels. You're best to experiment and see which scales better (TV or HR20).

With all that said - if you want the HR20 to handle it - hit the ratio(?) button in the top left corner. This will cycle through the enabled resolutions and let you stretch SD content automatically. You can also change the gray bars to black in the settings menu if you desire no stretching, but want black instead (just watch the burn-in!)

Chris
Well, I activated Native mode and all seems well now. I also removed 720p from my resolution choices because my TV cannot handle it. I recorded a couple of shows, but I know I wont fully appreciate it until the Fall season starts :)

Thanks for the pointers, I'm sure more questions will be coming :)

Been busy doing inventory at work all week.

Since you're still wondering, I still hate it. :D

That is why we cycle count daily, I think we do around 6-700 counts a week. :confused:

DirecTV has put the new channels up in Engineering mode (the first step to going live). Final testing has begun. And for those wondering - Fox Sports Midwest is one of the channels :D

All the expected channels were there, plus the rumored 10 (rumored to be 12 so there may be a couple more) giving them over 80 channels uplinked yesterday.

Looks like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1, Spike, Fuel, Outdoor, and a couple others were quiet about having HD channels. Also, a bunch of RSNs (including Fox Midwest).

What these channels are - whether they are 24/7 HD, part HD, or upconverted content until later (like weather channel) is unknown. But the 80 channels were uplinked as MPEG4 HD.

Chris

Hi all...

I was dwette and am now RaceTripper. I know I've been gone a while. Had a busy summer. Went to some great auto races where I took many photos. Switched from a PC craptop to a MacBook Pro and then Dell gave me a new PC (Precision M90), and got an iPhone for my bday. I guess I need to read up on the new D* HD channels coming up. Is the Sep date to switch them on set yet?

WB dwette, I mean RaceTripper, I mean Dean...:confused:;)

The date is not "set". DirecTV asked the FCC to move the satellite final move up to the first of Sept. from the 15th - no word on the approval. Inside sources at DirecTV are pointing to as soon as this weekend or next week.

I'm guessing we will start seeing new channels up by the end of next week (maybe not all of them) with the formal announcement around the middle of the month. As far as the new channels - the HDTV programming forum has an active thread with all the details:

http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=851257

Actually, speaking of Charter, I've got a question for the D* and E* experts: I've had E* come out twice, and both installers said I didn't have a clear line of site for all their satellites. Is their any chance I'd get a different answer from D*?

Maybe...I had E* come out twice...once in Dec. of 04 and once in Jan of 07...both times they said no way.

I then had Direct come out...they used a pole mount and had it installed far back enough to shoot over the trees...I will admit that 119 gets a little "screwy" once in awhile, but depending on what channels you watch this may or may not be a big deal.

Hey I got a question...my in-laws have the $15 basic cable from Charter...that will not be effected by the analog shut-off right? Their cable is just analog distribution right? The shut-off only effects OTA, correct?

Correct.....except that Charter will shutting down there analog sometime in the future as well.

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

Chris, unfortunately I have been in communication with D* a lot over the last week. I tried to get a launch date and they were tight lipped or have not been told anything except mid-September. It'd be great if it was sooner but with it being a holiday weekend I think it's unlikely this weekend.

WB dwette, I mean RaceTripper, I mean Dean...:confused:;)

The date is not "set"....
Thanks Chris...I'm mostly looking forward to Speed HD (although I'm sleptical they'll show anything in HD that I like) and Sci Fi HD. Looks like those two are scheduled for later this Fall.

Oh yeah, FSN HD, but to be honest I haven't been watching much BB this year.

Chris, unfortunately I have been in communication with D* a lot over the last week. I tried to get a launch date and they were tight lipped or have not been told anything except mid-September. It'd be great if it was sooner but with it being a holiday weekend I think it's unlikely this weekend.

No - nothing this weekend - by end of next week is possible/likely.

Chris

Here are two articles from tvpredictions.com about D* HD channels and D* onDemand

HD channels up to 40 by 9/16/07 with 70 by the end of Sept
http://www.tvpredictions.com/directvhd082907.htm

onDemand
http://www.tvpredictions.com/dondemand083007.htm

Mark

The FCC today approved DirecTVs request to start moving early AND to operate while the move is occurring. The ONLY reason for DirecTV to even request this is to turn them on prior to the 15th, which was their original approval date. So I'm betting we see them sooner than the 16th. We may get the press release on the 16th...

Chris

The FCC today approved DirecTVs request to start moving early AND to operate while the move is occurring. The ONLY reason for DirecTV to even request this is to turn them on prior to the 15th, which was their original approval date. So I'm betting we see them sooner than the 16th. We may get the press release on the 16th...

Chris


Hmmm. I wonder when Directv will tell me I'm screwed, and that paying for the HD channels doesn't mean you will get the HD channels. It will be interesting to see how they handle their Tivo users.

I noticed a few instances of breakup on Universal HD's coverage of James Blake in the US Open tonight - not a huge amount, but enough to be troublesome. Anyone else see this? Otherwise, the PQ was outstanding - Dish has their MPEG4 act together, even if the resolution isn't full 1920-1080. I also could see, with all the close ups, the effect of having a well calibrated projector. Great skin tones and rich, natural color. Thanks again, Doug.

I noticed a few instances of breakup on Universal HD's coverage of James Blake in the US Open tonight - not a huge amount, but enough to be troublesome. Anyone else see this? Otherwise, the PQ was outstanding - Dish has their MPEG4 act together, even if the resolution isn't full 1920-1080. I also could see, with all the close ups, the effect of having a well calibrated projector. Great skin tones and rich, natural color. Thanks again, Doug.

I watch most of the Blake match on D* and don't remember seeing any breakups, although I was distracted with other things throughout the match and might have missed some.

Joe:

As a heads up; I'm a couple minutes away from powering up my quad core beast machine for the first time ;)

Cheers,

John,

I assume you have taken all suitable precautions with the operators of the electrical grid... :)

Joe:

As a heads up; I'm a couple minutes away from powering up my quad core beast machine for the first time ;)

Cheers,I'm only impressed if it's a Mac. ;)

I'm only impressed if it's a Mac. ;)


Well I would race my home made pc against your mac anyday and throw in a virus for free.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Well I would race my home made pc against your mac anyday and throw in a virus for free.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:Kind of you to offer the virus but it won't work for me...unless I boot up my Dell laptop. :p

Joe:

As a heads up; I'm a couple minutes away from powering up my quad core beast machine for the first time ;)

Cheers,

Don't worry about the Mac-Ophiles... they're just jealous they don't have any software to run... :cool:

Enjoy the Quad... its amazing how fast we adjust... I couldn't have a single core ever again... :D

Chris

The Mac is a nearly perfect computer, except for the fact that it doesn't allow me to do most of the things I find most fun about computing. And the ones I can do usually limit my options and cost more. I still remember the day it dawned on me how happy I was having given up on the Mac and understanding the whole world of possibilities owning a PC opened up for me. I used a Mac long before I used a PC, and I worked with Mac's long after I started using PC's almost exclusively at home. I wouldn't start using Mac's again instead of PC's if you gave me a boat load of them. I'll take that boat, though. There are lots of places I could sell those Mac's.

Joe:

As a heads up; I'm a couple minutes away from powering up my quad core beast machine for the first time ;)

Cheers,

I'm really interested in your computer build, John. I need details. I also have some questions about PC audio for you. :)

For all you HR20 folks, here's a good deal on a 500gig drive AND external enclosure for $104:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=aa66870

Got my HR20 networked now, and found getting the OTA line back will be easier than I thought. I had two network lines coming up from the router -- one to the editing station, the other to the HTPC. I ditched one of them and got a Netgear switch. Ran the first network line into the switch and lines from the switch to the PC's. While I was at it I ran a third network line to the HR20.

The beauty of it all is, I'll be able to run the antenna coax line through the hole that the second network line came through. Won't need to drill after all. Now I just need to get another 15 foot length of RG6, and I'll be all set.

For all you HR20 folks, here's a good deal on a 500gig drive AND external enclosure for $104:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=aa66870

Bob,

Just curious what else I need. I think I need a SATA to eSATA cable, but I'm not sure about the power cord requirements. Also, since you probably know off the top of your head, what's the size of the internal HR20-700 hard drive?


For those interested in my TV problem where I screwed up the 2nd set of component cable inputs: My Pioneer Elite Pro-720HD has both RCA and BNC connectors for "Input 1", therefore, I purchased a RCA to BNC cable and I'm using the BNC connectors on the TV for my DVD and the RCA connectors for my HR20. As long as I turn off the source I'm not watching, the TV automatically uses the correct source.

I had my HR20-700 replaced yesterday. While I was waiting for the new HR20 I put my HR10-250 back in the living room and recorded several hours worth of Law & Order two nights. I never had a problem with any HD channels in the 70's on my HR10. I went through all of the L&O episodes and it was fine. Running the HR10 with the new dish & multi-switch pretty much ruled out anthing else being a problem.

So far, the HR20 is okay on the HD package channels. I need to record some more programs to be sure.

The tech supervisor who came out was very good. It turns out that one of the new connectors at the dish exposed too much cotton. He sort of explained it to me and replaced it. All other connections were checked and okay.

He fine tuned my dish some more. What's weird is that my HR10 and HR20 report different sat strength. Two are in the high 90's according to the HR20 with one in the high 80's while the HR10 reports all 3 in the 90's. Not a big deal. My 103 & 99 are now higher too.

As far as the OTA signal strength meter, it's still broken and still stuck at 77% for all channels.

Just to add grist to the rumor mill, the tech supervisor said the new HD channels were going live on the 14th. I guess I find out if he was right pretty soon.

I had my HR20-700 replaced yesterday. While I was waiting for the new HR20 I put my HR10-250 back in the living room and recorded several hours worth of Law & Order two nights. I never had a problem with any HD channels in the 70's on my HR10. I went through all of the L&O episodes and it was fine. Running the HR10 with the new dish & multi-switch pretty much ruled out anthing else being a problem.

So far, the HR20 is okay on the HD package channels. I need to record some more programs to be sure.

The tech supervisor who came out was very good. It turns out that one of the new connectors at the dish exposed too much cotton. He sort of explained it to me and replaced it. All other connections were checked and okay.

He fine tuned my dish some more. What's weird is that my HR10 and HR20 report different sat strength. Two are in the high 90's according to the HR20 with one in the high 80's while the HR10 reports all 3 in the 90's. Not a big deal. My 103 & 99 are now higher too.

As far as the OTA signal strength meter, it's still broken and still stuck at 77% for all channels.

Just to add grist to the rumor mill, the tech supervisor said the new HD channels were going live on the 14th. I guess I find out if he was right pretty soon.

Mo - Glad things are better! Hopefully they stay that way.

There appears to be a couple solid rumors nowdays. Looks like we'll get some channels on the 4th -8th (CNNHD, TBSHD, Starz seem to be the most consistent ones), with others coming pretty regularly after that (5-10/wk). DirecTV typically releases new channels on Tuesday, ahead of press releases by a week or two.

So - the 4th seems pretty solid, with press releases around the 14th. Could be as late as the 11th, but I doubt any later than that. There was a lot of rumblings some would come this morning - but last I checked I didn't see any ;)

Chris

ESPN-HD has been back up for a few hours now.

I'm very surprised that Charter is going into football season without settling their dispute with Belo/KMOV over their HD signal. It's also upsetting that we can't see the US Open Tennis in HD. Is anyone going to satellite because they are missing football in HD on CBS?

Is anyone going to satellite because they are missing football in HD on CBS?

I can't say that this was THE reason I went to satellite since I get great OTA reception, but it sure made my decision easier.

I'm very surprised that Charter is going into football season without settling their dispute with Belo/KMOV over their HD signal. It's also upsetting that we can't see the US Open Tennis in HD. Is anyone going to satellite because they are missing football in HD on CBS?

I've already gone to satellite to avoid the "temporarily" missing CBS HD and NFL Network. I would have been ticked off every time I watched an SD game or missed a game altogether because I had Charter. I don't need that stress in my life.

Got my OTA feed back and made some comparisons between the OTA MPEG-2 and *D MPEG-4 locals. Admittedly my TV's a bit on the small side by today's standards, but I can't tell any big difference. I'd say that's a good sign for when the new national MPEG-4's light up later this month!

Also finally installed the Kworld ATSC 110 HD tuner card I'd bought last Thanksgiving into my bedroom PC. This thing is a piece of crap. Only software that came with it is a TRIAL version of BeyondTV, which gives me sound but no picture on every channel. So I tried the freeware program WatchHDTV, and it just plain crashes on startup every time. And, oh, the mail-in rebate never showed up. I've posted in the HTPC forum here looking for some answers, if none are forthcoming this thing's going on eBay.

Thanks KSDK. Tiger and Phil playing together on Monday in HD but we get the Jerry Lewis telethon instead. (on Charter) Can you guys get the golf on Dish or Direct??

Scott

Channel 5 must do rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets to do camera shading for each newscast. For some newscasts they are set very well, with good contrast and rich, saturated colors. Others must be set by someone with cataracts, who believes that normal means seeing the anchors through wax paper eyes. Tonight's news at ten had the camera black level set far too high. They were all set like that. In contrast, on some nights, a different person must set each camera. I suspect they've cut way back on technical staff at that station. No one seems charged to enforce a set standard.

Thanks KSDK. Tiger and Phil playing together on Monday in HD but we get the Jerry Lewis telethon instead. (on Charter) Can you guys get the golf on Dish or Direct??

Scott

I dunno - don't follow golf. We're getting the US Open on Universal HD, as well as KMOV. The Dish Universal HD broadcasts are quite good, although they've had a few hiccups. Don't know if those are Dish encoding problems or if they originate with the broadcast.

KsdK continues to be frustrating. With the various ways they've found to be inconsistent, they would be good fodder for some sort of group drinking game.

KsdK were also off the air on the digital channel for at least 15 minutes following the Cards post-game show.

But then every cloud has a silver lining, as the black level appeared just perfect. :)

I'm seriously peeved at KSDK. We went to Road America at Elkhart Lake, WI in early August for the Generac 500 (American Le Mans Series) race. NBC was contracted to televise it. When we came back to watch it on the DVR we discovered it was never shown by KSDK. It was preempted by Cardinals baseball. I can understand having to show the game -- I don't expect them to not show it, but they could have shown the race another time (even at 2 in the morning would be OK). KSDK did that several times this season for ALMS races.

I always worry when KSDK is scheduled to carry an auto race I want to see.

Showing the game is one thing but to talk about it for one half hour after the game is over just blows my mind ksdk is totally inept.

Since the Jerry Lewis telethon is not in HD, would it not make sense to show golf on 5-1? Am I expecting too much from our local HD leader?

Since the Jerry Lewis telethon is not in HD, would it not make sense to show golf on 5-1? Am I expecting too much from our local HD leader?

I was thinking the same thing....well that makes to much sense for ksdk to do that.

Since the Jerry Lewis telethon is not in HD, would it not make sense to show golf on 5-1? Am I expecting too much from our local HD leader?

What is blowing my mind is that they have a second SD channel, but never seem to use it (either for golf or the telethon). I would obviously put golf on the HD channel and non-hd telethon on the second. They could do whatever they want with the analog. I'm OTA so I don't know if Charter or Satellite even offer the second digital channel. Previously this year they broadcast Cardinal BB in place of a ChampCar race. I realize that Cardinal BB will draw better ratings, but once again, they didn't even put it on their second channel. I definitely do not consider them the HD leader in addition to many other comments since they can't or won't figure out how to better use their second channel.

...Previously this year they broadcast Cardinal BB in place of a ChampCar race...Oh yeah I remember that now. That makes CCWS and ALMS that KSDK blows off, after thoe series paid NBC to broadcast the events to gain wider exposure.

KSDK, the HD leader...no, the leader in annoying its viewers.

What about the poor makeup on the anchors on KSDK? Ouch.

Way too much pancake; at least that's been the case everytime I've watched.

Cheers,

Sometimes it looks as if they have a spotlight on them. Their faces shine WAY too much.

Bob,

Just curious what else I need. I think I need a SATA to eSATA cable, but I'm not sure about the power cord requirements. Also, since you probably know off the top of your head, what's the size of the internal HR20-700 hard drive?

Most decent eSata enclosures include the eSata cable and power cable for external HR20 use, so you're covered there. Mwave offers cable options on that page for internal use of the drive.

The internal drive of the HR20 is 300 gigs.

I'm very surprised that Charter is going into football season without settling their dispute with Belo/KMOV over their HD signal. It's also upsetting that we can't see the US Open Tennis in HD. Is anyone going to satellite because they are missing football in HD on CBS?

I did that last year.

Dropping CBS was the last straw for me. not only was I going to miss football and the Super Bowl, but CSI as well.

And for those keeping track, last year was the second in a row that Charter did not have the Super Bowl in HD.

Unfortunately my TV doesn't have a tuner, so I am stuck with whatever the cable, or now D*, makes available to me. The irony is that if Charter/Moxi/Diego had allowed an OTA antenna, I probably wouldn't have switched, even though I'd miss the NFL Network.

Now I have sat and OTA and it kick's Charter's tush. I can't understand why any self-respecting fan of sports would have Charter.

This is a pretty cool utility: Satellite Dish Alignment Calculator 2.0 (http://www.uksatellitehelp.co.uk/2007/08/12/satellite-alignment-calculator-v2/)
Switch the map to hybrid view and you can get an idea if trees might be a problem.

Thanks,
Token

Making the switch to Direct TV tomorrow from Charter and I have a few questions for you all. Thanks in advance

I am getting the HR20 receiver installed on my primary TV. What are the external HD options? Can I use USB (already have a 500 GB WD drive) or does it have to be ESATA.

Do I have to have a phone line connected to the recievers?

How are the local HD stations recieved? Is this via an OTA antenna or direct through the system?

I have scanned through the pages but the "One Thread" format of this board makes things really hard to find

The external drive for an HR20 has to be eSata. I have a 750gig Seagate Sata inside a Vantec eSata enclosure. Works great.

I know it used to be that all *D receivers had to be on a phone line if you had more than one (that's how they could tell they were actually all in the same house and verify which locals and sports net you were eligible for). Don't really know if that's still the case. Mine are all still connected.

Local HD channels 2, 4, 5, and 30 come in as MPEG-4 through the dish. If you want local HD channels 9 and 11 as well as 5-2 and 11-2, you'll need an antenna for those.

Change of subject, that Kworld HD tuner card I mentioned a few posts back is now up on eBay. Got tired of dealing with that POS. At some point I'll replace it with either an HDhomerun or another Fusion card.

[QUOTE=Robert Simandl;11523567]

Local HD channels 2, 4, 5, and 30 come in as MPEG-4 through the dish. If you want local HD channels 9 and 11 as well as 5-2 and 11-2, you'll need an antenna for those.

QUOTE]

Thanks for the quick reply. Guess I have to go find an ESATA drive.

Forgive me remember I come from the Charter world....I'm guessing 5-2 is KSDK's Weather and 11-2 is that music channel I forget the name. Is this correct?

Also I saw in one of your previous posts that you have your HR20 networked. What functionality is added by connecting to my home network?

Thanks again for your help

[QUOTE=Robert Simandl;11523567]

Local HD channels 2, 4, 5, and 30 come in as MPEG-4 through the dish. If you want local HD channels 9 and 11 as well as 5-2 and 11-2, you'll need an antenna for those.

QUOTE]

Thanks for the quick reply. Guess I have to go find an ESATA drive.

Forgive me remember I come from the Charter world....I'm guessing 5-2 is KSDK's Weather and 11-2 is that music channel I forget the name. Is this correct?

Also I saw in one of your previous posts that you have your HR20 networked. What functionality is added by connecting to my home network?

Thanks again for your help

The network allows media sharing from you pc or mac. The pc is easier to set up. You can view photos and listen to mp3s. There is no video sharing yet...
You will need the networking to use the "VOD" that D* is currently testing.

I don't have a phone line hooked up to any of my receivers. So you should be ok.

Dug

Change of subject, that Kworld HD tuner card I mentioned a few posts back is now up on eBay. Got tired of dealing with that POS. At some point I'll replace it with either an HDhomerun or another Fusion card.

I've been using a Hauppauge HVR-1600 Dual tuner with a FusionHDTV card in my MCE2005 PC and it's been great. I can now record a total of 6 HD channels at once (3 OTA on my MCE PC, 1 OTA & 2 Sat HD on my Dish622)

Now if only there was more good HD content to record. I'm getting tired of seeing the blocking caused by OTA stations with subchannels.

Dave

If anyone is interested in monitoring the developments from the CEDIA Expo (custom home theater market) trade show that is taking place in Denver this week, I've produced a headline summary at the ISF Forum web site that I'm launching later this month.

The site isn't officially open yet (still a small bit of plumbing work to do), but I thought this might be a good venue for getting some initial exposure and feedback.

Here's the URL for the page of news headlines covering CEDIA, as well news stories from a similar show that's taking place in Berlin (IFA):

www.isfforum.com/topics/trade-shows

Feel free to have a look around the rest of the site, and I'd welcome any feedback anyone would like to offer. For the record, there's no problem in passing along the link elsewhere.

FWIW, I think there's a reasonable chance that DirecTV will be making a definitive announcement on the actual launch of its HD programming expansion, if not actually flipping the switch, this week during CEDIA.

Nice looking site, Doug. Lots of good info (& love the snazzy, morphing gray-scale bar).

Good luck with it.

Thanks for the feedback, Saluki.

My mom has DirecTV HD setup and having some issues with her installation. She has the big 5 LNB dish but she claims to have some signal issues. I checked the signal strength and got the following:
101 degrees = 94%
110 degrees = 94%
119 degrees = 97%
103 (a) and (b) = 0%
99 degrees = 0%

I'm a Charter user so I'm a DirecTV noob: can anyone offer some help?

Well, strike 1 to direct tv....the installer told my wife we would have to move the furniture so he could get access behind the equipment. He will be back next week and I will try to take off. There is sufficient access for him to run a cable so I'm not sure why we need to move the furniture. All the HD cables are already ran to the TV and I have a power strip mounted in the cabinet.
Oh well thank goodness the Cowboys are a national game this week. My wife called in and ended up with a $75 credit.

Tuned in to Leno tonight for the first time in about a year to watch Fred Thompson.... geez, kSDk is STILL sending out Dolby 2.0 flagged as 5.1!!!!!

And it looks like they just came back from the commercial break late and missed a few jokes, too.

kSDk is a good argument for letting us have access to distant networks (WNBC, etc)....

.......kSDk is a good argument for letting us have access to distant networks (WNBC, etc)....

Amen, brother! It's pathetic.

My mom has DirecTV HD setup and having some issues with her installation. She has the big 5 LNB dish but she claims to have some signal issues. I checked the signal strength and got the following:
101 degrees = 94%
110 degrees = 94%
119 degrees = 97%
103 (a) and (b) = 0%
99 degrees = 0%

I'm a Charter user so I'm a DirecTV noob: can anyone offer some help?

101, 110, 119 look normal.
103(a) should be 0s on the odds and higher on the evens - like 50s(IIRC)
103(b) is not active yet - should be this week or next.
99 don't recall what this should be.

What are her "signal" issues? Is it on all channels, certain channels, etc?

Chris

I'm about 60 miles out from St. Louis, and currently using a Channelmaster 3671B antenna with a channelmaster 7777 amp. I can get KSDK-DT, KTVI-T, KDNL-DT, and KPLR-DT, but not KETC-DT, or KMOV-DT. According to antenna-web they aren't even listed as available channels.

Are they just not broadcasting as strong as the other channels? I'm just curious about why I can get the other channels but not these.

I hope by the time that analog gets cut off I can receive all the channels, or I'll be SOL.

I can see KETC as a problem but not KMOV - especially since you are getting KPLR (who I think is on the same tower farm). Where are you - north/south/east/west?

Chris

Located about 60 miles due NE

Tuned in to Leno tonight for the first time in about a year to watch Fred Thompson.... geez, kSDk is STILL sending out Dolby 2.0 flagged as 5.1!!!!!

I thought I read somewhere that this was a network issue with NBC, not local. Here in Tulsa, all NBC network stuff is flagged 5.1 no matter what (i.e. Leno), but anything local is flagged 2.0. Can anyone elaborate?

I can see KETC as a problem but not KMOV - especially since you are getting KPLR (who I think is on the same tower farm). Where are you - north/south/east/west?

Chris

KMOV-DT is five miles east of the Shrewsbury Farm (KSDK, KDNL, KPLR), at 55 and Reavis Barracks. KETC is well south, at two miles south of 255 on 21. Could be terrain on that bearing (to KMOV-DT). KETC-DT is still only 124 KW ERP, so no suprise.

I can see KETC as a problem but not KMOV - especially since you are getting KPLR (who I think is on the same tower farm). Where are you - north/south/east/west?

Chris

KPLR and KMOV share the same tower for the analog signal, but KPLR's digital antenna is between KDNL and KSD tower's.
Jim

FYI -- at CEDIA earlier today Monster announced a "development deal" with Digeo, creator of the MOXI DVR system.

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6476000.html?rssid=84

Not sure what this means for Charter customers, if anything, but thought it worth passing on.

More CEDIA news available at www.isfforum.com/topics/trade-shows

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/showpost.php?p=11440664&postcount=5007)

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

Doug-

There are 3 new Charter HD channels if you want to add them on:

790 - Starz HD
795 - A&E HD
796 - History Channel HD

> All effective as of 9/12 <

101, 110, 119 look normal.
103(a) should be 0s on the odds and higher on the evens - like 50s(IIRC)
103(b) is not active yet - should be this week or next.
99 don't recall what this should be.

What are her "signal" issues? Is it on all channels, certain channels, etc?

Chris

Certain channels have issues. She has zero technical knowledge and couldn't explain it well. I left her a legal pad and paper so she can write down the signal issue:
-date/time
-channel
-what happened
-the weather

OK, D* people, we're ready for the flood of information about the new HD channels going live, possibly as early as this weekend. I'm really curious which ones they bring online. Here are the rumored channels:

D* HD Channels May Go Live This Weekend (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dweekendtwo.htm)

The one I really hope E* adds is Sci-Fi HD. I wonder if they know how many people might switch if D* has Sci-Fi and E* doesn't. I won't make the switch anytime soon. I like the ability to record satcasts too much - no way to do that with D*. I'm really curious about bitrate and resolution for the new channels, too.

No matter what, the D* news will be good for HD viewers everywhere. :D

OK, D* people, we're ready for the flood of information about the new HD channels going live, possibly as early as this weekend. I'm really curious which ones they bring online. Here are the rumored channels:

D* HD Channels May Go Live This Weekend (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dweekendtwo.htm)

The one I really hope E* adds is Sci-Fi HD. I wonder if they know how many people might switch if D* has Sci-Fi and E* doesn't. I won't make the switch anytime soon. I like the ability to record satcasts too much - no way to do that with D*. I'm really curious about bitrate and resolution for the new channels, too.

No matter what, the D* news will be good for HD viewers everywhere. :D

Thanks for the link but WTF! I'm not seeing Fox Sports Midwest on that list. :eek:

OK, D* people, we're ready for the flood of information about the new HD channels going live, possibly as early as this weekend. I'm really curious which ones they bring online. Here are the rumored channels:


I'm fresh out of speculation at this point - too many other things going on.

Two things I know:

1) Despite approval from the FCC - D10 has not moved yet. It will take 3 days to move - making this weekend highly doubtful unless it gets its giddy-up on real quick.

2) Not a single rumor is consistent and has the same channels. Whether its the engineering uplinked channels, the rumored DirecTV tech chat, or this report there are always slight deviations in the date and list of channels. Normally at this stage (2-3 days out) you'd have a lot more consistent rumblings - if this was true AND it was going to happen this weekend.

But - I've been wrong before and will be wrong again because I'm not the person making the decisions. So with that said - I've got a big "Who Knows" :confused:

Chris

OK, D* people, we're ready for the flood of information about the new HD channels going live, possibly as early as this weekend. I'm really curious which ones they bring online. Here are the rumored channels:

D* HD Channels May Go Live This Weekend (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dweekendtwo.htm)

The one I really hope E* adds is Sci-Fi HD. I wonder if they know how many people might switch if D* has Sci-Fi and E* doesn't. I won't make the switch anytime soon. I like the ability to record satcasts too much - no way to do that with D*. I'm really curious about bitrate and resolution for the new channels, too.

No matter what, the D* news will be good for HD viewers everywhere. :D

I hope Dish adds TBS HD as well. MLB playofs in SD won't do.
Sci-FiHD would be cool too.

Dave

DirecTV Announces New "Pro" HD DVR

The following story is from Multichannel News:
_____________________________________________________

DirecTV hopes to broaden its appeal to home-theater installers with a high-definition digital video recorder set-top -- called the HR21 Pro -- whose key features include storage for up to 100 hours of MPEG-4 HD content, twice the capacity of the operator’s current HR20 HD DVR.

The box, manufactured by Samsung Electronics, is scheduled to begin production toward the end of October. Distributor and retail pricing has not yet been set, according to DirecTV director of public relations Robert Mercer.

_____________________________________________________

To read the complete story, click here (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6476446.html?nid=3406)

DirecTV Announces New "Pro" HD DVR




The key features not mentioned in this article are:

Rack mountable
1080P output
eSata
Network
HDMI Optical (which is mentioned)
No OTA

Chris

That "no OTA" is a biggie. Since my 6-year old CRT doesn't do 1080p anyway, I'll stick with my new HR20.

On a somewhat related note, until now I hadn't really been able to tell a difference between MPEG-2 locals OTA and MPEG-4 locals through *D. But during Kelly Clarkson's performance on the NFL pregame show, the MPEG-4 channel was pixellating in some spots where the OTA channel was clear.

The OTA isn't quite as pristine as it should be, either.... but there's a bit less pixellating than on the *D channel.

Is it my imagination, or are the commercials on the football game tonight a LOT louder than the game?

I'm almost used to that from KPLR, but wasn't aware of it being an issue with kSDk also?

Is it my imagination, or are the commercials on the football game tonight a LOT louder than the game?

I'm almost used to that from KPLR, but wasn't aware of it being an issue with kSDk also?
I haven't noticed the commercials louder than the game. The new Bud Light
commercials are awesome.

EDIT:
Are you watching this using a Stereo receiver or is the sound from the TV? I notice that the
local commercials are being flagged as stereo and the game is 5.1 along with the NBC National
commercials, so if you are watching this strictly through a TV, I could see the audio changing
on you with the local commercials.

Is it my imagination, or are the commercials on the football game tonight a LOT louder than the game?

I'm almost used to that from KPLR, but wasn't aware of it being an issue with kSDk also?


I'm not watching the football game, but I've noticed that on ALL of the programming I watch on kSDk. It's especially frustrating when I flip to a different channel and have to jump to the volume.
Dug

I run just about EVERYTHING I watch through the surround system, except for maybe the O'Reilly Factor :D

Sounds like it's an issue that's been around for a while. :(

That "no OTA" is a biggie. Since my 6-year old CRT doesn't do 1080p anyway, I'll stick with my new HR20.

On a somewhat related note, until now I hadn't really been able to tell a difference between MPEG-2 locals OTA and MPEG-4 locals through *D. But during Kelly Clarkson's performance on the NFL pregame show, the MPEG-4 channel was pixellating in some spots where the OTA channel was clear.

The OTA isn't quite as pristine as it should be, either.... but there's a bit less pixellating than on the *D channel.

The HR21 Pro is probably going to be >$1000. Its designed to be rack mounted for pure enthusiasts/bars/etc. Not really a home unit.

Now - there is an HR21 which is a home version coming. That puppy will be cheaper than the HR20, but again - no OTA.

As far as the OTA/MPEG4 - I agree. The MPEG4 locals are nice/good - but they don't compare to pure OTA and I don't think any retransmission medium ever will.

Chris

I run just about EVERYTHING I watch through the surround system, except for maybe the O'Reilly Factor :D

Sounds like it's an issue that's been around for a while. :(

That's what everyone should do. Well, except for the O'Reilly thing. :)

Yes, last nights commercials during the game were pretty loud, but actually I think it's because the actual game volume seemed low. I had my Denon 3805 volume set at -12 db. Normally I have it set around -20.

The picture quality sucked worst than the Saints as well. Boo KSDK!

Scott

I like the ability to record satcasts too much - no way to do that with D*.


Hrm, Google didn't give me a clear answer on "satcast". Could you?

Thanks Joe.

Hrm, Google didn't give me a clear answer on "satcast". Could you?

Thanks Joe.

Did I invent that term? I use it as an abbreviation for satellite broadcast. Seriously, no Google hits on that one?

I have a Dish 211 receiver (non-DVR) that's modified with the Nextcom R5000 to be able to record HD satellite broadcasts. It records MPEG2 and the newer MPEG4 broadcasts to the computer. Apparently, the D* receivers can't be modified, since they use circuits that don't allow Nextcom to intercept the signal before it becomes encrypted. MPEG4 is more difficult to work with now, because the codec has fewer tools for editing and authoring. MPEG2 has been around for a long time and the tools to edit, author and archive your footage are readily available and cheap. MPEG4 editing and archiving will take a while longer to become affordable. Dish gives me this capability, so I'd be taking a big step backward with the new D* gear.

i know im fairly new here in avs but i do find this site the most hopeful on the net


so anyways after the buttering up

i have been looking for a dvd calibration kit that includes geometry (avia) not monster

i have checked everywhere, CC , bb, ultimate, sony, hifi fo fum

was wondering if any of you have one lying around that i could possibly

borrow or something?

i need this done by sunday
is way i am not going online to purchase

thx in advance

Did I invent that term? I use it as an abbreviation for satellite broadcast. Seriously, no Google hits on that one?

I have a Dish 211 receiver (non-DVR) that's modified with the Nextcom R5000 to be able to record HD satellite broadcasts. It records MPEG2 and the newer MPEG4 broadcasts to the computer. Apparently, the D* receivers can't be modified, since they use circuits that don't allow Nextcom to intercept the signal before it becomes encrypted. MPEG4 is more difficult to work with now, because the codec has fewer tools for editing and authoring. MPEG2 has been around for a long time and the tools to edit, author and archive your footage are readily available and cheap. MPEG4 editing and archiving will take a while longer to become affordable. Dish gives me this capability, so I'd be taking a big step backward with the new D* gear.

There were a couple of hits so I guess it was more of a clarification question.

Thanks for the info.

E* added 2 new HD channels in the last few days - History Channel HD and The Big Ten Network.

i know im fairly new here in avs but i do find this site the most hopeful on the net


so anyways after the buttering up

i have been looking for a dvd calibration kit that includes geometry (avia) not monster

i have checked everywhere, CC , bb, ultimate, sony, hifi fo fum

was wondering if any of you have one lying around that i could possibly

borrow or something?



Have you considered a professional calibration?

Here's the info:
Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
ISF Calibrations
St. Louis Metro Area

www.clearlyresolved.com
(314) 495-2993

Have you considered a professional calibration?

Here's the info:
Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
ISF Calibrations
St. Louis Metro Area

www.clearlyresolved.com
(314) 495-2993

Although it probably wouldn't get done by sunday, I would HIGHLY recommend that as well. Doug will spend a TON of time to make sure that everything is perfect.

Tim

Have you considered a professional calibration?

Here's the info:
Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
ISF Calibrations
St. Louis Metro Area

www.clearlyresolved.com
(314) 495-2993

this will be worst case scenerio on monday

i would like to thank greg @ elegant home theater

he let me borrow the avia disk

and props to his new shop

if anyone needs help or advice with setting up a home theater

this is your man



i hope this works

I run just about EVERYTHING I watch through the surround system, except for maybe the O'Reilly Factor :D

Sounds like it's an issue that's been around for a while. :(

Next question, do you matrix everything to 5.1 or do you leave it Native?

On my Denon 2807 I matrix everything to 5.1 that isn't broadcast that way.

Next question, do you matrix everything to 5.1 or do you leave it Native?

On my Denon 2807 I matrix everything to 5.1 that isn't broadcast that way.
I know it wasn't directed at me, but I leave it native. Are you suggesting that may be the problem with kSDk?

Next question, do you matrix everything to 5.1 or do you leave it Native?

On my Denon 2807 I matrix everything to 5.1 that isn't broadcast that way.

I leave it native on my Pioneer Elite.

I leave it native on my Pioneer Elite.

Ditto. But it sounds horrible when I switch from say, Letterman to Leno. Letterman sounds fine while Leno has a big hole in the middle with a silent center channel and wings.

Yup, that's a big part of the reason I stopped watching Leno altogether.

E* added 2 new HD channels in the last few days - History Channel HD and The Big Ten Network.

Where is the Big Ten Network located? I feel like a moron, because I can't find it.

Where is the Big Ten Network located? I feel like a moron, because I can't find it.

Not a moron - just a sub-standard channel surfer! :eek: :D

439 (with 440-443 carrying overflow games)

Chris

As far as the OTA/MPEG4 - I agree. The MPEG4 locals are nice/good - but they don't compare to pure OTA and I don't think any retransmission medium ever will.

Chris

I have taken taken the position to sacrifice whatever PQ improvement the OTA has in favor of being able to record more MPEG4 shows on the HR20 with the increased compression. I find myself running low on available disk space when the prime time shows are all new. I finally got the backlog from last year cleared over the summer, but with the new D* HD and fall premiers both about to converge, I'm sure the disk will be filling up again quickly, so every little bit helps.

Mike

Not a moron - just a sub-standard channel surfer! :eek: :D

439 (with 440-443 carrying overflow games)

Chris

Aha! So it obviously isn't HD. I was surprised when he said it was in HD. I didn't think we had it last Saturday did we? I figured after the BIGGEST UPSET IN HISTORY a lot of people were not happy about not seeing it. But heck maybe it was there and I just didn't know it. :o

Aha! So it obviously isn't HD. I was surprised when he said it was in HD. I didn't think we had it last Saturday did we? I figured after the BIGGEST UPSET IN HISTORY a lot of people were not happy about not seeing it. But heck maybe it was there and I just didn't know it. :o

My failure - this is the HD forum. 2 games are on HD today - on channel 9467. Sorry :)

Dish did not show the Big Ten Network last week - only DirecTV did. But DirecTV won't have it in HD until likely next weekend... oh well :rolleyes:

Chris

Chris

Have you noticed the underground work being done on Glen Crossing road east of 159? I thought it was prep for improving the street but yesterday I stopped and asked the workman if they were putting in fiber for U-verse (AT&T trucks). He said, "Yep." Sure hope he is right.

Walt

Yeah I've noticed the VRADs and other items popping up all over the east side.

The problem with U-verse is the single HD stream until 2008! And then it will only allow 2... completely unacceptable to me.

The side benefit though is they are bumping up the DSL speeds as they implement the updates for U-verse... I like that aspect of it!

Chris

My failure - this is the HD forum. 2 games are on HD today - on channel 9467. Sorry :)

Dish did not show the Big Ten Network last week - only DirecTV did. But DirecTV won't have it in HD until likely next weekend... oh well :rolleyes:

Chris

Aha, that's why I couldn't find it. Using the PPV channel. Thanks. Back to takin care of babies, lol.

I have taken taken the position to sacrifice whatever PQ improvement the OTA has in favor of being able to record more MPEG4 shows on the HR20 with the increased compression. I find myself running low on available disk space when the prime time shows are all new. I finally got the backlog from last year cleared over the summer, but with the new D* HD and fall premiers both about to converge, I'm sure the disk will be filling up again quickly, so every little bit helps.


A 750gig eSata drive will help you immensely there.

If I fill that up, I'll be looking into eSata RAID arrays.

I'm just now catching up with Smallville before the new season starts...

Geez.... you guys were right about the sync issues! I only got about 5 minutes into episode 618, "Progeny" from April, before I shut it off. I'm assuming episodes 620 and 622 are the same way? The copies of those two episodes sitting here waiting to be watched are also from KPLR.

For those of you that have installed a Seagate FreeAgent Pro to your HR 20 Directv DVR, do the cables that come with the hard drive work or do I have to buy other cables. I'm using the ones that came with the unit which has a usb on one end and a smaller connection on the other. The HR20-700 never recognizes the external hard drive. The FreeAgent Pro has a usb and smaller connection on the drive. I would appreciate any help.


Thanks
Tom

You'll need to get an eSata cable. Those FreeAgent drives, even though they have eSata jacks on them, only come with USB cables.

What is a eSata cable and can it be purchase locally.

What is a eSata cable and can it be purchase locally.If you don't find one locally, try newegg.com. They ship from Memphis, which is one day via UPS ground. Newegg rocks.

Thanks, I thought the eSata cable was a usb cable. I could not have been more wrong. I'll order one tonight.

Thanks
Tom

Has there been considerable weather-related interference with the DTV "standard" channels (CNN, TMC, SPEED, etc) the past few nights, or does my dish need to be aimed AGAIN?

If it needs aiming, is there anybody in the area who does a more careful job than Premier Communications? This would be the third aiming in 5 months!

Thank you.

Has there been considerable weather-related interference with the DTV "standard" channels (CNN, TMC, SPEED, etc) the past few nights, or does my dish need to be aimed AGAIN?

If it needs aiming, is there anybody in the area who does a more careful job than Premier Communications? This would be the third aiming in 5 months!

Thank you.

Which dish do you have? Is it the 3 LNB, the 5? How old is the cabling & connectors? Have you checked your signal strength when you get drops? It sounds like it's not so much of an alignment issue if it's been aligned 3 times already. When it's been aligned in the past what are your signal strengths? When you call Premier explain your situation and request a senior tech to come out. Have them check the bolts and make sure everything is tightened down. Have them check each connection. Old connectors can corode, get water in them. New ones can be done improperly. Have them inspect the LNBs for cracks. Are there nearby trees blocking it?

Premier
800-210-0355

Which dish do you have? Is it the 3 LNB, the 5? How old is the cabling & connectors?
Apparently 3 LNB, labeled "SlimLine," installed 6 April 2007.

Have you checked your signal strength when you get drops?
Many 0's, most Sat101 transponders in the 30's to 60's. This morning, with clear blue skies and nary a blip on the weather radar, results attached below.

When it's been aligned in the past what are your signal strengths?
Sat101, mostly 80's. BTW, this H20-600 receiver seems to report strengths low.

Are there nearby trees blocking it?[
No, clear shot. Thank you!

Anyone watching the Chiefs game in HD OTA? I'm having alot of sound and video issues. Blocking, bad sounds with feedback, etc.

Anyone watching the Chiefs game in HD OTA? I'm having alot of sound and video issues. Blocking, bad sounds with feedback, etc.

Yep, OTA and D* HD feeds are both almost unwatchable. On top of that, I hear a slight whistle noise while watching D*.

Apparently 3 LNB, labeled "SlimLine," installed 6 April 2007.


Many 0's, most Sat101 transponders in the 30's to 60's. This morning, with clear blue skies and nary a blip on the weather radar, results attached below.


Sat101, mostly 80's. BTW, this H20-600 receiver seems to report strengths low.


No, clear shot. Thank you!

It's a 5 LNB. Two are doubled up.

First off, the cables aren't secured and look like they flop around in the wind. There should be a few cable wraps. If they couldn't bother to even wrap the cables I would question the entire install. For instance, my first installer put the bolt in between the monopole fasteners that go to the dish. They're supposed to grab both ends together and put the bolt through (not between the bolt ends).

Sat 101 readings are low. I doubt your dish was ever peaked. I know D* wil not charge anything for 90 days after an install. Still, I would call Premier and talk to a supervisor. Do NOT talk with Carey. Ask for either Mike or Mike. :)

What are you getting for 103 & 99?

Edit: Ohhhh, i just re-read your post. I know zero about the 600. I suggest you head over to DBStalk.com and find the 600 thread. Here's the link: http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

I just read this post: If you have the national release software 0x14f on your -600's that is normal. It is a problem with the software and will be fixed on the next update. I also have two -600's with CE software and my signals now are the same as all my other receiver's. But anyone with a -600 with NR software will read about 20+% lower then any other receiver they have.

Dan, CE=Cutting Edge and NR=National Release

I know it wasn't directed at me, but I leave it native. Are you suggesting that may be the problem with kSDk?

I believe that is why you would notice such a difference, because it just
goes to two channel and blows you out. The problem with KSDK is that
their sounds aren't level, I think by Matrixing everything, it helps me not notice it.

Yep, OTA and D* HD feeds are both almost unwatchable. On top of that, I hear a slight whistle noise while watching D*.

I called KMOV and talked to the Control Room. I believe they tried working
on it but then gave up and went to 4:3.

The problem did not exist on NFL Sunday Ticket. I couldn't confirm any
other channel, like East Coast CBS cuz they were showing a different game.

Oh yeah..........Hey Scott....GO BEARS!!!!

It's a 5 LNB. Two are doubled up.
Thank you, I finally found that on the "Setup, System Info" screen.

First off, the cables aren't secured and look like they flop around in the wind. There should be a few cable wraps. If they couldn't bother to even wrap the cables I would question the entire install.
And that's after the "we are the consultants hired to train the new installers" technician came out to clean up the ORIGINAL install, which did indeed leave the bolts loose. Actually, the two cables that are in use are tie-wrapped to the mount. The two loose pigtails aren't connected to anything (but still bad practice!)

For instance, my first installer put the bolt in between the monopole fasteners that go to the dish. They're supposed to grab both ends together and put the bolt through (not between the bolt ends).
I can't quite visualize what you mean. Usually all the pieces are clamped between a bolt head and its nut. Do you mean the two ends of the circular clamp around the pole should both be under the bolt head, not bracketing the strut rod in the photo below? That would certainly help keep the clamp tighter!

Sat 101 readings are low. I doubt your dish was ever peaked. I know D* will not charge anything for 90 days after an install.
They sure will! I had to call and explain to them for 20 minutes to get them to remove the $70 charge for Premier's SECOND tech to come and re-aim because the FIRST tech left the bolts loose!

Still, I would call Premier and talk to a supervisor. Do NOT talk with Carey. Ask for either Mike or Mike. :)
Can't talk you into aligning it, eh<G>?

What are you getting for 103 & 99?
All six attached below. I tried to include them all the first time, but the BB limits me to five files per message. Zeros on 99 and 103. The B-band converter is in place, and I did get the confirmation message being transmitted on that channel two weeks ago, but not today.

What really made me think "alignment" was that the highest reading on Sat101 is 84, on Sat110 is 94, and on Sat119 is 97. That is, the readings go up with increasing azimuth, suggesting a tilt.

If you have the national release software 0x14f on your -600's that is normal. It is a problem with the software and will be fixed on the next update.
Original BIOS 0xF14, upgraded to 0x2024 on 8/24/07. That makes the low readings on Sat101 even more suspicious, because it explains why I can now display 97 on Sat119.

Thank you again! I owe you a beer.

A 750gig eSata drive will help you immensely there.

If I fill that up, I'll be looking into eSata RAID arrays.

I was considering it, but I just got a 2nd HR20 last month in another room that I can use for overflow for now. If they ever make it where the eSata supplements the internal drive rather than replace it, I would be much more likely to jump on it.

Mike

Is there a How-To or FAQ on what all I need to install and activate an external eSata drive for my HR20-700. I haven't been good about keeping up to date lately. I think I'm going to need more storage now.

Or does it just plug in and work.

Shut down HR20.

Plug in eSata drive.

Power-on HR20

Setup all recordings/preferences again (since they go with the drive and not the box - and the eSata disables the internal drive).

Thats about it. You should make sure the eSata is powered on with/before the receiver but otherwise it should be clean.

Chris

Shut down HR20.

Plug in eSata drive.

Power-on HR20

Setup all recordings/preferences again (since they go with the drive and not the box - and the eSata disables the internal drive).

Thats about it. You should make sure the eSata is powered on with/before the receiver but otherwise it should be clean.

ChrisThanks Chris. That sounds simple enough. I ordered 2 Seagate 750GB FreeAgent Pro eSata drives from ZipZoomFly. I missed the great CC deal from last week, but got the two for about the same when free shipping and no tax is considered. Also have a pair of SIIG eSata 3.25' cables coming from Newegg.

If I have an eSata drive setup, configured, and with recordings on one HR20, can I re-connect it to another HR20 and access it. Or does it get reset again.

I figure 750GB should just about triple my recording capacity, right?

Shut down HR20.

Plug in eSata drive.

Power-on HR20

Setup all recordings/preferences again (since they go with the drive and not the box - and the eSata disables the internal drive).

Thats about it. You should make sure the eSata is powered on with/before the receiver but otherwise it should be clean.

Chris

Also recommended is a battery backup. That way the eSata drive never shuts off in the first place.

I set mine up the minute the installer left.

If I have an eSata drive setup, configured, and with recordings on one HR20, can I re-connect it to another HR20 and access it. Or does it get reset again.

I figure 750GB should just about triple my recording capacity, right?

Programs on each eSata drive will ONLY play on the specific HR20 that recorded them. You won't be able to record something on the HR20 in the family room, disconnect the drive, and hook it up to the HR20 in the bedroom. It won't play in the bedroom.

750 gigs MORE than triples your recording capacity. *D reserves 100 gigs of the drive for its "showcases" and upcoming video on demand. In the 300 gig internal drive, that leaves 200 gigs for your recordings. On a 750 gig eSata drive, *D reserves the same 100 gigs. This will leave you with 650 gigs for your own shows. Call it a 325% increase.

As if the high definition disc format war weren't confusing enough, a third format is apparently coming soon.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136977-c,hometheatersystems/article.html

That's the NME VMD system I talked about some time ago. It's too bad the technology came along so late. It would have been the perfect successor to regular DVD. As it stands now, this little company may have almost no chance to get anything close to the suppport it needs to succeed. I think they have several Bollywood titles (Indian), and their drives can be made super cheap. They were able to jump the multiple layer red laser hurdles when Toshiba and Sony couldn't.

If they can release a cheap 30-50 GB recorder, they'll have my business even if I don't think they have a prayer of succeeding in Hollywood.

That's the NME VMD system I talked about some time ago. It's too bad the technology came along so late. It would have been the perfect successor to regular DVD. As it stands now, this little company may have almost no chance to get anything close to the suppport it needs to succeed. I think they have several Bollywood titles (Indian), and their drives can be made super cheap. They were able to jump the multiple layer red laser hurdles when Toshiba and Sony couldn't.

If they can release a cheap 30-50 GB recorder, they'll have my business even if I don't think they have a prayer of succeeding in Hollywood.

If their players could play the MKV files I often reencode my 1080i recordings into, they'd have my business in a heartbeat.

Oh yeah..........Hey Scott....GO BEARS!!!!

Hah! Go Boltz! Looking forward to next weeks revenge match with the Pat's on Sunday Night Football.

Scott

The NME VMD disc is interesting, if they can get the recorder off the ground. The company is talking about a PC VMD recorder, as well as authoring software for creating your own content. You can find vague info on the topic here. (http://www.nmeinc.com/products_catalog.aspx)

Here's a list of the titles available on VMD. Note the Mel Gibson titles up front, with the Bollywood stuff at the end.

* Hostage
* We Were Soldiers
* Apocalypto
* Lucky Number Slevin
* Valiant
* Saw II
* Saw III
* Lord of War
* Fireplace & Aquarium
* The Ark
* Help I'm A Fish
* El Cid
* Mid Summer Dream
* Passion of The Christ
* Angeles Ashes
* Babel
* 16 Blocks
* Set up
* Hoodwinked
* Oliver Twist
* Princesse
* La Planete Blanche
* Pulp Fiction
* Sahara
* Demande A La Poussiere
* Gosford Park
* The Descent
* Miss Potter
* The Queen
* Butterfly Effect 1
* Butterfly Effect 2
* Hitcher
* Black Sheep
* Lord of the Rings
* Diario De Um Novo Mundo
* Inside Out
* Avion
* Welcome to LazyTown
* Dr. Rottenstein
* Hero for a Day
* Defeated
* Rottenbeard
* Cry Dinosaur
* Secret Agent Zero
* Sleepless in LazyTown
* Happy Brush Day
* Pixelspix
* LazyTown’s New Super Hero
* Sports Day
* Crystal Caper
* Lazy Scouts
* My Treehouse
* Swiped Sweets
* Sportafake
* The Laziest Town
* Soccer Sucker
* Dear Diary
* Miss Roberta
* Sports Candy Festival
* Remote Control
* Sportacus Who?
* Zap it
* Records Day
* Ziggy’s Alien
* Play Day
* Prince Stingy
* Robbie’s Greatest Misses
* Dancing Duel
* LazyTown’s Greatest Hits
* Sportacus on the Move!
* LazyTown’s Surprise Santa
* Sailor et lula
* Scorpion
* Le caïman
* Spy kids
* Scarie movie 2
* Les chansons d'amour
* Khakar Khakar
* Alaipayuthey
* Pammal K Sambantham
* Panchathanthiram
* Ghilli
* Boys
* Kandukondain Kandukondain
* Water
* Bheja Fry
* Bridge to Tarabitha
* Hanuman
* Malamal Weekly
* Constant Gardner
* Jo Jeeta Wohli Sikander
* Page 3
* Parzania
* Iqbal
* China Town
* Sholay
* Andaz Apana Apna
* Hum Aapke Hai Kaun
* Padosan
* Maine Pyaar Kiya
* Kashmir Ki Kali
* Pyaasa
* Sapoot
* International only
* Khanna & Iyer
* Inquilab
* Namak Haram
* Dil Ek Mandir

I'd buy a player for the novelty of it. They promise the discs will be priced well below equivalent HD DVD and Blu-ray levels. If they can produce a recorder that will allow me to archive some of my movies to a safer disc format, that'd be worth a gamble, too. I'd love to see them blow Toshiba and Sony out of the water, although the likelihood of that happening is slim to none.

Hah! Go Boltz! Looking forward to next weeks revenge match with the Pat's on Sunday Night Football.

Scott

Yeah, I'm kinda of glad they won, that way no whining about how bad the
officiating was (which it was in regards to that offsides play at the goal line).

Other than the audio going out during Fox Football this weekend, overall
the presentation was pretty good.

When on earth are the Fox Sports guys going to upgrade to HD in the studio?

Can't talk you into aligning it, eh<G>?

Thank you again! I owe you a beer.

As far as aligning it, it'd be the bling leading the blind! I've only had the Slimlime since 8/22 and it's much more complicated since D* is using spot beams. I spend a great deal of time reading the forums at DBStalk.com

I am having my own issues with my HD locals & HD package dropping and my signals are much better than yours. The things that have been tried are: Replaced the HR20-700, remove the multi-switch, replace the LNB assembly and double checked ALL connectors. Up next is to make sure the dish is plumb and that it has the correct tilt (correct elevation and azimuth). It's close since my issues are intermittent. So I'll be calling one of the Mikes today too. Btw, when I got the new HR20 that included new BBCs. Do you have those connected to your box? D* will replace those free. You may want to avoid the rush and order them now and keep an extra set onhand.

I know absoultely nothing about the -600. I would call D* and have them credit your account what you have paid the installers if you paid anything before 90 days. Also, get another work order set up. They gave me Showtime free for 3 months and the HD package free for a year for my trouble so far. You should talk with customer retention as they can sort things out best. There is also an executive escalation office but I don't have that info handy.

I've sent you a PM.

Yeah I've noticed the VRADs and other items popping up all over the east side.

The problem with U-verse is the single HD stream until 2008! And then it will only allow 2... completely unacceptable to me.

The side benefit though is they are bumping up the DSL speeds as they implement the updates for U-verse... I like that aspect of it!

Chris

I haven't noticed anything in the downtown area. :(

I haven't noticed anything in the downtown area. :(

You should join us on the dark side of town...muhahahahaha... :rolleyes:

Chris

Is it possible Warner Bros. could be going HD DVD exclusive, too?

Check it out here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/warner091007.htm)

Blu-ray is dead! "Here's a sack of money." HD DVD is dead! "How would you like a sack of money?" Blu-ray is dead! "This sack of money is too heavy for me. You take it." HD DVD is dead! "I don't like all this money. It's weighing me down. Do you want some?"

Who's that little guy over there with a sack lunch, watching everything from a lawn chair and laughing? He's wearing a VMD t-shirt.

This dramatization has been brought to you by VMD. "We don't have any extra sacks of money, so we can only hope those two guys over there just end up killing each other."

Joe,

The idea that HD DVD and Blu-ray are only succeeding in killing each other has at least some basis in fact.

At last week's CEDIA Expo in Denver, Sony held a press conference to claim that sales of standalone Blu-ray players had overtaken sales of standalone HD DVD players. Little noticed by most of the media that attended this briefing, but Sony included a slide in the presentation that also showed Blu-ray disc sales with a decided advantage over HD DVD disc sales. What slipped past most reporters (and apparently Blu-ray's handlers) was that the graphic also showed that disc sales for BOTH formats were down 35-50% from 6 months earlier.

So, while sales of players of all types (standalone and game consoles) were increasing, sales of discs were down dramatically.

http://www.isfforum.com/Video-Savant/HD-Disc-Wars/Blu-Ray-HD-Disc-Sales-Go-Kerplunk.html

As my blog item above notes, this could just be a short-term data anomaly, but if this trend does not dramatically reverse itself in the next quarter or two, it's very possible that the format war will be a tale of mutually assured destruction.

Here's my lastest gripe with HD-DVD. I drove to Bestbuy to buy 300. I picked it up, saw the $34.99 price, shook my head in disbelief, walked out of the store thinking I am drawing the line at $24.99. I refuse to support this crap.

Joe, I hope your dramatization happens soon.

Scott

Here's my lastest gripe with HD-DVD. I drove to Bestbuy to buy 300. I picked it up, saw the $34.99 price, shook my head in disbelief, walked out of the store thinking I am drawing the line at $24.99. I refuse to support this crap.

Joe, I hope your dramatization happens soon.

ScottI'm still holding at my DVD player and collection of disks. When the whole HD-DVD/BRD thing started I knew it was a really screwed up situation that could only end badly for the consumer. I still believe that. It was bad enough that if you bought only one of the players you could be locked out of a catalog of titles available only for the other player. Now it could play out even worse as catalogs switch from one to the other through industry wheeling and dealing. And I don't see it getting better anytime soon because the music/movie industry is pretty rock bottom anyway -- clueless and lacking any quality.

Man...I need to go listen to my analog LP recording of Herbert von Karajan's 1961 Beethoven Symphonies. I have to remind myself this was actually about art at one time in the distant past. :rolleyes:

Here's my lastest gripe with HD-DVD. I drove to Bestbuy to buy 300. I picked it up, saw the $34.99 price, shook my head in disbelief, walked out of the store thinking I am drawing the line at $24.99. I refuse to support this crap.

Joe, I hope your dramatization happens soon.

Scott


That's why I'm relying on Netflix thill things shake out. Even then I'll only be buying "Must Haves" once the special editions are released.

You should join us on the dark side of town...muhahahahaha... :rolleyes:

Chris

nah...but you are welcome for me voting "yes" for a new school for your "dark side" of town....:D

Then again, I would have a much clearer shot for OTA and sat reception...

Here's my lastest gripe with HD-DVD. I drove to Bestbuy to buy 300. I picked it up, saw the $34.99 price, shook my head in disbelief, walked out of the store thinking I am drawing the line at $24.99. I refuse to support this crap.

Joe, I hope your dramatization happens soon.

Scott


Obviously I can tell a difference between an HD disc format and my progressive scan DVD player, but I still think its too much of an investment for what it is, as of now.

I went through this junk before when I got my Toshiba DVD player in 1997. Expensive player, $30-$40 for movies, limited selection, etc...then of course everything drops in price.

IMO, I'm tired of supporting new formats, after DVD, DVR, my Ipod and HDTV. I am done supporting the newest "cool" thing. I've become a bit bitter. I'm tired of shelling out $$$ and then watching a few years later as my parents or someone pays a fraction of the cost that I did for the same thing.

What we need is cheap players and a flood of titles at reasonable prices. And, oh, yeah, we need for the 2 big bullies to stop bitch slapping each other and getting their blood all over everyone else in the room.

What we need is cheap players and a flood of titles at reasonable prices. And, oh, yeah, we need for the 2 big bullies to stop bitch slapping each other and getting their blood all over everyone else in the room.No, what we need is high definition streaming video on demand, at a reasonable price, that's not crippled by DRM.

Oh...and my grill is ready for that flying pig...

Here's (http://www.tvpredictions.com/hdvmd091107.htm) a TV Predictions article on VMD.

If I see a VMD player in one of my frequent walks through Costco, it's going straight into the cart.

I'm horror struck that you'd BBQ a flying pig... . Hmmmm, let me know how it tastes. :D

I'm horror struck that you'd BBQ a flying pig... . Hmmmm, let me know how it tastes. :D

Flying pig tastes like Buffalo wings... except a little leaner... :)

Chris

Here's (http://www.tvpredictions.com/hdvmd091107.htm) a TV Predictions article on VMD.

If I see a VMD player in one of my frequent walks through Costco, it's going straight into the cart.



As long as VMD burners and authoring software are also available at some point, I'm right there with ya.... whether there's any studio support or not!

No word yet on just when they're gonna show up.

Let me know when they do. :)

Direct TV Newbie Question

Forgive me I am new to DTV but I have a question regarding the guide data. My system was installed today and still 10 hours later I barely have a day and a half worth of guide data. My boxes are not connected via phone line and the CSC was informed of this.

How long does this take? Can I trigger an update manually somehow.

Thanks

Joe,

I must not be paying attention (quite likely), but I'm completely lost as to why you would buy a VMD player.

It sounds like an expensive protest vote, but I know there's more going on than that. But I don't get what that might be. Maybe I'm just too blinkered in thinking that if two formats is a problem, having three is only going to make things worse.

Help me understand. :)

I'm wondering what the reception area for OTA broadcasts for the various St. Louis stations in HD is. I live in Washington (Missouri, not DC) and can pick up 5, 11, 2, 30, and 24 in HD, and they all come in pretty good. But no CBS (4) or PBS (9).

Currently I am using an antenna feed which comes into the apartment, hooked up to an amplifier, going to two different HD cards installed in two computers.

I've never been able to pick up a hint of KMOV or KETC. I'm wondering what are the farthest outlying areas that can pick these up. Do these stations have a weak HD signal or what? Its pathetic I can pick up KNLC and Larry Rice, but not these two major stations.

Charter where I live doesn't offer HD over cable (last time I checked). My north facing apartment wouldn't work with a satellite dish, so I don't really have any options for getting HD other then OTA. But I really would like to get CBS and PBS.

Can anyone else living in outlying areas tell me their experience trying to pick up these stations in HD? Thanks in advance.

Joe,

I must not be paying attention (quite likely), but I'm completely lost as to why you would buy a VMD player.

It sounds like an expensive protest vote, but I know there's more going on than that. But I don't get what that might be. Maybe I'm just too blinkered in thinking that if two formats is a problem, having three is only going to make things worse.

Help me understand. :)

It's not a protest vote. Back in the '80's I owned a VHS recorder, a laserdisc player and even an RCA CED player (absolutely horrible format - think vinyl video record). Much as I wanted to stay out of this HD mess, I got sucked in with the HD DVD authoring possibilities. Now, I'm hooked on the 1080 image, despite the fact that I recognize the foolishness this HD "war" represents.

Also, for better or worse, I'm an early adopter and video collector. It's a pattern unlikely to change. I spent a lot more on VHS and laserdisc than I have on HD. And, even though I knew from the start that DVD was only an interim format until true HD hit, I got sucked in by the better quality image it provided. So, I have a lot of DVD's, even though I may end up doing what I did with my VHS tapes - give them away.

I actually find the VMD technology the most interesting of all three hi-def formats. If they come out with a VMD storage drive for the PC any time soon, I'll really be interested. There are lots of storage technologies that have the potential to be better than HD DVD or Blu-ray. VMD is one of them. This mess isn't going to be settled any time soon, and I'm going to enjoy what's available. VMD is the least expensive option, compared to the much pricier HD DVD and Blu-ray players. If it fails utterly, I won't have lost very much.

If that still doesn't make my position clear, I'll offer an easier to understand explanation for my behavior - I'm an idiot.

Direct TV Newbie Question

Forgive me I am new to DTV but I have a question regarding the guide data. My system was installed today and still 10 hours later I barely have a day and a half worth of guide data. My boxes are not connected via phone line and the CSC was informed of this.

How long does this take? Can I trigger an update manually somehow.

Thanks

It's always a good idea to post what model equipment you have.

In general, it can take up to 24 hours for the guide data to populate.

Joe, thanks for the reply. Apart from your last sentence, that all makes sense to me.

While I haven't lived with either Blu-ray or HD DVD on a day-to-day basis, I have had plenty of quality auditioning time with each and I think both formats deliver excellent image quality and I'd personally be happy if either one of them were the sole HD disc format.

And ultimately, I think, that's the problem with this format war -- there's not enough of a difference in the competing technologies to really justify the fact that this is a "competition." And now, more than ever, the entire focus of this format battle is all about the potential billions in long-term licensing fees. No doubt this explains why either Toshiba or Sony are going to end up throwing more than a quarter of a billion dollars at Warner in order to get them to pick one side at the expense of the other.

As for VMD, I don't find the introduction of a third format in any way helpful in getting this mess resolved, but then it probably doesn't pose any meaningful impediment to sorting it out either. From my perspective, I don't see any way that VMD could be more irrelevant. Apart from the lack of Widescreen Review cheerleading, it look like D-Theater on rewind...

I think the long-term factor in all of this is that there is a significant and growing number of consumers who COULD be buying an HD disc player and discs, but will not do so until there's an obvious single-format path to follow. The longer this "war" goes on, the greater the number of potential buyers out there who will resist buying any sort of HD disc player -- even after one format stands alone.

I think the hard feelings expressed here whenever this topic comes up is typical of the market at large and it explains why more than half of potential buyers appear quite content to sit tight in the "I Don't Know/I Don't Care" camp.

All that said, I'm going to have to break down (with massive reluctance) and buy two or three discs in each format for evaluation/verification purposes. Any recommendations?

I live about 10 miles south of Belleville in Smithton, IL. Is anybody able to pick up Carbondale, Paducah, or Cape Girardeau stations OTA? If so, what are the digital channel numbers? It would be nice to possibly watch some out of market football games. I appreciate any responses.

KC

I live about 10 miles south of Belleville in Smithton, IL. Is anybody able to pick up Carbondale, Paducah, or Cape Girardeau stations OTA? If so, what are the digital channel numbers? It would be nice to possibly watch some out of market football games. I appreciate any responses.

KC

We own WDKA-DT (50) Paducah and KBSI-DT (22) in Cape...both at full authorized power. I'd be interested to know if you can get them. The WDKA transmitter is in Vianna north of Paducah.
jim

Joe, thanks for the reply. Apart from your last sentence, that all makes sense to me.

While I haven't lived with either Blu-ray or HD DVD on a day-to-day basis, I have had plenty of quality auditioning time with each and I think both formats deliver excellent image quality and I'd personally be happy if either one of them were the sole HD disc format.

And ultimately, I think, that's the problem with this format war -- there's not enough of a difference in the competing technologies to really justify the fact that this is a "competition." And now, more than ever, the entire focus of this format battle is all about the potential billions in long-term licensing fees. No doubt this explains why either Toshiba or Sony are going to end up throwing more than a quarter of a billion dollars at Warner in order to get them to pick one side at the expense of the other.

As for VMD, I don't find the introduction of a third format in any way helpful in getting this mess resolved, but then it probably doesn't pose any meaningful impediment to sorting it out either. From my perspective, I don't see any way that VMD could be more irrelevant. Apart from the lack of Widescreen Review cheerleading, it look like D-Theater on rewind...

I think the long-term factor in all of this is that there is a significant and growing number of consumers who COULD be buying an HD disc player and discs, but will not do so until there's an obvious single-format path to follow. The longer this "war" goes on, the greater the number of potential buyers out there who will resist buying any sort of HD disc player -- even after one format stands alone.

I think the hard feelings expressed here whenever this topic comes up is typical of the market at large and it explains why more than half of potential buyers appear quite content to sit tight in the "I Don't Know/I Don't Care" camp.

All that said, I'm going to have to break down (with massive reluctance) and buy two or three discs in each format for evaluation/verification purposes. Any recommendations?

For video quality, King Kong is hard to beat on HD DVD (resolution, dark and light scenes), and I really like Seabiscuit. Also, any of the Planet Earth HD DVD's would work. I still don't have any first hand experience with Blu-ray, although as soon as the new LG PC drive hits the market (due any day now), I'll be able to audition it, too.

The problem with both formats, as next generation successors to DVD, is that they are only incrementally better. VMD is, too, except that it found a way to be incrementally better without being a lot more expensive. VMD is based on red laser technology, like DVD, but it manages to cram all the capacity onto the same size disc as Toshiba and Sony's expensive blue laser alternatives. Until something a LOT better comes along (e.g. holographic storage, if they can make that work affordably), VMD makes more sense to the industry than HD DVD or Blu-ray. That's why HD DVD made more sense to me than Blu-ray. It managed to be less costly and less disruptive to the production infrastructure than Blu-ray.

The other side of the problem for the studios is that DVD is good enough for most people, because most people still don't have sets with the resolution or the size to be able to tell much difference between DVD and the hi-def formats. At 50' some people might pick me over Brad Pitt as the better looking guy. OK, bad example, make that 50 yards, but you can see my point.

And the other, other side of the problem is that they still want to charge too much. The hardware companies want to charge too much for the players, and the studios want to charge too much for the movies and TV shows. That won't draw converts to hi-def. VMD can charge a lot less because the existing infrastructure that they use (red laser) makes it all very possible.

We own WDKA-DT (50) Paducah and KBSI-DT (22) in Cape...both at full authorized power. I'd be interested to know if you can get them. The WDKA transmitter is in Vianna north of Paducah.
jim

We bought our new HD TV in early March and use an amplified indoor antenna. When we first fired it up we could pick up one of the stations from Carbondale. I don't remember which one. We also could reliably receive the St Louis public television station KETC 9-1. Now I can't get even get a digital signal from KETC. I assume it has something to do with atmospherics, because the last time I tried to tune it in was a couple of weeks ago when it was still hot.

FCC approves rules for 2009 digital TV transition

-http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6477796.html

While we passed the T-minus two year mark earlier this year, the FCC has just now approved rules "that it says will ensure that millions of cable subscribers will still be able to watch broadcast programming after the digital television transition in 2009." Judging by reports, not a whole lot of new material was covered, but the new FCC rules reportedly mandate that cable operators "either convert the digital signal to analog at the point where the cable signal originates or supply customers with a down converter device that will change digital signals to analog at the TV set." Interestingly, the FCC "did not require operators to pass through every bit of information, as broadcasters had pushed for," and while smaller cable systems will be able to request a waiver, all providers will be required to "guarantee that analog cable customers will receive broadcast channels until February 2012."

For video quality, King Kong is hard to beat on HD DVD (resolution, dark and light scenes), and I really like Seabiscuit. Also, any of the Planet Earth HD DVD's would work. I still don't have any first hand experience with Blu-ray, although as soon as the new LG PC drive hits the market (due any day now), I'll be able to audition it, too.

The problem with both formats, as next generation successors to DVD, is that they are only incrementally better. VMD is, too, except that it found a way to be incrementally better without being a lot more expensive. VMD is based on red laser technology, like DVD, but it manages to cram all the capacity onto the same size disc as Toshiba and Sony's expensive blue laser alternatives. Until something a LOT better comes along (e.g. holographic storage, if they can make that work affordably), VMD makes more sense to the industry than HD DVD or Blu-ray. That's why HD DVD made more sense to me than Blu-ray. It managed to be less costly and less disruptive to the production infrastructure than Blu-ray.

The other side of the problem for the studios is that DVD is good enough for most people, because most people still don't have sets with the resolution or the size to be able to tell much difference between DVD and the hi-def formats. At 50' some people might pick me over Brad Pitt as the better looking guy. OK, bad example, make that 50 yards, but you can see my point.

And the other, other side of the problem is that they still want to charge too much. The hardware companies want to charge too much for the players, and the studios want to charge too much for the movies and TV shows. That won't draw converts to hi-def. VMD can charge a lot less because the existing infrastructure that they use (red laser) makes it all very possible.Thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know what I end up picking up, but KK and SB are both great choices.

I agree with you completely on the "incremental improvement." A big, big part of the upgrade in picture quality that we gained with standard-def DVD was due to the fact that DVD is based on component video, rather than composite video, the video standard of all previous packaged media. Composite video tosses away a significant amount of color information at the signal acquisition stage, and it is never recovered. So, a big part of the difference between DVD and VHS (or even LaserDisc), is DVD's component color foundation. There's no similar dramatic increase in color format in going from DVD to the newer formats.

It also makes perfect sense that you would be more driven toward the HD formats because of the fact that you use a projector, large screen and because you are already at 1080p resolution.

In general, picture resolution is the least important factor in image quality among the big four -- contrast ratio, grayscale accuracy, color accuracy and resolution.

When initial research was done for the US HDTV system, engineers determined that the average viewer required approximately an eight-fold increase in picture resolution to notice and appreciate the difference over NTSC. That goes a long way toward explaining why there's not a significant picture quality difference between a 720p display and one that has native resolution of 1080p. Sure, there is a difference, and if you're hanging out here much you likely recognize that difference, but most viewers can't see it (unless they are moving closer to screen).

Still, the increase from DVD (approximately 480 x 720) and HD at 1080p (1080 x 1920) more or less meets the 8x resolution increase threshhold.

I noticed a much bigger increase in audio quality going from my Edge speakers to new Energy's (RC-LCR's and RC-R's) than I did in video quality going from my Optoma H79 720p projector to the new Sharp 1080p projector. The audio quality difference was dramatic, the video difference much more subtle. I wouldn't have made the leap but for the fact that the Optoma failed on me 7 times in the two years I struggled with it.

The Optoma had a Darkchip 3 DLP, like the Sharp, so the contrast was good. I agree wholeheartedly that contrast and color accuracy are more important to image quality than resolution. All other things being equal, though, I can tell a difference in the improved sharpness of the 1080p image with the right material. The Sharp's CMS (color management system) allowed you to dial in the color of the Sharp much better than the Optoma and the difference there is dramatic.

I'm wondering what the reception area for OTA broadcasts for the various St. Louis stations in HD is. I live in Washington (Missouri, not DC) and can pick up 5, 11, 2, 30, and 24 in HD, and they all come in pretty good. But no CBS (4) or PBS (9).

Currently I am using an antenna feed which comes into the apartment, hooked up to an amplifier, going to two different HD cards installed in two computers.

I've never been able to pick up a hint of KMOV or KETC. I'm wondering what are the farthest outlying areas that can pick these up. Do these stations have a weak HD signal or what? Its pathetic I can pick up KNLC and Larry Rice, but not these two major stations.

Charter where I live doesn't offer HD over cable (last time I checked). My north facing apartment wouldn't work with a satellite dish, so I don't really have any options for getting HD other then OTA. But I really would like to get CBS and PBS.

Can anyone else living in outlying areas tell me their experience trying to pick up these stations in HD? Thanks in advance.

I don't live in washington so I cant tell what channels you maybe able to pickup. If you described more of your antenna setup it would be a little to help with some suggestions. But i searched Washington, MO on antennaweb.org and it says that you are approx 40 miles away from CBS and 35 miles away from PBS broadcast towers basically East of Washington. Thats a rather long distance away. I noticed that you said you lived in an apartment you might not be able to erect an outdoor antenna. If you can, these long range antennas would probably be your best bets to get all the HD channels (I provided Links Below). If you cannot install an outdoor antenna your best bet is the indoor Zenith ZHDTV, a highly directional indoor antenna. But i doubt it will pick up signals from 40 miles away. In general, if you cant install a high gain outdoor antenna there probably isn't a whole lot that can be done to pick up those two channels.

Directional Antenna
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-91XG
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-43XG
MultiDirectional
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=&PROD=ANC4228
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&PROD=AD-DB8
Zenith ZHDTV1 (also Phillips, same thing)
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1-Digital-HDTV-UHF-Antenna/dp/B0007XDI54******pd_bbs_1/002-5217444-7066414?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1189658690&sr=8-1

I live about 10 miles south of Belleville in Smithton, IL. Is anybody able to pick up Carbondale, Paducah, or Cape Girardeau stations OTA? If so, what are the digital channel numbers? It would be nice to possibly watch some out of market football games. I appreciate any responses.

KC

I'm in Red Bud, about 14 miles south of Smithton and I'm able to pick up the Carbondale WSIU stations on 008-1, 2, 3, and 4. I'm using the OTA tuner on a Dish Network 622 receiver and one of the large rooftop antennas aimed to pick up the St. Louis stations. AntennaWeb (www.antennaweb.org) indicates that I could get Paducah and Cape stations with a multidirectional antenna and pre-amp, but for Smithton, those digital stations aren't listed so you may be just a little too far north.

I'm in Red Bud, about 14 miles south of Smithton and I'm able to pick up the Carbondale WSIU stations on 008-1, 2, 3, and 4. I'm using the OTA tuner on a Dish Network 622 receiver and one of the large rooftop antennas aimed to pick up the St. Louis stations. AntennaWeb (www.antennaweb.org) indicates that I could get Paducah and Cape stations with a multidirectional antenna and pre-amp, but for Smithton, those digital stations aren't listed so you may be just a little too far north.

I can pick up WSIU as well with my amplified indoor antenna. Pretty sad I get Carbondale but not St. Louis PBS station.

Here's an explanation of parity (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11610968#post11610968) that actually makes sense to me mathematically. It's kinda simple, really. Google didn't find such an explanation for me in the past and I lived in darkness. I like it, even though the elimination of magic from the definition is bittersweet. As e.e. cummings said, "I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10000 stars how not to dance." RAID 5 doesn't dance for me anymore. I'll get over it.

I can pick up WSIU as well with my amplified indoor antenna. Pretty sad I get Carbondale but not St. Louis PBS station.

I thought one of the substations for STL PBS was the carbondale pbs (wsiu)? Are you sure you were picking up the one actually from carbondale and not the retransmission from STL?

What football games do you think will be on those stations thats not on our affiliates? I looked at one of those stations webpages and looks like the same games. I think they are still Rams territorial rights.

Just heard the kSDk sportscast tonight and they mentioned they tried to get another station to pickup the golf tournament on Saturday, but there were no takers. Therefore, they will switch to golf following the Cards game.

Just heard the kSDk sportscast tonight and they mentioned they tried to get another station to pickup the golf tournament on Saturday, but there were no takers. Therefore, they will switch to golf following the Cards game.
Why don't they put it on 5-2? I can't understand why they don't utilize all their bandwidth more effectively.

I thought one of the substations for STL PBS was the carbondale pbs (wsiu)? Are you sure you were picking up the one actually from carbondale and not the retransmission from STL?

What football games do you think will be on those stations thats not on our affiliates? I looked at one of those stations webpages and looks like the same games. I think they are still Rams territorial rights.


Ok on the football games, chances are you'll see the same games as we do in STL, on our cable in Flora, we have KFVS out of cape, and they almost always have the same game as KMOV, unless the Chiefs are on a bye week, then they usually will show the Titans games, but when the rams are on cbs, KFVS shows the rams game.

and on the carbondale PBS, actually the tower for WSIU is closer to STL than Carbondale with it's tower north of Duquoin, IL. And WSIU is NOT a repeater of KETC, WSIU is it's own PBS station that actually has it's own sister station in Olney, Il at WUSI TV 16, which folks as far as say Breese and Caryle should be able to pick up on antennas.

I don't live in washington so I cant tell what channels you maybe able to pickup. If you described more of your antenna setup it would be a little to help with some suggestions. But i searched Washington, MO on antennaweb.org and it says that you are approx 40 miles away from CBS and 35 miles away from PBS broadcast towers basically East of Washington. Thats a rather long distance away. I noticed that you said you lived in an apartment you might not be able to erect an outdoor antenna. If you can, these long range antennas would probably be your best bets to get all the HD channels (I provided Links Below). If you cannot install an outdoor antenna your best bet is the indoor Zenith ZHDTV, a highly directional indoor antenna. But i doubt it will pick up signals from 40 miles away. In general, if you cant install a high gain outdoor antenna there probably isn't a whole lot that can be done to pick up those two channels.

Directional Antenna
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-91XG
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-43XG
MultiDirectional
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=&PROD=ANC4228
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&PROD=AD-DB8
Zenith ZHDTV1 (also Phillips, same thing)
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1-Digital-HDTV-UHF-Antenna/dp/B0007XDI54******pd_bbs_1/002-5217444-7066414?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1189658690&sr=8-1


Thanks for replying. Yea, I live on the bottom floor of an apartment building, which has an OTA antenna cable coming in through the wall. I can't really do much about that. I did try a directional UHF antenna with an amplifier in my apartment, and I get about the same, or maybe not quite as good as the cable through the wall.

I'm not surprised I can't get kmov or ketc, really. What surprises me is I can get every other station, and pretty solidly at that. Even channel 24's HD station. But I can't get a hint of signal for 4 and 9, with periodically trying over several years.

I guess there's not much you can do being in an apartment. :( I'm between Marthasville and Warrenton, and generally receive all the channels OK, using a pretty big Radio Shack antenna on a 2-story house, with a CM 7777 pre-amp (made the biggest difference when first trying to get better signals!). I think it's kinda low here, so needed all the help I could get.

Anyway, signals on all channels but PBS/KETC-9 are usually about 90% quality on the DirecTV reciever's tuner. Channel 9 (not full power) is around 60-70%, and it's 43 miles away. CBS/KMOV-4 is farthest at 47 miles. Other channels are in between distance-wise. 24 and 46, which I don't watch, are a few miles closer.

Some days there may be times when the signal on one channel is dropping out pretty bad, but overall I consider it pretty good reception.

Just heard the kSDk sportscast tonight and they mentioned they tried to get another station to pickup the golf tournament on Saturday, but there were no takers. Therefore, they will switch to golf following the Cards game.

Were they talking Sat or Sunday?
Right now TitanTV shows Golf for Saturday, Baseball Sunday.
Has this changed?


Unfortunatley we also will have to sit through the post mortem.. er post game show, so we will get about 30min of golf :mad:

Dave

and on the carbondale PBS, actually the tower for WSIU is closer to STL than Carbondale with it's tower north of Duquoin, IL. And WSIU is NOT a repeater of KETC, WSIU is it's own PBS station that actually has it's own sister station in Olney, Il at WUSI TV 16, which folks as far as say Breese and Caryle should be able to pick up on antennas.

I think you misunderstood part of what I said...on of STL's subchannels is WSIU. I'm aware its a different PBS. We have four PBS stations available in STL...KETC, the national feed, Sprout and WSIU. I was just making sure that he was picking up WSIU itself and not the one from STL.

I'm not too familiar with the area he's from, but it looks like a gray area in between PBS towers.

I got the first of my two Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750GB eSata drives yesterday. Got it hooked up to my living-room HR20-700 and it worked great right off the bat. Bummer about having to reacquire guide data and setting up everything again, but it'll be worth it.

Second one will go in the bedroom, but wow, that orange light on the drive is a bit extreme. I'm going to need to cover that. I'm thinking about just using some black electricians tape or something similar. has anyone come up with something better to eliminate the lighting?

I bought one of those at Costco the other day and the cable came yesterday. They are pretty cool. Anyway install their software on you computer and hook up the drive and there will be an option to turn of the yellow light.

Tom

I bought one of those at Costco the other day and the cable came yesterday. They are pretty cool. Anyway install their software on you computer and hook up the drive and there will be an option to turn of the yellow light.

TomThanks for the info. I hate it when they enable HW features only in Windows software. When I got the drive I immediately connected it to my DVR. I knew it came with Windows backup software but didn't care since I don't keep data I care about on my PC.

Were they talking Sat or Sunday?
Right now TitanTV shows Golf for Saturday, Baseball Sunday.
Has this changed?


Unfortunatley we also will have to sit through the post mortem.. er post game show, so we will get about 30min of golf :mad:

Dave

I thought I heard Saturday, but maybe they were talking about Sunday.

Second one will go in the bedroom, but wow, that orange light on the drive is a bit extreme. I'm going to need to cover that. I'm thinking about just using some black electricians tape or something similar. has anyone come up with something better to eliminate the lighting?

You could try that tack stuff. I can't recall the name. It's usually blue or yellow. It's re-usable and comes off walls easily. The consistency reminds me of chewing gum after working it into a ball.. You could use a tiny bit with paper or the duller side of tin foil cut to fit. These units run pretty hot already and using the furnace isn't too far away so I wouldn't use tape.

I'm guessing you already figured out how to dim or turn off the blue ring of lights.

I'm guessing you already figured out how to dim or turn off the blue ring of lights.Yeah, about a year ago, but long forgotten. The bedroom unit goes into standby at night, and the blue ring doesn't bother us otherwise. I had it dimmed or off originally, but it came on again after a firmware download so I didn't bother with it anymore.

Yeah, about a year ago, but long forgotten. The bedroom unit goes into standby at night, and the blue ring doesn't bother us otherwise. I had it dimmed or off originally, but it came on again after a firmware download so I didn't bother with it anymore.

I only have one HD set and one HR20. I held off as long as I could. I wanted to wait until they only used Slimline dishes, OTA was enabled and most bugs worked out.

Yeah, after every software update or power outage it lights up again.

I think you misunderstood part of what I said...on of STL's subchannels is WSIU. I'm aware its a different PBS. We have four PBS stations available in STL...KETC, the national feed, Sprout and WSIU. I was just making sure that he was picking up WSIU itself and not the one from STL.

I'm not too familiar with the area he's from, but it looks like a gray area in between PBS towers.

I am actually picking up the Carbondale signal: 8-1, 8-2, etc. I currently cannot pick up KETC 9-1 which surprises me because when we first got the tv back in March I could pick up the KETC signal. Everything is working well with my tv. I don't know if the station changed the signal or if it is just atmospherics.

All that said, I'm going to have to break down (with massive reluctance) and buy two or three discs in each format for evaluation/verification purposes. Any recommendations?

Apocolypto on Blu-Ray was fantastic. It was probable the best thing I've seen on either format. I've only watched the first little bit of Casino Royale, but it was pretty good also.

The Matrix movies were great too. However, you could easily tell when they switched from live action to animation. Kinda took me out of the movie temporarily.

I don't think there is a lot of difference in the video between the two formats, but it has definitely spoiled me in comparison to HD-Lite on D*. The macroblocking was very noticeable when I watched football this past weekend.

DirecTV finishes FOURTH in a THREE-horse race... :(

From our Fox Sports Network Midwest source:
__________________________________________________

Sorry for the slow reply. I received a brief update from one of our DirecTV contacts. It doesn’t sound like FSN Midwest HD will be available on DirecTV before the end of baseball season, but we should expect it in the next few months (by first quarter 2008).

Hope this helps. I’ll keep my ear to the ground for more details.
__________________________________________________

Insight Communications? Who 'Dey?

From the "One Step Forward, Three Steps Back" Department:
________________________________________________

Ultimate Electronics Entering White Goods Business

Ultimate Electronics is adding major appliances to its CE assortment.

The A/V specialty chain began testing the category this month in Oklahoma with a massive 350-SKU selection of laundry and kitchen products that are filling upwards of 40 percent of its three lab store sales floors. More...
________________________________________________

Source: This Week in Consumer Electronics (TWICE)

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/showpost.php?p=11440664&postcount=5007)

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

From the "One Step Forward, Three Steps Back" Department:
________________________________________________

Ultimate Electronics Entering White Goods Business

Ultimate Electronics is adding major appliances to its CE assortment.

The A/V specialty chain began testing the category this month in Oklahoma with a massive 350-SKU selection of laundry and kitchen products that are filling upwards of 40 percent of its three lab store sales floors. More...
________________________________________________

Source: This Week in Consumer Electronics (TWICE)

Did they say anything about changing their name to "SILO"?

Did they say anything about changing their name to "SILO"?

Or, they could add furniture and be like American. :) I bought my first washer and dryer from a Silo in San Diego 20 years ago. I used to like going to that store.

Actually appliances and electronics go well together. Look at Bestbuy. I always thought Circuit City getting rid of appliances was a mistake. Either way, Ultimate is slipping. I have been a big supporter of UE over the years, but tonight my Dad and I bought a Plasma from Circuit City. The idiot Manager at the UE in Ballwin pissed me off by trying to screw my Sister in law over. She took her Denon 3805 to them for service and they gave it back to her with a huge dent in the rear panel. Then they blamed her and were not going to help her out. Keep in mind, my sister in law probably spent over $40k on one sale at UE. I would say between me, my Sister in law, and inlaws, we have dumped probably over $100k over the last 5 years in UE. Not anymore! The idiot Manager at Ballwin has lost some of UE's best clients just to save a buck and not fix the Receiver they broke. Bring back Dave Workman and the old Ultimate, and maybe I'll shop there again.

Scott

I guess there's not much you can do being in an apartment. :( I'm between Marthasville and Warrenton, and generally receive all the channels OK, using a pretty big Radio Shack antenna on a 2-story house, with a CM 7777 pre-amp (made the biggest difference when first trying to get better signals!). I think it's kinda low here, so needed all the help I could get.

Anyway, signals on all channels but PBS/KETC-9 are usually about 90% quality on the DirecTV reciever's tuner. Channel 9 (not full power) is around 60-70%, and it's 43 miles away. CBS/KMOV-4 is farthest at 47 miles. Other channels are in between distance-wise. 24 and 46, which I don't watch, are a few miles closer.

Some days there may be times when the signal on one channel is dropping out pretty bad, but overall I consider it pretty good reception.


Well, I just saw the post from the moderator leading to links for maps of the transmitting towers. No wonder I can't get kmov, its over in Illinois. And apparently, even if Charter did offer HD in my area, I still couldn't get it, since they don't carry kmov HD. As for ketc, well it looks like they may have a weaker signal compared to the other stations. At least I can hope they increase the power sometime in the future. I really like watching ketc. I'd probably watch that more then CBS.

I'm familiar with the area you live at. My brother used to live a few miles from Marthasville. And I used to work near Warrenton some years ago in that quarry they made into a refrigerated warehouse. I'd drive down 47 every day to get there, so I may have passed your house a couple of hundred times.

From DBS Talk

DirecTV has reported that a portion of the spot-beam capability of the DirecTV 10 satellite may not be fully available HOWEVER, the satellite is fully functional to deliver all planned nationwide HD programming.

Well, I just saw the post from the moderator leading to links for maps of the transmitting towers. No wonder I can't get kmov, its over in Illinois. And apparently, even if Charter did offer HD in my area, I still couldn't get it, since they don't carry kmov HD. As for ketc, well it looks like they may have a weaker signal compared to the other stations. At least I can hope they increase the power sometime in the future. I really like watching ketc. I'd probably watch that more then CBS.

I'm familiar with the area you live at. My brother used to live a few miles from Marthasville. And I used to work near Warrenton some years ago in that quarry they made into a refrigerated warehouse. I'd drive down 47 every day to get there, so I may have passed your house a couple of hundred times.Not sure which maps you are referring to, but the KMOV tower is DEFINITELY NOT in Illinois.

In the maps I created and included in the "We Interrupt..." post above (BTW, I am NOT the moderator) there are several maps showing the towers from different map perspectives, including from Illinois. But all of the StL towers are in MO, with most of them in a fairly concentrated area (WRBU is the exception, but it is also in MO).

Take a look at the maps above -- maybe they will help you fine-tune how your antenna is aimed.

Also, as far as I know, all STL stations are operating at their full authorized power. The FCC has required full-power operation for at least a couple of years. Waivers may be sought for this, however, and that sometimes happens during maintenance or upgrades, but I'm not aware of anything of that nature happening at KETC.

I bought one of those at Costco the other day and the cable came yesterday. They are pretty cool. Anyway install their software on you computer and hook up the drive and there will be an option to turn of the yellow light.

TomIt seems you can turn the lights off, but that is only effective while the FreeAgent Pro drive stays powered up. If it power cycles the light are back on again. So every time we have a power blip I'll have to boot up my PC craptop and reset the light again before turning the DVR on.

It seems you can turn the lights off, but that is only effective while the FreeAgent Pro drive stays powered up. If it power cycles the light are back on again. So every time we have a power blip I'll have to boot up my PC craptop and reset the light again before turning the DVR on.

I just left mine on and hid it behind a post. I was afraid that if I powered it off I would have to reset all my options again. So I guess what your saying is that there's no way to turn the light off after it's connected to the dvr.

I just left mine on and hid it behind a post. I was afraid that if I powered it off I would have to reset all my options again. So I guess what your saying is that there's no way to turn the light off after it's connected to the dvr.I see no way to control the light without a direct connection to a Windows machine.

I don't care about having the light on for the living room system, but like it off for the bedroom. And with it off I can keep it out in the open where it gets plenty of ventilation for cooling.

FYI -- I've written a new blog entry at the ISF Forum site that may strike some chords of familiarity here. Old stuff, I guess, but the recent comments of the chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters inspired me. :)

At least I resisted the urge to mention kSDk by name...

Blog item is currently available at the top of the home page -- www.isfforum.com

Also available here: http://www.isfforum.com/Video-Savant/Broadcast-and-Pay-TV/Local-Broadcasters-Are-Not-Meeting-HDTV-Viewer-Expectations.html

Any comments can be posted at the site (registration required)

(BTW, I am NOT the moderator)
http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smiles2/gott.gif

My nephew is trying to get on his feet and has run into a problem. His car died this morning and he's without transportation for work. He's looking for something very inexpensive to get him through. We're talking a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. If anyone here has or knows of someone who has a cheap, reliable car, the body condition isn't very important.

Really sorry for this seriously off-topic, but he's desperate.

It need not have HDTV or an OTA tuner.

If anyone has one with an HDTV and OTA tuner, let me know!

TP 11 on 103(b) signal has been up all day. I am getting 96 on tuner 1 and 97 on tuner 2. I have the HR20-700S.

It's only one transponder, but it's still a good sign. I'm curious what other folks are getting.

I am getting zilch on 103 b but I am getting 51% on 99 b so who knows what is really going on.I rechecked it and I am now getting 56% I still think we are a few days away before life gets pumped into the new hd channels.

TP 11 on 103(b) signal has been up all day. I am getting 96 on tuner 1 and 97 on tuner 2. I have the HR20-700S.

It's only one transponder, but it's still a good sign. I'm curious what other folks are getting.
I'm getting 96 on tuner 1 and zero on tuner 2. Tuner 2 picks up everything else up. I also get signals on my other 2 dvr's with both tuners. Anybody know what could cause this.

Tom

Today was the beginning of the final week+ Cards in HD. Through SNB on the 23rd, all games are presented in HD. :)

Probably won't see any pigs flying, but if they do, at least we'll have a great view :(

I'm getting 96 on tuner 1 and zero on tuner 2. Tuner 2 picks up everything else up. I also get signals on my other 2 dvr's with both tuners. Anybody know what could cause this.

Tom

Try swapping your B-Band Convertors to see if the problem follows that. Only logical explanation.

All the TPs have been on/off since last night. Currently they are blasting all of them. Looks like today or tomorrow for new channels. It seems the spotbeam issues had them hold up a week or two on the release. Guess thats why you give later dates and shoot for earlier - gives you a fallback. ;)

I'm familiar with the area you live at. My brother used to live a few miles from Marthasville. And I used to work near Warrenton some years ago in that quarry they made into a refrigerated warehouse. I'd drive down 47 every day to get there, so I may have passed your house a couple of hundred times.

I see; and yep, always pass Quarry Rd. :) I guess it depends on how many years ago, since we built the house in '96 (literally, did most of it hands on, fun stuff!). Off of 47 on what they call "Hopewell Hill," couple miles south of CC. But will be moving back in closer, to Wentzville, within a couple months. Anyone want to buy a house out here?! :cool: :D

(Sorry for the off-topic!)

1) E* people, how do the HD locals look compared to OTA? I've read many times that D*'s are nearly indistinguishable (guess that applies to St. Louis also?), but not much about the Dish side. And did those problems I was reading about here with blocking, etc. on a couple channels a month or so ago get fixed, or has it been ongoing?

2) I saw some posts on DBSTalk about reception issues on the 129 sat. Do you guys have the 1000+ dish and are all the signals good around here? Anyone have knowledge whether E* is more prone to rain fade than DirecTV?

3) With CenturyTel + Dish, can the ClubDISH referral thing still be used? Is tstolze the only one who has that bundle and might know?


BTW, CTel's site is really pathetic as far as Dish info. I know tstolze mentioned the $5 discount, but their site lists the "Double Savings Bundle" (phone/1.5 DSL) for $59.95 and "Triple" with Dish's AT100 as $89.95 -- $30 difference, and 1 cent more than Dish charges for AT100! :confused: And these are promotional prices, so where's the savings?? :rolleyes:

Try swapping your B-Band Convertors to see if the problem follows that. Only logical explanation.

All the TPs have been on/off since last night. Currently they are blasting all of them. Looks like today or tomorrow for new channels. It seems the spotbeam issues had them hold up a week or two on the release. Guess thats why you give later dates and shoot for earlier - gives you a fallback. ;)


All D* subs, D* will send free BBCs. I ordered two more to have onhand. They are free. FWIW, the new ones are black and Rev 3.
http://directv.qrs1.net/bbc/bbcForm.jsp

tommeyj , power off (unplug) and try swapping your two cables to see if it's the same. If it's the same, swap your BBCs and see it if that works. You'll know right away if one is bad or is something else.It takes a little more time for the TP readings to come up.

Chris, all but TP 1 & 2 are lit. Mine range from low to high 90's.

Speaking of Ctel, anyone else seeing a reduction in speed? Mine is now 5.2M where it was always getting 6.

Mike

All D* subs, D* will send free BBCs. I ordered two more to have onhand. They are free. FWIW, the new ones are black and Rev 3.
http://directv.qrs1.net/bbc/bbcForm.jsp

tommeyj , power off (unplug) and try swapping your two cables to see if it's the same. If it's the same, swap your BBCs and see it if that works. You'll know right away if one is bad or is something else.It takes a little more time for the TP readings to come up.

Chris, all but TP 1 & 2 are lit. Mine range from low to high 90's.

All mine are lit except 1 & 2 (which is standard for the Midwest - some other TPs aren't lit for other parts of the country).

This morning I was getting high 80s to low 90s for all mine.

Chris

[QUOTE=BudShark;11637330]Try swapping your B-Band Convertors to see if the problem follows that. Only logical explanation.

Did that and now tuner 2 works. I tried swapping 3 B-band Converters and that didn't work so I'll try to track the problem from the dish. It figures it couldn't be something as easy as swapping a converter.

My signals range from 85 to 97 on 103b


Tom

Speaking of Ctel, anyone else seeing a reduction in speed? Mine is now 5.2M where it was always getting 6.

Mike

http://www.testmy.net/share2-00BF5UG3H (http://testmy.net/stats/id-00BF5UG3H)

Not sure which maps you are referring to, but the KMOV tower is DEFINITELY NOT in Illinois.

You're right. I misread the map. The caption was in Illinios but the flag was in Missouri.


(BTW, I am NOT the moderator)


My apologies. But your help is appreciated.


Take a look at the maps above -- maybe they will help you fine-tune how your antenna is aimed.

Also, as far as I know, all STL stations are operating at their full authorized power. The FCC has required full-power operation for at least a couple of years. Waivers may be sought for this, however, and that sometimes happens during maintenance or upgrades, but I'm not aware of anything of that nature happening at KETC.

Hmm...thanks for the info.

[QUOTE=MoInSTL

tommeyj , power off (unplug) and try swapping your two cables to see if it's the same. If it's the same, swap your BBCs and see it if that works. You'll know right away if one is bad or is something else.It takes a little more time for the TP readings to come up.

After following the cable from the dish I found that I had a splitter halfway in the run. After I took that out everything works fine. All set for the 19th if thats the date.

http://www.testmy.net/share2-00BF5UG3H (http://testmy.net/stats/id-00BF5UG3H)

Its gotten worse!
http://www.testmy.net/share2-NDVTIXAM0 (http://testmy.net/stats/id-NDVTIXAM0)

[QUOTE=MoInSTL

tommeyj , power off (unplug) and try swapping your two cables to see if it's the same. If it's the same, swap your BBCs and see it if that works. You'll know right away if one is bad or is something else.It takes a little more time for the TP readings to come up.

After following the cable from the dish I found that I had a splitter halfway in the run. After I took that out everything works fine. All set for the 19th if thats the date.

Glad it was a simple fix. Did you go ahead and order spare BBCs?