Is it my bad hearing or have the snaps, crackles & pops experienced whenever the HD "leader" goes in and out of local cut-ins, diminished lately?

Surely, they haven't done something right. I must be mistaken.

Now if only they would do something about the DD 5.1 flag...............

But, you basically ARE stereotyping rural markets - us "hicks in the sticks up here in Springpatch" want HD just as much as y'all down yonder in St.Louie. :D :eek:


Not to sound preachy, but some of you guys in your larger markets seem to take what YOU get for granted & assume that ONLY a tiny fraction of the population is missing out. Sorry, but there is a LOT more of us out there than you really know about...

Maybe, but there is still more in St. Louis. That's my point.

Let's just look at it from a business perspective...how much larger is the St. Louis Metro area compared to the Springfield one? How many more people have HD tv sets? How many more people already have some form of HD service? How many stations broadcast in HD?

If you have limited satellite space for rolling out these channels, which market are going to go for FIRST?

Obviously if it would be more profitable in Bethany or Jacksonville or wherever, they would add it first.

One of things that you have to accept in a "rural area" is that you are usually the last to get something right? And you are not even rural, per se. You are in Springfield. But we also hear of rural areas not having cell phone coverage or DSL, etc...it comes with the peace and quiet and cost of living there.

Shoot, St. Louis is usually in the "last" category...we were the last of the major markets to get a UPN and we don't have ION. Not that those channels are make or break "must-haves", just saying.

I've long accepted the fact the St. Louis is always going to be near the bottom of everything because its a small city in the Midwest. Whether its TV or sports or concerts. No big A-Rod or Soriano deals coming here.

Like I said, D* has a new sat and another one on the way. By the time th HR-21 becomes common, you'll probably have your locals.

Besides, can't you get a waiver?

yeah I believe the real answer is that OTA Tuner was only added so people could get locals. But now they are almost all available in most markets, rendering it, from D*'s viewpoint, unnecessary.

Thank goodness for OTA during the bad storms and tornado watches recently. I have the HR-20 and I briefly lost my HD channels. I did not try 2, 4, or 5 in SD as I eliminated those in my channel list. When my power went out I used a portable black & white TV and was able to keep track of what was going on weather wise using its antenna.

I also use OTA for PBS and 5-1 weather.

I think the real reason for no OTA in the HR-21 is cost. Period.

As far as the the D* Tivo, I have that in my bedroom on my SD CRT. I like to watch news and commentary before falling asleep and the dual buffer is well suited for that. So because it's SD I have no reason to change it out to get the HD version of the channels and lose my dual buffer.

My roots are in rural Missouri, although I've lived in St. Louis most of my life, so I'm a little more sensitive to cultural stereotypes than many people might be. It's all relative, though. Just try convincing someone from the county that someone who lives in St. Louis city doesn't take his life in his hands just going to the grocery store. Or, see how far the nose of someone from LA might go up in the air if you mention you come from St. Louis. One of the things that I loved about teaching in an inner city high school (or going to one, before that) was discovering that intelligence, class, compassion and other defining characteristics of decent human beings are not determined by where they come from.

I think you guys went way overboard with "stereotyping rural areas" comment.

From a business point of view, its small potatoes. I don't think that's harsh because its the truth.

If you are a national company, will you put your resources toward the 2.8 million people in the St. Louis metro area or the 188,000 people in the Springfield area?

Besides, can't you get a waiver?

I don't know who "you" is, but if one can receive the networks in SD, no waivers. The exception is locally owned and operated stations like KTVI.

Thank goodness for OTA during the bad storms and tornado watches recently. I have the HR-20 and I briefly lost my HD channels. I did not try 2, 4, or 5 in SD as I eliminated those in my channel list. When my power went out I used a portable black & white TV and was able to keep track of what was going on weather wise using its antenna.

I also use OTA for PBS and 5-1 weather.

I think the real reason for no OTA in the HR-21 is cost. Period.

As far as the the D* Tivo, I have that in my bedroom on my SD CRT. I like to watch news and commentary before falling asleep and the dual buffer is well suited for that. So because it's SD I have no reason to change it out to get the HD version of the channels and lose my dual buffer.

Hey I agree. I love OTA. I never had before the HR-20 as my TV is only "HD Ready", no tuner built in.

I'm just saying from D*'s viewpoint, its easy to see why they would want to get rid of the OTA. They want people to be handcuffed. It's why cable doesn't have built in OTA or make as hard as possible to get a cable card. These companies want you to use their services and products.

I don't know who "you" is, but if one can receive the networks in SD, no waivers. The exception is locally owned and operated stations like KTVI.

I was apparently referring to the "hicks in the sticks up in Springpatch".

I am finally going to switch from Charter to D*. My Chater bill just went up almost $45 becuase my promotional rate ran out and D* makes alot of sense now.

I have a couple of questions for you D* folks. Some have been asked in the past, I was just wanting to get an update.

1--How big a Hard Drive does the HR20 come with? Also how large of an external HD can you hook up to it?

2--There was some talk of only having to run one line to your HR20 with some new piece of hardware. Is that rolled out yet? If not when is it expected?

3--Is FSMW-HD up and running on D*?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

Brad

I am finally going to switch from Charter to D*. My Chater bill just went up almost $45 becuase my promotional rate ran out and D* makes alot of sense now.

I have a couple of questions for you D* folks. Some have been asked in the past, I was just wanting to get an update.


1--How big a Hard Drive does the HR20 come with? Also how large of an external HD can you hook up to it?
It comes with a 300GB drive. No capacity limit on the ESATA drive, although it does render the internal drive useless once you connect a ESATA drive.


2--There was some talk of only having to run one line to your HR20 with some new piece of hardware. Is that rolled out yet? If not when is it expected?
It is called the Single Wire Multiswitch. And no it is not readily available to the public. I don't know the time frame. Go to DBStalk.com and do a search on SWM or Single Wire Multiswitch for more information.


3--Is FSMW-HD up and running on D*?
Yes. It is channel 647-1 and it is active when there is something being show in HD.


Thanks in advance for the responses.

Brad

Not a problem. Good luck

:D Give that boy a new John Deere ballcap...he earned it for that one http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smiles2/kgo_004.gif

Though, I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong Scott, the proper grammer would be "all ya's all..."

Is that what yuinz say in Farmington? :eek:

Let's just look at it from a business perspective...how much larger is the St. Louis Metro area compared to the Springfield one?

Well, I don't know exactly, but I CAN tell you the Springfield DMA is a HELL of a lot bigger than the Santa Barbera DMA - but guess what, D* ALREADY offers HD locals in THAT DMA, which is # 122!
Take a look at this - you can see EXACTLY which DMA's have SD &/or HD locals - some of which doesn't totally make a lot of sense:

http://hr20.dbstalk.com/html/DTV_LIL_DMA.html

How many stations broadcast in HD?

I'm SURE we beat out SB - hell, WE beat out YOU guys. :D :D

If you have limited satellite space for rolling out these channels, which market are going to go for FIRST?

Yes, but it doesn't JUST have to do with your points, some of which are valid. It also has to do with how "cooperative" the local stations themselves are, since most want more $$$ to be carried in HD.

Obviously if it would be more profitable in Bethany or Jacksonville or wherever, they would add it first.

Maybe, maybe NOT - who says the "bean counters" at either D* & E* are ALWAYS right? ;)

Shoot, St. Louis is usually in the "last" category...we were the last of the major markets to get a UPN and we don't have ION. Not that those channels are make or break "must-haves", just saying.

Agree, I was surprised about that w/UPN as well. Also, your market is one of the VERY few in the top 25 DMA's to NOT have ANY OTA spanish channels.

I've long accepted the fact the St. Louis is always going to be near the bottom of everything because its a small city in the Midwest. Whether its TV or sports or concerts. No big A-Rod or Soriano deals coming here.

Oh PULEASE - ya'all ain't THAT small - so don't pee on my leg & tell me it's raining. :D :p
An example - YOU guys are ALREADY starting to get U-verse offered down there. Up here - NOTHING, NADA, ANYWHERE IN IL!!! So sorry, I won't be breaking out the box of Kleenex for ya'all.

Like I said, D* has a new sat and another one on the way. By the time th HR-21 becomes common, you'll probably have your locals.

I think you're wrong - our local BB ALREADY has BOTH H21's AND HR21's sitting right on the shelf; just saw them there last night. :eek: (shocked even myself!)

Besides, can't you get a waiver?

There you go again - that mindset of "oh, you "rural" folks can just get a waiver & you're all set"... :rolleyes:
As MO has already pointed out to you - NO waivers, PERIOD! If your local market is carried in SD, D* does NOT normally grant waivers at all, SD OR HD. One small addendum to his point about O&O's - if D* shows another station, even OUTSIDE your true DMA that has a grade B overlap into YOUR DMA, they will NOT grant an HD waiver, even on the O&O's. All the local stations have pretty much forced the DBS providers into stopping the influx of DNS services into their markets - even the rinky-dink stations that can only be received about 5 miles away from their towers! :eek:

Besides, most "rural" folks want THEIR local feeds, NOT something from NY or LA. (personally, I could care less, as I get D* Chicago locals & will get them in HD as soon as I get up off my a$$ & upgrade my system - but most "normal" consumers are not like you or me on these boards, just like they freak when you mention "we can just put up an antenna to get your local HD"... ;) )

I'm just saying from D*'s viewpoint, its easy to see why they would want to get rid of the OTA. They want people to be handcuffed.

I disagree - the reason why they are doing this, is because leaving out the OTA tuner WILL save D* a couple dollars a box. Since many of these boxes are going to be done on low-to-NO cost upgrades, or on new customers, the $$$ will add up pretty fast to their bottom line.

Is that what yuinz say in Farmington? :eek:

I thought that was spelled "yoonz." Thanks for the correction. :D

As MO has already pointed out to you - NO waivers, PERIOD! If your local market is carried in SD, D* does NOT normally grant waivers at all, SD OR HD. One small addendum to his point about O&O's -


Just so ya know, I'm a she. :D

I'm SURE we beat out SB - hell, WE beat out YOU guys. :D :D



How do you guys beat us? We have all the stations in HD or Digital OTA...except "RTN" which apparently has a permit but its "TBD". fox, abc, cbs, nbc, nbc weather+, pbs local, pbs national, pbs sprout, pbs carbondale, cw11, myTV, and I think KNLC is digital now too....

When I looked on antennaweb.org, it only listed fox (55) and a Jacksonville PBS as being Digital.

What all do you have?

I thought that was spelled "yoonz." Thanks for the correction. :D

And I thought it was yous...yoose (sounds like loose).

A common misconception.

Amazing the things I learn here....

-yuinz is yoonz, but it's spelled yous or yoose.
-Mo's a gurl
-And, Joe, was commonly misconceived.

Irregardless, it explains alot :D

Amazing the things I learn here....

-yuinz is yoonz, but it's spelled yous or yoose.
-Mo's a gurl
-And, Joe, was commonly misconceived.

Irregardless, it explains alot :D

Regardless, you already know I'm a girl.

I thought that was spelled "yoonz." Thanks for the correction. :D

Actually, to be fair to my fellow Farmingtonians. The correct spelling is "yinz." As in "Are yinz guys gonna watch Nascar this weekend?"

Scott

Regardless, you already know I'm a girl.
Still says a lot about Joe :D

And I thought it was yous...yoose (sounds like loose).

It is yous. Well, at least in Jersey. And in the South it's y'all.

Scott

Actually, to be fair to my fellow Farmingtonians. The correct spelling is "yinz." As in "Are yinz guys gonna watch Nascar this weekend?"

Scott
Funny you should mention that...they just set up a new big screen TV in the WalMart cafeteria, just for that. Interested in joining us? It's sold out, but I'm personal friends with the Asst Manager...could probably get you in.

Amazing the things I learn here....

-yuinz is yoonz, but it's spelled yous or yoose.
-Mo's a gurl
-And, Joe, was commonly misconceived.

Irregardless, it explains alot :D

I can't deny it. I'm common, my birth was a misconception, my ideas are ill conceived. And someone called me an "abortion" once. What do you think she meant by that? :confused:

One of the movie channels is running a bad gymnastics movie starring Missy Peregrym, who is the Reaper's girl friend. I thought I recognized her from somewhere, but I had to look her up on the IMDB to make the connection.

1--How big a Hard Drive does the HR20 come with? Also how large of an external HD can you hook up to it?


The 320GB drive that it comes with gets eaten up much much quicker now that I'm recording stuff other than HD programming on the big 4 networks.

With the flood of HD channels on D*, it forced me to add an external drive, and I'm very happy afterwards. Here's what I got:

Drive: Western Digital Caviar GP 1TB (got it on sale for $279.99 @ Bestbuy last week, although you can find it online @ zipzoomfly.com for $285 shipped still)
Enclosure: KINGWIN JT-35E-BK w/ active cooling ($21.99 @ NewEgg, includes eSATA cable)

It took 2 minutes to put the new drive in the enclosure, put it back together, unplugged the HR20, fired up the new drive, plugged in the included eSATA cable, plugged the HR20 back in, and everything seems to be working fine. I love having more than 3x the space from the original drive and I'm never having to fight with the memory meter to delete stuff to make room. Very slick.

What the heck is this D* and E* you people are talking about? I'm way confused!

jerel

D* = DirecTV

E* = Echostar aka Dish Network

D* = DirecTV

E* = Echostar aka Dish Network

Hey, Tony, what are you doing here in the St. Louis thread? I haven't seen a post of yours since I was looking for some home theater speakers.

D* = DirecTV

E* = Echostar aka Dish Network

Someday soon E* may be replaced with A* = AT&T

How do you guys beat us?
When I looked on antennaweb.org, it only listed fox (55) and a Jacksonville PBS as being Digital.

What all do you have?

Why, 'cause us Springpatch hicks could NEVER beat you, right... :rolleyes: :D

First of all, you might want to try a better place to get your info from - obviously your info is very inaccurate.
Second, ALL of our OTA IS digital & has been for quite some time.
Try this site for better TV station info - has all stations broken down by DMA:

http://radiostationworld.com/Stations_on_the_Web/default.asp

OK, as far our local station lineup:
in HD: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, PBS Springfield, PBS Urbana
in digital: MNT, radar weather (sub off NBC), PBS Create (sub off BOTH PBS stations), SD version of both PBS stations (sub off both PBS HD's)
And as I already told you, other than CBS HD just getting launched a few months ago, the rest of these stations have been up & running for at least a couple YEARS now - it's not as backwards up here as you might think.

OK, so you DO get a digital subchannel we do NOT (PBS Kids) but unfortunately, your STL PBS is sucking away bandwidth from the HD feed to squeeze FOUR subchannels on ONE digital signal - YUCK! Sorry, I'd MUCH rather loose PBS Kids & get a better quality HD feed, thank you.

Actually, I was down in STL yesterday, getting sat/TV supplies from my distributor. I also got to check out YOUR OTA stuff too firsthand, as they have TV's setup to pick up OTA down there.

Hey, while some of this is in jest, I think you're still stuck in that "rural/hick mindset" about the Springfield DMA - you DO realize that U of I, which is BOTH in Champaign & Springfield, is part of our DMA? Our DMA consists of the Springfield/Decatur/Champaign/Urbana/Danville metro areas, so we aren't exactly talking about a couple of little hick towns, no? But no, I do NOT have delusions of grandeur here - we ARE far from being like Chicago. (which might actually be a GOOD thing) But, I DO like their local channels MUCH better than ours - which is why I have them on my satellite service. ;)

Just so ya know, I'm a she. :D

Sorry bud, er, mam :D :o :o

Why, 'cause us Springpatch hicks could NEVER beat you, right... :rolleyes: :D

Hey, while some of this is in jest, I think you're still stuck in that "rural/hick mindset" about the Springfield DMA - you DO realize that U of I, which is BOTH in Champaign & Springfield, is part of our DMA? Our DMA consists of the Springfield/Decatur/Champaign/Urbana/Danville metro areas, so we aren't exactly talking about a couple of little hick towns, no?

You really have a stick up your ass, man.

I originally looked it up because I was considering taking a job in Decatur. That's just what antennaweb told me, so its what I went by. I've seen them miss the odd channel here and there, but I've never seen them be so inaccurate.


Look if Carbondale gets D* locals before you then you've got the best argument in the world.

My stereotyping rural areas meant no ones cares about the Midwest and they sure don't care about Central Illinois. Local/Regional companies do. Nationals do not.

[and on PBS...I still think it has some of the best HD out there and I think its the top of our local OTA. I think people get their panties in a bunch over subchannels and I think 99% here would fail the Pepsi Challenge]

Cool your jets, guys. We don't want this to become a tempest in a teapot. We're all on the same side here.

Cool your jets, guys. We don't want this to become a tempest in a teapot. We're all on the same side here.

What Joe said.

Or take it to PM please.

You really have a stick up your ass, man.
Yea man, when some people paint these broad brush strokes of things they really do not understand...

When somebody keeps calling areas such as the capital of IL, which has a population of over 115,000, along with such other towns as Decatur & Champaign, a "rural" area, then yea, I guess I'm perplexed as to YOUR perception as to what constitutes a "rural" area. Or, someone who just flippantly says "get a waiver", since ALL "rural" areas do this, 'cause they don't have their TV stations, right?

But I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I guess being "rural" is in the eye of the beholder.
(And like I said - LIGHTEN UP & take some of this in jest as it was meant to be :cool: )

Look if Carbondale gets D* locals before you then you've got the best argument in the world.

Carbondale WILL probably get D* (HD) locals BEFORE we do - they got SD locals LONG before we did as well. (over a year & a half earlier, actually) If you look at the DMA list in my previous post, the Paducah/Harrisburg/Cape DMA (of which Carbondale is in) is market #79 - not that much bigger than us, but it was large enough in D* eyes to put their locals on the oval dish & NOT on the PITA 72.5 bird. :(

My stereotyping rural areas meant no ones cares about the Midwest and they sure don't care about Central Illinois. Local/Regional companies do. Nationals do not.

Agree to a point - that's why I keep saying how DBS around here has fallen in favor of cable systems here. Our primary cable co is Insight & covers all of the main towns around here (Spfld/Decatur/Champaign/Lincoln, plus many other surrounding towns) & carries ALL of the HD locals, plus ALL of the subchannels we get. BUT, if/when D* ever gets our HD locals up, then might change things, especially with D* offering MUCH more national HD than Insight currently does.

Unfortunately, Insight is getting ready to be swallowed up by Comcast by the end of the year, so god only knows what's going to happen there. Right now personally, I'm MORE concerned about Comcast reducing our standard 10mg internet offering that we currently enjoy, since they generally do NOT offer standard speeds this high in their other markets. :eek: :(

But as I also pointed out to you - D* also ALREADY offers HD locals in Santa Barbara over MUCH larger DMA's. OK, I'll bite that SB might have a HIGH portion of their population with lots of disposable income (ie: celebrities) but still, it's market size #122 - 'splain that one to me! :confused:

[and on PBS...I still think it has some of the best HD out there and I think its the top of our local OTA. I think people get their panties in a bunch over subchannels and I think 99% here would fail the Pepsi Challenge]

If that's the best, then you have my sympathy...

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

Now, I'm going to turn the tables on you regarding "rural" - are you aware that our local ABC affiliates (WICS/WICD) are owned by the SAME corporation as YOUR ABC affiliate, Sinclair? YOUR ABC affiliate, who is in the #21 TV market, does NOT do ANY local news whatsoever, which is very unheard of in a market this size for a network affiliated station. (I KNOW this because it's been talked about in the trade mags for ages) Yet OTOH, our ABC affiliate not only does local newscasts 4-5 times every weekday, but their anchors do a 9PM newscast for the local FOX affiliate, who doesn't do news. And, it actually DOES come from our local anchors, NOT from Sinclair's "News Central" in Baltimore, or whatever they call it these days. BUT, our local FOX stations has an excuse - we're "rural", being that we are market# 84, so I guess they have an excuse for "farming it out" to another station.

But my point is - at least ALL of our "big 4" affiliates ARE doing some sort of local news. And for that matter, our local MTN does one too, although it's from the CBS affiliate. (although your CW11 does do local news, so I guess we'll call it a tie)

Does anyone really care about this?

Well, let's see if anyone cares about this...

Now, bear in mind this is just one view on Charter Communications and there is more than a touch of sensationalism here. But then, it's NEVER a good thing when financial market analysts start publicly speculating about a company heading toward bankruptcy. It has an effect similar to gravity...

From the 24/7 Wall Street (http://www.247wallst.com/2007/10/charter-communi.html) site:
_________________________________________________________

Charter Communications (CHTR) Moves Toward Chapter 11

Comcast (CMCSA) gave bad news yesterday. It earnings were poor and the growth of its digital cable and VoIP customers were more modest than expected. Comcast is the largest cable company in the US, so it has time to try to fix its problems and hold off the new voice/TV/broadband offerings from Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T).

Still, Comcast's shares were down over 10% to a 52-week low of under $21.

Smaller cable company Charter (CHTR) does not have the luxury of time and a strong balance sheet. Its shares dropped almost 20% yesterday to under $2. The 52-week high for the shares was close to $6.

Charter has long-term debt of over $19 billion. It stock is so low now that the company's market cap is below $800 million. In the last reported quarter, Charter had operating income of $200 million on revenue of under $1.5 billion.

Charter does not have the capacity to go head-to-head marketing "triple play: services against the big phone companies. It does not have the money for capital expenditures to upgrade its infrastructure to the level that the phone companies can offer with their brand new fiber deployments. Their systems offer much faster connection speeds and can deliver many more HDTV channels.

Charter is running out of time. Perhaps more important, Charter cannot compete in the current market and pay its debt service. That means that the common shareholders are likely to get pushed down to zero.

Douglas A. McIntyre
_________________________________________________________

Well, let's see if anyone cares about this...

Now, bear in mind this is just one view on Charter Communications and there is more than a touch of sensationalism here. But then, it's NEVER a good thing when financial market analysts start publicly speculating about a company heading toward bankruptcy. It has an effect similar to gravity...

From the 24/7 Wall Street (http://www.247wallst.com/2007/10/charter-communi.html) site:
_________________________________________________________

Charter Communications (CHTR) Moves Toward Chapter 11

Comcast (CMCSA) gave bad news yesterday. It earnings were poor and the growth of its digital cable and VoIP customers were more modest than expected. Comcast is the largest cable company in the US, so it has time to try to fix its problems and hold off the new voice/TV/broadband offerings from Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T).

Still, Comcast's shares were down over 10% to a 52-week low of under $21.

Smaller cable company Charter (CHTR) does not have the luxury of time and a strong balance sheet. Its shares dropped almost 20% yesterday to under $2. The 52-week high for the shares was close to $6.

Charter has long-term debt of over $19 billion. It stock is so low now that the company's market cap is below $800 million. In the last reported quarter, Charter had operating income of $200 million on revenue of under $1.5 billion.

Charter does not have the capacity to go head-to-head marketing "triple play: services against the big phone companies. It does not have the money for capital expenditures to upgrade its infrastructure to the level that the phone companies can offer with their brand new fiber deployments. Their systems offer much faster connection speeds and can deliver many more HDTV channels.

Charter is running out of time. Perhaps more important, Charter cannot compete in the current market and pay its debt service. That means that the common shareholders are likely to get pushed down to zero.

Douglas A. McIntyre
_________________________________________________________


That is much more interesting than 2 guys bickering about "rural" markets.

Let's hope they keep the discussion to St. Louis

Yea man, when some people paint these broad brush strokes of things they really do not understand...

When somebody keeps calling areas such as the capital of IL, which has a population of over 115,000, along with such other towns as Decatur & Champaign, a "rural" area, then yea, I guess I'm perplexed as to YOUR perception as to what constitutes a "rural" area. Or, someone who just flippantly says "get a waiver", since ALL "rural" areas do this, 'cause they don't have their TV stations, right?

But I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I guess being "rural" is in the eye of the beholder.
(And like I said - LIGHTEN UP & take some of this in jest as it was meant to be :cool: )



Carbondale WILL probably get D* (HD) locals BEFORE we do - they got SD locals LONG before we did as well. (over a year & a half earlier, actually) If you look at the DMA list in my previous post, the Paducah/Harrisburg/Cape DMA (of which Carbondale is in) is market #79 - not that much bigger than us, but it was large enough in D* eyes to put their locals on the oval dish & NOT on the PITA 72.5 bird. :(



Agree to a point - that's why I keep saying how DBS around here has fallen in favor of cable systems here. Our primary cable co is Insight & covers all of the main towns around here (Spfld/Decatur/Champaign/Lincoln, plus many other surrounding towns) & carries ALL of the HD locals, plus ALL of the subchannels we get. BUT, if/when D* ever gets our HD locals up, then might change things, especially with D* offering MUCH more national HD than Insight currently does.

Unfortunately, Insight is getting ready to be swallowed up by Comcast by the end of the year, so god only knows what's going to happen there. Right now personally, I'm MORE concerned about Comcast reducing our standard 10mg internet offering that we currently enjoy, since they generally do NOT offer standard speeds this high in their other markets. :eek: :(

But as I also pointed out to you - D* also ALREADY offers HD locals in Santa Barbara over MUCH larger DMA's. OK, I'll bite that SB might have a HIGH portion of their population with lots of disposable income (ie: celebrities) but still, it's market size #122 - 'splain that one to me! :confused:



If that's the best, then you have my sympathy...

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

Now, I'm going to turn the tables on you regarding "rural" - are you aware that our local ABC affiliates (WICS/WICD) are owned by the SAME corporation as YOUR ABC affiliate, Sinclair? YOUR ABC affiliate, who is in the #21 TV market, does NOT do ANY local news whatsoever, which is very unheard of in a market this size for a network affiliated station. (I KNOW this because it's been talked about in the trade mags for ages) Yet OTOH, our ABC affiliate not only does local newscasts 4-5 times every weekday, but their anchors do a 9PM newscast for the local FOX affiliate, who doesn't do news. And, it actually DOES come from our local anchors, NOT from Sinclair's "News Central" in Baltimore, or whatever they call it these days. BUT, our local FOX stations has an excuse - we're "rural", being that we are market# 84, so I guess they have an excuse for "farming it out" to another station.

But my point is - at least ALL of our "big 4" affiliates ARE doing some sort of local news. And for that matter, our local MTN does one too, although it's from the CBS affiliate. (although your CW11 does do local news, so I guess we'll call it a tie)

The fact that you have to include Champaign/Urbana in your "neighboring towns" or your market is proof enough to me that you are indeed are in the middle of nowhere.

Champaign/Urbana is at least an hour from Springfield. I am an hour away from Springfield and I don't think that counts as "neighboring". Shoot, I used to be able to pick up some Springfield stations (analog).

I am surprised you are fighting this so much. You know Springfield is surrounded by nothing but farms.

May check out StubHub for this one....gunna want front row seats :D

Well, let's see if anyone cares about this...

Now, bear in mind this is just one view on Charter Communications and there is more than a touch of sensationalism here. But then, it's NEVER a good thing when financial market analysts start publicly speculating about a company heading toward bankruptcy. It has an effect similar to gravity...

From the 24/7 Wall Street (http://www.247wallst.com/2007/10/charter-communi.html) site:
_________________________________________________________

Charter Communications (CHTR) Moves Toward Chapter 11

Comcast (CMCSA) gave bad news yesterday. It earnings were poor and the growth of its digital cable and VoIP customers were more modest than expected. Comcast is the largest cable company in the US, so it has time to try to fix its problems and hold off the new voice/TV/broadband offerings from Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T).

Still, Comcast's shares were down over 10% to a 52-week low of under $21.

Smaller cable company Charter (CHTR) does not have the luxury of time and a strong balance sheet. Its shares dropped almost 20% yesterday to under $2. The 52-week high for the shares was close to $6.

Charter has long-term debt of over $19 billion. It stock is so low now that the company's market cap is below $800 million. In the last reported quarter, Charter had operating income of $200 million on revenue of under $1.5 billion.

Charter does not have the capacity to go head-to-head marketing "triple play: services against the big phone companies. It does not have the money for capital expenditures to upgrade its infrastructure to the level that the phone companies can offer with their brand new fiber deployments. Their systems offer much faster connection speeds and can deliver many more HDTV channels.

Charter is running out of time. Perhaps more important, Charter cannot compete in the current market and pay its debt service. That means that the common shareholders are likely to get pushed down to zero.

Douglas A. McIntyre
_________________________________________________________

I'm not looking to pick a fight here, but whenever I see a discussion of local news I feel compelled (translation: I can't help myself) to point out that local television news is the lowest form of communication known to pre-Internet man. I think local news now finds itself in a dead heat for irrelevance with MySpace and Facebook "content."

That slightly tongue-in-cheek comment aside, I think it's absolutely ridiculous for every network-affiliated station in a DMA to produce local news, and that assessment has nothing to do with my clear, hardcore bias against local TV news coverage.

Looking at this from a simple business perspective, it's incredibly dumb for four stations to compete for what is a largely static local news-watching audience (like other news-watching audiences, that group is dying and more likely growing smaller by the day). While I doubt that KDNL game shows and syndicated reruns pull in the sort of numbers that local news broadcasts generate in the same time slots, KDNL's costs for that alternative programming have to be significantly smaller -- and that probably leads to the roughly the same or better profitability.

Isn't it bad enough we already have four stations covering the same marginal nonsense? Do we really need a fifth local snoozecast? You must hate us city folk to even suggest such a thing... ;)

I finally found a reason to hate HDTV. Baseball! Well, more specifically stupid baseball players and managers. I literally cannot watch it due to the constant spitting, and HDTV makes the spit too visible. Can someone explain to me why they find it necessary to spit constantly? I'm done watching baseball it's disgusting. :mad:

Scott

I'm not looking to pick a fight here, but whenever I see a discussion of local news I feel compelled (translation: I can't help myself) to point out that local television news is the lowest form of communication known to pre-Internet man. I think local news now finds itself in a dead heat for irrelevance with MySpace and Facebook "content."



Not to start a flame fest, but how dare you compare the dreck that passes as local news to MySpace and Facebook content. At least the social networking sites' content is actually relevant to people and their friends, to a certain extent. :)

Is this the STL HDTV site or the Jerry Springer/Judge Judy site? Hard to tell the past two days.:confused:

Just curious if any of the newer LCD's have component inputs? I'd like to utilize my old Sony HD-200 D* receiver on a new TV for either my kitchen or garage. The sale ads typically only list x number of HDMI inputs.

Thanks

Just curious if any of the newer LCD's have component inputs? I'd like to utilize my old Sony HD-200 D* receiver on a new TV for either my kitchen or garage. The sale ads typically only list x number of HDMI inputs.

Thanks

Most of the sets I've been looking at still have component. I've been looking at a 32" LCD for my bedroom and I have an older Denon DVD player that only has 480p component output.

I think component is a pretty safe bet for some time. There are simply too many devices out there that have them for the manufacturers to ignore.

You can usually check on the manufacturer's Web site for technical specifications.

Just curious if any of the newer LCD's have component inputs? I'd like to utilize my old Sony HD-200 D* receiver on a new TV for either my kitchen or garage. The sale ads typically only list x number of HDMI inputs.

Thanks

I would think in the kitchen or garage all you would need is composite video. Are you really trying to get HD in the garage? If so, you are my new hero. :)

I would think in the kitchen or garage all you would need is composite video. Are you really trying to get HD in the garage? If so, you are my new hero. :)
Well, since my neighbor is in the process of de-throwning me of having the biggest garage in the neighborhood, I need to step up on the quality of the TV in my garage :cool: The TV for the kitchen will probably come off the HDMI of my HR20 since my 64" Pioneer is too old for HDMI and is using component. Realistically, I should probably get the TV for my basement, but it's currently too cluttered due to remodeling.

I finally found a reason to hate HDTV. Baseball! Well, more specifically stupid baseball players and managers. I literally cannot watch it due to the constant spitting, and HDTV makes the spit too visible. Can someone explain to me why they find it necessary to spit constantly? I'm done watching baseball it's disgusting. :mad:

Scott

+1 :eek:

A couple of things...

* On the question about component video inputs, it does seem likely that most, if not all, displays will include these for at least the next decade, and perhaps longer. However, what is likely to occur is that the number of component inputs on any given display will be reduced, probably in a swap for more HDMI inputs. I've already come across one Pioneer plasma that had only a single component input, and based on that experience, it's way too early to be reducing to that level.

* My weekly Saturday morning bandwidth drain did not occur today, and I was able to get my weekly report out with only the normal level of hassle and angst. Not sure if Charter did something, or if it was dumb luck, but you probably know which way I'm betting.

FWIW, this week's week in review wrap-up is available at the top of the home page at www.isfforum.com.

A couple of things...

* On the question about component video inputs, it does seem likely that most, if not all, displays will include these for at least the next decade, and perhaps longer. However, what is likely to occur is that the number of component inputs on any given display will be reduced, probably in a swap for more HDMI inputs. I've already come across one Pioneer plasma that had only a single component input, and based on that experience, it's way too early to be reducing to that level.


The new front projector that I just bought for my theater room has only one component video input (and 2 HDMI).

No issues though. I use the component for Xbox 360 and the pair of HDMI for my HR-20 DVR and DVD player. With component, I think alot of setups needing multiple component inputs are probably using A/V receiver switching anyway. It's less things to change the input on when switching sources if you can do it all at the A/V receiver and feed the HDTV a single video source.

I thought I'd share a little about my latest computer build - a HTPC with both HD DVD and Blu-ray playback. I just tested the system with both types of HD discs and playback is smooth and clean. I'm passing through audio as DD or DTS (S/PDIF), also very clean. I received the latest LG combo drive yesterday and all that was required was for me to install it into my playback computer. I upgraded the graphics card drivers (an Asus 8600 GT) and installed the latest patch for PowerDVD Ultra. Since I didn't have a Blu-ray disc yet, I picked up Terminator 2 at Best Buy. It played without a hiccup.

I was also able to use an eSATA to USB2 adapter, so that I can use the LG combo drive at a distance from the computer. That way, I can keep the computer in the basement (solving noise and heat problems) and place the combo drive in my home theater rack for easy access. I have a mouse and keyboard close by for easy access to the system from the chair in my home theater.

I just updated my Netflix queue with several Blu-ray titles. More fun.

Hey Joe, did you build this with the Quad core 6600 you mentioned a while back?

I'll be picking up either a 6600 or 6700 pretty cheap some time in the next few months and will be putting together a new editing/encoding machine with it. This is going to start a round of "musical computers" in my house. The new quad core will become the editing workstation in the family room, The AMD FX-60 will move to the bedroom and become the e-mail/financial machine (though it'll still do lots of encoding work). Once I get an HTPC case for it, the AMD dual core X2 4400 will move out to the family room and become the new HTPC, replacing the single core AMD 3400 XPC that's my current HTPC.

The 4400 can't play 1080p video files at the moment, even though I have an nVidia 8500 video card in it. I'm assuming that's because that PC uses the ffdshow codecs which don't use GPU acceleration and only use one CPU core (but for a bedroom PC the price is right -- free). Once it becomes the new HTPC, I'll put PowerDVD Ultra on it. I'll also be getting that LG combo drive you mentioned so I won't have to care which format wins the war.

The single core 3400 (with an old Radeon 9800 video card) that *currently* serves as my HTPC will go to my girlfriend or parents, or maybe on eBay.

Hey Joe, did you build this with the Quad core 6600 you mentioned a while back?

I'll be picking up either a 6600 or 6700 pretty cheap some time in the next few months and will be putting together a new editing/encoding machine with it. This is going to start a round of "musical computers" in my house. The new quad core will become the editing workstation in the family room, The AMD FX-60 will move to the bedroom and become the e-mail/financial machine (though it'll still do lots of encoding work). Once I get an HTPC case for it, the AMD dual core X2 4400 will move out to the family room and become the new HTPC, replacing the single core AMD 3400 XPC that's my current HTPC.

The 4400 can't play 1080p video files at the moment, even though I have an nVidia 8500 video card in it. I'm assuming that's because that PC uses the ffdshow codecs which don't use GPU acceleration and only use one CPU core (but for a bedroom PC the price is right -- free). Once it becomes the new HTPC, I'll put PowerDVD Ultra on it. I'll also be getting that LG combo drive you mentioned so I won't have to care which format wins the war.

The single core 3400 (with an old Radeon 9800 video card) that *currently* serves as my HTPC will go to my girlfriend or parents, or maybe on eBay.

I haven't ordered all the pieces yet but probably will this week. My build won't involve quite as much as what I did this past summer with UnRaid. That was a monster overhaul. Otherwise, what I'm doing sounds pretty similar to what you'll be doing. I'll be retiring my current MyHD system and moving MyHD to an Athlon X2 4400+. When I'm using it to play back shows, I can only use it as a single core - a MyHD limitation if you want to play files across a network.

Anybody else noticing 2-3 second picture freeze-ups on all KSDK prime-time shows coming out of commercial? It's not every commercial break but at least a couple of times during most shows. Want to make sure it's not just me before I complain. This has been going on for several weeks. Sorry if it's already been discussed.

My D* HD Tivo's have powered off and reset themselves at least 4 times that I know of today while watching football. What gives? Anyone else using HR10-250's still having the same problem?


Edit: My Tivo just shut off again. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott

My D* HD Tivo's have powered off and reset themselves at least 4 times that I know of today while watching football. What gives? Anyone else using HR10-250's still having the same problem?


Edit: My Tivo just shut off again. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott

My 2yr old one has had that problem for a few months now. My 1yr old one is still nice and fast, no reboots. I think the hard drive is about shot on my 2yr old HD Tivo as it's unbearably slow in the now playing list, sometimes completely freezing up.

I'm probably going to cut bait with it and ask for another free upgrade to the HR-20 from D* in a month or two.

Well, since my neighbor is in the process of de-throwning me of having the biggest garage in the neighborhood, I need to step up on the quality of the TV in my garage :cool: The TV for the kitchen will probably come off the HDMI of my HR20 since my 64" Pioneer is too old for HDMI and is using component. Realistically, I should probably get the TV for my basement, but it's currently too cluttered due to remodeling.

The tv, stand, and recveiver I'm selling here (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/462477543.html)would make a great garage setup!;):D;):D

If anyone's interested, let me know!

-Matt

My D* HD Tivo's have powered off and reset themselves at least 4 times that I know of today while watching football. What gives? Anyone else using HR10-250's still having the same problem?


Edit: My Tivo just shut off again. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott

I have one in my bedroom so it gets little use, but no problems. You may want to double check the temperature and hope it's not the drive. Unplug it for 10 minutes.

There is a thread at tivocommunity http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=372083
where they are speculating it is an issue with CBS and software. You may want to give that a readthrough....

There is a thread at tivocommunity http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=372083
where they are speculating it is an issue with CBS and software. You may want to give that a readthrough....

Thanks, I threw a post in there as well.

I have one in my bedroom so it gets little use, but no problems. You may want to double check the temperature and hope it's not the drive. Unplug it for 10 minutes.

Thanks Mo, internal temp is 41 deg., but I think this whole thing is software D* related.

Scott

Just upgrade Scott.

It's not TIVO, but my HR20 was locked up a couple of days ago which required me to cycle power.

Just upgrade Scott.


OK, and you can come over and set up everything for me. :)

Admittedly season 6 was sub-par, but the trailer for the 24 season 7 premiere is online now, and man, am I ever stoked!

Takes place in Washington instead of L.A., there is NO CTU, and Jack Bauer is on trial for things he did in previous seasons (we knew it had to happen some time)!

And let's just say someone left for dead years ago makes a return.............

http://www.24trailer.com

Admittedly season 6 was sub-par, but the trailer for the 24 season 7 premiere is online now, and man, am I ever stoked!

Takes place in Washington instead of L.A., there is NO CTU, and Jack Bauer is on trial for things he did in previous seasons (we knew it had to happen some time)!

And let's just say someone left for dead years ago makes a return.............

http://www.24trailer.com

If they bring Nina back, I'll puke.

so, what's better, D* or E*? loaded question? ;)

jerel

Anybody else noticing 2-3 second picture freeze-ups on all KSDK prime-time shows coming out of commercial? It's not every commercial break but at least a couple of times during most shows. Want to make sure it's not just me before I complain. This has been going on for several weeks. Sorry if it's already been discussed.



I bet you are watching channel 5 in HD via the E* satellite. I say this becasue I see this too. You won't see it via OTA. I think the satellite uplink or downlink has an issue handling kSDk's snap, crackle and pop when they come back from commercial breaks.

While not "normal", it is standard for the HD "Leader".

Happens with Charter too

I thought I'd share a little about my latest computer build - a HTPC with both HD DVD and Blu-ray playback. I just tested the system with both types of HD discs and playback is smooth and clean. I'm passing through audio as DD or DTS (S/PDIF), also very clean. I received the latest LG combo drive yesterday and all that was required was for me to install it into my playback computer. I upgraded the graphics card drivers (an Asus 8600 GT) and installed the latest patch for PowerDVD Ultra. Since I didn't have a Blu-ray disc yet, I picked up Terminator 2 at Best Buy. It played without a hiccup.



Hey Joe,

Looks like instead of reusing my nVidia 8500, I'll be going for an ATI HD2600. Tom's Hardware did a comparison of nVidia's 8600 and 8400, and ATI's 2600 and 2400. The 2600 blew away all the others, especially in XP. The 8600 only kicked in its video acceleration in Vista. Since I'll be reusing my current XP installation, that leaves out the nVidia cards for me.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/26/avivo_hd_vs_purevideo/index.html

BTW, I found the case I'm gonna use. Priced too high, but it's the only one that'll fit into my audio equipment rack without being too tall:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133029

so, what's better, D* or E*? loaded question? ;)

jerel

Simple, which ever one give you the programming YOU want. Look at both, and go with what gives you the shows/events you want to see. For me, it's D* for the NFL. Go Boltz!

Scott

Hey Joe,

Looks like instead of reusing my nVidia 8500, I'll be going for an ATI HD2600. Tom's Hardware did a comparison of nVidia's 8600 and 8400, and ATI's 2600 and 2400. The 2600 blew away all the others, especially in XP. The 8600 only kicked in its video acceleration in Vista. Since I'll be reusing my current XP installation, that leaves out the nVidia cards for me.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/26/avivo_hd_vs_purevideo/index.html

BTW, I found the case I'm gonna use. Priced too high, but it's the only one that'll fit into my audio equipment rack without being too tall:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133029

I think the latest nVidia drivers support hardware acceleration in XP, too. However, I'm thinking about getting the ATI 2600 XT, since it seems the drivers are maturing to the point I won't have to wrestle with them as much. I'm thinking of trading out my nVidia 7950 GTOC for an ATI 2600 XT. That way I can reuse my old Athlon X2 4400+. It should be plenty if the 2600 XT can do all I've read it can do.

Simple, which ever one give you the programming YOU want. Look at both, and go with what gives you the shows/events you want to see. For me, it's D* for the NFL. Go Boltz!

Scott

boltz? you're a chargers fan? I'm a chiefs fan, is why i'm asking..

Yeah, I definitely need to look at them both, whichever one is advertising 70 HD channels with 100 or more by the end of the year, that's INSANE! I'll be starting my search for a replacement for charter before the end of the year, for sure!

jerel

boltz? you're a chargers fan? I'm a chiefs fan, is why i'm asking..

Yeah, I definitely need to look at them both, whichever one is advertising 70 HD channels with 100 or more by the end of the year, that's INSANE! I'll be starting my search for a replacement for charter before the end of the year, for sure!

jerel

Chiefs! :eek: Go with Directv. It's the only way to see ALL Chiefs games except for the playoff games cuz the Chefs won't be there. :)

Chiefs! :eek: Go with Directv. It's the only way to see ALL Chiefs games except for the playoff games cuz the Chefs won't be there. :)

Haha! Nice one, but sadly, you're probably right! :(

Why isnt the Blues game on TV? This is ridiculous!!!

There's interesting, borderline unbelievable, new data out on the percentage of US homes capable of receiving HD programming:

http://www.isfforum.com/Video-Savant/Digital-Television-Transition/Nielsen-Survey-Puts-US-HDTV-Penetration-at-13.7.html

Thanks, I threw a post in there as well.
Thanks Mo, internal temp is 41 deg., but I think this whole thing is software D* related.

Scott

41 degrees? Where is it? Outside? :eek:

Charter is crazy...
I scheduled an appointment for charter to install an hd-dvr on November 1st well the day before on Halloween i get a call to confirm the appointment and then 20 minutes later i get a call from charter saying they cant install because they are out of hd dvr boxes and wont have them for 2 weeks so they reschedule the installation date to the 16th. Well today i get a call saying charter will be out here at around 8:15-9:30, so i transfer to a human and im told they actually didn't schedule the appointment for the 16th so they got to schedule it to the 17th...and then she goes so we will see you the 7th and i go i thought you said the 17th and she was like oh i sure did.....

What the hell is wrong with the people at charter.

Man, Lucid504, that is par for the course with Charter. I could almost read a book by now on all the stupid issues I've had with Charter. Their customer support people are clueless, most of the techs are incompetent and their upper management is just morons. Good luck. I'm actually still waiting for a replacement HD DVR. Mine went out about a month ago.

Man, Lucid504, that is par for the course with Charter. I could almost read a book by now on all the stupid issues I've had with Charter. Their customer support people are clueless, most of the techs are incompetent and their upper management is just morons. Good luck. I'm actually still waiting for a replacement HD DVR. Mine went out about a month ago.

You try writing to any of the higher ups like stevegm@chartercom.com i actually have wrote there before and got a call back the next day.I wrote to complain about the delays and stuff and that i would like a discount on the installation fee for all these problems. I had things i was supposed to do today but i rescheduled them and charter calls up and tells me they cant do it that pisses me off..

41 degrees? Where is it? Outside? :eek:

I believe that is Celsius.

I believe that is Celsius.

You're no fun. ;)

I believe that is Celsius.

I thought it was Kelvin.:eek:

http://bfads.net/Walmarts-Secret-Friday-Sale

also..see the last item below ;)

This Friday, starting at 8am on November 2nd, 2007, Walmart will have 5 items on sale for “Black Friday Prices” at Walmart retail stores. Those items will be:

* Fisher Price Nascar Ride-On - $144.72
* Sanyo 50" Plasma HDTV - $998.00
* Acer Laptop w/ Celeron Processor & 1GB RAM - $348.00
* Blood Diamond HD-DVD - $14.96
* 12 Monkeys HD-DVD - $14.96
* Big Lebowski HD-DVD - $14.96
* Toshiba HD-A2 DVD Player - $98.87

Does anyone else have audio dropouts when w/ programming off of CW11? I've had my HDTivo for about a month now, and the only issue that I have is w/ the audio dropping out for a few seconds here and there on recordings from this channel and this channel only.

I have the same problem when watching Reaper. Better than a couple of weeks ago - audio and video dropped out, completly unwatchable.

One thing you guys might be able to help with. I need to find a Satelite Company that's willing to install a Dish on my chimney. Direct TV wont' install the HD dishes on chimneys any longer. I want to go back to D*, but all the companies I called didn't call back. The one that did was a guy that worked for them that wanted to do it under the table. The Chimney is the only place that I can get signal.

I have the same problem when watching Reaper. Better than a couple of weeks ago - audio and video dropped out, completly unwatchable.
Yep, it always seems to happen when the wife and I watch 'Reaper' - I actually turned the CC on during the ep w/ the apples because it was so bad.

One thing you guys might be able to help with. I need to find a Satelite Company that's willing to install a Dish on my chimney. Direct TV wont' install the HD dishes on chimneys any longer. I want to go back to D*, but all the companies I called didn't call back. The one that did was a guy that worked for them that wanted to do it under the table. The Chimney is the only place that I can get signal.

To put it on the chimney now is kind of a pain for you the consumer. It can be
done but you would probably get more movement of the dish than those that
have it roof or pole mounted. This would probably result in more service calls for you
thus costing you more money, or the satellite company more money, depending how the
service call charge is handled.

If you can mount it on your chimney, and have a place for the two monopoles that the
D* dish uses, then sure have at it. If you can't provide for the two monopoles I wouldn't
even attempt it.

I mounted my Dad's 3 LNB dish to his chimney but I wouldn't even try the 5 LNB dish.

To put it on the chimney now is kind of a pain for you the consumer. It can be
done but you would probably get more movement of the dish than those that
have it roof or pole mounted. This would probably result in more service calls for you
thus costing you more money, or the satellite company more money, depending how the
service call charge is handled.

If you can mount it on your chimney, and have a place for the two monopoles that the
D* dish uses, then sure have at it. If you can't provide for the two monopoles I wouldn't
even attempt it.

I mounted my Dad's 3 LNB dish to his chimney but I wouldn't even try the 5 LNB dish.

Well the one guy that wanted to do it under the table said that he would tie it around the chimney, then secure it with two poles directly into the morter. Of course, just him talking made me uncomfortable enough that I didn't trust him.

Does anyone else have audio dropouts when w/ programming off of CW11? I've had my HDTivo for about a month now, and the only issue that I have is w/ the audio dropping out for a few seconds here and there on recordings from this channel and this channel only.

Yep, it's a CW11 issue. It's actually improved quite a bit during the last few weeks. During Supernatural about three weeks ago, I counted over two dozen audio dropouts. Last week's episode had only seven. Still too many, but better than before. Hopefully it improves some more tonight.

As for Lucid508's question, "What the hell is wrong with the people at charter?"

I'd start to answer that, but I have to be at work in the morning.......

41 degrees? Where is it? Outside? :eek:

Yes, I keep all my gear outside. :)

Nine dropouts during Supernatural tonight. Guess there's still some work to do. :(

Well the one guy that wanted to do it under the table said that he would tie it around the chimney, then secure it with two poles directly into the morter. Of course, just him talking made me uncomfortable enough that I didn't trust him.

That is what would have to be done.

I went to go pick up the HD-DVD player today out of stock in 2 stores that I tried. Collinsville & Glen Carbon, IL. Great deal if you can find it.

I went to go pick up the HD-DVD player today out of stock in 2 stores that I tried. Collinsville & Glen Carbon, IL. Great deal if you can find it.

I called the Walmart in St. Ann yesterday and they told me they had 26 in stock for today. I got there this morning before they opened and waited in line. By the time I got back to the electronics area they said they had none. When I go in there tomorrow and they have them on the shelves, heaven help them.

Crutchfield also had a bunch, priced at $109. But they're out now too. :(

Everyone realizes these are the 1080i players right, the 1080p are 199(if the A3 is 1080p, I haven't been paying much attention)
Dug

Everyone realizes these are the 1080i players right, the 1080p are 199(if the A3 is 1080p, I haven't been paying much attention)
Dug

Correct. The A2 and A3 are 1080i/720p players. Which, for most, is plenty.

I was going to buy another Oppo for my new 720p front projector, but instead bought an A3 this week @ BestBuy for $199 as it does just as good of a job upconverting SD DVD's as my Oppo (which is what I'm watching most of the time, not HD DVD). Plus, I got 9 free HD DVD's, so it was hard to pass up (and I might be able to pricematch it down to $169 when Sear's has it on Black Friday). I had been on the Blu-Ray/HD DVD fence as was going to wait a while until it works itself out, but couldn't pass up a $199 deal w/ 9 free HD DVD's.

Correct. The A2 and A3 are 1080i/720p players. Which, for most, is plenty.

I was going to buy another Oppo for my new 720p front projector, but instead bought an A3 this week @ BestBuy for $199 as it does just as good of a job upconverting SD DVD's as my Oppo (which is what I'm watching most of the time, not HD DVD). Plus, I got 9 free HD DVD's, so it was hard to pass up (and I might be able to pricematch it down to $169 when Sear's has it on Black Friday). I had been on the Blu-Ray/HD DVD fence as was going to wait a while until it works itself out, but couldn't pass up a $199 deal w/ 9 free HD DVD's.

Is that special still going on at Best Buy? If so, how long? 9 free DVD's, do you get to pick them out there or is that a mail-in offer? And when is Sears sale?

Everyone realizes these are the 1080i players right, the 1080p are 199(if the A3 is 1080p, I haven't been paying much attention)
Dug

Yeah, but my TV is only 1080i, too. Not that it matters now, since they seem to be sold out at this price.

Apparently, the A2 is selling out everywhere at this price. Meanwhile, Sony says they have no intention of lowering the price of their cheapest Blu-ray player for the holiday season. Lower player prices could really tip the balance in this "war." Sony may have been lulled into a false sense of security the past few months.

TigerDirect has the Toshiba A2 for $139 with 5 free HD DVD's. Still a good deal.

The A2 at TigerDirect for $139. (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2530166&sku=T24-9114&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1490MH)

I am enjoying Blu-ray movies now, but I still would prefer to see HD DVD prevail over Blu-ray, if I had to choose.

I called the Walmart in St. Ann yesterday and they told me they had 26 in stock for today. I got there this morning before they opened and waited in line. By the time I got back to the electronics area they said they had none. When I go in there tomorrow and they have them on the shelves, heaven help them.

I went to the St Ann Walmart at about 7:50. They had about 20 people standing around the electronics counter. Almost all of them wanted the Laptop. They said they had a skid of dvd players and were looking for more. They did not have any of the HD DVD's that were to sell for 14.95. I walked out of Walmart with the HD-A2 at about 8:20. They had at least 26 of them.

Sorry you were misled.

Ron

Is that special still going on at Best Buy? If so, how long? 9 free DVD's, do you get to pick them out there or is that a mail-in offer? And when is Sears sale?

Yes, still going on.

-2 free movies come inside the box of the A3 (Bourne Identity and 300), no matter where or when you buy it.
-5 free movies come via a mail-in rebate form to Toshiba, no matter where you buy it. You get a pool of 15 movies to pick from (with grouping type of limitations).
-the extra two free HD DVD movies are an exclusive deal at Best Buy when you buy any Toshiba HD DVD player (even the $199 HD-A3). You simply pick out any two HD DVD's, no limitations other than you can't be a series/multi-DVD set, and at checkout they ring up for $0.00 (either online or in-store). I selected Transformers ($29.99) and Departed ($34.99). Not too shabby.

$199.99 for the A3 + 4 free movies now, and 5 more coming in the mail.

Sear's is going to have the A3 on Black Friday (3 weeks from now) for $169.99 in a "doorbuster" type of deal (probably 7hrs only, while supplies last). However, while it will be $30 for the player, you won't get the 2 free movies off the rack. That's why I went with Best Buy's current deal, and I can always try and pricematch it in 3 weeks and hope the CSR doesn't catch that I got 2 free movies with my $199 price. :)

More info on this stellar deal here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=932307

P.S. The newer A3 isn't sold out like the older A2 being sold at Walmart today for $98 (which only includes the 5 mail-in rebate movies, nothing in the box and nothing free at checkout as BestBuy doesn't have the older A2 anymore).

I looked at all these HD-DVD deals and they're all tempting....

But I went and ordered another 750gig hard drive instead. This will be the NINTH 750gig drive in my server. :D

For all you DVR folks that record CSI but not Without a Trace (or vice versa) on Thursday nights...

You'll want to record both next week. CBS is doing a two part crossover that starts with CSI and continues into Without a Trace, with the casts guest starring in each other's shows.

I went to Walmart this morning and they told me they sold out of available Toshiba HD-A2 players at just after 8:00 am yesterday. They did not have any on the shelves today, so they must not of had 26 units. I did go to Best Buy and I got the HD-A3 for $199.99. It did come with 2 movies in the box, plus you get 2 free movies in the store and 5 more in the mail by rebate. So average $25.00 per movie, I got the player for free. I'm amazed with the up-convert of SD material with this player. Does any know what the differences are between the A2 and the A3?

Anybody else not getting sound on Fox Sports Net (792) on Charter or other???
This is thre second time recently that I have tried to watch a High def sports program and there was no sound.:(

Works for me.

Does anyone know if the OU game should be HD on ABC? I'm not getting it on Charter.

Does anyone know if the OU game should be HD on ABC? I'm not getting it on Charter.

Not sure, but it's not HD on D* either.

Scott

Directv left a long message on my machine today telling me I can't view the new HD channels with my current equipment, and eventually will lose all HD channels. They say I'm a valued customer and to call asap so they can upgrade me for FREE! Yeah, maybe I won't have to call and play CSR/rentention roulette afterall since they already left me a message saying it's free to upgrade.

BTW, the constant reboots I was getting on my HD Tivo's were/are related to CBS somehow. One must download ver. 6.3e and all the reboots stop. It is a widespread problem talked about on many fourums, so anyone with a HR10-250 having reboots download the new version 6.3e.

Scott

GO BOLTZ

Does any know what the differences are between the A2 and the A3?

See my earlier post and head to the HD DVD section of AVS forum, there are plenty of A2 vs A3 posts.

Also, go back to Best Buy tomorrow and pickup a 3rd free HD DVD off the shelf. They just upped the offer to 3 free HD DVD's on the spot with any HD DVD player (plus the same 2 freebies in the box, and 5 w/ mail-in rebate).

$199 for the player, and 10 free movies. Just watched my first one tonight, Transformers HD DVD. Wow, amazing picture and sound quality. (and this, coming from a 7yr HD veteran, even my non-techie wife was blown away).

Offtopic for all you people here with CentruryTel DSL (especially in the St. Peters/O'Fallon area)...

Charter's been pissing me off again. Lots of "the page cannot be found" error emssages when I try to surf, etc.

I vaguely recall people saying 10meg service is flaky in St. Charles Couinty, and that 6meg service is better... but I don't see a 6 meg plan on their site (only 1.5 and 10).

Would this D-Link modem work well with CT?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825112005

What are your current thoughts of CT? Generally happy?

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

Offtopic for all you people here with CentruryTel DSL (especially in the St. Peters/O'Fallon area)...

Charter's been pissing me off again. Lots of "the page cannot be found" error emssages when I try to surf, etc.

I vaguely recall people saying 10meg service is flaky in St. Charles Couinty, and that 6meg service is better... but I don't see a 6 meg plan on their site (only 1.5 and 10).

Would this D-Link modem work well with CT?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825112005

What are your current thoughts of CT? Generally happy?

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

I have been very happy with CT over the last 4 years. When they moved my service back to 6 meg it has been rock solid. When I asked for them to lower my bill they said it's the same price for 6 or 10, so it didn't matter. I have not revisited the 10 meg thing, so I have no idea if it's working yet. As far as the modem goes, I know nothing about modems.

Scott

What are your current thoughts of CT? Generally happy?

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

Very very happy. Phone service has worked flawlessly, and more importantly the DSL service has been rock solid. I had them drop me to 6Mbps right away, which has meant a 24/7 since day one.

Offtopic for all you people here with CentruryTel DSL (especially in the St. Peters/O'Fallon area)...

Charter's been pissing me off again. Lots of "the page cannot be found" error emssages when I try to surf, etc.

I vaguely recall people saying 10meg service is flaky in St. Charles Couinty, and that 6meg service is better... but I don't see a 6 meg plan on their site (only 1.5 and 10).

Would this D-Link modem work well with CT?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825112005

What are your current thoughts of CT? Generally happy?

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

Looks like the modem has all the specs CT would require. I agree with everyone else, stay at 6, the service is stable at that rate.

I have been communicating with head of QA with CT, she is supposed to be looking into the issues locally. Last I heard they were checking my line length, that was 2 weeks ago. I think I could have done it faster myself using a 12" ruler. :eek:

Thanks for the quick replies everybody...

How about THIS modem? It's $25 cheaper with no built-in router (I already have a router):

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2911657&CatId=569

Thanks...

Try a search for Westell 6100 on ebay. That is what CT uses, they specify Rev E.

http://cgi.*********/Westell-6100-modem_W0QQitemZ110188462932QQihZ001QQcategoryZ61826QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Won't CT give you a modem?

See my earlier post and head to the HD DVD section of AVS forum, there are plenty of A2 vs A3 posts.

Also, go back to Best Buy tomorrow and pickup a 3rd free HD DVD off the shelf. They just upped the offer to 3 free HD DVD's on the spot with any HD DVD player (plus the same 2 freebies in the box, and 5 w/ mail-in rebate).

$199 for the player, and 10 free movies. Just watched my first one tonight, Transformers HD DVD. Wow, amazing picture and sound quality. (and this, coming from a 7yr HD veteran, even my non-techie wife was blown away).

I hope Toshiba has enough stock to keep up with this demand. These deals are getting a LOT of attention. Sony has stated that they don't intend to lower their prices for the holiday season, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that change when they find out how many HD DVD players are being sold with this promotion. Plus, there's always the possibility that some really cheap Chinese HD DVD player will arrive soon. If HD DVD can get a lot of $100 and $200 players in stores, you could see an explosion of HD DVD movie sales.

They just have to maintain a little momentum. They haven't done a very good job of that in the past.

Won't CT give you a modem?

It's my understanding that modems supplied by CT are leased (for a couple of bucks a month added to the bill). So buying my own would pay for itself in about a year and a half.

Oh... will CT supply the filter(s) or do I need to get that (those) myself?

As for the cheap HD-DVD players, I think building a new HTPC with that LG combo drive is still the best option. Sure, the $99 deal is cheaper than PowerDVD Ultra by itself (without the rest of the computer), but I like having all that HTPC functionality in the same box.

Hey, just realized this will be the first week since the season began, that the Rams won't lose!

I was at the South County Best Buy this afternoon. Their sale ad has the Toshiba A3 HD DVD player listed for $299, but the in-store display still has it at $199. They only had one on the shelf.

As for the cheap HD-DVD players, I think building a new HTPC with that LG combo drive is still the best option. Sure, the $99 deal is cheaper than PowerDVD Ultra by itself (without the rest of the computer), but I like having all that HTPC functionality in the same box.

Yes, there's no doubt that the HTPC route gives you a lot of flexibility, but the future of the format depends on the average non-tech person being able to go into a big box store like Best Buy or Circuit City, pick up a stand alone player for a song, take it home and play HD movies - dead simple stuff. Did I mention that the price has to compete with already cheap DVD players and regular DVD's? If Toshiba can deliver a really cheap player in volume for the shopping season, they can pull away from Blu-ray.

But, I'm with you, Bob. Give me the flexibility of a PC solution for playback of both formats.

It's my understanding that modems supplied by CT are leased (for a couple of bucks a month added to the bill). So buying my own would pay for itself in about a year and a half.

Oh... will CT supply the filter(s) or do I need to get that (those) myself?

As for the cheap HD-DVD players, I think building a new HTPC with that LG combo drive is still the best option. Sure, the $99 deal is cheaper than PowerDVD Ultra by itself (without the rest of the computer), but I like having all that HTPC functionality in the same box.

While I'd like to do this I'm waiting for audio cards that can handle the lossless codecs. Preferably one that has HDMI passthrough so I can send Audio/Video on the same wire.

One of the big benefits of HD-DVD/Blu Ray is the uncompressed audio. I don't see how I can get that on a PC now.

Does anyone know if the OU game should be HD on ABC? I'm not getting it on Charter.

FYI, the games ABC selected for us on Central regional feed Saturday were in SD only.
Jim

I was just curious to know if anyone else was having problems pulling in CBS/KMOV (4-1) here in the St. Louis Metro area? I live in the Metro East, have a really good OTA in the attic (with an amp) and have HORRIBLE problems with pixelation (to the point that it really is unwatchable), only with 4-1. Every other local HD is rock-solid.

This occurs on the integrated tuner on my Hitachi CRT, my Pioneer Plasma, 2 different HD Tivos, and my Windows Media Center PC with a tuner card.

Based on that, and the many different tuners, I would be inclined to believe that it is either an issue with, in this order:

1. KMOV's broadcast
2. My antenna or my amp

Therefore, is anyone else having problems with KMOV? It is driving me nuts, and I don't know what else to do. I tried unplugging the amp, just to see if it was an issue there, but it had no impact (other than degrading the SD reception).

Thanks,

Rob

I have Charter, so I've had an antenna behind my tv for some time. I haven't had a problem picking up KMOV until recently. I was chalking it up to the leaves. I'm wondering if it is more widespread.

Tim

I'm looking for recommendations for renting HD-DVD's.
I haven't found any B&M locations that rent them.

I used to have Netflix years ago and had good luck.
I signed up again on Friday and I still have not had any shipped. :(
I'm expecting the demand to only get worse as we get closer to the holidays.
Anyone have any feedback on shipping time for HD-DVD rentals from Netflix?

Thanks,
Token

I'm looking for recommendations for renting HD-DVD's.
I haven't found any B&M locations that rent them.

I used to have Netflix years ago and had good luck.
I signed up again on Friday and I still have not had any shipped. :(
I'm expecting the demand to only get worse as we get closer to the holidays.
Anyone have any feedback on shipping time for HD-DVD rentals from Netflix?

Thanks,
Token

I rent mine from Netflix and they've been pretty solid. I usually get a couple of HD DVD's a week for $8.95/month - one at a time. They have a few different plans. I did have a couple of discs that never showed up, but my postal service is such that it's not too surprising. My mailman is not very reliable.

If only Blockbuster rented them, or better yet RedBox, I'd get the player immediately. Otherwise I'm holding out for the LG PC combo drive to come down in price.

Anybody having ATSC drop-outs on Fox tonight?

If only Blockbuster rented them, or better yet RedBox, I'd get the player immediately. Otherwise I'm holding out for the LG PC combo drive to come down in price.

Anybody having ATSC drop-outs on Fox tonight?


For what it's worth the Blockbuster in Alton (the one just off Homer Adams Parkway and Highway 67 N) has about 50 HD DVDs and 50 BluRay DVD's for rent. There probably aren't 50 people with either type player in Alton?Godfrey area. That does't help the majority of you in St. Louis/St. Charles area.

Those of you that have purchased a Toshiba HD-DVD player and want to update the firmware without having to connect to broadband can download an ISO file here (http://tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd-downloadingfirmware.asp). Please follow the instructions to the letter as you can do severe harm to your player. I can now watch "300" without getting a system error.

Anybody having ATSC drop-outs on Fox tonight?

I noticed 2 sound drops on Fox during Prison Break via OTA.

I was just curious to know if anyone else was having problems pulling in CBS/KMOV (4-1) here in the St. Louis Metro area? I live in the Metro East, have a really good OTA in the attic (with an amp) and have HORRIBLE problems with pixelation (to the point that it really is unwatchable), only with 4-1. Every other local HD is rock-solid.

This occurs on the integrated tuner on my Hitachi CRT, my Pioneer Plasma, 2 different HD Tivos, and my Windows Media Center PC with a tuner card.

Based on that, and the many different tuners, I would be inclined to believe that it is either an issue with, in this order:

1. KMOV's broadcast
2. My antenna or my amp

Therefore, is anyone else having problems with KMOV? It is driving me nuts, and I don't know what else to do. I tried unplugging the amp, just to see if it was an issue there, but it had no impact (other than degrading the SD reception).

Thanks,

Rob

I am at home with my sick kid-o today and I am having dropouts like crazy on KMOV as well.

It is the only channel acting out of the norm.

I watched the signal meter and it's all over the place.

I've got a question for you techies:

I've mentioned it here and there that I am really trying to get MyTV (46-1) to come in. Can't get it at all.

I put a termination cap on an unused splitter.

This slightly improved all my signals and when I rescanned channels, 46-1 actually came up and it is now in my guide.

However, I have no picture. Once in awhile it will come up for a split second. On the signal meter it shows no bars for maybe 5 seconds, then 1 bar for a few seconds and so on and so on. Never more than 1 bar (out of 10).

I have read how much RG-6 cable is in terms of preventing signal loss. All my cable runs are RG-59. Now, the main run, from the attic antenna to the basement (at least a 30 foot run) was in the house when I moved in. While it needs to be replaced eventualy it'll be a pain.

In the basement the attic feed goes into a in-line amplifier/splitter and then has another 20 foot run of RG-59. This run would be easy to replace.

Would replacing 20 or so feet of RG-59 with RG-6 improve my reception on any tangible level? I believe I read that RG-59 looses 12db for every 100 foot of cable. So does that mean I am losing 2-3db with this cable run?

FWIW, Larry Rice's station (24-1) comes in fine for me with 2-3 bars. So I don't need a huge boost (in theory) to get 46-1.

In the basement the attic feed goes into a in-line amplifier/splitter and then has another 20 foot run of RG-59. This run would be easy to replace.
The one to concentrate on is the run from the antenna to the amplifier. Make it as short as possible -- put the amplifier closer to the antenna if possible. And NO splitters before the amplifier!

Once the antenna signal has been amplified, following runs of cable and/or splitters matter much less (assuming decent splitters, properly terminated). Reception quality is dependent on signal-to-noise ratio, and amplifiers add noise, so you want to get the antenna signal into the amplifier before it loses any strength.

I believe Channel 46 is using Ch 47 for their digital signal, 668 - 674 MHz. Coaxial cable loss is often specified at 700 MHz, so we will use that.

RG-59, depending on grade, loses about 11 to 14 dB per 100 feet, so 30' would be 3 or 4 dB loss.

RG-6, depending on grade, loses about 4 to 6 dB per 100 feet, so 30' would be about 1 to 2 dB loss. Replacing 30' of RG-59 with RG-6 would improve your signal-to-noise ratio about 2 dB.

PS: Make sure that is a UHF amplifier. If it only covers the VHF frequencies, it is actually REDUCING signal strength.

I'm looking for recommendations for renting HD-DVD's.
I haven't found any B&M locations that rent them.

I used to have Netflix years ago and had good luck.
I signed up again on Friday and I still have not had any shipped. :(
I'm expecting the demand to only get worse as we get closer to the holidays.
Anyone have any feedback on shipping time for HD-DVD rentals from Netflix?

Thanks,
Token

Blockbuster in Bridgeton has them too. I'd check out your local store since chuckparr said they are in the Alton store as well.

Netflix has shipping centers all over the country and ship very fast. I used them when they first started and used to get DVDs the next day after ordering. I also lived in the same area as the first Netflix. :)

Okay peeps. Directv called me to let me know I need to upgrade. Duh! They are coming out Saturday to install a new slimline dish, and 2 HR20's. Best part about it is I didn't have to play csr roulette or rention bull. They called me and it's 100% FREE! :cool: Now, I have to plan my rewire nightmare. :(

Scott

I'm looking for recommendations for renting HD-DVD's.
I haven't found any B&M locations that rent them.

I used to have Netflix years ago and had good luck.
I signed up again on Friday and I still have not had any shipped. :(
I'm expecting the demand to only get worse as we get closer to the holidays.
Anyone have any feedback on shipping time for HD-DVD rentals from Netflix?

Thanks,
Token

The Blockbuster at Lindell and Sarah has both HD DVD and Blu-Ray, last time I was there. Their Blu-Ray selection is much larger than HD DVD.

I get my Netflix HD DVDs in one day usually, although I haven't really tried to get any of the new, big releases (Transformers, Knocked Up) through Netflix, since I bought them.

Okay peeps. Directv called me to let me know I need to upgrade. Duh! They are coming out Saturday to install a new slimline dish, and 2 HR20's. Best part about it is I didn't have to play csr roulette or rention bull. They called me and it's 100% FREE! :cool: Now, I have to plan my rewire nightmare. :(

Scott
I was going to do that for you, too. Oh well.

The one to concentrate on is the run from the antenna to the amplifier. Make it as short as possible -- put the amplifier closer to the antenna if possible. And NO splitters before the amplifier!

Once the antenna signal has been amplified, following runs of cable and/or splitters matter much less (assuming decent splitters, properly terminated). Reception quality is dependent on signal-to-noise ratio, and amplifiers add noise, so you want to get the antenna signal into the amplifier before it loses any strength.

I believe Channel 46 is using Ch 47 for their digital signal, 668 - 674 MHz. Coaxial cable loss is often specified at 700 MHz, so we will use that.

RG-59, depending on grade, loses about 11 to 14 dB per 100 feet, so 30' would be 3 or 4 dB loss.

RG-6, depending on grade, loses about 4 to 6 dB per 100 feet, so 30' would be about 1 to 2 dB loss. Replacing 30' of RG-59 with RG-6 would improve your signal-to-noise ratio about 2 dB.

PS: Make sure that is a UHF amplifier. If it only covers the VHF frequencies, it is actually REDUCING signal strength.

thanks.

this winter I had planned on re-wiring the whole thing and putting a wineguard pre-amp up there with RG-6 cables...everything done "proper"

I plan on getting a TivoHD and dropping D* and only have OTA by around Jan.

I was looking more for a quick temp method. Access to the attic and to the cabling is a chore. I'll need a solid weekend and I don't have that now.

Do we have a confirmation that audio from the HDMI output on a Dish 622 is stereo only? I hoped it was DD or DTS 5.1, but that wasn't the intial report.

Ken, do you know for sure what form the audio takes? I just got my Denon 3808 from AVS and I'd like to be able to use one of the HDMI inputs on it for 622 audio, but not if it's just stereo.

Do we have a confirmation that audio from the HDMI output on a Dish 622 is stereo only? I hoped it was DD or DTS 5.1, but that wasn't the intial report.

Ken, do you know for sure what form the audio takes? I just got my Denon 3808 from AVS and I'd like to be able to use one of the HDMI inputs on it for 622 audio, but not if it's just stereo.

Joe,

Everything I've read says no dd 5.1 over hdmi on the 622. Can you just use optical for sound and hdmi for pic?

Edit: Now I'm reading at dbs talk that people are getting 5.1 via hdmi on the 622.

this winter I had planned on re-wiring the whole thing and putting a wineguard pre-amp up there with RG-6 cables...everything done "proper"
You might gain more by a careful aiming of the antenna (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=74943&d=1170887336). If it was peaked for another station, 46/47 might be suffering.

I'm curious if the recent FCC ruling that looks to get rid of apartment exclusive agreements will affect me soon. I live in an apartment that has a deal with AT&T/DirectTV with one central dish that the whole complex uses. The SD signal is horrible and there are no HD channels. (I do get good OTA from rabbit ears though)

If my unit was in the right spot, I could get my own dish and mount it to my deck. Unfortunatly my unit is not in a location where I can get a signal.

I'm hoping the FCC ruling will go into effect, and allow me to get Charter. I have had them before, and while they are far from great, they would be a big step up for my current setup.

I hope y'all are getting a chance to at least peek at the CMA Awards on KDNL/ABC.

The picture, the 5.1, and the cleavage are all flawless!

And after, what, 35 years.... the Eagles are still fantastic.

Over extra charges for HD: http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34755/118/

Charter released its 3Q financial results earlier today. As expected, not a pretty picture, and with the pressure already mounting elsewhere on cable stocks, Charter is getting hammered in the market today trading at $1.41...

From 24/7 Wall Street:
__________________________________________________

Has Charter (CHTR) Reached The End Of The Road?

Charter Communications (CHTR), the over-leveraged cable company, is down 21% today to $1.41, a new 52-week low. Not that long ago, the stock traded at $4.93.

Wall St. does not like cable companies right now. Even mega-cable company Comcast (CMCSA) is near a 52-week low. There is too much concern that satellite TV high-definition and telecom fiber-to-the-home products will steal cable subscribers.

But, Charter is much weaker than most other cable operators. It carries $19 billion in debt. At its current stock price, the company has a market cap of only $550 million.

Today Charter reported third-quarter pro forma revenues of $1.526 billion grew 11.2% year over year and actual revenue grew 9.9%, driven by significant increases in telephone and high-speed Internet revenues.

Digital video customers increased by only 15,800 in the quarter. Analog video customers decreased by approximately 40,200. Not a very good balance.

But, investors are looking beyond subscriber counts and pro forma numbers. Operating income from continuing operations increased to $107 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $66 million in the third quarter of 2006 and the net loss for the third quarter of 2007 was $407 million, or $1.10 per common share. For the third quarter of 2006, Charter reported a net loss of $133 million and loss per common share of $0.41.

The number that scares shareholder is the $453 million in interest expense. That is an awful lot for a company that reported only $210 million in cash flow.

Charter is in real trouble now. Billionaire Paul Allen controls the company. And it is going to cost him some real dough to get out of this.
__________________________________________________

Hey guys/Mo,

I am getting 2 HR20/21's Saturday. I plan on putting them both in my basement and connecting them to my Russound Cav6.6 whole house system. I want to run HDMI to my DLP in the upstairs Great Room from one of the new boxes. What type of HDMI cable do I need for a run of approx 30'? I know nothing about HDMI.

Thanks,

Scott

Based on my recent experience with Charter, I can see why their stock is falling:

I am beginning to regret switching back to them from DirecTV, but after two HR10-250 Tivos failed multiple times (hard drives, HDMI ports, etc.) I was just tired of fixing them instead of watching them.

I went out and bought a Series 3 Tivo and a Tivo HD. The Pioneer Plasma has a cable card, so I thought what the heck...

After about 4 visits, they FINALLY have the cablecards working in the Tivos, and ironically, the Tivo HD reports that slot 1 has a multi-stream card, rendering the card in the second slot useless, but it's working, and I don't dare open that can of worms with those retards. It's worth the $1.50 a month to not have to repeat a setup and try to get them to understand what they gave me.

Still don't have the cablecard working in the Plasma, but when I know more about the technology than they do, what are you going to do? Their customer support is beyond terrible. Their customer service is even worse. I just don't like the new DirecTV HD PVR interface AT ALL. I like Tivo enough to keep with it....

Now, if I could only figure out why I can't get 4-1 to come in and get it fixed, I would be a happy camper. It figures that the only HD channel Charter can't carry is KMOV, but that's just how my luck goes...

Rob

Hey guys/Mo,

I am getting 2 HR20/21's Saturday. I plan on putting them both in my basement and connecting them to my Russound Cav6.6 whole house system. I want to run HDMI to my DLP in the upstairs Great Room from one of the new boxes. What type of HDMI cable do I need for a run of approx 30'? I know nothing about HDMI.

Thanks,

Scott

I've got a 35' HDMI running from my HR20 to my projector.

I got a Monoprice 22 AWG (http://http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024001&p_id=3571&seq=1&format=2).

I had a little trouble getting the end to make a sharp angle near my projector's input so I got an HDMI port saver (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024005&p_id=2891&seq=1&format=2) from Monoprice also.

It's a 720p projector so I'm only sending 1080i or 720p through the cable. I read elsewhere on the boards that 1080p might require a better cable at long distances. Don't know how true that is. I've never had problems.

Is anyone else getting audio dropouts on Channel 5 HD? Have had it happen on several show the last 2 or 3 weeks. Last night was watching "Life" while recording on D*. Don't know if it's due to D*'s HD feed or not. Have not had a chance to check the OTA to see if it is having the same issue. For next week, it will set one HR20 up to record D*'s HD signal and the other HR20 to record the OTA and see if it is happening on both.

I've got a 35' HDMI running from my HR20 to my projector.

I got a Monoprice 22 AWG (http://http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024001&p_id=3571&seq=1&format=2).

I had a little trouble getting the end to make a sharp angle near my projector's input so I got an HDMI port saver (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024005&p_id=2891&seq=1&format=2) from Monoprice also.

It's a 720p projector so I'm only sending 1080i or 720p through the cable. I read elsewhere on the boards that 1080p might require a better cable at long distances. Don't know how true that is. I've never had problems.

Thanks! The link to the cable didn't work, but I think I found what your bought on their site. I will go ahead and order from them if I can't find it locally.

Scott

Over extra charges for HD: http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34755/118/


You gotta love Mark Cuban.

Walt

HDMI questions cont...

If I am running 25 to 30 ft. of HDMI, what guage will suffice? I really don't want to pay for a guage of wire that is more than i need. Thanks, for answering my OT question.

Scott

For everyone with a MOXI.

Charter has enabled the option of recording/deleting things via www.charter.net Just log in and then click on the TV link and look to the right side. By the zipcode there is a link for DVR menu.

Enjoy.

Tim

I'm curious if the recent FCC ruling that looks to get rid of apartment exclusive agreements will affect me soon. This ruling will almost certainly end up in litigation for a couple of years. So, unfortunately, you shouldn't expect any near-term relief.

With the new 622 L447 update has anyone made use of the Dish Online feature yet? I was wondering how long it takes for the movie to spool before you can start watching it, or if you have to download the whole movie first? It's looks pretty cool, they currently have 221 movies for rent. Between Dish and Xbox360 I should never be out of anything to watch.:)

HDMI questions cont...

If I am running 25 to 30 ft. of HDMI, what guage will suffice? I really don't want to pay for a guage of wire that is more than i need. Thanks, for answering my OT question.

Scott

I emailed Monoprice this quesiton. They recommend at least 24AWG. Glad to hear that as that is the size I was leaning toward.

Scott

With the new 622 L447 update has anyone made use of the Dish Online feature yet? I was wondering how long it takes for the movie to spool before you can start watching it, or if you have to download the whole movie first? It's looks pretty cool, they currently have 221 movies for rent. Between Dish and Xbox360 I should never be out of anything to watch.:)
Jay,
I sent you a PM with details, but for others wondering...no streaming yet. Currently, it's necessary to wait until the entire download is complete until the event can be viewed.

DISHOnline is the beginning of some good things it will evolve to become, towards the end of '08. For now, it's fairly slow...a 90 minute movie takes about 60 minutes to download using a 10mgbt HSI connection, though they can be downloaded through the night in stand-by, or while using the receiver for other operations, in the background. A download in progress does not effect any operations of the receiver.

They are allowing lifetime memberships again.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/08/tivo-temporarily-reinstates-400-lifetime-subscription-for-serie/
And I believe they either just started allowing the Tivo to go / Home media option on the HD units (aka copy the non-protected content off the unit) http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=373588 . If anyone in the area is thinking about the lifetime membership option send me a PM. Charter was able to get it working with two cable cards in the unit at my home in Swansea.

Thanks for the feedback on the HD DVD's.
I couldn't find any B&M's in St. Peters that rent them but I have been getting one day turn around so far with Netflix.

If anyone is looking to buy DVDs, www.deepdiscountdvd.com has dvds on sale for 20% off their normal prices using code dvdtalk. They offer free shipping on most too. Transformers (normally $30 in store) was $21.xx shipped.
http://www.dvdpricesearch.com is also good for comparing prices ;)


Thanks,
Token

Hey guys/Mo,

I am getting 2 HR20/21's Saturday. I plan on putting them both in my basement and connecting them to my Russound Cav6.6 whole house system. I want to run HDMI to my DLP in the upstairs Great Room from one of the new boxes. What type of HDMI cable do I need for a run of approx 30'? I know nothing about HDMI.

Thanks,

Scott

So much for my install tomorrow. I'll spare you all the details, but they were going to install dish only, and not any hr20's. Called to get it fixed and D* wanted $598! WTF, after an hour on the phone, it's FREE again, but what a nightmare. Won't get install until 11/24 now however. Glad I called Premier to check on my install for tomorrow.

So much for my install tomorrow. I'll spare you all the details, but they were going to install dish only, and not any hr20's. Called to get it fixed and D* wanted $598! WTF, after an hour on the phone, it's FREE again, but what a nightmare. Won't get install until 11/24 now however. Glad I called Premier to check on my install for tomorrow.
Your first time away from the TiVo interface, Scott?

Your first time away from the TiVo interface, Scott?

Yep, but I'm not worried. To me a DVR is a DVR. I will become familiar with the basic features of the HR20 just like I did with the Tivo. I may miss the Dual Live Buffers of the Tivo a bit, but I'd gladly give up DLB's for 70 plus channels of HD. D* does need to get their act together with the whole bait and switch they pulled on me.

Scott

Yep, but I'm not worried. To me a DVR is a DVR. I will become familiar with the basic features of the HR20 just like I did with the Tivo. I may miss the Dual Live Buffers of the Tivo a bit, but I'd gladly give up DLB's for 70 plus channels of HD. D* does need to get their act together with the whole bait and switch they pulled on me.

Scott
If you have time, send me a PM with the details...it always interests me in how these companies conduct their business.

I emailed Monoprice this quesiton. They recommend at least 24AWG. Glad to hear that as that is the size I was leaning toward.

Scott

Have you tried Skywalker? They aren't that far from you.

From the credit where credit is due department....

Thursday night's episode of Supernatural had FLAWLESS 5.1 channel sound. Not a single dropout to be heard the entire hour.

Smallville had some clicks and pops in the stereo sound that most likely shouldn't have been there. So still some work to do on that front. And I'm still wondering why so many CW affiliates (not just KPLR) run Smallville with 2.0 sound instead of 5.1. Most of those 720p mkv Smallville episodes floating around in shadier places on the net are 2.0 also, so that particular issue is not just a KPLR problem.

But back to my main point... Lotsa bass, lotsa directional effects... Supernatural is once again one of the best sounding shows on TV!

Another excellent source for cables locally is ShowMeCables.com (888 519-9505). They are located near Chesterfield Airport Road (18079 Edison Avenue), so you can drop in or shop via web with ground shipping. I've been told that several of the high-end retailers in town source cables there.

Not sure if the B&M shop is open on weekends.

I know there are a lot of "24" fans here and that some of you may not have had the opportunity to see the "unaired 1994 pilot" of the series. ;)

Hope this is enough to tide you guys over until the writers' strike is resolved...

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161

I've got a question for you techies:

I've mentioned it here and there that I am really trying to get MyTV (46-1) to come in. Can't get it at all.

I put a termination cap on an unused splitter.

This slightly improved all my signals and when I rescanned channels, 46-1 actually came up and it is now in my guide.

However, I have no picture. Once in awhile it will come up for a split second. On the signal meter it shows no bars for maybe 5 seconds, then 1 bar for a few seconds and so on and so on. Never more than 1 bar (out of 10).

I have read how much RG-6 cable is in terms of preventing signal loss. All my cable runs are RG-59. Now, the main run, from the attic antenna to the basement (at least a 30 foot run) was in the house when I moved in. While it needs to be replaced eventualy it'll be a pain.

In the basement the attic feed goes into a in-line amplifier/splitter and then has another 20 foot run of RG-59. This run would be easy to replace.

Would replacing 20 or so feet of RG-59 with RG-6 improve my reception on any tangible level? I believe I read that RG-59 looses 12db for every 100 foot of cable. So does that mean I am losing 2-3db with this cable run?

FWIW, Larry Rice's station (24-1) comes in fine for me with 2-3 bars. So I don't need a huge boost (in theory) to get 46-1.

Why would you want 46-1 all it is is a 480i digital channel?

If you have time, send me a PM with the details...it always interests me in how these companies conduct their business.

Here is a link to my whole D* upgrade experience at DBStalk.

http://dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108311

Scott

Have you tried Skywalker? They aren't that far from you.


Yes, I called them. $85 for 35'. Ouch! Monoprice has answered my email and say 24 AWG should work fine for less than $25, and I can live with that.

Scott

Another excellent source for cables locally is ShowMeCables.com (888 519-9505). They are located near Chesterfield Airport Road (18079 Edison Avenue), so you can drop in or shop via web with ground shipping. I've been told that several of the high-end retailers in town source cables there.

Not sure if the B&M shop is open on weekends.

Thanks for the link. I like to support the local economy when I can. :)

Scott

Why would you want 46-1 all it is is a 480i digital channel?

1. I will soon only have OTA, so i want as many options as possible for programming.

2. They do occasionaly air sports...they have the IFL, NFL Total Access and once in awhile UFC recaps. Even more rare NCAA sports.

3. They have re-runs of some shows I like...Scrubs, Cheaters, Law and Order...

4. I want to be able to get ALL channels available to me, even if I never watch them (i.e. channel 24) or only watch one show (i.e. RTN and Get Smart).

3. They have re-runs of some shows I like...Scrubs, Cheaters, Law and Order...



During the huge windstorms in the Spring of '06, my antenna spun about 30 degrees and I lost my 46-1 reception.

If they'd bring back the SHE SPIES reruns, I'd turn my antenna back so I could pick 'em up again.

And I'm still wondering why so many CW affiliates (not just KPLR) run Smallville with 2.0 sound instead of 5.1. Most of those 720p mkv Smallville episodes floating around in shadier places on the net are 2.0 also, so that particular issue is not just a KPLR problem.



It's sent to the affiliates in 2.0 from the CW.

This link (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29) has a lot of info. like distance, line-of-sight & azimuth. For LOS, it estimates how many feet up an antenna needs to be too. Nice companion to antennaweb.

Here is a link to my whole D* upgrade experience at DBStalk.

http://dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108311

Scott
Just read that thread, though there wasn't much about your personal upgrade, the rest was entertaining, to say the least.

Waiting to see if they'll upgrade his 14th DVR for the back of his Cayenne, so he can watch High Stakes Poker cruising on Van Nuys blvd, at the same time his girlfriend on does on their island in Fiji. :D

I can't even count to 14 :o

Congrats 23-21...vgg!:)

Just to inform everyone Sears has the Toshiba HD Dvd Player HD-A2 On sale for 98 Dollars

Anyone here live near Lambert? I'm trying to set up an antenna for OTA HD and really can't tune much of anything. I bought an inexpensive amplified UHF antenna (Philips MANT410), which got me from Absolutely Nothing up to Effectively Nothing. Is it reasonable to expect an indoor antenna to be any good, or should I just give in and mount something on my roof?

I'm trying to set up an antenna for OTA HD and really can't tune much of anything.
A lot depends on your altitude. If you are in a valley you will need to try the rooftop antenna. It has also been reported that tipping a directional antenna upwards a few degrees, so it is no longer parallel to the earth's surface, helps.

Watch the aiming of the antenna as well -- the transmitting towers may not be where you think they are! Around the beginning of each month a reminder is added to this thread that includes tower maps and other useful data.

I have a couple of tickets to a performance of "The Bombitty of Errors" at the Grandel Theater (near the Fox) for tomorrow night, Wednesday, at 8:00. If anyone is interested, let me know and you can arrange to pick them up. The show is part of the Rep's Off-Ramp series. I'd hate to see them go to waste.

Anyone here live near Lambert? I'm trying to set up an antenna for OTA HD and really can't tune much of anything. I bought an inexpensive amplified UHF antenna (Philips MANT410), which got me from Absolutely Nothing up to Effectively Nothing. Is it reasonable to expect an indoor antenna to be any good, or should I just give in and mount something on my roof?


The regulars here know my antenna saga quite well. (You guys can skip this).

I'm very near Lambert. I'm in Edmudson in the back of an old subdivsion near St. Ann. I tried several antennas starting with an indoor Silver Sensor. I got mediocre reception. Because I'm in a bit of a valley, surrounded by many very large trees and being so close to Lambert I went with an outdoor Channel Master 4221. I extended the height of the mast and ran it as a direct line. I also have it tilted way back. I get great reception on all the locals except KDNL when there are leaves on the trees. Unless you are in a two story house, it's not hard to install an antenna. If I can do it, anyone can. :) You can get everything you need very reasonably at Skywalker. My CM 4221 was $20. Their info is below. EDIT: I just called Skywalker to order a new balun to replace my cracked one. It was $1.79 and $2-$3 postal mail.

Where exactly are you? You can use Google Earth or a new link I found to see what obstacles may be in the way, go to antennaweb.org too. The new link I posted yesterday includes a lot of info, including LOS. http://www.tvfool.com/modeling/

If you decide to go with an outdoor antenna, grab a cell phone and walk the roof first (and have someone watching your set inside). In my case, just a foot or so made a big difference.

Welcome to the STL thread.

Skywalker Communications
9390 Veterans Memorial Pkwy
O'Fallon, MO 63366
(800) 844-9555
(314) 272-8025
Fax (314) 272-8214

What all does Skywalker Communications sell? Do they sell video cables and everything such as HDMI Cables and are they open to the public?They are right down the road from me like 3-5 minutes.

I have called all around looking for the Toshiba HD A2. No one has it in stock. Sears tell me that it has been discontinued. So if anybody sees one could you please post location. Thanks :)

What all does Skywalker Communications sell? Do they sell video cables and everything such as HDMI Cables and are they open to the public?They are right down the road from me like 3-5 minutes.

They sell all kinds of cables, wires, accessories, etc., and yes, they are open to the public.

I have called all around looking for the Toshiba HD A2. No one has it in stock. Sears tell me that it has been discontinued. So if anybody sees one could you please post location. Thanks :)

I purchased mine at the St Peters,Mo location in Mid Rivers Mall.

Thanks for the info so far, from what I've seen I should be getting much better results than I am at this point.

For testing, I cut myself a super long coax cable and hauled my little antenna outside through a window and up a tree. I improved my reception enough to reliably get the ksdm weather channel, but he rest of the channels are too poor to watch.

I have a 2 story house and an aversion to heights, so I guess my next question has to be... Has anyone had an antenna professionally installed? If I could spend a sane amount of cash to get reliable HD reception, I'm inclined to do that over spending much more time fiddling with it.

I'm trying to set up a MythTV box that is HD capable so I can stop paying a small fortune to Charter every month....

Thanks for the info so far, from what I've seen I should be getting much better results than I am at this point.

For testing, I cut myself a super long coax cable and hauled my little antenna outside through a window and up a tree. I improved my reception enough to reliably get the ksdm weather channel, but he rest of the channels are too poor to watch.

I have a 2 story house and an aversion to heights, so I guess my next question has to be... Has anyone had an antenna professionally installed? If I could spend a sane amount of cash to get reliable HD reception, I'm inclined to do that over spending much more time fiddling with it.

I'm trying to set up a MythTV box that is HD capable so I can stop paying a small fortune to Charter every month....

Have you attempted using a powered antenna inside, i don't have a two story house but i got my tv in my basement. and an antenna ran up to a spare bedroom and i receive every channel that could change for where you live and everything i live in ofallon,mo the only channels i don't receive in good is pbs but thats because i moved the antenna and seem to not get it back to where it used to be to get the pbs channels in clear.

Have you attempted using a powered antenna inside,

Yes, my testing is all done with a Philips MANT410 antenna. I only tried outside because inside didn't work at all, and theoretically is the superior way to go if I'm going to spend any more money on it.

can you do an attic antenna?

Yes, my testing is all done with a Philips MANT410 antenna. I only tried outside because inside didn't work at all, and theoretically is the superior way to go if I'm going to spend any more money on it.

Did you point it at the coordinates for your address and selected two story house at antennaweb.org? Did you check Google Earth for obstacles not in your line of sight?

I'm near Lambert as well and using it outside up a tree should have worked. My indoor Silver Sensor worked for 3 channels when I put it on a high table. But I also knew where it should be pointed. So double-check.

Full Time National Channels:

299: Nickelodeon (NIK1HD)
325: Spike HD
327: Country Music Television (CMTHD)
331: MTV HD
335: VH1 HD

The Mizzou vs KSU is on channel 663-1 in HD on D*.

The Mizzou vs KSU is on channel 663-1 in HD on D*.

Thanks for the info!!! I was getting really frustrated since D* hasn't picked it up on 647-1 yet. Much better than watching in SD!!:)

The Rams and 49'ers are NOT looking sharp today, least as far as picture quality goes (both OTA and *D MPEG-4 local). Is this game being shown in "Fox Widescreen" instead of HD?

BTW, Thursday night's Supernatural episode on KPLR OTA had twelve audio dropouts. Disappointing after the previous week's episode didn't have any. Thought their audio issues were fixed. Guess not. :(

Well, just got an answer to my above question over in the programming forum. Today's game is indeed SD upconverted "Fox Widescreen." :(

You can't blame the network for using their HD resources on other teams.

I know there are a lot of "24" fans here and that some of you may not have had the opportunity to see the "unaired 1994 pilot" of the series. ;)

Hope this is enough to tide you guys over until the writers' strike is resolved...

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161

Thanks Doug, got a great laugh out of it!

It's nice to see all the new HD is keeping this thread quiet, but it sure is boring.

wmschultz,

Here's something that might generate some discussion:

Charter to Roll Out Switched Digital Video in L.A. [Multichannel News] (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6503826.html?nid=3405)

FWIW, I'm bearish on cable rolling out SDV, as I think it will result in lots technical issues and loads of unintended consequences. There have already been problems reported with SDV not working with CableCard TiVo receivers by those cable providers making an early move to SDV.

Then again, it's probably the best near-term hope for cable carrying more HD, short of shutting down analog channels.

Jay,
I sent you a PM with details, but for others wondering...no streaming yet. Currently, it's necessary to wait until the entire download is complete until the event can be viewed.

DISHOnline is the beginning of some good things it will evolve to become, towards the end of '08. For now, it's fairly slow...a 90 minute movie takes about 60 minutes to download using a 10mgbt HSI connection, though they can be downloaded through the night in stand-by, or while using the receiver for other operations, in the background. A download in progress does not effect any operations of the receiver.


Just FYI. (Rant On) Dish takes the liberty of recording an event on my DVR explaining how to network my 622 and access DISH ONLINE from my receiver. So Saturday morning I spent a few hours running a line from my router to the living room and getting the 622's broadband connection established. After doing so I did not have a tab on the menu for DISH ONLINE, ( I am on V447)so I called customer service only to find out that because I have "at&t Dish" the feature is not available to me. I asked to speak with a supervisor. This person had zero customer service skills. He informed me that had I been paying attention to the video, it explained that the feature was available to Dish subscribers and they have no way of billing me for the service. It's odd that my receiver has the Dish logo as does any menu I access in software yet I am not a Dish subscriber? He said they recorded the informational video to all receivers as they can't differentiate between Dish accounts and reseller accounts. That's odd because they could sure identify me as a resellers account and restrict access to the DISH ONLINE tab????? (Rant Off)

Does anyone have an email address for someone at Dish that gives a diddly squat about customer service?

Be sure you don't take the time to connect your receiver to a broadband connection if your not a REAL Dish customer.

Just FYI. (Rant On) Dish takes the liberty of recording an event on my DVR explaining how to network my 622 and access DISH ONLINE from my receiver. So Saturday morning I spent a few hours running a line from my router to the living room and getting the 622's broadband connection established. After doing so I did not have a tab on the menu for DISH ONLINE, ( I am on V447)so I called customer service only to find out that because I have "at&t Dish" the feature is not available to me. I asked to speak with a supervisor. This person had zero customer service skills. He informed me that had I been paying attention to the video, it explained that the feature was available to Dish subscribers and they have no way of billing me for the service. It's odd that my receiver has the Dish logo as does any menu I access in software yet I am not a Dish subscriber? He said they recorded the informational video to all receivers as they can't differentiate between Dish accounts and reseller accounts. That's odd because they could sure identify me as a resellers account and restrict access to the DISH ONLINE tab????? (Rant Off)

Does anyone have an email address for someone at Dish that gives a diddly squat about customer service?

Be sure you don't take the time to connect your receiver to a broadband connection if your not a REAL Dish customer.
ceo@echostar.com
Not being a DISH customer, your questions/concerns should be directed to AT&T, as no customer/provider relationship exists between you and Dish Network.
Once AT&T reaches an agreement with Dish Network to compensate Dish for items, other than monthly programming services, purchased by their AT&T customers, the feature will become available.:)
In the mean-while, you're not missing much :rolleyes:

FYI, spooling receivers for downloads is filtered by receiver number, and billing items is filtered by account numbers. In theory, it would be possible to filter billing issues by receiver number, but with the mass amount of receivers, used by DISH, AT&T, and other resellers, and with the continual swap-out of receivers, it would seem an impossible task.

ceo@echostar.com
Not being a DISH customer, your questions/concerns should be directed to AT&T, as no customer/provider relationship exists between you and Dish Network.
Once AT&T reaches an agreement with Dish Network to compensate Dish for items, other than monthly programming services, purchased by their AT&T customers, the feature will become available.:)
In the mean-while, you're not missing much :rolleyes:

FYI, spooling receivers for downloads is filtered by receiver number, and billing items is filtered by account numbers. In theory, it would be possible to filter billing issues by receiver number, but with the mass amount of receivers, used by DISH, AT&T, and other resellers, and with the continual swap-out of receivers, it would seem an impossible task.

Was that you on the other end of that call Saturday? Just kidding, but that was the same attitude of the supervisor. It was not at&t that took the liberty of recording the event to my DVR it was Dish. Why couldn't Dish have added a definite disclaimer to the infomercial? But wait, it couldn't be Dish because I'm not a Dish customer or am I? Dish provides the content. All they needed to do was state that if you are buying the service from a reseller just disregard this infomercial, as you can't have the feature anyway. They could have suggested that you call in prior to purchasing any materials and running wire through your home.

To the average Joe Blow consumer, when every aspect of the satellite system is branded with the Dish logo they consider themselves a Dish customer even though the charges are incorporated with the telco statement. I consider at&t to be a billing agent. When the consumer gets tiffed for poor attitude/customer service. They are upset with Dish not at&t. Both companies can fling scat at the other but in the end, the consumer see's the Dish logo plastered over every aspect of the service. They can talk until they are blue in the face but ask any at&t/Dish subscriber who they get their service from and I'd bet they say Dish not Charter, Direct or at&t! Dish has no problem in allowing me to purchase PPV and adding the cost to my phone bill. I understand the billing issue for downloads to a HTPC as it bypasses the receiver being able to identify the account for billing. I wasn't trying to establish that type of account. If Dish is sharp enough to filter my receiver to eliminate the Dish Online tab from appearing they should be able to filter out the recording of the DVR event.

Thanks again for the email address. I'm sure my opinions will fall on deaf ears there also:)

If AT&T would just go ahead and buy DISH, all would be good in the world for you.

If AT&T would just go ahead and buy DISH, all would be good in the world for you.

Why would AT&T buy Dish? They have U-verse and are/will be in direct competition.

Walt

Why would AT&T buy Dish? They have U-verse and are/will be in direct competition.

Walt
It would serve the vast areas that won't see U-verse for years, if ever. Smart move to have a complimentary service.

It would serve the vast areas that won't see U-verse for years, if ever. Smart move to have a complimentary service.

Speaking of uverse, evidently Dec 10th will be the day one can order the service, if there are facilities in your area.

I have heard the 5th of Nov, 19th of Nov....

If AT&T would just go ahead and buy DISH, all would be good in the world for you.

"...all would be good in the world..."??????

I hope you're kidding.

When has AT&T (or any telecom carrier, for that matter) ever made things better via acquisition? Such a buyout will almost certainly ensure that all E* subs get screwed up invoices and conflicting promotions.

"...all would be good in the world..."??????

I hope you're kidding.

When has AT&T (or any telecom carrier, for that matter) ever made things better via acquisition? Such a buyout will almost certainly ensure that all E* subs get screwed up invoices and conflicting promotions.
I think I'm in agreement with this, Mo :). Charlie Ergen is hardly the "end to all ends," far from it, but at least he has a clue where the pulse is.

The mega-Telcom's are driven by a "board of this," and "CEO of that," who meet via video-conference, what...every 90 days, or so, where every other statement begins with the word "shareholders."

Not picking on AT&T...it could have been any of them. Today I spent an hour and 14 minutes on the phone, just to have 1 of my land-line numbers disconnected. I know how the cancellation/retention tactics work, and was willing (in this case) to grind it out. I got lucky and skirted the set 30% automatic disconnect.

I recently ordered a hdmi cable and it was a 24awg, my other cables are 26awg. Would anyone suggest me upgrading the other 2 hdmi cables to 24awg or is 26awg pretty good?its a 6 foot cable.

I recently ordered a hdmi cable and it was a 24awg, my other cables are 26awg. Would anyone suggest me upgrading the other 2 hdmi cables to 24awg or is 26awg pretty good?its a 6 foot cable.

You should be just fine with 26awg for a 6' run. I just bought a 30' 24awg, and I couldn't believe how freakin' big this cable is. It's almost as big as the power cord on my monster power center. But, I'm running 30' not 6' which is why I got bit bigger.

Scott

You should be just fine with 26awg for a 6' run. I just bought a 30' 24awg, and I couldn't believe how freakin' big this cable is. It's almost as big as the power cord on my monster power center. But, I'm running 30' not 6' which is why I got bit bigger.

Scott
Scott, did you purchase from showmecables? I will be running around 30' to get to my newly purchased kitchen TV (32" Panasonic LCD :D )

You should be just fine with 26awg for a 6' run. I just bought a 30' 24awg, and I couldn't believe how freakin' big this cable is. It's almost as big as the power cord on my monster power center. But, I'm running 30' not 6' which is why I got bit bigger.

Scott

Thanks for the info i got the 24awg on accident the site didn't specify the awg but i figured i should be fine i was surprised when it came and it was thick as hell compared to the 26awg

Thanks for the info i got the 24awg on accident the site didn't specify the awg but i figured i should be fine i was surprised when it came and it was thick as hell compared to the 26awg

Yeah, I got a 50 foot 24 awg from monoprice and it's a beast...

-Matt

FWIW, I wanted to pass along here that I finally picked a lane and decided that I would stay with DirecTV. As some of you know, I had been considering DISH, figuring that if I had to upgrade to get additional HD programming I might as well consider a switch at the same time.

In the end, I stayed with DirecTV for three reasons:

* First, they gave me a great deal.

I keep my HD TiVo until it craps out, I get the HD Extra package (UHD, HDNet, etc) for 15 months free, I get the new HD DVR for free (either the HR-20 or HR-21) and installation is free (Slimline dish).

I will have to pay for the additional mirror fee, but I think my bill should be largely unchanged due to the HDX credit. By the time my HDX credit runs out, I'll probably have moved the HD TiVo (if it's still working) to one of my SD sets and just have the added convenience of a DVR with LOTS of space for SD programming. In fact, the real benefit of relocating the HD TiVo will be pausing and rewinding, rather than time-shifting.

And until I relocate it, I'll be able to use the HD TiVo as a substitute "second live buffer." Sort of an addiction withdrawal plan...

* Second, the rumors about AT&T buying DISH were the overriding reason I didn't switch. I may be proven wrong, but I expect that both AT&T and Verizon shareholders will come to rue the day these companies got involved in the pay TV business. I truly believe it's going to be a financial and operational bloodbath. The telecos need to figure out real quick that their business is wholesaling bandwidth -- their foray into pay TV and the resulting carnage should help to get that lesson across.

On the other hand, I'm no great fan of John Malone and Liberty, based on the way Malone ran TCI (wretched customer service). In a way, I'm betting that it will take Liberty longer to bugger DirecTV than it will for AT&T to bugger DISH. Hopefully it takes Malone at least 2 years, as my extended commitment will expire in Nov 2009.

By then there may be new and better options.

* Third, is my father, the technophobe. My dad makes use of the current DirecTV SD DVR -- but only just. The idea of needing to take the time to hold his hand while he learns the DISH system and channels has no appeal for me.

As it is, I'm already on 24-hour support standby... :)

The biggest surprise for me was that my install is scheduled for Friday morning, even though I just arranged this an hour ago. I'm getting ready to head out on the road for a couple of weeks and was thinking I'd need to wedge the appointment in between my return and Christmas, so the quick install is a nice additional benefit.

It's possible that there are better deals to be had from DirecTV, but I didn't feel like I needed to get the last pound of flesh from them. I basically pitched this to them as a counter to the current DISH promotion (HD DVR and three SD DVR rooms for free with 6 months free HD service). The retention desk guy I talked to seemed aware of that DISH promotion, and he basically asked me what I needed to stay with DirecTV. The only thing he had to check on was my request for a year free on the HDX service. As it is, he came back with three months free and then 12 months as a credit, so he actually went a bit better than what I needed.

Hope this proves helpful to any other fence-sitters out there...

Well, well, well...who'd've thunk it?

Charter To Double HD Lineup In 2008 [Multichannel News] (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6504664.html?nid=3413)

Maybe I made the wrong decision? Not!

Well, well, well...who'd've thunk it?

Charter To Double HD Lineup In 2008 [Multichannel News] (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6504664.html?nid=3413)

Maybe I made the wrong decision? Not!Doesn't the double of insignificant become inconsequential? Or did I do my math wrong?

Scott, did you purchase from showmecables? I will be running around 30' to get to my newly purchased kitchen TV (32" Panasonic LCD :D )

No, I checked their site, and their pirces are like Skywalker's, too high. The cable I got was from this forums sponsor Monoprice. I would highly recommend checking them out.

Well, well, well...who'd've thunk it?

Charter To Double HD Lineup In 2008 [Multichannel News] (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6504664.html?nid=3413)

Maybe I made the wrong decision? Not!

Hah, maybe I made the upgrade mistake too. NOT! :eek:

They offered to install mine the next day as well. That was too soon, so I'm getting installed on Sat. Hope we both have smooth transitions. :)

Scott

Well, well, well...who'd've thunk it?

Charter To Double HD Lineup In 2008 [Multichannel News] (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6504664.html?nid=3413)

Maybe I made the wrong decision? Not!

As Cyrano Jones once said when negotiating a sale price for his tribbles, "twice nothing is still nothing."

:D

Just to close the loop on my install -- it went flawlessly, although the installer didn't arrive until nearly the end of the install window. But technically, he was on time and I got a lot of work done before he got here (and not a lot afterward).

I had the choice of the HR-20 or the HR-21. I really didn't want to give up the OTA antenna, but then I do still have the TiVo. And that extra storage space kept calling my name. And the glossy black faceplate is very nice to look at.

So, I buckled...

The only problem so far is getting my remote set up to control my Yahama receiver for sound. The online help screen tells me there are nine possible codes, but it shows only four, with the other five apparently running off the right edge of the screen. But I assume I can find the workaround online...will try again later this evening.

Hope yours went just as smoothly, Scott...

FWIW, I wanted to pass along here that I finally picked a lane and decided that I would stay with DirecTV. As some of you know, I had been considering DISH, figuring that if I had to upgrade to get additional HD programming I might as well consider a switch at the same time.

In the end, I stayed with DirecTV for three reasons:

* First, they gave me a great deal.

I keep my HD TiVo until it craps out, I get the HD Extra package (UHD, HDNet, etc) for 15 months free, I get the new HD DVR for free (either the HR-20 or HR-21) and installation is free (Slimline dish).

I will have to pay for the additional mirror fee, but I think my bill should be largely unchanged due to the HDX credit. By the time my HDX credit runs out, I'll probably have moved the HD TiVo (if it's still working) to one of my SD sets and just have the added convenience of a DVR with LOTS of space for SD programming. In fact, the real benefit of relocating the HD TiVo will be pausing and rewinding, rather than time-shifting.

And until I relocate it, I'll be able to use the HD TiVo as a substitute "second live buffer." Sort of an addiction withdrawal plan...

* Second, the rumors about AT&T buying DISH were the overriding reason I didn't switch. I may be proven wrong, but I expect that both AT&T and Verizon shareholders will come to rue the day these companies got involved in the pay TV business. I truly believe it's going to be a financial and operational bloodbath. The telecos need to figure out real quick that their business is wholesaling bandwidth -- their foray into pay TV and the resulting carnage should help to get that lesson across.

On the other hand, I'm no great fan of John Malone and Liberty, based on the way Malone ran TCI (wretched customer service). In a way, I'm betting that it will take Liberty longer to bugger DirecTV than it will for AT&T to bugger DISH. Hopefully it takes Malone at least 2 years, as my extended commitment will expire in Nov 2009.

By then there may be new and better options.

* Third, is my father, the technophobe. My dad makes use of the current DirecTV SD DVR -- but only just. The idea of needing to take the time to hold his hand while he learns the DISH system and channels has no appeal for me.

As it is, I'm already on 24-hour support standby... :)

The biggest surprise for me was that my install is scheduled for Friday morning, even though I just arranged this an hour ago. I'm getting ready to head out on the road for a couple of weeks and was thinking I'd need to wedge the appointment in between my return and Christmas, so the quick install is a nice additional benefit.

It's possible that there are better deals to be had from DirecTV, but I didn't feel like I needed to get the last pound of flesh from them. I basically pitched this to them as a counter to the current DISH promotion (HD DVR and three SD DVR rooms for free with 6 months free HD service). The retention desk guy I talked to seemed aware of that DISH promotion, and he basically asked me what I needed to stay with DirecTV. The only thing he had to check on was my request for a year free on the HDX service. As it is, he came back with three months free and then 12 months as a credit, so he actually went a bit better than what I needed.

Hope this proves helpful to any other fence-sitters out there...


I know I must be in the minority here, but I feel that 80%+ of what is worth watching on TV is on FREE TV. I use an antenea for free HDTV. Missouri vs. Kansas baby, Saturday night, FREE TV. Why pay $70-100 per month for the remaining 20%??

but I feel that...
...80%+ of what is worth watching on TV is on FREE TV. I use an antenna for free HDTV.
Why pay $70-100 per month for the remaining 20%??
Completely subjective...you answered your own question. :)

I know I must be in the minority here, but I feel that 80%+ of what is worth watching on TV is on FREE TV. I use an antenea for free HDTV. Missouri vs. Kansas baby, Saturday night, FREE TV. Why pay $70-100 per month for the remaining 20%??For me 80% of what is worth watching cannot be found on free TV. If the OTA channels disappeared altogether it wouldn't make a whole lot of difference to me.

Just to close the loop on my install -- it went flawlessly, although the installer didn't arrive until nearly the end of the install window. But technically, he was on time and I got a lot of work done before he got here (and not a lot afterward).

I had the choice of the HR-20 or the HR-21. I really didn't want to give up the OTA antenna, but then I do still have the TiVo. And that extra storage space kept calling my name. And the glossy black faceplate is very nice to look at.

So, I buckled...

The only problem so far is getting my remote set up to control my Yahama receiver for sound. The online help screen tells me there are nine possible codes, but it shows only four, with the other five apparently running off the right edge of the screen. But I assume I can find the workaround online...will try again later this evening.

Hope yours went just as smoothly, Scott...

I get my install tomorrow morning Doug. I originally wanted the HR20 for the OTA, but I may buckle too. That glossy black is so damn sexy. Then again, the two DVR's they are bringing I'll put in my unfinished basement rack, so no one will see them really. I'm going to run the 2 new DVR's and my old Tivo into my Russound whole house system, so I'll be able to watch any one of 6 tuners in any one of 6 zones. Also, I got a 30' HDMI cable to run on of the new DVR's upstairs to my Great Room Sammy DLP. I'll post later about the install tomorrow.

I get my install tomorrow morning Doug. I originally wanted the HR20 for the OTA, but I may buckle too. That glossy black is so damn sexy. Then again, the two DVR's they are bringing I'll put in my unfinished basement rack, so no one will see them really. I'm going to run the 2 new DVR's and my old Tivo into my Russound whole house system, so I'll be able to watch any one of 6 tuners in any one of 6 zones. Also, I got a 30' HDMI cable to run on of the new DVR's upstairs to my Great Room Sammy DLP. I'll post later about the install tomorrow.
Scott--Doug,
The "older TiVo's" you refer to, do they do ATSC OTA?

Scott--Doug,
The "older TiVo's" you refer to, do they do ATSC OTA?Yes, the HD TiVo used by DirecTV (its original HD DVR) supports OTA ATSC in a dual-tuner configuration via a single antenna connection.

BTW, I did find the codes for controlling my Yamaha receiver audio on the DirecTV web site. Very nicely organized, including a way to enter my brand and model number and get the actual required code it for and the instructions for programming it into the DVR.

On the other hand, the DirecTV online user forums need a much better search engine. That was my initial approach to finding the info I needed, and it was a total waste of time.

Well, it's Directv install day, and so far no word from the installer. They called yesterday to say the install is today from 7 to 11. I hate having to wait and wonder if they are even going to show. I have disconnected all my diplexers, multiswitch, and receivers in anticipation of the install. Man I hope they show soon, so my ugraded nightmare can begin. I dread having to reconfigure all my wiring, programming remotes, and trying to get my Russound wall plate touchpads to work the new equipment. Hope they show up soon.

Well, it's Directv install day, and so far no word from the installer. They called yesterday to say the install is today from 7 to 11. I hate having to wait and wonder if they are even going to show. I have disconnected all my diplexers, multiswitch, and receivers in anticipation of the install. Man I hope they show soon, so my ugraded nightmare can begin. I dread having to reconfigure all my wiring, programming remotes, and trying to get my Russound wall plate touchpads to work the new equipment. Hope they show up soon.


Installer just called to say he'll be here about 1:30. I asked what DVR models I'm getting and he said HR20, so looks like I get my wish. Now I can continue to have OTA. :)

Scott, Doug

Be sure to head over to DBS and get the tips & tricks for the HR20/21

Scott, Doug

Be sure to head over to DBS and get the tips & tricks for the HR20/21


Thanks Mo!

Installer just called to say he'll be here about 1:30. I asked what DVR models I'm getting and he said HR20, so looks like I get my wish. Now I can continue to have OTA. :)

Well, it's now 2:45 and no installer. I'm trying to stay calm ya'll. :mad:

Installer just called to ask if they sent another tech to my home. NO! He said they were supposed to send another tech at 2:00. He said he is on the way, so the plot thickens.

Okay, installer did show at 4:00. I told him he could mount the dish and I'd mount the multiswitch and hook up both the HR20's. Yes, they actually did bring the HR20's I requested, so I will have OTA options. I haven't had time to play with anything yet since the installer didn't leave until 6:15. I was supposed to be at a family dinner at 5:00, so as soon as he finished I bolted. Now I'm to tired to play, so I'll mess with everything tomorrow. One thing I do like though is the simultaneous output of all resolutions. I write more later on.

Scott

FWIW -- so far, so good for me on the HR-21.

The only problem I've had seems to be related to audio on SD channels (the only ones I have in my favorites are 9, 11, FNC and FSMW, so it's not a major problem). This might be related in some way to my Yamaha receiver, as turning it off and back on, or switching DD on and off via the HR-21, brings the audio back. But then, I've never had this problem with any DirecTV receiver previously.

When my HR-21 was installed, the tech downloaded the latest firmware (0x18B), so I'll post about that at DBSTalk, as they have a thread specific there discussing that version. FWIW, browsing through there it seems no one else is reporting this particular audio issue.

Apart from the lack of the Dual Live Buffer, I like the new DVR quite a lot. One of my biggest complaints about TiVo was the fact that the information on any single screen tends toward the minimalist, probably to the benefit of less technical customers. For example, selecting a program in TiVo's Now Playing List shows no info other than the title and date. The new DVR packs a lot more relevant info about selected items, and this probably saves remote clicks and time. The other big positive is that live or recorded programming remains on screen (in a small window with sound) whenever you go into the guide, playlist, prioritizer, etc. -- again, this was something I disliked about TiVo, as it was basically hostile to multitasking. Also, the new DVR seems a lot more responsive -- although I'm sure the real test will be when it's closer to capacity.

My favorite "new" feature is the quick guide (blue button) which brings a scrolling one-line program guide up at the bottom of the screen. Another win for multitasking.

Tigers #1........am I dreaming?

Walt

FWIW -- so far, so good for me on the HR-21.

The only problem I've had seems to be related to audio on SD channels (the only ones I have in my favorites are 9, 11, FNC and FSMW, so it's not a major problem). This might be related in some way to my Yamaha receiver, as turning it off and back on, or switching DD on and off via the HR-21, brings the audio back. But then, I've never had this problem with any DirecTV receiver previously. I have a problem with the HR20 losing audio now and then. I can't say it's limited to SD channels -- I've never paid that much attention to it. Cycling through audio modes on my receiver always gets the audio back. The problem has existed since I got it a year ago and none of the updates have changed it.

Doug,

I too am liking the HR20 so far. I just set up all my season passes, and it was very simple. The only problem so far was not being able to find some shows to set up the pass, or not having the option to record the OTA version. When I tried to set up Boston Legal, I didn't get any HD channel choices. Thanks for the tip about the blue button Doug. I am definitely going to use that a lot.

Scott - you should be able to record OTA. It does take a day or two for the guide to fully populate. However, I ended up using the mpeg4 locals to save space..... only to then add a 1TB externa
drive a week later. I've got the thing 70 percent full now and my recorded movies looks like a HD Blockbuster. With all of Starz and HBO HD plus HDNet movies recorded, the wife and I have enough HD archived if the writer's strike lasts until next season!

Scott - you should be able to record OTA. It does take a day or two for the guide to fully populate. However, I ended up using the mpeg4 locals to save space..... only to then add a 1TB externa
drive a week later. I've got the thing 70 percent full now and my recorded movies looks like a HD Blockbuster. With all of Starz and HBO HD plus HDNet movies recorded, the wife and I have enough HD archived if the writer's strike lasts until next season!

Yeah, I can record OTA, but for some reason when I searched for Boston Legal I got no HD choices SAT or OTA. Maybe like you say, the guide will populate some more in the coming days. This so cool having this many HD channels. Man, I even have HD channels I'll never watch like The Weather Channel. :)

Scott

WTF! Guide shows 2-1 showing Vikings/Giants, but their showing the Lambs. What's the deal?

I have a problem with the HR20 losing audio now and then. I can't say it's limited to SD channels -- I've never paid that much attention to it. Cycling through audio modes on my receiver always gets the audio back. The problem has existed since I got it a year ago and none of the updates have changed it.Race, thanks for letting me know about the recurring audio problem. I haven't posted to DBSTalk yet, so will hold off for now.

I'm going to be out of town for 2 weeks anyway, so it's not a big near-term concern for me. But then I'm already crossing my fingers that everything that is supposed to record gets recorded while I'm away (though the TiVo should be sufficient fallback as I haven't changed the Season Passes there yet).

FWIW, one of the features I'd love to see in a DVR is something along the lines of different scheduling profiles. When I'm home everyday, there are certain things that I want to record and have available at all times. But when I'm away, there are certain scheduled recordings I'd like to turn off (or reduce the number of episodes) so that they don't take up unnecessary space and possibly block something more critical from being recorded.

Once the different profiles were set up, you could toggle between those (home, travel, etc.), depending on current priorities. I wouldn't think this would be all that difficult to implement -- probably the trickiest part would be designing a friendly/foolproof user interface for setting it up and then selecting which is active.

BTW, I don't know if this is normal or not, but my upgrade did not result in losing the NY FOX local HD channel.

I thought I had read that this was being clawed back, but maybe I imagined that...

BTW, I don't know if this is normal or not, but my upgrade did not result in losing the NY FOX local HD channel.

I thought I had read that this was being clawed back, but maybe I imagined that...Lucky mistake for you.