Newsletter Predicts DirecTV-DISH Merger Not Likely

Over the past few days, the TV Predictions newsletter has been running a series of articles examining the pros and cons of a rumored merger between satellite TV services DISH and DirecTV. In the final article of the series he predicts the merger won't happen -- even though he believes such a deal would probably gain FCC and other regulatory approval.

The following excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
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I predict that DIRECTV and rival EchoStar will not merge despite rumors to the contrary.

Although the deal would allow the satcasters to combine resources, I believe it would also require them to focus almost entirely on getting the deal approved in Washington, D.C. during the next year. In addition, integrating two large satellite TV services (combined 27 million subs) would be time consuming and costly.

For those two reasons, the satcasters would likely have to slow down the roll out of some new services, such as High-Definition TV and Broadband video.
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To read the full TV Predictions story, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/mergerprediction080806.htm)

I have to second Scott's assessment of John's Marantz VP-11S1 projector. (http://us.marantz.com/Products/1828.asp) It produces the best-looking home theater images I've ever seen. If I owned that projector, I'd be going through a new lamp every couple of months and I'd only leave home to buy groceries.

Just for the record, I've seen some extremely nice and ball-breakingly expensive displays over the past few years, including a couple of $30,000+ Runco 3-chip (720p) DLPs -- and John's projector is a significant cut above anything I've seen previously. Of course, it is early days for 1080p front projection and there's going to be an avalanche of competition coming in this area in the next 12 months, which will mean lower prices and further pushing of the envelope on picture quality. But it's hard to imagine that anything is going to look significantly better than John's setup during the lifetime of that system.

As a calibrator, the thing that I really appreciate about the Marantz is that it is extremely well-designed and built with the idea of faithfully presenting what's in the signal -- and nothing more. It was probably the most straightforward projector I've worked on in terms of producing accurate grayscale and gamma, the starting point for overall image accuracy.

The other thing worth noting about John's theater for those who didn't make it to his place on Saturday is that he opted for a slightly curved, 2.35:1 screen, instead of the traditional 16x9 widescreen. There's a firmware update in the works from Marantz that will allow for 2:35:1 media to make use of the entire 1080 x 1920 DLP chip, and with an optional anamorphic lens that will slide down in front of the projector's current lens, the 2:35 image will cover the entire screen in the proper aspect ratio.

That is going to be extremely cool...

Note: If anyone is interested, here are a couple of links to recent reviews of the Marantz projector:

http://www.widescreenreview.com/ (see link to PDF file)

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/videoprojectors/506marantzvp11s1/

Scott,

The SinCity trailer was only 720p. Imagine if it were 1080p ;)

Cheers,

Charter Reports $382 Million 2Q Loss

The following story is from Associated Press:
_____________________________________________

Cable television system operator Charter Communications Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter loss widened on increased operating expenses.

The company posted a loss of $382 million, or $1.20 per share, compared with a loss of $356 million, or $1.17 per share, in the year-ago period.

The loss from continuing operations grew to $402 million, or $1.27 per share, from a loss of $359 million, or $1.18 per share, last year.

Operating expenses increased 12 percent to $887 million from $792 million in the prior-year period due mainly to higher rates of customer growth and higher programming costs.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a loss of 93 per share, on average.

Revenue for the quarter increased 9 percent to $1.38 billion from $1.27 billion on improvements across all business segments. Telephone sales more than tripled to $29 million from $8 million, while video revenue rose 4 percent to $853 million from $821 million.

Consensus estimates put sales at $1.43 billion.

Shares of Charter lost 11 cents, or 8.3 percent, at $1.21 in premarket trading.
_____________________________________________

Scott,

The SinCity trailer was only 720p. Imagine if it were 1080p ;)

Cheers,

I know. I was literally blown away by your set up John. Great job on the whole house. If they re-release Sin City in 1080p, I'll be at your doorstep with some popcorn.

Scott

John, do you have pictures of your setup for those of us that were unable to attend? I'd love to see it.

EDIT: OK. Nevermind. I see the link to a photo gallery in the drop down menu on your name. Cool!

I have to add that I thought John's setup was incredible. It especially reinforced the fact that my 64" Elite needs to be calibrated (which I already knew anyway).

I just wish I could have stayed longer.

[QUOTE=Joseph Clark]There's no way I would choose Charter over Dish at this point, because my HD options would be so limited. You'd give up a lot of channels in choosing Charter. The only way to know if Charter is better than Dish is to capture material from the same source (such as films from HBO) and do some screen grabs from tough scenes. When they did that in the Star Wars III thread recently, Dish held up very will against other providers - including most cable companies. It was no contest with DirecTV - Dish was clearly superior.[/QUOTE
HOW IS THE QUALITY OF DISH's HD PROGRAMMING. IS IT 1080i? AM I CORRECT IN BELIEVING DIRECT TVs HD SERVICE IS VERY LIMITED OR NON-EXISTANT?

mr. wally,

You can see a complete comparison of HD programming offered by DISH, DirecTV and Charter by clicking on the link below:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7979699&&#post7979699

Based on your question about 1080i, you may want to read up on some HDTV basics, which are included here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8109383&&#post8109383

Also, there's no need to SHOUT, so back away from the CAPS LOCK key... :)

Charter CEO Says Phone Service is Key Driver

The story below is from the Multichannel News web site.

I've also done some checking around various news sources online and can't find any references to HDTV in any of Charter press releases, financial summaries or interviews with Smit.

Draw your own conclusions...
_______________________________________________

Charter Communications reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings, boosted in part by growth in its high-speed-Internet revenue and its continued rollout of voice-over-Internet-protocol telephony.

Revenue, including discontinued operations, for the quarter was $1.438 billion, an 8.7% increase over last year, and cash flow rose 4.2% to $519 million.

In a research note, UBS Securities cable debt and equity analyst Aryeh Bourkoff said Charter’s results beat his estimates of $1.42 billion in revenue and $502 million in cash flow.

“[Second-quarter] results demonstrated continued fundamental progress, with top-line growth finally pacing with industry levels and outperformance on revenue, [cash flow] and subscriber metrics,” Bourkoff wrote in his report.

Charter managed to slow down its basic-subscriber losses to 37,800 during the period, compared with 41,700 during the same period last year. The St. Louis-based cable operator increased digital-cable subscribers by 22,600, high-speed-data customers by 52,700 and added 66,500 telephony customers to end the period with 257,600 voice subscribers.

In a conference call with analysts, Charter CEO Neil Smit said that while there is still work to be done, Charter is on track to providing consistent financial performance.

“I believe that we are building a solid foundation for growth,” Smit said on the call.

Later, in an interview, Smit said returning to industry-average double-digit cash-flow growth is a goal for 2007.

Driving that growth will be the continued rollout of phone service, currently available in about 5 million homes passed across the Charter footprint. Charter said it expects to have phone service available in 6 million-8 million homes passed by the end of the year.

“I don’t think our strategies will change dramatically,” Smit said in an interview. “We are going to aggressively deploy phone -- I think that’s a key driver -- and bundle up customers from a marketing approach. We see great value in that from an ARPU [average revenue per unit] perspective, a profit perspective and a churn-reduction perspective.”

On the conference call, Charter pointed to two of its most mature phone markets as an example of the impact phone service has on overall churn.
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To read the full MCN story, click here. (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6360556.html?display=Breaking+News)

[QUOTE=Joseph Clark]There's no way I would choose Charter over Dish at this point, because my HD options would be so limited. You'd give up a lot of channels in choosing Charter. The only way to know if Charter is better than Dish is to capture material from the same source (such as films from HBO) and do some screen grabs from tough scenes. When they did that in the Star Wars III thread recently, Dish held up very will against other providers - including most cable companies. It was no contest with DirecTV - Dish was clearly superior.[/QUOTE
HOW IS THE QUALITY OF DISH's HD PROGRAMMING. IS IT 1080i? AM I CORRECT IN BELIEVING DIRECT TVs HD SERVICE IS VERY LIMITED OR NON-EXISTANT?

Like Doug said.

We have a new boss in town and it's HD DVD. When you compare any of the providers with the new standard, they don't hold up very well. That said, Dish's quality is generally considered better than DirecTV, because all of DirecTV's national channels (HBO, Showtime, HDNet, etc.) are HD Lite (1280x1080), with reports recently of even more severe bit starving of the signal (see Doug's recent posts). Dish is still primarily full HD (1920x1080i). Some cable companies may be better than Dish, although whether Charter is locally is something I can't answer, because I haven't seen it. You do give up a lot of channels with Charter, regardless of the quality of existing Charter HD channels, compared to Dish or DirecTV. Dish currently is the HD leader in channels offered.

All the providers have their downsides. Read the threads and you'll find examples of people jumping ship and swimming swimming somewhere else. DirecTV to Dish. Dish to Comcast. Charter to DirecTV. Etc. etc. etc. Look at Doug's links. You have to choose what's most important to you. Doug's comparisons of what's available by provider should be required reading for any video retailer's employees. All the info is side by side and you can choose what suits you. A provider having one particular channel may be enough for you to decide in favor of them rather than a competitor.

John, do you have pictures of your setup for those of us that were unable to attend? I'd love to see it.

EDIT: OK. Nevermind. I see the link to a photo gallery in the drop down menu on your name. Cool!

There's a construction thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=676930) that starts at a framed room and runs through completion....

Best,

My daughter has been with Charter the better part of 6 years. A couple of months ago, they added the IP phone service to their bundle.

Next week, AT&T is coming out to replace the IP phone with landlines, Pipeline with DSL, and Cable with Dish.

Given, this is but one persons experience, but she tells me that as fast as Charter Phone "swept" through the neighborhood when it was rolled out, all of their neighbors are now moving back to AT&T.

An interesting side-note to waiting Dish Subs...AT&T/Dish have assured her they will be installing a 1000+ dish antenna for her new service on the 14th.
We shall see.

There's a construction thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=676930) that starts at a framed room and runs through completion....

Sweet!! :eek:

[QUOTE=mr. wally]

Like Doug said.

We have a new boss in town and it's HD DVD. When you compare any of the providers with the new standard, they don't hold up very well. That said, Dish's quality is generally considered better than DirecTV, because all of DirecTV's national channels (HBO, Showtime, HDNet, etc.) are HD Lite (1280x1080), with reports recently of even more severe bit starving of the signal (see Doug's recent posts). Dish is still primarily full HD (1920x1080i). Some cable companies may be better than Dish, although whether Charter is locally is something I can't answer, because I haven't seen it. You do give up a lot of channels with Charter, regardless of the quality of existing Charter HD channels, compared to Dish or DirecTV. Dish currently is the HD leader in channels offered.

All the providers have their downsides. Read the threads and you'll find examples of people jumping ship and swimming swimming somewhere else. DirecTV to Dish. Dish to Comcast. Charter to DirecTV. Etc. etc. etc. Look at Doug's links. You have to choose what's most important to you. Doug's comparisons of what's available by provider should be required reading for any video retailer's employees. All the info is side by side and you can choose what suits you. A provider having one particular channel may be enough for you to decide in favor of them rather than a competitor.



thanks

mr. wally,

You can see a complete comparison of HD programming offered by DISH, DirecTV and Charter by clicking on the link below:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7979699&&#post7979699

Based on your question about 1080i, you may want to read up on some HDTV basics, which are included here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8109383&&#post8109383

Also, there's no need to SHOUT, so back away from the CAPS LOCK key... :)



thanks (no caps)

This is off topic but has anyone seen the movie The Black Hole? It's a very bad movie but the St Louis shots make it interesting to watch.

This is off topic but has anyone seen the movie The Black Hole? It's a very bad movie but the St Louis shots make it interesting to watch.
If that was the thing on SCIFI that was centered in the "Lab"(Science center), I saw bits of it, but it was kind of painful.
Dug

DirecTV 2Q Revenue & Profit Up, New Sub Growth Down

The following story is from today's SkyREPORT newsletter:
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As DirecTV announced second quarter results yesterday, strong financial outcomes somewhat overshadowed the fact that maybe the company's business model is starting to show chinks in its armor. The company experienced lower-than-expected subscriber additions producing slower subscriber growth, but along with decreased churn rates DirecTV said its gaining higher quality subscribers.

Less is More.

DirecTV's 2Q revenues increased 10 percent to $3.52 billion and operating profit nearly doubled to $977 million compared to the same period last year. The company reported its operating profit and net income both more than doubled to $741 million and $459 million, respectfully, when compared to 2Q05 while earning $.36 per share.

But despite the strong financial showing, analysts are having a difficult time getting over the weaker results in terms of net subscriber growth. DirecTV recorded net subscriber additions of 125,000 and gross additions of 863,000- the lowest quarterly results in at least six years.
_______________________________________________

For the complete story, go to www.skyreport.com

Saw this over in Fredfa's excellent HD Programming thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8165049&&#post8165049) . An excerpt from the Bridge Reports article on sports and HD. St. Louis, leading the way again :rolleyes: :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/HDTVChannelCarriage.jpg

Glendale,

You can't lay that one on St. Louis. The severely limited HD offering documented in the BRIDGE table is completely down to Charter and its long-standing indifference to HD programming.

I assume that the numbers would not be much different in other Charter markets, but St. Louis is probably the only market among those listed where Charter is effectively the exclusive cable provider.

One thing that's odd about the table on the left is the complete absence of ESPN2. I have to assume that SOME cable systems are carrying the second ESPN HD offering.

Doug,

You're right, maybe I should have labled it "Charter, leading the way again" ;)

I'm not that familiar with the Bridge report, is it focused solely on cable? The caption seems to just reference "pay tv" which seems like the numbers should include satellite as well.

Yes, the primary focus of the BRIDGE newsletter is cable, but of course they also address the satellite and teleco players, as those guys account for virtually all of the competition. Also, looking at this from the publisher's perspective, there's a bigger market of potential subscribers in the cable industry (dozens of regional and national players) than for the satellite industry (two national players).

FWIW, I think the reason that the satellite numbers aren't reflected in the city data is that the effect of averaging the DISH and DirecTV offerings would produce roughly the same relative rankings, although some numbers would be higher and some lower. Of course, there would be some market-to-market differences for cities where the sat guys aren't yet delivering HD locals, but it seems like the main effect of including the satellite numbers per city is that it complicates things without necessarily making the results more illuminating.

with all of the talk from charter about their phone service, i find it pretty incredible that it is not offered in the CWE yet. i've just upgraded to HD and wanted to bundle a package together to save me money on both TV and home phone services, but they told me it was not available in my area and they had no idea when it would.

to me, it just seems that the Central West End is a prime spot to offer this service.

Brian

with all of the talk from charter about their phone service, i find it pretty incredible that it is not offered in the CWE yet. i've just upgraded to HD and wanted to bundle a package together to save me money on both TV and home phone services, but they told me it was not available in my area and they had no idea when it would.

to me, it just seems that the Central West End is a prime spot to offer this service.

Brian


Really? I live in CWE and they kept pushing it on me when I had my install, but I'm not interested in it. That makes no sense really since its just IP based, and the Moxi's are IP based and of course all the internet is too .... hail Charter!

DirecTV was supposed to come today between 1-5. They called around 4:45 and said they were running late and to expect them between 630 and 730.

Well, that brings up several questions. First, what if they don't show? Is it going to be another two weeks before they actually come out and install? Or will they come tomorrow?

Secondly, this isn't going to be an easy install. Trenches will have to be dug, etc. I doubt they can finish by nightfall. Third, I"m sure the installer has been at this all day and just wants to go home. Probably do a poor job, I"m guessing.

***EDIT: Premier just called again. They'll be at my house between 730-900pm. Can they even get this work done? I see no way they can trench a line in the dark. I wish they'd just set up the dish and let me do the rest of the work.

Exhale Now? Murdoch Says Merger "Not Certain"

The following news short appeared in today's Evening Bridge newsletter:
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Shares in satellite television operators DirecTV and EchoStar plummeted today after Rupert Murdoch squashed rumors of the two rival companies joining forces.

Helping the fall was analyst skepticism over the satellite industry's weakness in terms on competing with cable. DirecTV - controlled by Murdoch's News Corp. - fell 56 cents (3.28 percent) to $16.52; DISH Network operator EchoStar dropped 10.26 percent ($3.60) to $31.48.
________________________________________________


Earlier Reuters reported comments from News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch, made in the course of discussing DirecTV results:
________________________________________________

Murdoch, on a conference call with analysts after DirecTV reported quarterly profit gains despite weak subscriber growth, said any potential merger with EchoStar was "not certain."

"We have had no negotiations at all," he said on Tuesday. "There have been a few friendly conversations, but nothing to report on that."
________________________________________________

I guess DirecTV is finally out of the question. 2nd installer finally came around 7:45 and now he tells me that there is no way that I can get it unless I trench a diagonal line across virtually my entire backyard, then rip up 50% of our brick pavers that serve as our patio.

The previous installer had told me that we could run it across the back and then along the fench (in a trench) and only pull up one row of pavers. This was fine, but I wans't going to rip up the entire backyard until I had at least thought it over. So, I called back a few days later, got an install date about two weeks out and now the guy tells me I can't get it that way due to it being over 100 feet.

I'm so frustrated. I'm assuming that there would be no difference between Dish Network and DirecTV when it comes to this? Then I factor in all the trouble many of you have had getting Dish installed......

I guess Charter is my only option. Poor channel choices, pathetic customer "service," overpriced BS, and no Ch30 in HD. I guess I'm going to have to get over it... at least until I move.

Excuse the rant... I really am looking for suggestions -- and a place to vent. Thanks. =/

...I really am looking for suggestions...When I bought my house 3 yrs ago, I did everything (D* dish, ant, cable runs) myself. Cost more money and was a hassle, but I got it done right and the way I wanted.

Winston, sorry to hear the bad news and the hassles you've been through.

It looks like you have to go with Charter until AT&T launches, but then that assumes they carry something like a reasonable HD lineup (the AT&T trials apparently include no HD).

So there, I've managed, at least for now, to make Charter look a little better. Ironic, no? ;)

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I just went through Charter's website and even called to get some info on pricing (because I couldn't make heads or tails of it on the website.)

A few tidbits that probably aren't new to anyone here. First, the DVR charge of 11.99 a month is insane in my view. Plus, like many others, this guy claimed they had no DVRs in stock. I'd be put on the infamous waiting list.

The HD programming Charter offers is 11.99 a month in addition to the digital package, which for "basic digital" is 55.99. Thus, with HD, a DVR (when/if they become "available" you're looking at $80 a month -- for no movie channels and no "sports tier" or anything like that.

That's an insane amount for what you're actually getting. I can't do it. I can't pay that kind of money to deal w/ a company like Charter when I look at the cost versue what I'm getting.


Three quick asides.... First, DISH would have the issue(s) DirecTV did at my house, right? Second, do you think a regular DirecTV dish getting regular analog channels would work at my house (the lady who had this before me had a DirecTV dish up there. Third, has anyone heard any new news regarding TiVo's standalone HD-DVR?

I'm not claiming Charter is perfect, but after reading all the complaints on Direct TV and Dish, I have to say I have had no problems with Charter HD for over a year. Lost cable a couple of days after the recent storm, but that was the least of most peoples worries compared to other damage in area. I have had crystal clear HD reception 99% of the time. Sure, it would be nice to have more HD channels, but there is absolutely nothing I watch on ABC. And the Without A Trace repeats on TNT-HD are the wide-screen/high def broadcasts it seems to me. :)

I just went through Charter's website and even called to get some info on pricing (because I couldn't make heads or tails of it on the website.)



It seems that Charter sends a price list out every couple of years (probably required by statute) and I got mine in my latest statement. For what it's worth:

CABLE TV
Basic cable $10.73
Expanded basic cable $39.26
Basic + expanded $49.99

DIGITAL TIERS
Family & Information $5.00
Movie (Showtime Unlimited) $5.00
Sports $5.00

DIGITAL PREMIUM NETWORKS
Starz/Encore (10 chnls) $13.00
Playboy (1 chnl) $14.99
HBO/Cinemax (17 chnls) $13.00

PPV
Movies $3.99
Adult price varies
Events price varies

ONDEMAND
New Release Movies $3.99
Library Movies $2.99
Adult price varies
Events price varies
Subscription on demands price varies

EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Standard Digital Receiver $3.85
HDTV Digital Receiver $6.85
DVR Digital Receiver $6.85
DVR Multi-room Primary $6.85
DVR Multi-room AddOn MoxiMate $1.50
CableCARD $1.50
Analog Receiver $1.68
Basic-only Tuner $.52
Remote Control $.11

OTHER SERVICES
Integrated Interactive Services up to $4.99 (provides access to the EPG)
HD Tier $6.99
DVR Service Fee $11.98
Multi-room DVR Service Fee $20.32

PACKAGES
Big $59.99 (basic + expanded + digital rcvr + IIS + 1 digital tier + music channels)
Bigger $68.99 (Big + choice of HBO/MAX or Starz/Encore)
Biggest $73.99 (Big + HBO/MAX + Starz/Encore)

Hope this helps you and others.

Terry

If we have any DishHD Gold subscribers, I would appreciate it if you would list the HD channels you have via the satellite. The info on the E* website and SBC's website do not agree in all respects.

Thanks,
Terry

You can always get a promo Charter package, especially as a new customer. I only pay $80 for Digital TV, HD, Moxi, Family Tier, and I get HBO / Cinemax, and Starz for free - plus cable internet.

Like the previous poster, I've had little problems over this last year.

BTW, the installer I had (a subcontractor) had plenty of Moxis - I was supposed to wait 1.5 months, but got mine the day of the install. Charter does NOT KNOW what these subs have in inventory, so you might get lucky.

I watched a Fox show for the first time in a while tonight. (My projector is up and running, finally.) I watched an episode of House and it exhibited the symptoms Ken described in several shots. It would break up, usually in the lower half, sometimes just in a narrow horizontal band near the center of the screen. They don't have all their issues resolved yet. As I said, the problems started near the end of the regular TV season and they aren't all gone yet. It's a local Fox problem, so it's not surprising that the issues surface in both the OTA and Dish HD local broadcasts. I hope the new gear helps resolve this image breakup. It makes an otherwise pretty good image look bad. I noticed less of the blocking artifacts on shot changes on this broadcast, although they did show up a couple of times. An increase in the bit rate would solve that altogether, so hopefully that will happen with their new gear.

Winston,

I assume that if you have line-of-sight issues with DirecTV, you'd also have issues with DISH. If I'm thinking about this correctly, one of the DISH satellites (61.5) is lower on the horizon than any of the DirecTV sats and that's where some of the DISH HD programming originates (Voom? others?).

Not sure about the question about DirecTV and the former occupant of your house receiving the service through an older dish. Maybe the problem you're having is that you have line-of-sight to some of DirecTV's sats but not all of them needed to provide the service/channels you want. Or it could be that whatever is blocking your access wasn't a problem a few years ago (trees growing, new construction, etc.).

On the new TiVo DVR, I believe it will require a CableCard. I haven't heard anything about a Firewire input on the new TiVos, but if that were to be available, you could buy an OTA digital receiver and use that to record digital locals. That would make for a nice solution if you have to go with Charter and they continue to lack KDNL-DT. But if available, it would also add to your cost (and maybe complexity).

If we have any DishHD Gold subscribers, I would appreciate it if you would list the HD channels you have via the satellite. The info on the E* website and SBC's website do not agree in all respects.

Thanks,
Terry


Here's the platinum pack, take away the movie channel HDs (which I've highlighted) from this list:

9420 TNTHD 9421 DSCHD 9422 HDNET 9423 HDNMV 9424 ESPHD 9425 ES2HD 9426 NFLHD 9427 UNIHD 9429 NTGHD 9435 STZHD 9456 HBOHD 9460 SHOHD 9461 HGHD 9466 NBAHD 9470 RAVE 9471 EQUTR 9472 GLLRY 9473 TRESR 9474 ANIMA 9475 WORLD 9476 RUSH 9477 WSPOR 9478 ULTRA 9479 KNGFU 9480 FILMF 9481 MNSTR 9482 HDNWS 9485 GAMEP 9486 FAMLY XXXX KTVI* XXXX KMOV* XXXX KSDK XXXX KDNL*

* Requires a Dish 1000+

I don't have the channel #s yet for the HD Locals, but if you subscribe to locals, and you have a 1000+ they are included.

Cheers,

Group Supports Rural Subs Caught in NAB-DISH Quarrel

The following story is from today's SkyREPORT newsletter:
___________________________________________________

A free market, public policy foundation said it's looking out for rural America by taking its concerns to Congress. The group "dedicated to promoting free market principles" said Congress should protect the country's rural television viewers by encouraging broadcasters and EchoStar to reach a fair and reasonable settlement when it comes to distant networks.

The Frontiers of Freedom Institute urged Congress yesterday to take action to safeguard those rural customers who may soon lose their distant network signals as a result of the long-runing legal dispute between the two entities.

"Time and again, rural consumers are treated unfairly, especially when it comes to their television viewing options," said George Landrith, FoF president. "Now, rural Americans who have come to rely on distant network television signals will soon be deprived of these signals unless the broadcasters and EchoStar reach a reasonable settlement of their disagreement."
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To read the full story, go to www.skyreport.com

Disney Slow Rolls Blu-Ray Titles; Sopranos to HD DVD

The following story and editorial comment is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
___________________________________________________

Disney CEO Robert Iger says the studio's biggest summer hits, Cars and the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel, will not be released on Blu-ray DVD this year.

Disney is backing Sony's new Blu-ray format over its rival, Toshiba's HD-DVD. The new DVDs can display films and TV shows in High-Definition.

However, Iger suggested yesterday in an investors call that the high-def DVD industry is not ready for primetime.

“In all likelihood, adoption of next-gen DVD will be slower to market than standard-definition DVD, which was rather dramatic," Iger said.

The Disney chief, however, said he still believes that the new DVD format will be successful.

In contrast to Disney's action, HBO Video said yesterday that it will release The Sopranos: Season 6, Part 1 on HD-DVD on November 7, the same day it's released on standard DVD.

The HDTV version will cost $129.99, $30 more than the standard DVD edition.

HBO said it would release a Blu-ray edition later in the year.

Swanni Sez:

Disney's decision (and Iger's comment) could be seen as an embarrassment for Sony and a setback for its new DVD format. However, it could also simply mean that Disney is waiting to see if Sony and Toshiba can work a compromise to settle the format war.
___________________________________________________

I'm not claiming Charter is perfect, but after reading all the complaints on Direct TV and Dish, I have to say I have had no problems with Charter HD for over a year.

It's not D*, it's Premiere doing the subcontracted work. Some of the installers are idiots. OTOH, I had a great install in Phoenix when I added another DVR. However it was through a different company D* subcontracted with.

Winston, I haven't had much luck, but you could call and talk to a supervisor. There is one there who is pretty helpful and another who could care less. It's like the complaints when there was only Ma Bell: "We don't care because we don't have to." One other option is to call D* and relay your experience and see what they say.

Premiere Local St. Louis
800-210-0355

Mo

The biggest issue is Charter support, starting with the fact that Charter has done a poor job of training its field staff on how to install this product (I've easily seen a dozen MOXIs installed on HDTVs with the resolution set to 480i).

It's also probably a bit of a learning curve for a basic customer, but anyone who's really interested in having a DVR should be able to work through that. I do think the product documentation is pretty good, but as always it's a challenge to get a customer to read the manual.

I know that without this board, my HD would be screwed. I signed up for HD service almost a year ago. Charter was of no use to me. I had the Moxi box for a while before I got my new TV. I simply called and I said I wanted HD and they "turned it on". They didn't tell me about the resolution. I was smarter than that I figured it out quickly on my own, along with setting it up for widescreen.

But then I had the pixelation problem. A little suggestion from this board lead me to buy a $10 box from radio shack that fixed my problem. Charter was of no help.

Overall I think I like Charter's HD and I do like Moxi, but I think you need to have a certain level of technical know-how and willingness to experiment, otherwise you will be VERY frustrated!

Don't go dropping Charter just yet. The little signs popped up in our neighborhood over 3 weeks ago (there's at least 3 on a major feeder road and 2 more in the neighborhood itself). There's even one less than 1000 feet from my house. When we call AT&T they simply give us a line about not in the system yet - call back. Some of the WORST marketing I've ever seen.

Chris

Where you at in Edwardsville that you don't have DSL?

I'm not claiming Charter is perfect, but after reading all the complaints on Direct TV and Dish, I have to say I have had no problems with Charter HD for over a year. Lost cable a couple of days after the recent storm, but that was the least of most peoples worries compared to other damage in area. I have had crystal clear HD reception 99% of the time. Sure, it would be nice to have more HD channels, but there is absolutely nothing I watch on ABC. And the Without A Trace repeats on TNT-HD are the wide-screen/high def broadcasts it seems to me. :)

I've been very happy with Dish. I currently have a 921 which, while it is not perfect, it does seamlessly integrate my OTA with Sat guide. And I like the interface a lot more than my parents MOXI. I have a Dish 1000+/622 scheduled for install on the 19th.

The bottom line on most of the complaints seems to be lack of communication between Dish, their installers/contractors and the customers. Charter is equally guilty of this.

Hopefully these shortages are short lived and my installer will be there 1000+ in hand on the 19th. If not, I've already scheduled that day to work around the house so at least my day won't be shot.

Dave

Anyone else noticed that KTVI will be blacking out Rams vs. Colts tonight?

Anyone know someone out of market running a MythTV server? ;)

We Interrupt Your Normal AVS Programming...

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

In the not-so-distant past, we used to begin each month of the St. Louis discussion with an entirely new thread and usually that started with a cut/paste of basic resource information that is now buried back on the very first page of this discussion thread.

Because of its location, a lot of that general, introductory information about HDTV and OTA reception is now easily overlooked, especially with the discussion here stretching back more than 2 years and 400+ pages.

In an attempt to make this information more accessible, I'm going to post an advisory/reminder note similar to this every couple of weeks. Ideally this will make this general resource information more visible and easier to find for more readers.

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

So, here's to filling in some of those information gaps...

Tower Maps, Your Satellite/Antenna Rights & Local Station Feedback (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995679&&#post2995679)

Using An Antenna to Receive Local HD Stations (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995718&&#post2995718)

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

HD Programming Available in St. Louis (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7979699&&#post7979699)

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

New! Cardinals HD Schedule (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7576786&&#post7576786)

And finally, I want to remind everyone -- newcomers and old hands alike -- that you can access the St. Louis HDTV discussion here at AVS directly by using the shortcut URL that has been arranged.

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

The shortcut URL is: www.stlhdtv.info

Where you at in Edwardsville that you don't have DSL?

If you're > 14,000 feet from the CO you can't get DSL from ATT.

MyTV to be First All-HD Broadcast Network???

Has anyone else heard of this? This almost reads like one of those April 1 news stories popular among United Kingdom newspapers and readers.

Who is the St. Louis affilliate for this network, or is this going to be sharing space somehow with FOX via KTVI-DT?

The following story is from TV Week's weekly HDTV newsletter:
______________________________________________________

The unusual emergence of Twentieth Television's MyNetworkTV—a channel abruptly birthed by News Corp. to compete with The CW—has obscured one of the more intriguing facts about the project: When it launches Sept. 5, MyTV will be the first broadcast network presenting its programming entirely in high definition.

In terms of quantity, that may be less impressive than it sounds. The channel will run two telenovela-style dramas, under the names of "Desire" and "Secret Obsessions," that will air in a two-hour prime-time block Monday through Friday for 13 weeks before being replaced with a pair of new novelas.

In terms of production hours, the commitment is significant: about 600 original hours of HD content per year, up to nine production units shooting simultaneously and thousands of actors working on the shows.

MyNetworkTV's HD plan is especially interesting because drama is not the most popular HD format. HD adoption is driven by theatrical movies and sports, with nature programming and popular dramas drawing fewer viewers. Reality, daytime shows, kids programming, animation and others lag farther behind.

HD enthusiasts have clamored for all sorts of popular programming to receive HD upgrades, but telenovelas haven't been in high demand. Then again, the entire genre is a big, bold experiment for U.S. audiences.

Fox Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy said going HD was part of the MyNetworkTV plan from the channel's conception.

"We thought it was important to do these shows with the highest production values that we could, and the only way to be state of the art these days is HD," Mr. Abernethy said.

The HD format will lend the serial dramas a more cinematic look, said Paul Buccieri, head of programming for Twentieth Television.

"We chose the format because the picture is gorgeous and lends itself to a cinematic look because of the aspect ratio," he said. "It gave us the opportunity to show off the beauty of our sets and the beauty of our locale."

The series are shot in 1080i resolution and will air in 720p, which is Fox's HD broadcast standard. The standard-definition broadcasts will be shown in letterbox format, with black bars across the top and bottom of the screen.

The decision to letterbox is an interesting choice because it can alienate some viewers who want to see their screen filled with images. Just a few weeks ago, ESPN made plans to show college games in letterbox on its SD channel, then changed its mind.

In the meantime, some ahead-of-the-curve future MyNetworkTV affiliates have decided to upgrade to HD in time for launch. Exact numbers were not available.

As for programming ambitions beyond telenovelas, MyNetworkTV is remaining quiet.

"We continue to talk to somebody about expansion, but we're really going to focus on doing third, fourth, fifth, sixth version of these," Mr. Abernethy said. "We're going to stick with the format."

But if and when the channel expands its lineup, Abernethy said, future programming will also be in HD, regardless of the genre.

"When you're a new network, you have to do things to distinguish yourself," he said. "I can't imagine we wouldn't do something in the HD format."
______________________________________________________

InHD2 Dying? Hey, We Hardly Knew Ya...

The following story excerpt is from TV Weeks' weekly HDTV newsletter:
_______________________________________________

With cable operators adding newer channels such as ESPN2 HD, MHD and Food Network HD, one high-definition network is being booted to make room for the new offerings: INHD2.

An iN Demand Networks spokesperson confirmed the channel is being "scaled back," but will still be available on some systems.

Some Comcast customers in areas including Colorado, Washington and Illinois have been told the network's fate is more dire, however. They've received messages from the cable company saying the channel is slated to "go dark" or that its content is being combined with INHD.
_______________________________________________

To read the full story, click here. (http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=228)

Doug,

There are also rumours going around that inHD is going to be appearing on Dish in the near future. Whether this comes true or not, I cannot say.

Cheers,

Nice story, via TV Week, about the AVS Forum and HDTV online discussions such as this one, including an interview with AVS's David Bott.

http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=229

John,

I hope that really cool InHD Test Pattern program doesn't get the chop... ;)

(FYI, I'm gonna be about a half hour late, as I got caught up in some ISF Forum work this afternoon.)

Anyone else noticed that KTVI will be blacking out Rams vs. Colts tonight?

Anyone know someone out of market running a MythTV server? ;)

I'm upset the Rams game is blacked out in St. Louis tonight. It's only preseason - which makes me wonder what the big deal it is. I know it's broadcast nationally on FOX and features their "A" team of Joe Buck & Troy Aikman. I'm a big Rams fan and want to see these new guys, along with new defense and special teams. Not too mention back-up QB's, RB's etc.. Does anyone have the Fox National Feed still? I used to get Fox East & West feeds when I lived in Columbia MO. I moved here last October and now I can't see a Rams preseason game. Someone who has this channel needs to throw a little party tonight. I'll order the pizza & whatever else! I really don't think I'll enjoy listening to Steve Savard and Malcolm Briggs while staring at a black screen. Not sure I'll get a good feel for this new team..

...Not sure I'll get a good feel for this new team..

This new team will only be out there for the first and second series. After that it's the scrubs so Linehan can figure who to cut and who to keep.

As much as I love Rams football, I'm not bent about not being able to see the game.

BTW: did anyone notice the first regular season game against the Broncos is a CBS broadcast with a noon start? I thought CBS is staying with 2 or 3 HD games a week and those typically will be the big market and 3pm national games.

So my guess is that first regular season Rams game will not be in HD.

I'm bent about it more than anything because I think this is the first time the Rams organization has done this in St. Louis. They have less-than-stellar ticket sales for the first preseason game and they black it out. So rather than getting everyone excited about football season and boosting morale, they're essentially encouraging everyone to find something else to do this evening.

Really smart guys. People aren't going to rush out and drop $80/ticket to go see the first squad play for 10 minutes. There's a chance they'll lift the blackout at the last second (Blues did that several times last year), and DirecTV's guide still states that the game is going to be aired. Not holding my breath, just relaying what I'm seeing.

*yawn*

almost hockey season!

FWIW, the Rams-Colts game is available on DirecTV channel 88 (FOX-HD NY).

Yeah, right now I'm not gonna complain about DirecTV (not as much as usual, anyway) since the game's NOT blacked out on channel 88 (Fox HD East).... though it's having breakups similar to Joe's description of House on KTVI recently.

Also, tonight's game is the ONLY Rams preseason game scheduled for HD. The other three will be all local SD productions.

Wow. Terrible breakup's on the broadcast so far (D* channel 88) but at least it's better than nothing.

There not letting me have the 88 feed but KBSI is also blacking the game out and we get to see f****** Rambo! I can't tell you how mad this makes me!!!! I have ST and evreything!!

Here's the platinum pack, take away the movie channel HDs (which I've highlighted) and also NTGHD from this list:

9420 TNTHD 9421 DSCHD 9422 HDNET 9423 HDNMV 9424 ESPHD 9425 ES2HD 9426 NFLHD 9427 UNIHD 9429 NTGHD 9435 STZHD 9456 HBOHD 9460 SHOHD 9461 HGHD 9466 NBAHD 9470 RAVE 9471 EQUTR 9472 GLLRY 9473 TRESR 9474 ANIMA 9475 WORLD 9476 RUSH 9477 WSPOR 9478 ULTRA 9479 KNGFU 9480 FILMF 9481 MNSTR 9482 HDNWS 9485 GAMEP 9486 FAMLY XXXX KTVI* XXXX KMOV* XXXX KSDK XXXX KDNL*

* Requires a Dish 1000+

I don't have the channel #s yet for the HD Locals, but if you subscribe to locals, and you have a 1000+ they are included.

Cheers,


I have the Gold pack and NTGHD is included since the SD channel is in the 180 pack.

Wow. Terrible breakup's on the broadcast so far (D* channel 88) but at least it's better than nothing.

Very jealous Dish sub here. I'm actually watching the game on nfl.com's gamecast.

how sick is that???

Dave

IIRC, National Geographic is a standard inclusion, in both SD and HD, in GOLD and above on Dish.

I'm bent about it more than anything because I think this is the first time the Rams organization has done this in St. Louis. They have less-than-stellar ticket sales for the first preseason game and they black it out. So rather than getting everyone excited about football season and boosting morale, they're essentially encouraging everyone to find something else to do this evening.

Really smart guys. People aren't going to rush out and drop $80/ticket to go see the first squad play for 10 minutes. There's a chance they'll lift the blackout at the last second (Blues did that several times last year), and DirecTV's guide still states that the game is going to be aired. Not holding my breath, just relaying what I'm seeing.

The blackout thing is a league rule, not a Rams rule. The league actually extended the normal 72hr deadline to 24hrs to let the Rams try to hit the sellout. Apparently they failed.

Thanks guys, I fixed the table on the previous page.

Best,

The blackout thing is a league rule, not a Rams rule. The league actually extended the normal 72hr deadline to 24hrs to let the Rams try to hit the sellout. Apparently they failed.
I'm happy for D* subs who got to view the broadcast, and hopefully it will continue. Not really :D I'm jealous of every one of you, but thought I'd say something nice!

This is the same issue we saw last year, where D* allows their National FOX feed into the league specified blacked-out DMA. In contrast, having distant locals, E* had the game blacked-out into the STL DMA via all broadcasts, including KTVI, WNYW (FOX NY), and KTTV (FOX LA).

I recall some inquires with E*and FoxSports. Does anyone recall if any concrete reasoning was ever established regarding this issue? IIRC, it has come up with baseball, hockey and football.

There not letting me have the 88 feed but KBSI is also blacking the game out and we get to see f****** Rambo! I can't tell you how mad this makes me!!!! I have ST and evreything!!

I was also going to watch the game on KBSI. I wonder why the game was blacked out on KBSI. Is not KBSI more than 75 miles from STL? That is how far the NFL extends their blackouts.

I always assume that if I did not go to the game I could at least view it on KBSI.

BTW: I am approximately 70 miles south of STL and I was able to watch the game on DirecTV's Fox feed out of NY.

Also I am looking to sell 2 Rams PSLs and season tickets for this season if anyone is interested. The two seats are located 3 rows from the press box on the Rams side between the 20 and 30 yard lines.

Thanks

Wow. Terrible breakup's on the broadcast so far (D* channel 88) but at least it's better than nothing.
Did it get better for you? I missed the first quarter but saw only a couple minor pixelation issues from the beginning of the 2nd quarter to the end.

Did it get better for you? I missed the first quarter but saw only a couple minor pixelation issues from the beginning of the 2nd quarter to the end.

Yeah, it cleared up after the first few minutes. I liked the new look for FOX-HD NFL broadcasts. Very clean look to it. Even my non-techie wife commented that she liked the new FOX NFL scoreboard/ticker at the top. That said, we were watching the NY feed. Perhaps Fox 2 will put up their huge logo when they get to show the game locally.

I watched a rerun of Bones tonight from Fox and noticed almost no unusual image breakup. The MPEG blocking was worse on shot changes than on House the night before, and they did cut to the SD feed several times, so it's hard to know what's going on. I was encouraged that the image breakup seemed almost non-existent when they were in HD mode, so maybe they are working on it. There was no other apparent reason for cutting to SD.

Anyone catch the sports on ch. 5 tonight? They reported that the NFL is not allowing TV camera crews in to cover the games as they have in the past, presumably to prevent unauthorized use of footage of their games.

Die nexd schtep ist to keepen out da kameraman mit da eyeglassen. He ist not perfekt.

DISH 2Q Revenue Up 17%; Net Subscriber Additions Slow

The following story is from today SkyREPORT newsletter:
_____________________________________________

Its becoming deja vu... strong financial numbers but weak subscriber additions. The 'less is more' song-and-dance is becoming a recurring theme among satellite companies, and EchoStar is the latest to be singing along.

The DISH Network company reported total revenue of $2.46 billion for the three month period ending June 30, a 17 percent increase compared with $2.1 billion for the same period last year. Basic earnings per share reached $.38 for the quarter, the company said.

DISH reported approximately 195,000 net new subscribers during the period. The additions may have brought the company's total to about 12.46 million, but 195K - down 13 percent from the same period last year - is the lowest net addition total since the first quarter of 1998.

According to Bernstein's Craig Moffett, the company's results are just another example of why the satellite sector is being downgraded across the board.

"We have remained concerned that cable's cost advantage in offering low-priced 'triple-play' bundles will eventually hurt video pricing growth," Moffett said. "EchoStar struggles to maintain price/value equilibrium with competitors."

In addition, the looming shut-off of distant local signals will further problems for the Englewood, Colo.-based company. Moffett said a settlement with broadcasters is possible, but since they hold the upper hand in the negotiations, EchoStar could start facing increased churn rates as early as September.
_____________________________________________

Its been several days now and I"m still having problems with severe dropouts on KMOV-DT. Is anyone else having this problem -- or more accurately has anyone seen a drop in signal strenght from KMOV-DT since the storm?

My KMOV signal has not been the same since the round of storms in late July.
I'm assuming my antenna might have moved but I just wanted to see if anyone else is still having issues ;)


Thanks in advance,
Token

MI3 Set for Simultaneous HD DVD, Blu-ray & DVD Release

Is this the first title that will allow side-by-side comparisons of HD DVD and Blu Ray?

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

Paramount Home Entertainment says it will release Mission Impossible III on all DVD formats on the same day, including Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

The launch, scheduled for October 30, will mark the first time a studio has released a film on standard DVD and both high-def DVD formats on the same day.

The move could spark greater interest in the new High-Definition DVDs, which have lagged in sales due to format incompatibility and other issues. Mission Impossible III, which made its theatrical debut earlier this year, generated $133 million at the box office.

The two-disc DVD edition will include several special features, including five deleted scenes, theatrical trailers and four documentaries. The high-def DVDs will also come with a 1080p High-Definition capability and 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus.
_______________________________________________________

For to read the full story, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/mission081106.htm)

MyTV to be First All-HD Broadcast Network???

Has anyone else heard of this? This almost reads like one of those April 1 news stories popular among United Kingdom newspapers and readers.

Who is the St. Louis affilliate for this network, or is this going to be sharing space somehow with FOX via KTVI-DT?



Doug,

It appears that the former UPN affiliate, WRBU 46, will be the St. Louis MyNetworkTV station.

21. St. Louis WRBU 46 UPN Roberts Broadcasting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_My_Network_TV_affiliates

djsmokyc,

Thanks for tracking down that information. This one wins the Irony of the Week Award -- MyTV, the first all-HD network, being distributed locally by WRBU, the local station known only for its complete aversion to HD broadcasting.

Maybe that will change (and pigs will fly?)...the original article did mention that several of the affilliates of the new network were planning to upgrade to HD broadcasting as a result of signing on...

Have I told you I love D* lately? Can't believe I didn't think about 88. Oh well, like Dean said, I'm not that bent about it especially being a Chargers fan.

Scott

token,

I haven't watched much KMOV lately, but I think there were a number of break-ups when I watched "2.5 Men" via TiVo earlier in the week.

twombomber,

There have been various reports here of Charter customers trying to pick up or exchange a MOXI box at a Charter office, but none that I can recall that were successful. These boxes have always been treated as something special or different by Charter, and there's now the additional complication that MOXI inventory is short and waiting lists are long.

I think it's probably a waste of time to try to swap your MOXI at the local office, but as the CSR said, you can try. If you have any luck, be sure to report it back here.
I'll be honest, I don't think any CSR seems to care what another CSR has said or, in my case, wrote in the Account Notes (so future CSR's would know exactly what had been agreed upon). I am over Charter after 2 unsuccesful attempts to take my Moxi and sign it over to my parents (on the same visit) after being told 4 times that they could and would do just that. Now my bill is still way out of whack, but I'm too irritated to even call right now. If a CSR says something, try to get undeniable proof.

My KMOV signal has not been the same since the round of storms in late July.
I'm assuming my antenna might have moved but I just wanted to see if anyone else is still having issues ;)


Thanks in advance,
Token

Some issues yesterday morning (loss of signal). I think thier Lemay tower got nailed. Might be a while before it gets fixed, since every tower crew in America is working overtime...

I had no issues last night with KMOV -- in fact it's the best reception I've had from them. A repoint of my antenna after the 7-21 storm has me rocking as it were for KMOV :)

Cheers,

I called E* on 7/25 to upgrade my 1000 to 1000+. They gave me an appointment of Saturday, 8/5 between 8am and 12. My technician showed up around 10am and was out by around 11:15am. I live in St. Charles.

I currently have a 622 and 211 receiver. My 1000 was installed on my roof. The 1000+ was also installed on the roof, contrary to some reports that E* would not install this dish on a roof. There are two additional tiedowns which were installed to help stabilize the dish.

After almost a week of use my initial review of the local HD channels is mostly postive. I have toggled back and forth between my attic mounted antenna and the dish and can see virtually no difference in HD picture quality. The only thing that I can complain about, and I have already to E* HD customer service, is that the sound on KMOV HD, channel 4, is kind of chirpy, that's the best way that I can describe it. It does not matter if the programming is local or national in origin. This sound anomaly is audible on both tuners in the 622 and on the 211, and off of both of the KMOV HD channels (2 channels for all local HD stations show up in the HD program guide). Simultaneously checking the KMOV HD signal from my antenna does NOT reveal the same sound problem. Heck, even my wife noticed the chirpy sound coming off of the HD dish signal, and that's saying something. I have also checked the KMOV SD channel as the E* CSR suggested, and the sound on that is just fine. The CSR took down my information two nights ago and said that it would be reported.

I know from reading this thread that not too many 1000+ installations have happened here yet. But for those that have I am curious if any have also noticed this chirpy sound on KMOV HD. All of the other HD locals do not have this same sound issue.

I know from reading this thread that not too many 1000+ installations have happened here yet. But for those that have I am curious if any have also noticed this chirpy sound on KMOV HD. All of the other HD locals do not have this same sound issue.
Yes. I also filed a information report with E* about this after the 1000+ was installed, and once last year, as I had the CBSHD national NY feed from E*, where it also occurred.
"Chirpy" is a good description.

NBC HD seem to have the most issues as the locals HD's roll-out on E* nationwide. Both audio and video, though more slighted to audio. The E* LiL NBC HD issue in the Northwest was a nightmare, and I'm not certain it is completely resolved.

I'm ready to order my 1000+ and 622 to upgrade from my 942. It feels like I am missing out since I can't get the MPEG4 channels (real or tagged). But how do I assure I'll have goldenluver's luck and not everyone else's?

I recall this situation occuring in previous years.

However the local station (or maybe it was the Rams organization) would buy up the
remaining tickets so it could be broadcast...I wondered when that would end.

As someone said decades ago, Follow the money....

Regards,

Rod

It's the local broadcaster that has the rights to the game that would buy up the remaining tickets. I'd have to think that KTVI decided that the revenue they would make from the game was not enough to cover the cost of buying up the remainder of the tickets.

Anybody have recommendations for a retailer/installer for E*? Or any to avoid?

I'm located near SIU-E.

Thanks,
Terry

Anybody have recommendations for a retailer/installer for E*? Or any to avoid?
I'm located near SIU-E.
Thanks,
Terry
Terry,
I've had Ketterman Communications do several installs, all of which have been well done, and by 4 different techs. They are based in Pittsfield IL, probably 150 +/- miles from your location, and they service me out of their Cape Girardeau MO location, so I have no experience with their IL operation, or do I know if they service your area. Cape to here is over 100 miles, so they cover some area.
If you would like to call them to inquire, it's 1-800-664-2602.

KIM, when you place any order through Dish, they will not tell you, nor will they accept any sort of request for installer. The only way you can insure who will do your install is to place your order directly through a retailer, which, more times than not, is more costly. My sole experience with a retailer was a nightmare. They installed a dual-tuner DVR and did not run a second SAT feed because they didn't know it was necessary.

Where you at in Edwardsville that you don't have DSL?

Actually I should have it Thursday (4 weeks after signs started appearing).

I live on the southeast side of town (Vicksburg).

Chris

FWIW...

I was in Columbia MO the last two days and when it came time for the game last night, the local FOX station had a scroll bar come across that said the game was blacked out due to NFL rules...so even though Columbia is more than 75 miles from the EJD it definitely was in effect there as well

The 75-mile rule says that if any zip code that gets the signal is within 75 miles of the game, you get blacked out. So even though Columbia is 120+ miles west of the EJD, the fact that some cable system close enough to the EJD broadcasts the station means nobody in Columbia gets to see the game.

Gotta love the NFL...

FWIW...

I was in Columbia MO the last two days and when it came time for the game last night, the local FOX station had a scroll bar come across that said the game was blacked out due to NFL rules...so even though Columbia is more than 75 miles from the EJD it definitely was in effect there as well


Yes. I lived in Columbia for 7 years until moving back to St. Louis last October. I rented a place out in the country with no access to cable. I remember back in '99, I drove into town (to some bar) to watch the first Rams game of the season. I called my Dad, back in St. Louis and said, "I've got a good feeling about this team." And too bad I couldn't even pick up the local Fox station via the antenna at home. So I signed on with Directv. Got the Sunday ticket - watched every Rams game that season right on to their super bowl victory! Every since then, the Fox affiliate in Columbia, has shown the Rams games. The CBS affiliate shows KC Chiefs and if they both end up on the same network - I dunno - they flip a coin or something. Anyway, since the Rams are the designated team for the Fox affiliate, I had an unfortunate surprise a couple years back. Apparently, since Directv was now offering local channels to all most markets (except Columbia at that point!), any game on the Sunday ticket that was also broadcast by your local affiliate was blacked out on the Ticket. I was so irate, since I couldn't pick up Fox with an antenna, and the locals from DTV were not available yet in Columbia. Even after I scheduled a big party for the Rams game. Of course, I had high def at that point, and got nothing. Luckily, the locals (from DTV) came about a month later so I only missed a few games. But it is surprising the preseason game was blacked out in Columbia. Must be the 75 mile rule (although Columbia is farther than that) or the fact that the Rams are the featured team for that Fox affiliate. Funny side note - I did get a waiver early on with DTV for the Fox East & West feed so I did get to watch a few Rams game on the West feed as they still like their old forgotten Rams?
I'm still bummed I missed the preseason game. Sounded pretty exciting. And if you don't think preseason can be entertaining - you missed last night Patriots-Falcons game. That was exciting, right down to the game winning field goal by the young Falcons kicker!

It's not D*, it's Premiere doing the subcontracted work. Some of the installers are idiots. OTOH, I had a great install in Phoenix when I added another DVR. However it was through a different company D* subcontracted with.

Winston, I haven't had much luck, but you could call and talk to a supervisor. There is one there who is pretty helpful and another who could care less. It's like the complaints when there was only Ma Bell: "We don't care because we don't have to." One other option is to call D* and relay your experience and see what they say.

Premiere Local St. Louis
800-210-0355

Mo

You're dead on regarding Premiere. Awful.

No help whatsoever.

My KMOV signal has not been the same since the round of storms in late July.
I'm assuming my antenna might have moved but I just wanted to see if anyone else is still having issues ;)


Thanks in advance,
Token

I ac tually went up into my attic about three days ago -- boy was it hot -- and rotated the antenna just a bit. Thankfully, I had someone down watching the TV and the signal strength so it only took a few minutes and I was able to get a much, much stronger lock on KMOV.

Even though mine was in the attic, I guess perhaps it was moved; either that or something changed w/ the KMOV tower -- which I doubt -- and I had to readjust either way.

Might want to give that a shot.

Even though Premier and to a lesser extent DirecTV have jerked me around regarding installation, I have decided to go ahead and give them one more shot, and that shot is whether or not they can install regular SD programming and dish onto my roof. If they can do that, I"m going to go ahead and go w/ them and just use OTA for HD.

When I compared the cost of Charter services versus DirecTV services and programming, I discovered that Charters wants far more money for much less product. Even though I can get some HD programming such as ESPN from Charter, there are many HD channels Charter doesn't offer that I wanted. For example, ESPN2 HD. So, I'm giving DirecTV one more shot.

Here's my plan -- and I'm asking that if anyone sees this as not being possible to let me know. I bought an HD-TiVo awhile back from someone on eBay. I own that box. I'm planning on swapping out the receiver they send me w/ the install immediately after they leave and putting in the HD-TiVo box. What I believe I can do with that is receive all of the SD DirecTV programming AND access and pause, record, and rewind our local OTA HD channels. If so, and I can't see why I wouldn't be able to, I will be mostly happy. I'll be able to timeshift local HD and get DirecTV's channels. The only downside is that I won't have any national HD channels like ESPN or ESPN2 HD. In addition, I can upgrade the HD-TiVo and add a second, larger hard drive if necessary.

Are there any flaws in that plan, other than getting Premier to install the regular dish on my roof? (The previous owner of this home did indeed have the dish on the roof and regular SD programming from DirecTV.)

Oh, and as an aside... I called DirecTV on the 8th to schedule this and Premier says the 24th is the soonest install date. Here I've been trying to get DirecTV since June 29th and still nothing until at least the 24th.

I'm confused. The previous owner had a dish, but you want Premier to install a regular dish? Isn't that the same thing? Or by "regular" do you mean the oval one?

Also, you're wanting D* for their HD national channels (like ESPN2) but you're not going to subscribe to them?

As to your question... Yes, your HD Tivo will work fine for recording SD programming and OTA HD stuff. There is a monthly DVR fee, but I'm assuming you already know that.

Tomorrow's (Sunday-12:35PM) Cards game is scheduled to be HD on KPLR-DT.

Looking ahead....Charter subs will also get Tuesday's and Wednesday's game from Busch (Reds) on FSNMW HD, 792.

Anyone having issues with KSDK? I am getting NOTHING and they are always the
strongest signal. I called them and they are going to check.

It's back on...They must have had to reboot something...They said I was the first call they
had gotten.

Yes. I lived in Columbia for 7 years until moving back to St. Louis last October. I rented a place out in the country with no access to cable. I remember back in '99, I drove into town (to some bar) to watch the first Rams game of the season. I called my Dad, back in St. Louis and said, "I've got a good feeling about this team." And too bad I couldn't even pick up the local Fox station via the antenna at home. So I signed on with Directv. Got the Sunday ticket - watched every Rams game that season right on to their super bowl victory! Every since then, the Fox affiliate in Columbia, has shown the Rams games. The CBS affiliate shows KC Chiefs and if they both end up on the same network - I dunno - they flip a coin or something. Anyway, since the Rams are the designated team for the Fox affiliate, I had an unfortunate surprise a couple years back. Apparently, since Directv was now offering local channels to all most markets (except Columbia at that point!), any game on the Sunday ticket that was also broadcast by your local affiliate was blacked out on the Ticket. I was so irate, since I couldn't pick up Fox with an antenna, and the locals from DTV were not available yet in Columbia. Even after I scheduled a big party for the Rams game. Of course, I had high def at that point, and got nothing. Luckily, the locals (from DTV) came about a month later so I only missed a few games. But it is surprising the preseason game was blacked out in Columbia. Must be the 75 mile rule (although Columbia is farther than that) or the fact that the Rams are the featured team for that Fox affiliate. Funny side note - I did get a waiver early on with DTV for the Fox East & West feed so I did get to watch a few Rams game on the West feed as they still like their old forgotten Rams?
I'm still bummed I missed the preseason game. Sounded pretty exciting. And if you don't think preseason can be entertaining - you missed last night Patriots-Falcons game. That was exciting, right down to the game winning field goal by the young Falcons kicker!

You may not know, but KQFX, the Fox affiliate in Columbia, is only about 2 or 3 years old, I can't remember. They're still low power, but the newer channel was a huge gain over the pitiful power of the old Fox channels that existed when I first arrived in Columbia in 2001. A friend who works over there told me that their signal now reaches barely within that 75 mile radius of St. Louis, so they were forced to black out the game.

Even though Premier and to a lesser extent DirecTV have jerked me around regarding installation, I have decided to go ahead and give them one more shot, and that shot is whether or not they can install regular SD programming and dish onto my roof. If they can do that, I"m going to go ahead and go w/ them and just use OTA for HD.

When I compared the cost of Charter services versus DirecTV services and programming, I discovered that Charters wants far more money for much less product. Even though I can get some HD programming such as ESPN from Charter, there are many HD channels Charter doesn't offer that I wanted. For example, ESPN2 HD. So, I'm giving DirecTV one more shot.

Here's my plan -- and I'm asking that if anyone sees this as not being possible to let me know. I bought an HD-TiVo awhile back from someone on eBay. I own that box. I'm planning on swapping out the receiver they send me w/ the install immediately after they leave and putting in the HD-TiVo box. What I believe I can do with that is receive all of the SD DirecTV programming AND access and pause, record, and rewind our local OTA HD channels. If so, and I can't see why I wouldn't be able to, I will be mostly happy. I'll be able to timeshift local HD and get DirecTV's channels. The only downside is that I won't have any national HD channels like ESPN or ESPN2 HD. In addition, I can upgrade the HD-TiVo and add a second, larger hard drive if necessary.

Are there any flaws in that plan, other than getting Premier to install the regular dish on my roof? (The previous owner of this home did indeed have the dish on the roof and regular SD programming from DirecTV.)

Oh, and as an aside... I called DirecTV on the 8th to schedule this and Premier says the 24th is the soonest install date. Here I've been trying to get DirecTV since June 29th and still nothing until at least the 24th.

Like Jon I'm a little confused. Sounds to me like you can get an oval dish on the roof. If you don't have one, I have one you can have for free if you want. If you can get signal, you will have no problem getting ALL HD channels that aren't mpeg 4. Also, why have Premier install the receiver you're not using? Just give the installer your HD-Tivo to install, so you don't have to swap it later.
Good call not going with Charter. You will not regret that one. I was at Bestbuy yesterday, and a Charter rep initiated a conversation with me. That was the biggest mistake he made that day I guarantee it. I said, "OK, if you guys can hook me up with HD cable, high speed internet, phone service, HD- DVR's on 3 TV's for less than $200 per month I'll consider it. He said, "we can do it." I said, If you can do it by the end of this month, I will consider it." He said it would take longer than that, so I told him "that's why I will likely never get Charter. You guys can't even deliver what you're trying to sell." It really is too bad because Charter could have my, and I suspect many others, business if they would get their stuff together. So, I'll continue to pay $215 per month to not have Charter, and be happy doing it.

Scott

Last straw was Charter not offering NFL Net. Decided to switch to Direct TV for my HDTV needs. Will keep Charter for SD.

Can anyone tell me if HDTV for local channels is now available off the Satellite? Have OTA but rather have off of satellite. Which channels are available? Would be really nice to get ABC off of satellite.

I plan on getting rid of my two Moxis and getting Direct TV HDTV Tivos. I assume Direct Tv still offers the HDTV Tivo. Is this true? I also assume the HDTV Tivos work just like my SD Tivos. Is this true?

Any other advice on getting Direct TV would be appreciated. Any place to get a deal?

Plan on using my Dish wiring and switches but replace the Dish dish with a Direct TV dish.



-Jym-

If you get the DirecTV HD Tivo's, you can not get the HD Locals via Satellite.

If you get the HD Receiver though, you can get the HD locals via Satellite.

Until the new HD DVR comes out for DirecTV, you have no way to record local
HD channels from DirecTV via satellite.

I also assume the HDTV Tivos work just like my SD Tivos. Is this true?

Any other advice on getting Direct TV would be appreciated. Any place to get a deal?
-Jym-

The HD DVR and SD DVR are pretty much the same. If you have an R-10 or older Hughes there is no difference. The HD verssion has a few extra things related to HD but it runs slower as more season passes and stuff accumulate. Until we get the promised software upgrade, no folders and slower speed in the menus. The R-15 will be similar to the new DVR.

I would call customer retention to get a free HD DVR. While you are at it, ask for the HD programming pack for 3 months if they do not offer it. If the person you reach is not willing to give it to you, call back and talk to someone else. The dish and install is free and included. The new policy is they lease the units rather than sell them. No big difference and no added cost. I think they will want a two year or just an annual commitment. If so, negotiate more free programming like Showtime HD and HBO HD.

Btw, Cust. Retention usually picks up on the first ring, so be ready. 800.824.9081

But would I use customer retention when I am not an existing customer? I did read on fatwallet the deal for existing customers and the free HD Tivo. But did not think it was available for new customers

But would I use customer retention when I am not an existing customer? I did read on fatwallet the deal for existing customers and the free HD Tivo. But did not think it was available for new customers

I would, even though they are "retention". It's worth a phone call.

You have a PM.

Today I emailed ceo@dishnetwork.com and complained about losing my locals after my dish1000+ order. I got a call about 30 minutes after I sent the email and was informed that my locals were back on!

Today I emailed ceo@dishnetwork.com and complained about losing my locals after my dish1000+ order. I got a call about 30 minutes after I sent the email and was informed that my locals were back on!

This makes no sense to cut off the locals until the new install. It took me 3 weeks after 3 failed installs to get them to turn my locals back on without canceling the order. They know there is a shortage of these dishes, so why they still cutting out the locals?

My install is for this Saturday, has anyone else had a 1000+ installed this week, or has their been another mass of cancellations?

I agree it sucks. They have a process problem in their work order system. I can't believe that don't have this resolved yet.

This makes no sense to cut off the locals until the new install. It took me 3 weeks after 3 failed installs to get them to turn my locals back on without canceling the order. They know there is a shortage of these dishes, so why they still cutting out the locals?

My install is for this Saturday, has anyone else had a 1000+ installed this week, or has their been another mass of cancellations?

Mine is also scheduled for Sat (PM).
So far no cancelation call...

Dave

I agree it sucks. They have a process problem in their work order system. I can't believe that don't have this resolved yet.
I posted about this issue early in July, when I ordered the 1000+ upgrade.
For anyone still experiencing the issue, the resolution with CS is to have them remove your entire programming package (eg: GoldHD Package w/Locals), build the + antenna upgrade work order, and then reinstate your entire programming package w/locals, just as it was prior to building the upgrade work order.

If the CSR just removes your Locals, (which they must do to build the work order) they will not be able to reinstate them once the + antenna upgrade work order is built, until the installation is completed.

The reason is because your locals are part of an additional package added to your programming package, and your new HD locals are part of your existing HD programming package.

I'm confused. The previous owner had a dish, but you want Premier to install a regular dish? Isn't that the same thing? Or by "regular" do you mean the oval one?

Yes, the previous owner of the house had a standard DirecTV dish on her rooftop. All she had was regular, SD programming. She did not have HD. The dish was removed by her son-in-law right before we closed. I assumed it was no big deal because from everything I have been told from others, DirecTV will install a new dish for free. Additionally, I was expecting to get HD at this location and knew that dish that her son-in-law took done was not going to help me.

Also, you're wanting D* for their HD national channels (like ESPN2) but you're not going to subscribe to them?

Yes, I want them, but apparently cannot get them. I posted in detail a few pages back about how they told me I could get HD at my location by installing a dish far in my backyard and not tear up too much of the yard, then they claimed that they'd actually have to have me rip up about half my brick patio and then they still couldn't guarentee that I'd have a strong enough signal due to the long cable run.

As to your question... Yes, your HD Tivo will work fine for recording SD programming and OTA HD stuff. There is a monthly DVR fee, but I'm assuming you already know that.

Thanks for the confirmation. Everything has been more than twice as difficult as I had expected it would be. At least this part might go well.

Thanks!

Anyone else having Moxi issues tonight?

A lot of information is missing from my guide, channels are not showing up in the directory, etc. All of my channels are working but the menu is haywire. I'm hoping it's just a temporary glitch & not a box that is going bad. I tried a hard reboot but it made no difference.

Yes, the previous owner of the house had a standard DirecTV dish on her rooftop. All she had was regular, SD programming. She did not have HD. The dish was removed by her son-in-law right before we closed. I assumed it was no big deal because from everything I have been told from others, DirecTV will install a new dish for free. Additionally, I was expecting to get HD at this location and knew that dish that her son-in-law took done was not going to help me.



Yes, I want them, but apparently cannot get them. I posted in detail a few pages back about how they told me I could get HD at my location by installing a dish far in my backyard and not tear up too much of the yard, then they claimed that they'd actually have to have me rip up about half my brick patio and then they still couldn't guarentee that I'd have a strong enough signal due to the long cable run.


Why can't you just have them install a new HD capable dish back up on the rooftop where the original SD/circular dish was located? If they're telling you that they want to install it in the yard, find a new installer. My neighbor had that issue with E* and they convinced him to stick it on a pole in the ground on the side of his house, instead of going on the roof. He just switched to D* and the installer went up on the roof for him no problem.

Jon,

I have a massive pin oak in the backyard that does NOT block access to the sat w/ SD programming but does block the new HD sat -- or so the guy tells me.

Like Jon I'm a little confused. Sounds to me like you can get an oval dish on the roof. If you don't have one, I have one you can have for free if you want. If you can get signal, you will have no problem getting ALL HD channels that aren't mpeg 4. Also, why have Premier install the receiver you're not using? Just give the installer your HD-Tivo to install, so you don't have to swap it later.
Good call not going with Charter.
Scott

Scott,

Sorry if I was confusing. To be completely honest, the various dishes the DirecTV actually has, the satellites they have (and where they are) and what programming comes from what is something I'm not familiar with. I've been doing a little searching this evening and haven't come up with a whole lot.

However, I know that you said you did all of the installation yourself. Frankly, I would love to do that. I have set up an antenna in my attic before and can navigate through on-screen menus so I feel somewhat confident I could do it.

I do have a couple of questions, though. Is it possible, currently, to do all of the installation yourself and still hook up service w/ DirecTV? Secondly, back when I first called in late June, I was told that I could NOT start service with used equipment (the HD-TiVo), that's why I was going to swap it out later. Was I misinformed?

If I could do the installation myself and avoid the Premier clowns, I'd be MORE than happy to do so.

It seems as though, the question as to whether a dish can be roof-mounted or pole-mounted comes down to the discretion of the installer doing the particular install.

E* (escalations) sent me an email reply recently stating it is the policy of E* for any Dish exceeding 30" in width to be either pole-mounted in the ground, or roof-top mounted above only a non-living area of the location, such as a garage.
Here is a copy of their reply to my query as to where the 1000+ should be installed:
----- Original Message -----
From: Laslo_David@echostar.net
To: kdg454@earthlink.net
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 12:09 PM
Subject: Re: Dish 1000 + Antenna Installation Location

Ken,

This is the current policy on Dish 1000’s and Dish 1000+. They must be installed on a pole in the ground, or on the rooftop of a non living area, such as a garage.

Sincerely,

David Laslo
Executive Escalations Echostar

Mine was installed in exactly the same place as my smaller Dish500, using the same mount plate and additionally provided strut supports.

However, the Dish 1000+ does exceed this measurement, and there are some installers who insist it must be pole-mounted in the yard, and other installers who just install them on any suitable roof-top location.

There are many members here who have recently had their Dish 1000+ installed in a normal roof-top location, and some who have been told by the installer it cannot be installed on a roof-top.

We are seeing now, this same issue exists with the D* installations.

If there is any, or if installers follow any specific written directives on such mounting applications, it certainly seems the installer is the person left with the responsibility of determining and applying the directive(s) to the application. Or, that perhaps some installers are not aware of any mounting policies being in directive, and therefore simply follow their more familiar set of rules where the installer "makes that call."

Either way, I believe with the correct coaching, you should be able to convince the installer to mount the Dish just where you want it mounted.

My install is for this Saturday, has anyone else had a 1000+ installed this week, or has their been another mass of cancellations?

After 4 tries and 2 no shows, I have a 1000+ in Troy, IL. The install was for Sat, Aug 12 8am-12pm... no call no show. Called dish to complain... at 4pm, I received the call from the installer apologizing and saying he could be there at 4:30pm. I asked how long it would take and he said 1 hour, 1.5 tops. I said ok.

Guy showed up at 4:30... didn't get done till 7:30 (which made me rather late to a concert). It was the first one the installer has done and he was a supervisor. One main delay was that he was told from the warehouse that the 4 cables can go in any order... the check switch wasn't working so he read the instruction manual and the cables do have to go in a certain 1-2-3-4 out of it.

Another weird thing about the install - I had a 1000 dish before this, and for the 1000+, he had to move it about 2 feet west and 2 feet south of the the 1000 dish location. Not exactly sure why as the only addition was 118.7 - no new trees or anything to block the signal.

HD locals look fine. Only HD I could find yesterday afternoon was Nascar and I could not tell a difference between E* and OTA besides the obvious time delay. I'll be looking at that more closely with primetime programming this week.

The only thing that worries me is the signal strength:
110 - 58
118 - 90
119 - 104
129 - 78

110 is awfully low. I should have checked signals before the install to see what I was getting before, but I am reasonably certain 110 was in the 70-80 range and 119 was ~85-88.

The only thing that worries me is the signal strength:
110 - 58
118 - 90
119 - 104
129 - 78

110 is awfully low. I should have checked signals before the install to see what I was getting before, but I am reasonably certain 110 was in the 70-80 range and 119 was ~85-88.
110 should not be that low, along-side those other readings. Perhaps you hit a weak spot-beam or OOA Tp on 110? Maybe check through all of the Tp's on 110 and average it out.
Same strengths I'm getting, with 110 averaging in the 90's.

I am about to buy two HR10-250 with DirecTV. Apparently this only works with OTA HD to record locals. How well does this work?

I live in Chesterfield and have an antenna. The Antenna works with a Dish 6000 with the 8vsb card and works with a DirecTV DTC100. Some drop outs.

These two boxes are really old. I assume the tuners are better today. How good is the tuner in the HR10?

Any advice appreciated.

Jym,

The HD TiVo works well with OTA recording -- really there's no difference between that and a satellite channel, other than the fact that the OTAs generally have better HD picture quality. There's an integrated program guide, so there's no issue there.

I also had a DTC-100 and the tuner in the HD TiVo is definitely better at pulling in marginal signals or dealing with multipath. I used to have trouble receiving KSDK with the DTC-100, and it was a complete washout during the summer months. Now with the HD TiVo I have very, very occasional KSDK problems, but for the most part I get glitch-free reception from all OTA channels.

110 should not be that low, along-side those other readings. Perhaps you hit a weak spot-beam or OOA Tp on 110? Maybe check through all of the Tp's on 110 and average it out.
Same strengths I'm getting, with 110 averaging in the 90's.

sure enough, it was a freak spotbeam as all the other transponders come in rather well. I almost look forward to the next heavy rain so I can see if my rain fade issues are a thing of the past ;)

I almost look forward to the next heavy rain so I can see if my rain fade issues are a thing of the past ;)
Mine are worse than the 500, but better than the regular 1000. The regular 1000 lost signal if it heard Cindy predicting rain :eek:
Lost signal for about 10 minutes tonight during a heavy downpour. OTA stayed up.

FiOS TV Rolls Out Feature-Packed DVR Platform

Not sure what, if anything, AT&T is offering in terms of a DVR, but this seems to set the bar at a reasonable level.

The following story is from today's Telco Media News newsletter:
__________________________________________________

On Monday, Verizon took the wraps off a Home Media DVR solution for FiOS TV customers.

The Home Media DVR features a multi-room digital recorder that enables up to three simultaneous viewings of programming recorded by the device without requiring customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment. The recorder is bundled with Media Manager, a feature that allows customers to easily access photos and music from a personal computer and play them on an entertainment center.

Both functions are made possible by software and technology already built into the FiOS platform available on Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, the company said.

Launch of the Home Media DVR follows the June 1 introduction of FiOS TV Widgets, an interactive feature allowing subscribers display text-based local weather and traffic information on TV screens. More information about both services is available at http://www.verizonfios.com/tv.
__________________________________________________

For more news about TV subscription services provided by telecos, go to www.telecomedianews.com

I'm getting my new Dish 622/1000+ installed Saturday.
I am also moving the location of the DVR/cabling from it's current position.

I would like to place a coax distribution block (4 or 8 coax barrel connectors w/ground strap) in a weatherproof box under my deck. That way I can route the signal ho I want to various parts of the house. I know it's prefferable to put something like that in the basement, but everything (Dish, ANT, DVR721/DVR921/mediacenter PC) are all located in the back of the house where the deck is attached, so that would make for short clean runs.

Any suggestions on a local vendor that might carry what I'm looking for?

Thanks
Dave

I am about to buy two HR10-250 with DirecTV. Apparently this only works with OTA HD to record locals. How well does this work?

I live in Chesterfield and have an antenna. The Antenna works with a Dish 6000 with the 8vsb card and works with a DirecTV DTC100. Some drop outs.

These two boxes are really old. I assume the tuners are better today. How good is the tuner in the HR10?

Any advice appreciated.

When you say BUY, are you actually going to buy them or are you going to have
DirecTV give them to you?

As far as the OTA Tuner goes...it is pretty good, but advancements have been made.

Dave,

Not sure they will have precisely what you need, but two good places to check:

* SkyWalker Communications at 9330 Veterans Memorial Parkway, O'Fallon, MO (636-272-8025)

* Integrated Network Cable (Showmecables.com) at 18079 Edison Ave, Chesterfield (888-519-9505)

Good luck...

I'm getting my new Dish 622/1000+ installed Saturday.
I am also moving the location of the DVR/cabling from it's current position.

I would like to place a coax distribution block (4 or 8 coax barrel connectors w/ground strap) in a weatherproof box under my deck. That way I can route the signal ho I want to various parts of the house. I know it's prefferable to put something like that in the basement, but everything (Dish, ANT, DVR721/DVR921/mediacenter PC) are all located in the back of the house where the deck is attached, so that would make for short clean runs.

Any suggestions on a local vendor that might carry what I'm looking for?

Thanks
Dave

You will actually need a multi-switch. you can't just split the signal, you need the multi-switch to correctly split it.

I deal with skywalker and they carry a lot of different ones.
http://www.skywalker.com/Dealers/Catalog/index.asp?Header=Satellite+and+Antenna+Products&ID=87&Cat=DBS+Satellite+Equipment&SubCat=DBS+Multiple+Receiver+Switches&Page=3

You will actually need a multi-switch. you can't just split the signal, you need the multi-switch to correctly split it.

I deal with skywalker and they carry a lot of different ones.
http://www.skywalker.com/Dealers/Catalog/index.asp?Header=Satellite+and+Antenna+Products&ID=87&Cat=DBS+Satellite+Equipment&SubCat=DBS+Multiple+Receiver+Switches&Page=3


You need to provide the login for us :-)

You need to provide the login for us :-)
Here is Skywalker info to logon onto their site along with password.
login: sw
password: 2savemore

D* subs channel 95 is showing Cards @ Reds tonight if you dare. They may not even make the Wild Card. I think I'm ready for the Rams and Blues.

duvy,

Do you know whether this is the St. Louis telecast on 95, or the Cincinnati broadcast? Unless this is originated by Fox Sports Midwest, it will be unavailable to St. Louis subscribers.

I haven't seen anything from our contact at FSMW on this, but then he never did answer my pending question about the non-availability of of FSMW-HD on DirecTV via MPEG-4.

Maybe he's permanently AWOL, but I'll send a note about tonight's game and see what happens.

[QUOTE=DroptheRemote]duvy,

Do you know whether this is the St. Louis telecast on 95, or the Cincinnati broadcast? Unless this is originated by Fox Sports Midwest, it will be unavailable to St. Louis subscribers.

I haven't seen anything from our contact at FSMW on this, but then he never did answer my pending question about the non-availability of of FSMW-HD on DirecTV via MPEG-4.

Maybe he's permanently AWOL, but I'll send a note about tonight's game and see
what happens.[/QUOT
hdsports.com shows it as a FSMW telecast.

You will actually need a multi-switch. you can't just split the signal, you need the multi-switch to correctly split it.

I deal with skywalker and they carry a lot of different ones.
http://www.skywalker.com/Dealers/Catalog/index.asp?Header=Satellite+and+Antenna+Products&ID=87&Cat=DBS+Satellite+Equipment&SubCat=DBS+Multiple+Receiver+Switches&Page=3

You misunderstand my intent, this is so I can have a single location where all my cable runs can start/end. For my DVR's I'll have the new dish switch connected to them, but I want to route the RF output of the 622 to the video input of my DVR721. Then I route the output of my DVR721 to the rest of the house (2 bedrooms and my office) so I can get everything upstairs regardless of where it's recorded. With a junction box it will make it much easier should I want to change things.

Dave

duvy,

Do you know whether this is the St. Louis telecast on 95, or the Cincinnati broadcast? Unless this is originated by Fox Sports Midwest, it will be unavailable to St. Louis subscribers.

I haven't seen anything from our contact at FSMW on this, but then he never did answer my pending question about the non-availability of of FSMW-HD on DirecTV via MPEG-4.

Maybe he's permanently AWOL, but I'll send a note about tonight's game and see what happens.
Tonight and tomorrow nights games are FSNMW HD productions, which should be available on Charter 792, which D* could carry as well. Cincinnati's home schedule does not show a HD broadcast for tonight.
I think if it is scheduled on D* 95, and FSNMW is doing HD, most likely it will be available. D* has aired these into STL in the past.

Dish is carrying the Cards MLBEI HD broadcast of tonight's game, though blacked-out in STL, these usually originate when FSNMW is broadcasting in HD also. Dish says they cannot air the HD broadcast into STL because their rights only extend via MLBEI, which is exclusively out-of-market, and even though it is the same FSN broadcast, into the same DMA, Dish maintains MLBEI trumps their rights to broadcast any game which passes through MLBEI into any home market.

OTOH, D* is rebroadcasting the FSN telecast, and therefore can bring it into STL, just as Charter does.

Makes sense to me :eek:

Thanks, guys. Looks like this one should be available on DirecTV then...

Also, I just received this note from our friend at FSN:
___________________________________________________

I’m told that indeed, tonight’s telecast on DirecTV 95 is indeed the FSN Midwest/Cardinals telecast, so it should be available locally on DirecTV in HD. I’m trying to get confirmation.

I do know that tomorrow night’s game, which is being produced in HD, will not air on DirecTV Ch. 95.

Still don’t have an answer regarding your previous questions about the recent DirecTV/FSN HD announcement. Trying to find out from a source on the national level.
___________________________________________________

Thanks, guys. Looks like this one should be available on DirecTV then...

On which channel? I tried 95 before and I got the message at the bottom to call D*.

Mo,

It should be channel 95 -- you are probably going to need to wait until around 7 pm to see if it appears, and if not, call DirecTV to get it turned on.

Don't expect this to be easy -- the first time I had to have it turned on when the Blues were in HD last October, it took 30 minutes. Explain that it is the Fox Sports Midwest HD broadcast that is the same game as appearing on channel 647. Be ready for them to tell you this is only available to MLB Extra Innings subscribers (not true). You're wise to this drill by now, so you'll know when to ask for a supervisor.

Might also help to say you just saw it available on a neighbor's DirecTV service in HD and that they DON'T subscribe to MLB EI.

OTOH, D* is rebroadcasting the FSN telecast, and therefore can bring it into STL, just as Charter does.

Makes sense to me :eek:
Truly amazing. How E* can allow BOTH competitors to show the HD broadcast in this market and stick with the "we aren't allowed" argument, just blows my mind. How many games do Charter and D* have to show locally before they get a clue?

When/If FSMW-HD shows up on E*, I wonder if they'll black out all of the games? :rolleyes: (Oh sure. We HAVE FSMW-HD on our system....we just can't USE it.)

I would like to place a coax distribution block (4 or 8 coax barrel connectors w/ground strap) in a weatherproof box under my deck.
I found a box at Home Depot that was actually made for a sprinkler system and they had it on clearance. I use it for similar video distribution in my house although I have the box inside the house. I ended up drilling more holes in it for coax, so it became non-water tight at that point. It makes for a nice clean install having everything in it's own box rather than a spider web of coax hanging all over the place.

So, you might check there. Lowe's has home distribution panels for video/networking and phone. I'm not sure that any of the panels are set up for outdoor use though.

If I can add my 2 cents, I wouldn't put all of that stuff outside. I'd get everything inside and then distribute it from there.

Also, I just received this note from our friend at FSN:
___________________________________________________

I’m told that indeed, tonight’s telecast on DirecTV 95 is indeed the FSN Midwest/Cardinals telecast, so it should be available locally on DirecTV in HD. I’m trying to get confirmation.

I do know that tomorrow night’s game, which is being produced in HD, will not air on DirecTV Ch. 95.

Still don’t have an answer regarding your previous questions about the recent DirecTV/FSN HD announcement. Trying to find out from a source on the national level.
___________________________________________________

Thanks for the update Doug. At least the source is still available.

At least there was the good news that FSNMW-HD would be on Dish's slate. Still can't figure out why there's a problem with FSNMW and DirecTV. They're basicly cousins.

Mo,

It should be channel 95 -- you are probably going to need to wait until around 7 pm to see if it appears, and if not, call DirecTV to get it turned on.

Don't expect this to be easy -- the first time I had to have it turned on when the Blues were in HD last October, it took 30 minutes. Explain that it is the Fox Sports Midwest HD broadcast that is the same game as appearing on channel 647. Be ready for them to tell you this is only available to MLB Extra Innings subscribers (not true). You're wise to this drill by now, so you'll know when to ask for a supervisor.

Might also help to say you just saw it available on a neighbor's DirecTV service in HD and that they DON'T subscribe to MLB EI.
I remember that Doug! I also remember thinking now there's a person who's just not going to settle :)

Truly amazing. How E* can allow BOTH competitors to show the HD broadcast in this market and stick with the "we aren't allowed" argument, just blows my mind. How many games do Charter and D* have to show locally before they get a clue?

When/If FSMW-HD shows up on E*, I wonder if they'll black out all of the games? :rolleyes: (Oh sure. We HAVE FSMW-HD on our system....we just can't USE it.)
Kugumby,
Yes is seems silly, and I really do not believe it is any lack of understanding on the part of E*. The legality is, E* has no carriage agreement in place with any FSN HD, though this we all know. The fact they sometimes come by a FSN HD broadcast via their carriage agreement with MLBEI, still prohibits E* from presenting any MLBEI passed through broadcast into other than an out-of-market DMA.

The upper management people I've spoken with at E* clearly recognize and understand it is the same broadcast, same commercials, same home market, but unfortunately there simply is not that level of "what-ifs" provided for in the MLB broadcast regulations.

That being said, I have to wonder if there was any additional revenue incentive available to E*, as there was with Distant Locals, if perhaps they may have "found" a way.

Hey guys.... Need some more help.

I'm currently trying to set up my DirecTV dish by myself. A buddy of mine had his old, round dish in his garage and gave it to me. I have mounted it on my room, ran some cable, and its connected to my HD-TiVo. I have used a compass, used the azimuth and elevation numbers from the guided setup in the HD-TiVo and it seems like it should be working. I am now running the guided setup through the HD-TiVo and I'm not getting any signal at all. Nothing from any transponders.

What am I doing wrong?

I have not called DirecTV, but I thought I would call them and let them know after I was receiving a signal from the HD-TiVo. Is that wrong?

By the way, I received my new access card today via FedEx and that's whats in the reciever now. Thanks!


***EDIT: The elevation was off a bit and believe it or not, that made a huge difference.

As of now, 3:38, I'm only getting my various transponders w/ signal strenghts of high 30s and mid 40s. Obviously that isn't good. 90+ is preferred of course, but what is the minimum of "acceptable?" Does anyone have any ideas?

Hey guys.... Need some more help.

I'm currently trying to set up my DirecTV dish by myself. A buddy of mine had his old, round dish in his garage and gave it to me. I have mounted it on my room, ran some cable, and its connected to my HD-TiVo. I have used a compass, used the azimuth and elevation numbers from the guided setup in the HD-TiVo and it seems like it should be working. I am now running the guided setup through the HD-TiVo and I'm not getting any signal at all. Nothing from any transponders.

What am I doing wrong?

I have not called DirecTV, but I thought I would call them and let them know after I was receiving a signal from the HD-TiVo. Is that wrong?

By the way, I received my new access card today via FedEx and that's whats in the reciever now. Thanks!


***EDIT: The elevation was off a bit and believe it or not, that made a huge difference.

As of now, 3:38, I'm only getting my various transponders w/ signal strenghts of high 30s and mid 40s. Obviously that isn't good. 90+ is preferred of course, but what is the minimum of "acceptable?" Does anyone have any ideas?

What kind of "old round" dish? If it's only 1-lnb, you're sol. IIRC you need at least the old 2-lnb oval dish. I had an extra "new" 3-lnb dish for a while, but gave it to my brother in law in Memphis.

As far as acceptable, I would say nothing less than 70%, but that's based off memory and I will likely be corrected.
Dug

Thanks.

Its a 2-lnb dish as I have both lines running into a multiswitch which then has two lines running into the HD-TiVo. This is mostly a stopgap until I can obtain an oval dish and access the mpeg2 HD channels.

It has now finished its guided setup and I'm getting Channel 201 and its asking me to call DirecTV customer service and order my programming.

I believe I need to alter the azimuth some more, or at least give it a shot.

Would an amp, like those that many of us use to obtain OTA programming work with this?

AT&T U-verse Adds GolTV "Futbol" Package

The following new short is from today's Evening Bridge market close newsletter:
__________________________________________________

AT&T said GolTV will join its U-verse TV lineup.

Through the deal, the all-soccer net will deliver more than 1,500 games a year, broadcast in English and Spanish, from top leagues around the world as well as daily soccer news shows, highlight programs and historic and commemorative specials.
__________________________________________________

Who are these clueless marketers who continue to believe they'll eventually get American sports junkies hooked on "futbol"? Meanwhile, literally out of nowhere, poker, skateboarding and competitive eating are running laps around the so-called "world sport."

Give it up already. :rolleyes:

I remember that Doug! I also remember thinking now there's a person who's just not going to settle :)

Why you were not referring to 'lil ole me now were you sir? :)

Why you were not referring to 'lil ole me now were you sir? :)
Noticing I opted the word "person" rather than "guy" ;)
No doubt in my mind you'll get it done, ma'am!

Mo,

It should be channel 95 -- you are probably going to need to wait until around 7 pm to see if it appears, and if not, call DirecTV to get it turned on.

Don't expect this to be easy -- the first time I had to have it turned on when the Blues were in HD last October, it took 30 minutes. Explain that it is the Fox Sports Midwest HD broadcast that is the same game as appearing on channel 647. Be ready for them to tell you this is only available to MLB Extra Innings subscribers (not true). You're wise to this drill by now, so you'll know when to ask for a supervisor.

Might also help to say you just saw it available on a neighbor's DirecTV service in HD and that they DON'T subscribe to MLB EI.

Thanks Doug. Called the HD Dept. and it's apparently included now. I added it to my Favorite channels and it's on now. Before, it was under Channels You Receive.

Edit: now it's off...hmmm.

AT&T U-verse Adds GolTV "Futbol" Package

The following new short is from today's Evening Bridge market close newsletter:
__________________________________________________

AT&T said GolTV will join its U-verse TV lineup.

Through the deal, the all-soccer net will deliver more than 1,500 games a year, broadcast in English and Spanish, from top leagues around the world as well as daily soccer news shows, highlight programs and historic and commemorative specials.
__________________________________________________

Who are these clueless marketers who continue to believe they'll eventually get American sports junkies hooked on "futbol"? Meanwhile, literally out of nowhere, poker, skateboarding and competitive eating are running laps around the so-called "world sport."

Give it up already. :rolleyes:

I'm a huge soccer fan, so I'm obviously biased, but I think if you had the English Premier League on ESPN as much as the World Series of Poker, it would "run laps around" some of these other fringe sports, or at least competitive eating :D.

The upper management people I've spoken with at E* clearly recognize and understand it is the same broadcast, same commercials, same home market, but unfortunately there simply is not that level of "what-ifs" provided for in the MLB broadcast regulations.
Is E* the only carrier of MLBEI? If that's the case, then I could understand how they might be stuck. (It's still stupid, but at least I'd understand.)

Now if Charter and/or D* ALSO carry the MLBEI package, then I'm back to being dumbfounded. Because if they were able to find a way to broadcast it, why can't E*?

BTW, I certainly agree with you about E*'s desire to get it out there to viewers if there was money to be made. We most likely wouldn't be having this discussion.

Glendale,

Of course, we're all biased. My point was really that soccer has been given repeated opportunities to make inroads into the US for the better part of 20 years and the net effect is small, particularly when you compare it to these late-arriving alternative "sports" that have very quickly found an audience (though I can't begin to understand the appeal of competitive eating).

FWIW, I lived in London for roughly 6 years, so I'm pretty familiar with the English Premier League and European football in general. I've attended a Scottish FA Cup Final (Rangers v Aberdeen), I saw England play Brazil at Wembley, I watched Leeds get mauled by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and then nearly suffered the same fate at the hooves of mounted police in the after-match riot. I also witnessed live the Heisel Stadium tragedy between Liverpool and Juventus via BBC1, the only sporting tragedy that surpassed seeing Mike Tyson repeatedly munching on Evander Holyfields ear (actually Heisel was far more gruesome).

Anyway, the most telling factoid for me about football/soccer is that prior to the UK adopting a traditional national lottery, there used to be a legal, private weekly national jackpot during football season that everyone referred to as "the pools." The object of the pools was to predict all of the "scoreless draw" results (nil-nil, as they say) among all the matches played each Saturday in the five or six divisions in the English Football League.

I always assumed that the pools was the best they could come up with to make a low-scoring game interesting to a broader public. And it worked.

kugumby,

Up until this past season (or maybe the one before) DirecTV had exclusive rights to the MLB Extra Innings package, so DISH now shares it with DirecTV and most cable systems.

Cards in HD on DirecTV tonight... channel 95

Their HD spots are indicating Thursday afternoon's game will be HD as well.
Wasn't on the schedule as being HD.

Thanks for all the chatter regarding the Cards in HD tonight. The program guide on my Charter box tells me that FSNHD is "Off-Air" tonight, but the game's obviously there.

Thanks.

Its a 2-lnb dish as I have both lines running into a multiswitch which then has two lines running into the HD-TiVo. This is mostly a stopgap until I can obtain an oval dish and access the mpeg2 HD channels.

It has now finished its guided setup and I'm getting Channel 201 and its asking me to call DirecTV customer service and order my programming.

I believe I need to alter the azimuth some more, or at least give it a shot.

Would an amp, like those that many of us use to obtain OTA programming work with this?

Good job getting signal, but why go through all the trouble mounting a dish that gives you no HD? Mount the oval dish, so you can potentially enjoy all D* has to offer like the cards in HD as I type this. Also, I don't think you need the multi switch with you current configuration. Call D* and have them activate everything. Don't let them try to tell you it's a lease either. good luck!

Scott

Good job getting signal, but why go through all the trouble mounting a dish that gives you no HD?

Good point. I was just so frustrated not having anything other than local , free OTA TV that I was willing to do just about anyting to get DirecTV -- even if what I got was SD. Plus, the only thing I had access to right now was an old round dish.

Mount the oval dish, so you can potentially enjoy all D* has to offer like the cards in HD as I type this.

I will be happy to as soon as I get it =] By the way, the Cards tonight were broadcast via an MPEG2 sat?

Call D* and have them activate everything. Don't let them try to tell you it's a lease either. good luck!

It actually worked. After a couple of hours of messing with it, I was able to pull in 90+ on virtually all transponders. I then called DirecTV, got it all hooked up and everything. I have total choice w/o HD channels (since I can't receive them currently.

Frankly, I think I'll be able to get teh mpeg2 HD channels from the current location, and I cannot believe that I couldn't receive the mpeg4 if I had the right dish and receiver.

I was not impressed w/ the Premiere installers.

It was great watching the Cards tonight!

Cards in HD on DirecTV tonight... channel 95

It was not coming in for me. I got the D* message at the bottom of the screen. Seems odd...

Up until this past season (or maybe the one before) DirecTV had exclusive rights to the MLB Extra Innings package, so DISH now shares it with DirecTV and most cable systems.
Ohhhhhkay then, How is it that D* has figured out a way to broadcast the games in HD and not E*. That just doesn't make any sense. If they both have to play by MLBEI's rules, then either they should both be sending it out to the local market or neither of them should be able to do it.

Am I alone on this? :confused:

Ohhhhhkay then, How is it that D* has figured out a way to broadcast the games in HD and not E*. That just doesn't make any sense. If they both have to play by MLBEI's rules, then either they should both be sending it out to the local market or neither of them should be able to do it.

Am I alone on this? :confused:
Kugumby,
Direct has a carriage agreement in place with FSNMW HD, just as Charter does.
Direct seems to have more so, an ala carte agreement, as they do not pass on every FSNMW HD broadcast.

What you're missing is, Direct has a carriage agreement in place with FSNMW HD, as opposed to Direct figuring out a way to broadcast a MLBEI HD game into an originating market, which they do not have the right to do. This was evidenced tonight when, at the end of the top 1st, the FSNMW HD promo included both Charter 792 and Direct 95. If Direct was passing on their broadcast of a MLBEI game into a restricted local market, they surely would not advertise it publicly.

Dish is the only PAY TV provider in the STL DMA which does not yet have any carriage agreement in place allowing Dish to broadcast a FSNMW HD production.

No matter the circumstances, no PAY TV provider having the MLBEI package available to it subs can ever broadcast any MLBEI game into the market it is originated from.

If your issue is, why is it both Charter and Direct have been successful at negotiating carriage of FSNMW HD, and Dish has not, apparently this too is in process, and slated for sometime next year.

Even though we have seen, what on the surface appears to be outside the NFL league regulations (example of Direct providing the NFL mandated blacked-out Rams preseason game this past week) into the STL DMA, since we are not entirely certain what, if any agreement Direct may have with FOX and/or with the NFL, we can not say for certain that broadcast was in any violation of league regulation.

For now, as long as Dish, or any other PAY TV provider can only come by a broadcast as a part of their MLBEI package, the cannot legally broadcast into its originating DMA. This includes both Direct and Dish, and neither one are rebroadcasting the MLBEI broadcasts of FSNMW HD into the STL DMA.

I hope you have a better understanding now :)

Pardon the slight off topic nature of this question, but since it's Charter and St. Louis related I stand a better chance of getting a good answer here.

Has anyone else lost The Weather Channel ? It's coming through fine on my set using the Motorola 6200 box (see .. there _is_ a HD reference! :D ) , yet on all my other directly connected sets there's only snow. All other channels are fine.

Via e-mail support, Charter maintains that TWC has moved to channel 99 --- but that's only broadcasting a "Religous Access Channel" banner, my non-HD TiVo channel guide indicates it's been moved to 95 -- but that's just a public access channel, and the Sammy still gets it on 19.

This is in the Ferguson area.

Thoughts on what's happening?

Steve

Microsoft XBox Exec Calls 1080p "Meaningless Hype"

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

A key Microsoft strategist says the industry is 'hyping' 1080p, the new format that purportedly offers a sharper High-Definition TV picture.

Andre Vrignaud, Microsoft's chief strategist for the XBox game console, says the current 1080i format ("i" stands for interlaced; "p" for progressive.) provides a picture just as good.

Sony, Microsoft's chief gaming rival, is launching a new game console (Play Station 3) in November that will support 1080p for HDTV movies and games while Microsoft's XBox 360 will not. The latter console displays games in 1080i and will include a 1080i HD-DVD adapter later in the year.

"What's interesting is that a lot of folks don't realize how meaningless 1080p actually is in this generation," Vrignaud writes at his blog, Ozymandias.com. "Most modern HD displays (Plasmas, LCD, DLP, etc.) display content progressively, even if they first received an interlaced signal (so) when you're watching a 1080 signal on a modern HD display, you're almost always watching a 1080p signal."

Vrignaud, Microsoft's director of technical strategy for XBox Live, added that gamers, and HDTV owners, should not be "sucked into all the 1080p hype."
_____________________________________________________

This sort of criticism of 1080p is entirely unfounded. I'm not a gamer, but I think one of the fundamental differences between playing a game and watching a movie or sporting event is that a game is already an artificial reality, so artifacts inherent in converting interlaced images to progressive shouldn't be as significant a distraction as they when you're watching something "real."

While it is still early days for 1080p video sources, the arrival of 1080p displays is an important development. Interlaced video is one of the ugliest, long-running kludges in the history of 20th century technology, and the sooner it is dead and buried, the better.

Also, one of the things glossed over by Vrignaud is the fact that the built-in scalers that convert incoming interlaced video to progressive video on the display are often underpowered and inadequate to do a proper job. Displays that accept a true 1080p signal give the viewer the option of using an external scaler that is far more capable than what has been built in.

High-quality external scalers have never been cheaper nor more powerful. In addition to first-class deinterlacing and scaling, scalers increasingly include the controls necessary to achieve accurate images -- controls that display manufacturers are increasingly omitting or short-changing in the name of meeting mass-market price points.

Finally, any "expert" who says you're watching a 1080p signal after converting 1080i to 1080p is speaking more as expert propagandist than expert technologist -- you are watching a 1080p CONVERTED IMAGE, not a 1080p signal, and there is a significant difference.

On topic?

Is someone keeping score here? ;)

On topic?

Is someone keeping score here? ;)
The Cards are 15-10 this year in HD.

That count?

The Cards are 15-10 this year in HD.

That count?

LOL.


Doug, 95 came up just fine at game time. Nice to see a win in HD.

Good point. I was just so frustrated not having anything other than local , free OTA TV that I was willing to do just about anyting to get DirecTV -- even if what I got was SD. Plus, the only thing I had access to right now was an old round dish.



I will be happy to as soon as I get it =] By the way, the Cards tonight were broadcast via an MPEG2 sat?



It actually worked. After a couple of hours of messing with it, I was able to pull in 90+ on virtually all transponders. I then called DirecTV, got it all hooked up and everything. I have total choice w/o HD channels (since I can't receive them currently.

Frankly, I think I'll be able to get teh mpeg2 HD channels from the current location, and I cannot believe that I couldn't receive the mpeg4 if I had the right dish and receiver.

I was not impressed w/ the Premiere installers.

It was great watching the Cards tonight!

Glad it's all working out for you. Now throw an oval dish up there and order the HD channels. The best part of all of this is you will not be another Charter victim. Actually, you wouldn't be a victim since you would have ordered it yourself, but you get the point. D* rules!

Scott

Hey, Little Buddy, Mary Ann is HOT in HD

Uh oh...

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

When you say High-Definition TV, crystal-clear images of football fields and beautiful landscapes usually come to mind.

What doesn't pop into your head are the castaways of Gilligan's Island, the 1960s sitcom starring Bob Denver. However, a Warner Bros. executive said yesterday that the faded comedy (and many other old shows and movies) may soon be re-mastered for high-def.

Darcy Antonellis, executive vice president of distribution and technology operations for Warner Bros., says it makes "business sense" to release the studio's library of past programs on new HDTV DVDs. Although the shows were not produced in high-def, the re-mastering process will give the shows significantly greater detail and clarity.

Antonellis made her remarks yesterday at DisplaySearch's 4th annual HDTV conference in Beverly Hills.
___________________________________________

For more stories about HDTV, see www.tvpredictions.com

The Cards are 15-10 this year in HD.

That count?Hey, that works for me, but then I'm probably close to the last person to be nominated for OT Guardian... :)

Microsoft XBox Exec Calls 1080p "Meaningless Hype"

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

A key Microsoft strategist says the industry is 'hyping' 1080p, the new format that purportedly offers a sharper High-Definition TV picture.

Andre Vrignaud, Microsoft's chief strategist for the XBox game console, says the current 1080i format ("i" stands for interlaced; "p" for progressive.) provides a picture just as good.

Sony, Microsoft's chief gaming rival, is launching a new game console (Play Station 3) in November that will support 1080p for HDTV movies and games while Microsoft's XBox 360 will not. The latter console displays games in 1080i and will include a 1080i HD-DVD adapter later in the year.

"What's interesting is that a lot of folks don't realize how meaningless 1080p actually is in this generation," Vrignaud writes at his blog, Ozymandias.com. "Most modern HD displays (Plasmas, LCD, DLP, etc.) display content progressively, even if they first received an interlaced signal (so) when you're watching a 1080 signal on a modern HD display, you're almost always watching a 1080p signal."

Vrignaud, Microsoft's director of technical strategy for XBox Live, added that gamers, and HDTV owners, should not be "sucked into all the 1080p hype."
_____________________________________________________

This sort of criticism of 1080p is entirely unfounded. I'm not a gamer, but I think one of the fundamental differences between playing a game and watching a movie or sporting event is that a game is already an artificial reality, so artifacts inherent in converting interlaced images to progressive shouldn't be as significant a distraction as they when you're watching something "real."

While it is still early days for 1080p video sources, the arrival of 1080p displays is an important development. Interlaced video is one of the ugliest, long-running kludges in the history of 20th century technology, and the sooner it is dead and buried, the better.

Also, one of the things glossed over by Vrignaud is the fact that the built-in scalers that convert incoming interlaced video to progressive video on the display are often underpowered and inadequate to do a proper job. Displays that accept a true 1080p signal give the viewer the option of using an external scaler that is far more capable than what has been built in.

High-quality external scalers have never been cheaper nor more powerful. In addition to first-class deinterlacing and scaling, scalers increasingly include the controls necessary to achieve accurate images -- controls that display manufacturers are increasingly omitting or short-changing in the name of meeting mass-market price points.

Finally, any "expert" who says you're watching a 1080p signal after converting 1080i to 1080p is speaking more as expert propagandist than expert technologist -- you are watching a 1080p CONVERTED IMAGE, not a 1080p signal, and there is a significant difference.

I don't know how XBox 360 creates its images. If it creates its 1080i images by first creating a full 1080p frame and then interlacing it for display (that is, if it creates 30 progressive frames and outputs them as 60 interlaced fields), then its 1080i output could look identical to a device outputting 30fps 1080p on a 1080p display. That is, if the deinterlacer is doing its job properly. If, on the other hand, it creates each of the interlaced 1080i fields in a different location in space (as interlaced video does in SD and HD), then deinterlacing it will create motion artifacts when the display or the deinterlacer tries to put them together.

Long and short of it, though, is that it is just as deceptive on the part of Microsoft as the claim by Sony that Blu-ray players that output 1080p are superior to HD DVD players that output 1080i. An HD DVD player that outputs 1080i film-based material can look just as good as a Blu-ray player outputting 1080p of the same movie. (And so far, it looks a lot better than Blu-ray, because Sony has chosen to use MPEG2 rather than Microsoft's much better VC1 codec.) That's because all the movies are being mastered at 1080p, and the device displaying the HD DVD's 1080i image can deinterlace back to its original 1080p perfectly.

It's all just a lot of spin.

Here's a link to an HDTV Magazine article that weighs up the comparative pluses and minuses in the early going of the HD DVD vs. Blu-Ray format war:

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2006/08/hd_dvd_vs_blu-r.php

Joe, you make a good point about the possible ways the 1080i image could be created.

However, my understanding is that even interim creation of true 1080p video would significantly increase the bandwidth capacity that would be required in the design of the XBox system circuitry. If you're going to all that additional effort (and more importantly, cost), it would seem pretty pointless in terms of resource utilization to force "downconversion" to 1080i at the output stage.

After all, it's not like Microsoft and the games developers are limiting output to 1080i in some ill-advised effort to keep Hollywood happy.

So, admitting upfront that I know little about video game design, I'd assume that XBox is capped at 1080i as a cost measure. Maybe I should think about signing up for that "DeVry Games Developer" degree program to find out the actual story... :)

Good job getting signal, but why go through all the trouble mounting a dish that gives you no HD? Mount the oval dish, so you can potentially enjoy all D* has to offer like the cards in HD as I type this. Also, I don't think you need the multi switch with you current configuration. Call D* and have them activate everything. Don't let them try to tell you it's a lease either. good luck!

Scott


Does someone need the 3 LNB dish? Is that what you are talking about, or the old
little dish?

If it is the 3 LNB, I have 2, free to a good home............

I also have the AT9 in a box that I need to install but I can't find anyone to give me
the coordinates I need for it.

It was not coming in for me. I got the D* message at the bottom of the screen. Seems odd...dave,

I'm not sure how this is "coded" by DirecTV, but the logical thing to do would be to link the FSMW entitlement to "enable" channel 95 whenever the game or event on 95 was the HD presentation of the same game/event as shown on channel 647 (Fox Sports Midwest SD).

The only other thing I can think of is that maybe DirecTV requires subscription to the local SD channels in order to get the HD version of FSMW. No, there's no real logic in that sort of requirement, but it's the only other reason I can think that you didn't have access to the game on 95 last night. Do you subscribe to DirecTV SD locals?

Assuming there is another FSMW-HD game carried by DirecTV on 95 during this season, you should plan on calling DirecTV at the start of the game and see about getting entitled for it.

Scroll up to see the suggestions that I provided on that process to MoInStl yesterday afternoon.

Sorry you missed out and hope that you can get this straightened out next time...

Does someone need the 3 LNB dish? Is that what you are talking about, or the old
little dish?

If it is the 3 LNB, I have 2, free to a good home............

I also have the AT9 in a box that I need to install but I can't find anyone to give me
the coordinates I need for it.

Yes, Winston needs the old 3 lnb dish with the built-in multiswitch. I have offered him one for free, but can't understand or remember why I even have it. If he is closer to you, maybe he can take one of yours.

Scott

E* has launched Food Network HD today. Not sure what the resolution is, but it's not to bad. INHD should be launched later this month, then the rumor is 10 RSN's in HD will be launched sometime this fall...(come on FSMW!!!).

dave,

I'm not sure how this is "coded" by DirecTV, but the logical thing to do would be to link the FSMW entitlement to "enable" channel 95 whenever the game or event on 95 was the HD presentation of the same game/event as shown on channel 647 (Fox Sports Midwest SD).

The only other thing I can think of is that maybe DirecTV requires subscription to the local SD channels in order to get the HD version of FSMW. No, there's no real logic in that sort of requirement, but it's the only other reason I can think that you didn't have access to the game on 95 last night. Do you subscribe to DirecTV SD locals?

Assuming there is another FSMW-HD game carried by DirecTV on 95 during this season, you should plan on calling DirecTV at the start of the game and see about getting entitled for it.

Scroll up to see the suggestions that I provided on that process to MoInStl yesterday afternoon.

Sorry you missed out and hope that you can get this straightened out next time...

Yes, I do get the HD locals; additionally, I get the Sports pack. When I contacted DirecTV about this, they said that it isn't available in our market and in 2007 they are increasing their HD offerings.

I know there is a Charter guy that sticks his head in this thread on occasion, I need some help. I'm getting bad (unwatchable) pixelation on my HD channels and pixelation on my SD channels as well.

This is occuring on my CableCard as well as my digitial box. My guess is that I'm experiencing some sort of signal loss as I'm also getting dropouts on my cable internet connection as well that requires me to reboot the router and cable modem.

I contacted Charter and they are trying to send out a technician this weekend to look at the problem, the thing is I don't think there is anything wrong on my end as I haven't changed anything. Any help would be appreciated.

I know there is a Charter guy that sticks his head in this thread on occasion, I need some help. I'm getting bad (unwatchable) pixelation on my HD channels and pixelation on my SD channels as well.

This is occuring on my CableCard as well as my digitial box. My guess is that I'm experiencing some sort of signal loss as I'm also getting dropouts on my cable internet connection as well that requires me to reboot the router and cable modem.

I contacted Charter and they are trying to send out a technician this weekend to look at the problem, the thing is I don't think there is anything wrong on my end as I haven't changed anything. Any help would be appreciated.

I had been having some of those same sort of problems you are experiencing. Do you notice that the pixelation you are seeing is worse at night and in the mornings? For me, a repeater or something in my area went out during the big storm we had a while back. After repeated calls and a couple visits by a tech, Charter Maintenance had to come out and fix this repeater coming into my area. Good chance you have something similar to this happening as well, and if so, don't expect the tech you having coming out to be able to fix it...he will have to call the maintenance people out.

The DirecTV Plus HD-DVR
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=61862

Here is a brief summary of the HR20 features

-) High Definition TV Output (via HDMI and Component)
-) 2 Sets of RCA (Red/White/Yellow Outputs) - 1 S-Video
-) 1 Optical Digital Output
-) Dual SAT Tuners
-) Dual ATSC Tuners (functionality is disabled at this time, see notes later in the review)
-) Wired RJ-45 Ethernet Port
-) External SATA Connection
-) 300gb SATA Internal Hard Drive
-) RF Remote Compatible with the Included RC24, and the soon to be released RC32RF

Estimated Recording Space (Not a cumulative value)
~ 30 Hours of MPEG-2 (OTA) HD
~ 50 Hours of MPEG-4 HD
~ 200 Hours of Standard Definition (SD)

Unit was manufactured by PACE
The Official Model Number: HR20-700

I had been having some of those same sort of problems you are experiencing. Do you notice that the pixelation you are seeing is worse at night and in the mornings? For me, a repeater or something in my area went out during the big storm we had a while back. After repeated calls and a couple visits by a tech, Charter Maintenance had to come out and fix this repeater coming into my area. Good chance you have something similar to this happening as well, and if so, don't expect the tech you having coming out to be able to fix it...he will have to call the maintenance people out.
I've noticed it more at night. I assumed that the tech they'll send will take one look at it and say, "I'm going to have to call someone else."

I've noticed it more at night. I assumed that the tech they'll send will take one look at it and say, "I'm going to have to call someone else."

That is what will happen. From what the tech told me, it happens more at night because when the temperature drops, the signal strength increases, and too much signal causes this tileing effect you are seeing.

I know we have many fans here, JIC anyone missed it, FOX is beginning the new season of Prison Break this coming Monday, the 21st @7PM :D

It appears PB and Vanished are the only two early debut's. Is Vanished a new show?

That is what will happen. From what the tech told me, it happens more at night because when the temperature drops, the signal strength increases, and too much signal causes this tileing effect you are seeing.
Really? Seems like it's not enough signal causing the issue.

Really? Seems like it's not enough signal causing the issue.

According to the tech that was at my house a few times, too little signal OR too much signal can cause the same problems. At least, that is what he said.

I hope you have a better understanding now :)
Thanks Ken. That does help.

Mo,

Thanks a ton for the link to the review of the new DirecTV HD DVR.

Its long, so it'll take awhile, but it should be some interesting reading. Thanks again!

Yes, Vanished is a new show... it stars the guy that played Walt Cummings on 24 last year. Looks pretty good.

This Monday will certainly be a good TV night!

The DirecTV Plus HD-DVR
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=61862

Here is a brief summary of the HR20 features

-) High Definition TV Output (via HDMI and Component)
-) 2 Sets of RCA (Red/White/Yellow Outputs) - 1 S-Video
-) 1 Optical Digital Output
-) Dual SAT Tuners
-) Dual ATSC Tuners (functionality is disabled at this time, see notes later in the review)
-) Wired RJ-45 Ethernet Port
-) External SATA Connection
-) 300gb SATA Internal Hard Drive
-) RF Remote Compatible with the Included RC24, and the soon to be released RC32RF

Estimated Recording Space (Not a cumulative value)
~ 30 Hours of MPEG-2 (OTA) HD
~ 50 Hours of MPEG-4 HD
~ 200 Hours of Standard Definition (SD)

Unit was manufactured by PACE
The Official Model Number: HR20-700

Sadly, DirecTV continues to go the route of only one live buffer at a time.

Regardless of any other features, the HD-TiVo is still superior -- at least in the way I view television these days.

Da Judge has ruled: Within 30 days, all infringing Dish DVR functionality must be disabled and TiVo’s initial award comes to about ninety million big ones.

Count on Echostar to appeal.

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2006-08/tivo-wins-permanent-injunction-against-echostar-and-cash/

Within 30 days, all infringing Dish DVR functionality must be disabled
I wouldn't suggest losing any sleep over it.

EDIT: As expected, about 2 hrs ago, a Federal Appeals Court has blocked the lower court's order to "turn-off" the 192k+ E* DVR's.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060818/ap_on_hi_te/tivo_echostar

I really don't think this issue will reach its conclusion until the E* counter-suit against TiVo, currently calendered for Feb, 07 is played out.

I was checking my bill for my mom's cable service and they are going to move WE:Womens Entertainment from the Expanded Basic to the Digital Family and Info tier "as soon as October 11".

This is an indication that they *may* add more HD. As 1 analog channel is like 3 HD channels or something like that.


Mark

I was checking my bill for my mom's cable service and they are going to move WE:Womens Entertainment from the Expanded Basic to the Digital Family and Info tier "as soon as October 11".

This is an indication that they *may* add more HD. As 1 analog channel is like 3 HD channels or something like that.

Man, I sure hope that Charter adds Food Network HD.

Rachael Ray in HD is certainly worth it.

I was checking my bill for my mom's cable service and they are going to move WE:Womens Entertainment from the Expanded Basic to the Digital Family and Info tier "as soon as October 11".

This is an indication that they *may* add more HD. As 1 analog channel is like 3 HD channels or something like that.I think you have this twisted backwards and then some.

One HD channel is the equivalent to three or more analog channels -- it ultimately depends on the amount of compression applied to each and every channel.

Therefore, I think the edition of WE indicates nothing about HD rather apart from the fact that the addition of an analog channel is ultimately at the expense of an HD channel.

I was checking my bill for my mom's cable service and they are going to move WE:Womens Entertainment from the Expanded Basic to the Digital Family and Info tier "as soon as October 11".

This is an indication that they *may* add more HD. As 1 analog channel is like 3 HD channels or something like that.


Mark

Could this be to make room for NFL Network?

Could this be to make room for NFL Network?

Oh I hope so! This would make me very happy! Tommy like wingy!

Basically from what I read on industry news sites in the past a single analog channel is 6MHz. Under 256-QAM, a cable operator can send down two off-air HD signals or up to 4 network HD channels.

Since Charter is MOVING WE:Entertainment from an analog channel to a digital channel it is gaining 1 6MHz channel that could be used for HD channels.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6316948.html?display=Search+Results&text=%22digital+simulcast%22

In the typical 750-Megahertz cable plant, one analog signal uses an entire 6 MHz transmission “slot,’’ while eight to 10 digital signals can fit into the same space.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA327883.html?text=hd+bandwidth
HD signal options
Steve Watkins, manager of digital technology for Cox Communications, points to three basic steps in sending HD signals down the network: using 256 QAM to get a 38-plus megabit pipe; using multiplexing to put at least two HD feeds into one 6-MHz pipe; and implementing rate-shaping to squeeze more than two HD signals (or a combination of HD and SD) into a 6-MHz channel.

Cox has offered up to eight HD channels to subscribers in its systems, using four dedicated 6-MHz channels to do so, Watkins says. To add more HD channels, he notes, "we either have to utilize more bandwidth, or we have to employ rate-shaping. We have not grown our offering substantially in any systems to this point where we've had to rely on rate-shaping, but we expect in the near future that's going to be a requirement."


I think you have this twisted backwards and then some.

One HD channel is the equivalent to three or more analog channels -- it ultimately depends on the amount of compression applied to each and every channel.

Therefore, I think the edition of WE indicates nothing about HD rather apart from the fact that the addition of an analog channel is ultimately at the expense of an HD channel.

Mark

Well, the Dish Network installer is here (after 4 reschedules) to install my 1000+ dish, and it is big. He did have to mount it higher on the rood because of the two extra tie downs, and the old dish location was to close to the edge. Not really happy about that because now I've got two old cleats on the roof from the old 1000 and 500 dishes. This guy has installed 25 of these dishes over the last few weeks, so he should be able to get max signal. With the low performance of my OTA, I might just peak it to pickup the KETC channels, since E* does not broadcast them in HD. After reading Ken's posts and some of the others I'll be happy with the HD over sat PQ. Two questions, the installer did tell me that the signal from the 118.7 sat will only be in the 60's, has anyone had any problems with ran fade, and has this new dish improved the signal from the 129 sat?

Recorded and watched live, Betrayed and Blown Away last night. A couple of times the audio and video dropped out. I think on Blown Away the audio stayed on when the video dropped. It dropped like the TV had been turned off, just a black screen.

Anyone else notice this?

For the past few days I have not been able to get KPLR-DT on channel 11.1 through my OTA antenna.

Any one else having this problem?

Is the Rams game blacked out this evening?

Is the Rams game blacked out this evening?

Nope. Ameren bought the remaing tickets to reward the folks who got the power up after the storms.

Terry

Well, the installer just left. He had a few problems with some bad connectors. He did a real nice job peaking the 1000+...

110 sat.....108 signal
118 sat.....82 signal
119 sat.....106 signal
129 sat.....89 signal

Some transponders are a little lower, but the transponder for the local HD on the 118 is at 82. He said that is the highest reading he has gotten and still maintain good signals on the other sats. The local HD channels mapped automatically, so I'm all set and finally one happy camper. One thing I've noticed is it takes a little longer between channel changes when view a local HD channel. Anyone experience this?

Well, the installer just left. He had a few problems with some bad connectors. He did a real nice job peaking the 1000+...

110 sat.....108 signal
118 sat.....82 signal
119 sat.....106 signal
129 sat.....89 signal

Some transponders are a little lower, but the transponder for the local HD on the 118 is at 82. He said that is the highest reading he has gotten and still maintain good signals on the other sats. The local HD channels mapped automatically, so I'm all set and finally one happy camper. One thing I've noticed is it takes a little longer between channel changes when view a local HD channel. Anyone experience this?

Sweet,
I'm expecting my installer anytime now. Hopefully I'll get close to those readings.
I'm also getting a 622 to replace my 921. I'll update when he's finished.

Dave

Well, the installer just left. He had a few problems with some bad connectors. He did a real nice job peaking the 1000+...

110 sat.....108 signal
118 sat.....82 signal
119 sat.....106 signal
129 sat.....89 signal

Some transponders are a little lower, but the transponder for the local HD on the 118 is at 82. He said that is the highest reading he has gotten and still maintain good signals on the other sats. The local HD channels mapped automatically, so I'm all set and finally one happy camper. One thing I've noticed is it takes a little longer between channel changes when view a local HD channel. Anyone experience this?
I'm getting in the low 90's on both Tp 20 & 24 on 118. There really is no peaking, per say, done for 118. The 1000+ is peaked on 119W, and the others just fall in. Pretty much comes down to the dish placement and line of site, once 119W is peaked correctly.
The longer delay in channel change is because your receiver now has to toggle through 4 sat locations, rather than 3.

Having the 1000+ a month now, I'd say the rain-fade issue is on par with the regular 1000. Noticeably more often then the 500, but usually only lasts 5-10 minutes.

We have already made use of having the extra network timer (OTA) for recording, and the season has yet to begin. I figure about the time I get all the timers set on both 622's, Dish will have to turn them off :mad:

On another note, is the GOTW, Cards/Cubs on FOX a non-HD Widescreen? It looks awful! The Yanks/Sox game from the west coast feed looks better in SD!

On another note, is the GOTW, Cards/Cubs on FOX a non-HD Widescreen? It looks awful! The Yanks/Sox game from the west coast feed looks better in SD!
Can't be HD. The PQ is too lousy to be HD. :mad:

My neibor came over to ask when the UFO landed on my roof...hahaha...no the Cards game is not in HD, but will the Rams game tonight be?

For the past few days I have not been able to get KPLR-DT on channel 11.1 through my OTA antenna.

Any one else having this problem?

Yep. Me too. On the TV and the Laptop, no KPLR-DT. Has anybody been able to track down anybody at KPLR about this, yet?

I take it people on the board that are recieving KPLR-DT through DirecTV, Dish (Do they offer HD, yet?), Charter, etc. haven't noticed anything.

KPLR-SD (OTA analog) seems fine, so I wonder if somebody flipped something off, and didn't flip it back on... :confused: Or Something broke...

I take it people on the board that are recieving KPLR-DT through DirecTV, Dish (Do they offer HD, yet?), Charter, etc. haven't noticed anything.

It's off here also, OTA. FWIW, KPLR DT is not yet available on Dish, and IIRC, not on DirecTv either.

Yep. Me too. On the TV and the Laptop, no KPLR-DT. Has anybody been able to track down anybody at KPLR about this, yet?

I take it people on the board that are recieving KPLR-DT through DirecTV, Dish (Do they offer HD, yet?), Charter, etc. haven't noticed anything.

KPLR-SD (OTA analog) seems fine, so I wonder if somebody flipped something off, and didn't flip it back on... :confused: Or Something broke...


I am not getting any signal from 11.1 over OTA too. Anyone else not getting 11.1 over OTA?

Nothing from 11.1.

I've also noticed over the last few weeks that I have been losing 11.1 quite a bit. Usually not for extemely long periods of time, but for 15 minute periods or so.

It was on for me OTA about 3 minutes ago. I watched a video and changed it.

Nope. Ameren bought the remaing tickets to reward the folks who got the power up after the storms.

Terry

My understanding was the Rams and Edward Jones bought the tickets and gave them to line workers at Ameren....

KPLR DT seems to be back on, at least as of this writing.
FWIW, Dish is allowing the Cubs broadcast on WGN into the STL DMA.
JIC there's anyone who would rather not listen to Hagin and Horton :rolleyes:

Be warned, traditionally, WGN on Dish has horrendous PQ.

My understanding was the Rams and Edward Jones bought the tickets and gave them to line workers at Ameren....
Whoever bought them, some very deserving folks got to use them :)

Sweet,
I'm expecting my installer anytime now. Hopefully I'll get close to those readings.
I'm also getting a 622 to replace my 921. I'll update when he's finished.

Dave


No installer showed. No phone call. I contacted dish who gave me the # to the installers. My installer had to use my swich on an am job. No replacement available. I'm now scheduled for thursday AM and not happy about missing work (although the fact that it comes just days after Madden 07 is no bothering me)

Looks like I'll be doing a little HD Madden on Thursday...

Dave

Watching the Colts/Seahawks game tonight, there is no doubt the OTA HD quality is superior.

If I had never seen the OTA DT's, my opinion of the SAT DT's (DISH) would be that of stellar. But, in a side-by-side comparison of a live HD broadcast, the OTA is noticeably crisper, sharper, and clearer.

I don't find it as noticeable on a recorded events, like Leno, CSI, etc, and it is not as noticeable on baseball or golf, but now that I've had a chance to compare watching SNF, I'll be watching all football via the OTA tuners.

My Dish 1000+ install is scheduled for this coming week. Wouldn't be surprised if they don't show. It's a pattern.

I've not kept up well with posts the last week or so, so I don't know if anyone has posted about the new Dish offerings except Ken above. I can report that I'm liking the National Geographic HD channel a lot and find food network occasionally interesting. They are all pixel fests, though. Fast motion does not hold up well. I'm seeing a lot of blocking artifacts for anything that moves or if the camera pans. It's far worse than OTA. I've been pretty unimpressed with StarzHD, too. It's true MPEG4, but it often seems soft and unclear.

Content wise, it's been fun. I have a new favorite show - Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. I've learned more about dogs in the time since National Geographic HD went online than I've been taught in my entire life. (If you read about a guy being attacked by angry dogs, that'll probably be me - not paying attention to the warning about not trying those techniques without consulting a professional.)

On the HD DVD front, I'm holding fast at 3 commercial discs purchased. There just isn't much out there of interest to me yet. I'm still burning plenty of HD DVDs on my own, though. That's still the best reason for me to own an HD DVD player. Even though the stores still seem intent on pushing Blu-ray, the Blu-ray section of AVS is a ghost town. If you go there, sometimes you can see the sage brush blowing through.

I was in Circuit City recently buying some speaker stands and the kid who was helping me started to feed me the standard line that stores have been given about Blu-ray (or Blur-ray, as it has become known). I was quite surprised that he was receptive to listening to what I had to say about the state of the format war right now. He had every opportunity to leave when my mobile phone rang, but he stuck around so we could talk more about it. I steered him here to AVS. Perhaps the force will touch the young Padowan.

I know there is a Charter guy that sticks his head in this thread on occasion, I need some help. I'm getting bad (unwatchable) pixelation on my HD channels and pixelation on my SD channels as well.

This is occuring on my CableCard as well as my digitial box. My guess is that I'm experiencing some sort of signal loss as I'm also getting dropouts on my cable internet connection as well that requires me to reboot the router and cable modem.

I contacted Charter and they are trying to send out a technician this weekend to look at the problem, the thing is I don't think there is anything wrong on my end as I haven't changed anything. Any help would be appreciated.
Mike, was this solved? I had the same issue, and found that (living in an apartment) whenever someone moved in or out, Charter would fiddle with the cables (activating and deactivating). Every time this happened, I had horrible pixelation on most every channel. As I live near Wash U., it happened every semester. Good times, good times. Anyway, push them for an amplifier.

KPLR DT seems to be back on, at least as of this writing.
FWIW, Dish is allowing the Cubs broadcast on WGN into the STL DMA.
JIC there's anyone who would rather not listen to Hagin and Horton :rolleyes:

Be warned, traditionally, WGN on Dish has horrendous PQ.

Is KPLR DT (11-1 & 11-2) back up? I moved last week and was getting my OTA set up this weekend. I seem to get the analog feed okay via antenna - but I couldn't get anything for the digital channels? I may try a rescan tonight?
BTW, I also noticed major lip sync issues with ABC (30-1) again last night. It was on Grey's anatomy. This has been happening for a while now. What's the deal??
It was virtually unwatchable in 5.1 digital sound..

It's off right now...just checked. 11-1, I don't have 11-2 mapped in. I checked UHF 26...no lock.
It was on during the game yesterday, I watched portions of the game on it.

Perhaps the lead engineer from KSDK moved over to KPLR :rolleyes:

.....BTW, I also noticed major lip sync issues with ABC (30-1) again last night. It was on Grey's anatomy. This has been happening for a while now. What's the deal??
It was virtually unwatchable in 5.1 digital sound..

I too, have notice the sync getting worse on 30-1 lately. Perhaps Jim will chime in. Funny, though......I noticed this morning that GMA was broadcast in HD this morning and the lip sync was much better. Video was excellent as well. Either the sync issue is sparodic something was corrected overnight. Only time will tell.

I have no 11-1 or 11-2. Anyone else?

Scott

I have no 11-1 or 11-2. Anyone else?

Scott

I've got it. There's some sort of light bar on the left side of the screen (besides the blanking bars).

On a side note, KNLC-DT (useless as it is... :rolleyes: ) is trying to come through on my reciever. It seems to be too week to lock, though.

I've noticed that 11.1 is on during prime time for the last few days, with the exception of the ball game on Sunday. Is this going to be the norm, or are they getting ready for the network change?

Let's hope its just getting ready for THE CW and its not a sign of things to come.

I've certainly noticed a great deal of time that 11.1 is "down" over the past couple of weeks.

KPLR-DT: More likely is repairs to xmtrs/hardline/ant damaged during the July 19 storm.

Quick question regarding Dish HD locals:

I understand that KPLR is not part of the Local HD offerings from Dish. However, I've also seen reference to the fact that Dish turns off the SD locals (which includes KPLR) when you sign up for the HD locals. Does this mean that the only way for those of us receiving HD locals on E* via satellite to get KPLR is OTA?

Quick question regarding Dish HD locals:

I understand that KPLR is not part of the Local HD offerings from Dish. However, I've also seen reference to the fact that Dish turns off the SD locals (which includes KPLR) when you sign up for the HD locals. Does this mean that the only way for those of us receiving HD locals on E* via satellite to get KPLR is OTA?
No Glendale, not if it is done correctly. Please read my post from earlier this month, it should explain the correct procedure:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8200656#post8200656
Be certain you place your order through AHDTS and not the regular CS mill.
800-969-4388

EDIT: BTW, there still exists a 3-4 week wait for the + series antenna's.

I was bored at work and decided to look up the history of cable televsion on Wikipedia. I thought it was pretty interesting, but one part in particular stuck out:

"In the First Report and Order by the Federal Communications Commission on CATV the FCC gave itself the power to regulate CATV. This Report and Order was designed to protect small town television stations. It did this by imposing two rules, which in slightly altered form still stand: one requires that a CATV system carry all local stations in which the CATV system is in the "A" (best reception) contour of the station. The second prohibits the importation of programs from a non-local station that duplicates programming on a local station if the duplication is shown either 15 days before or 15 days after its local airing. This 1965 report reasoning is as follows: 1) CATV should carry local stations because CATV supplements, not replaces, local stations and the non-carriage of local stations gives distant stations an advantage since people will not change from the cable to the antenna to see a local station; 2) non-carriage is "inherently contrary to the public interest"; 3) CATV duplication of local programming via distant signals is unfair since broadcasters and CATV do not compete for programs on an equal footing; the FCC recommends "a reasonable measure of exclusivity".

The two highlighted comments I found interesting. Does this mean that technically Charter is in FCC violation because they do not make ABC a local channel, or maybe Charter has a relevant lawsuit against Sinclair for demanding to be paid?

Food for thought, if anybody knows more, let me know. Not for sure how it applies to HD, etc...but thought I'd share.

The two highlighted comments I found interesting. Does this mean that technically Charter is in FCC violation because they do not make ABC a local channel, or maybe Charter has a relevant lawsuit against Sinclair for demanding to be paid?
Charter does carry the local ABC affiliate. Just not the DIGITAL version of the channel. Since there are no stipulations (yet) regarding carriage of the digital signal of a local affiliate, they are not breaking any regulations.

Dish left a message wanting to push my install (scheduled for Thursday) "back a couple of weeks due to lack of inventory on the 1000+". I originally ordered (and paid) on July 19, and this will be the third time they've rescheduled. I guess I should be happy that they didn't just use the tried-and-true "no show" method of rescheduling installation appointments:rolleyes: .

This is getting a little ridiculous. I'm almost tempted to just stay with Charter! :eek:

I think Charter is moving up the CS scale, heh.

Dish left a message wanting to push my install (scheduled for Thursday) "back a couple of weeks due to lack of inventory on the 1000+". I originally ordered (and paid) on July 19, and this will be the third time they've rescheduled. I guess I should be happy that they didn't just use the tried-and-true "no show" method of rescheduling installation appointments:rolleyes: .

This is getting a little ridiculous. I'm almost tempted to just stay with Charter! :eek:
My daughter also....2nd reschedule was for today, AT&T (bundled) called yesterday and pushed it back to mid Sept....also citing lack of + antenna inventory.

I've always had very good CS with DISH, but all of their roll-outs have always been a nightmare.

No matter which provider ... all these troubles ... and there's nothing good on TV anyhow, hehe.

Again, channel 11.1 was off today and came back on during prime time. Anyone know how to get a hold of a tech at KPLR?

Again, channel 11.1 was off today and came back on during prime time. Anyone know how to get a hold of a tech at KPLR?
I've always received a reply:
technical@wb11tv.com

I have Charter HD service without the digital tier. I use the Motorola, I think DCT-6200 box, not a Moxi, connected to my Sony receiver with optical SPDIF. When I watch a DVD my blue Dolby/DTS indicator light in the middle of the receiver lights up. It never lights up when I watch anything on Charter. The receiver indicates "Pro Logic" for either the signal or its decoding method. Does Charter just not pass through true Dolby Digital audio? Some shows on my box's program guide will show "DD" with the Dolby logo, and others show DD 5.1 with the logo. I'm pretty sure my audio is multichannel, and I realise TV shows don't really mix the rear surrounds often. What gives?

I have Charter HD service without the digital tier. I use the Motorola, I think DCT-6200 box, not a Moxi, connected to my Sony receiver with optical SPDIF. When I watch a DVD my blue Dolby/DTS indicator light in the middle of the receiver lights up. It never lights up when I watch anything on Charter. The receiver indicates "Pro Logic" for either the signal or its decoding method. Does Charter just not pass through true Dolby Digital audio? Some shows on my box's program guide will show "DD" with the Dolby logo, and others show DD 5.1 with the logo. I'm pretty sure my audio is multichannel, and I realise TV shows don't really mix the rear surrounds often. What gives?

I get Dolby Digital 5.1 sound through my Moxi box when watching HD programming (only those programs that broadcast in 5.1) and channel 136 (The Tube/KPLR 11.2). I'm not familiar with the non-Moxi HD boxes, but I'd double check your cable box's settings to make sure it is set to output dolby digital sound.

My daughter also....2nd reschedule was for today, AT&T (bundled) called yesterday and pushed it back to mid Sept....also citing lack of + antenna inventory.

I've always had very good CS with DISH, but all of their roll-outs have always been a nightmare.

They called me, too. Big shock. I am going to have to get on the phone and get serious with them.

I have Charter HD service without the digital tier. I use the Motorola, I think DCT-6200 box, not a Moxi, connected to my Sony receiver with optical SPDIF. When I watch a DVD my blue Dolby/DTS indicator light in the middle of the receiver lights up. It never lights up when I watch anything on Charter. The receiver indicates "Pro Logic" for either the signal or its decoding method. Does Charter just not pass through true Dolby Digital audio? Some shows on my box's program guide will show "DD" with the Dolby logo, and others show DD 5.1 with the logo. I'm pretty sure my audio is multichannel, and I realise TV shows don't really mix the rear surrounds often. What gives?

I have the 6200, use an optical SPDIF and receive Dolby 5.1 when available. There is an audio choice setting on the Menu page that, at least for me, has no effect on the 5.1 signal. It's there when it's there.

Steve

Yesterday morning my set started flashing Searching For Signal. Went on for a few minutes. While this message was popping up I went into the DVR menu and looked at all 3 and everything was in the mid to high 90's.

I unplugged the DVR and powered it back on. I have never seen the Searching For Signal message on my set, only on the DVR while watching and it's rain fade. This only happened yesterday morning and it hasn't happened since but I have had enough problems already with both my previous set and DVR I am about ready to get a librabry card!

I have a new replacement HR10-250 and new HL-S5086 Samsung authorized replacement (neither a refurb). So I don't know if this was the DVR or the set. Any ideas?

FWIW, I just turned on the set and I got the Searching For Signal for about a second, then it went right to the program so I am thinking it was the set.

OK, this is way off topic, but does anybody have experience with HD Radio? I'm just curious if it's worth spending additional money to be able to receive the HD Radio signals? FWIW, I do not have XM or Sirius satelite radio.

Thanks

Greetings all,
Just curious if anyone knew when DIRECTV was going to add
the Fox Sports MIDWEST HD to the MPEG-4 spot beam? I see,
based on several websites, including DIRECTV's own site, they
are rolling out HD Sports Nets (Some 24/7) to the larger markets.

To the last msg abt HD Radio, I have a HD radio. Only UNDER half
of the St Louis Radio stations have rolled it out so far:

- 850 (KFUO) -on-air-
- 1120 (KMOX -on-air-
- 1260 (WSDZ) -TESTING IT-
- 90.7 (KWMU) -No HD2 stream-
- 92.3 (WIL) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 93.7 (KSD) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 98.1 (KYKY) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 100.3 (KATZ) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 101.1 (WVRV) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 104.9 (KMJM) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 105.7 (KPNT) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 106.5 (WARH) -Yes HD2 stream-

These are scheduled to be on-air by end of Sept:

- 94.7 (KSHE) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 96.3 (KIHT) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 97.1 (KFTK) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 102.5 (KEZK) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 103.3 (KLOU) -Yes HD2 stream-
- 107.7 (KSLZ) -Yes HD2 stream-

However like KPLR-DT, the HD signal on
98.1 (KYKY) & 106.5 (WARH) have
recently disappeared.

I have the 6200, use an optical SPDIF and receive Dolby 5.1 when available. There is an audio choice setting on the Menu page that, at least for me, has no effect on the 5.1 signal. It's there when it's there.

Ah! It was just a menu setting. I went into the Menu > Audio, and it was set on TV. I set it to Stereo and that is all it needed. Much more like it! :)

I don't know much about the technical merits of HD radio, but I think the whole thing can be summed up as a panic reaction to satellite radio and the fact that terrestrial radio has long been an advertiser-friendly and listener-hostile media. Most of my loathing for terrestrial radio is reserved for the music format stations, which play a dozen or so format-specific songs ad nauseum apparently as part of a strategy to deliver to advertisers a low-expectation, lobotimized, audience.

For that reason, I say spend any radio upgrade money with XM or Sirius, where the listener is the focus.

I've said it before and I will say it again.

Satellite radio is like a DVR. Once you have it, you will never get rid of it.