[QUOTE=duvy56]

The format switch of 101.1 has forced me to use my mp3 player even more. And radio wonders why it's dying...

No kidding!

Its like they are trying to force people into buying XM or Sirius.

Clearly its anecdotal, but I have not talked to a single person who even listens to 101.1 now.

With the locals in HD on the Sat. I didn't need the dual OTA tuners. I have found the MPEG4 picture quality to be very good. When used in combination with the OTA the 3 tuners works nice. The only thing I use the OTA exclusively for is Channel 11 and 9 since it is not on dish in HD. Plus I still use my OTA built in to my tv if I am recording 3 things and want to watch something else live OTA. It is pretty nice how in the guide the OTA stations show up highlighted in yellow so you can tell the difference. It also gives you a signal strength meter for a couple of seconds when tuning to an OTA station. So far I have been very impressed, I thought coming from Tivo would be tough. Plus I was worried about the Wife Approval factor. So far so good on all fronts. :)

Does this have THREE live buffers or only two? How do you determine which two tuners are being buffered?

I hope it doesn't rain tonight if you are watching satellite.
This has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Do you realize that the cable companies get their content from satellites?

This has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Do you realize that the cable companies get their content from satellites?

Are you suggesting cable companies have rain fade issues like home satellite users???? I have never heard that one before. Sounds kind of desperate. I have had cable tv for many many years and never had any rain fade issues. You want to research the issue before you make such uninformed posts.

Does this have THREE live buffers or only two? How do you determine which two tuners are being buffered?
It has two Winston. Using the "Swap" button on the remote toggles between the two tuners. Once a tuner is set to a channel (which can be an OTA if connected), that tuner remains tuned to that channel. Pressing "Swap" toggles to the other tuner, which then can be set to any other channel.

In order to pause one tuner while using, the other PiP must be active, and/or both tuners can be paused and/or swapped with PiP active. All active tuners, whether being viewed or not, are buffered for 60 minutes. You can also return to the beginning of any buffer and create a recording from that point forward.

The "Recall" function on the remote remains active also, which toggles the active tuner between the previously used channel on that particular tuner, which can also be used while the other tuner is paused in the PiP window.

With PiP active, the "Swap" function toggles between the two PiP windows. With PiP inactive, the "Swap" function toggles full screen between the two tuners.

KIM, these functions diminish as tuners are being used for recording non-viewed broadcasts.

Are you suggesting cable companies have rain fade issues like home satellite users???? I have never heard that one before. Sounds kind of desperate. I have had cable tv for many many years and never had any rain fade issues. You want to research the issue before you make such uninformed posts.


I personally had more outages from cable due to rain than I have with my Sat. A properly set up dish can handle most weather conditions. When I lost cable it was hours. When I do lose it now it only lasts a few minutes, plus I have an OTA tuner, so I still have signal.
Unlike you, when Charter goes down you're SOL with the MOXI...

Hope charter doesn't raise you're rates when they hear how much you like your service...

Are you suggesting cable companies have rain fade issues like home satellite users???? I have never heard that one before. Sounds kind of desperate. I have had cable tv for many many years and never had any rain fade issues. You want to research the issue before you make such uninformed posts.As should you.

Mileage varies, but not all people lose sat signal every time it rains. You're just sucked in by, and spitting back out, cable propoganda. I've said before I only lose signal in big rainstorms with thick, black clouds.

You're really sounding like a shill. Next you'll be telling us we can only get local channels by using a separate antenna. :rolleyes:

I personally had more outages from cable due to rain than I have with my Sat. A properly set up dish can handle most weather conditions. When I lost cable it was hours. When I do lose it now it only lasts a few minutes, plus I have an OTA tuner, so I still have signal.
Unlike you, when Charter goes down you're SOL with the MOXI...

Hope charter doesn't raise you're rates when they hear how much you like your service...

Got to admit the last part of the post was pretty funny. I don't think you lost your cable service because it was raining. I can't remember the last time my cable was out. In 10 years I could count the number of times on one hand.

As should you.

Mileage varies, but not all people lose sat signal every time it rains. You're just sucked in by, and spitting back out, cable propoganda. I've said before I only lose signal in big rainstorms with thick, black clouds.

You're really sounding like a shill. Next you'll be telling us we can only get local channels by using a separate antenna. :rolleyes:

I have never had Satellite that is true. I have known several people who had, and they ALL went back to cable when they moved. They ALL said they had rain fade issues with satellite. I believe people like to try satellite, then once they have the sunk cost of the equipment they are stuck. They generally don't admit their mistake and cut their losses. They wait until they move, then they switch back to cable.

I believe people like to try satellite, then once they have the sunk cost of the equipment they are stuck. They generally don't admit their mistake and cut their losses. They wait until they move, then they switch back to cable.Have any evidence to back that up? I'm pretty sure I read that Charter's numbers were down, while D* had an increase in subs. Maybe I'm wrong.

I did the opposite of what you claim. Had so many problems with cable I couldn't wait to get Sat when I moved. Have had it for 8 years, including a move 3 years ago.

So what's your title over at Charter? :D

The advantages and disadvanges of each are well publicized on here. If you don't like them, don't use them. Cable companies will win over all comers in the end. They simply have the best system to deliver phone, TV, and internet. You will be dead before AT&T ever runs fiber to your house. I hope it doesn't rain tonight if you are watching satellite.

By the way, it's at&t. In southern Illinois don't make that bet. You will see fiber to the node in several cities by the end of the year.
I'll take my "rain fade" over the "bright sunny day inconsistent delivery of all services" anytime:)

I don't think you lost your cable service because it was raining.In the catagory of things that don't happen very often, like DBS rain fade, rain can cause cable outtages in two ways; first, in severe conditions even the large C-Band dishes performance / signal reception can be affected, and second, in much less severe conditions rain, water & dampness can affect cable amplifiers and connections resulting in areas losing all cable services.

As noted, both are relatively rare, but they do happen.

They generally don't admit their mistake and cut their losses. They wait until they move, then they switch back to cable.
I don't have any hard facts on this, but being a person who sees 75-100 mortgages close every month, and has for the last umteen years, I can tell you the majority of people who have satellite stay with it when they move, and people who have cable stay with it when they move.

The ones who change are those that have satellite and are moving to a cable wired home, they have satellite added. Rarely do you see a cable customer move to a cable wired home, and add satellite.

My experience has been the fact they are moving to a new home is irrelevant.

Have any evidence to back that up? I'm pretty sure I read that Charter's numbers were down, while D* had an increase in subs. Maybe I'm wrong.

I did the opposite of what you claim. Had so many problems with cable I couldn't wait to get Sat when I moved. Have had it for 8 years, including a move 3 years ago.

So what's your title over at Charter? :D
Same thing here... switched from sat to cable and am finally back with D*.

It has two Winston. Using the "Swap" button on the remote toggles between the two tuners. Once a tuner is set to a channel (which can be an OTA if connected), that tuner remains tuned to that channel. Pressing "Swap" toggles to the other tuner, which then can be set to any other channel.

In order to pause one tuner while using, the other PiP must be active, and/or both tuners can be paused and/or swapped with PiP active. All active tuners, whether being viewed or not, are buffered for 60 minutes. You can also return to the beginning of any buffer and create a recording from that point forward.

The "Recall" function on the remote remains active also, which toggles the active tuner between the previously used channel on that particular tuner, which can also be used while the other tuner is paused in the PiP window.

With PiP active, the "Swap" function toggles between the two PiP windows. With PiP inactive, the "Swap" function toggles full screen between the two tuners.

KIM, these functions diminish as tuners are being used for recording non-viewed broadcasts.


That is an excellent description of how the dual tuners work, I was trying to explain it to a friend at work and didn't do such a great job. I am going to email him a link to this thread to see you description :)

Thanks, Jay...don't feel bad, my wife lives here and hasn't a clue.
Besides, it's not like she can follow two on LMN simultaneously :eek:

Curious about this, STL, for what reason(s)?

With the Dish 622 and OTA, 3 network broadcasts can be viewed/recorded simultaneously. I have a ATSC tuner in one of my HDTV's, but never use it, so now I'm wondering what I'm missing :confused:
Is it related to recording/archiving using a HD card via computer?I guess I just don't like paying additional for channels I can get free OTA. I'm not sure what it's like with E*, but with D* it's an extra $3-4 per month to get your locals. So that's why I need two OTA tuners.

Speaking of E* and TiVo, if Ergen would stop spending buckets of money fighting TiVo and instead just partner with them he could likely convince a lot of DirecTiVo users to defect from D*.

Got to admit the last part of the post was pretty funny. I don't think you lost your cable service because it was raining. I can't remember the last time my cable was out. In 10 years I could count the number of times on one hand.

You are a lucky one. At my mother in laws, in the last year, Cable has been completely out 4 times. We have replaced box 3 times. They added an amplifier and it didn't help. She is in a condo and a switch to satellite would be difficult(bo doable). At our house, we had charter for exactly 1 year(the term of our contract, not a day longer). In that year, I had to deal with support on 18 occasions. That isn't a typo, eighteen occasions. In ONE YEAR. I am very tech savvy and fix most everything myself, however, I can't fix a bad signal/installation/underground wire and whatever else happens to be the problem in my area of West County. Of those 18 calls, 14 were complete outages during rain. One was the box randomly turning off the TV, and the rest were poor reception of pay(digital) channels and severe pixellization on them( accompanied by radical volume shifts).
You've had good service, I'm glad someone has. Perhaps you are in a new enough neighborhood to have decent wiring and whatever headends(or whatever) are needed by Cable. Either way, I don't think cable will "win" in the end, because as an industry, aside from what the commercials say(trying to bash telcos), they are not very forward thinking.
Dug

I guess I just don't like paying additional for channels I can get free OTA. I'm not sure what it's like with E*, but with D* it's an extra $3-4 per month to get your locals. So that's why I need two OTA tuners.

Speaking of E* and TiVo, if Ergen would stop spending buckets of money fighting TiVo and instead just partner with them he could likely convince a lot of DirecTiVo users to defect from D*.
Yeah, it's $5./mo with E*, includes both SD and HD. We do it for the additional timers, but I see your point now. :)

I think once E* has prominent coverage of digital locals, they will probably do-away with the OTA tuner in their receivers.

I personally had more outages from cable due to rain than I have with my Sat. A properly set up dish can handle most weather conditions. When I lost cable it was hours. When I do lose it now it only lasts a few minutes, plus I have an OTA tuner, so I still have signal.
Unlike you, when Charter goes down you're SOL with the MOXI...I totally agree!

I think once E* has prominent coverage of digital locals, they will probably do-away with the OTA tuner in their receivers.I can see that. That's why I was wondering if D* is ever really going to activate the OTA tuner in their new HR20 HD DVR.

kdg454,
How well does the ViP622 drive two televisions (with different content)? My HR10-250 is wired to four TVs, but they all have to be watching the same thing.

kdg454,
How well does the ViP622 drive two televisions (with different content)? My HR10-250 is wired to four TVs, but they all have to be watching the same thing.
In the dual mode (2 TV's) it is as seamless as having an actual second DVR receiver connected to your second TV, whether viewing live TV or playing back recorded events. Both TV1 and TV2 can access all live channels and DVR functions independent of each other. TV2 is SD only, and other than OTA and/or previously recorded, TV2 cannot "see" any HD offerings.

All programming, menu options, guides and remotes are completely independent of each other.
In the dual TV mode, you give up one tuner to TV2, taking it from TV1. Biggest downside of that is the loss of PiP while in dual mode.

The receiver can be toggled between single and dual mode at any time (also seamless), and all settings for both TV1 and TV2 are saved and remain intact.

Probably its best use is for a 2nd TV in a child's room, in that, you can set only the programming you want available to the child, independent of your own programing, using various available hide/lock (p/w protected) options...by ratings, viewing times, and even individual channel selections.

In the single mode, TV2 mirrors TV1, same as your HR10-250. You could add as many mirror TV's to either TV1 or TV2 as you choose, though TV2 would be the better choice as it uses a RF/UHF remote and TV1 uses IR.

Are you suggesting cable companies have rain fade issues like home satellite users???? I have never heard that one before. Sounds kind of desperate. I have had cable tv for many many years and never had any rain fade issues. You want to research the issue before you make such uninformed posts.
So how long have you been working for Charter Jimbo? Cable TV absolutely can experience problems when it rains.

I'm not uninformed or desperate but I did feel obligated to call B.S. on you for sounding just like a Charter commercial which by the way are complete garbage since cable tv relies on satellites for its content.

I have NEVER had charter go out in the rain EVER.

You can throw rocks at charter all day because of the poor customer service but you cant deny the products they deliver are OUTSTANDING. I haven't seen D* or E* win any customer service awards lately. About half of MY customers D* and E* installs are wired with composite. Its sad to think how many people are using an HD box on a composite video input. :( I get the calls every week, My TV is broke. It locks up on the HD channels

Funny...this past weekend I thought I need to ask Tom how often that happens.
ADS installed two Dish HD boxes at my daughter's using the R/W/Y that comes in the box with the receiver. Her husband is fairly tech-savvy, but figured the right cables come with the receiver.
Made me wonder how often it must happen. Perhaps if Dish wasn't so cheap and included a set of components or an HDMI with their HD receivers...imagine that ever happening.

I have NEVER had charter go out in the rain EVER.

You can throw rocks at charter all day because of the poor customer service but you cant deny the products they deliver are OUTSTANDING. I haven't seen D* or E* win any customer service awards lately. About half of MY customers D* and E* installs are wired with composite. Its sad to think how many people are using an HD box on a composite video input. :( I get the calls every week, My TV is broke. It locks up on the HD channels

I guess you've been lucky or I'm in an area with questionable wiring. When I had cable both at my appartment in Manchester and at my house in Wildwood I've had outings in bad weather. Not from the clouds, but moisture in the ground.
Guess it's bad cabling or something. And I have the junction box in my back yard.

I guess you've been lucky or I'm in an area with questionable wiring. When I had cable both at my appartment in Manchester and at my house in Wildwood I've had outings in bad weather. Not from the clouds, but moisture in the ground.
Guess it's bad cabling or something. And I have the junction box in my back yard.


Yeah if your service had issues in the rain it wasn't a design flaw or issue like can happen from time to time with a dish it is a fixable problem that just needs to be tracked down. Tracking it down can be difficult though because of the lousy customer service charter has. In a properly wired neighborhood with every thing sealed as it should be weather should have absolutely no affect on cable service.

I personally have Charter and can not imagine living without video on demand and love not having a dish on my house.. Its bad enough the one cable that is visible along the side. Think its time to just agree to disagree. The fact of the matter is Charter does have many happy customers, and many angry ones. As do both dish services. I for one have lived in Valley Park and Wildwood and my service is better here in Valley Park but I would never say the service I received in Wildwood would have ever had us considering getting a dish. The problems were random issues making it difficult to track down, and never was the issue a complete outage. The one thing I do know about Charter that not a single person can disagree with is that if you have to deal with customer service you have to be prepared to repeat yourself over and over to get the whatever the issue resolved.


Can't we just all get along? It sounds like everyone here with their opinion is already doing what they should do which is show their unhappyness with whatever service with their wallet. That is the best thing one can do and if enough customers leave you have to hope things will eventually have to improve.
-Phatty

I have NEVER had charter go out in the rain EVER.

You can throw rocks at charter all day because of the poor customer service but you cant deny the products they deliver are OUTSTANDING. I haven't seen D* or E* win any customer service awards lately. About half of MY customers D* and E* installs are wired with composite. Its sad to think how many people are using an HD box on a composite video input. :( I get the calls every week, My TV is broke. It locks up on the HD channels
What good is any technology if service is poor? I've had Directv since 1999 and the customer service has always been very good. If the Directv CS rep doesn't have an answer for your problem they send you to the next tier of expertise which is a smart and efficient way of providing good customer service. My HD equipment is all top notch (HD Tivo, HR20 DVR, H20 receiver) and "lock-up" is rare.
Also, I have only premium quality cabling in all my installations and picture quality is very good. Being a well informed consumer and knowing the technology are the first steps to successful home entertainment.

Yeah if your service had issues in the rain it wasn't a design flaw or issue like can happen from time to time with a dish it is a fixable problem that just needs to be tracked down. Tracking it down can be difficult though because of the lousy customer service charter has. In a properly wired neighborhood with every thing sealed as it should be weather should have absolutely no affect on cable service.

I personally have Charter and can not imagine living without video on demand and love not having a dish on my house.. Its bad enough the one cable that is visible along the side. Think its time to just agree to disagree. The fact of the matter is Charter does have many happy customers, and many angry ones. As do both dish services. I for one have lived in Valley Park and Wildwood and my service is better here in Valley Park but I would never say the service I received in Wildwood would have ever had us considering getting a dish. The problems were random issues making it difficult to track down, and never was the issue a complete outage. The one thing I do know about Charter that not a single person can disagree with is that if you have to deal with customer service you have to be prepared to repeat yourself over and over to get the whatever the issue resolved.


Can't we just all get along? It sounds like everyone here with their opinion is already doing what they should do which is show their unhappyness with whatever service with their wallet. That is the best thing one can do and if enough customers leave you have to hope things will eventually have to improve.
-Phatty

The Dish guys just can't accept that Charter has happy customers. They think you are either making this stuff up or you work for Charter. For the record, I certainly don't work for Charter, or anything related to the cable industry. I don't understand why the dish guys are so full of hate. Ever notice it is always them bad-mounthing cable but the cable guys never start the argument? Speaks volumes.

The Dish guys just can't accept that Charter has happy customers. They think you are either making this stuff up or you work for Charter. For the record, I certainly don't work for Charter, or anything related to the cable industry. I don't understand why the dish guys are so full of hate. Ever notice it is always them bad-mounthing cable but the cable guys never start the argument? Speaks volumes.

You said this, which began this whole debate

"Turd Bird", I love it. How funny. I don't the satellites will be able to compete long term with the cable companies. It is too bad that St Louis is saddled with Charter. I wish they would finally just to bankrupt, and maybe Comcast will buy them out.

You may want to retract the "Ever notice it is always them bad-mounthing cable but the cable guys never start the argument?" portion of your statement.

We should end the Cable vs Satellite discussion now, we don't need our thread getting moderated and having posts removed. That way both sides get their point across instead of having both sides points removed.
Dug

Edited for bad conduct on my part...

Folks, although I invite open discussions, this is starting to turn into a holy war over who is better. It's fair that everyone will have difference experiences and expectations of their media provider. So let's all just shake hands and agree it's good we have so many choices to fit the differing needs of all us HD junkies.


cheers all!

<edited for spelling>

You said this, which began this whole debate



You may want to retract the "Ever notice it is always them bad-mounthing cable but the cable guys never start the argument?" portion of your statement.

We should end the Cable vs Satellite discussion now, we don't need our thread getting moderated and having posts removed. That way both sides get their point across instead of having both sides points removed because of inflamatory conduct.
Dug

You are wrong, what began the whole debate was this:

Quote:
Originally Posted by WinstonSmith
But, at least here in STL, cable is more expensive and gives your fewer options, and provides inferior equipment. . Personally, I have the point of view that I'd rather spend some money out of pocket initially rather than get raped per month.

Isn't Charter's DVR service for the MOXI 12.99 per month? DirecTV's DVR service is 5.99 per month. Whether you have TiVo service through DirecTV (which is better) or the regular DirecTV DVR service, its better than the MOXI and significantly cheaper. Then, there's the cost of renting the MOXI, a piece of equipment that is far inferior to the DirecTV DVR.

You're right that its easier -- much, and there's less out of pocket startup costs. But, that's where cable's advantages ends... at least in the STL market.


Most of what you said as far as the service and equipment is just personal opinion. Can your satellite company give you Cable TV, HDTV, DVR, Internet, and Phone service?? all on one bill? Doesn't the satellite charge you per room hookup? I can have 10 cable hookups in my house for one price. Cable is far easier to deal with.


Later, he attempted a personal attack on me which the moderator removed.

Exactly Mike. I use Pipeline, simply because we work from home, and it's the only show-in-town, at least in this town. We're linked to the bank via a VPN, and run their mortgage department. It's a completely electronic industry.

A normal mortgage application would take 50x longer using dial-up, extra time I doubt any of our customers wants/has to spend on the phone. A mortgage document file from underwriting is 6-8meg, usually downloaded 3-5x a day. For that, I get the pleasure of paying Charter $56/mo for what AT&T or Verizon will give me for 1/2 in DSL, once the switches become available here....a day I am so looking forward to.

The $56/mo can not be bundled, as neither Charter's VoIP or HD Tier is available here. The only other Charter service available here is their Digital TV Tier, which would not be enough to lower the monthly Pipeline cost.

I've never had and problems with Pipeline, it works great. I just thoroughly detest the business practices and principles by which Charter stands....that, "we're Charter, 'nough said" hogwash!
Oh don't take me the wrong way, I can't stand Charter, hate them with every fiber of my being. But I love my TiVo and I really want a Series 3, couple this with the fact that Charter has the fastest internet connection in Saint Louis and I will put up with it.

I'm not happy I have to put up with it, but I will.

The BEST companys are the ones that DON'T NEED a customer service department. If you NEED customer service, there is something wrong with the equipment/service. How many of you would put up with a car the failed once a week but the dealer had a great service department?

This debate has gone on long enough. YOU HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU WHAT YOU LIKE.

Walt

Oh don't take me the wrong way, I can't stand Charter, hate them with every fiber of my being. But I love my TiVo and I really want a Series 3, couple this with the fact that Charter has the fastest internet connection in Saint Louis and I will put up with it.

I'm not happy I have to put up with it, but I will.

I would love to have the Tivo Series 3 also, but I think my wife would 'go nuts' if I spent that much on it. I am going to have to wait until they drop the price.

I would love to have the Tivo Series 3 also, but I think my wife would 'go nuts' if I spent that much on it. I am going to have to wait until they drop the price.
I may not want it as much if I could get an HD Moxi from Charter for a short time, but that doesn't seem to be an option.

...Can your satellite company give you Cable TV, HDTV, DVR, Internet, and Phone service?? all on one bill?...Will someone please explain to me why it is so beneficial to have one company as my communications jack-of-all-trades?

Some may like the all on one bill aspect. I don't. One I'd rather have several smaller bills (easier for me to budget), and one bill with everything has the potential to get complicated beyond comprehension. Other than the billing aspect, what is the benefit really?

I personally like the idea of a company specializing in one thing, but doing it really well. I guess it's the programmer in me: a method (aka function, procedure) should only do one thing; but it should do it correctly, handle corner cases without error, and recover from failure gracefully.

Will someone please explain to me why it is so beneficial to have one company as my communications jack-of-all-trades?

Some may like the all on one bill aspect. I don't. One I'd rather have several smaller bills (easier for me to budget), and one bill with everything has the potential to get complicated beyond comprehension. Other than the billing aspect, what is the benefit really?

I personally like the idea of a company specializing in one thing, but doing it really well. I guess it's the programmer in me: a method (aka function, procedure) should only do one thing; but it should do it correctly, handle corner cases without error, and recover from failure gracefully.

I think the advantage is you only have one bill to deal with, to pay, to reconcile in your checkbook, etc. Only one company to call if there is a problem (assuming this is a company you can deal with). This may not be for you, or everyone, but Comcast and others have shown (by continuing to gain substantial telephone and internet customers) it is preferred by most people.

Press Release Source: Charter Communications, Inc.


Charter Rolls Out Enhanced High-Speed Internet Service
Thursday September 21, 9:00 am ET
Faster 10 mbps Download Speed and Advanced Security Suite Improve the Internet Experience for Customers


ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2006--As part of its continuing focus on enhancing the customer experience and expanding its digital product offerings, Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHTR - News) today announced that it is offering 10 mbps service as well as an upgraded security suite to High-Speed Internet (HSI) customers around the country.

"To keep pace with their Internet usage, customers want faster and faster download speeds and improved security, and Charter is continuing to meet those demands. Our new 10 mbps service is among the fastest Internet speeds available in our markets today. Coupled with our comprehensive security suite, it will provide our customers with a better Internet experience - especially when downloading multi-media content and utilizing multiple computers at the same time via a home network," said Himesh Bhise, vice president of Charter's High-Speed Internet. "This is a good example of how we're investing in our business to provide the leading-edge products our customers want."

More than 25 percent of U.S. households have a home network. In addition, approximately 36 percent of online users engage in online games, and 25 percent download music. The greater bandwidth of Charter's 10 mbps service will make home networks more responsive to multiple users, it will enable online gamers to host multi-player games and chat with other gamers during play, and it will decrease the time needed to download music and movies. The service's 1 mbps upload speed will also allow customers to send large files like digital photos more quickly.

Charter will complete the rollout of 10Mbps in all markets in the fall. The Company's three operating divisions are currently signing up 10Mbps customers in 15 of its 20 key market areas across the country where 10 Mbps service is available. In addition, Charter has deployed 5Mbps service across its three operating divisions and is currently signing up 5Mbps subscribers in all 20 Charter key market areas.

"In addition to faster download speeds, Internet security plays a crucial role in improving the online experience," Mr. Bhise said. "To stay ahead of an ever-changing industry and to protect our customers against a host of new Internet threats, Charter has partnered with F-Secure, an award-winning Internet security provider, to offer our upgraded High-Speed Security Suite version 6.15."

This new security software offers several features including:

Root kit detection, which protects against hackers;
Anti-virus and Spyware protection;
Parental Controls;
Personal Firewall, to protect personal information
Charter's new security suite is easy to use, updates automatically, and is available at no cost to customers who have 3 mbps service or higher.

"With the rollout of these new HSI features, we're offering our customers faster speeds and better security protection, a package that is impressive, both on its own and as part of our attractively-priced 3-product bundle that combine data, voice and phone," Mr. Bhise said.

As of June 30, 2006, Charter had 2.4 million residential high-speed Internet customers nationwide. Charter offers 3 mbps, 5 mbps and 10 mbps levels of HSI service.

Has anyone here tried to pick up the ABC 20 in Springfield, IL with an over the air antenna? I'm thinking of giving it a try, but I fear they are running a low power HD transmitter and that my efforts will simply result in wasting time.

Mike

Press Release Source: Charter Communications, Inc.


Charter Rolls Out Enhanced High-Speed Internet Service
Thursday September 21, 9:00 am ET
Faster 10 mbps Download Speed and Advanced Security Suite Improve the Internet Experience for Customers


ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2006--As part of its continuing focus on enhancing the customer experience and expanding its digital product offerings, Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHTR - News) today announced that it is offering 10 mbps service as well as an upgraded security suite to High-Speed Internet (HSI) customers around the country.

"To keep pace with their Internet usage, customers want faster and faster download speeds and improved security, and Charter is continuing to meet those demands. Our new 10 mbps service is among the fastest Internet speeds available in our markets today. Coupled with our comprehensive security suite, it will provide our customers with a better Internet experience - especially when downloading multi-media content and utilizing multiple computers at the same time via a home network," said Himesh Bhise, vice president of Charter's High-Speed Internet. "This is a good example of how we're investing in our business to provide the leading-edge products our customers want."

More than 25 percent of U.S. households have a home network. In addition, approximately 36 percent of online users engage in online games, and 25 percent download music. The greater bandwidth of Charter's 10 mbps service will make home networks more responsive to multiple users, it will enable online gamers to host multi-player games and chat with other gamers during play, and it will decrease the time needed to download music and movies. The service's 1 mbps upload speed will also allow customers to send large files like digital photos more quickly.

Charter will complete the rollout of 10Mbps in all markets in the fall. The Company's three operating divisions are currently signing up 10Mbps customers in 15 of its 20 key market areas across the country where 10 Mbps service is available. In addition, Charter has deployed 5Mbps service across its three operating divisions and is currently signing up 5Mbps subscribers in all 20 Charter key market areas.

"In addition to faster download speeds, Internet security plays a crucial role in improving the online experience," Mr. Bhise said. "To stay ahead of an ever-changing industry and to protect our customers against a host of new Internet threats, Charter has partnered with F-Secure, an award-winning Internet security provider, to offer our upgraded High-Speed Security Suite version 6.15."

This new security software offers several features including:

Root kit detection, which protects against hackers;
Anti-virus and Spyware protection;
Parental Controls;
Personal Firewall, to protect personal information
Charter's new security suite is easy to use, updates automatically, and is available at no cost to customers who have 3 mbps service or higher.

"With the rollout of these new HSI features, we're offering our customers faster speeds and better security protection, a package that is impressive, both on its own and as part of our attractively-priced 3-product bundle that combine data, voice and phone," Mr. Bhise said.

As of June 30, 2006, Charter had 2.4 million residential high-speed Internet customers nationwide. Charter offers 3 mbps, 5 mbps and 10 mbps levels of HSI service.

This is awesome. No doubt Charter could be the best provider for me for all phone, internet, HDTV, etc. However, as I've said before. I will continue to use other providers until Charter can figure out how to treat its customers. Besides, my Wife said she would divorce me if I got Charter. :)

I recently upgraded my D* to AT9 dish and H20 receiver. I used to experience SOME rain fade but usually only during the most severe weather. With the AT9 I experience rain fade on the MP4 channels during the slightest rain but I can switch to standard def channel or even an HD MP2 channel like DiscoveryHD Theater and its fine..but I lose the local HD. Looks like the MP4 stuff is more susceptible to fade? Not sure...

Got to admit the last part of the post was pretty funny. I don't think you lost your cable service because it was raining. I can't remember the last time my cable was out. In 10 years I could count the number of times on one hand.I guarantee you that rain has an effect on cable service. Virtually any time it rains moderately to heavily, I lose my Internet connection, for hours at a time.

I have called Charter and they have sent out a senior technician -- nice guy, very professional in person, but he never did figure out the problem and he never did follow up.

I'll stick with Charter for Pipeline, because I'm out of range for DSL. But when DSL is available, I'm gone in a heartbeat.

This is awesome. No doubt Charter could be the best provider for me for all phone, internet, HDTV, etc. However, as I've said before. I will continue to use other providers until Charter can figure out how to treat its customers. Besides, my Wife said she would divorce me if I got Charter. :)
So my sister's Moxi started smoking this morning and stunk up their house... they called, CSR said someone would be there tomorrow, by bro-in-law argued the point, they said today. Then, no word at all. Sis calls, they say not only is there no job ticket, or record of their calls, but they won't be there till Monday. This just happened, today, in the midst of the debate... but really, is there a debate. Forget who offers what or who has more feature. Who has the worst CSR? Experience, on a daily basis, grants Charter the prize.

I recently upgraded my D* to AT9 dish and H20 receiver. I used to experience SOME rain fade but usually only during the most severe weather. With the AT9 I experience rain fade on the MP4 channels during the slightest rain but I can switch to standard def channel or even an HD MP2 channel like DiscoveryHD Theater and its fine..but I lose the local HD. Looks like the MP4 stuff is more susceptible to fade? Not sure...

I already called D* about that same issue and some signal loss issues causing pixelization issues on the MP4 dish, and got the rain fade receiver reset dance. However I was talking with the protection plan department and must have got some tech in India that couldn't understand that after the 70+ mph winds that I would be concerned that my dish was out of alignment. If I get in a bad mood sometime I may call again and get a little more agressive.

However the standard call-center script they have will have them tell you that MP4 channels have more rain fade issues. It is sad though that everything by local HD survives now the thunderstorms on the new dish, with exception of that gust front storm that knocked out half of the power in region.

I am now waiting for my HR20 to be installed on October 4th. I only need another line run to the DVR location, so it should be a fairly easy install hopefully. It better be since I got only the "standard offer" for the DVR.

Good luck though,

Stephen

I guarantee you that rain has an effect on cable service. Virtually any time it rains moderately to heavily, I lose my Internet connection, for hours at a time.
.

All I can say is it doesn't on mine. Must be something to do with some people's wires.

I have NEVER had charter go out in the rain EVER.

No, when my Charter service went out for a week, it was bright sunshine, and they couldn't bother to get to my house for 1 week to solve their problem. Hint: it was the wiring outside of my house that was the issue. Not that it was important, it was just broadband, and I work from home.

You can throw rocks at charter all day because of the poor customer service but you cant deny the products they deliver are OUTSTANDING. I haven't seen D* or E* win any customer service awards lately. About half of MY customers D* and E* installs are wired with composite. Its sad to think how many people are using an HD box on a composite video input. :( I get the calls every week, My TV is broke. It locks up on the HD channels

No, they aren't. They are underfeatured, and over compressed. They have one really good feature, and that's the "On Demand" movie channel option. Other than that, I was wholly unimpressed with Charter's service.

I guarantee you that rain has an effect on cable service. Virtually any time it rains moderately to heavily, I lose my Internet connection, for hours at a time.

I have called Charter and they have sent out a senior technician -- nice guy, very professional in person, but he never did figure out the problem and he never did follow up.

I'll stick with Charter for Pipeline, because I'm out of range for DSL. But when DSL is available, I'm gone in a heartbeat.

That makes two of us.

4 days late on the initial install. 6 days of outage for an outside wiring failure.

That doesn't cut it.

Cheers,

I defiantly have to be one of the lucky Charter customers on this board, and I have plenty of friends who complain about them also. I have never lost complete service, a couple of channels once or twice but it was fixed over the phone. My biggest problem was internet, my speeds dropped from 3megs to about 54k and that took about 3 weeks to correct, turned out to be wiring problem and some other location. Other than a few quirks with Moxi I am more than satisfied. Yes I would love to have the NFL network, ABC-HD, Food Network(for the Everyday Italian Host :D ) and a few other channels but its something I can definetly live with. Yes I have had satellite and during very severe rain storms service went out, maybe happened 3 or 4 times and only for a couple of hours at most. I like Charter and love the On Demand service, so put me in the minority I'll probably stick with them for a long time, or until the majority of you guys problems start to happen to me.

A timely article on DirecTV talk-talk-talk-ing up its HD plans.

http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=292

Probably the most interesting aspect is that they acknowledge customer accusations of "HD Lite,", though they remain firmly in denial mode.

Hopefully they'll be moving on in short order to anger, then depression and finally acceptance. ;)

I recently purchased my first HDTV. Eliab, one of the more respected video calibrationists on this forum, has indicated, in response to my inquiries, that he may be in the St. Louis area to do calibrations in mid-October. Does anyone else have any interest in retaining his services? The more people in St. Louis he can service, the cheaper it is per person. If you have interest, please PM me.

All I can say is it doesn't on mine. Must be something to do with some people's wires.I take you at your word that you don't work for Charter. But let me tell you, mate, you are absolutely missing your life calling, because you have the perfect mindset to be Senior Vice President of Charter Customer Service: "It must be YOUR problem."

FSN Midwest, entering its 11th season as the Blues’ flagship television partner, will air 40 games and begin with the Blues’ season opener on Thursday, Oct. 5 at San Jose. FSN Midwest will also produce and air 10 games in High Definition. KPLR will televise 25 Blues’ games, highlighted by 23 games on weekends, which includes 20 Saturday night games. Overall, 70 of the Blues’ 82 games will be televised in the St. Louis local television territory by FSN Midwest, KPLR, OLN (which will officially change its name to Versus on Sept. 25) or NBC.


Full Story:
http://www.stlouisblues.com/News/0607/060919.html

:)

jcb,

I know of eliab by reputation, and without question it is a good one.

On the other hand, I operate here locally as a calibrator and would be happy to take care of your calibration. Should eliab not be able to round up enough customers to make a trip worthwhile, or if you decide you'd prefer to deal with someone locally, you can contact me by private message or the phone number below.

According to the week 3 NFL thread over in the Programming forum this weekend's Rams/Arizona Cardinals game will only be in 480p Fox Widescreen and not High Def.

Not surpising since Fox has 7 games to show this Sunday but only has the capacity to show 6 and the size of the markets involved.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=725882

So my sister's Moxi started smoking this morning and stunk up their house... they called, CSR said someone would be there tomorrow, by bro-in-law argued the point, they said today. Then, no word at all. Sis calls, they say not only is there no job ticket, or record of their calls, but they won't be there till Monday. This just happened, today, in the midst of the debate... but really, is there a debate. Forget who offers what or who has more feature. Who has the worst CSR? Experience, on a daily basis, grants Charter the prize.


Bingo!!!!!!!!!! This is the SOP for Charter. It really is too bad, however, because Charter could have the world banging down its door for business. They have everything I need and more, but I will continue to stay with D*+Centurytel probably long after Charter goes bankrupt.

Scott

I have been lurking here for sometime and I used to live in STL and follow the thread to see what is going on back home.

I used to work for Charter in several positions and even helped a few people here as well.

I did not really know how bad Charter's Customer Service was till I got a job here with Cox Communications. However, I didnt think it was steller either.

Dont get me wrong here, I am not voicing this because I am trying to get back at the company. I would work there again if I had to move back.

From what I remember Charter really treats the symptoms of the problems versus solving the problem to begin with. For instance, before I left they started this S2S program that was "supposed" to help employees provide better customer service. However, all what is was is a program that taught representatives to be more empathic and nice and then try to sell services. Were there could have done more training programs for technical and billing issues and then do follow up training. Not only this program was necessary, if you did not follow it you will get fired. Even criticizing the program even got you in trouble.

I only have worked for Cox for only two months now and I am seeing a better company. I am a repair tech dispatcher and part of my job is to make sure that my techs in their area have full routes. At times I have to go into the pool to find jobs that are scheduled out several days and see if someone rather we come early. I am running into situations where I cannot find jobs for techs to get cause there are very few jobs in the pool to begin with.

I agree. Charter Customer Service is really bad. The actual service is good as long as you dont have to call them.

Just my view,

Mark

so i went to Antennaweb.org today, and it is only showing that there are 4 digital stations in St. Louis. Obviously this is not the case, but anyone know whats going on?

my zipcode is 63141 btw. in the past it used to show all 7 stations

I recently purchased my first HDTV. Eliab, one of the more respected video calibrationists on this forum, has indicated, in response to my inquiries, that he may be in the St. Louis area to do calibrations in mid-October. Does anyone else have any interest in retaining his services? The more people in St. Louis he can service, the cheaper it is per person. If you have interest, please PM me.

Thanks, but Doug (Drop the Remote) did an incredible job on my set and is highly recommended from others here in the STL area. Not saying Eliab would be in a hurry in terms of his limited scheduling, but Doug took a great deal of time getting my set just right.

Personally, I would prefer someone locally taking their time and not locked into a schedule to get to their next calibration.

I take you at your word that you don't work for Charter. But let me tell you, mate, you are absolutely missing your life calling, because you have the perfect mindset to be Senior Vice President of Charter Customer Service: "It must be YOUR problem."
We recently moved Pipeline from 3mb to 5mb. With the modem connected directly to one PC, it speed-tests at 4884k, through the router (8 port) it speed-tests at 684k.

So, I call Charter, and of course, "it must be the router." Trust me folks, it ain't the router. Last week, on 3mb, the speed-test through the router was 2884k, same as its always been.

We have boxes of these 8 port Linksys routers at the bank. Plugging in 5 new ones won't fix the issue.

So, again, I need to research the issue through Linksys and Motorola, find out what/where the conflicting setting lies, and correct the issue.

But then, it's MY problem, right! As soon as DSL becomes available here, I'm right behind you Doug.

I take you at your word that you don't work for Charter. But let me tell you, mate, you are absolutely missing your life calling, because you have the perfect mindset to be Senior Vice President of Charter Customer Service: "It must be YOUR problem."

No, I was just tired of hearing all the one-sided bashing of Charter. I agree their customer service is poor, but overall I have very few problems with them. Direct TV may have better customer service (or not, I really dont know) but if I have to call them more often because of rain fade or whatever else (and I see plenty of complaints about them on here and other boards) then while they may be nice to you on the phone I really dont care. I simply dont want to have to make the call to begin with. I luckily have not to had to call Charter very often. I do think some people blame them for problems that are really their own. The tech talk guy was a typical example. He ranted about them only to find out it was his router. I dont think Charter is responsbile for his router.

We recently moved Pipeline from 3mb to 5mb. With the modem connected directly to one PC, it speed-tests at 4884k, through the router (8 port) it speed-tests at 684k.

So, I call Charter, and of course, "it must be the router." Trust me folks, it ain't the router. Last week, on 3mb, the speed-test through the router was 2884k, same as its always been.

We have boxes of these 8 port Linksys routers at the bank. Plugging in 5 new ones won't fix the issue.

So, again, I need to research the issue through Linksys and Motorola, find out what/where the conflicting setting lies, and correct the issue.

But then, it's MY problem, right! As soon as DSL becomes available here, I'm right behind you Doug.

I wonder why AT&T is so slow at getting DSL rolled out to you guys? Seems to be a demand for it here. I, on the other hand, get their cards offering me DSL at much lower prices than I pay for Charter Pipeline but I just throw them away because I have only had one problem with Pipleline in all the years they have ever offered it (I signed up as soon as it was first available), and can't see how twisted pair copper wire is ever going to be faster than coaxial cable.

Besides, my Wife said she would divorce me if I got Charter. :)

Well, some guys would consider this a reason to switch... :)

All I can say is it doesn't on mine. Must be something to do with some people's wires.

Over the past several months, I have had one outage with my Charter Pipeline. That was due to an area wide outage. It has never gone out because of rain. Last winter, however, it went out several times when we had low nighttime temperatures. I had a tech come out and evertying checked out---in the middle of the afternoon. I was supposed to call a specific tech if it went out again during the night. I called once and left a message. No response. Then it got warm and its worked fine. We'll see what happens next winter.


My experiences Charter TV Customer Support over the months have been horrendous. While the reps have always been polite, the majority seem to have no clue as to how their systems work or how to correct problems. By making changes to my account (returning a digital box, changing plans) I lost all but basic cable on my various TVS. Most of the reps just wanted to reset my cable box (hard to do with a cable card) or schedule me for a service call in 3 weeks since there was nothing to be done on their end! (Pointing out that their end messed it up in the first place fell in deaf ears). By calling multiple times (its now my life's work), I was able to get all sets working again. (During one nearly two hour call, the tech was able to get my digital box to work and then caused me to lose my channels on my cable cards. Then the cable cards worked but not the box. Finally everything worked except no high def tier. Two calls the next day finally got me to one person who wanted to schedule an appointment and then to another who fixed everything in less than a minute! Of course the whole thing started over again when I called to point out problems in my bill and in the process of correcting things they lost my channels again. I did get my channels back but they couldn't correct my billing errors. Finally I was transferred to promotions and got someone who took care of the billing errors. During the correction process she noted that I would lose all but basic cable channels temporarily because she had to reenter my services. Within 5 minutes I had all channels on all TVS. She even asked me to check all sets to make sure that everything worked. I complimented her on her knowledge of the system and referred to others lack of knowledge. She thanked me and said it was "takes a long time to learn the system." Therein lies the problem.

I wonder why AT&T is so slow at getting DSL rolled out to you guys? Seems to be a demand for it here. I, on the other hand, get their cards offering me DSL at much lower prices than I pay for Charter Pipeline but I just throw them away because I have only had one problem with Pipleline in all the years they have ever offered it (I signed up as soon as it was first available), and can't see how twisted pair copper wire is ever going to be faster than coaxial cable.
Dunno...DSL is in the Farmington city limits, but we're 3 miles south. We only got Pipeline here in early '04, and Charter's Digital Tier last year....still no HD or VoIP.
There are not many homes-per-acre once you go beyond the city limits, I'm guessing that's why.

Food Doctor,
I had the same issue when Pipeline was first installed. There was some standing water in the hole the connection box was in, causing the switches to freeze in damp freezing temperatures.
The Tech could not find any problems during the day. He stopped by one night, around 7PM, on his way home, and checked the readings. It was damp and about 20° outside. He discovered the issue, changed some switches, and its been good-to-go ever since.

Follow up to my earlier post....I manually removed the router from the network, and then reinstalled it....back to normal now.

Follow up to my earlier post....I manually removed the router from the network, and then reinstalled it....back to normal now.

So do you think that maybe the router was not installed correctly?? :)

I know, I know, it HAD to be Charter. I couldn't resist.

Looking into a couple of this weeks ads from the Post-Dispatch, I've seen a couple of TVs in both Circuit City and Best Buy, and I need some feed back on them:

Circuit City

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/sam/EC.SAM.TXS3082W.JPG
Samsung 30" Slimfit HDTV (TXS3082W) with HDTV Tuner 720p (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-30-Slimfit-HDTV-TXS3082W/sem/rpsm/oid/147559/catOid/-12868/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/sam/PC.SAM.DVDHD860.CN.JPG
Samsung Hi-Def Conversion DVD Player (DVD-HD860) (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-Hi-Def-Conversion-DVD-Player-DVD-HD860/sem/rpsm/oid/146863/catOid/-12873/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/sam/PC.SAM.DVDR135.CN.JPG
Samsung HD Conversion DVD Recorder (DVD-R135) (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-HD-Conversion-DVD-Recorder-DVD-R135/sem/rpsm/oid/150486/catOid/-12876/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)

Best Buy

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7685/7685089_sa.jpg
LG SuperSlim 30" Stereo HDTV (Model: 30FS4D) (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7685089&st=7685089&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1134703573897)

I've got a couple of DVD players (upconverting) listed as well. Since I'm way out of my depth (I'm posting this on my Mom's behalf; She likes watching Football and Baseball in HD, and so do I), I figured I might as well defer to those more qualified than myself.

What's a winner, and what's a thud in this batch? Based on your ruminations on these, I'll decide whether it might be worthwile to see in person.

Thanks! :)

What? No HD hockey games on KPLR? The Horror! :eek:

So do you think that maybe the router was not installed correctly?? :)

I know, I know, it HAD to be Charter. I couldn't resist.
Actually it was installed correctly. The router needed to be reconfigured to recognize the new speed being provisioned by Charter. It could have been done in local keys of the Windows registry, but that would need to be done on each of the networked PC's. Much easier to just yank the router out, and pop it back in.

I specifically asked the Charter moron....uh, tech if the router/network would recognize the change, and he said all you need to do is reset the modem, XP will take care of everything else. I recognize it's not the individual tech, its not his fault his company made sure he asked me 3 times during a 5 minute conversation about the other services Charter has available. Even though they're not available where I live, I suppose they could just add them to my bill, and fix that problem later.

In the earlier posted article, it cites one of the main reasons for Charter providing higher speeds is to accommodate multiple PC's on networks. Given that, and it's JMO, I'd think a tech trained in HSI would have a better working knowledge of how routers interface with their service.

Actually it was installed correctly. The router needed to be reconfigured to recognize the new speed being provisioned by Charter. It could have been done in local keys of the Windows registry, but that would need to be done on each of the networked PC's. Much easier to just yank the router out, and pop it back in.

I specifically asked the Charter moron....uh, tech if the router/network would recognize the change, and he said all you need to do is reset the modem, XP will take care of everything else. I recognize it's not the individual tech, its not his fault his company made sure he asked me 3 times during a 5 minute conversation about the other services Charter has available. Even though they're not available where I live, I suppose they could just add them to my bill, and fix that problem later.

In the earlier posted article, it cites one of the main reasons for Charter providing higher speeds is to accommodate multiple PC's on networks. Given that, and it's JMO, I'd think a tech trained in HSI would have a better working knowledge of how routers interface with their service.

Agreed that a good customer service organization should have been able to help you with this problem. Nobody is claiming they offer good customer service. However, it was your router. Their network was working correctly. As long as their network keeps working correctly, I would be very surprised if you would switch to DSL over the customer service rep not being able to tell you how to fix that problem. I would also be surprised if AT&T was any better. They can't even offer you the service.

Looking into a couple of this weeks ads from the Post-Dispatch, I've seen a couple of TVs in both Circuit City and Best Buy, and I need some feed back on them:

I don't own any of these products so can't offer an opinion on them. I do know that Circuit City has user reviews of products on-line. I think they are pretty accurate from my experience. I would suggest looking at those, reviews on Amazon, and maybe try http://www.epinions.com/

I believe there are other forums here also related to TVs, where you might find a larger user group that may have more experience with these products.

Jim,
First, let me say, I don't know you, but I can see you're an upstanding individual, or you wouldn't take the time to concern yourself with helping others and their issues...a commendable trait, indeed.

My issues with Charter lay far beyond their products, many of which are excellent, or the customer service, most of which is deplorable.

Charter Communications reminds me of the early days of Sprint...back in the original "pin-drop" days, when Sprint emerged on the scene with the first, and only PCS network. I had dealings with Sprint back then, and remember thinking, in my 30+ year professional career, I had never seen a company with such progressive thinking products, coupled with such recessive thinking business ideals.

Charter has surpassed Sprint beyond my wildest expectations. Perhaps its a trickle-down effect, Paul Allen being our generations epitome of being in the right place at the right time. Some here will read this, and understand exactly its premise.

This I can assure you, it's not any one product, or any one CS instance. Neither you, or any one else will ever, EVER convince me otherwise. The Charter Communication Corporation has proven itself to be the absolute worst business model I have ever had the misfortune of knowing.

Thanks for your input, as always I appreciate every one's view and opinion.

Issue closed...moving ahead :)

Jim,
First, let me say, I don't know you, but I can see you're an upstanding individual, or you wouldn't take the time to concern yourself with helping others and their issues...a commendable trait, indeed.

My issues with Charter lay far beyond their products, many of which are excellent, or the customer service, most of which is deplorable.

Charter Communications reminds me of the early days of Sprint...back in the original "pin-drop" days, when Sprint emerged on the scene with the first, and only PCS network. I had dealings with Sprint back then, and remember thinking, in my 30+ year professional career, I had never seen a company with such progressive thinking products, coupled with such recessive thinking business ideals.

Charter has surpassed Sprint beyond my wildest expectations. Perhaps its a trickle-down effect, Paul Allen being our generations epitome of being in the right place at the right time. Some here will read this, and understand exactly its premise.

This I can assure you, it's not any one product, or any one CS instance. Neither you, or any one else will ever, EVER convince me otherwise. The Charter Communication Corporation has proven itself to be the absolute worst business model I have ever had the misfortune of knowing.

Thanks for your input, as always I appreciate every one's view and opinion.

Issue closed...moving ahead :)

Thanks for your nice words. I actually have Sprint PCS as well. I have had few very issues with them as well. I must be either very lucky, or a glutton for punishment....

Seems to me a lot of folk would be considering cable if Charter were to be aquired and layed off their CS staff.

On another note; Anyone notice KDNL PSIP is 31-1 tonight and has no guide data ?

Thanks for your nice words. I actually have Sprint PCS as well. I have had few very issues with them as well. I must be either very lucky, or a glutton for punishment....Arrgghhh...... :mad: :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad:
Sprint is the biggest thorn in my side these days. The reception/service sucks. I can barely have a conversation without dropping my connection. My phone will be inches away from me and I get a beep saying I missed an incoming call. I can't tell you howhow frustating and screwed up this is.

One Sprint CS rep tells me my phone needs an upgrade and to call XXX number for it. I call the number and they say my phone can't be upgraded, take it to a Sprint store to have it looked at. I go there, wait in line a half hour and they tell me my phone is under warranty, but I didn't buy the Sprint protection protection plan so I need to pay them $35 to even look at it, before they have it repaired under warranty (I refused). But they don't even know that my phone is a problem. I've since talked to several former Sprint customers...many have said Sprint service/reception sucks & they've gotten much better after switching providers.

Unfortunately, I'm under a commitment until mid February that'll cost me $150 to break. But my service is so bad (i.e. unusable), I may just eat that and dump them soon. I think I'm going to try Cingular. I think I can get my DSL rate lowered if I do.

Clever, jim, claiming *I* made a personal attack.

Good day, my friend.

Dish Network removed their INHD test uplink this afternoon.

Not looking like it will be anytime soon :(

Seems to me a lot of folk would be considering cable if Charter were to be aquired and layed off their CS staff.

On another note; Anyone notice KDNL PSIP is 31-1 tonight and has no guide data ?

I noticed around 7:50 or so. I changed to 30, and the receiver stumbled, showed "no signal" for about 20 seconds, and defaulted to 31-1. The signal works, at least. That's a big improvement from previous times.

I figure Jim (if he doesn't already no about yet) is going to work on it soon.

I don't own any of these products so can't offer an opinion on them. I do know that Circuit City has user reviews of products on-line. I think they are pretty accurate from my experience. I would suggest looking at those, reviews on Amazon, and maybe try http://www.epinions.com/

I believe there are other forums here also related to TVs, where you might find a larger user group that may have more experience with these products.

You know, I didn't think about that until now. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

I have only had my HD set for about 6 weeks now. So this is my first new season with all the HD premeirs. Is it just me or does the CSI shows look better that any of the other network shows? All 3 of this CSI shows this week have looked fantastic.
How long does it take untill you stop oohing and aahing over the great pictures and start paying attention to the quality of the shows? So far this this has been a good week for HD. I'll be wathing ER in about a half hour, hopefully it looks as good as the rest. I haven't been blown away by NBC's picture quality so far, but maybe this will be the night.

I have only had my HD set for about 6 weeks now. So this is my first new season with all the HD premeirs. Is it just me or does the CSI shows look better that any of the other network shows? All 3 of this CSI shows this week have looked fantastic.
How long does it take untill you stop oohing and aahing over the great pictures and start paying attention to the quality of the shows? So far this this has been a good week for HD. I'll be wathing ER in about a half hour, hopefully it looks as good as the rest. I haven't been blown away by NBC's picture quality so far, but maybe this will be the night.
CSI Miami is the eye candy of prime-time HD. You're still OK, until you start watching golf, just because it's in HD.

CSI Miami is the eye candy of prime-time HD. You're still OK, until you start watching golf, just because it's in HD.

I have already done that! I find myself watching Equator alot for the same reason. My wife walked in a couple of weeks ago and asked me why the hell I was watching golf, I never watch golf. I just answered "but honey look at that awesome picture"
When she walked in the other night and found me watching FoodHD she checked me for a fever and made me turn off the TV for the night! ;)

I have already done that! I find myself watching Equator alot for the same reason. My wife walked in a couple of weeks ago and asked me why the hell I was watching golf, I never watch golf. I just answered "but honey look at that awesome picture"
When she walked in the other night and found me watching FoodHD she checked me for a fever and made me turn off the TV for the night! ;)
It'll pass....right now, she's feeling a bit threatened ;)
In a couple of months, she'll be screaming when someone at KSDK forgets to flip the switch, and the show she's watching goes to SD.

CSI Miami is the best looking 1080i show, due to the water, beaches, palm trees, and cleavage. The best looking 720p show is Lost, for the same reasons. :D

Looking into a couple of this weeks ads from the Post-Dispatch, I've seen a couple of TVs in both Circuit City and Best Buy, and I need some feed back on them:

Thanks! :)

What? No HD hockey games on KPLR? The Horror! :eek:


If you want an upconverting DVD player, I suggest the following - mine rocks!

http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h.html

Over the past several months, I have had one outage with my Charter Pipeline. That was due to an area wide outage. It has never gone out because of rain. Last winter, however, it went out several times when we had low nighttime temperatures. I had a very similar thing (depending how you look at it) happen to me this past summer. During those really hot days this summer my pipeline service started slowing down then eventually came to a halt. After getting nowhere with their customer service, I evetually debugged the problem myself (because that's just what engineers do). I was able to put a fan directly on the modem to limp it along until a tech could arrive with new hardware.

CSI Miami is the best looking 1080i show, due to the water, beaches, palm trees, and cleavage. The best looking 720p show is Lost, for the same reasons. :D

CSI Miami did look great, the colors really pop off the screen. I just finished watching ER. It didn't look bad, just seemed kind of flat for some reason. I have never really watched lost. I just set up a timer for it so I can check it out. Thanks for the heads up. Was American Idol in HD last season? Or better question does anyone know if it will be this season?

Actually it was installed correctly. The router needed to be reconfigured to recognize the new speed being provisioned by Charter. It could have been done in local keys of the Windows registry, but that would need to be done on each of the networked PC's. Much easier to just yank the router out, and pop it back in.

I specifically asked the Charter moron....uh, tech if the router/network would recognize the change, and he said all you need to do is reset the modem, XP will take care of everything else. I recognize it's not the individual tech, its not his fault his company made sure he asked me 3 times during a 5 minute conversation about the other services Charter has available. Even though they're not available where I live, I suppose they could just add them to my bill, and fix that problem later.

In the earlier posted article, it cites one of the main reasons for Charter providing higher speeds is to accommodate multiple PC's on networks. Given that, and it's JMO, I'd think a tech trained in HSI would have a better working knowledge of how routers interface with their service.

Thanks, Ken. You just solved a problem for me. :D I just unplugged the power to my router and plugged it back in. I'm cruising at "unbelievable" speeds now (according to the broadband test I just ran). I actually should have thought of that before. It's always a good idea to "reboot" everything, when you have problems. :o

Seems to me a lot of folk would be considering cable if Charter were to be aquired and layed off their CS staff.

On another note; Anyone notice KDNL PSIP is 31-1 tonight and has no guide data ?


Its showed up as 80.1 for me today.

Looking into a couple of this weeks ads from the Post-Dispatch, I've seen a couple of TVs in both Circuit City and Best Buy, and I need some feed back on them:

Circuit City

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/sam/EC.SAM.TXS3082W.JPG
Samsung 30" Slimfit HDTV (TXS3082W) with HDTV Tuner 720p (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-30-Slimfit-HDTV-TXS3082W/sem/rpsm/oid/147559/catOid/-12868/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/sam/PC.SAM.DVDHD860.CN.JPG
Samsung Hi-Def Conversion DVD Player (DVD-HD860) (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-Hi-Def-Conversion-DVD-Player-DVD-HD860/sem/rpsm/oid/146863/catOid/-12873/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/sam/PC.SAM.DVDR135.CN.JPG
Samsung HD Conversion DVD Recorder (DVD-R135) (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-HD-Conversion-DVD-Recorder-DVD-R135/sem/rpsm/oid/150486/catOid/-12876/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)

Best Buy

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7685/7685089_sa.jpg
LG SuperSlim 30" Stereo HDTV (Model: 30FS4D) (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7685089&st=7685089&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1134703573897)

I've got a couple of DVD players (upconverting) listed as well. Since I'm way out of my depth (I'm posting this on my Mom's behalf; She likes watching Football and Baseball in HD, and so do I), I figured I might as well defer to those more qualified than myself.

What's a winner, and what's a thud in this batch? Based on your ruminations on these, I'll decide whether it might be worthwile to see in person.

Thanks! :)

What? No HD hockey games on KPLR? The Horror! :eek:

At the risk of going outside your budget and/or room capabilities, I'll suggest a couple of alternatives. You might want to think about an Optoma H70 DLP projector and a Toshiba A1 HD DVD player. The H70 is a 720p DLP front projector that lists for under $1,000 (just announced at Cedia) and the Toshiba A1 does a really good job with regular DVDs, not to mention HD DVDs. If you look hard, you can probably find it for about $400. I don't know your room setup, and of course you'd need some light control for a front projector. That said, there's little that can compare with a really big screen. The problem with a 30" screen is that, from normal viewing distances, you'll be hard pressed to see a big difference compared to SD. A front projector gives you the ability to create a screen that's as big as your room will allow.

There are lots of things to consider before making a decision, and it will cost a little more money, but the rewards are huge if you can find a way to do it. Just a little food for thought. :)

CSI Miami is the eye candy of prime-time HD. You're still OK, until you start watching golf, just because it's in HD.

Oh good, I'm not that far gone yet. Just watching the freaking sunrise on Discovery!

barry

I have a windows media center pc that is having trouble tuning in KDNL 30. The signal checker shows full green bars but when trying to view the channel it always says no signal.

The tuner is a dvico and if I open their software I get a 90ish percent signal and the channel displays correctly.

Using a the TSReader program here is the data between a working channel CW and the non working KDNL. I have checked all media center settings and the atscprefs files to insure that the correct physical, major, and minor channels are listed correclty.

Can anyone clue me in on how to either fix my system or notify KDNL what may need adjusted on theirs? (btw, sorry for the wall-o-text)

NON WORKING KDNL

Program Association Table
PAT Version Number: 6
Transport Stream ID: 1685 (0x0695)

PMT PID 48 (0x0030) - Program 3
Program Map Table(s)
Program Number: 3



Stream Type: 0x02 MPEG-2 Video PID 49 (0x0031)
MPEG Video: Bitrate 65.000 Mbps Resolution 1280 x 720p
MPEG Video: Framerate 59.94 fps Aspect Ratio 16:9 Chroma Format 4:2:0

Stream Type: 0x81 AC-3 Audio PID 52 (0x0034)
AC3: Bitrate 384 Kbps Sample Rate 48 KHz
AC3: Mode complete main Coding 2/0 L, R
Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table
Event Information Table
MPEG-2 Statistics
Table Sections Processed CRC Errors
PAT 600 0
CAT 0 0
PMT 2 0
ETT 0 0
PSIP 963 0
EIT 0 0

Continuity errors: 0
TEI errors: 0
Calculated multiplex rate: 19392710 bps
General Information
Source: Transport Stream File
Tuner: n/a
Signal: n/a
Network Type: ATSC
Run Time: 000:07:36
PID Usage Chart
0x0000 (0.08% ~ 0.01 Mbps) 0x0000 MPEG-2 Program Assocation Table
0x0030 (0.13% ~ 0.02 Mbps) 0x0030 MPEG-2 PMT for program 3
0x0031 (77.35% - 14.31 Mbps) 0x0031 MPEG-2 Video for program 3
0x0034 (2.04% ~ 0.38 Mbps) 0x0034 AC-3 Audio for program 3
0x1ffb (0.13% ~ 0.02 Mbps) 0x1ffb ATSC Base PID (TVCT, MGT, RT, STT)
0x1fff (20.28% ~ 3.75 Mbps) 0x1fff MPEG-2 NULL Packet[/COLOR]







WORKING CW

Program Association Table
PAT Version Number: 4
Transport Stream ID: 1681 (0x0691)

PMT PID 48 (0x0030) - Program 3 WB11-DT EIT Link
PMT PID 64 (0x0040) - Program 4 WB11-D2 EIT Link
Program Map Table(s)
Program Number: 3 WB11-DT
Descriptor: Smoothing Buffer Descriptor
SB Leak Rate: 0 SB Size: 0
Descriptor: Registration Descriptor
Format identifier: 0x47413934 (GA94)
Descriptor: ATSC Content Advisory Descriptor
ATSC Content Advisory Descriptor:
Region 1 Rating: TV-14 Description:



Stream Type: 0x02 MPEG-2 Video PID 49 (0x0031)
MPEG Video: Bitrate 19.393 Mbps Resolution 1920 x 1080i
MPEG Video: Framerate 29.97 fps Aspect Ratio 16:9 Chroma Format 4:2:0
Descriptor: Data Stream Alignment Descriptor
Alignment type: video access unit
Descriptor: ATSC Caption Service Descriptor
ATSC Caption Service Descriptor:
Language: eng Format: Captions service 1

Stream Type: 0x81 AC-3 Audio PID 52 (0x0034)
AC3: Bitrate 384 Kbps Sample Rate 48 KHz
AC3: Mode complete main Coding 2/0 L, R
Descriptor: Registration Descriptor
Format identifier: 0x41432d33 (AC-3)
Descriptor: ISO639 Language Descriptor
Language: eng
Audio type: undefined
Descriptor: ATSC AC-3 audio Descriptor
ATSC AC3 Descriptor

Stream Type: 0x81 AC-3 Audio PID 53 (0x0035)
Program Number: 4 WB11-D2
Descriptor: Maximum Bitrate Descriptor
Maximum bitrate: 538700 bytes per second
Descriptor: Smoothing Buffer Descriptor
SB Leak Rate: 625 SB Size: 1024
Descriptor: System Clock Descriptor
External Clock Reference: 0 Clock Accuracy Integer: 2 Exponent: 1
Descriptor: Registration Descriptor
Format identifier: 0x47413934 (GA94)
Descriptor: Registration Descriptor
Format identifier: 0x43554549 (CUEI)



Stream Type: 0x02 MPEG-2 Video PID 65 (0x0041)
MPEG Video: Bitrate 15.000 Mbps Resolution 704 x 480i
MPEG Video: Framerate 29.97 fps Aspect Ratio 4:3 Chroma Format 4:2:0
Descriptor: Data Stream Alignment Descriptor
Alignment type: video access unit

Stream Type: 0x81 AC-3 Audio PID 68 (0x0044)
AC3: Bitrate 384 Kbps Sample Rate 48 KHz
AC3: Mode complete main Coding 3/2 5 L, C, R, SL, SR
Descriptor: Registration Descriptor
Format identifier: 0x41432d33 (AC-3)
Descriptor: ISO639 Language Descriptor
Language: eng
Audio type: undefined
Descriptor: ATSC AC-3 audio Descriptor
ATSC AC3 Descriptor
Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table
Channel 3
Service Name: WB11-DT
TSID: 1681 (0x0691) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 26 MO ST. LOUIS
Channel Number: 11.1
Carrier Frequency: 0
Modulation Mode: ATSC (8 VSB)
Source ID: 3
Descriptor: ATSC Extended Channel Name Descriptor
Extended Channel Name: WB11-DT, St. Louis' Digital WB
Descriptor: ATSC Service Location Descriptor
Service Location Descriptor:
PCR PID 0x0031
Stream Type 0x02 (MPEG-2 Video) ESPID = 0x0031 Language = eng
Stream Type 0x81 (AC-3 Audio) ESPID = 0x0034 Language = eng
Channel 4
Service Name: WB11-D2
TSID: 1681 (0x0691) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 26 MO ST. LOUIS
Channel Number: 11.2
Carrier Frequency: 0
Modulation Mode: ATSC (8 VSB)
Source ID: 4
Descriptor: ATSC Extended Channel Name Descriptor
Extended Channel Name: WB11-D2, St. Louis' Digital Tube TV
Descriptor: ATSC Service Location Descriptor
Service Location Descriptor:
PCR PID 0x0041
Stream Type 0x02 (MPEG-2 Video) ESPID = 0x0041 Language = eng
Stream Type 0x81 (AC-3 Audio) ESPID = 0x0044 Language = eng
Channel 65535
Service Name: WB11-TV
TSID: 1680 (0x0690)
Channel Number: 11.0
Carrier Frequency: 0
Modulation Mode: Analog
Source ID: 1
Descriptor: ATSC Extended Channel Name Descriptor
Extended Channel Name: WB11-TV, St. Louis' WB
Event Information Table
Channel 3
Service Name: WB11-DT
Provider Name: WB11-DT, St. Louis' Digital WB
Transport Stream ID: 1681 (0x0691)



MPEG-2 Statistics
Table Sections Processed CRC Errors
PAT 590 0
CAT 0 0
PMT 4 0
ETT 164 0
PSIP 678 0
EIT 459 0

Continuity errors: 0
TEI errors: 5
Calculated multiplex rate: 19392669 bps
General Information
Source: Transport Stream File
Tuner: n/a
Signal: n/a
Network Type: ATSC
Run Time: 000:08:17
PID Usage Chart
0x0000 (0.08% ~ 0.01 Mbps) 0x0000 MPEG-2 Program Assocation Table
0x0030 (0.02% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x0030 MPEG-2 PMT for program 3
0x0031 (73.02% - 13.51 Mbps) *0/4 0x0031 MPEG-2 Video for program 3
0x0034 (2.04% ~ 0.38 Mbps) 0x0034 AC-3 Audio for program 3
0x0040 (0.02% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x0040 MPEG-2 PMT for program 4
0x0041 (15.78% - 2.92 Mbps) *0/1 0x0041 MPEG-2 Video for program 4
0x0044 (2.04% ~ 0.38 Mbps) 0x0044 AC-3 Audio for program 4
0x1000 (0.06% ~ 0.01 Mbps) 0x1000 ATSC EIT-0
0x1001 (0.01% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1001 ATSC EIT-1
0x1002 (0.00% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1002 ATSC EIT-2
0x1003 (0.00% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1003 ATSC EIT-3
0x1200 (0.00% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1200 ATSC Event ETT-0
0x1201 (0.00% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1201 ATSC Event ETT-1
0x1202 (0.01% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1202 ATSC Event ETT-2
0x1203 (0.01% ~ 0.00 Mbps) 0x1203 ATSC Event ETT-3
0x1ffb (0.11% ~ 0.02 Mbps) 0x1ffb ATSC Base PID (TVCT, MGT, RT, STT)
0x1fff (6.79% ~ 1.26 Mbps) 0x1fff MPEG-2 NULL Packet

Arrgghhh...... :mad: :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad:
Sprint is the biggest thorn in my side these days. The reception/service sucks. I can barely have a conversation without dropping my connection. My phone will be inches away from me and I get a beep saying I missed an incoming call. I can't tell you howhow frustating and screwed up this is.

One Sprint CS rep tells me my phone needs an upgrade and to call XXX number for it. I call the number and they say my phone can't be upgraded, take it to a Sprint store to have it looked at. I go there, wait in line a half hour and they tell me my phone is under warranty, but I didn't buy the Sprint protection protection plan so I need to pay them $35 to even look at it, before they have it repaired under warranty (I refused). But they don't even know that my phone is a problem. I've since talked to several former Sprint customers...many have said Sprint service/reception sucks & they've gotten much better after switching providers.

Unfortunately, I'm under a commitment until mid February that'll cost me $150 to break. But my service is so bad (i.e. unusable), I may just eat that and dump them soon. I think I'm going to try Cingular. I think I can get my DSL rate lowered if I do.

Are you in the St Louis Metro area? I occasionally have a call drop but it is pretty rare.

Clever, jim, claiming *I* made a personal attack.

Good day, my friend.

Nothing clever about it Winston. The rest of us were discussing advantages/disadvantages of companies/services. You made a personal attack on me. The moderator obviously agreed as your post was removed.

Good day to you.

I have only had my HD set for about 6 weeks now. So this is my first new season with all the HD premeirs. Is it just me or does the CSI shows look better that any of the other network shows? All 3 of this CSI shows this week have looked fantastic.
How long does it take untill you stop oohing and aahing over the great pictures and start paying attention to the quality of the shows? So far this this has been a good week for HD. I'll be wathing ER in about a half hour, hopefully it looks as good as the rest. I haven't been blown away by NBC's picture quality so far, but maybe this will be the night.

CSI always looks spectacular in HD.

I have a windows media center pc that is having trouble tuning in KDNL 30. The signal checker shows full green bars but when trying to view the channel it always says no signal.

Does KDNL come in on your TVs OTA?

CSI Miami is the eye candy of prime-time HD. You're still OK, until you start watching golf, just because it's in HD.

I think that award actually goes to Lost.

Are you in the St Louis Metro area? I occasionally have a call drop but it is pretty rare.I am in U. City. I telecommute 2 days of the week, and I cannot use my cell phone at all. That's really bad because I need it available for work. But many tell they aren't surprised -- if I want reliable reception don't use Sprint.

Have you seen that commercial with the guy all balled up like a circus act on top of his office filing cabinets, where he says he could only talk on his cell from that position until he got Sprint. Well, I'm that guy, except I can only talk in that position until I get rid of Sprint.

I am in U. City. I telecommute 2 days of the week, and I cannot use my cell phone at all. That's really bad because I need it available for work. But many tell they aren't surprised -- if I want reliable reception don't use Sprint.

Have you seen that commercial with the guy all balled up like a circus act on top of his office filing cabinets, where he says he could only talk on his cell from that position until he got Sprint. Well, I'm that guy, except I can only talk in that position until I get rid of Sprint.

When I see this I wonder why he needed the other guy on top of the cabinet to get reception.

Golf and FoodTV in HD......I'm switching to satellite.

Walt

I am in U. City. I telecommute 2 days of the week, and I cannot use my cell phone at all. That's really bad because I need it available for work. But many tell they aren't surprised -- if I want reliable reception don't use Sprint.

Have you seen that commercial with the guy all balled up like a circus act on top of his office filing cabinets, where he says he could only talk on his cell from that position until he got Sprint. Well, I'm that guy, except I can only talk in that position until I get rid of Sprint.

I have dropped calls occasionally at 1-170/1-64 intersection, but other than it is pretty reliable for me. I know, I must be working for Sprint now. The only other wireless provider I have ever had was Verizon, and they were better than Sprint (at that time, at least 5 years ago). I only switched because I got a better deal with Sprint and have been ok with their service.

Does KDNL come in on your TVs OTA?

It will probably come in on an OTA receiver, but MCE is bit a more finicky. The signal must be putting out a PSIP (which KDNL is not right now), or the signal must be stable.

Signal stability isn't a problem. MCE is probably trying to figure out what theck the signal is.

I just checked, and indeed the my OTA receiver (CAT's Eye USB A-3860) has a solid lock light, but no signal. Conversely, the Samsung 161 is picking it up fine, albeit on 31-1.

I leaning toward the PSIP table as the culprit for your problem (and mine, now) in MCE.

I'm thinking of getting the new HR20 so I can eliminate having to deal with an OTA antenna for now. I have my antenna inside and getting it to bring in ABC, NBC and CBS is borderline in the low 70's on two of the three and end up with drop-outs like last night when it got cloudy. I had to watch the CSI premiere on my SD set. :(

FWIW, I have channel 88 set up for my Fox season passes and really cannot tell much difference in PQ (if any) between it and KTVI OTA.

I can't remember who here has the HR20 DVR. I have two questions. First, how is the PQ for the HD locals? From what I have read, the quality varies from market to market. Second, Ialso read since the locals are spot beamed they are more sensitive to rain fade. Has anyone noticed this?

Not looking forward to switching over, but I'm pretty much over dealing with OTA.

Thanks.

It will probably come in on an OTA receiver, but MCE is bit a more finicky. The signal must be putting out a PSIP (which KDNL is not right now), or the signal must be stable.
...
I leaning toward the PSIP table as the culprit for your problem (and mine, now) in MCE.


Is KDNL not sending the PSIP something that is temporarily malfunctioning or is this normal operating procedure?

ABC really only has Lost that I want to watch and if MCE recording isn't going to be an option in 2 weeks, then I should start planning for an alternative. Every other channel I record via MCE through the firewire port of my STB. I guess I can remove the dvico tuner from mce settings and record using their software...which does pull in the picture.

I'm thinking of getting the new HR20 ...
FWIW, I have channel 88 set up for my Fox season passes and really cannot tell much difference in PQ (if any) between it and KTVI OTA....FYI: you will lose Fox 88 if you get the HR20, or any new equipment for that matter. Happened to me when I added a second HR10-250. No amount of arguing helped. I talked to a supervisor who explained that regs stated they could not enable a remote HD network feed if the local version is available with any customer equipment they provide (even if it isn't the equipment you got).

FYI: you will lose Fox 88 if you get the HR20, or any new equipment for that matter. Happened to me when I added a second HR10-250. No amount of arguing helped. I talked to a supervisor who explained that regs stated they could not enable a remote HD network feed if the local version is available with any customer equipment they provide (even if it isn't the equipment you got).

Thanks for the tip. But I would then be getting KTVI as a local though right?

Thanks for the tip. But I would then be getting KTVI as a local though right?AFAIK, yes.
I think D* is not providing 9 and 11 in HD.

AFAIK, yes.
I think D* is not providing 9 and 11 in HD.

Right. I would miss PBS in HD until when and if they enable OTA for it. Trying to tune in that in may be easier if the OTA receiver is better than the HR10. My TV receiver is much better and had no problems picking up PBS and other stations.

Why is that?

Are you seeing artifacts, or strange color? If it's artifacts of some kind, it might help if you could describe them. I recorded the second half of Studio 60 (forgot to set the Season Pass), so if you can point out a specific scene in the last 20 minutes and the specific problem you are seeing (what and where), I can check (as can others here) to see if the problem is general to the station/network or specific to you.

FYI -- won't be able to follow up on this until at least this evening.I watched it live (w/out recording it), but from what I just remember seeing some random artifacts here and there, particular during scenes w/ poor lighting. I've noticed this at other times over the last year when watching Channel 5. I hope it's not my set... :(

Is KDNL not sending the PSIP something that is temporarily malfunctioning or is this normal operating procedure?

ABC really only has Lost that I want to watch and if MCE recording isn't going to be an option in 2 weeks, then I should start planning for an alternative. Every other channel I record via MCE through the firewire port of my STB. I guess I can remove the dvico tuner from mce settings and record using their software...which does pull in the picture.

It's usually because of a malfunction. I just checked again, and it appears that PSIP table is back on, because MCE is picking up KDNL-DT again. Jim is usually fairly quick on getting it fixed if it does go nuts. It hasn't done this in a while, actually.

bahist,

What sort of random artifacts? It would help if you could be more specific.

Depending on what these are there may be ways to either eliminate them, or make them less obvious. For example, for certain types of digital noise, setting black level and peak light correctly can significantly reduce this sort of problem. But if brightness and contrast are cranked out of control (the normal state for the average consumer), these artifacts are going to appear much more prominent than they should be.

I have dropped calls occasionally at 1-170/1-64 intersection, but other than it is pretty reliable for me. I know, I must be working for Sprint now. The only other wireless provider I have ever had was Verizon, and they were better than Sprint (at that time, at least 5 years ago). I only switched because I got a better deal with Sprint and have been ok with their service.

All of the central county area is rough for reception with any company. The NIMBYs are real bad in this area.

For example that's why for every single company Hwy40/I-64 is a dead zone between Clayton Rd and McKnight. All the rich people don't want cell phone towers to spoil their nirvana. I have a buddy who's an electrician and used to work for a subcontractor that serviced and installed cell phone towers. He used to talk how they were constantly trying to tweek the towers on the eastern edge (by Hanley and 40) and the western edge (Lindbergh and 40) of the Black Hole.

He said Ladue/Frontenac area was their toughest. All the bosses and rich people would complain to the right people about crappy cell phone service. His crew were known as being good at diagnosing and fixing problems so they would get called to the area. The would do the best they could with the limited towers and recommend additional ones. The companies would recommend additional towers to the Ladue/ Frontenac and the other rich feifdoms. But then they would get shot down by the NIMBYs.

Catch 22.

Thanks, Ken. You just solved a problem for me. :D I just unplugged the power to my router and plugged it back in. I'm cruising at "unbelievable" speeds now (according to the broadband test I just ran). I actually should have thought of that before. It's always a good idea to "reboot" everything, when you have problems. :o
Joe,
Most likely, you're running faster than your test reported. Any Broadband Speed Test, such as those on dslreports.com, etc, are not accurate when run through either a router and/or firewall.
If you really want to know the speed you're getting, you need to run your modem directly to one PC, disable all firewalls, and run the speed test.

bahist,

What sort of random artifacts? It would help if you could be more specific.

Depending on what these are there may be ways to either eliminate them, or make them less obvious. For example, for certain types of digital noise, setting black level and peak light correctly can significantly reduce this sort of problem. But if brightness and contrast are cranked out of control (the normal state for the average consumer), these artifacts are going to appear much more prominent than they should be.I'm fairly certain that my brightness and contrast are set around 40-60%.

It's almost like green spots/artifacts/pixels show up every now and then.

Maybe it is my black level, but it only seems to be a problem on KSDK's broadcast. If I had the spare change, you would have been at my house over a year ago, but I don't think I can fit you into the budget until the baby is out of diapers - which should be soon. :D

Has anyone ever had any problems w/ KSDK's 5.1 audio feed? I noticed some static-like popping occasionally in my center while watching Earl/The Office last night. My wife heard it, too, and we didn't notice it while watching Grey's Anatomy. Yet it was gone by the time ER rolled around.

.......

Has anyone ever had any problems w/ KSDK's 5.1 audio feed? I noticed some static-like popping occasionally in my center while watching Earl/The Office last night. My wife heard it, too, and we didn't notice it while watching Grey's Anatomy. Yet it was gone by the time ER rolled around.


Yeah I noticed the static too.. I recently pulled on/moved a bunch of wires around so I thought maybe a speaker wire was being flakey except it was only channel 5 doing it. I have Charter, but I also switched to OTA and noticed the same static.


-Phatty

Thanks, Phatty. I rarely use the surround sound when watching tv, so I was worried for a bit when it was going on. I was really close to moving things around to start plugging and unplugging cables/wires. I'm glad I showed some patience (for once).

Joe,
Most likely, you're running faster than your test reported. Any Broadband Speed Test, such as those on dslreports.com, etc, are not accurate when run through either a router and/or firewall.
If you really want to know the speed you're getting, you need to run your modem directly to one PC, disable all firewalls, and run the speed test.

Thanks, Ken. I know for sure that my speed increased when I unplugged the router and then plugged it back in. It just needed to be reset. Your post really helped me figure out the problem.

Thanks, Phatty. I rarely use the surround sound when watching tv, so I was worried for a bit when it was going on. I was really close to moving things around to start plugging and unplugging cables/wires. I'm glad I showed some patience (for once).

Unrelated, but I noticed considerable static on radio station KFUO for some time and was fiddling with antenna wires until I heard the announcement that they were one of the stations being affected by the tower work. It saved me a lot of useless cable testing.

Channel 11 went out for me last night just when Smallville started. I know the new season begins next week, so I thought I'd just watch the cliffhanger from broadcast last night. I hope they get this issue resolved, or at least don't interrupt prime time next week when things heat up for the new season.

Is anyone else as bothered as I am by the new CW bug at the bottom of the Ch. 11 screen? I know the new network had to make changes fast, but the graphics and color design leave a lot to be desired.

Nothing clever about it Winston. The rest of us were discussing advantages/disadvantages of companies/services. You made a personal attack on me. The moderator obviously agreed as your post was removed.

Good day to you.

Your comments were clearly attacks as well. Mine was an observation. =]

Hey, Joe,

Have you ever posted pictures of your setup for the projector you use? I'd love to see one in a picture that's not in a magazine review --- the more "real life" situation.

All of the central county area is rough for reception with any company. The NIMBYs are real bad in this area.

For example that's why for every single company Hwy40/I-64 is a dead zone between Clayton Rd and McKnight. All the rich people don't want cell phone towers to spoil their nirvana. I have a buddy who's an electrician and used to work for a subcontractor that serviced and installed cell phone towers. He used to talk how they were constantly trying to tweek the towers on the eastern edge (by Hanley and 40) and the western edge (Lindbergh and 40) of the Black Hole.

He said Ladue/Frontenac area was their toughest. All the bosses and rich people would complain to the right people about crappy cell phone service. His crew were known as being good at diagnosing and fixing problems so they would get called to the area. The would do the best they could with the limited towers and recommend additional ones. The companies would recommend additional towers to the Ladue/ Frontenac and the other rich feifdoms. But then they would get shot down by the NIMBYs.

Catch 22.

I had never really thought of what would be causing it there. Seems like such a busy interchange that it wouldn't be a problem, but your explanation makes sense.

Your comments were clearly attacks as well. Mine was an observation. =]

Mine comments were related to satellite service. Yours was an attack. Mine comments are still on the board. Yours was removed.

Hey, Joe,

Have you ever posted pictures of your setup for the projector you use? I'd love to see one in a picture that's not in a magazine review --- the more "real life" situation.

I could do that. Give me a few days to put something together. Right now, I'm having some issues with my digital still camera.

I wonder why AT&T is so slow at getting DSL rolled out to you guys? Seems to be a demand for it here. I, on the other hand, get their cards offering me DSL at much lower prices than I pay for Charter Pipeline but I just throw them away because I have only had one problem with Pipleline in all the years they have ever offered it (I signed up as soon as it was first available), and can't see how twisted pair copper wire is ever going to be faster than coaxial cable.

FWIW, I just upgraded to the at&t DSL Pro (for $17.99/month) 3mb d/l and everytime I've clocked it, it has delivered that speed. Plus I have probably only had one DSL outage in the past year. I would highly recommend at&t DSL if it is available, and don't understand why anyone would not use it if it was available to them.

PS - I love my Charter services/2-year introductory pricing, so this is not coming from a Charter basher.

That PSIP generator software lost the complete configuration file and thus stopped putting out any PSIP data. Got it fixed when I got back in town this AM. Our older receivers continued to work on static PSIP, but looks like the newer ones go stupid. We're working on buying redundant equipment sometime next year. Before you complain..remember we still receive no direct revenue from the millions of dollars we're already spent on the HD plant.
Jim

Yeah I noticed the static too.. I recently pulled on/moved a bunch of wires around so I thought maybe a speaker wire was being flakey except it was only channel 5 doing it. I have Charter, but I also switched to OTA and noticed the same static.


-Phatty

I have also noticed popping on channel 5 (I have Charter), but it only seems to occur between programming/commercials when it's switching from HD to SD or vice versa.

FWIW, I just upgraded to the at&t DSL Pro (for $17.99/month) 3mb d/l and everytime I've clocked it, it has delivered that speed. Plus I have probably only had one DSL outage in the past year. I would highly recommend at&t DSL if it is available, and don't understand why anyone would not use it if it was available to them.

PS - I love my Charter services/2-year introductory pricing, so this is not coming from a Charter basher.

This is good to know if I ever start having issues with Pipeline. I just wouldn't want to go through the hassle of changing email address, etc...unless I needed too. The DSL service is definitely cheaper from what I have been sent by AT&T.

Has anyone ever had any problems w/ KSDK's 5.1 audio feed? I noticed some static-like popping occasionally in my center while watching Earl/The Office last night. My wife heard it, too, and we didn't notice it while watching Grey's Anatomy. Yet it was gone by the time ER rolled around.


Yes I get this also on both OTA and with "E"'s MPEG4 feed. Last night it did it on every show I watched on KSDK. None of my shows from KMOV had the popping noises. It was doing it through both the 5.1 optical hook up and through the tv speakers.

Has anyone checked out Wheel in HD? Granted its content is not CSI or Lost, but the color ranges and PQ is spectacular. So beats out watching golf.
I suppose if I could hit the ball more than once every 3 swings, I wouldn't be so hard on it! :o

I'm wondering what makes the difference in the quality of HD. I believe Wheel is a Sony production. I watched the new FOX sitcoms last night (rec), 'till Death and Happy Hour. FOX listed them as "FOX Widescreen Digital HD." I was not impressed with the HD quality.
Is it studio vs location...film vs videotape...cameras, equipment?? Anyone know? Joe??
Lost is 720p and CSI Miami 1080i...it's a toss-up which is better, but the consensus seems to be they are both the standard of.

On another thought, unless I've missed something, all of the new shows for this fall are HD productions....a wonderful step in the right direction.

"Originally Posted by bahist17
.......

Has anyone ever had any problems w/ KSDK's 5.1 audio feed? I noticed some static-like popping occasionally in my center while watching Earl/The Office last night. My wife heard it, too, and we didn't notice it while watching Grey's Anatomy. Yet it was gone by the time ER rolled around.Red"


Yes, I get the OTA signal and noticed the static pops w/ Earl-Office. And then I turn to ABC for Grey's Anatomy and it's now on channel 31-3 or something? (thanks for clearing that up Jim). I did return to NBC for ER and didn't notice the audio glitch anymore.

I must say - what a great night of season premieres! Except for when I checked the Cards game and Berkman burned us. Why pitch to him?!

Reminder....Tonight's Cards/Astros game will be on ESPNHD, not blacked-out in STL.
If anyone prefers to listen to Wicky and Wayne, it will also be in SD on KPLR.

Cards are .631 in HD :D

shaka,

I've heard a lot of discussion here and there this morning about "why pitch to Berkman?" I really don't get why anyone is bothered by that.

Here's my take on it:

It's September and it's pretty clear that the division is wrapped up (though TLR would never outwardly acknowledge that). You have your ace on the mound and only a homer can beat you, and even then it's not the end of the game. Your team hasn't played in any real "pressure situations" in the past 3 years, apart from a handful of playoff games in 2004 and 2005.

In this situation, I think you have two choices:

* One, you stay with Carpenter and pitch to Berkman, because Carpenter is your ace and it's likely that he and the team are going to face this sort of situation multiple times if they're going to make any progress in the playoffs. Why back away from this now, when you may not have the luxury of doing that when it really matters?

* Two, you go to the bullpen, because the new late-game hierarchy (Looper/Wainwright or Wainwright/Looper) hasn't gotten exposure to anything like a do/die situation since Izzy went down, and this would have been a good place to get that. I actually like this option less, because it means pulling Carpenter from a tough spot and that might be seen as something less than 100% confidence in your ace.

But I think the ideal scenario would have been to bring in your setup guy (whoever that may be) to start the eighth, with the idea that my closer (the other guy) would pitch the ninth, regardless of how the eighth played out. These guys need to be getting acclimated to the late-inning drill now, rather than the first week of October. This approach would have the additional benefit of saving Carpenter a couple dozen pitches he didn't really need to be throwing anyway.

But ultimately the bottom line is that it probably doesn't matter. This is not a team that looks like a World Series winner, and even if it puts together a terrific run of great baseball to win it all, at this point it would seem more like a collosal fluke than a well-deserved championship.

Item: In an attempt to get this post back on topic, I've recently realized that because I'm spoiled by HD, I tend to treat the SD telecasts more like radio, as I spend time online, or read, or clean up from dinner. I think this is because it's just hard to watch SD sports, and the fact that I can always catch the replays when something interesting happens. This might explain why I find Dan and Al even harder to take than in years past.

Anyone else find themselves treating SD sports like radio broadcasts?

... I just wouldn't want to go through the hassle of changing email address, etc...unless I needed too. The DSL service is definitely cheaper from what I have been sent by AT&T.That's easy and inexpensive to remedy. Register a domain (costs less than $15/yr), and sign up with a hosting service that gives you pop mail (as little as $2-3/month). Use that as your email instead of the email address your provider gives you. That's what I do. If I ever change providers my email is essentially unaffected. Well...I guess my potential benefactors in Nigeria will need some time to find me again.

I use www.pair.com. If you need nothing more than a few email accounts, there are cheaper plans from other hosting services.

using gmail is even cheaper - free! It does POP

shaka,

I've heard a lot of discussion here and there this morning about "why pitch to Berkman?" I really don't get why anyone is bothered by that.

Here's my take on it:

It's September and it's pretty clear that the division is wrapped up (though TLR would never outwardly acknowledge that). You have your ace on the mound and only a homer can beat you, and even then it's not the end of the game. Your team hasn't played in any real "pressure situations" in the past 3 years, apart from a handful of playoff games in 2004 and 2005.

In this situation, I think you have two choices:

* One, you stay with Carpenter and pitch to Berkman, because Carpenter is your ace and it's likely that he and the team are going to face this sort of situation multiple times if they're going to make any progress in the playoffs. Why back away from this now, when you may not have the luxury of doing that when it really matters?

* Two, you go to the bullpen, because the new late-game hierarchy (Looper/Wainwright or Wainwright/Looper) hasn't gotten exposure to anything like a do/die situation since Izzy went down, and this would have been a good place to get that. I actually like this option less, because it means pulling Carpenter from a tough spot and that might be seen as something less than 100% confidence in your ace.

But I think the ideal scenario would have been to bring in your setup guy (whoever that may be) to start the eighth, with the idea that my closer (the other guy) would pitch the ninth, regardless of how the eighth played out. These guys need to be getting acclimated to the late-inning drill now, rather than the first week of October. This approach would have the additional benefit of saving Carpenter a couple dozen pitches he didn't really need to be throwing anyway.

But ultimately the bottom line is that it probably doesn't matter. This is not a team that looks like a World Series winner, and even if it puts together a terrific run of great baseball to win it all, at this point it would seem more like a collosal fluke than a well-deserved championship.

Item: In an attempt to get this post back on topic, I've recently realized that because I'm spoiled by HD, I tend to treat the SD telecasts more like radio, as I spend time online, or read, or clean up from dinner. I think this is because it's just hard to watch SD sports, and the fact that I can always catch the replays when something interesting happens. This might explain why I find Dan and Al even harder to take than in years past.

Anyone else find themselves treating SD sports like radio broadcasts?

Good points Doug. Here's my take. With the tying run on second and first base open, you do have the option of walking Berkman. He hit a home run off of Carpenter earlier in the game. A friend of mine (from another messageboard) threw this stat out today: "6 out of Berkman's 8 hits against Carp are home runs with a .720 slugging percentage". I don't know if that's true - if so, those are ridiculous numbers and LaRussa, (as a numbers guy) probably wouldn't have let Carp pitch to Berkman in that situation. Now, the actual at bat. Carps first two pitches were clearly inside as if he was pitching around Berkman (unintentional-intentional walk) to take his chances with the next guy. So with a 2-0 count, he threw something in the zone and Berkman fouled it off. Then the next pitch was in the strike zone and Berkman got a good swing and fouled it off. By now, I'm really wondering "why" do we take this chance? Then, as Carp is winding up for the next pitch, Molina calls time which clearly upset Carp as he was midway into his windup. They met at the mound. I'm thinking Molina said "walk him", Carp said, "I can beat him!". Unfortunately, the next pitch went sailing right over the plate and way over the right field wall, they take the lead and win the game. It's not the end of the world but, now, I feel like Houston has some momentum and wouldn't be surprised if we get swept. Which would keep Houston alive. Going back to last night, there's no one in the bullpen that I would have brought in to pitch to Berkman. Simply walk him I say. How many times have we seen Pujols do that to other teams, including Houston? BTW, it is good "practice" for the playoffs. Say, Carlos Beltran is up. If you have the base open, clearly give it to him. If the bases are loaded, you have to take your chances. The bullpen will get many opportunities in the next games and playoffs. I don't see any new "experiences" coming out of this series with Houston. Just finish the job!!

Yes, I really don't think this team will go very far in the playoffs. But if the bats get hot, you never know. I just won't rest easy till Houston is out of the playoff picture! Which I was hoping was last night.

As far as watching "SD" sports comparing to radio? I still watch many programs in SD format, including many sports programs. BUT, clearly, watching Earl, Office, Anatomy and ER and other programs last night in HD make the SD programs a little hard on the eyes. Not to mention the sight of Minute Maid park....

using gmail is even cheaper - free! It does POPI use my gmail account for crap. Like useless registrations, etc. With a domain, I know it can follow me around forever, I have control of it, and I don't have to rely on the continued existance of any service.

But I agree that using gmail is still better than wedding yourself to a provider-supplied email address.

*****FYI: you will lose Fox 88 if you get the HR20, or any new equipment for that matter. Happened to me when I added a second HR10-250. No amount of arguing helped. I talked to a supervisor who explained that regs stated they could not enable a remote HD network feed if the local version is available with any customer equipment they provide (even if it isn't the equipment you got). *****

I upgraded to an H20 and get the locals in HD. I STILL get channel 88 so that is not completely true. I wondered about it but never even had to ask..it was just still there. I had HD previously with an H10 so maybe because I was an existing HD customer it didn't come up. When I get rain fade on the MP4 channels I can go to the MP2 HD CH88 and its still there.

*****FYI: you will lose Fox 88 if you get the HR20, or any new equipment for that matter. Happened to me when I added a second HR10-250. No amount of arguing helped. I talked to a supervisor who explained that regs stated they could not enable a remote HD network feed if the local version is available with any customer equipment they provide (even if it isn't the equipment you got). *****

I upgraded to an H20 and get the locals in HD. I STILL get channel 88 so that is not completely true. I wondered about it but never even had to ask..it was just still there. I had HD previously with an H10 so maybe because I was an existing HD customer it didn't come up. When I get rain fade on the MP4 channels I can go to the MP2 HD CH88 and its still there.Yeah I know some people end up keeping it. But just be aware, it's thru luck, not policy that you still have 88. It can be taken away any time without appeal.

I would have pitched to him. You've got the best-of-the-best against one-of-the-best. You get beat....you get beat. Rarely does accomplishment come without some form of risk. The more often you tell your people they cannot do the job, the less often they will.

Anyone besides Carp, TLR would have gone 4 up...no doubt.

And, for my OnT addition, TLR probably knows they're .631 in HD!

I hope this is in the right area. Ive talked about it over at other forums but IDe like to know from other STL people what they think.
I recently upgraded my 2 hd satalite boxes to the new HR20. I was amazingly impressed with the quality and how it functioned untill last night. Channel 5 dT was all out of sync with voices. the voice was way infront of the picture for the majority of ER. I was able to pause and play the channel and it woudl come back. I also noticed that the channels audio was garbled once in a while.
I know these are issues others have had but has anyone else in stl seen this?

another question is has anyone else calibrated a philips 42PF9630A/37 plasma display? if so was it worth it?

I would have pitched to him. You've got the best-of-the-best against one-of-the-best. You get beat....you get beat. Rarely does accomplishment come without some form of risk. The more often you tell your people they cannot do the job, the less often they will.

Anyone besides Carp, TLR would have gone 4 up...no doubt.


Okay, I totally understand the point here. I would of loved to have seen him strike out Berkman. I support the decision. I think Carp grooved one (by accident) and Berkman jumped on it. Maybe, we're just a little scarred by so many dang homeruns hit against us this year. Hopefully we can salvage a game or two from this series to knock Houston out for good this year!

none of the digital 9 channels populate. I was hoping they would. You get a channel 9 via Sat now, but it's the digial equivalent of their analogue station (9.3?)

This issue has given me fits since the 622 came out. So far, all I've seen is finger pointing. The way I understand it, something is hard-coded in the 622 that REQUIRES the analog station mirrired on DT to be the "-1" channel. In the case of Channel 9, "-1" is the national HD feed while the analog mirror is "-3".

As a result, the 622 is unable to map any program data of any of their four subs to the EPG. E* essentially claims that Channel 9 has their subs listed incorrectly and will not fix this. Channel 9 claims all program data is correctly in the PSIP stream, but E* simply ignores this and tosses it out.

Pretty stupid, huh? Especially when E* will not let us designate the mirror via setup nor allow us to tap into the (free!) PSIP data stream.

I have also noticed popping on channel 5 (I have Charter), but it only seems to occur between programming/commercials when it's switching from HD to SD or vice versa.


I would say I notice it more during the switch time, but I have def noticed it within the program as well.

Joe,
Most likely, you're running faster than your test reported. Any Broadband Speed Test, such as those on dslreports.com, etc, are not accurate when run through either a router and/or firewall.
If you really want to know the speed you're getting, you need to run your modem directly to one PC, disable all firewalls, and run the speed test.

I don't suggest you do this as you open yourself up to serious attacks by removing the firewall. All sorts of worms are lurking out there in search of computers directly connected to the net.

A simple router (wireless or otherwise) between you and the web is your first line of defense. It prevents any information from entering your computer that you did not specifically request.

Has anyone here tried to pick up the ABC 20 in Springfield, IL with an over the air antenna? I'm thinking of giving it a try, but I fear they are running a low power HD transmitter and that my efforts will simply result in wasting time.

Mike

We are at full authorized power at WICS with an antenna on the South side of the tower. I'll bet you could get it with a good antenna. Let me know the results.
BTW thay carry the same ABC programing as we (KDNL) do.
Jim

That PSIP generator software lost the complete configuration file and thus stopped putting out any PSIP data. Got it fixed when I got back in town this AM. Our older receivers continued to work on static PSIP, but looks like the newer ones go stupid. We're working on buying redundant equipment sometime next year. Before you complain..remember we still receive no direct revenue from the millions of dollars we're already spent on the HD plant.
Jim

You're a valued asset! Thanks! I'm just glad the Samsung didn't weird out last it has in the past.

This is good to know if I ever start having issues with Pipeline. I just wouldn't want to go through the hassle of changing email address, etc...unless I needed too. The DSL service is definitely cheaper from what I have been sent by AT&T.

Yeah, that's why I decided years ago to primarily use a free, Yahoo email address so that I wouldn't be tied to any particular ISP.

Uh oh, the sky's getting dark (and green)... Time for some fireworks.

I upgraded to an H20 and get the locals in HD. I STILL get channel 88 so that is not completely true. I wondered about it but never even had to ask..it was just still there. I had HD previously with an H10 so maybe because I was an existing HD customer it didn't come up. When I get rain fade on the MP4 channels I can go to the MP2 HD CH88 and its still there.

So are the MPEG-4 channels the first to go? I have read on DBS Talk that it's worse and that's it's better in terms of rain fade. :confused: Did you have OTA before? How's the PQ?

Thanks!

KMOV is killing me. I don't care about a Tornado on the edge of the viewing area. Season permire of Ghost Whisperer my wifes favorite show and I like to watch it high def and they pull this crap.

Not being a Direct sub, I can relay what happens with DISH. The occasional rain-fade (which is usually cloud-fade, by the time the rain starts, the signals are back up), is a signal loss from the satellite location, regardless of whether there are MPEG2 or MPEG4's on that satellite location.

The M4's are scattered across many different DISH satellites. Most often, the weakest satellite location (129) goes first, which has both M2's and M4's. The second to go is the satellite location spot-beaming the STL HD locals, which are all M4.

In what I've read about the HD locals on Direct, it sounds similar, in that the satellite location the HD locals are spotted from has a signal loss, rather than MPEG4 being a "weaker" carriage of signal. Not certain on this, but I think Direct handles all of its M4 streams for a single orbital location :confused:

It is also commonly believed, some, many, or even all of Dish's MPEG4 streams are flagged M4 to prevent the M2 receivers from "seeing" them.

With that, I need to go check my HP printers for bugs :eek:

Before you complain..remember we still receive no direct revenue from the millions of dollars we're already spent on the HD plant.
Jim

Thanks Jim,

No complaint, but can you explain this ?

Seems like I've been seeing local spots on -DT for a while now. Why would advertising revenue not count the same as the analog feed ? Eyeballs are eyeballs are they not ?

My only side effect to the lack of PSIP was, when I punched in 30 on my remote, it tuned in the analog 30.

Well, I got two things here...

Has anyone had any problems with the 622 after getting the new software upgrade this week from Dish? I've not noticed anything new except that the signal strenghts are lower, but after reading a way to clear the registers on the switch the signals are back up as they were before. By the way, to clear the registers, disconnect the sat feed into the receiver, including the separator, run a check switch. After it is done, reconnect the cables, run a check switch again, and all should be good. PLEASE POWER THE UNIT DOWN BEFORE YOU DISCONNECT/CONNECT THE CABLES!!!

My HK DVD player crapped out this week, and I am wanting to get opinions on a good DVD player I should get. I don't want an HD player yet, but would like to get an upconvert that may also play Divx discs. I've heard good things of the Oppo players, but I don't know of anyone that sells them locally. Any thoughts?

Chuck,
Is TV Entertainment still greyed out on your DVR menu-1st press?

It was added to my DVR menus with the new s/w version, it shows up greyed #3. I got an email today from Dish, inviting me to free trial of their VOD, but it's not active.

For anyone interested, the initial offerings you're supposed to get VOD is of this seasons Friday Night Lights premier, and compilations of last seasons Lost, Desperate, and Grey's. I haven't seen anything to indicate what the cost will be.

Be nice if it worked. No other issues.

BTW, you can also clear the registers by resetting the 44....power off >CS, power on >CS. When the 44 is powered off, there is no SAT feed to the receivers...much easier process with 4 receivers :)

Yes, mine is grey out also. I'm not into VOD. I wish I had the option to turn it off to free up the rest of the HD for the extra space. 50% of your HD is tied to the VOD feature.

Doug,
Sorry if you chose tonight to check out the artifacts in the monologue.
Once again, KSDK setting the standard of what not to do :mad:

Has anyone checked out Wheel in HD? Granted its content is not CSI or Lost, but the color ranges and PQ is spectacular. So beats out watching golf.
I suppose if I could hit the ball more than once every 3 swings, I wouldn't be so hard on it! :o

I'm wondering what makes the difference in the quality of HD. I believe Wheel is a Sony production. I watched the new FOX sitcoms last night (rec), 'till Death and Happy Hour. FOX listed them as "FOX Widescreen Digital HD." I was not impressed with the HD quality.
Is it studio vs location...film vs videotape...cameras, equipment?? Anyone know? Joe??
Lost is 720p and CSI Miami 1080i...it's a toss-up which is better, but the consensus seems to be they are both the standard of.

On another thought, unless I've missed something, all of the new shows for this fall are HD productions....a wonderful step in the right direction.

For most programming, I just don't know which shows originate in HD video and which are shot on film. I think most are probably still shot on film, at 24 frames per second. There's a long image processing chain before the show gets to your eyes, though. The last step, of course, is your own TV. All other things being equal, network shows shot on film and mastered in HD at 1080p resolution have the potential to be the best looking shows, if you have a 1080p display. That's because 24fps film broadcast at 1920x1080 resolution, properly deinterlaced and reconstructed on a 1080p display will have the greatest horizontal and vertical resolution. It will look its absolute best when shown on a display that has the capability of running at a multiple of 24 frames per second (i.e. 48, 72 or 96 frames per second, not 60). That will eliminate judder (the distracting conversion artifact created by running 24fps film at a 60fps video rate).

So, if, for instance, CSI were shot on film at 24fps and then broadcast as a 1080i signal on CBS, and you have a 1080p display that can properly deinterlace it back to 1080p, it should in theory look better than Lost. Lost, if shot on film also at 24fps, and then mastered (or broadcast, anyway) at 1280x720, then displayed on a 720p TV, will have only 2/3 the vertical and 2/3 the horizontal resolution of CSI. The math for shows shot on film is pretty easy to do. (360+360=720; 720+360=1080; 720p is 2/3 the vertical resolution of 1080p.) It gets a lot more complicated when you add in the messy details of showing such programming on 1080i displays, which a lot of people have, or 720p displays showing 1080i content.

Since I have a 720p and not a 1080p display, I can only go by what looks the best to me on our local stations. I watch very few shows on CBS, but I understand why people say they look so good. They have yet to begin multicasting, so they are currently devoting most of their 19.3 mbps bandwidth to their shows. ABC is stellar, and a perfect match for my 720p display. Lost at 720p looks better to me than anything on NBC now, because they've devoted bandwidth to the weather subchannel and it shows in everything they broadcast. Blocking artifacts are evident in every NBC show I watch (local news to prime time national shows). The same goes for the CW, which is a real block party. Any fast motion forces the low bitrate to break itself into nearly unrecognizeable mosaics. All you have to do (if you can) is to pause the image near a shot change or during fast motion (when Clark Kent moves at lightning speed on Smallville, for instance). Slo mo through that and you'll see exactly what I mean. That doesn't happen on ABC. It was happening on Fox last year (even though it's 720p), but it's much better this year. Unfortunately, the new equipment may have softened the image. What last year looked crisp and sharp now looks softer on Fox. Low bitrate 1080i broadcasts can look much worse than high bitrate 720p broadcasts.

Was that explanation at all clear, or just a big verbal mudslide?

We're beginning to see how good movies can look when mastered to HD DVD (and hopefully Blu-ray before long) at 1080p. Our favorite shows soon will appear and we'll have the opportunity to compare the broadcast and the next generation DVD versions. I'm sure as soon as the first series is released on HD DVD, someone from AVS will post pictures showing how their local stations butcher the pristine images with bit starved multicasts. If I had to predict right now, I'd bet that the CBS and the ABC shows here in St. Louis would hold up best in such a head to head.

Thanks Jim,

No complaint, but can you explain this ?

Seems like I've been seeing local spots on -DT for a while now. Why would advertising revenue not count the same as the analog feed ? Eyeballs are eyeballs are they not ?

My only side effect to the lack of PSIP was, when I punched in 30 on my remote, it tuned in the analog 30.

True....eyeballs are good...but there are no rating meters tied to digital yet and no additional dollars are charged advertisers for being on both analog and digital. However, we're working toward the 2009 cutoff by upgrading our stations cameras and switching equipment to HD. Most of the equipment we're purchasing now is HD ready by adding a card or two.
Jim

True....eyeballs are good...but there are no rating meters tied to digital yet and no additional dollars are charged advertisers for being on both analog and digital. However, we're working toward the 2009 cutoff by upgrading our stations cameras and switching equipment to HD. Most of the equipment we're purchasing now is HD ready by adding a card or two.
Jim

Is the new gear you're buying 720p or 1080i? I'd guess 1080i and you'll convert it to 720p for broadcast. Can you give us the scoop? When we renovated our studio at school recently, we tried to maintain HD upgradeability as much as possible. I was sorry we didn't have the funds to go HD at the time, but we were saddled with old technology that really needed replacement.

Yes, I get the OTA signal and noticed the static pops w/ Earl-Office. And then I turn to ABC for Grey's Anatomy and it's now on channel 31-3 or something? (thanks for clearing that up Jim). I did return to NBC for ER and didn't notice the audio glitch anymore.

The pops occur every time they switch from SD to HD (SD mono to HD 5.1). Due to the severe weather warnings that can only be displayed in SD, there was a pop when switched. There are pops when it switches from commercials. I notice this from Charter and not from OTA. It drives my receiver crazy and I have to cycle power, occasionally, to straighten it out.

Walt

Anybody else have problems with the sound at the begining of Numbr3rs last night? I'm not sure how long it lasted becasue I switched to analog so I could hear the dialog. I switched back later during the show and the sound had been fixed.

Yes, I'm on Charter HD in Alton. It lasted about 4 minutes into show, just enough that I lost the set-up to the plot. I could hear the music and background sounds but not dialogue. Rest of show was OK, then the beginning of Channel 4 news was with very low sound. Must have been someone at the station?

Channel 4 news ALWAYS shows up on my receiver as Dobly Digital EX.

I know that's not right, so either its missflagged or my receiver is screwed up.

Perfect Joe, Thank you. You should have been a teacher ;)

Not being a Direct sub, I can relay what happens with DISH. The occasional rain-fade (which is usually cloud-fade, by the time the rain starts, the signals are back up), is a signal loss from the satellite location, regardless of whether there are MPEG2 or MPEG4's on that satellite location.

The M4's are scattered across many different DISH satellites. Most often, the weakest satellite location (129) goes first, which has both M2's and M4's. The second to go is the satellite location spot-beaming the STL HD locals, which are all M4.

In what I've read about the HD locals on Direct, it sounds similar, in that the satellite location the HD locals are spotted from has a signal loss, rather than MPEG4 being a "weaker" carriage of signal. Not certain on this, but I think Direct handles all of its M4 streams for a single orbital location :confused:

It is also commonly believed, some, many, or even all of Dish's MPEG4 streams are flagged M4 to prevent the M2 receivers from "seeing" them.

With that, I need to go check my HP printers for bugs :eek:

I read this twice and maybe since I slept in so late and haven't had enough coffee yet was I able to undertand everything. Are you saying the spot beamed ones are the last to go? I know currently it's the reverse for me. The HD channels stay up longer than the SD locals do. Not sure how D* splits their programming to their various satellites.

I talked to D* again yetserday and until they clear up an assigned second HD DVR to my account I can't place an order for one. They would send me two since their system thinks I have two to replace. :rolleyes: Plus, I want to make sure I am not going from the frying pan into the fire in regards to HD locals off their satellites. I don't have much choice regardless since I can't tune all 4 networks in reliably OTA.

I read this twice and maybe since I slept in so late and haven't had enough coffee yet was I able to understand everything. Are you saying the spot beamed ones are the last to go? I know currently it's the reverse for me. The HD channels stay up longer than the SD locals do. Not sure how D* splits their programming to their various satellites.

I think it is the satellite that goes, which also happens to be the location the spots and/or M4's are on. Given, it's just my theory with regard to Direct, but that is what happens with DISH.
I shuda got Joe to explain it. ;)

HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DirecTV_U.S._channels) is a list of Direct channels and their orbital locations. It does not appear to show all channels, but I'm unfamiliar with the lineup, so perhaps it does. Using it as reference, you may be able to figure out which channels come from which satellites. :)

I hope this is in the right area. Ive talked about it over at other forums but IDe like to know from other STL people what they think.
I recently upgraded my 2 hd satalite boxes to the new HR20. I was amazingly impressed with the quality and how it functioned untill last night. Channel 5 dT was all out of sync with voices. the voice was way infront of the picture for the majority of ER. I was able to pause and play the channel and it woudl come back. I also noticed that the channels audio was garbled once in a while.
I know these are issues others have had but has anyone else in stl seen this?

another question is has anyone else calibrated a philips 42PF9630A/37 plasma display? if so was it worth it?remlle,

I watched "Earl" via my HD TiVo and I don't recall any lip sync issues, but then I'm not the most susceptible to this. However, if it's really way off I would normally notice it.

On your Philips plasma, ALL TVs benefit from calibration, but ultimately the degree and the cost/reward equation has to be decided by the individual.

But a couple of things you can be sure of.

* First, it's highly unlikely that you "got lucky" and bought a TV that was completely accurate from the factory, because that just doesn't happen. Most TVs are set up to be bright, blue and with cartoon colors, because that's what looks good on the display floor.

* Second, the overriding majority of the TVs I see look similar to what I see on showroom floors -- too bright and too color-saturated. A big part of the problem with doing even the user adjustments by eye, is that for too many years most consumers have been looking at crappy signals from cable/satellite on marginal NTSC TVs. As a result, there's really no basis for the average viewer to determine what's correct now that we have quality video sources and displays.

I haven't seen any of the Philips lately, though one of my colleagues over at the ISF Forum the other day said he thought they had improved greatly from previous year models.

Feel free to contact me via private message if you want to discuss this further.

In todays mail was a magazine for called Screenz. It was from charter. It was the normal crap, but there was an ad for motorola for their Whole Home DVR solution. Seems pretty neat, this is a link to the specs http://broadband.motorola.com/fmtv/

I have dropped calls occasionally at 1-170/1-64 intersection, but other than it is pretty reliable for me. I know, I must be working for Sprint now. The only other wireless provider I have ever had was Verizon, and they were better than Sprint (at that time, at least 5 years ago). I only switched because I got a better deal with Sprint and have been ok with their service.I dumped Sprint today. I ordered 2 Moto Razr phones from Cingular. I get the phones free after rebate, and after 3 months I get a VISA rewards card that just about covers my early termination fee with Sprint. My new plan is better too. So switching cost me much less than I though it would -- about the cost to activate the new phones, and less than it would have cost to get a new phone from Sprint (which might not have even helped with my reception problems).

I'm using a Fusion HDTV tuner card in my PC and with my setup, generally I believe it all has to do with the source. There are several shows on the 720p stations that look better than shows on the 1080i stations. But the big thing I notice is that the PQ on Letterman is better than the PQ of most of CBS's prime time shows. I have had a hunch that most of the CBS prime time shows are shot on film and while film should be better than HD, I think something is getting lost in the translation. Letterman is shot with HD cameras and it seems to me since there is no conversion going on there, nothing is lost on PQ.

I bought this game for my son called F.E.A.R. and my video card won't support it. Is there an all around video card that can handle any game or should I get the one recommended in the game's manual.

I bought this game for my son called F.E.A.R. and my video card won't support it. Is there an all around video card that can handle any game or should I get the one recommended in the game's manual.
Duvy,
You probably already did this. I had a similar issue when I installed the new Mosaic for MLB TV last week....no video. My NVIDIA was fine, but the driver was 2 years old, and not able to handle the new software. Installing the current driver resolved the issue.

What are the basic differences between composite (RWL) and component cables (YPbPr)
I know their applications, what is the difference in their construction?

I know, a n00b :confused:

tia

Ken,

I believe that composite and component cables are interchangeable in terms of their construction. I know for a fact that, in a pinch, I have substituted a component cable for a composite cable and it worked just fine.

However, I would generally avoid using a cable designed for composite video with component video, not because of the risk of incompatibility, but rather that a run-of-the-mill composite cable is PROBABLY not built to the same standard as a run-of-the-mill component cable. I could be wrong about that, but I think there's greater potential for signal loss, interference, etc. in using a composite cable for a component video connection than vice versa.

I'm not an advocate of spending megabucks on cables. As a general rule, I recommend against using the low-end component cables that come bundled in the box with a DVD player or satellite receiver -- they're OK until you can get your hands on something better. I'd say you should spend no more than $50 on a set of 6-ft component video cables, and you can likely get by without a problem by spending less. On longer runs, say over 10 feet, there's some merit to buying better quality cable, and this seems to be especially important for long runs of DVI or HDMI cables.

But for short runs, either analog or digital, bigger dollars are not going to make any sort of meaningful difference.

Did anyone else notice the HORRIBLE sound quality of the Cardinal game on KPLR-DT last night? Everytime someone said a word with an "s" or "soft c" it sounded like sandpaper dragged across the chalkboard. I don't know if this is another problem with the subchannel or not, but something seems way out of whack. I checked this against other channels, and it was definitely a KPLR-only issue.

FWIW, the company that owns KPLR, Tribune Company, is under fire from shareholders to do something (anything) to boost the stock price. After months of resisting any change in course, management has now agreed to set up a committee to look at the selloff of non-core properties, with the funds from those sales possibly to be used to take the remaining company private.

According to initial press reports, the Tribune's TV stations are the most likely candidates for sale, even though it's not really a seller's market for local TV stations just now.

I bought this game for my son called F.E.A.R. and my video card won't support it. Is there an all around video card that can handle any game or should I get the one recommended in the game's manual.

To keep it simple, if it's an Nvidia based card, keep it thay way. Same thing goes for ATI. I suggest this only because old driver stuff and gunk left in the registry can cause problems. Even if you swap out an older Nvidia/ATI card for a new one, it's best to remove the drivers before you remove it. (Have the new ones already downloaded).

Go here (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1028400215#post1028400215) for starters. There is also a link for Driver Cleaner there too.

For selecting a new card I would go to the FEAR site and check out the forums and or FAQ and make sure you have downloaded the latest patches for the game as well.

Generally speaking only the latest and greatest video card will handle any game. I would not get the minimum the game box suggests either. One rule of thumb for video cards and CPUs is to buy the next one (or two) down from the fastest available to save $.

Edit: Found another link (http://www.gamespot.com/features/6136063/index.html?type=tech) for you.

Apologies in advance if this is redundant. I haven't posted for a while and rarely look at the local thread 'cause my Charter is stable. I just had to chime in on a topic that's probably been beat to death.

HD at local sports bars.

My wife and I went to Pujols 5 in Westport for lunch yesterday (Saturday) just to check it out. Pretty good food and a surprisingly good beer selection. Stella. Fat Tire. Weidmer Bros.

Anyway, our bar table was right next to the DirecTV satellite receivers. Every one of them was an HD receiver. But, not a single TV was on an HD channel. It was about 1pm so, to be fair, it's possible that there were NO HD games currently being broadcast. The Michigan game was on. Was that in HD?

A general question. When watching a non-HD broadcast game on an HD TV, do you prefer the SD channel stretched or the HD channel with the bars. The Michigan game wasn't even on channel 73 and was just stretched.

How about antennas? Ever seen a sports bar put up an antenna to get an HD local?

Another question. Anybody been to Pujols 5 (or Ozzies for that matter) on a Sunday? Are they broadcasting Sunday ticket games in HD?

This was sort of a rant. I'm tired of going to sports bars that have nice HD televisions and no HD receiver connected to it. Much of it seems to be education but it also could be the cost of the receiver, rental OR purchase.

Later.

Bill

I'm using a Fusion HDTV tuner card in my PC and with my setup, generally I believe it all has to do with the source. There are several shows on the 720p stations that look better than shows on the 1080i stations. But the big thing I notice is that the PQ on Letterman is better than the PQ of most of CBS's prime time shows. I have had a hunch that most of the CBS prime time shows are shot on film and while film should be better than HD, I think something is getting lost in the translation. Letterman is shot with HD cameras and it seems to me since there is no conversion going on there, nothing is lost on PQ.

The problem is that you're comparing two inherently differently looks. HD Video is razor sharp, but has no depth of field. Film usually isn't quite as sharp, but has depth of field that HD-Video lacks.

Each has it's place, I probably wouldn't want to watch a drama that was shot on HD-Video becuase the look is part of the overall goal.

Cheers,

Doug,

You're correct, electrically the requirements for Composite and Component video cables are identical.

I bought this game for my son called F.E.A.R. and my video card won't support it. Is there an all around video card that can handle any game or should I get the one recommended in the game's manual.


Duvy
Give us some other specs on your pc, such as processor and memory. Fear is a pretty system intense game. You can run it fairly decent with the new midrange cards such as Nvidia 7600 or 7900gs, but your processor needs to be up to snuff also.

Anyone know any different than the site list here? (http://www.hdsportsguide.com/nfl.php)


Seems like were SOL, but thought I would post to see if anyone knows any different source.

Thanks,

wolverine5767

Any of you HD DirecTivo owners here having issues with spontaneous reboots?

I've been having difficulties with this for a few weeks now, starting around Labor Day. At the time I though it might be the hard drive going bad on me (again). But it seems to be a problem with the software:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=314757

I followed the advice on that thread and did a "clear program data and to-do list," it rebooted and now won't get past the "welcome powering up" screen!

So now I'm gonna pull the plug and if it reboots to the point where I can actually do something with it again, I'll do the more drastic "clear and delete everything."

With the Rams taking on Kurt Warner in less than three hours, I'm not a happy camper at the moment.

UPDATE: Pulling the plug seems to have helped. It's now at the "clearing program data and to-do list" screen. I guess I'll let it do its thing for now and see what happens during the next week or so.

Anyone know any different than the site list here? (http://www.hdsportsguide.com/nfl.php)


Seems like were SOL, but thought I would post to see if anyone knows any different source.

Thanks,

wolverine5767

These guys are on their game.
http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

And yes, we are screwed. Widescreen SD this week since the gave is only being shown in St. Louis and Arizona.

http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/03-FOX-L.gif

Duvy
Give us some other specs on your pc, such as processor and memory. Fear is a pretty system intense game. You can run it fairly decent with the new midrange cards such as Nvidia 7600 or 7900gs, but your processor needs to be up to snuff also.


jaymerkramer, I just bought an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 256 mb agp off of ebay. From what I've read, it is supposed to be one of the best. Have you heard good things about this card? The memory on my computer is 256 mb.

Went to a new bar down in Forest Park Southeast/The Grove neighborhood down by Manchester and Vandevendor (sp?). The place is called "The Church Key" and it's a pretty nice place. They also have two brand new Samsung 50" DLP HDTVs over the bar and have them connected to two Charter HD capable boxes.

Saturday night after the ND/MSU game on ABC they switched to channel 35 and regular ESPN. I quickly corected them and had the bartender switch to ESPN-HD and channel 773. About 5 or 6 people at the bar ooed and ahhed. Two gals sitting next to me said "Now that looks better." I smiled a sly grin as I walked away: a job well done.

I also sent an email to the owner listing all the HD channels from Charter and recommended tuning to them to get a return on their $5000+ investment in the two TVs.

jaymerkramer, I just bought an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 256 mb agp off of ebay. From what I've read, it is supposed to be one of the best. Have you heard good things about this card? The memory on my computer is 256 mb.
The 6600 should be OK for FEAR, but I wouldn't expect great things. You definitely want more system RAM. 256 MB is barely enough to run Windows XP without thrashing the hard drive. If you want to play FEAR, better bump that up to at least 1 GB or you'll have bad frame rates due to excessive virtual memory paging.

I have a 256MB 6800 Ultra on my laptop, with 2 GB RAM and a 7800 RPM hard drive, and FEAR really pushes my hardware. It seems to ask for more than other modern PC games.

jaymerkramer, I just bought an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 256 mb agp off of ebay. From what I've read, it is supposed to be one of the best. Have you heard good things about this card? The memory on my computer is 256 mb.

6600 was a midrange card about one and a half generations of cards ago. For it's time it was a good budget card. You definatly need more ram. Fear really does push your hardware, if you bump up your ram you should be able to play it at 800x600 with the graphic detail turned down. What processor do you have? Anything less that a 2gig. processor will be tough.

can't KPLR figure out how to work their digital transmissions? There is no signal for like 20 hours a day. Hell, even WBRU can keep their station on the air...

Please take unrelated discussions off line.

who, me?

who, me?Everyone.

Haha.

Unbelievable.

6600 was a midrange card about one and a half generations of cards ago. For it's time it was a good budget card. You definatly need more ram. Fear really does push your hardware, if you bump up your ram you should be able to play it at 800x600 with the graphic detail turned down. What processor do you have? Anything less that a 2gig. processor will be tough.

I have a Pentium 4 processor and 256 mb of ram and 2.39 GHz. Whay card would you recommend?

Ken,

I'm not trying to undermine or be disrespectful here, but I don't see the problem in periodic broadening of the topics of discussion here. A lot of these off-topic conversations, particularly related to PCs, seem to result in actual face-to-face contact between members, and ultimately that seems to increase participation overall and for on-topic discussion.

If you look at the views and number of messages of this discussion, it compares favorably with other markets. In other words, it doesn't appear that occasional off-topic talk is causing anyone to stay away.

Can you say if someone has actually complained about off-topic discussions?

Ken,

I'm not trying to undermine or be disrespectful here, but I don't see the problem in periodic broadening of the topics of discussion here. A lot of these off-topic conversations, particularly related to PCs, seem to result in actual face-to-face contact between members, and ultimately that seems to increase participation overall and for on-topic discussion.

If you look at the views and number of messages of this discussion, it compares favorably with other markets. In other words, it doesn't appear that occasional off-topic talk is causing anyone to stay away.

Can you say if someone has actually complained about off-topic discussions?I agree. I would say we stay on topic 95% of the time, give or take. A little friendly off-topic conversation among fellow St. Louisans isn't going to hurt anything.

And Doug..."no more soup for you!"

Wow, someone complained about some OT: PC graphics cards posts?

Doug,
Knowing we share a common like for neon, have you seen the Apple commercial for what they call their "new" Digitally Remastered Nano? Given, the only thing new is probably just the packaging, but the commercial definitely caught my eye.

It was on during the FOX Widescreen broadcast of today's Rams game. I don't think it was an HD commercial, but the bright neon trails, and soundtrack surely make it a candidate for one. The background of the spot was all black, and I had the display aspect set to 16:9, so I really couldn't tell, other than it was not as vibrant as most HD.

Anyway, just wondering if you've seen it, and what you thought.

On another thought, something is to be said for the value placed on the proven credibility of members here, with regard to questions/problems related to other than topic. Unlike many forums, the members of this thread continue to treat repetitive questions from new members the same as they do as any other.

and we never ever fight (well OK, once in a while we do) :)

I have a Pentium 4 processor and 256 mb of ram and 2.39 GHz. Whay card would you recommend?


Check out something along these lines,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16814130054
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102606

I am assuming you have an agp bus, I don't know what your budget limit is but going up to any 7600gt for a few bucks more would be worth it.
Also there is a DVI out for your HD tv(that way we are still on topic) ;)

Thank you, Doug, for sticking up for us in this thread.

Hi guys,

I haven't been here for several months. Sorry to stay away so long. I too am frustrated with the lack of signal at KPLR. Did anyone log what time the signal kicked on today? I know that they are up and running at the moment.

BTW, I just walked off stage from playing a concert with Smokey Robinson at the Fox Theater. That was so cool. I replaced another violinist at the last minute, and Smokey's conductor remembered me from another concert( I sat first chair when Smokey was here with Gladys Night a few years ago). He teased me a few times, taking note that I was just fine even though I was not at the rehearsal. Pretty cool....oops, this was off-topic.

Hi guys,

I haven't been here for several months. Sorry to stay away so long. I too am frustrated with the lack of signal at KPLR. Did anyone log what time the signal kicked on today? I know that they are up and running at the moment.

BTW, I just walked off stage from playing a concert with Smokey Robinson at the Fox Theater. That was so cool. I replaced another violinist at the last minute, and Smokey's conductor remembered me from another concert( I sat first chair when Smokey was here with Gladys Night a few years ago). He teased me a few times, taking note that I was just fine even though I was not at the rehearsal. Pretty cool....oops, this was off-topic.

Ken H, if you're still monitoring, these "slightly" off topic posts are one of the reasons I like this St. Louis thread so much. Every once in a while we can get a little abrasive with one another, but in the end we do a pretty good job of policing ourselves. We're a devilishly civilized group.

Adrian, good to see you posting again. Don't stay away so long. That's so cool about getting to play with Smokey Robinson.

I hope Ch. 11 is up and running this coming week. They're going to make some folks around here pretty upset if they interrupt the season premieres of upcoming shows. (See how I brought this back on topic at the end.)

Thanks Joe. It's good to be back!!

can't KPLR figure out how to work their digital transmissions? There is no signal for like 20 hours a day. Hell, even WBRU can keep their station on the air...

I agree. I always have more problems with that station than any other by far.

jedi,

Great to see you back here and hope you'll hang out more often.

Playing music with Smokey Robinson? How much better can it get? Awesome...

Panasonic to Release Blu-ray Recorders in Japan in November

And check out the TV tuners and hard drive capacity of these puppies...

The following is from today's SkyREPORT newsletter:
__________________________________________________

Panasonic recently unveiled the first Blu-ray Disc recorders that can play back BD-Video discs, the DIGA DMR-BW200 and DMR-BR100.

The recorders can record high-definition imagery on BD-RE rewritable discs and dub from the built-in hard-disk drive (HDD) to BD discs at four times the speed without affecting video or audio quality. The recorders will be available in Japan beginning Nov. 15.

The models support single-layer 25 GB and dual-layer 50 GB BD discs (BD-RE and BD-R), and users can record up to six hours of HD programs on a 50 GB BD disc. Both come with a built-in HDD with 500 GB and 200 GB.

The DMR-BW200 has seven TV tuners including two tuners each for terrestrial, BS and 110-degree CS digital broadcasts and one analog TV tuner, allowing users to record two digital TV programs at the same time on the HDD. The DIGA's image processing engines include an HD optimizer that automatically detects and suppresses noise unique to digital broadcasting.

The DMR-BW200 supports i.LINK that enables users to copy D-VHS high-definition videos onto the built-in HDD. Both models also have an SD Memory Card slot for connectivity with other SD enabled products.

For more information, visit http://www.panasonic.net.
__________________________________________________

kdg,

I haven't seen the Apple commercial that you describe, but I'll definitely keep an eye out for it.

Speaking of iPods, I've never bought into that whole mania, partly because I don't commute, partly because I'm not a big fan of music via headphones and partly because it would be another thing to haul around with me.

But for the past 6 months, I've been walking 4-6 miles three or four times a week, so I've been thinking that having music to accompany me wouldn't be a bad thing. Then recently, I had to upgrade my cell phone, and because I had the loss/damage insurance, I got a new Treo 650 for only the $50 deductible. I've had it now nearly a month and it's a great phone -- and it's also capable of playing MP3s. So having a phone that also does the iPod thing (no doubt not as elegantly) just makes a lot of sense to me.

I'm waiting on some Bluetooth stereo headphones that should arrive later this week, but I'm going to have to wait a while longer to get the mobile music thing going, as the 2GB SD memory card I bought on eBay failed over the weekend while I was loading up a bunch of playlists.

The 650 uses SD memory cards, so I'm wondering what sort of track record these things have for reliability? Anyone?

Ken, I haven't had a chance to check out the Leno artifacts you mentioned in the recent PM, but will make a point to watch or record tonight.

...
The 650 uses SD memory cards, so I'm wondering what sort of track record these things have for reliability? Anyone?...My TomTom Go GPS Navigator uses a 1 MB SD Card, and it has been fine for 1 1/2 year. It's like everything else...there are good and cheap brands, and ebay probably has mostly the bad ones. If I were buying a SD Card I would get it from Newegg. If it fails, they'll honor the warranty even if the manufacturer won't (you can read about my experience (http://deanwette.wordpress.com/2006/08/27/warranties-honoredafter-all/) with that).

Any of you HD DirecTivo owners here having issues with spontaneous reboots?

I've been having difficulties with this for a few weeks now, starting around Labor Day. At the time I though it might be the hard drive going bad on me (again). But it seems to be a problem with the software:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=314757

I followed the advice on that thread and did a "clear program data and to-do list," it rebooted and now won't get past the "welcome powering up" screen!

So now I'm gonna pull the plug and if it reboots to the point where I can actually do something with it again, I'll do the more drastic "clear and delete everything."

With the Rams taking on Kurt Warner in less than three hours, I'm not a happy camper at the moment.

UPDATE: Pulling the plug seems to have helped. It's now at the "clearing program data and to-do list" screen. I guess I'll let it do its thing for now and see what happens during the next week or so.Hmmm...I did have spontaneous rebooting back in February, but that did seem to be hard disc related and DirecTV provided me a free replacement that I had up and running in less than 36 hours after the old one failed.

But last night I did encounter a bit of worrying TiVo strangeness. I recently recorded Firefly/Serenity but didn't get around to watching it before it scrolled out of the Play List. So I noticed it was on last night. I thought that I had scheduled a re-recording, but it didn't record at 8 pm, so I went into the To Do List to figure out why. Oddly, the TiVo told me that the program was no longer listed in the Program Guide, even though it was in fact there. In the interest of saving some time, I scrolled down the To Do List to the 11 pm airing. It noted that it wasn't going to record that showing either, because it had previously been recorded 30 days previously. So, I instructed it to record anyway.

But then 11 pm rolled around and I noticed TiVo wasn't recording. When I checked this out in the To Do List, TiVo informed me that the program wasn't recorded because the recorder encountered "an internal error: 4" I've never seen that before and need to check it out at the TiVo forum, but wonder if anyone else has seen that behavior/error.

Thanks, Dean. My SD card is TopRam, which sounds a bit cheezy, no?

Hopefully the seller will make good (it was an eBay shop, not an individual), but if I get the shaft, I'll definitely check out NewEgg.

kdg,

I haven't seen the Apple commercial that you describe, but I'll definitely keep an eye out for it.

Speaking of iPods, I've never bought into that whole mania, partly because I don't commute, partly because I'm not a big fan of music via headphones and partly because it would be another thing to haul around with me.

But for the past 6 months, I've been walking 4-6 miles three or four times a week, so I've been thinking that having music to accompany me wouldn't be a bad thing. Then recently, I had to upgrade my cell phone, and because I had the loss/damage insurance, I got a new Treo 650 for only the $50 deductible. I've had it now nearly a month and it's a great phone -- and it's also capable of playing MP3s. So having a phone that also does the iPod thing (no doubt not as elegantly) just makes a lot of sense to me.

I'm waiting on some Bluetooth stereo headphones that should arrive later this week, but I'm going to have to wait a while longer to get the mobile music thing going, as the 2GB SD memory card I bought on eBay failed over the weekend while I was loading up a bunch of playlists.

The 650 uses SD memory cards, so I'm wondering what sort of track record these things have for reliability? Anyone?

Ken, I haven't had a chance to check out the Leno artifacts you mentioned in the recent PM, but will make a point to watch or record tonight.

My digital camera uses SD and I've had the same 256MB card in it for two or three years. Granted, it hasn't had really heavy use. Actually, the camera reecently developed a problem, but the card has been perfect. It's a SanDisk. I've read these cards do go bad after so many uses, but the number of read/write cycles is supposed to be quite high. Just make sure you're not using it for permanent storage.

Panasonic to Release Blu-ray Recorders in Japan in November

And check out the TV tuners and hard drive capacity of these puppies...

The following is from today's SkyREPORT newsletter:
__________________________________________________

Panasonic recently unveiled the first Blu-ray Disc recorders that can play back BD-Video discs, the DIGA DMR-BW200 and DMR-BR100.

The recorders can record high-definition imagery on BD-RE rewritable discs and dub from the built-in hard-disk drive (HDD) to BD discs at four times the speed without affecting video or audio quality. The recorders will be available in Japan beginning Nov. 15.

The models support single-layer 25 GB and dual-layer 50 GB BD discs (BD-RE and BD-R), and users can record up to six hours of HD programs on a 50 GB BD disc. Both come with a built-in HDD with 500 GB and 200 GB.

The DMR-BW200 has seven TV tuners including two tuners each for terrestrial, BS and 110-degree CS digital broadcasts and one analog TV tuner, allowing users to record two digital TV programs at the same time on the HDD. The DIGA's image processing engines include an HD optimizer that automatically detects and suppresses noise unique to digital broadcasting.

The DMR-BW200 supports i.LINK that enables users to copy D-VHS high-definition videos onto the built-in HDD. Both models also have an SD Memory Card slot for connectivity with other SD enabled products.

For more information, visit http://www.panasonic.net.
__________________________________________________

There's no mention in the announcement of price or of availability in the United States. I wonder when they'll get around the Hollywood fears enough to release such devices here. It is a good sign, though. There still is no such HD DVD recorder announcement at all that I've read about. The big question after that is when disc prices will become affordable.

It looks like the TiVo "internal error: 4" may be a "fellow traveler" with the spontaneous rebooting problems that are reported. Not entirely clear on that point, but the proximity in the discussion is a bit worrying.

I just checked my TiVo this morning and it appeared to record without incident the overnight episodes of SportsCenter (records one, then deletes it so it can record the next). There's a current SC recording now, so that's a good sign, I guess.

But I also checked out the To List for today and noticed that Lost was shown for this evening at 8:01 pm. When I checked that item in the List, it informed me that it wouldn't record, because the program is no longer in the Program Guide. This time TiVo was correct. But the strange thing here is that the episode that had been listed for Lost this evening was last year's season finale, "Live Together, Die Alone." There is a "Lost" on Wednesday night, but it's one of those recap shows for the three people in the country who aren't already watching the show. ;)

Then, a week from Wednesday, we get the new season premiere, so I guess the season finale isn't going to be repeated before the new series kicks off.

Re my HD Tivo,

Doug, I think DirecTV's sent down some weird data lately that's making HD Tivos scratch their heads and say "Huh??????????????"

The last straw for me was when I posted about this yesterday. I was watching Fox News Sunday from earlier and paused it to answer the door. When I came back to it a few minutes later, it was in the process of rebooting.... in the middle of a playing-back recording that had been paused.

Per advice from the Tivo Community Forum, I did a "clear program data and to do list" on mine yesterday. It then rebooted and wouldn't get off the "welcome powering up" screen. I pulled the plug for a hard cold reboot, and up came the screen that said "clearing program data and to do list, this will take about an hour." It actually took THREE hours and I had to reenter my season passes, but I haven't had a wacky reboot in the 14 hours since (keeping my fingers crossed).

Spent the evening catching up on Smallville before the season premiere this week (using the HTPC, not the Tivo). I've only got the finale to go so I'll be all set by Thursday for the premiere. Man, that show is gooood.

I guess with the crappy record the Rams had last year, we're gonna be the 7th game when the Rams are playing a similarly crappy team (Fox has six HD camera crews for football each week).

Umm...I don't really want to start another argument, but I was wondering at this point in time, is it worth it to switch from Charter to a sat like Dish or DirectTV? I don't have any issues with Charter and I apparently have the only working Moxi box in the metro east. It seems to me that a)There isn't the biggest world of difference in prices and b) This whole "HD' thing is still "new" and no company really has together 100% yet.


Has anybody heard any rumblings about ESPN2HD on Charter? I've pretty much lost hope for ABC and NFLN.

Also, who here does NOT have cable or sat? Who relies soley on OTA? Do you have some kind of DVR service with your OTA? Do you miss ESPN and FSN?

Hi guys,

I haven't been here for several months. Sorry to stay away so long. I too am frustrated with the lack of signal at KPLR. Did anyone log what time the signal kicked on today? I know that they are up and running at the moment.

BTW, I just walked off stage from playing a concert with Smokey Robinson at the Fox Theater. That was so cool. I replaced another violinist at the last minute, and Smokey's conductor remembered me from another concert( I sat first chair when Smokey was here with Gladys Night a few years ago). He teased me a few times, taking note that I was just fine even though I was not at the rehearsal. Pretty cool....oops, this was off-topic.

Wow!! Playing with a hall of famer? At the Fox? That's awesome. I'm a drummer, and was fortunate to play w/ Al Green his last time through. KIDDING!!!
Yesterday, I was actually practicing w/ a band over at the Jazz at The Bistro (across from the Fox) and thought it would be so cool to see Smokey. Did he do "Great American Songbook" stuff? All the classics?
Congrats on the great gig!

Umm...I don't really want to start another argument, but I was wondering at this point in time, is it worth it to switch from Charter to a sat like Dish or DirectTV? I don't have any issues with Charter and I apparently have the only working Moxi box in the metro east. It seems to me that a)There isn't the biggest world of difference in prices and b) This whole "HD' thing is still "new" and no company really has together 100% yet.


Has anybody heard any rumblings about ESPN2HD on Charter? I've pretty much lost hope for ABC and NFLN.

Also, who here does NOT have cable or sat? Who relies soley on OTA? Do you have some kind of DVR service with your OTA? Do you miss ESPN and FSN?

If I was you, I wouldn't switch unless you are unhappy with Charter for some reason. It sounds like you don't have any issues. If you don't have any issues then it may not make sense to switch because:

1) you may get issues with switching
2) it may cost money to switch

I have a friend who relies only on OTA. He gets along just fine. I think it all depends on the individual and how much you think you would miss those channels or others. He says he doesn't miss any of it, and 90%+ of what he was watching was on the major networks anyway. He does have TIVO service.

If I was you, I wouldn't switch unless you are unhappy with Charter for some reason. It sounds like you don't have any issues. If you don't have any issues then it may not make sense to switch because:

1) you may get issues with switching
2) it may cost money to switch

I have a friend who relies only on OTA. He gets along just fine. I think it all depends on the individual and how much you think you would miss those channels or others. He says he doesn't miss any of it, and 90%+ of what he was watching was on the major networks anyway. He does have TIVO service.

Yeah, see I guess my issue is whether or not EPSN, FSN and HBO are worth $90 or so a month. I watch 3 cable channels regulary and that's it. Just looking through my list of shows set to record everytime they air is what got me thinking. Nearly every show of around 20 are on the major networks. I think 5 or 6 are cable. Most of those are HBO, stuff like Inside the NFL, Entourage, Sorpranos, etc...

what about fios? is that coming to the metro east anytime soon?

Doug,
I have a Motorola SLVR with iTunes onboard. The songs are store on a SanDisk SD, 5xxk (I forget the exact size, but it holds 100 songs)
I've changed the playlists/songs over and over, and its never failed. The downside being I have to use iTunes to load/unload songs.

I've had other SD cards fail, I believe they're a bit sensitive to movement and touch.

I was never a fan of headset music either, until I got a set of molded earbuds.
They're not cheap, but combined with digital music...clarity and quality, IMO, nothing compares.

TopRam.....made in the USA, no doubt :rolleyes:

Jeff,

I don't believe that FioS will be in this area any time soon. AT&T's version of this, U-verse, is likely to be available sooner, maybe within a year. But don't get your hopes there too high, as AT&T isn't likely to be any cheaper (they're more focused on the "triple play" potential) and last I heard they have ZERO HD in the markets where the service is available.

AT&T is supposed to start adding HD before the end of the year, but do you really want to go through that drip-drip-drip process with yet another provider?

If your primary focus is maximizing your HD potential, then DISH is a slam dunk, but again it ultimately comes down to your priorities and it sounds like they're mostly being met at the moment.

...
Also, who here does NOT have cable or sat? Who relies soley on OTA? Do you have some kind of DVR service with your OTA? Do you miss ESPN and FSN?I could see myself doing that eventually. About the only thing I watch is FSN-MW for Cards games, Sci-Fi for Stargate SG-1/Atlantis, and Speed Channel. Well, Speed is on the fast track to hell in a handbasket and if it continues will end up with nothing I like, so at that point I'm not so sure FSN and SciFi will be worth the $70/month I pay. I could see getting 2 Tivo Series 3 and using just OTA.

Microsoft announced today their Xbox 360 will have an available accessory to support HD DVD 1080p...estimated cost $170.00 USD with remote. The HD DVD drive will become available Nov 17th in Japan. Worldwide launch, including the US was announced for later this year.

"Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and 1080p Support

Microsoft announced pricing and availability details for the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player in Japan. The accessory will launch on Nov. 17, 2006, priced at ¥19,800 (estimated retail price), and will come with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.

“Xbox 360 and the HD DVD Player together deliver the most powerful and affordable games and movie system for Japanese consumers,” Moore said. “The freedom to choose their entertainment experiences is extremely important for consumers as they enter the next generation.”

In addition, Microsoft announced that its fall software update, scheduled for release later this year, will allow all Xbox 360 consoles around the world to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution."

Full Article HERE (http://www.portableplanet.co.uk/2006/09/21/xbox-360-priced-dated-1080p-more/)

I could see myself doing that eventually. About the only thing I watch is FSN-MW for Cards games, Sci-Fi for Stargate SG-1/Atlantis, and Speed Channel. Well, Speed is on the fast track to hell in a handbasket and if it continues will end up with nothing I like, so at that point I'm not so sure FSN and SciFi will be worth the $70/month I pay. I could see getting 2 Tivo Series 3 and using just OTA.

Same here. I'm just waiting to see what TV deal the Cards sign for next year. That will help me make up my mind.

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the welcome back!! I have some heavy performing for the next couple of weeks, then I have a bit of a break for the rest of October. I'll try to pop by more as the schedule clears.

Bob,
Wow, you caught up with Smallville. I'm still somewhere near the end of season 4. I've got to get moving. I hope to keep recording Smallville for future viewing, if KPLR will let us. I think Supernatural starts up this week too. Woo-hoo!!

shaka,
Nice to meet another fellow musician on the board. I know Gene Bradford, who runs the Bistro. He's a nice guy. I worked with him a lot when he was at the St. Louis Symphony. Yes, Smokey did a lot of the old standards that made him famous. He had everybody singing, and that was an awesome sound in the Fox Theater. Even the guys were screaming. It was nice to hear him talk about the old days with Motown Review, and being on the road with guys like Stevie Wonder and such. He even did some stuff from his recent cd. It was a magical evening...

[QUOTE=DroptheRemote]Jeff,

I don't believe that FioS will be in this area any time soon. AT&T's version of this, U-verse, is likely to be available sooner, maybe within a year. But don't get your hopes there too high, as AT&T isn't likely to be any cheaper (they're more focused on the "triple play" potential) and last I heard they have ZERO HD in the markets where the service is available.

AT&T is supposed to start adding HD before the end of the year, but do you really want to go through that drip-drip-drip process with yet another provider?

FYI, we're feeding AT&T our SD and HD signal on fiber as a test. I'm told they are planning some kind of roll out in December.
Jim

Microsoft announced today their Xbox 360 will have an available accessory to support HD DVD 1080p...estimated cost $170.00 USD with remote. The HD DVD drive will become available Nov 17th in Japan. Worldwide launch, including the US was announced for later this year.

"Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and 1080p Support

Microsoft announced pricing and availability details for the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player in Japan. The accessory will launch on Nov. 17, 2006, priced at ¥19,800 (estimated retail price), and will come with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.

“Xbox 360 and the HD DVD Player together deliver the most powerful and affordable games and movie system for Japanese consumers,” Moore said. “The freedom to choose their entertainment experiences is extremely important for consumers as they enter the next generation.”

In addition, Microsoft announced that its fall software update, scheduled for release later this year, will allow all Xbox 360 consoles around the world to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution."

Full Article HERE (http://www.portableplanet.co.uk/2006/09/21/xbox-360-priced-dated-1080p-more/)

Giddy UP!!!

Does anyone know what the power requirements are for KETC?
I E-mailed and ask when they were going to start broadcasting
full power and was told that are broadcasting full power as licensed,
which doesn't make sense. Their digital station is at a lower power
than the analog station.

[QUOTE=DroptheRemote]Jeff,

I don't believe that FioS will be in this area any time soon. AT&T's version of this, U-verse, is likely to be available sooner, maybe within a year. But don't get your hopes there too high, as AT&T isn't likely to be any cheaper (they're more focused on the "triple play" potential) and last I heard they have ZERO HD in the markets where the service is available.

AT&T is supposed to start adding HD before the end of the year, but do you really want to go through that drip-drip-drip process with yet another provider?

FYI, we're feeding AT&T our SD and HD signal on fiber as a test. I'm told they are planning some kind of roll out in December.
Jim

From engadget.com
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/25/u-verse-getting-high-def-service-within-weeks/

U-verse users, meet HDTV. We just got word that AT&T's IPTV service is going to be blessed with numerous upgrades within the next few weeks that will include HDTV support, more channels, more VOD, games, personal photos and other unannounced features. This rollout seems to be within the same speculated time frame of October 25th to coincide with the launch of those brand spanking new Motorola DVR's; whenever it does happen, though, these features will be implemented during the slow viewing times between 11 PM and 5 AM with the hope of minimizing service interruption. On a similar note, AT&T is upgrading DVRs to prep for this rollout, with customers seeing all previously recorded programs erased and all scheduled recordings canceled after October 5th. But keep in mind this is for high-def along with more content, so hopefully the ends will justify the means -- you can deal with a few Adult Swim-free nights for the greater good, right?

Does anyone know what the power requirements are for KETC?
I E-mailed and ask when they were going to start broadcasting
full power and was told that are broadcasting full power as licensed,
which doesn't make sense. Their digital station is at a lower power
than the analog station.Digital stations have been required to be at full power for several years now. For some time early on in the transition they were able to request an FCC waiver to remain below full power. But I think that waivers are only now being granted to stations in the smallest of the small markets, where the cost of running two transmitters is a genuine burden.

I don't believe that you can do an apples-to-apples comparison of power/coverage between VHF and UHF. My understanding is that a station will get better coverage on UHF than they would with VHF at the same power. But I'm REALLY not an expert on this. Maybe Jim (WRacer) or other more well-versed participants here can provide more authoritative info on this particular topic.

I agree. I always have more problems with that station than any other by far.

But its great through Charter, isn't it?

This post is long overdue, but since I FINALLY got it up and running correctly this past weekend, I feel like now is the best time to mention it.

About three weeks or a month ago I met wmschultz from our local STL thread here and he gave me one of his spare DirecTV Phase III MultiSatellite dishes.

To make a long story short, I had DirecTV installers come out and promise me I couldn't get anything from them, let alone HD. I then threw up an old, round dish and got the 101 sat A. Feeling confident I could now get Sats B and C and thus HD, wmschultz gave me one of his extras.

I just wanted to publicly say thanks, and thanks to you (and none to DirecTV), I now have all three sats and I'm getting HD through DirecTV.

Thank you so much. This thread is such a great resource for those of us here in the STL metro area. Thanks to everyone who participates!

dweebe, thanks for the U-verse update.

Jim, thanks for the word on a possible rollout date...does the test signal indicate that AT&T and Sinclair have agreed to terms on money?

[QUOTE=Left Jeff] I don't have any issues with Charter and I apparently have the only working Moxi box in the metro east. QUOTE]

Can I have it?!?? Mine just shot craps.

Just another log on the fire for you all. I called in the problem. My Moxi was in a continuous reboot cycle...long story short, the CSR told me the earliest appointment was next Sat...or I could just exchange it at the local office.

Ha. Knowing this NOT to be the case, I asked (like three times) "Are you SURE I can just exchange it?" I was ASSURED they exchanged them. I even had to wait several minutes while she "checked" about it.

Appointment currently "scheduled" for Sat 1-5 after the local office said they didn't exchange Moxis....

Anyone want to start an over/under on when I'll have a working DVR again.?

Doug,
Knowing we share a common like for neon, have you seen the Apple commercial for what they call their "new" Digitally Remastered Nano? Given, the only thing new is probably just the packaging, but the commercial definitely caught my eye.

It was on during the FOX Widescreen broadcast of today's Rams game. I don't think it was an HD commercial, but the bright neon trails, and soundtrack surely make it a candidate for one. The background of the spot was all black, and I had the display aspect set to 16:9, so I really couldn't tell, other than it was not as vibrant as most HD.

Anyway, just wondering if you've seen it, and what you thought.


Yeah, this commercial is pretty sweet. It does run in HD, and I see it all the time (I believe during sports programming).

I've only owned an HDTV for about 3 months, and it is pretty amazing how the number of HD commercials has increased in that short amount of time.

This post is long overdue, but since I FINALLY got it up and running correctly this past weekend, I feel like now is the best time to mention it.

About three weeks or a month ago I met wmschultz from our local STL thread here and he gave me one of his spare DirecTV Phase III MultiSatellite dishes.

To make a long story short, I had DirecTV installers come out and promise me I couldn't get anything from them, let alone HD. I then threw up an old, round dish and got the 101 sat A. Feeling confident I could now get Sats B and C and thus HD, wmschultz gave me one of his extras.

I just wanted to publicly say thanks, and thanks to you (and none to DirecTV), I now have all three sats and I'm getting HD through DirecTV.

Thank you so much. This thread is such a great resource for those of us here in the STL metro area. Thanks to everyone who participates!

I'm glad it worked out for you. I was wondering what happened.

Anyone here using biometrics (fingerprint reader) on their PC?
I know it's OT, so please PM me, I have a couple of questions...tia.

Noticed on my channel guide that today OLN has changed to Verses (VS.)

Re my HD Tivo,

Doug, I think DirecTV's sent down some weird data lately that's making HD Tivos scratch their heads and say "Huh??????????????".

D* has been slowly rolling out a software update (v6.3, now 6.3a) for HD Tivo's that require a reboot. From what I've heard though, it's not supposed to clear your season passes, only favorite channels. With the huge benefit of the software being much much faster (as well as having folders in the now playing list).

Digeo Reveals Plan to Take MOXI DVR Retail

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

Digeo, the cable TV set-top maker, plans to launch a High-Definition TV recorder at retail in 2007.

That's according to an article in Twice magazine.

Until now, Digeo has focused on providing set-tops for cable TV operators, including its Moxi-branded model. Moxi set-tops are distributed directly to the consumer by the cable operator.

However, Digeo executives tell Twice that they will exhibit a retail multi-tuner HD cable box at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The set-top, which will have a Digital Video Recorder built in, will be priced at approximately $1,000 and will be available in retail stores in the fall of 2007.
__________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/digeo092506.htm)

HDTV Rumors Making the Rounds -- True or False?

The TV Predictions newsletter runs a periodic feature where they compile some of the more persistent rumors concerning HDTV and either give them the seal of authenticity or the "thumbs down."

The current installment of the rumor list includes the following:

* DIRECTV will offer 100 national High-Definition TV channels by the 2006 holidays.

* The networks are using filters on their high-def cameras so older TV personalities will look younger.

* INHD 2 has been removed from the air.

* Katie Couric left The Today Show because NBC decided to broadcast the program in high-def.

* Universal HD will stop broadcasting in 2007.

Note that these are RUMORS -- to find out which are real and which are a product of too much online speculations, click here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/hdrumors3092606.htm) to read the TV Predictions story.

D* has been slowly rolling out a software update (v6.3, now 6.3a) for HD Tivo's that require a reboot. From what I've heard though, it's not supposed to clear your season passes, only favorite channels. With the huge benefit of the software being much much faster (as well as having folders in the now playing list).Jon, I'll believe this if and when I actually see it on my own unit.

While I could care less about folders, improving the speed/responsive of command execution is WAY overdue. But I just don't see what incentive there is for DirecTV to send out this update when they have every reason now to drag their feet and point the disgruntled to their own HD DVR.

I'm considering this upgrade to be an Internet myth until conclusively proven otherwise.

...improving the speed/responsive of command execution is WAY overdue...You mean it bothers you to wait 5 minutes for a change to your season pass? Where's your sense of patience? ;)

While 5 minutes is typical, I have had delays of at least 15 minutes on several occasions. This happens most often when changing the priority of Season Passes, particularly in moving them from the bottom of the list to the top.

The first time this happened, I just assumed that my TiVo had crashed and I rebooted. Now I've learned patience -- hey, I lived/worked in Japan for 5 years, so I KNOW patience on a first-name basis. But that doesn't mean I'm happy sitting around waiting for TiVo to figure out its new to-do schedule.

Granted, this is probably the only serious quibble I have with the HD TiVo, but it is extremely annoying and has ultimately led to me not managing the Season Passes as much as I could/should.

While 5 minutes is typical, I have had delays of at least 15 minutes on several occasions. This happens most often when changing the priority of Season Passes, particularly in moving them from the bottom of the list to the top....I did the exact same thing. I do hope the mythical 6.3a is faster. I'm not sure I care that much about folders. I didn't use them on my old SD DirecTivo.

Is everyone still happy with the 622 for those of you who have one? I have made my decision I am keeping my 942 even when I get the 622. I think a lot of you hold the opinion that the sat companies may get rid of all OTA tuners in their boxes which I would hate. How would they do this? Would they eventually just replace all those boxes, or would they somehow disable the OTA tuners or not allow them to load into the guide? I am trying to determine if I buy instead of lease will I have a better shot of keeping the OTA tuner active if they phase them out someday. My goal is to always have that OTA tuner. Thanks for any comments on the 622 or the OTA issue.

Also I assume both outputs work on the 622 at the same time, just like on the 942. I have my 942 hooked to 2 TVs, but in single mode not dual.

deuces,

I think it's going to be difficult for the satellite companies to eliminate the OTA tuners in HD receivers, particularly because it's going to take several years for both DISH and DirecTV to provide HD locals (and not just the four major nets) in EVERY market in the country.

My understanding is that the current version of firmware on the new DirecTV HD DVR doesn't have the OTA tuner enabled, but supposedly this is a matter of a firmware update. I've recommended to a couple of my customers who are considering the new HD DVR that they agree to DirecTV's upgrade requirements, but politely refuse to pay the monthly the DVR fee until DirecTV actually follows through and activates the OTA tuner so that all local channels can be recorded.

Of course, DirecTV can (and probably will) refuse, but I don't think that's an unreasonable position for a customer to take, particularly one who is moving from an HD TiVo.

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Thanks MOD!

Also I assume both outputs work on the 622 at the same time, just like on the 942. I have my 942 hooked to 2 TVs, but in single mode not dual.
Deuces,
IIRC, both HD outputs on the 942 can be accessed simultaneously, component and HDMI.
That is not the case on the 622. The 622 will only output one HD at a time, either component or HDMI.
As far as TV2 goes, they are the same, both receivers output only SD to TV2 via coax, RCA, or S-Video + audio.

I know of some who have successfully split the component/HDMI HD output to TV2, working in the single mode, mirroring TV1.

Deuces,
IIRC, both HD outputs on the 942 can be accessed simultaneously, component and HDMI.
That is not the case on the 622. The 622 will only output one HD at a time, either component or HDMI.
As far as TV2 goes, they are the same, both receivers output only SD to TV2 via coax, RCA, or S-Video + audio.

I know of some who have successfully split the component/HDMI HD output to TV2, working in the single mode, mirroring TV1.


That is a killer for me. I currently have the 942 outputting to basement and bedroom and both are rarely watched at the same time, so having same thing on them has not hurt. I wanted to make 942 and 622 output to both TVs in single mode, so HD would be available on both. Now I am not nearly as excited. All I want to do is mirror TV1, I wonder how hard that is.

The goal is to get 2 OTA streams with HD DVR to each TV. Along with all sat channels of course.

Edit: Since my 942 allows HDMI and component at the same time I don't see why the 622 does not.

What about an HDMI splitter?

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2514

Don't know if it's worth the $200+ price tag. However, over HDMI you could just run one cable into your television (or reciever if your lucky enough to have HDMI on it.) Then you could run the sound from the television to the receiver.

Dueces - Is the plan to run the same type of cable to each destination, or were you planning on running component to one and HDMI to the other?

Moderator

this thread is getting out of control and may be closed: please stop the bashing and keep your posts ON TOPIC to avoid suspension

Thank you

some posts deleted

Did I miss something? What happened?