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C
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Well, I was watching HDNet last night (after a while) which reminded me how good HD picture can be. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to compare picture from a single movie on HDNet Movie channel with all movies which played at the same time on Voom's cinema channels. Of course, comparison is subjective because different source material was on every channel but in general it is still OK. I used just my eyes as "a tool" but trust me, they are (still :rolleyes: ) in a very good shape.

Let's begin:
I rated each movie on a scale 1-10 where 10 is the best. Since I think HDNet Movies is one of the best HD channels available (regarding PQ), I gave pure 10 to "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" movie which was on HDNet list night.

Voom Channel Movie Year Grade
121 Monster "Bug" 1975 6
110 Divine "A Taste of Honney" 1961 2
109 Gunslingers "Hour of the Gun" 1967 6
108 Epics "All Quiet on the Western Front" 1979 6
107 Classics "The Spirrit of ST. Louis" 1957 9
106 HDCinema6 "Two Deaths" 1995 4
105 HDCinema5 "Breach of Contract" 1982 8
104 HDCinema4 "Club Fed" 1991 6
103 HDCinema3 "The Terminator" 1984 7
102 HD World Cin "The New Land" 1972 3
101HDCinema1 "A Little Princes" 1995 10

That's it. In my opinion, just one movie on Voom (A Little Princes) was match to HDNet at that time (12-12:30 last night). In fact, some movies looked so grainy and blurry that, in my opinion, even most OTA SD channels transmmited digitally look better.
The sad part is that HDNet's movie, which I used as a base for pure 10, was taped in 1966!!!
5 Replies · 2113 views
F
I disagree.

Most movies on Voom look pretty damn good. I can tell that they use less compression on their movie transmissions than on their HD exclusives. (especially Equator HD)

I rarely, if ever see artifacts on their movie channels. One of the issues they have is that the quality of films that they are showing are not usually very good. The print is everything. If they get a good print, then the transfer will be great in HD (The Terminator).

Actually, there are time when the PQ is good enough that the actual grain from the original film stock is visible, especially on older black and white films. If you can see film grain, that's apretty darn good picture. Don't confuse this film grain with artifacts, though it may at times look somewhat similar.

Now, whether the movies are worth watching is a whole other issue.

I have never seen HDnet, but I can say that from what I see on Vooms' movie channels, thaey seem to focused on getting very good PQ for them. (At least as good as possible)
jnardone
Dude:
How can you disagree with a comparison when you haven't even seen what he compared VOOM to?

I think the point of his message is that VOOM PQ varies. HDNET movies may also vary but since they only show one movie at a time it is hard to compare.
C
FrankJo said:
Actually, there are time when the PQ is good enough that the actual grain from the original film stock is visible, especially on older black and white films. If you can see film grain, that's apretty darn good picture. Don't confuse this film grain with artifacts, though it may at times look somewhat similar.
What I see is definitelly not the original film grain. Look on the ratings, man. I wouldn't certainly grade them so low if their PQ is the best possible. You can call it artifacts, I can call it grainy picture, don't know, but I do know that the "thing" is some kind of picture noise and it should not be there.

FrankJo said:
I have never seen HDnet, but I can say that from what I see on Vooms' movie channels, thaey seem to focused on getting very good PQ for them. (At least as good as possible)

Then you don't know how good real HD picture is. Look closer on my first post. I rated "The Terminator" 7, which you mentioned as a "perfect" HD movie. How can a 1966 movie have better PQ than 1984 (The Terminator)?? You are correct that "The Terminator" is one of the best looking movies on Voom but it is not even close to the 1966 movie "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" on HDNet.
You should really watch HDNet Movies and keep switching back and forth to any cinema channel on Voom to see the difference. It is huge.
C
By the way, whoever moved this topic to programming forum, please put it back where it was. This topic is not related to programming in any way. It is PQ issue more than anything else.
DarrellP
I agree with Conjuror, if you have not seen HDNET Movies, you have nothing to compare to. I see very little artifacting on Voom Cinema movies, but that is not the issue, the issue is the lack of bandwidth they are giving each channel, resulting in a softer, more grain ridden picture. Grain itself is not the problem, the lack of bandwidth is what causes the mosquito noise and it is very evident in fine detail on every single Voom channel, but I never see it on HDNET or HDNET movies, they just look a whole lot "cleaner".

Take a sheet of Saran Wrap and place it over what you think is a pristine HD channel, then remove it, that is the difference between viewing HDNET & Voom.

HDNET just aired McKenna's Gold, a 60's era Western and the PQ was nothing short of stunning. I felt as though I was sitting in the theater watching this movie on it's first showing. That's what Home Theater is all about and Voom is not there yet.
T
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
IS Amiko MIRA 3 any good ???
Can you recommend the best to cover all bases. NO BEEPS on certain channels 101w (NEWSMAX ,NEWS NATION), a clock that keeps working STEADY for timed recording ,solid unit with good lifespan. My Amiko died AND my Linkbox has NO Favorites Button and BEEPS on many channels. Picking up 105 west with a NEW SHED IN THE Way with 6 foot Cband ..95 percent quality ...unbelievable.
4 Replies · 75 views
primestar31
IS Amiko MIRA 3 any good ???
Can you recommend the best to cover all bases. NO BEEPS on certain channels 101w (NEWSMAX ,NEWS NATION), a clock that keeps working STEADY for timed recording ,solid unit with good lifespan. My Amiko died AND my Linkbox has NO Favorites Button and BEEPS on many channels. Picking up 105 west with a NEW SHED IN THE Way with 6 foot Cband ..95 percent quality ...unbelievable.
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko? It's slim pickings out there anymore. The FTA market in the US has pretty much been abandoned.

This would likely be your best bet, and Rick is a good seller. I've never had any issues with him:

T
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko? It's slim pickings out there anymore. The FTA market in the US has pretty much been abandoned.

This would likely be your best bet, and Rick is a good seller. I've never had any issues with him:

Thanks
T
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko?

YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!

DAN
cyberham
...YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!
Give us a summary of what you receive with a 6-footer. I'm very curious.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share
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Juan
Then they are stupid. Everyone knows that the price per ounce should be the price per ounce of actual product.
You are paying for the whole thing
T
You are paying for the whole thing
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
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Jimbo
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
I would think that the Vendor/Maker of the product would have a say in it, showing the Correct weight ...
You would think it would be in the contract.

I do look at the ounces of items, but unless its way off, I don't check the math, may have to start now.

Remember when you use to get a 13.5 oz bag of Chips .... Thats a PARTY Size now.
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TRG
TRG
I would think that the Vendor/Maker of the product would have a say in it, showing the Correct weight ...
You would think it would be in the contract.

I do look at the ounces of items, but unless its way off, I don't check the math, may have to start now.

Remember when you use to get a 13.5 oz bag of Chips .... Thats a PARTY Size now.
I remember when a pound of coffee was 16oz. Now its 12oz, they don't call it a pound anymore and its three times the cost of the 16oz pound.
Jimbo
I remember when a pound of coffee was 16oz. Now its 12oz, they don't call it a pound anymore and its three times the cost of the 16oz pound.
Well, they don't call it a pound anymore ....

Ice cream is that way too, use to be a half gallon, now its 1.5 quart or some say 48 oz
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meStevo
The larger discrepancies are likely from a data or sync issue. Digital tags don't cause the error, but they can spread one bad entry across a whole store or region instantly. The small cent differences are probably just rounding in the weight, the price data, or both.
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(((Garyd)))
Well, they don't call it a pound anymore ....

Ice cream is that way too, use to be a half gallon, now its 1.5 quart or some say 48 oz
Is it real Ice-cream?
Jimbo
Is it real Ice-cream?
Is it Real Ice cream ???
Depends on what your talking about.
(((Garyd)))
Is it Real Ice cream ???
Depends on what your talking about.
Most don't have any milk in them
dishstaller
The larger discrepancies are likely from a data or sync issue. Digital tags don't cause the error, but they can spread one bad entry across a whole store or region instantly. The small cent differences are probably just rounding in the weight, the price data, or both.
It's simple math. You take the price and divide by the number of ounces and come up with the price per ounce. I find it hard to believe that Walmart's computers can't carry out simple division.
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meStevo
It's simple math. You take the price and divide by the number of ounces and come up with the price per ounce. I find it hard to believe that Walmart's computers can't carry out simple division.
The division isn't the problem, the inputs are. On the Starbucks pods, $9.22 @ $3.35/oz works out to 2.75 oz, but the box is 1.94 oz. So either the system has the wrong weight on file, or the unit price is left over from an older price of about $6.50 that never got updated. Garbage in, garbage out. Walmart's had unit-pricing data problems before, too - in 2024 they paid $1.64M to settle with New Jersey after inspectors found 2,000+ instances of unit prices using the wrong unit of measure.
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dishstaller
Garbage in, garbage out.
THAT is most likely the culprit.
in 2024 they paid $1.64M to settle with New Jersey after inspectors found 2,000+ instances of unit prices using the wrong unit of measure.
So....its intentional. The new fine needs to be a billion $...that would cause someone to fix the issue.
Y
Most don't have any milk in them
*nit pick* You want cream or more precisely FAT to make ice cream. Milk isn't heavy enough. When making my own, I use half and half.
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Y
The division isn't the problem, the inputs are. On the Starbucks pods, $9.22 @ $3.35/oz works out to 2.75 oz, but the box is 1.94 oz. So either the system has the wrong weight on file, or the unit price is left over from an older price of about $6.50 that never got updated. Garbage in, garbage out. Walmart's had unit-pricing data problems before, too - in 2024 they paid $1.64M to settle with New Jersey after inspectors found 2,000+ instances of unit prices using the wrong unit of measure.
Wrong unit of measure? Having a hard time believing that or were they conflating solid and fluid ounces (stupid US measuring system).

The first two coffees aren't off on the same amount, so likely the unit price is linked to some previous price. Now I have to *bleeping* double check more math? Does anyone check anything anymore? Bad enough in the professional world having to QA/QC a third party's work. Don't want to have to do that in the grocery store now too! Not with the absurd measures that are used in the US. Is that unit price for blueberries in ounces or pints...

First world problems, but man... argh!!!
TRG
TRG
Wrong unit of measure? Having a hard time believing that or were they conflating solid and fluid ounces (stupid US measuring system).

Not with the absurd measures that are used in the US. Is that unit price for blueberries in ounces or pints...

You always have the option of moving to a country that uses a unit of measurement that better suits your needs.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.

I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
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Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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gms49ers
Just Get Through This Night - Styx
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long_time_Dish
Help Me Make It Through The Night - Sammi Smith
gms49ers
Make Me Smile/Now More Than Ever - Chicago
long_time_Dish
Sara Smile - Hall and Oates
dishstaller
When I See You Smile - Bad English
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Can't help but wonder if a worker overlooked checking the harness. I rarely ride a roller coaster anymore but when I do I check the harness myself pretty aggressively.
Can't imagine what the son is going through.

27 Replies · 379 views
Jimbo
dishstaller
Had no idea there were that many redundancies built into those restraints.
Jimbo
Had no idea there were that many redundancies built into those restraints.
It makes sense, however, I would want more types of restraints, so if one doesn't work, the other does ... the restraints coming over the shoulder I would have expected ... with a Seat belt as last resort.

Fwiw, I inquired with what they use on Coasters at Cedar Point, various Coasters, different restraints according to what the car and track requires ...

NONE of the Coasters at CP use THAT particular system :)
I'm glad to see ...
dishstaller
with a Seat belt as last resort.
According to the article, when you see a seat belt on a ride like this, it is basically used as a way of making sure the rider isn't too large/fat to safely ride the ride.
Jimbo
According to the article, when you see a seat belt on a ride like this, it is basically used as a way of making sure the rider isn't too large/fat to safely ride the ride.
Well, the over the shoulder support is better, but would require reconfiguring the cars.
Jimbo
Heres an article from the Akron Beacon ... seeing Six Flags has bought Cedar Point and Kings Island, they are included ...
I said earlier that Cedar Point doesn't use this type of seat restraint ... well, it does use it, But the difference is, the ones up here ALSO have the Over the shoulder restraint as well ... like I was suggesting that they should have used with the Goliath.

One of the new(er) one at Cedar point the Gate Keeper, uses the Clam shell .. I have rode it many times and have Mostly felt secure, that ride will stop you part way on the ride and you just hang, till the ride is ready to continue ... I typically ride the Front Car ... when its getting ready, you ARE hanging, in the car, looking down .... it would require 2 separate restraint systems to unlock at the same time to possibly get out of it.

dishstaller
UPDATE: Six Flags is adding seatbelts to all 9 rollercoasters

Jimbo
UPDATE: Six Flags is adding seatbelts to all 9 rollercoasters

Finally ....
dishstaller
Finally ....
It DOES kinda seem like a simple safety feature.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.

The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
4 Replies · 50 views
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dishstaller
Not sure if this would qualify as a supplement but here goes: When I meet someone who is in their 90s and doing very well healthwise I always ask what they attribute their longevity to. Out of all the people I questioned, there was only ONE thing that they ALL did. They all drank some apple cider vinegar daily....usually before bed. You can water it down all you want. Who knows why, but I do it. You want to buy the organic type with the mother.
(((Garyd)))
Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.

The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
Chia Seeds
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dishstaller
Chia Seeds
Kinda the whole idea is to mention something and explain WHY it is something we might want to add to our daily routine.
This is what I got from google. Looks like I'm going to be adding them, thanks

Key Health Benefits
    • Digestive Health: One ounce (28 grams) of chia seeds provides nearly 10 grams of fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements, feeds beneficial gut bacteria, and helps prevent constipation. [1, 2]
    • Heart and Cardiovascular Support: Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—an essential plant-based omega-3 fatty acid—chia seeds can help lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides, and improve cholesterol profiles. [1, 2, 3]
    • Blood Sugar Regulation: The combination of soluble fiber and protein slows down carbohydrate digestion, preventing sharp blood sugar spikes after meals. [1, 2]
    • Weight Management: When soaked in liquid, chia seeds absorb up to 10 to 12 times their weight in water. The resulting gel expands in the stomach, increasing feelings of fullness and curbing appetite. [1, 2, 3]
    • Bone Strength: They contain high levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are vital for maintaining bone density. [1, 2, 3]
    • Antioxidant Protection: Compounds like chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid help fight cellular damage from free radicals and reduce chronic inflammation. [1, 2, 3]
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
I've always been super interested in things space related so this is a pretty cool event coming up. Nov 18, 2026 early in the morning, Voyager 1 will reach the distance of one full light day from Earth. Took almost 50 yrs. I was 13 when it launched.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gjHK3clOwIw?feature=share
6 Replies · 132 views
Foxbat
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Bruce
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
IMG_2175.webp
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b4pjoe
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Thanks for that info. I will mark it on my calendar! 🤣
Jimbo
Will the Jupiter 2 make it in time ....
Stay tuned ...
dishstaller
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Isn't that insane!!!
To reach the nearest galaxy to ours, at its present speed, will take another 44 billion years.
Jimbo
Isn't that insane!!!
To reach the nearest galaxy to ours, at its present speed, will take another 44 billion years.
Turn the Lights out when you get there.
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
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