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TheForce

Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Dec 21, 2007 · posted in The HD DVD / Blu-ray WAR ZONE!

Title: 300 Blu Ray Vs. Hd Dvd

System-
Toshiba A30 with 1.3v Firmware (Latest)
Samsung BD1400 with 1.2 v Firmware (Latest)
1080p60 HDMI BenQ W10000 on Matte white 92" wide screen
I own the HD DVD version, it came with the player. I rented the BluRay version from Blockbuster.
Sound DD5.1 Fiber Optic cable fed from player to receiver on both.

BlueRay version:

PQ or image quality: visual smooth quality with identical color as HD DVD. Picture is noticeable softer than HD DVD in side-by-side scene for scene throughout.

Features: Typical featurettes offering as seen on the SD disk.

HD DVD version:

PQ of HD DVD version offers more detail in particular a more obvious film grain and more defined skin pores, abrasions and flaws. Hair detail in darker parts seems to be better than BluRay version.

Features: Offers a game, blue screen PIP with interactive scenes, additional information detail on the production. Offers web access features.

Audio- identical sound quality to both. comparing DD5.1 and DD truHD available on both. PCM 5.1 extra on BluRay

Flaws or defects- With updated firmware I played both with no issues and all navigation was equally perfect on both

Time to load from tray in to first image-

HD DVD- 28 seconds

BluRay- 30 seconds

IMO- I give this title to HD DVD as you get more bang for the buck both in image quality and additional features and a more sophisticated application of the additional features such as the PIP.
Note- I was really surprised about the image quality. I would have expected it to be identical but the difference was obvious. And, after the award given to BluRay for best image quality, maybe the judges preferred a softer picture lacking resolution of detail in the BluRay version. While this may be desirable to some, I do believe it represents a lower resolution.
Also, the comments here are to be extrapolated to this title only for comparing the two formats. I hope others will not use this title evaluation to mean it is typical of all titles on both formats.

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vurbano

Dec 20, 2007

300 has more grain than anything Ive ever seen IMO. To the point where its cartoonish at times.

John Kotches

Dec 20, 2007

vurbano said:
300 has more grain than anything Ive ever seen IMO. To the point where its cartoonish at times.

Since 300 is based on a graphic novel it should like a tad cartoonish at times...

Many of the shots that seem almost frozen in time are nearly identical to images from the graphic novel.

Cheers,

diogen

Dec 20, 2007

300 is Warner.
Warner does one encode for both formats.
Whatever differences in video can be seen are due to processing done in the player and/or TV or are imaginable.

Diogen.

TheForce

Dec 20, 2007

diogen said:
300 is Warner.
Warner does one encode for both formats.
Whatever differences in video can be seen are due to processing done in the player and/or TV or are imaginable.

Diogen.

Just a qualifier- How do you know this for fact? Are you working in that department of Warner that does this or do you just assume it is as you say?
I'm not questioning what you say but would just like some credibility to your claim. Now if I were doing the job, I would do it as you stated but I can't be certain Warner did. All I can say is that the visual is obviously more detailed with the HD DVD than the BluRay.

I want to review my settings in the player to see if there are any "detail" enhancements set but I don't recall any. If I find something, I post a correction here later.

I see Harry Potter is also out in BluRay so I may do a test on that title as well. HP does not have near the film grain on the HD DVD that 300 did.

diogen

Dec 20, 2007

Don Landis said:
Just a qualifier- How do you know this for fact? Are you working in that department of Warner that does this or do you just assume it is as you say?

No, I don't.
And I don't think Warner ever made an official statement confirming this.
But I'd have a really hard time to imagine them doing two encodes using the same codec at approximately the same bitrate for HD/BD...

I think it would be interesting to hear your comparison of Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets on both, HD and BD.

And then have a look at this:
AVS Forum - View Single Post - Has Warner started using format-specific encodes?

Code:

Blu-Ray m2ts file size (only movie, without extras) = 34632 MB
HD DVD  evo  file size (only movie, without extras) = 21422 MB

Here's what the [U][B]Blu-Ray[/B][/U] m2ts file contains:

4 AC3 tracks with 448kbps each   = 4 *   515 MB =  2060 MB
9 AC3 tracks with 640kbps each   = 9 *   736 MB =  6624 MB
1 16-bit PCM track               = 1 *  5304 MB =  5304 MB[B]
1 VC-1 video track               = 1 * 17731 MB = [U]17731 MB[/U][/B]
  summed up                                       31719 MB

Here's what the [U][B]HD DVD[/B][/U] evo files contain:

3 E-AC3 tracks with 448kbps each = 3 *   515 MB =  1545 MB
1 16-bit TrueHD track            = 1 *  1704 MB =  1704 MB[B]
1 VC-1 video track               = 1 * 17731 MB = [U]17731 MB[/U][/B]
  summed up                                       20980 MB

The video parts are identical up to 1MB!
What do you think are the chances them using different encodes?

Diogen.

ONUOsFan

Dec 20, 2007

diogen said:
But I'd have a really hard time to imagine them doing two encodes using the same codec at approximately the same bitrate for HD/BD...

:up

Seems like they'd be moving a lot faster away from being neutral if they had to do two versions of everything.

vurbano

Dec 20, 2007

John Kotches said:
Since 300 is based on a graphic novel it should like a tad cartoonish at times...

Many of the shots that seem almost frozen in time are nearly identical to images from the graphic novel.

Cheers,

Yes I think thats why they made the movie look like that. I think the narration is part of it too. For those with a Sammy that really want to see something unusual, just turn on Dynamic mode with DNie. LMAO the entire screen is nothing bot dots in some scenes.

BlackHitachi

Dec 20, 2007

vurbano said:
Yes I think thats why they made the movie look like that. I think the narration is part of it too. For those with a Sammy that really want to see something unusual, just turn on Dynamic mode with DNie. LMAO the entire screen is nothing bot dots in some scenes.

I can vouch on the Sammy!

DNie SUCKS!

ONUOsFan

Dec 20, 2007

BlackHitachi said:
I can vouch on the Sammy! DNie SUCKS!

It's actually ok if you're watching a native SD program, but for HD, you're exactly right - it does suck.

teamerickson said:
Sammy TV, or Blu-ray player?

diogen

Dec 20, 2007

ONUOsFan said:
Seems like they'd be moving a lot faster away from being neutral if they had to do two versions of everything.

Who knows...
They might have never become neutral to begin with...

Diogen.

TheForce

Dec 21, 2007

diogen-

Thanks for the docs on that. It would indeed seem that the video file is identical in raw form and as it is indexed on the disks. Therefore your theory that only the players output is affecting the image quality difference, at least on the tested title from your source confirm. I don't have two computer drives to compare file size. My only information was observation of the image on scree.

Re HP latest release. I just saw the HD DVD version this week and it was much softer than the 300 image. The HP on BluRay (rental)has been checked out. If they are close, the only way to see the difference is with both where I can switch back and forth.

Keep in mind that my main reason to look at 300 was due to an award given for best image quality using that title. I have no intention in doing a scientific study of all titles on both formats using double blind methods. They are what they are and I watch and enjoy the formats for the content and story, knowing I have the best possible home theater format to see these works. I'm not interested in any agenda of one format vs. the other. There are enough pros and cons on both for people to make up their own case.

For most people here, offering an opinion that favors BluRay will piss off the HD DVD crowd and one that favors HD DVD will piss off the BluRay crowd. I'm in a different camp. I just want to enjoy the widest variety of titles in HDTV. That requires both formats and I will use them as necessary. Therefore I will piss off both camps at different times. Frankly I don't care. I'm more interested in finding the truth than giving free fanboy support for different companies or insulting members of the forum because they have a different opinion than my own. I'll just resort to insults when someone asks for it by acting immature and childish. If the insults are really childish, I won't even respond.

In another thread, I announced another discovery supporting my BluRay player. It handles SD DVD's better than the Toshiba A30. Out of habit I was using the Toshiba for my SD DVD playback but as of last evening's discovery, I am switching to the Samsung player.

BlackHitachi

Dec 21, 2007

Don Landis said:
diogen-

Thanks for the docs on that. It would indeed seem that the video file is identical in raw form and as it is indexed on the disks. Therefore your theory that only the players output is affecting the image quality difference, at least on the tested title from your source confirm. I don't have two computer drives to compare file size. My only information was observation of the image on scree.

Re HP latest release. I just saw the HD DVD version this week and it was much softer than the 300 image. The HP on BluRay (rental)has been checked out. If they are close, the only way to see the difference is with both where I can switch back and forth.

Keep in mind that my main reason to look at 300 was due to an award given for best image quality using that title. I have no intention in doing a scientific study of all titles on both formats using double blind methods. They are what they are and I watch and enjoy the formats for the content and story, knowing I have the best possible home theater format to see these works. I'm not interested in any agenda of one format vs. the other. There are enough pros and cons on both for people to make up their own case.

For most people here, offering an opinion that favors BluRay will piss off the HD DVD crowd and one that favors HD DVD will piss off the BluRay crowd. I'm in a different camp. I just want to enjoy the widest variety of titles in HDTV. That requires both formats and I will use them as necessary. Therefore I will piss off both camps at different times. Frankly I don't care. I'm more interested in finding the truth than giving free fanboy support for different companies or insulting members of the forum because they have a different opinion than my own. I'll just resort to insults when someone asks for it by acting immature and childish. If the insults are really childish, I won't even respond.

In another thread, I announced another discovery supporting my BluRay player. It handles SD DVD's better than the Toshiba A30. Out of habit I was using the Toshiba for my SD DVD playback but as of last evening's discovery, I am switching to the Samsung player.

Very good post!! :up:up This is the best way and yes you will get it from both sides! Lets hope and pray all HD gets BETTER!! :hungry

diogen

Dec 21, 2007

Don Landis said:
It would indeed seem that the video file is identical in raw form and as it is indexed on the disks...

A year or so ago, there was a Warner compressionist (hands-on guy, not manager) posting on AVS (cjplay).
Some dirty behind the scene maneuvering resulted in him stopping posting...
I think he confirmed the "two formats - one encode" issue. And at the moment neither side is questioning this anymore...

Don Landis said:
...I watch and enjoy the formats for the content and story...
...I'm not interested in any agenda of one format vs. the other. There are enough pros and cons on both for people to make up their own case.

Many on this forum won't agree with me, but so am I.
I'm just not into standalones and as soon as there was a reasonably priced dual format PC drive, I got one (Bourne release obviously played a role...).
http://www.satelliteguys.us/1157678-post8.html

Don Landis said:
...I announced another discovery supporting my BluRay player. It handles SD DVD's better than the Toshiba A30.

I believe this is a firmware issue... Many 3rd gen Toshiba owners seem to have the same problems.

Diogen.

View all replies (17)

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 31 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Hughesnet cancelling email addresses

Wasn't exactly sure where to post this. Just had a customer come in inquiring about internet. He has HughesNet and had heard good things about mine. He asked if we provided email addresses and it kinda caught me off guard. I said he should be able to keep whatever email he had been using....my sister in law is still using a BellSouth email addy and they haven't been around here for many years. He said he had gotten a letter from HughesNet stating that they had until Nov 16th to save, move, forward, whatever, their Hughesnet emails because they would lose them after that date.

I have never heard of a company simply mass-deleting email accounts (the customer still has his HughesNet service). From what I understand, in the past, the company who was ditching their email service simply sold the customer base to a company like Google.

Anyone else getting this letter. He said he would show it to me tomorrow when I go out there and set up his internet.

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Foxbat

Yesterday at 2:37 PM

Doing a Google of the HughesNet Email notice, it seems that HughesNet has been trying to eliminate hosting emails since 2019. And with HughesNet filing Chapter 11 back in August, it would be a smart move to switch to a more stable Email provider. Even AT&T farmed out their Email to Yahoo! years ago.

SpaceX's Starlink and the Cellular 5G Home Internet solutions have pretty much relegated HughesNet and its high latency, low bandwidth Internet service to History. If Earth had shorter days, maybe a Geostationary Internet Solution might have stood a fighting chance…

klang

Yesterday at 4:21 PM

Foxbat said:
Even AT&T farmed out their Email to Yahoo! years ago.

I still have one of those although I've been trying to wean myself off it.

JSheridan

Yesterday at 4:51 PM

Among my many email accounts I still have a .netscape.net which AOL assimilated a while back.

Reactions: dishstaller and Foxbat

EarDemon

Yesterday at 8:25 PM

Yep, I got the notification a few days ago. I'm not totally surprised.

Never used the address for anything, so no big loss to me.

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ncted

54 minutes ago

JSheridan said:
Among my many email accounts I still have a .netscape.net which AOL assimilated a while back.

AOL killed mine years ago without any notice. I actually lost contact with some old friends as that was the only address I ever used to communicate with them.

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dishstaller

31 minutes ago

ncted said:
I actually lost contact with some old friends as that was the only address I ever used to communicate with them.

I had the same thing happen with my first ISP....never again did I use an ISPs email...got a Yahoo and Gmail.

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Gary Toma

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply 50 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/14/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:

National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)

Additional tabs provide:

OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders

Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions

DIRECTV_TPN_Map_261014.xlsx 1,874 KB

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KyL416

Sep 18, 2026

Now testing on the stream server:
WJBF-D2 CW Augusta GA
KSVI-D2 CW Billings MT
WETM-D2 CW Elmira NY
WJET-D2 CW Erie PA
KLFY-D2 CW Lafayette LA
KARD-D2 CW Monroe LA
WVBT-D2 CW Norfolk VA
WTWO-D2 CW Terre Haute IN
WFXV-D2 CW Utica NY
KFDX-D3 CW Wichita Falls TX

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KyL416

Oct 8, 2026

PISTONS and THUNDER are finally testing on the stream server. PISTONS is showing the Ion/Scripps Sports promo loop filler that their NHL and WNBA feeds have, THUNDER has a "You are watching Thunder+" slate

The Clippers still haven't officially announced their TV plans beyond 10 simulcasts on KTLA, but the NBA's FAQ for ClipperVision is now live. The CLIPPERS feed is currently showing a loop of their Hawaii preseason game.

The Heat still haven't announced their West Palm Beach or Fort Myers affiliates. Since WPLG is streaming the games for free via their app, I doubt we'll be seeing the return of WPLG on stream.

So far nothing testing for the Bucks, Magic, Hawks or Hornets.

Reactions: mario315 and TheRatPatrol

KyL416

Wednesday at 7:23 AM

NBA League Pass prep

Some more reshuffles

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KyL416

Wednesday at 2:49 PM

KyL416 said:
The Clippers still haven't officially announced their TV plans beyond 10 simulcasts on KTLA, but the NBA's FAQ for ClipperVision is now live. The CLIPPERS feed is currently showing a loop of their Hawaii preseason game.

They finally announced ClipperVision, it will be on DIRECTV, but they didn't provide a channel number yet.

EDIT: It's going to be on channel 693

Reactions: Mr Tony and dtv757

KyL416

Yesterday at 6:36 PM

KyL416 said:
WETM-D2 CW Elmira NY
WJET-D2 CW Erie PA
KLFY-D2 CW Lafayette LA
KARD-D2 CW Monroe LA
WVBT-D2 CW Norfolk VA
WTWO-D2 CW Terre Haute IN
WFXV-D2 CW Utica NY
KFDX-D3 CW Wichita Falls TX

These are now live on stream and weren't testing on satellite as of yesterday:
WETM-DT/19 CW Elmira
WJET-DT/25 CW Erie
KLFY-DT/11 CW Lafayette LA
KARD-DT/15 CW Monroe
WVBT-DT/44 CW Norfolk
WTWO-DT/3 CW Terre Haute
WFXV-DT/34 CW Utica
KFDX-DT/4 CW Wichita Falls

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KyL416

Yesterday at 7:30 PM

KyL416 said:
The Heat still haven't announced their West Palm Beach or Fort Myers affiliates. Since WPLG is streaming the games for free via their app, I doubt we'll be seeing the return of WPLG on stream.

West Palm Beach is getting it on WTCN-CD/43 MNT. Still nothing for Fort Myers

Also, the Thunder's deal for KSBI/52 OKC and KQCW/19 Tulsa will be via a special cable and DIRECTV only feed of those stations. OTA viewers and Dish customers will be limited to 10 games.

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dtv757

50 minutes ago

Thanks for the updates on CW norfolk
Hopefully comes to sat soon!!

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Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 55 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Paramount +

For the naysayers who did not think this service would make it, just added another 4.9M subscribers and that was after the removal of 1.2M Russia subscribers.

This is even better, Paramount+ revenue grew 120% and Subscription revenue grew 74% year-over-year ( 2nd quarter 2021/ 2nd quarter 2022) to $830M, principally reflecting paid subscriber growth on Paramount+.

Now compare that to Peacock with only 13 million paid, 13 million free.

https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/19c917ac-a92b-4e68-920a-db1264e56def

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Bruce

Oct 4, 2026

Just noticed, CBS shows on Paramount+ are now same day premieres vs next day, which is how they used to be.

Also in 4K/HDR/DV.

I wonder how providers feel about this, they pay an expensive per sub fee for CBS, who is giving another positive reason to drop Paid Live TV and subscribe to P+.

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Jimbo

Oct 6, 2026

Bruce said:
Just noticed, CBS shows on Paramount+ are now same day premieres vs next day, which is how they used to be.

Also in 4K/HDR/DV.

I wonder how providers feel about this, they pay an expensive per sub fee for CBS, who is giving another positive reason to drop Paid Live TV and subscribe to P+.

So, this means that those of us with Commercial Free subs, won't be Commercial Free, unless we wait till after the show is over ?
Which would make same day, not that big of a deal.

Reactions: Bobby

b4pjoe

Oct 6, 2026

Jimbo said:
So, this means that those of us with Commercial Free subs, won't be Commercial Free, unless we wait till after the show is over ?
Which would make same day, not that big of a deal.

Paramount+ has always had the CBS shows on the CBS local channel and yes with commercials. What they are doing now is releasing the OnDemand versions of the show which I believe they don't release until after the shows air on the west coast. And they will be commercial free if you subscribe to the ad free version of Paramount+.

Jimbo

Oct 6, 2026

b4pjoe said:
Paramount+ has always had the CBS shows on the CBS local channel and yes with commercials. What they are doing now is releasing the OnDemand versions of the show which I believe they don't release until after the shows air on the west coast. And they will be commercial free if you subscribe to the ad free version of Paramount+.

So, the New season won't be on the same day commercial free ???

Looks like the On Demand will Still be the Next Day ...

If you have the Top tier, you could get the LIVE Network feed same as any Cable or OTA would.
===============================================================================

Key facts

Premiere date: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
Release schedule: Weekly on Tuesdays
Network: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+*
Series created by: Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill

*New episodes of NCIS stream live on Paramount+ as they air on CBS for subscribers of the Paramount+ Premium plan. Episodes stream on demand on Paramount+ on the day after they air on CBS for all subscribers.

b4pjoe

Oct 6, 2026

Jimbo said:
So, the New season won't be on the same day commercial free ???

Looks like the On Demand will Still be the Next Day ...

If you have the Top tier, you could get the LIVE Network feed same as any Cable or OTA would.
===============================================================================

Key facts

Premiere date: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026

Release schedule: Weekly on Tuesdays

Network: CBS

Streaming: Paramount+*

Series created by: Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill

*New episodes of NCIS stream live on Paramount+ as they air on CBS for subscribers of the Paramount+ Premium plan. Episodes stream on demand on Paramount+ on the day after they air on CBS for all subscribers.

Watching it on the CBS local on Paramount+ is the exact same as watching it on your CBS local on your current cable/satellite/mvpd/vMVPD service. The OnDemand versions of it can be released on the same day that it airs but usually it is after the show airs on the west coast so if you have a show at 7:00 pm in your time zone and it airs 3 hours later on the west coast at 10:00 pm your time then they could release it at 11:00 pm your time if it was a one hour show. I really have not checked to see what time I can see the ad free OnDemand shows on Paramount+. I know today that last nights FBI and CIA show did not pop into the Up Next row on my Apple TV until this afternoon. I guess it may have been in Paramount+ since last night but I never checked it.

Reactions: ncted and Jimbo

Jimbo

Today at 8:19 AM

b4pjoe said:
Watching it on the CBS local on Paramount+ is the exact same as watching it on your CBS local on your current cable/satellite/mvpd/vMVPD service. The OnDemand versions of it can be released on the same day that it airs but usually it is after the show airs on the west coast so if you have a show at 7:00 pm in your time zone and it airs 3 hours later on the west coast at 10:00 pm your time then they could release it at 11:00 pm your time if it was a one hour show. I really have not checked to see what time I can see the ad free OnDemand shows on Paramount+. I know today that last nights FBI and CIA show did not pop into the Up Next row on my Apple TV until this afternoon. I guess it may have been in Paramount+ since last night but I never checked it.

I think I read 3am est the next day, somewhere.

b4pjoe

55 minutes ago

Jimbo said:
I think I read 3am est the next day, somewhere.

I wasn't up at 3:00 am to check but they are there at 8:00 am today.

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jamieh1

Last reply 59 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum

Directv curated multi view now live

The new curated multiview is now live.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.

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KyL416

Tuesday at 7:29 PM

It's now expanded to a Build Your Own Multiview, currently available to streaming customers with Geminis and Roku, and coming soon to Android TV, Fire TV, Vizio, LG, Apple TV and Tizen.

Reactions: I WANT MORE, TheRatPatrol, dtv757 and 2 others

b4pjoe

Tuesday at 7:30 PM

KyL416 said:
It's now expanded to a Build Your Own Multiview, currently available to streaming customers with Geminis and Roku, and coming soon to Android TV, Fire TV, Vizio, LG, Apple TV and Tizen.

But not on the only device they ship out right now which is the Gemini Air.

Reactions: Jimbo

TheRatPatrol

Yesterday at 11:37 PM

KyL416 said:
It's now expanded to a Build Your Own Multiview, currently available to streaming customers with Geminis and Roku, and coming soon to Android TV, Fire TV, Vizio, LG, Apple TV and Tizen.

How soon will it be available on Apple TV? Thanks

I WANT MORE

Today at 7:36 AM

b4pjoe said:
But not on the only device they ship out right now which is the Gemini Air.

It's on my Air's.

b4pjoe

59 minutes ago

I WANT MORE said:
It's on my Air's.

The post read: "currently available to streaming customers with Geminis and Roku, and coming soon to Android TV, Fire TV, Vizio, LG, Apple TV and Tizen". It didn't mention the Air. I suppose when it said Geminis it meant both but I had no way of knowing that.

Foxbat

Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 9:00 AM · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

New Apple TV 4K released, plus other Apple Home devices.

Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.

At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…

Apple TV 4K

Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.

www.apple.com

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Ronnie-

Tuesday at 9:19 PM

Meh. The 4Ks I have will do everything that these do that I need them to do.

Which that's most tech these days for anything released the last four to five years.

It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.

Reactions: meStevo, comfortably_numb, b4pjoe and 1 other person

navychop

Tuesday at 9:31 PM

Ronnie- said:
It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.

Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.

navychop

Yesterday at 12:55 PM

Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?

KAB

Yesterday at 7:46 PM

navychop said:
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?

Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!

Reactions: Foxbat, slow_poke_pete and comfortably_numb

slow_poke_pete

Today at 12:08 AM

navychop said:
Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.

they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade.. :what

. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while

ncted

Today at 8:58 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade

No. Makes me wonder if that is Apple or the carrier. I am on pre-paid, so I never get "an upgrade." I still have my old iPhone 11 Pro as a second line, and it runs iOS 27 just fine. My iPhone Air, which is still a current model, doesn't really seem that much faster in regular use. It is better in other ways, and worse in some ways than the 11 Pro (size), but performance really isn't a big differentiator, especially since I replaced the battery in the 11 Pro. If I had gotten enough storage when I originally bought the 11 Pro, it could still be my primary device with no issues.

ncted

Today at 9:00 AM

KAB said:
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!

Yeah, they boot up a bit slower than Roku, but the OS does a lot more, so it makes sense. How often are you booting them up that is a differentiator? Aside from OS updates, mine are on all the time. I will say the ATV4K is generally quicker than the Roku Ultras I have, when it comes to launching apps and responsiveness, not that the Roku is sluggish.

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Linus Tech Tips

Today at 8:42 AM · posted in Linus Tech Tips

NVIDIA Told me How to Benchmark RTX Spark

Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV81SqB6HQg

Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA Told me How to Benchmark RTX Spark
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store

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"MysteryMan"

Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 7:24 AM · posted in Computers and Gadgets

Windows 10/11 Download

I created this thread on the original Edgecutter Cutting Edge Forums site. It's simply a place for those to review the latest software available for those using Windows 10 and Windows 11. To date it has received 112,559 views. I have been asked by staff to continue this thread here.

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EarDemon

Tuesday at 9:43 PM

If it wasn't for what I want, I wouldn't need any of this.

Do I need a collection of handheld radios, scanners and speed enforcement countermeasures? Nope, but I want them. Very little, if any of the software used to interface with these devices is available on Linux.

WhiteBeard

Tuesday at 9:59 PM

EarDemon said:
If it wasn't for what I want, I wouldn't need any of this.

Do I need a collection of handheld radios, scanners and speed enforcement countermeasures? Nope, but I want them. Very little, if any of the software used to interface with these devices is available on Linux.

To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.

Reactions: meStevo

EarDemon

Wednesday at 10:12 PM

WhiteBeard said:
To each there own but I've found that Windows can't do much more than Linux can. Can't have everything.

For niche use cases, yes I agree. Kali for ethical hacking and security testing, and running a Cacti server for network monitoring are the two things I have experience in. Plus thousands and thousands of other things, but for every day use I just can't see it. The owner of the GMRS repeater that I pay to access is changing the Tx DPL tones tomorrow, while Chirp is available on Linux, the software to program my MXT500 is not.

I run Fedora and Ubuntu in VMWare, honestly I don't care much for the UI of either of them and I don't feel like spending days/weeks to customize the UI to make it look Windows-like when I could just use Windows. The cartoonish dock at the bottom of the screen reminds me of Apple products.

harshness

Yesterday at 11:18 AM

EarDemon said:
I don't care much for the UI of either of them and I don't feel like spending days/weeks to customize the UI to make it look Windows-like when I could just use Windows.

What is so fantabulous about the Windows UI? By many accounts, it has been going downhill since Windows 7.

There are Linux desktops that offer Windows or Mac UIs, yet you don't hear much chatter about them outside of questions about when the creators might get sued.

Reactions: HipKat

EarDemon

Yesterday at 8:55 PM

harshness said:
What is so fantabulous about the Windows UI?

Because it's what I prefer. I know I've said this a few times, I use Open Shell to give me the cascading start menu a la WIN 95 and NT4.0. The only reason I went from Windows Vista to 7 back in the day was because of Classic Shell. I cannot stand anything other than the OG start menu from 30+ years ago. I'm using ExplorerPatcher to give me Windows 10 UI elements of the taskbar and right click context menus.

If you could take a look at how I set up Windows 95, you'd find many similarities to how I use 11.

Reactions: cp2k

EarDemon

Yesterday at 9:10 PM

I could probably use that as a starting point, but I don't like the full size icons. If you have to click on each folder that's also a no-go for me, it has to be cascading.

I used to have Peppermint Linux in a VM, that was about as close as I could get to recreating a Windows NT4.0 style of menu structure, but I could never get it to scale properly in VMWare on a 4K display and eventually gave up.

Whatever the boot up time it's fine with me. The longest part of my bootup is the HP SureStart BIOS integrity check. Once that is done, it's only a few more seconds. I haven't done this reg tweak yet since the reformat, but I switched the bootup animation to the Windows 10 style spinning circle of dots, and it's two and a half rotations. I can live with that.

harshness

Today at 12:56 AM

EarDemon said:
Because it's what I prefer.

I hope you don't believe that makes it wonderful (especially when you're using workarounds for Microsoft's malfeasance).

I use LibreOffice as opposed to Microsoft office (even in Windows) because it's UI is like the Office of old, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is (in a manner of speaking). The ribbon was one of the worst ideas to come out Redmond.

HipKat

Today at 7:24 AM

EarDemon said:
I could probably use that as a starting point, but I don't like the full size icons. If you have to click on each folder that's also a no-go for me, it has to be cascading.

I used to have Peppermint Linux in a VM, that was about as close as I could get to recreating a Windows NT4.0 style of menu structure, but I could never get it to scale properly in VMWare on a 4K display and eventually gave up.

Whatever the boot up time it's fine with me. The longest part of my bootup is the HP SureStart BIOS integrity check. Once that is done, it's only a few more seconds. I haven't done this reg tweak yet since the reformat, but I switched the bootup animation to the Windows 10 style spinning circle of dots, and it's two and a half rotations. I can live with that.

I used to pin the C: drive to the Win Taskbar and it would open in cascading style

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Former member 209992

Last reply Today at 6:03 AM · posted in SatelliteGuys Support Center

Site is slooooow

For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.

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Scott Greczkowski

Yesterday at 3:39 PM

Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.

Reactions: dishstaller, HIFI, RaiderPower and 7 others

Foxbat

Yesterday at 3:42 PM

Scott Greczkowski said:
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.

WTF… …What the Foxbat!

Reactions: slow_poke_pete, HIFI, navychop and 5 others

slow_poke_pete

Today at 12:28 AM

zipping right along here

slow_poke_pete

Today at 12:29 AM

Foxbat said:
WTF… …What the Foxbat!

wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you :biggrin

Foxbat

Today at 12:38 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you

I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:

Reactions: slow_poke_pete and Bobby

slow_poke_pete

Today at 6:03 AM

Foxbat said:
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:

View attachment 194814
View attachment 194815

OMG to freaking funny :biggrin

View all replies (528)

cpdretired

Supporting Founder

Last reply Today at 6:02 AM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Offers

Several Dish offers showed up today in my account. Once you choose one the rest are removed. Offers were Showtime, Starz, AMC and others.

33 Replies · 1614 views

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bnewt

Sep 23, 2026

Just checked my account and it shows mgm+ at 8.00 per month, but that has red line drawn thru it and shows 0.00 per month. But it doesn't say how long this lasts,...... 1 month, 3 months, forever. I called customer service to get an answer, and they said nothing like that exists. Should I add the offer or not? Already paying them too much, but want to take advantage of something free.

Reactions: dennispap and charlesrshell

ewindowman

Tuesday at 3:09 PM

Lots of offers on the hopper account app . On the website there are only a few.

Reactions: Almighty1, Russ8594 and charlesrshell

Almighty1

Tuesday at 9:52 PM

ewindowman said:
Lots of offers on the hopper account app . On the website there are only a few.

Never had time to use the Hopper 3 account app yet. I also have a Hopper Plus so it's not the same as the Hopper 3 standalone. Will try it when I have more time, need to beat the taxes extension filing deadline first as I am still working on entering the data into the tax software.

Reactions: ewindowman and charlesrshell

Almighty1

Wednesday at 6:49 AM

This is what I see when it comes to offers on My Account on the Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com:

AMC+ 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
AMC+ Free for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)
AMC+ 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Cine y Entretenimie 50% off for 3 months

DOGTV 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

DISH Movie Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)

DOGTV 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
DOGTV 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Gallery First Month Free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Heartland Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)

Mexico y Mas 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

MGM+ $0.00/Month not saying how long (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Multi-Sport Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Netflix Standard with Ads, $7.99/month credit toward Netflix Standard with Ads ($.99) month with 24 month DISH commitment
(Only on My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Outdoor Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME 50% off for three months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME 2 months free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Playboy TV 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Republica Dominicana 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

STARZ 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
STARZ $1.99/month for 2 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)

Sudamerica y Mas 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

UP Faith & Family 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Reactions: zippyfrog, ewindowman, worstman1 and 2 others

slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 11:45 PM

bnewt said:
Just checked my account and it shows mgm+ at 8.00 per month, but that has red line drawn thru it and shows 0.00 per month. But it doesn't say how long this lasts,...... 1 month, 3 months, forever. I called customer service to get an answer, and they said nothing like that exists. Should I add the offer or not? Already paying them too much, but want to take advantage of something free.

look again mine says free for 1 month

Almighty1

Today at 2:13 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
look again mine says free for 1 month

Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.

Reactions: Foxbat and slow_poke_pete

slow_poke_pete

Today at 6:02 AM

Almighty1 said:
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.

View attachment 194817

wonder why it says that

View all replies (33)

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 5:56 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

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....

68496 Replies · 2670723 views

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sdfntx

Yesterday at 5:39 PM

White Noise - Jessie Baylin

Reactions: Bobby

dishstaller

Yesterday at 6:13 PM

White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane

Reactions: ClarkGable

long_time_Dish

Yesterday at 8:45 PM

White Sun - The Doobie Brothers

hwkn

Today at 2:40 AM

White Room-Cream

Reactions: dishstaller and ClarkGable

ClarkGable

Today at 5:56 AM

White Wedding - Billy Idol

Reactions: dishstaller

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Song Name Game Part 3!